The early American Indians had a unique ritual in their training of young boys to be brave and strong in their lives.

The evening of the boy’s thirteenth birthday, would consist of the final test, after having learnt hunting, exploration, fishing and other skills.

The boy was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night all alone.

Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe.

But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away.

>> When the blindfold was taken off, he would find himself in the midst of the thick woods…

… and he would be terrified!

.

Every time a branch snapped or something fell, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.

> His heart would pound with fear…

> He would seek for some consolation, but would find none..

> He would long to feel safe again, but the wait seemed to be an unending one…

After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest…

Looking around, the boy saw the wild flowers, lush trees, and the outline of the path.

Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow.

Guess who it was ?

It was his father!

He had been there all night long.

The boy had been unaware, but the father was always there, to make an intervention, in case of any eventuality of danger.

The protection of the father encircled the child, irrespective of whether the boy was aware or not.

Such is the tremendous protection and security of God, our Loving Father.

In the fullness of time, when God, the Father decided to send His Beloved Son to the earth, for the redemption of humankind, He had to entrust the care of His Precious Child to the protection and care of a human father…

>> And it was St Joseph who was chosen to be assigned this task and responsibility of being the caretaker and protector of Jesus, the Son of God!

The Gospel of the Day introduces and portrays the beautiful personality of St Joseph.

>> It is also an invitation to look to this Great Saint and draw inspiration from his life.

Just as God had entrusted Him to be the protector of the body of Jesus while on earth, St Joseph is also the protector and patron of His Body on the earth today, the Holy Church.

St Joseph in fulfilling his task of being the protector of Jesus, teaches us a few lessons…

1. He was ever prompt to the voice of the Lord

In his moments of confusion, he was still open to the promptings of the Spirit.

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him…” (Mt 1:24)

>> Am I docile to the inspirations of the Lord, so as to be in greater tune with the Will of God?

His love was attentive to the needs of the Divine Child and the Mother.

2. St Joseph was ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of protecting Jesus and Mary.

He was willing…

…to undergo societal humiliations

… to bear physical hardships of travelling, migration, lack of comforts etc

… to be prudent to the socio-political situations and make decisions in favour of the family

>> Does love prompt me to be attentive and sensitive to the needs of others, and cause me to make sacrifices towards the good of the other?

3. A willingness to be playing the “backdrop role” in the great drama of salvation.

St Joseph, was privileged to be sharing the most intimate physical presence with the two holiest persons of this world – Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Immaculate Mother.

Yet, it also meant that Joseph had to stay away from the limelight of glory and be the “silent yet impactful” figure of the salvation history.

> Do I have the courageous humility to take up any role that the Lord entrusts me, in His plan of salvation – be it shorn of fame, littleness in glamour or even subject to awkwardness and uncertainty

4. He was ready to give up his personal decisions and doubts in obedience to the voice of God.

St Joseph was not afraid to shed his own personal concerns, anxieties and even doubts, when asked to be part of the mysterious redemptive plan of God.

>> There were many things that were not understood by him…

>> There were a lot of factors that prompted him to question and confront..

Yet, He had the deep daring to keep them all aside – because he was convinced that God’s mighty hand was at work, in them all.

>> Am I willing to place my faith in God and follow my vocation faithfully, even though circumstances around me maybe uncertain, the future looks bleak and my own reasonable thinking may see situations and people as being illogical, unscientific and irrational?

As St. Alphonsus Liguori says:

“We should, indeed, honour St. Joseph, since the Son of God Himself was graciously pleased to honour him by calling him father.

If the King of kings was pleased to raise Joseph to so high a dignity, it is right and obligatory on our part to endeavour to honour him as much as we can!”

The Lord protects us, no matter how fearful the external situations are…

>> He is the loving Father, who is always with us – we realise or not!

St Joseph gave heed to the voice of the Lord…

…  and positively responded to the task that was entrusted to him by God, despite hardships and trials…

Shall we also not trust in Heavenly protection, and in turn, be a protector and defender to each other?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “O what a Saint is the glorious St Joseph!

Not only is he a patriarch, but he is the corypheus of all the patriarchs.

>> Not only is he a confessor, but he is more than a confessor, because in his confession is contrained…

… the dignity of bishop, the generosity of martyrs and of all other saints!”

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A genealogist is a person who records/tables the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or ancestors.

>> He/She draws the family tree.

Once a person asked a genealogist:

“Why do you think that your duty is very great?”

The genealogist, with a gentle smile replied:

“Remember that when a family member passes away, they take a library of memories with them.

>> It’s a genealogist’s duty to record them all, for the good of the future generations!”

True indeed!

>> A genealogy gives a memorable library of memories…

… and helps us to be moved by the Magnificent Miracles wrought by our Marvellous God!

The Gospel of the Day presents the marvellous work of St Mathew, the genealogist…

…the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

This passage of the Gospel is something that we hear and read very rarely…

… and much less meditated upon.

What are the different aspects that the Genealogy of Christ makes us to reflect on?

