“Falling in love with the Lord Who offered His Life for us and faithfully remains with us, in every situation of life!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 11:29-32,12:19 and Mk 7:31-37)

There is a beautiful little anecdote in the life of St Mother Teresa of Kolkotta, probably, known to many of us.

As Mother was cleaning the wounds of a leper, a man observed her.

The sight of the leprous wounds and the horrible stench caused that man to exclaim with disgust, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars!”

In reply, the saintly mother replied:

“Neither would I!

But I would gladly do it for Jesus!”

The love for the Lord and imitation of His descending love, prompted Mother Teresa to reach out her hands, even to the worst sores and the filthiest wounds!

>> Divine Love manifests its great power and reveals its glorious splendour, when it descends to even touch the lowliest, the least and the lost!

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful presentation of Jesus, who was willing to lower to an extent, even to “dirty Himself” in order to touch human lives!

This incident of healing the ‘man who was deaf and had a speech impediment’ is very unique in the fact of the manner in which the miracle was performed.

The Book of Genesis (Chapter 1) testifies to the fact that God created the entire world with His Word!

> God doesn’t need a particular or a fixed procedure to work a miracle or a wonder

> God doesn’t comply to human understandings of causing a divine phenomenon.

Perhaps, here is a reminder for us, in our prayer patterns…

>> In my prayers, do I also make my requests in such a way that I end up even commanding how and when God should answer the prayer?

>> In my intercessions to the Lord, do I act as “god” and even order God, the style and manner in which He has to answer our prayers?

Keeping in tune with this principle of “God as His own unique styles and patterns,” Jesus, the Word performs a strange pattern in bringing about the healing.

The Gospel says, “taking him (the man who was deaf and with impediment in speech) aside, from the multitude privately…

… Jesus put His fingers into His ears, and He spat and touched His tongue, and looking up to heaven, He sighed…” (Mk 7: 33)

Here is a highly “unclean and unhygienic” style of healing…

>> Putting fingers into the ears…

>> Spitting onto the hands or the finger..

>> Touching the tongue..

Well sounds a little disgusting, right?

(Even while reading this account, some of us might, perhaps, have a “Gosh! So horrible” feeling!)

But let’s be prepared to face this grand reality….

~~ This is our God!

~~ This is our Saviour Lord!

>> In Jesus, we celebrate a God who is willing to heal even our most painful wounds and cleanse our most sinful sores!

>> In Jesus, we cherish a God who lowers Himself even to the extent of dirtying His hands to purify and refine us!

Am I willing and ready to allow this Daring God, who would go to any extent..

> to win us back to Him

> to bring a wholesome healing in us

… to touch our hidden wounds, our shameful sores and our filthy sinful lives?

This is also a challenge and a call, to us Christians, to imitate our Blessed Lord in lowering ourselves…

… to reach out to the needy and the wanting

… to touch the hearts of the unclean and the corrupt.

God remains faithful to us in every situation of life.

>> In the Old Testament, God displays His faithfulness to the promise He made to King David (2 Sam 7)…

… When He would time and again refer to “for the sake of my servant David” (1 Kgs 11:32) as he makes a preferential choice and favour for Judah, the tribe of David.

The beautiful quote of Blaise Pascal says, “The heart has its reason, which reasons know nothing”

Humanly speaking, it might be too unreasonable to enter into the portals of dirt and slimes in the lives of people and to remain faithful to the Ways of God.

>> But our Blessed Lord challenges us to imitate Him and offers His Heart of Love to be the “thumb rule” and the basic reason to reach out to all!

Are we prepared to “dirty” our lives in order to extend the charity and mercy of God to all…

…and thus, as in the title of the book on Blessed Mother Teresa, make our lives, “Something beautiful for God”!

February 14 is popularly celebrated as Valentine’s Day.

Jesus, the True Lover illustrates the real meaning of love…

… by offering His Life in deep love for us and nailing all our sins on the Cross

… by sharing our situations and remaining with us in the least and lost moments of life

Jesus, our True Lover

… invites us to “fall in love with Him” and to “live for Him!”

Yes, the Lord holds our hands…

… and in deep love and affection asks us: “Will you be My valentine forever?”

Let’s not blush…let’s not be shy…

>> Instead in deep faith and true commitment, pledge forever, our love to the Lover of all hearts!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS)– “We must never undervalue any person. The workman loves not that his work should be despised in his presence.

>> Now God is present everywhere, and every person is His work.”

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“Avoiding the blame-game and remaining focussed on the Lord for healing and deliverance!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 11:4-13 and and Mk 7:24-30)

A highly contagious virus has affected human life, down through many centuries – societies, communities and families.

This contagion is not some strand of flu that affects the body… or even the deadly corona virus!

This contagion is not even a digital malware spreading from computer to computer!

This contagion is the virus named “blaming”.

This virus – “blaming” – is perhaps the easiest culprit for many of the problems that we face in our lives.

Whenever our plans fail

… we “blame” other people.

