Fred Bock was one of the most renowned, recognized and respected Christian music composers, arrange, studio musician, organist, pianist, choral director and music publisher.

One of his famous write-ups (read and known to many of us) titled “One Solitary Life” goes thus…

“Born in an obscure village, He was the child of a peasant woman.

He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty years old, and then for three years He travelled around the county, stopping long enough to talk and to listen to people, and help where He could. He never wrote a book,

>> He never had a hit record, He never went to college

>> He never ran for public office

>> He never had a family or owned a house.

>> He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness.

>> He had no credentials but Himself.

But when He was only thirty-three years old, the tide of public opinion turned against Him, and His friends rejected Him.

> When He was arrested, very few wanted anything to do with Him.

After the trial, He was executed by the state along with admitted thieves.

> Only because a generous friend offered his own cemetery plot was there any place to bury Him.

This all happened nineteen centuries ago, and yet today HE is the leading figure of the human race, and the ultimate example of Love.

Now it is no exaggeration to say that all the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever set sail, all the rulers that have ever ruled, all the kings that have ever reigned on this earth…

… all put together have not affected the life of man on earth like One Solitary Life!”

Undoubtedly, we know on whom is this write- up on…… Jesus, of Nazareth!

>> A Man who was hidden in the shadows of ignorance… yet enjoys the title of being the Most Famous Person in the World!

>> A Man who sought fame from His works… yet enjoys the privilege of being the Most Impressive Person in the World!

Do we know Him?

Do we REALLY know Him?

… or do we, like King Herod, in the Gospel of the Day, end up asking, ” Who then is this about Whom I hear such things?” (Lk 9:9)

When we scan through the pages of the Gospel of St Luke from Chapters 4-9, we find that Jesus was acquiring new heights of fame, popularity and public acclaim.

His words and teachings were…

… ringing in the bells of transformation

… challenging the integrity of the religious leaders and civil authorities

… providing a cushion of hope and encouragement to the lost and the marginalised

His acts of wonders and powers were…

… instilling excitement in the lives of people

… causing the people to have reminiscences of the great prophets of old

As a result the people began to discuss and to say, “John has been raised from the dead; Elijah has appeared; one of the ancient prophets has arisen” (Lk 9:8)

Such rumours, reports and recounts caused a lot of worry for King Herod.

>> The flames of anxiety were scorching his mind…

>> The waves of guilt were drowning his heart…

And therefore, with a highly guilty conscience, in fear and trembling, King Herod puts forward his theory on the Dilemma of this Mysterious Divine Person, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about Whom I hear such things?” (Lk 9:9)

> The enigmatic personality of Jesus was casting clouds of fear and guilt over King Herod!

> The charismatic work of our Blessed Lord was plunging King Herod into the ocean of haunting and forgettable memories!

Yet, King Herod failed to establish a relationship with our Blessed Lord.

> His mind failed to move beyond the realms of wonder and amazement, to wanting a bonding with the Messiah!

> His heart failed to cut across the barriers of doubts and anxiety, to forge a yearning to receive a touch of the Saviour!

Is our life also sadly moving along the same lines, as that of King Herod…?

Is our life of sin and our life of not wanting to take the risk of trusting Him, just like King Herod, causing us to miss out on cherishing a relationship with our Blessed Lord?

To King Herod….

… Jesus only remained a mysterious and stupefying character

… Jesus only remained a person who disturbed his conscience

King Herod was unable to…

… accept Jesus as His Saviour

… accept Jesus as the Lord of his life

We also have surely heard a lot about this wonderful Divine Person named Jesus.

… But has He been able to capture our minds and hearts and do we co-operate with Him to be possessed by His love?

We also have had ample opportunities to grow in our spiritual life and to be receiving a number of teachings on His Divine Word

… But has the Word of God truly become the rule and the guiding principle of our life?

It’s nice to be attracted to the power of God… to praise His wonders… to be amazed at His awesome deeds.

But it’s just not enough to remain at this peripheral level.

Our Blessed Lord came…

… not to simply amaze, but to attend to our sins and failures

… not to simply charm, but to challenge our lethargic lives

He wishes that we truly embrace Him…

… as the Lord of our lives

… as our Personal Saviour and Master

Jesus who lived a “Solitary Life” has made a great impact on the world

>> May our personal life also give testimony to this fact and may we truly radiate the Mighty Presence of Jesus in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “From the heart kiss frequently the crosses that our Lord Jesus himself puts on your shoulders.

>> Don’t look to see if it is of precious wood or perfumed…

… they are more of a cross when they are made of the most despicable wood, the most rejected and dirty!”

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A young man worked in an umbrella factory.

>> It was one of the largest umbrella factories in that area.

One day, with a discouraged heart, he went to his Parish Priest and expressed, “Father, I will have to hunt another job”

The priest was surprised, as he knew that the boy was good at his work.