1. The Genealogy of Jesus is one of the finest treasures of God’s Grace and Providence

St Matthew (1: 1-17) and St Luke (3: 23-38) present the Genealogy of Jesus Christ.

>> They could be called as the “forgotten passages of the Christmas Story”.

The names in it sound too obscure, their pronunciation beyond comprehension, their purpose highly hazy.

>> Perhaps, these are some of the common excuses we find, in avoiding to read or reflect on the accounts of the Genealogy.

But we must realise that in the account of the Genealogy, is buried the marvellous working of God’s Grace and His Amazing Providence – the manner in which the “streams of God’s Grace flows through the ordinary and the great, the mighty and simple people”

>> The Genealogy teaches us open our eyes to see the ways of God working in our lives- hidden yet awesome; silent yet splendid

2. The two accounts of Genealogy are not contradictory; rather they are two perspectives to show Jesus as the Son of David

There are two accounts of Genealogy in the Gospels: St Matthew, which starts with Abraham; St Luke, which starts with Adam

Apparently, the two accounts look to be contradicting each other

But on closer look, we find…

… St Matthew traced the family line through Joseph, whereas St Luke traced it through Mary.

This was because Gospel of Matthew, being written to the Jews, had a legal requirement to show Jesus descending from the father, who belonged to the line of King David.

>> This account also made sure it kept the prophecy in Jer 22:24-30 (“For none of his sons will succeed in occupying the throne of David or ever succeed in ruling over Judah.?)

St Luke’s version also shows Jesus as the Son of David, coming through his son Nathan.

>> Thus, both the accounts show that Jesus, as the Son of David, had the right to the throne of Israel

3. The Genealogy mentions some notorious people – yet the Messiah was born in this family!

The Genealogy mentions 5 women

a. Tamar: Disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced her father-in-law Judah (Gen 38)

b. Rahab: A Gentile, prostitute; she helped the Jewish spies to hide and to escape from the enemies ( Josh 2)

c. Ruth: A Gentile, with the background of a family who offered themselves to pagan gods

d. The wife of Uriah: The Gospel doesn’t even mention her name; suffered abuse by David, the great King of Israel.

e. Mary: A simple woman from Nazareth, who was found to be with child, before the marriage.

All these five women were considered dis”graced” – some gentiles, some involved in sexual immorality, some finding themselves in situations of family disgrace.

>> Yet the Messiah is born in this family – to show that God’s “Grace” can wash away every dis”grace”!

It shows that God can write straight, with crooked lines!

4. The Genealogy is also a lesson to the self-righteous people

Besides the mention of the apparently “not-pleasant women’, the list also mentions of kings, many of whom were unfaithful, of idolaters, of people without morals etc.

The Family Tree of Jesus is really not a pretty picture; it looks to be “very unclean”

>> Yet, St Matthew’s Gospel, written to the Jews, gives a message that it is not self-righteousness that wins salvation (as thought by many Pharisees, Scribes and Jewish leaders); it is God’s grace and mercy, along with our co-operation to His Will.

5. The Genealogy gives us the great message of hope

We may have…

… a past that is hurting us – either due to our biological family or due to our own experiences of life

… a past that is sinful and we wish to forget

… a past that is painful or abused

… a past that has experienced humiliations and rejection

>> Yet, the Genealogy teaches us the big lesson that all our past can be cleansed and healed, by the mighty presence of Jesus.

Cardinal Van Thuan says in his book ‘The Testimony of Hope’:

“The river of history, full of sinners and criminals, becomes a source of pure water, as we approach the fullness of time.

>> With Mary, the Mother and Jesus, the Messiah, all generations will be renewed again”

The Genealogy of our Blessed Lord teaches that Jesus was very much historical…

… and shared our world.

>> In Jesus, we have a God, who is not distant or away from us – but Someone, Who is deeply intimate with us, involved in our lives and sharing our joys and pains of life.

May a deeper meditation on the Genealogy of Jesus enable us to explore the memorable library of memories…

… and helps us to be moved by the Magnificent Miracles wrought by our Marvellous God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Don’t get upset with your imperfections. >> Surrender to the power of God’s Love…

… which is greater than our weakness!”

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Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation…

… rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.

>> He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said:

“By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.

My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.

>> But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.

How is it with you?”

Well, we don’t know how did the fussy gentleman react to this bold and true reply of the preacher.

(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart…

… rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…

>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude of the chief priests and scribes and elders towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus:

“By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?” (Mt 21: 23)

The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter 21 of St Mathew’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…

1. The entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21: 1-11)

2. The ‘re-storation’ in the Temple at Jerusalem and indignant behaviour of authorities(Mt 21:12-16)

3. The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mt 21: 17-22)

4. The ‘re-entry’ to the Temple at Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus by the authorities (Mt 21: 23-27)

>> The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…

… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

>>  The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…

… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple

These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.

>> In Jesus, they perceived a threat.

… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke than to service of God

>> In Jesus, they sensed a danger.

… a danger to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

>> In Jesus, they identified a menace.

… a menace to their comfort-rendering style of spirituality and way of life.

And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – sought to put Jesus to the task and questioned His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

>> Their eyes were closed to see the goodness of the Lord

>> Their hearts had become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience

>> Their lives were rendered blocked to be willing to make necessary changes for the good.

Instead…

… they only found fault with the Lord

… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…

>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

Is such an attitude prevalent among us also?

>> A mentality of harshly criticising…

>> A tendency to inhumanly  condemn…

… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.

May we be able to root out all such pessimistic mind-sets and focus instead of self-growth in holiness and humility.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of divine love.

>> Every man works his oar voluntarily!”

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In a particular village, a river was going to be used to generate electricity and to supply water for the people and their crops.

But near the source of the river, was a place called “Valley of the Blind”.

The people who lived in and around this Valley, had trouble with their eyes…

… most of them were either blind or had some eye-defect.

>> This trouble was caused by a particular species of fly, which lived in the shrubs along the river-source.

.. When this fly bit someone, it would inject a certain parasite into the blood, which would render the eyesight of the person to be severely affected.

On hearing, that the people of the village had decided to tap the river for several uses including electricity and supply of water…

>> An elderly village man – who had lived his entire life in this village – …

… called together the concerned authorities and developers.

He told them:

” I am happy to hear that you are wanting to make progress by using effectively the river.

But my children, remember…

… before you undertake any works of development, please make sure that you do something to get rid of the fly in the ‘Valley of the Blind’!

>> If not, your minor oversight, may cause a major disaster!”

The wisdom of the old man reminded the people: Minor oversights can cause major disasters!

The Gospel of the Day is a bold reminder to make a thorough examination of our conscience…

… and check, if I am allowing “minor oversights” to cause “major disasters” in our lives!

We are on the third Sunday of the Season of Advent.

>> This is called the “Gaudete Sunday” – the Sunday of Joy.

We are nearly half way through the season in preparation for Christ.

Sometimes, like runners, in a marathon…

… we may feel tired of this preparation

… or we may think, when is the destination going to reach?

And so we may get wearied…tired… or feel exhausted.

But the Church – our caring Mother –  knows Her children… and tells us….

” Just a few more days… and it will be Christmas!

Do not give up hope…

>> But instead, continue to prepare…

In joy… in happiness.. in expectancy…”

Thus, this Third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate as Gaudete (= Joyful, in Greek) Sunday.

The Gospel reading on this “Gaudete Sunday” begins with John the Baptist – who is in prison –

…sending his disciples to Jesus and asking: “Are you He who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

Last Sunday, we saw John the Baptist, “in a preaching mode” – in the wilderness

>> Today, he  is in the “prison zone” – in captivity!

Here is an important lesson that John the Baptist teaches us:

… There will be times when you are in the highlight – preaching powerfully  and being acknowledged with great power and might

… But there would also come times, when you are banished to isolation – with only the four walls of loneliness for company!

>> In all such moments – in the ‘glory of the wilderness’ and the ‘isolation of the prison’…

… Can we still remain faithful and loyal to the Will of the Lord?

… Can we still trust that God is pleased with my fidelity more than my performances?

… Can we still be zealous for the Ways of God, knowing that He will turn everything for our good?

At the same time, the Gospel reading (Mt 11: 2-11) powerfully reminds us…

… Do we have an “oversight” of  the ways of God; and instead remain stuck in our own attitudes and thought-patterns.

>> Speaking of Himself, Jesus says:

“Go and tell John, what you hear and see; the blind receive their sight and the lame walk….” ( Mt 11:4-5)

>> Speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus says:

“What did you go out to the desert to see?  A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see?….” (Mt 11: 7-10)

Here were two cases of “oversights”

1. John the Baptist had the understanding…

… that Jesus would be coming with fiery judgements and would be a Messiah Who would deal with the people, with blazing power and scorching verdicts

>> But this turned out to be an “oversight” as Jesus showed Himself as a Messiah Who would heal, teach and bring the Mercy of God!

2. The people had the understanding…

… that John the Baptist would be a finely dressed and a people-friendly prophet – one who would be willing to “adjust” the norms of God for their lifestyle

>> But this turned out to be an “oversight” as John the Baptist turned out to be a prophet “who disturbed the comfortable and comforted the disturbed.”

In both cases, there was an “oversight”…

Jesus was unwilling to let John the Baptist and the people to remain under the cloud of these “oversights”…

>> And so He presents the facts before them…

… in order to avoid any future “major disasters!”

The same examination is put forth before us, by the Lord: To check minor oversights.

Do we allow…

… “minor sins” – in the form of evil tendencies- to grow in us?

… “minor negligences” to develop into habitual practices?

… “minor indifferences” to take root in our relationships?

This “Gaudete Sunday” is an invitation to help us experience the joy of the Lord, by making us realise…

>> If these “minor oversights” are not corrected…

…. then they would soon turn into “major disasters!”