>> Whenever things don’t go the way it is expected

… we “blame” our luck or the stars

>> Whenever we face personal problems and crisis

…we “blame” our situations and surroundings

Often…

… our problems find a scapegoat in this virus named “blaming”

… our defeats find a cause in this contagion named “blaming”

But the Gospel of the day presents an amazing personality who overcomes and overpowers this virus of “blaming” and wins for herself the favour of the Lord.

The Gospel passage is the incident of Jesus’ encounter with a Gentile woman who comes seeking for a cure for her daughter, from a demon.

“…a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about Jesus. She came and fell at His feet” (Mk 7:25)

This person who came to Jesus went through a string of ignominies and exploitations…

>> She had to face humiliations because she was a woman…

The Jewish society accorded a lowly and highly subjugated status to women

>> She had to face disgraces because she was a Greek…

The Greeks, who were considered pagans by the Jews, were treated with inferiority.

>> She had to face dishonour because she was a Syrophoenician…

A Syrophoenician denoted a mixed race – half Syrians and half Phoenician; thus denoting also a crisis in cultural and linguistic identity.

>> She had to face scandal because she had to approach Jesus who was a pure Jew…

Greeks and especially Greek woman had no interaction at all with Jewish men

>> She had to face crisis because her child was possessed with an unclean spirit…

A demon-possession in her beloved daughter would have chased away all her peace of mind.

>> She had to face challenge to her faith when the Lord addressed to her in an apparently disrespectful manner…

Being called as a “dog” would have put off the mind of a weak and frail person

Well.. this Syrophoenician Greek woman, had many things to complain in life…

She had a number of reasons to “blame” and get defeated in life.

She could have just “blamed”…

… the society for their inhuman attitudes

… the citizens for their class divisions

… the civilization for their cruel outlooks

… her stars and fate for what happened to her daughter…

… Jesus for His challenging and apparently resistant answer…

She could have just kept “blaming” anybody and anything….and get bogged down totally!

>> But this woman decides to overpower and overcome this “virus” of blaming.

She decides to close her eyes to all humiliations and yet stand strong with a bold face!

>> She decides to overlook all setbacks and defy the odds with her deep convictions and trust!

As a result, the Lord rewards her immensely and her daughter was delivered of the demon!

Are we people who get easily afflicted by the contagion of “blaming”?

>> Are we people who are easily paralysed by the virus of “blaming”?

The Syrophoenician woman…

… by her tremendous faith and bold trust is a challenge to us.

… by her amazing determination and resolve is an inspiration for us.

Our society, our families, our own individual selves are often under the grip and possession of this contagion of “blaming”.

Let us approach the Lord for a deliverance and liberation!

Let’s remain always focussed on the Lord and renew our love for the Lord daily…

… Unlike Solomon, who would turn away from the ways of the Lord by committing idolatry and thus bring punishment upon himself (1 Kgs 11:4-13).

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ It is a fact that people are always well aware of what is due to them.

>> Unfortunately, they remain oblivious of what they owe to others!”

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“Allowing the Lord to soak us and wash us clean in the hot waters of correction and contrition, so as to shine as pure and clean children of God!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 10:1-10 and and Mk 7:14-23)

“Mamma”, said the child, feeling quite disturbed, “I feel very upset today, ‘cos my teacher corrected me!”

The mother – who was washing dishes – looked at the child and told him, “look at what I am doing…”

>> The child looked at the mother, washing the dishes

Pointing to a set of vessels that had been left unwashed overnight – she said: “Look at these vessels

>> It is very hard to scrub these – ‘cos the dirt is stuck for a long time

So the easy method, is…

… to dip them in hot water

… keep it soaked for sometime

… and then wash!”

Then taking the child close to her, she said, “That’s how it is in life as well!

Sometimes when we are stuck with things that are not good…

We need a nice dip in the “hot waters of correction”

… remain soaked in the “feel of contrition”

>> So that we can “emerge clean!”

Always remain, therefore, open to corrections!”

Are we persons who remain open to corrections…

… so that feeling contrite, we can emerge clean?

The Gospel of the Day is a strong act of Jesus reminding the Scribes and Pharisees to undergo the process of “being washed”…

… and to be “scrubbed off” the long stuck dirt of duplicity and hypocrisy.

The Gospel begins with the statement, “Jesus called to Him the people and said to them…” (Mk 7:14)

Jesus calls together the multitude to Himself to speak something…

>> Jesus brings aside the people to Himself to address to them something…

The background to this action of Jesus, is the context of the unfair remarks of the Pharisees and Scribes about Jesus and His disciples, in Mk 7: 1-14.

The scribes and the Pharisees had objected that Jesus’ disciples failed to keep up the tradition of the Elders to have the ritual washing before eating.

This exercise of ritual washing was more a ceremonial one.

They attached greater importance to external cleanliness over internal purity.

>> They accorded higher priority to hygiene outside than to transparency within.

They would not bother, hearts being corrupted, but they would not tolerate dirty hands!

>> They would despise unwashed hands, but they would bypass filthy hearts!

But Jesus is in prime opposition to all such deceitful and corrupt human practices.

