“Let’s be prepared to rise up in hope and to burn on in love, as the Lord assures that we are His Beloved!”

(Based on Mic 2:1-5 and Mt 12:14-21 – Saturday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

The Bible is the Real Word of God…
… describing Real Situations of Human Beings and the World.

The Bible does not shy away from presenting the weaknesses & the vulnerability of people.

In fact, the Bible has a special concern and a likeness for persons who are…
… feeble & fragile
… weak & worn-out
… helpless and hopeless
… unprotected & unarmed
… demoralized & defenseless

The Bible presents an “Anawim God”!

The term “Anawim” in Hebrew means “The Poor who seek the Lord for deliverance.”

God has always taken the ones in the position of powerlessness…
… and placed them in the position of strength.

The idea of God’s people being poor and delivered by Him is found throughout the Scripture.

Jesus is the Face of this Anawim God.

Though He was God, He emptied Himself and became..
… poor & powerless, frail &feeble
…. like any of us!

Today’s Gospel presents two images quoting Isaiah, on how this Anawim Jesus cares for His people: “The bruised reed He will not crush…nor snuff out the smouldering wick”!

What are Bruised Reeds and Smouldering Wicks?

1. The Bruised Reed
   A reed was a tall hollow blade of grass along the river bank.

But sometimes, a strong wind would blow, or people would stamp them down and they would become bowed and bent over…

Battered and shattered lives of people are Bruised Reeds…
… But Jesus does not crush them!

Is my Life like a Bruised Reed?

Crushed by a financial crisis…
Devastated by human calamites…
Suppressed by lack of spiritual solace…
Struck by an illness…
Hurt by a harsh word…
Disappointed by a death…

The world may want to cast these bruised reeds aside.

But Jesus reaches out in love and mercy!

The world did not see their pain and misery.

But Jesus gets in touch to comfort and relieve!

There are lot of Bruised Reeds in the Bible:

Zacchaeus…
Martha…
The Woman caught in adultery…
The Samaritan Woman…
The Man with a withered hand…
The widow who offered a mite etc…

Is my Life like a Bruised Reed?

2. The Smouldering Wick:
   Jesus’ image here was based on wicks used in oil lamps.

When the oil supply became less, the flame begins to flicker. As the wick burned out, smoke was emitted that smelled bad…
… the normal tendency is the put off this smouldering wick…

But Jesus does not snuff them out!

Is my life like a Smouldering Wick?

Saddened by trials and troubles, our flame of life often flickers…
Encountered by constant failures, our light of faith dies out…
Blown by winds of catastrophes, our glow of hope fades away…
Stumbled upon darkness of consolations, our flare of charity wanes away…

The world wants to snuff out these wicks.

But Jesus intervenes to renew the fire and the blaze!

The world feels it’s the end.

But Jesus jumpstarts and rejuvenates our lives!

There are a lot of Smouldering Wicks in the Bible…

Peter…
Mathew…
Bartimaeus…
Mary Magdalene…
The Crook on the Cross etc…

Is my life like a Smouldering Wick?

Through Prophet Micah, God condemns those who plan wicked and harm these innocent…
… and assures that He is with the Bruised Reeds and Smouldering Wicks:
“Woe to those who devise wickedness, and work evil upon their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.

They covet fields, and seize them; and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance!”

Am I an Anawim…a NObody?….

God wants to make me a SOMEbody!

The Bible tells stories after stories about nobodies; about those who never do well!

But God chose them.

God’s eyes search throughout the world, looking for ones whose stories ended before it began.

He looks for those who have no hope in this world – The Bruised Reeds and the Smouldering Wicks

Let’s be prepared to Rise Up in Hope and to Burn On in Love!

The Anawim are God’s Beloved!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “”Our misery is the Throne of God’s Mercy.”

“Scraping off the rust of legalism and ritualism; instead, polishing our lives with the virtues of mercy, empathy and compassion!”

(Based on Is 38:1-6,21-22, 7-8 and Mt 12:1-8 – Friday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

Most of us, at some point or the other, have given gifts to our loved ones, our friends or our relations.

Imagine, if the one who received the Gift, were to neatly…unwrap the Gift Wrapper…

And to your horror….throws the Gift inside the Dustbin, and keeps to oneself, only the Gift Wrapper?

That would too be sad and painful …right?

Well, something similar is the case, when we look into the Salvation History.

God Yahweh had presented a Gift to the People of Israelites: The Gift of the Law…
… so that He could be their Only God and they could always be His People ( Jer 7:23)

But as time passed, this Gift of the Law was interpreted into several external practices…

So much so that the purpose of the law was forgotten…
… and only the external regulations were prevailing.

The Gospel of the Day is an exposition of how the Gift that God had given was being squandered…
… and just the externals – the wrapper of the gift – was being glorified…

and how, Jesus the Source of the Law seeks to restore the original spirit of the Law!