He enquired, “What is the matter? Do you have some issues with the company’s management?”

>> “No, it’s not that” came the reply.

“Does not your factory have enough orders to keep going all the time?” was the next query.

>> “No, it’s not that, Father” said the boy, “The factory actually has more orders than they can fill”

“Then what is the matter, my Son”, enquired the concerned priest.

“Well, they haven’t enough electricity to keep all the machines going at once.

>> And my machine has to remain idle for a greater part of the day, and I lose so much of time and pay.

The actual trouble with the factory is that, they have more machinery than power!”

>> The necessary equipments were available for production, but the required electricity was unavailable!

>> The needed machinery was at hand for manufacturing, but the mandatory power was unobtainable!

Does this sort of a tragedy hit our Christian lives as well?

… Am I possessing all the required resources to proclaim the Gospel message, but unfortunately failing to have the most essential aspect of God’s Power within me?

… Am I having all the necessary entities to give witness to Christ’s Teachings, but sadly, unable to be endowed with the most important element of God’s Spirit in me?

Is my Christian life being reduced to a state of “having more machinery, but less Power?”

The Gospel of Day is an exhortation by the Lord on the need to “be endowed with His authority and be filled with His power” in order to have a faithful and committed life…

… as His disciple and His Missionary.

Jesus sends the Twelve on a Mission.

The Gospel of Luke narrates this procedure beautifully with a 2-step strategy..

1. He empowers them from within:  “He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority…” (Lk 9:1)

2. He exhorts them to be free from outside: He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey…” (Lk 9: 3)

Jesus wishes and makes sure that His disciples are “empowered from within”

>> This is an authority that makes them to be true ambassadors of the Kingdom of God

>> This is a power that causes them to be filled with the divine gifts to conquer evil forces

Jesus also wants and strongly exhorts that His disciples are “to be from from outside”

>> This is a detachment from worldly things and in turn, causes them to be truly dependant of God, the Highest Power

>> This is a freedom from possessions, attachments and links that makes one to be wearied, slackened in spirit and weighed down with anxieties

Each one of us, as Christians, are to be a disciple of the Lord and a Missionary of the Kingdom.

Can I also give heed to the words and message of the Lord…

… to be “empowered from within”

… “to be free from outside”

1. We can be “empowered from within”…

… by spending quality time with the Lord-  in prayer – regularly, and renewing my zeal and commitment to Him

… by seeking to listen to His voice addressed to us in various situations and people and following His Will … by being obedient to His teachings and following the commandments and requirements of the Commandment of Love.

2. We can be “free from outside”…

… by letting go – gradually and radically – my self-centered interests and selfish desires

… by realizing my limits and growing in awareness of the majestic power of the Lord in my life

… by constantly reviewing my life to check whether I get entangled in worldly ways and unbecoming lifestyles.

May we constantly be on the watch to avoid our Christian lives being reduced to a state of “having more machinery, but less Power!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Every Christian needs a half-hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy…

… then he needs an hour!”

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We live in a generation where clicking photos and taking selfies have become quite popular!

>>  And when photos or selfies of a group are clicked, there is often a crowding together of many people to come inside the photo frame…

… to be seen visible in the photo that is clicked.

To jostle together to get inside a photo-view or a photo-frame, can be fun…

…. and sometimes real tough too.

Today, the Divine Master Jesus, is out to click a photo…to capture on frame all who belong to His Family…

>> There is a lot of jostling and shoving and pushing by people to sneak inside this photo frame.

But Jesus makes a clear demarcation: “Only those who hear the Word of God and do it are to be a part of this Family Photo frame”!

The Gospel of the Day depicts the incident where the mother and brothers of Jesus come to meet Him…

… and He declaring that His mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and do it in their lives”

Jesus loves to break new ground.

>> He loves to define new concepts.

>> He dares to look at things with innovation.

And here, Jesus revolutionizes and redefines the understanding of belonging to God’s Family.

In the Gospel of Luke 2:41-52, we have the incident of Jesus getting lost in the Temple of Jerusalem.

When Mother Mary questioned Him why He had done so, Jesus replies back: “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

Jesus shows His priority and importance with respect to relationships and familial ties.

Relationship in a human family is understood in terms of connectivity of blood.

>> Relationship in Jesus’ family is to be understood in terms of connectivity of hearts.

                                                                                                                                                                           

Relationship in a human family is defined by association with a particular lineage and ancestry.

>> Relationship in Jesus’ Family is defined by association with hearing and doing God’s Will.

The true family has God as its Father and whose children are those “who hear the word of God and act on it.”

>> The true family in the Kingdom of God, is not first determined by bonds of earthly kinship, but rather by the bonds of spiritual kinship!

The true family is the family of God, the church, the body of Christ.

>> The early church father, St. Cyprian of Carthage, said quite rightly, “You cannot have God as your Father, if you do not have the Church as your Mother.”

