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

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

One of the pots had a crack in it.

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

… the cracked pot arrived only half full.

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

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments

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

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

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

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

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

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

The water bearer without being disturbed said plainly:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

… with the tender invitation to depend on Him totally.

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

>> There were crowds of people following Him…

>> There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

But of all these, Jesus had chosen the Twelve…

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

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

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

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

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

But as the saying goes…

“Challenges are what makes life interesting…

… and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”

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

>> He remained courageous and determined.

>> He not only chooses the Twelve…

… but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…

… with an authority over unclean spirits

… to proclaim the Kingdom of God

… to preach repentance and peace

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

“… to take nothing for the journey…

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

The Twelve were to learn…

… to totally depend on the Lord

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christian missionary life is a journey

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

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

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

“I have always known about your flaws…

… and I take advantage of that.

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

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

>> And if we entrust ourselves totally to Him…

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

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

… offering our lives to the Lord wholly?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

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

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

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A distinguished actor had a large photograph of William Wordsworth prominently displayed in his dressing-room.

(William Wordsworth was a major English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature with their joint publication ‘Lyrical Ballads’).

A friend, who came to see this actor and observing the picture remarked with some surprise…

“Hmmm… I see!

>> So you are an admirer of Wordsworth?”

“Wordsworth? Who’s that?” enquired back the actor.

“Why, that’s his picture,” was the answer, as the friend pointed towards the image “That’s William Wordsworth, the literary giant. This picture would surely have cost you a fortune!”

The actor looked at the photograph with a bemused gaze!

“Is that old guy, a famous poet?” he exclaimed in astonishment!

>> “Oh! Who bothers about these old guys! I just picked up that frame from my storehouse, to fill the empty space on my wall!!”

The picture that was hung on the wall failed to acquire its deserved status and recognition …

• due to the ignorance of the actor

• due to his contempt for and prejudice towards old guys

How often do we reject the precious and important people and aspects of life…

… due to our ignorance…. our contempt of things… and our prejudiced mindsets!

The Gospel of the Day is presentation of this “rejection” experience of the Lord in His hometown.

The Lord arrives in His hometown.

On the Sabbath, He taught in the synagogue.

The Gospel mentions a juxtaposition of feelings of the listeners…

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

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

But this feeling quickly vanishes…

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

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

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

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

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

Familiarity often breeds contempt!

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

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

How many of us are prone to this danger….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However this familiarity was only “external and peripheral”…

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

>> Ignorant…

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

>> Contemptuous…

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

>> Prejudiced…

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

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

… due to our ignorance…. our contempt of things… and our prejudiced mindsets!

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

Each of us… personally… as a family… as a community… and as a Church, have been blessed and graced with immense favours and kindness from the Lord.

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

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

Yet amidst all this…

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

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

Can we accord the deserving status and recognition to the Lord’s presence in our lives?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ It is the occupation of an idle person to be busy with scrutinizing the life of another!”

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“Hands up” is a sign of surrender and submission.

When the police catches a thief, “hands up” is the word used to indicate giving up…

>> When a militant admits defeat, “hands up” is a sign of submitting.

The weak one, in the face of the stronger one, has “hands up” in surrender…

>> The fragile ones, before the mighty ones, have “hands up” in submission….

But in the Divine Realm, it’s not just “hands up”….

… we also have “falling at the feet”

>> Before the Divine power, “falling of the feet” is a still greater sign of submission

The Gospel of the Day recounts two incidents of this encounter with the Divine, and a “falling at the feet”

Sicknesses and diseases are great interrupters in life…

… they enter into the house of life, without knocking at the doors

… they disrupt many plans and aspirations

… they reduce the hope for the future

The Gospel is a narration of two persons who encountered this interruption in life…

1. Jairus’ daughter on the death bed – dashing many dreams of the family

2. The woman with haemorrhage for long years – crushing many of her aspirations

Both these two persons – Jairus and the Woman with the haemorrhage underwent similar struggles….

>> One had tremendous mental agony as a result of worry for his beloved child…

>> The other had also tremendous physical agony along with her mental and social stigmas…

Both their sufferings had reached a saturation point of tolerance…

>> Both of them were struggling immensely to swim across the ocean of agony and pain…

But both these persons also displayed a similar sort of faith in the Lord….