The Gospel passage begins with the Pharisees accusing the disciples of having transgressed the Sabbath Laws by plucking and eating on the Sabbath Day (Cf. Mt 12:2).

The External actions were accorded primacy…
.. the actual Law was slowly discarded!

The Body of the Commandment was insisted…
.. the Spirit of the Law was diluted!

The Gift wrapper gained more importance than the Gift Itself!

The Law of Moses was glorified, but there was a failure to see the Glorious God of the Law!!

And so today, the Majestic Lord of the Sabbath seeks to capture our attention to see the Most Important Aspect of Law: Inner Disposition rather than External Practices!

True Righteousness and Holiness stems from the with’in’…
… and not from the with’outs’!!

The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word sabat…which means repose or rest.

Just a few verses before this Reading… Jesus invited us “to take REST in Him” (Mt 11:28)

The Real Rest is in Him!
The Real Sabbath is in Him!

And Jesus, the True Rest and the Lord of the Sabbath is also a Might Defender of His Chosen Ones…

The Lord refutes the charges of the Pharisees, on three levels:

a. As a King
Jesus quotes the example of how King David had consumed holy bread, which was reserved only for the priests.

And yet, King David is never condemned and neither is his action worthy of being guilty

b. As a Priest
Jesus quotes the temple priests who perform work on a Sabbath.

And yet, it is not considered a religious violation, but is acceptable as a Sacred Duty.

c. As a Prophet
Jesus quotes Prophet Hosea and spells out God’s mind of Mercy being of greater value and importance than sacrifice!

Yes, Jesus, the True King, the Holy Priest and the Mighty Prophet…
… quotes the example of a King, a Priest and a Prophet to Defend His Chosen Ones and to declare that He is the Lord of the Sabbath!

Jesus Himself is the Real Rest and the Real Sabbath!

We need to examine…

Do I tend to become more legalistic in my mentality and fail to see the Spirit of the Law?
Do I become rigid in my external practices and rituals, but fail to relish the Heart of Worship?

In the Old Testament, we read about King Hezekiah who sought to live a righteous and blameless life, before the Lord. With sincerity of heart, the king prays:
“Remember now, O Lord, I beseech Thee, how I have walked before Thee in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in thy sight!” (Is 38:3)

The Lord has gifted us His Commandments and Laws…
… so that HE can be our Only God and we can always be His Beloved People.

Do I cherish the inner dimensions of the Law and treasure this Gift?

Or am I giving more importance only to external factors, like the Gift Wrapper?

Let us scrape off the rust of legalism and ritualism…

Let us, instead, polish our lives with the virtues of mercy, empathy and compassion!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Obedience is…
… a consecration of the heart
… chastity of the body
… and poverty of all worldly goods to the Love and Service of God!

Blessed indeed are the obedient, for God will never permit them to go astray!”

“Seeking the intercession of the Blessed Mother in our struggles and hardships of life – with the Sacramental of the Scapular as a sign to publicly declare our Love for Christ – let us respond to the invitation of the Lord, and readily ‘take up the Cross!’”

(Based on Is 26:7-9,12,16-19 and Mt 11:28-30 – Thursday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time – Feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Many of us would have come across the acronym “RSVP” in Invitations for marriage, baptism, birthdays, wedding anniversaries or some other social events.

RSVP stands for Repondez S’il Vous Plait ( in French) which is translated as “Reply, If you please!”

The purpose of this RSVP is that the person sending the invitation, would like you to tell him or her, whether you accept or decline the invitation.

Today, Jesus, the King of all Hearts, presents a thrilling and a pleasant invitation… “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden…” (Mt 11:28)

Every invitation is to contain “By Whom”, “To Whom”, “What” and a “When”!

Let’s analyze these aspects in the Invitation of the Lord

1. BY WHOM is the invitation?
   Jesus came into the world, primarily as a Saviour!

He’s in deep love with us!
“…You are precious in my eyes and I love You!” (Is 43:4).

As a Beloved Lover, it is He who tugs at the strings of our hearts & beckons us to Himself.

2. TO WHOM is the invitation?
   He extends His cordial and warmest invitation to each one of us who is weary and heavy-burdened….personally!

The Greek word for Weary is “Kopiao”…which means to toil & become weary to the point of exhaustion!

Weary could refer to the internal exhaustion caused by seeking Divine Truth through mere Human Wisdom.
Heavy Laden could be the external burdens caused by futile peripheral efforts & works to seek the Divinity.

Many of us certainly, reach the point of exhaustion and fatigue in our everyday works and life and in our search for salvation.

Yes, You and I, each one of us, is today, an honoured and a privileged Invitee!
“Behold, I stand at the door and Knock!” (Rev 3:20).