Too often in times past, Christians, especially, we Catholics, have taken great pride in our faith.

But today perhaps we need to examine the basis and validity of this our claim and pride…

>> Am I proud to be a Catholic merely because I have been born and brought up with a Catholic upbringing…

… or can I be proud I am a Catholic because I know and live its teachings and traditions in my life?

>> Am I proud to be a Catholic merely because I attend regularly Sunday masses and fulfill some church obligations…

… or can I be proud that I am a Catholic because I have a deep faith in the Sacraments especially in the Eucharist?

It’s great to be called a follower of Christ…and enjoy privileges and benefits as a Christian…

>> But it’s a challenge to live His teachings and principles in our life, and truly be called His follower!

It’s nice to be called as a follower of Christ and be known in the society as belonging to a “peaceful and nice” community…

>> But it’s a challenge to live the virtues of love and patience and follow God’s Will in our lives, and truly being a peaceful and nice Christian.

Yes, the Divine Master Jesus, is out to click a photo…to capture on frame all who belong to His Family…

>> Let us do God’s will so that we may be part of His Family Photo!

Say Cheese?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We have to allow our minds to be pierced by the thorns of difficulties, and allow our hearts to be pierced by the lance of contradiction…

… to drink of the bitterness and swallow the vinegar, if this is God’s Will!”

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Some scientific experiments are fairly simple and practical, yet quite interesting and exciting too.

One such experiment, which some of us would have tried or seen others doing…

… is producing fire with the help of a magnifying glass.

The magnifying glass is kept in front of a piece of paper with the sunlight falling on the magnifying glass…

… in such a way that a small bright dot appears on the paper.

>> In sometime, with a strong sunlight, one is able to observe that the paper has caught fire!

The magnifying glass acts as a medium, to let the sunlight pass through and converge, in order to generate fire!

>> The magnifying glass plays a significant role in transferring the heat of the sun to objects which are focused!

Our Life as a Christian ought to be similar…

In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus tells to His disciples:

“No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp stand, so that people coming in may see the light…”  (Lk 8:16)

This passage in the Gospel of St. Luke is just preceded by the Parable of the Sower (Lk 8: 4-15).

>> The parable of the Sower beautifully illustrates the various modes of reception of the Word of God.

When the Word of God is welcomed and received with a open heart, one is able to bear fruit…fruit in abundance.

>> A person, who receives God’ Word with an open heart and a receptive mind is able to reflect it in one’s life.

And this is where, a Christian Life resembles a Magnifying Glass which allows God’s Word to pass through and kindles others with the fire of His love!

We need to be an open and active medium allowing God to permeate through us, in order to let others experience His Love!

Do I…

… allow God’s word to work in me, so that the depressed may experience God’s light of joy and happiness?

… sanction God’s power to direct me, so that the suffering humanity may experience God’s light of healing?

… permit the seed of God’s word to take root in me, so that the sinful may experience God’s light of mercy?

… agree to the authority of God to control me, so that the weak may experience God’s light of strength?

… let God’s commandments to guide me, so that the wayward may experience God’s light of acceptance?

Jesus says, ” No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed…”

Times have changed drastically however…

Earlier times, one used to be proud to call oneself as a Christian and witness boldly to be known as one.

>> Today, perhaps, many of us feel a tweak and go a bit uncomfortable when called publicly as a Christian!

What was a matter a pride some years has today possibly become a matter of awkwardness and uneasiness.

How well do I witness the Light of Christian Faith to the world outside?

There are many tiny yet significant gestures and practical actions by which we may be hiding the Christian Light in us, with a bowl, and not allowing it to shine forth…

>> Feeling ashamed to bow publicly before the Blessed Sacrament or as we enter a Church…

>> Feeling uneasy to make a sign of the cross or say prayers before meals when many are there…

>> Feeling embarrassed to be called a Christian or a Consecrated person in a secular surrounding…

>> Feeling disinterested to carry a Bible or wear a crucifix around the neck or hold on to a rosary etc…

>> Feeling strange to either wear or avoid certain dresses or habits, especially thinking what will others feel…

>> Feeling awkward to say about Jesus or the Gospel virtues to our friends, thinking that our thoughts are naive…

>> Feeling bored to participate in the Sacraments and show no interest in making extra efforts to prepare for them…

There are many more occasions wherein we may be losing out a chance to witness Christ and His Love!

The nature of the sun, is to shine upon and enliven the whole earth.

>> But if one puts a magnifying glass in the rays of the sun over a paper, this light  of the sun will turn into fire.

The nature of God’s love is to shine upon and enliven the whole universe.

>> But if we act as a magnifying glass, united with Jesus, our Lord, this light of God’s Love will turn to fire!

We celebrate today the Feast of a modern saint…an exemplary and prayerful priest: St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.

>> He inspires us today to closely follow to Lord… through the paths of prayer, penitence and penance.