>> He flays the Scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced priorities.

>> He slams the Scribes and Pharisees for their misleading interpretation of purity.

And so, Jesus summoned the crowd and explained what is the meaning of real cleanliness and purity:

“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mk 7: 16)

Indeed, a remarkable statement from Jesus, the Purest and the Holiest One!

It is not just our hands alone that matter; it is our hearts that matter most!

>> It is not just our medical hygiene that counts; it is our lives that needs consideration the most!

The Pharisees and the Scribes for a long time, had enforced importance only to external purity and outside cleanliness.

Their authority was used to stamp the importance of rituals and traditions, which were meant to…

… only emphasize bodily cleaning, but avoiding transparency in life

… only highlight cleansing of external parts, but overlooking sanctity of heart and mind

But, Jesus comes in great opposition and places things in the right perspective.

>> He reminds them of the “need for correction!”

Perhaps, we are also in “need of a correction”…

… let us therefore make a self-introspection:

>> I may be appearing to be clean outside…

… but is my heart pure and holy?

>> I may be appearing to be an angel to the world…

… but am I a barn of devilish actions within?

>> I may be appearing to be very good to all…

… but am I full of anger, jealousy and greed inside?

>> I may be appearing to be successful…

… but am I decaying interiorly with impurity and deceit?

Is it not time to cleanse my heart and life, which is perhaps…

… defiled with sin?

… impure with unhealthy thoughts?

… and sullied with evil intentions?

In the Old Testament, we read of how Queen Sheba travelled from far to behold the richness and the wisdom of King Solomon (1 Kgs 10:1-10)

>> As long as Solomon co-operated with the Grace of God, the blessings of the Lord filled his life

>> The greater He depended on the Wisdom of the Lord, the greater was the Lord’s Goodness that he experienced in life.

However, there could be certain times, when we fail to depend on the Lord…

… fail to do things in the right way

>> Yes…Sometimes we get stuck with things that are not good…

In all such situations, we need a nice dip in the “hot waters of correction”

… remain soaked in the “feel of contrition”

>> So that we can be “washed clean!”

We may feel sad for sometime… upset for a few moments

>> But let us always remain open to corrections…

… and co-operate with the Lord in “being washed” of every bit of corruption and malice from our hearts!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Take great care not to get overly upset whenever you commit some faults.

Humble yourselves immediately before God.

>> But let this humility be a loving humility…

… which will fill you with fresh confidence to throw yourself immediately into God’s Arms

… secure in the knowledge that God – in His Goodness – will help you to change for the better!”

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“Avoiding the judgmental tendency and focusing on the positives of life, by beholding the Presence and Glory of the Lord in all!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30 and Mk 7:1-13)

The microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye.

The basic microscope is an optical instrument that uses a lens or a combination of lenses to produce magnified images of small objects – especially of objects that are too small to be seen by the unaided eye.

• Microscopes are used in industrial processes, in investigation of living cells, in comparative studies of chemistry and geology, and in diagnostic medicine.

• Biologists and doctors use microscopes on cell samples, on small organisms, and on chemical structures, to classify and analyze them and their functions.

When we consider relationships, it won’t be wrong to say that there are many who use microscopes in their dealings and interactions.

• Microscopes to focus on the mistakes and negative aspects of others

• Microscopes to magnify and enlarge the faults and failures of others

Perhaps, some of us are also guilty of having such a “microscopic” view of the defects and imperfections of others.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus “focusing” His view on this very critical and crucial topic: of judging others and of pinpointing mistakes of others without considering one’s own negative dimensions.

As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”

>> Judging in the sense of “choosing” or “making a selection” or “taking a decision”

But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging”

Our judging…

… should not be rash

… should not a final opinion on a person or situation

… should not be a means to putting down other persons

… should not be an unfair ruling on someone’s external behaviours

Maybe a check-list could help us examine our areas of “judging”

Do I…

… enlarge the negatives of others—their faults, mistakes and petty ways?

… come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?

… get involved unnecessarily in situations where I should not?

… gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?

… have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?

… be overly harsh and even ruthless, even when speaking the truth?

Do I…

… add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?

… set aside an unkind comment made by us, by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”

… speak something critical and then try to cover it up?

… be unkind and hurtful and then quickly change the subject, to impress the hurtful feeling?

… have pleasure in condemning others?

… report the truth in order to hurt and not to help?

… put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?

The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgment”.

It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:

When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…

1. How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action – be it a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc…

2. How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action…

Many of us may have perhaps, a tendency to use a “microscope” in finding the faults and failures of others.

>> We tend to focus

>> We tend to magnify

>> We tend to relish looking closely!

The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”

• Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.

May we focus the lens of our microscopes from looking at the “faults” of others…

… and instead shift to concentrate more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations.

We are invited to focus on the positives of life, by beholding the Presence and Glory of the Lord in all!