3. WHAT is the invitation?
   To rest in His Sacred Heart and to Learn from Him Gentleness and Humility.

A haughty heart robs the person of spiritual insights…
Pride renders a person to look only to oneself; the gaze on the Lord is considered meaningless.

This is where the Pharisaic Mentality went wrong. They saw legalism as the vehicle to heaven. They lost sight of God’s desire for the heart.

They glorified the Law of Moses, but failed to see the Glorious God of the Law!

The Kingdom belongs to the Gentle and Humble…and that’s what Jesus invites us to learn!

4. WHEN is the invitation?

“Why delay good things in life?”
The Yoke of the Lord is easy.. because it is HE who takes up the burden…
… we are only sharers in His Divine Yoke!

He gives us a yoke which is made to fit our needs and abilities perfectly well!

And the Time is NOW!

With Prophet Isaiah, let us also echo: “My soul yearns for Thee in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks Thee.

For when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness!” (Is 26:7)

Yes… the Invitation from the Lord is already posted, and our Beloved Master is waiting!

What is our Response….

RSVP…. Repondez S’il Vous Plait?

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The feast was assigned to July 16, because on that date in 1251, according to Carmelite traditions, the scapular was given by the Blessed Virgin to St. Simon Stock.

The Scapular (from Latin scapulae, “shoulders”) – is both a sign of our belonging to Mary and pledge of her maternal protection in this life and the next.

It is also a sign of couple of elements:

1. A consecration to and trust in Mary
2. A declaration to imitate Our Lady’s virtues, especially Her humility, chastity, and prayerfulness.

The scapular is not…
… a magical charm to protect someone.
… a automatic guarantee of salvation.
… an excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian life

It is instead, a sign…
… to follow Jesus like Mary
… to be open to God and to His Will.
… to be guided by Faith, Hope and Love.
… to pray at all times
… to discover and be aware of the Presence of God in all that happens around us.

As St. John of the Cross says:
“He who loves, is not ashamed before men of what he does for God…
… neither does he hide it through shame, though the whole world should condemn it.”

Let us seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother in our struggles and hardships of life…
… and may the Sacramental of the Scapular be a sign for us to publicly declare our Love for Christ and our Readiness to “take up the Cross!”

May we hold Mamma’s Hands…
… as She Inspires, Helps, Challenges and Intercedes for us!

Happy Feast of our Blessed Mother of Carmel!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Our Lord established three unions in the sacred Virgin Our Lady…

The first is that of the Divine Nature with the human nature in her sacred womb, which is so elevated a mystery.
The second union which He effected in Our Lady was that of maternity with virginity, a union which is absolutely outside the course of nature, for it unites two things which it is impossible to find together in nature.

The third union is that of a very exalted charity and a very profound humility!”

“Seeking to depend and trust more in the Lord, with a childlike faith, so that the Lord may rejoice in us and He – the Wisdom – may reveal Himself more and more to us!”

(Based on Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16 and Mt 11:25-27 – Wednesday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

A little girl child was to undergo a risky surgery.

She was placed upon the table and the surgeon was about to render her a dose of anaesthesia.
“Before we can make you well, dear, we must put you to sleep”, said the surgeon to the li’l girl.

With a cute smile, she said sweetly, “Oh, if you are going to put me to sleep, I must say my prayers first.”

So she got on her knees and said the child’s prayer.
“Now I can go to sleep,” said the sweet child.

The surgeon, later, testified that this action of the child moved his heart greatly…
… and he himself, prayed, that night, for the first time, in thirty years!

The power of the little child to influence was amazing…
… even on a person who was much older to her!

There is great sincerity and openness in the actions of little children.
There is immense authenticity and truthfulness in the deeds of little ones.

It is this childlike faith and simplicity that finds an expression of appreciation from our Blessed Lord in today’s Gospel.

Jesus says, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes” (Mt 11:25)

When we go back to the first book of the Bible – Genesis – and to the Garden of Eden, we encounter the first temptation scene – between the serpent and Eve.

It is interesting to note the words, when the serpent tempts Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit, and Eve puts forth the reason for not eating:

The serpent says, “… God knows well that the moment you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad” (Gen 3:6)
The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes and desirable for “gaining wisdom” (Gen 3:7)

This then was the first temptation: To Know – seeking for wisdom; seeking for knowledge.

However the Lord says that wisdom is hidden from the wise and the understanding, and instead revealed to the babes, to those childlike.

As Prophet Isaiah declares, the Lord has all power and wisdom: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding…” (Is 10:13)

What makes the Divine Wisdom to hide from the wise and reveal to the childlike instead?

We could consider a couple of reasons….

1. The wise depend on their own strength; the childlike have a sense of dependency

One of the qualities or rather a condition of little children is their “helplessness”!