… even if it means suffering and undergoing pain for Jesus’ sake…

He would say, “In all the events of life, you must recognize the Divine will.

>> Adore and bless it, especially in the things which are the hardest for you.

The more you are afflicted, the more you ought to rejoice…

… because in the fire of tribulation the soul will become pure gold, worthy to be placed and to shine in the heavenly palace.”

Let us seek the intercession of St Padre Pio, to follow God’s Will deeply and closely in our lives…

… and let the light of love to burn and blaze like a radiating fire through our lives!

>> Shine, Jesus, Shine!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Faith is like a bright ray of sun light.

>> It enables us to see God in all things…

… as well as all things in God!”

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A young man who had recently converted to Christianity was filled with a lot of zeal for the Lord.

>> He was a barber by profession.

Once, he got a customer, with whom he engaged into a conversation (as do many of the barbers!).

As they were talking, it was revealed that the customer was a Christian, who was no longer practising his faith and had little consideration for the Church and acts of devotion to God.

Meanwhile, the barber had lathered up the customer for a shave, and had the razor in his hand.

Holding the sharp razor in his hand, ready to shave the customer, the young and zealous Christian barber asked this question: “Are you prepared to meet your God?”

The customer..

… seeing the razor in hand and the question posed with so much of vigour…

… fled the shop, with lather on his face!!

What about us?

“Are we prepared to meet our God?”

The Gospel of the Day is a sharp reminder on the need for us to take our spiritual life more seriously…

… have a greater zeal for spiritual matters than even those with worldly desires

…. Make a radical choice for the Lord and Him alone, as the treasure of our life!

Jesus speaks of the parable of the dishonest steward.

The Steward, who was working under a rich man, has been reported for deceitful service. (Lk 16:1)

He realized that his job would be terminated very shortly!

>> He needed to produce his accounts.

.. it was a situation of tension for him!

But this steward was a wise and shrewd person!

He did not allow the tense situation to overpower him!

>> Instead, he became the master of the situation and became a controller of the entire crisis-situation…

His brain worked super-fast…his shrewdness gained momentum!

>> He called his master’s debtors, and his pen was set to work…

The debt of one hundred jars of olive oil, was manipulated to fifty…

>> The debt of hundred measures of wheat was reduced to eighty…

It is good for us to know the process of business done in the first century Jewish society.

The amount charged to a customer who purchased on credit would include three things:

1. The price of the product

2. The interest charged by the owner

3. The commission to be earned by the steward.

The steward could add whatever commission he thought he could collect.

>> That was his profit.

In this case of our parable, the shrewd steward probably reduced his commission, and perhaps some of the interest added to the loan.

>> The rich master lost no money as he made sufficient profit…

… The customers gained happiness as their debt was reduced.

>> The steward lost some of his profit…

… but he gained much more: an enhanced reputation, some friends, and lots of security.

It was a win-win situation for all – the Master, the Customers and the Steward!

Well.. all this sounds interesting…

… with this shrewd steward and his crafty style of management.

But what is the message in for us?

One important message that we can take home is that…

… the steward was ever alert and prepared to take any risks and chances, to ensure a good future!

>> He never went into a lethargic or casual mode!

The shrewd steward was ever-prepared to face the future!

What about us?

>> Are we prepared…

… in our spiritual life?

… to meet our God?

The shrewd steward never allowed the “Attitude of Lethargy” to conquer him.

> He was pro-active.

>> He was courageous.

>>> He was bold.

Here then, is the challenge for us…

>> If this is what the steward could do, to earn those things that are temporary…

… how much more should we be doing for those things that count for eternity?

>> If this is what the steward could do, to please his boss & for a secure future life…

… should we not be doing much more, to please God?

Sometimes, it’s incredible to see the great efforts undertaken by people to gain expertise and mastery in the skills of the world…

>> Sportspersons practise for many many hours to sharpen their skills…

>> Singers and musicians put in many many hours of practise to gain proficiency…

>> Students preparing for competitive exams spend nights & days to crack the tests…

Do we put that same kind of love, energy and creativity…

… into building up the Church

… into contributing to the Kingdom of God

… and into the things that are to serve God?

We can’t afford to get lethargic in matters related to God, to eternal life, to spirituality etc.

However, many of the times, we take things for granted…

>> Skipping prayer time or spiritual exercises… (We are tired!)

>> Failing to read sometime of Word of God…(We have so many other works!)

>> Missing the Sunday Holy Eucharist…(We get that as the only day to relax more!)

>> Failing to go for confessions… (We say that anyway God will understand me!)

>> Not caring much about our spiritual life…(We remark that God is after all, lenient and nice!)

The Parable of the Shrewd Steward might have some negative shades…

>> But it has a very relevant and challenging tone to shake us off from our “Attitude of lethargy” to Life.

We are put forth this question: “Are you prepared to meet your God?”

Are we going to flee away from this question…

… with the lather of lethargy and laziness clinging to us??