” Seeing Jesus, Jairus fell at His feet and pleaded earnestly with Him…” ( Mk 5:22)

“…realizing what had happened to her, the woman approached Jesus in fear and trembling; fell down before Jesus and told Him the whole truth” (Mk 5: 33)

They both “fell at the feet of Jesus” in deep faith and trust…

They both “fell at the feet of Jesus” with much love and devotion…

They both “fell at the feet of Jesus” with great expectations and hopes…

The “falling at the feet” was a sign of total submission and surrender

>> Jairus surrendered himself to the power and mercy of the Lord…

>> The woman with haemorrhage submitted herself to the compassion and love of the Lord…

This made them to experience the power of the Lord.

When we submit ourselves to the mighty power and providence of God…

…we experience His Divine Strength and Courage

When we offer ourselves fully to the holy and precious Will of the Lord…

… we come in contact with His Divine Providence and Wonder

When we surrender ourselves to the dominion and sovereignty of God…

… we encounter His marvellous presence and guidance

Are we ready to submit and surrender…

>> with “Hands up”

>> and “falling at the feet”

… to God’s mighty power…?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Although dear Lord, I have no feeling of confidence in Thee, I know all the same, that though art my God…

… that I am wholly Thine and that I have no hope but in Thy Goodness.

>> Therefore, I abandon myself entirely into Thy Hands!”

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Destiny is shaped by moments of decision!

It was the year 1673 in Portugal.

>> A young man of 26 was on the verge of taking a strong and serious decision.

He was just a little over a decade, as member, in the Congregation of the Society of Jesus.

>> His superiors deemed it right to send this vibrant and dynamic person to the missions in India

It was a dangerous mission…

…It was a difficult mission

>> A destiny was to be shaped

>> A decision had to be made

mother of this young and fervent person, feared the life of her beloved son.

Years back, she had experienced the mighty healing touch of the Lord, in the recovery of her son, from the point of death.

>> She had then, vested her son for a year, in a dress worn by the Jesuit fathers.

But now, she was afraid of losing her son again…

>> She knew mission to India meant death…

>> She knew mission away from the native was fatal…

She tried her best to persuade and influence to prevent him from going to the land of death…

But her son was determined….

>> He had decided to give up His life entirely for the Lord – body, mind and spirit

With deep courage and conviction, he answered:

“God, who called me from the world into religious life, now calls me from Portugal to India”

>> He had set His eyes on the Kingdom of heaven…

… and not limited by earthly life…

>> He had set His heart on the designs of God’s Will…

… and not restricted by human desires…

He had made a decision…

…a decision to shape destiny…according to God’s Will!

Just two decades later, on 4th February, 1693, this brave and committed person was executed for the sake of Christ.

>> The name of the person is St John de Britto, whose feast we celebrate today.

He followed the footsteps of his Beloved Master who had echoed the words:

“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it only remains a seed; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:24)

To be a witness for the Kingdom of God is the call and duty of every Christian.

> It is a decision to be made…

>> It is a decision to be nurtured..

>>> It is a decision to be lived…

Christ made this decision of being entirely and wholly dedicated to His mission

Jesus had many occasions and chances to escape from this dedication…

He could have chosen to enjoy popularity and fame arising out of His mighty deeds…

>> But He made a “decision” to not compromise on the truths and convictions

He could have chosen to dilute some of His teachings and make life more “cosier”…

>> But He made a “decision” to remain firm and grounded on the fundamentals of eternity

He could have chosen to forego some of His values and have some “adjustments”…

>> But He made a “decision” to be faithful and loyal to the mission and duties entrusted to Him

Our life as a witness for Christ and His Kingdom is sometimes greatly influenced and prejudiced…

>> We sometimes don’t mind…

… being a little relaxing on some Church teachings…

… making some adjustments to remain popular and not have a bad name…

… diluting some values in order to appear as secular and sociable…

The Church is often under tremendous pressure to change some of Her moral teachings…

>> The Church is often under blatant attacks to alter some of Her time-and-tested values..