King Solomon stood in the majestic temple of the Lord and acknowledged the Mighty and Glorious Presence of God Yahweh (1 Kgs 8:22-23)

>> May we see the presence of the Lord in all the people and situations of our life as we seek to sing with the Psalmist: “How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!” (Ps 84:1)

May we today specially seek the special intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, who on this day – Feb 11 – 1858, began to appear to St Bernadette, a 14 year old girl.

>> Let us seek to imitate the Immaculate Life of our Blessed Mother in Her undivided focus in doing the Will of the Lord…

… and reaching out, in total charity and humility, in the service of God’s people.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It is wonderful how attractive a gentle, pleasant manner is…

… and how much, it wins hearts!”

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“Finding contentment in having the Presence of the Lord as the greatest richness of one’s life!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:1-13 and Mk 6:53-56)

A pious religious traveller once found a precious stone…

… a precious jewel.

A short time later, this religious person met another traveller, who said he was hungry and asked the monk if he would share some of his provisions.

When the pious man opened his bag, the traveller saw the precious stone and, without much thought asked him if he could have it.

>> To his surprise, the man gave the traveller the expensive stone.

The traveller departed quickly, overjoyed with his new possession.

However, a few days later, he came back, searching for the religious person.

He returned the stone to him and made a request:

“I request you to kindly give me something more valuable…

… more precious than this stone.

>> Please give me THAT which enabled you to give me this precious stone!”

Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.

>> But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

What is needed in life, is not an external show…

… but rather, an internal glow!

The Gospel of the Day presents this theme of “external show not always a sign of internal glow”.

The passage begins with the statement of Jesus crossing over…

“And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret…( Mk 6:53)

This place – Gennesaret – is an interesting place.

The meaning of this place name “Gennesaret” is a “Garden of a Prince” or the “Garden of riches”

>> This was a fertile crescent-shaped plain on the western shore of the lake of Galilee.

>> This plain of Gennesaret has been also called, because of its fertility and beauty, as “the Paradise of Galilee.”

The history of Gennesaret is glowingly described (especially by Josephus, the Historian) that would do make proud the local tourism office of the Gennesaret Chamber of Commerce!

It is said of Gennesaret, that the “soil was so fruitful that all sorts of trees could grow upon it. The walnut, the palm, the olive and the fig, which usually require diverse conditions, flourished together here.”

>> “One may call this place the ambition of nature; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expectation, but preserves them a great while.”

It is said, that the fruits of Gennesaret had such high repute among the rabbis that they were not allowed in Jerusalem at the time of the feasts, lest any might be tempted to come merely for their enjoyment!

Yet, with all these riches and glory, Gennesaret, had its own share of the sick and the suffering!

>> However fertile the land…

… there were still many who were badly ailing!

>> However fruitful the land…

… there were still many who were painfully ill!

The choicest of food couldn’t assure them perfection in health and life!

>> The choicest of fruits couldn’t guarantee them flawlessness in wellbeing and strength!

Yes…

… All that Glitters is not gold

Indeed, we need to understand…

… a book should never be judged by its cover

… the cowl (large hood) does not make the monk!

Though the people of Gennesaret enjoyed the best of nature’s gifts, they were “people in need” and “people ailing in suffering and sicknesses”

And so we find, that as soon as Jesus reached their land, the people of Gennesaret “scurried about the surrounding and country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was” (Mk 6:55)

>> They had their riches…

… yet they had to reach out to Jesus, the richest of all treasures!

>> They had their resources…

… yet they had to run to seek Jesus, the source of all supplies!

Our own lives may sometimes represent the Land of Gennesaret…

>> Rich in many aspects – financially, talent wise, relationally etc

>> Fertile in many aspects – having great visions and plans for future, systematic, disciplined etc

>> Fruitful in many aspects – popular, acceptable, having name and fame etc

Yet, like the people of Gennesaret, we too may be lacking some of the essentials…

… lacking good health and in need of the healing touch of the Lord

… lacking peace of mind, and in need of the serene spirit of the Lord

… lacking satisfaction in life, and in need of wholeness from the Lord

The people of Gennesaret were quick to respond to the coming of the Lord.

>> Though their land had plenty, they did not fail to humble themselves

>> Though their land was rich, they did not fail to realize their basic needs

>> Though their land was famous, they did not fail to assume lowliness

Am I willing to respond thus to the Lord…

… in sincerity, in openness, in docility?

Am I willing to bend myself to the Lord…

… in humility, in meekness, in submissiveness?

The people of Israel solemnly welcomed the Ark of the Lord into their midst (1 Kgs 8:1-13)…

… and allowed the Glory of the Lord to dwell among them.

The Lord was teaching them to understand the importance of His Presence in their lives!

>> And it’s only with Him that they could enjoy being a “garden of riches!”

Let us make our life a true “Gennesaret”…

… a Garden of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Joy and salvation!

… a Garden of Riches of holiness, sanctity and grace!

Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.

>> But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

May our lives…

… truly reflect the ‘Paradise of God’s Reign’!

… be beautified not just with an external show, but more rather, with an internal glow!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Borrow empty vessels, said Elisha to a poor widow…

…and pour oil into them (2 Kgs 4:3-4

>> To receive the Grace of God into our hearts, we ought to empty them of our own glory!”