Little children are helpless…
… to be taking care of even their basic needs
… to be able to meet their basic emotions

They therefore have a sense of dependency!

2. The wise have over-confidence in themselves; the childlike trust on others
   Another quality of children is their basic sense of “trust”

They tend to easily trust the others…
… in meeting their needs and in having what they desire
… in being protected and being taken care safely

These two great qualities of the childlike are what helps the Divine wisdom to be revealed to them:

A sense of dependency: Depending on God, the Father in every moment of life

A sense of trust: Trusting in the Lord for every need and believing in His providence

The Gospel of the Day makes us to examine our own lives and check the level of childlike qualities that we possess…

Do I possess a sense of Dependency on the Lord…
… or is my reliance only on my own self-worth and abilities?

Do I possess a sense of Trust in the Lord…
… or do I fall into constant anxieties and apprehensions?

May we seek to depend and trust more in the Lord, with a childlike faith, so that the Lord may rejoice in us and He – the Wisdom – may reveal Himself more and more to us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Children learn to speak by hearing their mother talk, and stammering forth their childish sounds in imitation

And so if we cleave to the Saviour in meditation, listening to His words, watching His actions and intentions…

… we shall learn in time, through His Grace, to speak, act and will like Himself!”

“Examining our lives and making the necessary changes, in order to live a holier life!”

(Based on Isaiah 7:1-9 and Mt 11:20-24 – Tuesday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

There is an incident in the life of Queen Victoria.

As a queen, she enjoyed many luxuries and comforts.

She too, however, had to go through many family problems, especially, concerns as a grandmother.

One of her grandsons was highly reckless in the usage and spending of money.

Once, as his birthday was approaching, the grandson wrote to his grandmother, Queen Victoria, reminding her of his approaching birthday.

He cleverly suggested that “money would be the best and the most acceptable birthday gift”.

In reply, the Queen Grandmother wrote back a “letter of advice”- in her own hand – sternly reproving the young boy for his life of extravagance and urging him on the practice of economy.

However, the young boy’s reply to this letter, staggered her:
“Dear Grandma,” said the letter, “thank you for your kind letter of advice.

I have just sold the same letter for five pounds!”

The young grandson spared no efforts to even “auction and sell” the prized ‘letter of advice’ of the Queen, and got for himself some extra money!!

The young fellow wasted away every chance that was offered to him, to live a good life.

Instead, the privileges that were offered to him were converted to opportunities for indulging in more and more occasions of sin!

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus condemning such an “unrepentant” and “arrogant” attitude of some cities, in amending their ways and in turning back to the Lord.

Jesus raises a cry of sigh, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done to you, had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long back” (Mt 11:21)
“And you, Capernaum! Will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades” (Mt 11: 23)

These three towns – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum – had a unique common feature.

These three were called as the “Orthodox Triangle”.

These towns consisted of “traditional” Jews – Jews who took the Law of Moses very seriously!
• They had a benefit of a “faith that was traditional and deep-rooted”

These towns also consisted of “privileged” people – people who had the great privilege of being witnesses to many miracles, events, preaching and deeds of the Lord Jesus.
• They had the privilege of a “faith that was encouraged and boosted by the wonderful deeds of Jesus”

In spite of these great opportunities and advantages that were offered to them, the people in these towns “failed” to live a life of repentance!

And this is what the Lord condemns them for…

They had the benefit of a traditional faith…
… but it did not move their lives to be lived in holiness!

They had the privilege of a faith that was nourished and encouraged…
… but it did not make them to purge their lives of sin and seek to live worthily in the presence of God!

The people of these towns wasted away every chance that was offered to them, to live a good life.

Instead, the privileges that were offered to them were converted to occasions for indulging in more and more opportunities for sin!

Is my life also resembling these three towns?

I may be a “traditional” Christian…
… having ‘inherited’ my faith in the Lord from my family and my background
… having heard and even practising many acts of faith and devotion

I may also be an “encouraged” Christian…
… having got many opportunities to hear and witness the powerful works of the Lord through many talks, retreats, miracles, sacraments etc
… having the privilege of constantly encountering the living presence of the Lord in the lives of many people.

But do these factors get “personalized” and make me “to live a life of holiness and repentance”?
• I may boast that I am a Christian by birth
• I may claim that I am doing many great works in the ministry of the Lord
• I may assert that I have experienced many miraculous Divine interventions in life

But do all these make me to “repent” of my sins and help me seek to “live a life of sanctity”?

The message of the Gospel is clear: “Repent, and believe, in the Lord!”

The faith-inputs that I receive, ought to, first and foremost, cause a transformation in my life – seeking God’s Will at all times and remaining firm to avoid any occasions of sin.

Through Prophet Isaiah, God offers His assurance of strength and grace to us:
‘Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint…” (Is 7:4)

The Lord through today’s Gospel is writing a “letter of advice to us” – to examine our lives and to make the necessary changes, in order to live a holier life.