>> And we would get afflicted by the “Valley of the Blind”!

May we give heed to the strong reminder given by the Gospel, and amend our “minor oversights”…

… so that we can tap the “river of graces” in this Season of Advent, and prepare our hearts  – meaningfully – to celebrate the “major blessings” of Christmas!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, not even if your whole world seems upset.

>> If you find that you have wandered away from the shelter of God, lead your heart back to Him – quietly and simply!”

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It was December in the year 1903.

After several attempts, the Wright brothers – achieved success in getting their “flying machine” off the land.

They were very much thrilled!

They telegraphed this message Katherine, their sister, informing her of the great invention:

“We have actually flown 120 feet! Will be home for Christmas”

The sister was also super-excited.

She rushed to the editor of the local newspaper, to share the great news and showed him the telegraph message.

The editor glanced at the message and said:

“How nice! So the boys will be home for Christmas!”

Oh! The Editor had completely missed the big news – that man had flown for the first time in history!!

How often is this our experience too in life – Missing the Important Points and settling for lower ones!

We fail to give attention to the most important things of life?

>> Instead, we get carried away by some other less priorities of life!

This is so true, especially with respect to the Word of God?

>> The Lord promises so many wonderful things in His Holy Word..

… but often, we miss the point.

Something similar had happened to the  people of Israel as well…

>> God had promised them of the coming of the Messiah…

… but they missed the point..

… and thus, failed to recognise the Saviour He came!

God had promised that Prophet Elijah of old would return…

… but they missed the point…

… and thus, failed to recognize the Prophet when he came!

This is what Jesus points out to His disciples in today’s Gospel, when He says:

“I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognise him; but did to him, whatever they pleased” (Mt 17: 12)

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, had come, preaching the message of repentance and conversion of heart (Mt 3:1)

The Gospel says that John the Baptist…

… wore a clothing made of camel’s hair

… had a leather belt around his waist

… had food of locusts and wild honey (Mt 4: 4)

This appearance was very similar to that of Elijah, the Prophet  (2 Kings 1:8)

But in their encounter with John the Baptist, the people failed to recognise him as the “Elijah who was to come”

And thus John the Baptist came to be …

… rejected

… derided

… finally killed!

Many times in our life, we too “miss the point” in our encounter with the Lord…

>> He gives His Beautiful Word to us…

… but we fail to be encouraged by It and live by It

>> He makes many wonderful promises of assurance and guidance…

…  but we fail to live a life of trust and confidence

>> He offers Himself wonderfully in the Sacraments, especially Confession and Holy Eucharist…

… but we fail to derive the necessary fruits from Them

Today, the Gospel invites us, to look at God’s Promises, God’s Word’s and God’s Will…

… and discover the true purpose of it in our lives.

This is more true as we prepare for Christmas…

Jesus is the BIG POINT of the Christmas

>> Let us dare not “miss Him”!

May we prepare our hearts to receive His Word as He wishes, in our life…

… and seek to live, in total accord with Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Ought we not to love dearly the neighbour, who truly represents to us the Sacred Person of our Master?

>> And is this not one of the most powerful motives we could have for loving each other…

… with an ardently burning love?”

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Children are an interesting lot!

They love to play, to quarrel, to engage in arguments, to tease, to show love and affection etc…

Children indeed amaze us…with their simplicity, innocence, curiosity and their power of wonder.

Jesus in the Gospels time and again invites us to grow in our spirit and spirituality of being like a Child!

The famous artist, Picasso, once said:

“All children are artists.

The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up..”

>> Many of us, as we age in years, tend to lose many of the good qualities and merits of a child.

>> Many of us, as we mature, tend to fritter away the precious pearls of simplicity and openness of a child

>> Many of us, as we advance in life, tend to paint our inner innocence with many external shades of duplicity.

But the Gospel of the Day shows us another dimension or rather, warns of a distortion in this striving to be a child…

One can easily stray away from the path of being child-like and transgress into the danger of being Childish!

Child-likeness is a beautiful virtue which is to be cultivated and nurtured to grow in our love of God!

>> Childishness is an ugly vice which is to be weeded and cast away to grow in our relationship with God!

What is child-likeness?

>> To be like a child is to possess a kitty of trust, faith, innocence and straightforwardness.

>> To be like a child is living in the present moment with a deep sense of wonder and admiration over life.

>> To be like a child is to have a faith which is matchless and a great amount of dependence on the One who cares!

But what is childishness?

>> Childishness is a child-like behaviour which has grown sore and strays away from honest qualities of life.

>> Childishness is having selfishness at its core: a vice that wants the world around to always dance to its tune!

>> Childishness is sticking on to ignorance and unwillingness to learn from people and situations!

>> Childishness is being glued to being stubborn and adamant at all aspects to suit one’s desires and comforts!

>> Childishness is being unmindful of the value and preciousness of people, things, feelings and situations.