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“Becoming the light of the world and salt to the earth, by reaching out in service to humanity, with total reliance on the Power of the Lord!”

(Based on Is 58:7-10, 1 Cor 2:1-5 and Mt 5:13)

A story is told of a rich man who had three sons.

This man, in his old age wanted to divide his property. But he felt, he would hand over the entire inheritance to one of his sons, than to all, as this would ensure better

So in order to choose, the wisest among them, he conducted a simple test.

Calling the three of his sons, and handing them a hundred rupee note, the father said:

“You see our storehouse (godown) that is at the far end of our property.

>> I want each of you to take this money and buy whatever you want and fill the storehouse to the maximum.

>> The one who fills it, the most, would be the winner of this test and the worthy inheritor of my property.”

The first son went and purchased fire-wood for that amount, and tried to fill the storehouse. It reached to half the level.

The second son went and bought hay (dried grass) and tried to fill the storehouse. It reached to nearly 70 percent level.

The youngest son, however, went to the nearby shop… got a candle and a matchbox.

>> He then went to call his father and two brothers and went to the storehouse.

The storehouse was all dark and quiet.

The youngest son, stepped inside, and striking the match-stick, he lit the candle.

>> Soon enough, the entire storehouse was filled…. Filled with light!

(It’s needless to say, who was the winner of the test, isn’t it?)

Well, our Christian lives are also to be such…

… filling the dark and empty situations of life and of this world, with the Light of Christ!

This is the call of the Readings of the Day.

>> Jesus says in the Gospel, “You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5: 13) and “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 14)

In ancient Greece, salt was considered so valuable it was called, “theon”, divine.

>> The Romans believed that nothing was of more value than salt except the Sun. Roman soldiers were even paid in salt (‘Salary’ comes from the Latin word ‘salarium’, and has the root ‘sal or salt.’

>> An ancient Near Eastern custom still practiced among some Arabs today is that a pact of friendship is sealed with a gift of salt.

This call of the Gospel has gained significant importance and urgency in our world today.

We live in times and generation when the need to be a “salt” and “light” has gained tremendous urgency…

The world is losing a taste for things of everlasting value and instead relishes more of transient materials.

>> Can I be a “salt” in such situations giving the taste of eternity and goodness, to revive lives and to orient them towards the real joys of life?

The world is fast degrading and losing values in various areas like moral life, social situations, cultural integrity and religious fervour.

>> Can I be a “light”, casting away the darkness of ignorance and shedding new illumination and radiance for the revival of sanctified lives?

The world today, and even the Church, sometimes, is sadly deeply getting corrupted and there are strong strands of infection and contamination affecting various core dimensions.

>> Can I be a “salt” which rubs in consciousness for transformation and change and be a healing agent to prick the conscience of people to lead an integral life?

The world and even the Church, sometimes, is easy on closing the eye to the evils that are constantly rising, and fails to be a powerful voice for justice and peace

>> Can I be a “light” which casts its powerful rays on the dark shades of wickedness and expose the inhuman elements of the society, helping towards a harmonious and pleasant world?

“Salt” and “light” are symbols of purity.

>> To be the “salt” and “light” in the world, demands a high level of perfection and holiness in our lives.

Prophet Isaiah clearly reminds us on how to let the Light of the Lord to shine forth in our lives:

“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; When you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

>> Then shall your light break forth like the dawn…” (Is 58:7-8).

This translation of the works of the Light into actuality, needs a total dependence on the Power of the Lord

>> Managing with only our human efforts will not suffice; relying on God’s Strength is an essentiality.

St Paul very clearly enunciates this reality when he testifies:

“When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him, crucified…

… that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the Power of God!” (1 Cor 2:1-2, 5)

Yes, we become the light of the world and salt to the earth, when we reach out in service to the humanity…

… filled with a total reliance on the Power of the Lord!

May we be willing to rise up to the challenge of being the “salt of the earth” and “light to the world” so that our Christian values can be preserved and the love of God may shine forth to the world…

… and may we fill the dark areas of life with the Light of Christ, and thus be winners in the contest of life, and so please God, our Father!

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Charity never enters a heart without bringing with it all the other virtues, empowering them and marshalling them as needed…

… just as a captain does his soldiers!”

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“Resting on the Heart of the Good Shepherd, Who satisfies every hunger, and praying to be filled with His Wisdom!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 3:4-13 and Mk 6:30-34)

The French have a proverb, which states: “A good meal ought to begin with hunger.”

It is usually pretty hard to to enjoy a meal when one is not yet hungry.

>> But, when one is hungry…

… anything tastes good.

This hunger is of course, not only about physical hunger.

There are many other areas of life where we experience hunger…

>> Hunger for love…

>> Hunger for being wanted…

>> Hunger on emotional counts…

>> Hunger of the spiritual order…

These aspects of hunger…

… may never have a scientific statistic

… may never have flowcharts and pie diagrams to measure them

>> But these areas of hunger are a great reality and challenge, especially in our world today!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who addresses not just “statistical” hunger but also such hunger of human needs which “may never get numerically counted”…

… with an invitation to always “hunger for God and to serve His people!”