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “People can pass thirty nights in dancing and no one complains about it…

… but if they watch through a single Christmas night they cough and claim their stomach is upset the next morning!

>> Does anyone fail to see that the world is an unjust judge, gracious and well disposed to its own children…

… but harsh and rigorous towards the children of God?

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“Great things happen when God mixes with us”….

… is a popular Christian Hymn.

The stanzas of this hymn goes this way….

>>  Some find life, some find peace; some people even find joy.

Some see things as they never could before…

… and some people find that they can now begin to trust.

>> Some find health, some find hope; some people even find joy.

Some see themselves as they never could before…

… and some people find that they can now begin to live.

>> Some find peace, some are disturbed; some people even find joy.

Some see their lives as they never could before…

… and some people find that they must now begin to change.

One of the important and essential dimensions of an encounter with our Blessed Lord is the “transformation effect” on the person.

If one has had a genuine encounter with Him…

… one cannot be passive

… one cannot just remain the same

>> Either one shakes off the dust of sin and slackness and follows Him in sincerity

… or one tries to cast Him off from life and adamantly remains in one’s own desires!

>> Either one takes radical decisions in life and orients one’s conduct in accordance with His Will

… or one seeks to do away with all Divine inspirations and obstinately sticks firm to one’s personal interests!

In any case, an “encounter with the Lord” causes an effect in life – either for the good or towards rejecting the impulses of Divine Goodness.

Do I respond positively and emphatically to the call of the Lord…

or do I sink into an attitude of grumbling, complaining and disinterestedness?

On this feast day of St Matthew, the Apostle, the Gospel of the day presents these two “contrasting reactions” in the encounter with Jesus…

>> Matthew…. who hears the call of the Lord – “Follow Me” (Mt 9: 9)

>> The Pharisees… who observe the lavishness of God’s mercy and react with grumbling and complaining (Mt 9: 11)

Jesus very emphatically declares, ” Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Mt 9:12)

This verse is the key to understand and gauge the style of reaction, when we encounter the Lord…

>> The one who needs Him – will relish Him!

>> The one who feels no need of Him- will reject Him!

>> The one who acknowledges that one is sick, weak and in need of God’s grace and mercy – will find in Him a Saviour!

>> The one who vehemently says that one is all fine, self-motivated and strong willed – will fail to find any consolation in Him!

Here then is a wonderful check-meter to test my passion, my longing and my intensity of love for the Lord…

>> Have I discovered that by myself I cannot achieve everything that life demands of me….?

… and in the Lord alone, I have the answer to my problem and a solution to the puzzles of my life!

>> Do I realise that as a human person, I often fall into the snares of sin and can get easily caught up in evil traps… ? 

… and in the Lord alone, I have the antidote to sin and a remedy to overcome the pitfalls of wickedness!

St Mathew presents a beautiful picture, of embracing the Lord fully into life because He realised and discovered the intimate need of the Lord in his life.

May we be inspired by him and seek his intercession and imitate his example in surrendering ourselves totally to the Sovereignty of our Blessed Lord.

It is only then that we would truly realise and experience the joy of the words, “Great things happen when God mixes with us”….

Happy Feast of St Matthew!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “One can catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a hundred barrels

of vinegar!”

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There is a particular type of a caterpillar called as “Pine Processional Caterpillars”.

>> These “Processional Caterpillars” walk in long lines – each one following closely the next in front.

A noted French naturalist named Jean Henri Fabre, once conducted an experiment on them.

He took a flowerpot and placed of a number of these “Processional Caterpillars” in a single-file around the circumference of the rim of a flower-pot.

>> Each caterpillar’s head touched the one in front of it.

He then placed the caterpillar’s favourite food in the middle of the pot.

He was surprised to observe that each of the caterpillar followed the one ahead, thinking it was heading for the food.

>> Round and round went these insects – for several days!

Finally, after many days of this absurd activity, the caterpillars started to drop dead – because of exhaustion and starvation!

All that they had to avoid the snare of death was to stop the senseless rounding around the pot…

…. and head, instead, directly to the food, that was placed less than six-inches away from them!

However, these “Processional Caterpillars” were trapped in a lifestyle which made them to only follow the one ahead, and were unable to “disentangle” themselves from the habit of ‘blindly’ following others!

Am I turning out to be a “Processional Christian”?

> claiming to follow Christ, just because others are doing the same or I have got into the “rut” of a system?

> aimlessly following Christ, without any conviction or sometimes even of an awareness of ‘why I am doing so?’

The Gospel of the Day presents to us  a beautiful set of “Followers of Christ” who pursued Him in faith, in conviction and with a sense of clear purpose.

The Gospel of St Luke gives an interesting list of people (there would also have been probably others), who followed Jesus closely and were part of His Kingdom Ministry (Lk 8: 1-3).