This danger of Childishness can sometimes creep into our spiritual life and can hamper and cause havoc in many areas of our Christian life.

How can childishness in spirituality become a dangerous ploy?

Childishness in spirituality…

…  can make people to suit teachings for one’s own desire, at the cost of the Truth.

… can prevent people from being open to receive new insights from the Divine.

… can cause people to remain obstinate and block the moving of the Spirit.

… can prohibit people from recognizing the providential care of God. 

And this is what we come across in today’s Gospel Passage: the exposition of the Childishness of the people!

Our Blessed Lord says:

“To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children…” (Mt 11:16)

Two persons who had committed themselves totally to the cause of the Kingdom are under the scanner today – John the Baptist and Jesus.

>> John the Baptist lived in the wilderness and in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah.

>> John did not drink wine, and he and his followers fasted regularly.  He baptized people in the Jordan River.

But John also preached repentance and gave a clarion call to turn away from one sins!

> And this irked the people…

The elders of the Jewish community dreaded him because he recognized the corruption of the priests, and publicly called them to repent and be baptized.

They refused, because they wanted to keep their power, their wealth, their full stomachs and their fine clothing!

>> Jesus went around the cities and towns healing the sick and curing the lepers and doing many mighty works.

>> Jesus shared in the table-fellowship of many people regularly. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God.

But Jesus also challenged people to let go off their sinful and corrupt lives and turn to God in penitence!

> And this annoyed the leaders…

The Pharisees hated him because he preached with much authority and his new understanding of the law was highly challenging!

They rejected Him, because they wanted to stick to their traditions, empty hearts and their inhuman practices!

Jesus and John both would have hit high on the popularity charts if they had “lightened up” or “played nice” or “would have allowed things to be little more easy”!

But both of Them did not budge…

This is what Jesus says:

“We played the flute for you, you did not dance;

We mourned to you, you did not weep.” (Mt 11: 17)

This reaction by the people to Them was a song of derision… a tune of mockery…a melody of ridicule!

>> John the Baptist and Jesus, both, failed to let this Spiritual Childishness to overpower Them and to give in to silly demands!

We all can fall victims to spiritual childishness or we ourselves can fall into the trap of being spiritually childish!

Let us beware of the dangers of this ‘subtle and sly’ vice – CHILDISHNESS …

… and seek the grace of God to make efforts to rather be CHILD-LIKE in the Presence of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We all colour devotion according to our own likings and dispositions.

One man sets great value on fasting, and believes himself to be leading a very devout life, so long as he fasts rigorously…

… although the while his heart is full of bitterness.

>> And while he will not moisten his lips with wine, perhaps not even with water, in his great abstinence…

… he does not scruple to steep them in his neighbour’s blood, through slander and detraction!”

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There is an interesting legend of how a mother was cleaning the house in preparation for Christmas.

Not a speck of dust was left and even all the spiders were banished from their cozy homes in the ceiling.

It was Christmas eve and the Christmas Tree and the Crib was also decorated.

But, at the farthest end of the attic, the spiders, after having been chased away and taken refuge in that corner, were feeling miserable.

>> They too wished to see the Christmas Tree and especially have an encounter with Baby Jesus.

>> But they were afraid, since the mother of the house would chase them away.

The oldest spider among them, however came up with a proposal, that they could perhaps peep across the side door and have a glimpse of Baby Jesus.

So, the spiders, silently crept out of the attic, down the stairs, across the floor and waited in the crack in the side door.

But suddenly the door opened was opened by someone, and the spiders, in fear, ran to the room.

But all them still desired to see the Christmas Tree from close.

>> So they decided to make a bold attempt…

… They quietly crept over the whole Christmas tree.. over every branch and twig, till their desire to see its beauty was fulfilled.

But to their dismay, each of them had left their webs behind.

When Child Jesus saw the Christmas Tree marred by the spider webs, He was in a dilemma.

On one side, he was impressed by the simple desire of the spiders…

… on the other side, he did not want the mother of the house to be offended.

So He touched the spider webs, and they all turned to sparkling and shimmering, silver and gold!

(This is probably the origin of hanging colourful tinsels on our Christmas Trees, and sometimes even including a spider!)

One of the important dimension seen in this legendary story is the intense desire of the spiders and their willingness to take the chance…

… to be bold in their attempts and even be ready to risk their lives to have their Divine longing fulfilled.

Such is to be the readiness of every Christian…

>> Having an intense desire

>> Being willing to take chances

>> Being bold

>> Ready to even risk their lives

…  in defence of faith and in growing to be a Disciple – in the likeness of Christ.

This is reflected in the words that Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent are taking it by force” (Mt 11: 12)

This verse is one of the most mysterious and thought-provoking in the entire Bible

What was this violence that Jesus was referring to?

The Greek word for the word “violence” is “biazo”.

This word “biazo” is described as “using power to forcibly seize” i.e. “laying hold of something with a POSITIVE aggressiveness”.