Are we going to take serious heed to this “letter of advice” and make suitable changes?
… or are we going to “auction and sell off” this “letter of advice” and nullify the loving message of the Gospel?

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS* – “This loving repentance is usually practiced by frequent aspirations or elevations of the Heart to God…

… after the example of the ancient penitents!”

“Driving away all fears and embracing the Cross as our Christian Lifestyle!”

(Based on Isaiah 1:11-17 and Mt 10:34-11:1 – Monday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

Every society or organization or a way of life draws up rules and regulations…
… to which its members have to promise obedience.

A faithful commitment to these guidelines will help for the true growth of the society and help the members to genuinely enjoy all the rights and privileges.

Christianity as a Life Style, also has its Rules and Regulations and it demands Commitment!

The Cross forms part of this Basic Rule of Christianity.

The ‘modern’ Christian however, is often afraid and oppose this dimension of Christianity: The Cross!

Bishop Fulton Sheen presents before us this mentality which is fast catching up in our world…

It is termed as Staurophobia… The Fear of the Cross!

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation of the Message of the Cross…
… an invitation to follow the Crucified Christ
… a challenge to faithfully carry the crosses of our life.

Jesus says, “He who does not take his cross and follow me, is not worthy of Me” (Mt 10: 38)

Our Blessed Lord loves to jolt static minds and the inert understandings..

He doesn’t promise cushy comforts…
… He demands Commitment to the Cross!

Those who choose Christianity as a Life Style, ought to be…

Losers of oneself
Be carriers of the Cross
And then Follow Him!

Christianity, as a Life Style, has the Cross as its Basic Rule and it demands Commitment!

But the very mention of the word “Cross”, sometimes puts people off…

“Not again the Cross”
“Enough of pain and suffering”
“We go to Church to relax and be comforted; not simply to hear of the Passion &Anguish of the Suffering Jesus on the Cross; we only prefer the Glorious & Victorious Christ”
“Stop being pessimistic with Sin & Repentance…. Just be optimistic with Joy & Salvation!”

These are often, the “happening” buzz phrases and popular opinions…even in our religious environs.

Staurophobia – the Fear of the Cross …is creeping stealthily but mightily in our lives…

We like to be Saved…
… but we Fear the Cross of repentance of our Sins

We like to receive Blessings…
… but we Fear the Cross of living an honest life

We like to live a peaceful life…
… but we Fear the Cross of trusting in God’s Providence

We like to be prosperous…
… but we Fear the Cross of being generous and compassionate

We like to be called good…
… but we Fear the Cross of being Faithful to the teachings of Christ

We like to have joy…
… but we Fear the Cross of giving up attachments & belong totally to God

Yes, We often, Fear the Cross…

But Christ – Crucified on the Cross – promises His Choicest Rewards to the ones, who dare to take up the Cross…

They will find Life…
They will be rewarded…
They will find true joy and peace…
…says the Lord.

Prophet Isaiah strongly warns and reminds all of us:
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts;
… Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.
… When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow!” (Is 1: 11, 13, 15-17)

Have we really accepted Christianity as our Life Style?

Then Let us Embrace the Cross…
Let us drive away the Fear of the Cross

Let Staurophobia (Fear of the Cross) be wilfully banished

Let Staurophilia (Love of the Cross) be willingly accepted!

St Camillus says, “Commitment is doing what you said you would do, after the feeling you said it in, has passed”.

Let us remain committed to the Cross of Christ and celebrate Christianity with conviction!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Think well on it, faithful soul: it is certain that on the Tree of the Cross, the Heart of our Lord Jesus beheld yours, and that He loved it…

… and by His love, obtained for it, all the favors which you have ever received, or will ever receive: among them, your good resolutions!”

“Growing in the experience of the Power of the Word – to work in unexpected ways, to transform in unknown places and to bear fruits in unexplored areas!”

(Based on Isaiah 55:10-11, Rom 8:18-23 and Mt 13:1-23 – 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time)

A devout woman, once bought a Bible in her native language.

She was very much afraid of her husband who was deadly against God and sent forth atheistic vibrations.

In fear, she would read the Bible in his absence, and would stealthily hide it away from his presence and sight.

One day, however, by mistake, she failed to hide the Holy Book, and her husband saw it on the table.

Without saying anything, the husband opened the pages of the Bible, scanned through some and read a few lines.

As the wife stood, a little away – stunned and trembling- not knowing what he would tell her, the husband said, “Hmmm… This seems to be a good book!”

And it so happened, that every night, the man demanded for That Book when he returned back from office.

A few weeks later, the man suggested his wife that he wished to meet her parents, as for nearly 3 years, he had stayed away from them.