1. The Twelve Apostles

2. Mary Magdalene

3. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward

4. Susanna and many others

Its edifying to learn some aspects from each of these sets of people…

1. The Twelve Apostles

>> They were people of opposing temperaments, differing characters, conflicting backgrounds and divergent personalities.

Yet, the “glue” of ‘belonging to Christ’ kept them together

Can I learn the aspect of..

… going beyond my personal differences and accidental characteristics, to forge together beautiful and faithful relationships, in my family, my workplaces, my communities etc, in order to follow Christ closer?

2. Mary Magdalene

>> She had personally experienced the power of Christ’s healing.

This made her to keep her focus on the Lord, her God and to be intimately following Him for the rest of her life.

Can I learn the aspect of…

… recognising, cherishing and sustaining the many ‘miraculous and wonderful’ encounters of the Lord’s healing and care, that I experience on a daily basis, and thus to passionately follow the Lord?

3. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward

>> She was the wife of Chuza, who was the steward of King Herod Antipas.

To follow Jesus involved a high level of risk for her, as there was a danger from King Herod, who was wicked and had expressed his displeasure by the murder of John the Baptist.

Can I learn the aspect of…

…. being daring and courageous in following the Lord, even at the risk of my life, the risk of being exposed to humiliation and the risk of bearing discouragements, persecutions and indifference from others?

4. Susanna and many others

>> There is not much information on their identity but they were part of a section of the society i.e. women who were terribly maltreated and were given an unfair, unequal and unrecognizable positions in the Jewish religious hierarchy.

Can I learn the aspect of…

… being ready to break the mental barriers and the paralysing thought-patterns in the society which cripple one’s freedom, in order to become an authentic follower of the Lord?

These followers of Christ teach us vital lessons…

>> of making radical transformations

>> of valuing God’s wonderful workings in life

>> of being courageously bold

>> of overcoming challenges and barriers

… in order to Follow Christ – with conviction, with commitment and with certainty!

We cannot simply remain as “Processional Christians” –  being trapped in a lifestyle which makes us to “claim to follow Christ”…

… and being unable to “disentangle” ourselves from the habit of ‘blindly’ following others!

We instead need to become…

> “Practical Christians” – who put into practice the preachings of Christ!

> “Praiseworthy Christians” – who live our lives seeking to please the Lord in every act and deed!

> “Precious Christians” – who live with a deep conviction of belonging to the Lord and making efforts to share His love to all!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “”Do everything calmly and peacefully.

Do as much as you can as well as you can.

>> Strive to see God in all things without exception, and consent to His will joyously.

Do everything for God, uniting yourself to him in word and deed.

>> Walk very simply with the Cross of the Lord…

… and be at peace with yourself!”

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All of us have been school kids…

And as students, one of the most dreaded…avoided…boring…(or for the really good students…one of the most exciting…scoring…loved) topics in class was Grammar!

Grammar plays a vital function in every language! >> And in grammar, Tenses play a key role…

Does the word, “Tenses” bring some tension on our face??!

Well, we are not to reflect on any boring (or exciting…either way we consider) lesson on Grammar!

But for our surprise…

… the Gospel of the Day, presents to us Jesus, the teacher!

And He is out to teach us …well, you guessed it right… Grammar!

Welcome to the Class on Grammar…by the renowned Teacher, Jesus…

The class today is in a different setting…

>> It is taking place in a house, around a dinner table!

The participants in this session are many…

>> But the attention remains focused on three persons:

1. Simon, the Pharisee

Unlike other Pharisees, this man is much more open to receive Jesus into his home.

We don’t know whether he was a die-hard fan of Jesus…but he certainly seemed not so opposed to Him!

How do we describe him?

Social Person….Diplomatic…Polished…Willing to be open…?

2. Jesus, the Guest

The Lord seems to enjoy food…!

>> But more than food, He very certainly enjoys and values the people, He eats with!

He was happy to be a guest to Simon, the Pharisee…

… He would have been happy to sup with the class of people who were highly critical of His ways of teaching!

How do we describe Jesus?

>> Friendly… Welcoming… Open-hearted…Compassionate…Gentle…?

3. The Sinner Woman

She was a prostitute lady, who lived selling her body to men.

She was a victim of the people’s duplicity & discrimination – misused as a source of pleasure yet despised & categorized as the scum of the society!

She however, feels privileged to have been able to come near Jesus, in whom she places her hope of receiving true acceptance and genuine love.

How do we describe her?   Penitent…Sorrowful…Hopeful…Courageous…Loving…?

The story is familiar to us…

Simon hosts the dinner for Jesus…

>> Meanwhile, the sinner woman approaches the Lord, and showers her love and affection.

The host Simon, gets irked by this gesture…

… and scandalized by his guest allowing her to do so!

What was Simon’s problem?

He thought he was better than the prostitute. 

>> He thought he was more righteous than the lady who sold her body!

>> He thought he was far more worthy than the woman who had no moral groundings!