Most often, the motive behind all such attacks are a ‘life of ease’, a ‘life of comfort’, a ‘life of personal satisfaction’ etc…

Christ today, however, needs witnesses who are willing to undergo pains and persecutions…

The Martyr St John de Britto gave up His native land…His personal desires.. His family ties… His very life itself…

… all for the sake of Christ and His Love

… all for the sake of the Kingdom and its values

… all for the sake of His Church and Her teachings

In his words, ““Not to answer the vocation as I ought, would be to provoke the justice of God”

Let us be true and faithful to the vocation we have received and the way of life we have chosen…

Christ needs martyrs who are willing to…

… live His teachings

… teach His teachings

Christ needs martyrs who are willing to give up their…

… physical life in the face of being persecuted for Him

… economic life and depend on Him as the true treasure

… social life to bear insults and humiliations to live His values

Yes, Destiny is shaped by moments of decision!

Are we – you and I – ready to shape our destiny as per God’s Holy and Perfect Will?

> > What is our decision?

Happy Feast of St John de Britto!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ We should take up the task of becoming perfect not just for our satisfaction…

… but to please our Spouse Who wants us to become so!”

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Mobile phones come with various features

> One of the feature – especially in the older versions of phones – is the dictionary mode.

In this dictionary mode, if one types the word, “rejected”…

… it appears as “selected!”

Try it if you wish…

Well… the same is true when we type in the word “rejected” in the Divine mode…

… before the Lord!

• He converts every “reject” to a “select”…

• He converts our “rejection” to a “selection” for grace and sanctification

• He converts our “rejection” to a “selection” for purification and strengthening.

Are we ready to offer all our “rejection” to the Lord…

… so that He can convert them into a “selection” unto Him?

One of the most painful words in perhaps the whole of dictionary is the word … “Rejection”

>> And this is perhaps one word, that has been experienced in life, by most of us.. if not all.

• Most of us have felt the sting of rejection…

• Most of us can recollect instances and situations of rejection even now…

• Most of feel a twinge within ourselves when we hear this word ‘rejection’…

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, our Master undergoing the painful experience of ‘rejection’.

The background of the Gospel passage of the day is that Jesus is in the Synagogue at Nazareth at the beginning of His ministry.

Being handed over the Scripture from the book of Isaiah, Jesus spoke of the fulfillment of the text that was read:

>> “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor….” (Lk 4:18)

The graciousness of His words and the eloquence of His speech attracted the audience to Himself.

The first impression was surely a wonderful impression…

… but as time would prove, it is not always the best and lasting impression.

When He began to teach the people of how God has brought His salvation and the message of hope to not just the Jews, but the Gentiles also, murmurs of rejection began to crop up.

• The message of straight talk to the heart, which affected their inner lives, caused uneasiness to His listeners.

• The delivery of the truth which had a direct bearing upon their lives and attitudes, caused edginess to arise among His listeners.

And so, there happened a conversion…

…. a conversion, not for the good, but for the bad!

• They were converted from having a good opinion of Jesus to forming a detestable view on Him

• They were converted from nodding their heads in approval to shaking their heads and clenching their fists in refutation and denial.

How true a picture is this of many a human nature….

>> We appreciate those persons who speak what we wish to speak…

… but deny those who speak against us, even if they speak the truth!

>> We encourage those people who harp the same tune that we wish to hear…

… but terribly denounce those who play the melody for a genuine transformation!

The Lord was rejected!

>> And He Himself testified to this naked reality:

“No prophet is accepted in his own native place” (Lk 4: 24)

The Gospel of John presents this reality in a more dramatic manner:

“He came to His own and His own rejected Him!” (Jn 1:11)

Rejection is a part of each of our lives…

>> And the rejection is much greater and true, when one stands for the truth and the values of the Gospel!

• We get rejected by our friends who don’t approve when we seek to live a holier lives…

• We get rejected by the society which is unable to appreciate those wanting a sanctified life…

But the Lord assures us.. “In all your rejection, look up to me!”

“There was no one who was rejected as I was…

>> I was rejected when I was born…

>> I was rejected when I lived…

>> I was rejected when I died….”

Our hearts – with the experiences of life – may perhaps be a canvas of much agony of rejection.

>> But the Lord today invites us to go to Him and seek solace, healing and consolation from Him.

Let us always remember that in the Divine Mode…

… every “rejected” turns into a “selected!”

He Who was rejected, is the Lord of acceptance!

>> He Who was rejected, is the Saviour of hope!

>>> He Who was rejected, is the God of healing!

Let us choose Him as the Lord and Love of our Life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Go courageously to do whatever you are called to do. If you have any fears, say to your soul: ‘The Lord will provide for us.’