A tremendous and miraculous wonder had taken place.

A woman’s persistent faith had been rewarded…
A man’s heart had been finely melted …
A relationship had been restored…

That’s the power of the Word!

The Word can work in unexpected ways…
The Word can transform in unknown places…
The Word can bear fruits in unexplored areas…

Are we ready to Sow the Word, everywhere, any time?

Are we open to allow the Word to work, anywhere, any time?

The Gospel of the Day is the classic presentation of the power of the Word through the Parable of the Sower and its explanation.

This is a parable that, probably we have read, reflected and meditated several times.

One of the striking messages of this Popular Parable is the “unknown, unexpected and unexplored” manner in which the Word is Sown.

Going through the various places in which the Seed was sown would probably make one to say…
… “Why was it that so much Seed was simply wasted – on the wayside, on the rock, among the thorns – places where there was hardly any possibility of growth?”
… “Why was it that the Sower was so unscientific, so lacking in common sense and so careless in simply broadcasting the precious seeds haphazardly?”

Probably, a logical answer and a reasonable explanation to these questions is to be found in the fact that the Seed has a tremendous power and potential.

And therefore, the Sower ‘takes the risk’ of broadcasting the Seed everywhere.

This then is the challenge that is thrown open to us also…

Can I be a person who is willing to “broadcast” the seed of God’s Word even in the most unfavourable or the most unexpected areas – to people who are hostile, arrogant or even closed?

Can I be a person who does not count the fruits in advance or get discouraged and disappointed at the possible failures in the future; instead boldly sow the Seeds of goodness, kindness and service?

The Sower in the parable has a stand out quality…
… He is lavish in His generosity
… extravagant in His big-heartedness
… and sumptuous in His Kindness!

Though seasoned in His profession of sowing the Seeds, the Sower, bountifully, broadcasts the Seeds on all sorts of soil…

Look closer….

He doesn’t make an account of the number of seeds lost…
He doesn’t tally the wastage that will be incurred…
He doesn’t bill the produce that will result…

He just does one thing… HE SOWS!

How many of us can be like that?

Do we sow good deeds…
… when a loss is bound to happen as per human calculations?

Do we sow honesty and truthfulness…
… even if birds of injustice devour all our good intentions?

Do we sow good initiatives…
… even if there is no reward and all our endeavours are being choked?

Do we sow a kind word…
… even if we know that bad words will scorch our pure purpose?

Do we sow a loving action…
… even though the reaction is always tepid and cold and even adverse?

Do we sow help and co-operation…
… in spite of the fact that no one will appreciate our good works?

Do we sow a forgiving smile & a reconciling gesture…
… though we’re deeply hurt and even wounded?

Do we sow an attitude of deep trust & confidence…
… although things are totally topsy-turvy in life?

The Sower, in the Parable, however, continues to Sow…..

The Book of Isaiah 55: 11 says, “… My Word that goes out from My Mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

We need to submit ourselves to this mysterious power and strength of God’s Power…
… and be willing to “sow them” generously…
… to all
… at all times!

St Paul reminds us that the Lord is in total charge of the world and we need to place our hope and trust in His Omnipotent power…
… “for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the Will of Him who subjected it in hope…” (Rom 8:20)

May we grow in the experience of the Power of the Word…
… to work in unexpected ways
… to transform in unknown places
… and to bear fruits in unexplored areas

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Meditate upon and read holy things; for the Word of God is chaste…

… and makes those also chaste, that delight in It!”

“Becoming aware of how valued and treasured we are to the Lord, as He repeatedly tells us: ‘YOU ARE WORTH MUCH MORE…!’”

(Based on Is 6:1-8 and Mt 10:24-33 – Saturday of the 14th Week of Ordinary Time)

How BIG a God do we have?

It is said that…
You can tell the size of your God by looking at the size of your ‘List of Worries’.

The longer your list, the smaller your God!

Every morning we are to rise to a brand-new day…
… with immense potentials, loads of blessings, bundles of hope and treasures of aspirations…

But somehow, many of us, fall into the trap of losing these precious possibilities…
… and allow our worries, tensions, troubles, difficulties and anxieties to overpower us…

St. Francis of Assisi says, “By the anxieties and worries of this life, Satan tries to dull man’s heart and make a dwelling for himself there.”

The Lord today, through the Gospel, makes a fervent invitation: To Trust in His Divine
Providence and His Ever-Beloved Goodness.

Jesus says: “But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows….” (Mt 10:30-31)

Can we hear those words of the Lord once again…?
He is not lying…
He is not flattering…
He is not indulging in heaping empty phrases…

He means it…!

“You Are Worth Much!”
… Yes, “YOU ARE WORTH MUCH MORE…!”