In the context of the Kingdom of God, it refers to the fact that ” the share in the heavenly Kingdom is to be sought for, with the most ardent zeal and the most intent exertion”.

>> Historically, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the Kingdom was rejected by the Jews – the chosen race, and the Gentiles gained access.

>> In our own times, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the entry to the Kingdom causes the people to suffer, undergo hardships and even bear hostility.

That’s why Jesus would say in the Sermon of the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Mt 5: 10)

St Ambrose beautifully describes the meaning of this violence:

“We do violence to the Lord…

> not by compelling Him but by weeping before Him

> not by provoking by injuries, but by entreating with tears

> not by blaspheming through pride, but by sorrowing through humility.

We attack him, not with swords, nor staves, nor stones…

…  but with meekness, good works, chastity.

These are the weapons of our faith, by which we strive in our contest.

But in order that we may be able to make use of these arms in doing violence…

>> let us first use a certain violence to our own bodies

>> let us carry by storm the vices of our members

…that we may obtain the rewards of valour.

For to seize the Saviour’s Kingdom we must first reign in ourselves!”

St Francis de Sales speaks of a similar “violence” when, filled with a deep zeal to conquer back Geneva from the clutches of Protestantism, he says:

“We will breach the walls of Geneva with our ardent prayers and storm the city with mutual charity”

This then is the zeal and the passion – the fire – that we need to carry in our hearts…

>> A powerful zeal that makes no compromise in the values of the Kingdom…

… and makes it willing to suffer any hardship or difficulty for the sake of the Lord!

>> An aggressive passion that is willing to let go of any attachment or sinful desire…

… that comes in the way of being worthy of the Kingdom!

>> A blazing fire that rages across every wicked and evil action..

… and seeks to restore holiness and sanctity of life!

Yes, Christian Life is a warfare…

… against the forces of evil

… against our own worldly desires!

That is why the Church on earth who are living – who struggle against sin and devil and “the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12) is called as the “Church Militant” (“Ecclesia Militans”)

May our Blessed Lord ignite our “often tired, dreary and weary” lives with a blazing passion and a fiery enthusiasm…

… so that we may energetically prepare for His coming into our lives!

The Lord will surely bless our every attempt and every desire to seek Him

This will cause us to leave behind…

… our webs of vain desires

… our webs of sinful pleasures

… our webs of undue attachments

But our Master will touch all those webs and turn them to sparkling and shimmering blessings and graces!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Be what you are and be at its best!”

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An old lady was sitting in the park – all alone and dejected.

A young boy – who was sitting on the opposite bench – and was doing some writing work, had been constantly watching this lady who was brooding over some worry.

Finally, after a while, he stopped writing and enquired:

“Madam, I have been observing you. From morning, you have been quite worried.

What’s the matter? Maybe there is some way I can help you

The old lady looked at him and replied: “You know, my son, in life, I have been worried about so many things in life… but most of them never happened!”

The young man was surprised to hear that – “troubled about things, that never really happened!”

So he asked again, “Then why are you troubled now?”

She replied, with a tinge of remorse: “I am worried as to why did I unnecessarily worry so much in my life!”

Funny, isn’t it?

But, are we sometimes like this old lady?

>> Too much worried and disturbed in life…

… sometimes (or perhaps, very often) even about things that have not happened in life?

The call of the Gospel is an invitation by Jesus to “cast all our worries and burdens” on Him.

We read in the Gospel today, the assuring words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11: 28)

Jesus came into the world, primarily as a Saviour!

>> He is in deep love with us!

“…You are precious in my eyes and I love You!” (Is 43:4).

The meaning of the name “Jesus” Itself is that…

… GOD SAVES!

As a Beloved Lover, He constantly tugs the strings of our hearts and beckons us to Himself – wanting us to experience His Saving Love!

>> He extends His cordial and warmest invitation to each one of us who are weary and heavy-burdened!

The Greek word for WEARY is “Kopiao”…

… which means to toil and become weary to the point of exhaustion! .

>> WEARY not only refers to the daily physical strains and struggles we undergo in life, but is also…

… the internal exhaustion caused by seeking Divine Truth through mere Human Wisdom.

… the external burden caused by futile peripheral efforts to seek the Divinity.

Many of us, very often, reach the point of exhaustion and fatigue by our everyday works and in our striving for salvation.

However, today, the Lord calls all of us – to experience His Resting Presence!

>> “Behold, I stand at the door and Knock! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me”” (Rev 3:20).

“Experiencing His Resting Presence” also means “to learn from Him”…

… especially learning to be Humble and Gentle like Him! (Mt 11: 29)

A proud heart robs the person of spiritual insights

>> It renders a person to look only to oneself; the dependence on the Lord is lost!

A harsh (violent/tough/annoyed/wrathful) heart steals the person of “being at peace”

>> It renders a person to look only at the negativities of life; the attitude of being grateful to God is lost!