>> If your weakness troubles you, cast yourselves on God and trust in Him…

… Trust in Him, Depend on His Providence; fear nothing!”

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A politician, campaigning for an election, was giving a speech…

“Ladies and Gentlemen… give heed to what I say

I am a Catholic

>> As far as possible, I go for Holy Mass every day.

(Holding a rosary in the hand, he said…)

This is a rosary.

>> As far as possible, I kneel down and tell these beads every day.

If you reject me on account of my religion, I shall thank God that He has spared me the indignity of being your representative!”

The politician was convinced of his “belongingness” to the Lord…

… and was fearless and courageous in giving “external expression to his Faith!”

Today on this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord…

>> As Christians, we are reminded to grow in our “conviction of belonging to the Lord”…

… and to be fearless and courageous in witnessing to our Faith.

Today is also a day when we celebrate the ‘Consecrated Way of Life.’

Consecration is giving oneself to the Lord wholly.

>> Consecration is seeking to be pure, completely, in heart and mind.

The Gospel of the Day presents St Joseph and Mother Mary presenting Jesus in the Temple.

>> “When the days were completed for their purification, according to the Law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord” (Lk 2:22)

We are on the 40th Day after Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus.

The Book of Exodus spoke of the need of this presentation and consecration of the first-born child…

“Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb…

If your son ask you later on, ‘What does this mean’, you shall tell him, ‘ With a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the land of slavery….’ ” ( Ex 12: 2, 14)

The act of presentation in the Temple…

… represented fulfilling of God’s command..

… recalled God’s deed of deliverance from slavery…

… reminded the deep love of God for His people…

The presentation of the Lord in the Temple, is also another reminder of the “ordinariness” of the Lord, in His incarnation…

>> Jesus was known as the child of “ordinary” human parents!

>> Jesus took birth and grew up in “ordinary” conditions and circumstances!

>> Jesus lived His life in an “ordinary” family situation!

By Baptism, all of us are also consecrated to the Lord…

>> Some of us, have also made a deeper consecration by the profession of vows…

The meaning of this consecration, also, derives from the consecration of the Lord…

>> We are “ordinary” by our sinful nature…

… yet the Lord exalts us to live a pure and holy life.

>> We are “ordinary” by our human nature…

… yet the Lord wishes to join with His Divine nature

>> We are “ordinary” in our deeds and works…

… yet the Lord wants to be His Kingdom partners

Our consecration…

… is a deep call and invitation to live a Holy Life

… is a loving obligation and sacred duty to be fully committed to Him

Each of us – whether single or in family life, whether a priest or a religious –

… ought to BELONG TO THE LORD AND TO HIM ALONE!

>> We are all consecrated and offered to the Lord.

Let us hold the hands of St Joseph and Mamma Mary, and renew our consecration to the Lord.

This is a day…

… to renew our commitment and zeal for the Lord

… to rekindle the fire of our love and faith in the Lord

… to restore our initial enthusiasm and interest for the Lord

… to revitalize our knowledge and comprehension of the Lord

Life will constantly take us to situations where we are called to give “public witness” to our Faith…

Let us grow in our conviction of our “belongingness” to the Lord…

… and be fearless and courageous in giving “external expression to our Faith!”

Happy Feast to all us, who are consecrated to the Lord, by our Baptism…

… specially to the Consecrated, by virtue of the evangelical vows!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Devotion must be exercised in different ways by the gentleman, the worker, the prince, the widow, the young girl and the married woman.

>> The practice of devotion must also be adapted to the strengths, activities and duties of each particular person!”

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Nature is a wonderful teacher.

Albert Einstein, the renowned scientist says, ” Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

The earth and the sky…the woods and the fields… the lakes and the rivers…the mountains and the seas…

…. are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.

Jesus loved the nature very much.

>> Jesus, the Preacher made great use of examples from the nature to put forth His teachings.

The Gospel of Day is a typical example of Jesus quoting from the nature to explain.

All through His teaching ministry, Jesus presents different examples, metaphors and symbols to explain about the Kingdom of God.

Today, Jesus speaks about a man who scatters seeds on the land.

Without his awareness there is a growth.

“…and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how” (Mk 4:27)

One of the most tender ideas that this parable presents is that there are many things in life that are not understood and yet, it turns out to be beautiful!