The God of Glory, the Lord of Sabaoth (hosts/armies), the Light of the world…
The Creator of the Entire nature, The One who can destroy both body and soul…
… This Great One, today, looks into our eyes….… and tells us with sincere love: “YOU ARE WORTH MUCH MORE…!”

Jesus seeks to cast off fear from His followers by showing them the preciousness and value of their lives… and how much important they are to Him.

For this, He presents an interesting example:

“And even the hairs of your head are all counted.” (Mt 10:30)

Many of us – looking at our self in the mirror – often worry at the diminishing number of hairs on our head!

The more hairs that fall away, the greater is the anxiety level!

But the Lord, holding us close to Himself, assures us, “My child, why are you so worried about life! Even the hairs of your head are counted and known to me!

You are dearly precious to me!”

Our Blessed Lord also cites the example of a little sparrow and reminds us:
“So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows!” (Mt 10:31)

Yes, the Lord repeatedly tells us: “YOU ARE WORTH MUCH MORE…!”

Can these words of our Beloved Lord, enter into the depths of our hearts?

Can we savour the sweetness and greatness, the immensity and grandeur of these words?

It’s easy of course, to write reflections, to preach sermons, to proclaim orations, to list out bombastic adjectives on this topic…

But at the end of the day, it all boils down to simply this:
“Am I accepting myself as really the one who is much worthy and dear to the Lord”?

Do I believe in the God, who believes in me?

Sure, we feel ourselves little before God

We see ourselves as unworthy of the Splendid Holiness and Awesome Majesty of God…

But, let us also see how God looks at each one of us….

Let us become aware of how valued and treasured we are to the Lord!

We need to hear the words of Prophet Isaiah to “allow the Lord to touch our lives” (Is. 6:7)

Of course, at the end of this reflection, our list of worries, still, remains the same…
But, let’s realize that we have a much much bigger God than our long list of worries!

A God, who silently thunders in the depths of our hearts…
… assuring His protection: “You are worth much more…”

Are we listening?

St Padre Pio says: “Even if the world were to capsize…
… if everything were to become dark, hazy, tumultuous…
…God would still be with us!”

Yes, We need to…
…Listen …Trust …Walk!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “With the single exception of sin…

… anxiety is the greatest evil that can happen to a soul!”

“May we be bold in facing humiliations, in suffering persecutions and in undergoing pain, for the Sake of Christ, who showed us the Way to Glory through the path of persecution!”

(Based on Hos 14:1-9 and Mt 10:16-23 – Friday of the 14th Week of Ordinary Time)

Teilhard de Chardin, a French Priest, Theologian and Philosopher describes three categories of people who climb a difficult mountain peak….

1. The Pessimists – (the ones who give up easily):

They regret having ventured to undertake the arduous task of climbing the huge mountain.

2. The Hedonists – (the ones who remain passive and just enjoy)

They are satisfied with just some scenic views on the way and cease the journey, with simple trifles, unwilling to take the risk to go ahead…

3. The Enthusiasts – (the ones who seek to conquer the mountains)

They are the real mountaineers, who keep their eyes fixed on the peaks and never give up, till they reach their goal!

The road to being a Disciple of Christ, is indeed climbing a Mountain peak….

Which category of mountain climbers are we going to be?

1. The Pessimists (the ones who give up easily)?

Regretting to being a Christian and thus living a life of sin and indifference

2. The Hedonists (the ones who remain passive and just enjoy)?

Resigning to the fact that somehow I need to be a Christian, due to societal pressures, and thus live in casualness, negligence and lethargy.

Or…

3. The Enthusiasts (the ones who seek to conquer the mountains)?

Real Christians who keep their eyes fixed on the Crucified Saviour and never give up, marching forward towards the goal of salvation!

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation of the challenges that are to be encountered by every follower of Christ…
… the one who wishes to walk with Jesus on the way of the Cross
… the one who wishes to scale the mountain of holiness and sanctity

When we read through the Gospels, we observe that our Lord Jesus and His teachings remained unfazed, in the midst of glamour and sensations…

They are simple and yet deeply challenging and radical!

The Lord does not offer a Comfortable Carpet of Roses to stroll….

He presents a Challenging Pathway of Thorns to tread!

“Everyone will hate you, because of ME!” (Mt 10:22a)

These are the fierce & fervent words of the Lord.

Yes, the Master, Himself was persecuted and hated!

He was the Epitome of Love…
… and yet He was badly hated, persecuted and tortured…

What had He ever done to be hated?

Being Meek and Humble of Heart…
… touching lives with Healing and Forgiveness…?

Being a Gospel of Love to all…
… even to the Enemies…?

Being a Symbol of Pardon and Forgiveness…
… even to those who persecuted and killed Him…?

Being an Emblem of Truth…
… in the midst of diluted ideologies & hypocritical ritualism…?

Being an Ornament of Joy and Hope…
… to the broken-hearted, the sinful and the rejected…?