Today, let us give heed to the call of the Lord…

… to “Rest in His Presence”

>> And thus to learn to be more “gentle and humble”

Many of us might question: How can I “Rest in His Presence”

>> Many of us might counter: Is it really possible to learn to be more “gentle and humble”?

“Rest in His Presence” can be…

… by making a time for the Lord, in prayer, every day of our life – an act, which we shall never compromise!

… by “becoming aware” of the Presence of the Lord in the activities that we engage in

… by recognizing the goodness in other people and situations of life, and thus being, consciously, grateful to God

Learning to be more “gentle and humble” can be…

… by picking up any of those virtues, and (purposely) doing an act towards growing in the virtue

… by daily examining the conscience, in the practice of that particular virtue, and making amends to try again, even if failed (Let’s remember the Lord Who always rose again, even when He fell many times, on the Way of the Cross!)

… by praying specially to the Holy Spirit for those virtues, and never being discouraged, even when faced with the opposite vice

… by being inspired by the many saints, who went through the phases of vices, but were ultimately able to conquer, and live the virtues

Tensions, worries and problems of life constantly disappoint us!

>> Even our striving to improve our spiritual lives (and the feeling of failure to do so) discourage us!

But the Lord constantly tells us…”Come to Me!”

>> “Never, ever get discouraged, My Child!”

Let not the anxieties of our life dishearten us…

>> Instead may the Invitation of the Lord – “to Rest in His Presence and to learn from Him”…

… help us to always be at peace in life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The greatest thing that can befall a soul, beyond sin…

… is anxiety!”

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A mother took her three children to a fine restaurant for a dinner.

>> It was a crowded Sunday and they could only get separate seats.

As food was served, the youngest daughter – 6 year old Mary – who was seated at the far corner of the restaurant…

… loudly enquired from her mother: “Mother, don’t people say grace before meals in this place?”

A wave of silence wrapped the entire restaurant!

The mother did not know how to react.

But soon enough, the manager of the hotel, who was at the counter, said in an assuring voice to the child: “Yes we do. You may start!”

All the people bowed their head in silence.

Little Mary closed her eyes, joined her hands and bowing her head…

… in a loud and crystal voice prayed: “Bless us O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are going to receive from your goodness, through Christ our Lord… Amen!”

The child found it strange to observe that none of the elders were praying…

… So she went “out of the way”

>> And did something that was very beautiful

>> And taught others an action to be imitated

A child “goes out of the way”…

… in expressing love and affection by trying to imitate the kind acts of the elders

… in trying to help others – giving a hand at the household chores, or doing little works

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by the Lord to re-discover this “forgotten” child-like dimension of our lives: “To go out of the way”!

Jesus, speaking of this worthwhile quality …

… presents to us the image of a Shepherd who goes “out of the way”, in search of the lost sheep.

Jesus says: ” If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray…

… will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills, and go in search of the stray?” (Mt 18: 12)

The shepherd loves all his hundred sheep…

… yet, when one gets strayed, he makes “an out-of-the-way effort” to get the lost one back.

He does not give up on the strayed.

>> He doesn’t desert the lost.

>> He doesn’t abandon the one, gone from his circle.

This attitude of going “out of the way”…

>> “taking an extra pain”

>> “dripping an extra sweat”

… would seem weird and strange to the calculative, pragmatic and business-minded head of ours, in this modern period!

We might question:

>> Is it not a waste of time to go after the “lost sheep”…

…  of an obsessed drug-addict or a habitual drunkard or a consistent smoker?

>> Is it just too futile to awaken a “lost sheep”…

… of a soul in slumber, where there is no focus on spiritual life, where there is slackness of prayer and sacraments and where worldliness and materialism have crept and conquered?

>> Is it of any use to go after the “lost sheep”…

… of a couple who are constantly bickering and a family which is broken up with regular fights and misunderstandings?

>> Is there any sense in trying to restore the “lost sheep”…

…  of a community whose members seem disinterested, who are lethargic, who have their own personal and hidden agenda and who always back-talk and back-bite?

>> Is it just not meaningless to revive the “lost sheep”…

… of a society or a nation where corruption has taken deep-roots in hearts of people and all sincere efforts of transformation often gets dumped into the bin?

The True Shepherd however, in all such situations, of the “lost sheep” …

… “goes out of the way”

>> The Good Shepherd makes an extra effort in getting them back!

This Good Shepherd today invites us to be partakers in restoring the lost ones.

A critical danger in the process of “growing- up” is the tendency to lose our “natural child-like” qualities.

>> As a child, we were free to express our emotions…

… but when we “grow up”, we tend to hold them up all within (only to burst out one day!)

>> As a child, we were easily dependant on those who cared for us…

… but when we “grow up”, we become arrogant towards them and seek ‘independence’

>> As a child, we were able to enjoy and relax in the present moment…

… but when we “grow up”, we get caught up in the snare of the past and shrink with  fear of the future.

The Lord invites us to get back the “lost” child-like faith and trust.

>> We need to realise that we are always little children to our Heavenly Father!