And this is where, the Master Teacher…steps in….and teaches The Grammar of Life –  changing Tenses!

Simon said, “She IS a sinner.” … in the present tense!

Jesus replied, “No, she WAS a sinner.”…in the past tense!

Jesus changed the tenses in her life.

People considered her to be woman with loose morals…

>> Jesus considers her to be a woman of deep love!

People thought of her as a dirty and shameless creature…

>> Jesus thinks of her as a beautiful and precious child of God!

How often do we fall into this grave mistake of mixing up “tenses” in the lives of people…

There is a Simon, perhaps, in all of us!

A person WOULD have been known for some misdeeds…

… but we think he/she WILL always remain to be so!

A person WOULD have committed some grave faults…

… but we think he/she WILL continue to persist in them!

A person WOULD have done some wrongs in the past…

… but we think he/she WILL be always fixated in that!

A person WOULD have displayed some bad habits…

… but we think he/she WILL always have to be condemned!

We need to learn from the Master Teacher, that God can change the “tenses” in the life of people.

>> We need to be hopeful from the Master Teacher, that God can change the “tenses” in our own lives.

At the end of the incident, the Master Teacher blesses the sinner lady, again, in a grammatical style…

Jesus says to the sinner lady,

“Your SINS are forgiven”… The PAST is purified!

“Your faith has SAVED you”…the PRESENT is strengthened!

“GO in peace”…the FUTURE is blessed!

Simon deserves our empathy… perhaps, most of us also, would have reacted in a similar way, if we were to be in his place…

Imagine having the presence of a famous prostitute barging in during some family occasion!

We too would have been very scandalized…we too would have been ashamed….we too would have felt offended!

But the Lord invites us to weed off… slowly atleast.. the little SIMONness in us….

… the tendency to judge people based on their past life.

… the tendency to fail to give any room or chance for improvement.

… the tendency to not able to see the persons, however bad, as ultimately being children of God, our Father!

Jesus, the Master Teacher can change tenses in our lives, in the lives of others!

Let us learn this Grammar of Love and Mercy from the School of Jesus…

… and earn accolades in the University of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We must never undervalue any person.

>> The workman loves not to have his work despised in his presence.

Now God is present everywhere…

… and every person is his work!

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The General Electric Company is a multinational conglomerate company, which caters to the needs of home appliances, financial services, medical devices, life sciences, pharmaceutical etc.

>> Every year, this company uses more than one and a half million sapphires for bearings in meters and other delicate apparatus.

However, it is highly necessary that there should be a detection to separate the synthetic gems from the natural ones.

Towards this end, a cathode ray tube has been developed by a team of researchers.

>> If, in a dark room, the rays from this tube are thrown for a few seconds on a tray of stones, they all glow.

>> However, when the rays are turned off, the artificial sapphires continue to glow and may be picked out of the tray, while the natural sapphires cannot be seen.

This is an easy way of picking up the artificial ones from those which are natural.

Is not something similar that happens to our Christian lives?

The authenticity of our life is exposed and revealed when the rays of Christ’s teaching are made to fall on us!

> Some of us may be seen shining brightly and appearing to have dazzling lustre

> Some of us may be seen to be apparently very good and being seen to be externally righteous.

But when the rays of Christ’s teaching fall on us, will our hypocrisy and duplicity get exposed… ?

… or do I have the credibility and integrity, in my life, to be recognised as an authentic follower of God and an ardent missionary of the Kingdom?

The Gospel of the Day is an exposition on the attitudes of duplicity and being double-standard that can cram our Christian lives.

Jesus gives an illustration…of “children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, ‘We piped to you and you did not dance; we wailed and you did not weep'” (Lk 7: 32) 

It was a tragedy of that generation…

… that two of the great leaders – John and Jesus – though came with apparently contrasting, found themselves rejected!

… that these two great messengers of the Kingdom, met with a tragic end – one beheaded, the other crucified!

And it shows an important philosophy that underlies many lives: an attitude of indifference to the truth and an attitude of rejection of those who challenge our lives!

This tragedy affects our generation too…

We wrap ourselves often in the garment of hard-heartedness and arrogance…

… and fail to allow the message of the Truth to bring a transformation in our lives

We neatly hide ourselves in the dark shadows of indifference and apathy…

… and remain unconcerned with the workings of God’s power and grace in our hearts

But the Lord today renders a wake-up call to shake off the dusts of apathy, hypocrisy and indifference from our lives.

In the power of the rays of Christ’s teaching,  our hypocrisy and duplicity will get exposed…

… But can I seek to mould my life to possess  credibility and integrity, in order to be recognised as an authentic follower of God and an ardent missionary of the Kingdom?

May the words of St Cyprian inspire and ring the bells of true repentance and honest contrition in us:

“When once you have departed this life, there is no longer any place for repentance, no way of making satisfaction.

> Here, life is either lost or kept.