Did he deserve to be hated?

Yet, He was!

He was hated… mocked at… rejected… finally even arrested, scourged and killed!

And this our Blessed Master says…Even You too!

Even you too, My Followers, will be hated and will be persecuted!

The path ahead sounds dangerous, right?

The mountain climbing seems to be not as easy as thought, right?

But relax…!

The road does not end with persecutions…

The verse of Jesus does not end in calamity…

He goes on to say: “… but whoever endures to the end will be saved!” (Mt 10: 22b)

Yeah.. That’s great good news!

The Way of Jesus is surely laden with persecutions…
….but it is also filled with much joy, satisfaction, true peace
…and finally rewarded with Eternal Life!

We only need to persevere……till the end!

The Mountain Peak of Salvation is High….

But the Lord beckons to each one of us!

He also reminds us through Prophet Hosea, “Return to Your God Yahweh, O Israel!” (Hos 14:2)

Let us give heed to the words of St Benedict:
“Prefer nothing whatever to Christ….and he will bring us all together to everlasting life!”

May we be bold in facing humiliations, in suffering persecutions, in undergoing pain…
… all for the Sake of Christ, who showed us the Way to Glory through the Path of Persecution!

Let’s keep on moving… let’s keep climbing… let’s keep the Faith!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “You must choose.

Is it better that there should be thorns in your garden in order to have roses…

… or that there should be no roses in your garden, in order to have no thorns?”

“Let the experience of the ‘Divine tug’ keep us moving forward and to depend on Divine Presence for strength in life!”

(Based on Hos 11: 1,3-4,8c-9 and Mt 10:7-15 – Thursday of the 14th Week of Ordinary Time)

A story is told of a blind boy who was flying a kite.
He enjoyed this pastime along with others of his own age.

A passer-by, knowing him and wanting to mildly tease the blind-fellow, said:
‘Hey, boy! Do you know where your kite is?
You don’t know whether it is on the ground or up in the sky, do you?’

‘Oh yes,’ said the blind lad, ‘I do know! It is now quite a fair height up in the air.’

How do you know that?’ asked the passer-by, ‘you surely can’t see it.’

The boy replied, ‘I can’t see it, it is true, but I can feel the tug of the string!’

The ‘tug’ of the string help the boy to realise the presence of the kite and to sense its height in the air!

The awareness of the presence of the Divine power in our lives, is such…
One may not be able to always see the presence of the Divine, but the believer can surely experience its power and strength!

This experience of “the Divine tug of the string” keeps the life of the believer moving forward and helps to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life.

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by Jesus to grow deeper in this “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in our life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

After having summoned, authorized and named His Twelve Apostles, Jesus sends them ahead of Him, to the places of mission.

The Gospel of the day begins with the phrase, “Preach, as you go…” (Mt 10:7)

Some other translations would read as “As you go, make a proclamation…”

This is such wonderfully practical, and yet at the same time, a phrase that is often overlooked: “Preach, as you go….” / “As you go… make a proclamation”

Preaching or Proclamation in our times, is often pictured with a limited understanding…
Preaching or proclamation that takes place…
… only from the pulpit or during a service in Church
… only in the form of speaking and explaining the Word of God

But the words of the Lord are worth noting:
“Preach, as you go….” / “As you go… make a proclamation”

Preach, as you go about doing your daily duties and activities

As you go about your responsibilities and works, make a proclamation

Preach as you go around meeting different people by sharing His love and joy to all

As you go about engaging in numerous actions, make a proclamation by sharing His presence

The act of preaching and proclamation of the Kingdom of God is to be reflected in our every action and movement…
• Whatever we do, may it become an act of proclaiming God’s abundant blessings!
• Whatever work we take up, may it become a moment of preaching God’s amazing providence!

Such an act of Preaching and Proclamation makes it mandatory that one grows deeper in the “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in the life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

The act of proclamation needs the “awareness” that I am continuing the Great Mission work that has Jesus as the “Initiator”, the “Sustainer” and the “Finale”!
The act of preaching needs the “dependency” on the Lord to realize that the Lord alone can provide all the graces, strength and courage for the mission!

One needs to feel the “tug and the pull of the Divine Lord”…when one goes through
… hardships and difficulties in being a missionary of the Kingdom, in hostile situations
… problems and challenges as we seek to live a true Christian life in the modern world
… meaninglessness or emptiness as we go through the ‘deserts’ and ‘darkness’ in life

Prophet Hosea beautifully depicts the affectionate love of the Lord for each one of us – represented by the nation Israel…

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms…
… I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one…!” (Hos 11:1-4)

Yes, it is an experience of “the Divine tug of the string” that keeps the life of the believer moving forward and to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Love renders the charm of what we love so pleasing…

… our minds never tire of reflecting on it!”