>> He loves to care for us… He longs that we depend on Him entirely!

Yes, children sometimes teach elders great lessons, isn’t it?

Let us be willing  to “go out of the way”…

>> And do things that are very beautiful

>> And teach others actions, that can be imitated!

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 them.

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

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A priest went to visit a violent criminal who was condemned to death…

… hoping to prepare his soul to die well.

But the man wouldn’t even talk to him.

The priest pleaded and begged him to get reconciled with God…

… but the man’s heart was highly closed!

Finally, as a last resort, the priest entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary and then said to the criminal, “Before I leave, will you grant me one little favor?”

The man, with an intention to get rid of the bothersome priest, said he would.

“Let us then,” the priest responded, “Say one Hail Mary.”

So, together they began to pray that simple prayer…

… “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with You…”

But they hadn’t even got through the first sentence when the criminal turned pale…

… and his voice started to shake.

The priest to continued the Hail Mary…

… and as he finished tears started to flow from the man’s face, and he fell on his knees at the priest’s feet.

As soon as the prayer was done, the man asked to make confession.

He then confessed his sins with a great sense of repentance!

The words, “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you…”

… had ignited the spark of repentance in him!

Yes, that’s the power of the intercession of Mother Mary!

>> She is the refuge of sinners

Her life of Faithfulness to God’s Grace, is an inspiration to all of us…

… to live an Immaculate and Holy Life!

Today, we celebrate the Solemn Feast of the beginning of the faithful life of the Most Beautiful and Loved Creation of God: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother.

Sin is part of every human life.

St Paul testifies to this fact when he says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23)

By themselves, human beings are incapable of freeing themselves from sin.

Therefore…

… Everyone needs a Saviour

… Everyone needs a Redeemer

But God, in His infinite wisdom had thought of the most excellent way of redeeming humanity.

>> Salvation was to be accomplished not through any magical power

>> Salvation was to be brought about not through some superhuman force

Rather, the salvation of humanity was to be won by a Human Himself – the most perfect Human.

>> This perfect Human deserved and required the most sinless of all wombs for being born

>> This perfect Human demanded and necessitated the most immaculate of all lives to be nurtured

Thus, God in His perfect wisdom, applied the Grace of Redemption and Salvation to the One He had chosen – Mary of Nazareth.

Therefore…

>> Mary is the first recipient of the Redemption of Christ!

>> Mary is the first fruit of the Salvation, won by Christ!

This is the story of the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary.

The Holy Scripture testifies to this Immaculate nature of our Blessed Mother through the words of Angel Gabriel to Her, “Hail, FULL of Grace!” (Lk 1:28)

Thus, the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother points to Her sinlessness, Her being full of Grace, Her perfection in holiness and Her absolute adherence to the Will of God.

But, hey…

… wait a moment!

>> Are not all these things pointing to Mary simply being somebody “too-special” and almost like she being “supernatural”?

>> Are not all these things telling us that Mary was simply just “not like us” and we can never ever achieve or even aspire to be what She was?

Well… Undoubtedly, Mary lived a life that was “too-special” and a life that was “supernatural” in holiness.

But we need to bring to our mind a very vital aspect…

Though the birth of being sinless, was a gift granted to Her…

… the fact of remaining sinless all through Her life, was Her choice!

Though the birth of being full of grace, was a gift bestowed on Her…

… the fact of remaining always in the Grace of God, was Her choice!

Though the birth of being perfect in holiness, was a gift endowed on Her…

… the fact of remaining holy, was Her choice!

Like any other human person, She too…

… went through the crises of life

… faced humiliation and rejection in life

… had to face the rock of uncertainty and doubts of life

But, it was Her radical choice for God and Her absolute preference to the Will of God, that made Her to remain Immaculate all through Her Life.

“Yes, Lord… Thy Will be done” (Lk 1:38) was a chorus that She sang in all the moments of life!

Today, on this Feast day, this our Blessed Mother invites and exhorts us, also…

… to make a choice for God, always, and lead a sinless life

… to always opt for God alone, at all times, and being immaculate in life

… to unswervingly be faithful to God’s Will, and thus seek to be perfect in life

The challenge is great… the efforts required are radical.

>> But we are not left alone in this “pursuit of holiness” (1 Cor 9:24)

Our Blessed Mamma – the Beautiful Lady in blue and white – grace in holiness and immaculate in love – holds our hands and tells us:

“My Little Child, I am with you!

I love you, and together, we shall walk in this exciting path of Holiness…

… towards My Son and Your Brother…

… towards Our Saviour Jesus!”

Yes, may we give heed to the loving call of our Blessed Mother

>> And be fervent and zealous to lead a holier life, pleasing to God…

… as we pray, “Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with You…!”

Happy Feast of our Immaculate Mamma!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “”Our Lady and Holy Mistress alone was exempt from this evil [of being conceived in sin].

>> She who was to conceive God first in her heart and in her spirit…

… before conceiving him in her chaste womb!”

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