> Here, by the worship of God and by the fruit of faith, provision is made for eternal salvation.

Let no one be kept back either by his sins or by his years from coming to obtain salvation.

>> To him who still remains in this world, there is no repentance that is too late.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The world, which cannot or will not discriminate between real devotion and the indiscretion of those who fancy themselves devout…

… grumbles and finds fault with devotion, which is really nowise concerned in these errors.

>> No indeed, my child, the devotion which is true hinders nothing, but on the contrary it perfects everything;…

… and that which runs counter to the rightful vocation of any one is, you may be sure, a spurious devotion!”

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“Abide with me fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens, Lord, with me, abide

When other helpers fail and comforts flee; Help of the helpless, O abide with me!”

Hold thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;

>> Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”

This hymn “Abide with me”, (found in ‘Night Prayers in The Divine Office’) is one of the very heart-touching hymns…

…sung especially in times of funerals.

They stir up feelings of mourning and the pain of loss…

… they also stir up a sense of hope and trust in the Lord, the God of Life and Resurrection.

The Gospel of the Day presents before us…

… a funeral scene

… feelings of mourning and a pain of loss

… and the instilling of hope and trust by the Lord, the God of Life and Resurrection!

The Gospel reading mentions that as Jesus was journeying to a city called Nain, “a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.” (Lk 7: 11-12).

Life can sometimes be filled with extremely cruel feelings and blunt experiences, isn’t it?

This incident is a clear example of that…

>> A funeral in itself is an extremely sorrowful occurance

>> Add to it, it is that of the only son of a woman

(‘Only son’ meant…

… ceasing of the family generation

… termination of the family’s hopes and aspirations of the future)

>> To top it all, the woman is a widow

(‘Widow’ meant…

… there would be none to support her or to provide for her sustenance

… it was a double heart-break for a woman who had already suffered death once!)

This was a harshly unique situation:

As per the custom of the time, the bereaved mother walks in front of the bier

>> The dead son was being carried to the grave

…and the “dead” widow was walking towards her grave of utter hopelessness and inconsolable grief

A mother had to literally see her child from the “womb to the tomb!”

It was in this painful situation, that Jesus encountered the funeral procession!

The Lord, Who knows everything…

… seeing that tragic procession would have probably had a flash of what would be soon a reality in the future:

>> He Himself would be the “dead” Child…

… and His Beloved Mother, Mary would be the “dead” Widow!

This funeral procession of the “only son” of the “widow”, was a reflection of the scene on Calvary…

…. of Jesus, the “Only Son” of Mary, the “Widow”!

It is also heartening to note that this funeral procession took place in a city named “Nain” (or “Naim”)

This Hebrew name “Nain” has meanings such as…

… sweet, good, lovely, pleasant and delightful!

“Nain” is the word used to describe…

… the quality of Israelities as being the “favoured ones” (2 Sam 23: 1)

… the beauty of music especially the “sweet” sounding harp (Ps 81:2)

… the “pleasant” taste of bread (Prov 9:17)

… the “beauty” of the land (Gen 49:15)

The Psalmist also uses this word “Nain” and its derivatives, to describe…

… the beauty of the Lord (Ps 27:4)

… the favour of the Lord (Ps 90:17)

… the graciousness in worshipping the Lord (Ps 135:3)

It appeared to be a total contradiction that a city with such beautiful expressions and meanings…

… was facing the tragic situation of immense pain and loss and mourning

>> Sweetness and goodness seemed to have been replaced with pain and mourning!

>> Loveliness and pleasantness seemed to have been overtaken by misery and lament!

But Jesus, the Lord of Life and Resurrection…

… transforms the feelings of sadness and helplessness into sentiments of relief and hope!

The Gospel says that:

Jesus “was moved with pity for the woman and said to her, ‘Do not weep’…

… and touching the coffin, He said, “Young Man, I tell you, arise!” (Lk 7: 13-14)

>> Tears were halted…and life was restored!

>> Mourning was terminated…and life was celebrated!

Do we not face situations…

>> When life seems to be filled with extremely cruel feelings and blunt experiences…?

… death and separations in the family and relations

… loss of hope at workplaces and areas of labour

… feelings to ‘quit and give up’ as life loses meaning

In all such “dead” situations, the Lord encounters us in our journey of life, and…

>> Comforts  us: “Do not weep!”

>> Restores us: “I tell you, arise!”

We need to trust in Him

>> We need to be willing to encounter Him

>> We need to hold on to Him in our journey of life!

Our God is indeed the God of Life and Resurrection…

… and He seeks to instill hope and trust in Him!

May we always pray, “Lord, abide with me”…

>> And thus with hope and trust, even in the ‘dead’ situations of our life, cry out:

“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away!

Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Have Jesus always for your patron, his Cross for a mast on which you must spread your resolutions as a sail.

>> Your anchor shall be a profound confidence in him, and you shall sail prosperously!”

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