“When He disembarked and saw the vast crowd, His Heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things” (Mk 6:34)

The Apostles, who were sent on the mission (Mk 6: 7-13) had returned back and reported all that they had done (Mk 6:30)

>> They had driven out many demons…

>> They had anointed many with oil who were sick and cured them… (Mk 6:13)

They would have rejoiced greatly, but they were also physically tired.

>> They would have been satisfied with their works, but they did not have even the time to eat (Mk 6:31)

The Apostles had done many works, but Jesus sensed that they were tired

>> The Apostles were happy with their ministry, but Jesus sensed that they were hungry.

And so the Good Shepherd invites them to come away to a deserted place and rest (Mk 6:31)

Like these Apostles, many times, this can be our case too…

>> We may be doing a lot of things…

… but are we still feeling spiritually tired?

>> We may be happy with what we are doing…

… but are we still hungry deep within?

The Good Shepherd invites us…

… to take some rest in Him

… to relax in His Holy Heart

As in the case of the Apostles, so is the case of the people…

The people had seen many miracles, but Jesus sensed that they were still not truly filled

The people had witnessed many wonders, but Jesus sensed that they were still lost and unguided.

>> And so the Good Shepherd, with a moved Heart, feels compassion on them (Mk 6:34)

Like these people, many times this can be our case too…

>> We may have witnessed God’s wonders…

… but are we still spiritually found wanting?

>> We may be glad to doing the minimum in our spiritual life…

… but are we still missing something?

The Good Shepherd encourages us…

… with His Divine Word

… by His Compassionate Love

There is a indeed a great hunger in the world.

Saint Mother Teresa said: “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty, than the person who has nothing to eat”

We may be people who hunger for love and acceptance…

>> Let us go to Jesus, the Supreme Lover of our lives

We may be people dejected and depressed in life…

>> Let us go to Jesus, the Ultimate Happiness of our lives

We may be people feeling unlucky and ill-fated in life…

>> Let us go to Jesus, the Absolute Destiny of our lives

In turn, we also meet people who go through such “hunger”…

…for love, for acceptance, for encouragement, for hope, for basics of life etc…

Do I recognise, in the first place, such requirements of needy people?

>> Does my heart move in loving compassion for them?

Can I be a Good Shepherd, like Jesus, to them?

Let’s pray like Solomon, who asked the Lord, not for “long life, or riches or the life of enemies” (Cf. 1 Kgs 3:11)…

… But for Wisdom

>> And thus, filled with His Wisdom, let us be a true shepherd according to the Heart of the Good Shepherd!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Have patience to walk with short steps…

… until you have wings to fly!”

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“Purifying our lives by the power of His Love and preserving our conscience in His Sanctifying Presence!”

(Based on Sir 47:2-11 and Mk 6:14-29)

Today, we are going to meet an astonishing son of an astonishing father….

The astonishing father is King Herod the Great…

>> He has been described as “a madman who murdered his own family”

>> He has also killed great many rabbis

>> He was one “prepared to commit any crime in order to gratify his unbounded ambition”

King Herod the Great was also known as the “the greatest builder in Jewish history”.

>> In his days, he held at least three architectural world records: the largest palace (Lower Herodium), the largest plaza (Temple Mount) and the largest royal portico (Temple Mount).

His astonishing son is King Herod Antipas

He succeeded his father, and served as tetrarch (appointed by the emperor Augustus to rule over one quarter of his father’s kingdom) from 4 B.C. until 39 A.D., almost exactly the lifetime of Jesus.

>> Like his father, Antipas had great political wit, knowing how to work situations to his advantage.

These two Herods have been responsible for two astonishing events of murders recounted in the Gospels…

>> King Herod the Great ordered the slaying of the innocent children at the birth of Jesus, the King of the world!

>> King Herod Antipas ordered the beheading of the innocent John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus, the Lamb of God!

The Gospel of the Day recounts this horrific incident of the murder of John the Baptist.

The popularity of Jesus was soaring high…

>> The people were excited with His preaching and healing ministry.

Some accepted Him.

>> Some rejected Him.

>> Some were skeptical about Him.

But in any case…

… He was being known everywhere.

When this news reached the ruler of the land, King Herod Antipas, he got terrified. (Mk 6:16)

His guilty conscience pricked him hard:

He knew that, unlike the common opinion of the public….

… this famous person was not Elijah

… this famous person was not any other prophet.

>> Instead, he assumed this famous person to be John, whom he had beheaded.

The weight of this sin was so heavy on him, that he failed to see any other possibility.

>> The stench of this sin was so strong, that he failed to sense the fragrance of Divinity.

We live in times when the world is progressively losing the “sense of sin”.

St John Paul II in His Apostolic Exhortation ‘Reconciliatio et Paenitentia,’ warns that “the loss of the sense of sin is a form or fruit of the negation of God: not only of the atheist, but also of the secularist”

The two King Herods in the Gospels – Herod the Great and Herod Antipas – represent people who have “lost this sense of sin”

Is my life trending towards this tendency…

…. a loss of the sense of sin?

>> Am I afraid to even encounter this word “sin” and use alternative words to speak about it?

>> Am I waning in consciousness of faults and failures that can cripple my spiritual life?

The book of Sirach speaks the praise of King David…

… And teaches how the Mercy of the Lord rescued him from sin!

>> God purges sin

>> God strengthens sinners to repent and become saints!

The Lord came to this world, primarily, as Saviour of the world…

A Saviour to give…

… salvation from sins

… healing for our wounds

… redemption from our transgressions

The Church has often been accused of being obsessed with matters of sin and transgressions..

>> In this process, many a times, Her teachings have been diluted, misinterpreted and misquoted.

The Church offers the wonderful sacrament of Reconciliation to gain back the innocence and grace of being God’s Holy Children.

Are we faithful in seeking His grace through this powerful sacrament?

… a sacrament of healing

… a sacrament of empowerment

Are we aware of the tremendous powers this sacrament carries…

… in making our life more happy?

… in ushering in, greater strength in us?

We are also invited to make “the examination of conscience” a part of our daily life and routine.

>> A regular and daily check up of the state of our life, our spiritual sphere can be a great strength and force to help us live a holy and sanctified life.

A sinful conscience can make us to commit astonishing and cruel deeds…

… like the King Herods

The Lord today invites us to purify ourselves, through the power of His love and redemption.

On this First Friday of the month, may we offer and surrender our lives to the One who can purge us away from sin and help us live a sanctified life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The devout person after the exercise of dismanting the heart – to review it well – must anoint it…

… with the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Eucharist!”

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“Offering all our flaws to the Lord, Who makes His Graces to flow through them, and blossoms the world around us!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12 and Mk 6:7-13)

A common story is told of a water bearer who had two large pots…

… each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it.

While the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house…

… the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments

>> But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer:

>> “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you”.

The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?”

The pot replied: “For these past two years I am able to deliver only half of my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house.

>> Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.

The water bearer without being disturbed said plainly:

>> “Today as we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the path along your side.”

As they went up the hill, the cracked pot took notice of the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path.

At the end of the trail, the bearer said to the pot:

>> “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?

That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.

>> I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.

>> Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house!”

One’s flaws and weaknesses can be the greatest sources of Grace and Blessing…

… If we entrust ourselves, in faith, to the Lord!

Our flaws and failures are very important for the Lord!

As a Christian, each of us are expected to perform our role in mission

>> This requires that we be just the way we are…

… but totally offered to the Hands of the Master, knowing for sure that He will supplement all our flaws with His Grace!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve on a mission…

… with the tender invitation to depend on Him totally.

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

>> There were crowds of people following Him…

>> There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

But of all these, Jesus had chosen the Twelve…

… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.

>> Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus

>> Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus

>> Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus

But as the saying goes…

“Challenges are what makes life interesting…

… and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…

>> He remained courageous and determined.

>> He not only chooses the Twelve…

… but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…

… with an authority over unclean spirits

… to proclaim the Kingdom of God

… to preach repentance and peace

In this mission journey, the Lord gave a few instructions and principles…

“… to take nothing for the journey…

… whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place…” ( Mk 6: 8-10)

The Twelve were to learn…

… to totally depend on the Lord

… to not get discouraged even in the face of apparent flaws and failures

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…

… we have a duty entrusted to us – a duty for the Kingdom of God

Do I totally depend on the Lord and have the Lord as my Courage and Strength…

…or do I tend to get self-reliant and too proud on my own talents and potentials, with no room for the Lord?

Do I tend to get easily discouraged and disheartened when things don’t go as I plan or when I feel that I am not being “successful” in what I am doing…

… or do I know for sure that even with all my flaws and weaknesses, the Lord will employ me for His Glory, if I trust in Him?

King David at the end of his life, hands over the charge of the land to his son Solomon, with an instruction to be faithful to walk in the path of the Lord…

…”Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances and His testimonies…” (1 Kgs 2:3)

The parting message of King David is an invitation to his son to be totally dependent on the Lord…

… And to allow the Lord to guide his life.

Christian missionary life is a journey

>> There may be times when we feel we are not doing enough

>> There will be situations when we feel that I am not living up to my expectations

But the Lord, Who is holding us, over His shoulders assures us:

“I have always known about your flaws…

… and I take advantage of that.

>> Just be the way you are – but offer yourself to me totally and trust in me – and you will participate in my plan of bringing Beauty to the House of God!”

Yes, the Lord plants flower seeds of joy, peace and love on the way

>> And if we surrender ourselves totally to Him…

… even our flaws, can become occasions to have these seeds to bloom and bless others!

One’s flaws and weaknesses can be the greatest sources of Grace and Blessing…

… If we entrust ourselves, in faith, to the Lord!

>> Our flaws and failures are very important for the Lord!

Shall we – in the words of St Francis de Sales – “Be what we are, and be at its best”…

… offering our lives to the Lord wholly?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ It is love that gives value to all our works

>> It is not by the greatness or multiplicity of our works that we please God…

… but by the love with which we do them!”

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“Praising the Lord in every circumstance of our life by recognising and nurturing the preciousness of our relationship with Him!”

(Based on 2 Sam 24:2, 9-17 and Mk 6:1-6)

When the first missionaries went to Japan, a young Japanese boy wanted to learn English.

The missionaries handed him a copy of the Gospels and asked him to translate into his native language.

(The boy – an avid reader – had never heard about Jesus and considered the book as being just one of the “many books that he had read”)

After a few pages of translation, the boy became very agitated and restless.

Approaching the missionaries, he said to them: “Who is this Man about Whom I have been reading in this book? This Jesus!

>> You call Him a Man… but to me, he appears as a God!”

The boy was under the impression that he was reading a book about a famous Man…

… only to discover that he was actually encountering The Great God in the Book!

Yes, a genuine and honest encounter with the Word of God always causes a great impact on people…

>> Some either feel greatly drawn by the Divine…

>> Some however, also feel a great sense of denial and refusal of God’s Ways

The Gospel of the Day presents this dual-reaction to Jesus, the Word of God…

… an initial sense of rejoicing and enthrallment

… and later, a purposeful rejection of the Divine Ways and Will

The Lord arrives in His hometown.

>> On the Sabbath, He taught in the synagogue.

The Gospel mentions a juxtaposition of feelings of the listeners…

First, there is a great expression of marvel and wonder:

“Where did this Man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to Him? What deeds of power are being by Him?” (Mk 6:2)

But this feeling  quickly vanishes…

The feelings of wonder and amazement get distorted to feelings of contempt, condemnation and outright rejection:

“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not His sisters here with us?” (Mk 6:2)

What was the cause of this sudden and dramatic change of mood of the listeners?

·      It was simply because Jesus was “just one of them!”

·      It was simply because Jesus was “too acquainted  to them!”

Familiarity often breeds contempt!

·      When one is too close to the Divine, one has to be also aware that there are greater possibilities of losing the “sense of awe and wonder” and sink into the dangerous waters of “taking things for granted”

·      When one is constantly handling Divine objects, there is also the greater chance of losing the “awareness and thrill of the mystery” and get lost in the thickets of “being lethargic or unenthusiastic or even indifferent”

How many of us are prone to this danger….

Priests and the Religious constantly handle Divine objects and perform many spiritual exercises…

·      Daily Holy Mass… Frequent recital of the Psalms in the Divine Office Prayer… Regular Adorations and administering and receiving of the Sacraments… Recurrent handling of the Bible, liturgical articles, reading and hearing Church teachings and life of saints….

Do all these help one to deepen one’s relationship with the Lord…?

>> Or do these cause one to lose the “sense of awe and wonder” and sink into the dangerous waters of “taking things for granted”… ?

Many Christians are engaged in a number of spiritual activities on a regular basis…

·      Holy Eucharistic celebration… novenas… recital of the Rosary and other pious prayers of devotion… forwarding of devotional messages, pictures and videos through emails and WhatsApp and social networking tools…

Do all these help one to grow in spiritual life….?

>> Or do these make one to lose the “awareness and thrill of the mystery” and get lost in the thickets of “being lethargic or unenthusiastic or even indifferent” … ?

The people failed to recognize the worth and value of Jesus due to “too much familiarity”.

However this familiarity was only “external and peripheral”…

Such kind of a familiarity had, in fact, caused them to be ignorant, contemptuous and prejudiced..

>> Ignorant… of the fact that amidst them was the Promised Messiah who was to save the world!

>> Contemptuous… of the fact that “one of them” could actually possess so much of wisdom and power!

>> Prejudiced… of the fact that “this ordinary Son of a carpenter” could ever be the Son of God!

Yes, how often do we reject the precious and important people and aspects of life…

… due to our ignorance

… due to our contempt of things

… and due to our prejudiced mindsets!

We are invited today to “open our eyes” and to realize the worth and preciousness of God’s grace that we have been blessed with…

Each of us

… personally

… as a family

… as a community

… and as a Church, have been blessed and graced with immense favours and kindness from the Lord.

David faced a great deal of distress while exercising his power over the people of Israel as King (2 Sam 24:9-17).

>> However, recognising his weaknesses and accepting his frailty in humility, King David would submit himself to the Power and Mercy of God.

·      True that we have a lot of difficulties to face in our life…

·      True that we have much to complain in the maze of the many crisis we undergo..

Yet amidst all this…

Can we lift up our hearts in thanksgiving and gratitude for the Lord’s Guiding Presence with us, always

… and learn to grow deeper in our love for Him?

A genuine and honest encounter with the Word of God always causes a great impact on people…

>> Some either feel greatly drawn by the Divine…

>> Some however, also feel a great sense of denial and refusal of God’s Ways

What is our Reaction and Response to Jesus, the Word of God?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “He will unfailingly be pleased with our patience…

… and take note of our diligence and perseverance!”

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