The seed that grows, unnoticed and unseen, is a sign of the Kingdom of God.

>>> The seed takes root.

>> The seed sprouts.

> The seed grows.

But HOW this takes place, is unknown and unseen…

The effect of the growth is seen, but the process of the growth is unknown!

>>> The result of the progress is observed, but the manner of the progress is hidden!

In John 3:8, we read, “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes…

… so it is with everyone born of the Spirit”

The movement of the Spirit of God is gentle and mild!

>> The growth of God’s Kingdom is hidden and concealed!

This points to the tremendous fact that God is in total charge and control!

…that God is in perfect sovereignty and power!

…that God is in total dominion and management!

We are sometimes people prone to a lot of strategies and planning.

>> When things don’t turn out the way we have planned, we get worried and anxious.

>> When situations don’t fall in line with what we envisaged, we get tensed and upset!

But, today God tells… I am in total control!

When my life seems to be in a complete mess and nothing is understood by us…

>> God says, “I am in total control”

When circumstances around me go haywire and I lose control of things…

>> God says, “I am in total control”

When conditions are highly worse and it seems to be the end of the world for me…

>> God says, “I am in total control”

This is not to say that we need to have a passive and lethargic attitude to life.

>> This is not to say that we need to have a casual and a lazy mentality in life.

>> This is not even to say that we should not have plans and strategies in our life

But this is a great reminder to know and realize that God is the Ultimate Master!

There are no accidents…no “by chance” happenings…

… for a Christian.

>> Everything finds its place, in the Permissive Will of the Lord!

Do I trust in Him to lead through the dark moments into light?

>> Do I believe in Him to lead through the depressing moments into joy?

>>>> Do I have faith in Him to lead through the confusing moments to clarity?

Let us enjoy the silent working of the Spirit within us…

….and be part of the..

… unseen, yet dynamic..

… silent, yet spectacular growth of the Kingdom of God!

As we thank the Lord for the gift of the First Month of 2019, and all His Blessings…

… let us also gently remind ourselves, of some of the resolutions that we might have taken at the start of the year ( or if not… let us seek to pledge a resolution for this year)

>> And thus, with confidence in God’s providence and gratitude for God’s blessings, let us consecrate ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on this First Friday of the new month of February.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When you are physically and mentally occupied while fulfilling your duties…

… renew as far as possible – again and again – your “Yes” to the Will of God!

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A little story goes of a young boy who went, one summer, with his parents to Europe.

The family visited many of the great and majestic cathedrals. of the past.

The child was indeed awe struck and amazed to see the wonderful and glorious structures and the massive stained glass portraits of various saints.

On returning back from the tour, the catechism teacher asked the child, “So, I hope you had a lovely time, especially seeing so many spectacular churches and cathedrals. What did you like most in them?”

The child answered, ” I very much liked and was impressed by the immensity and awesomeness of our God, in whose honour and name, these churches are built!”

With a glow in his eyes, the child added, ” And I also realized… what is a saint”.

Recalling the massive and beautiful stained glass windows, he said:

“A saint is a person, through whom the light shines!”

That was indeed an amazing observation…

… a saint is a person, through whom the light shines!

The person who allows the radiance of God’s love to flow through…

>> The person who is pure and transparent to let the rays of God’s mercy to shine through…

….Such a person is a Saint!

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation and a reminder by Jesus to become a “light to the other”

Jesus presents a simple parable, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel or under a bed and not on a stand?” (Mk 4: 21)

In the ancient world, people did not have electricity like we have today.

Most homes would contain several oil lamps because olive oil was in abundance and therefore not expensive. The oil lamps were the main source of light in every home.

These ancient lamps were usually oval shaped, and flat on top.

>> They were normally made of clay, but the more expensive lamps were made of bronze and sometimes even of gold. Olive oil was available in abundance and therefore lamps were left on for long periods of time, and also gave off a sweet scent.

The Lord presents this common example of the Lamp to highlight…

… that Christian lives also ought to shine and glow

… that Gospel values cannot remain hidden and concealed

… that the power of light, however, little, can dispel the gloominess of darkness

The world we live in is often in darkness and in obscurity.

As Christians, we have a duty and an obligation to hold alight the lamp.

The world often runs into the darkness of sin and evil practices…

>> Can I be a lamp, bringing them to Christ’s light by my holy and sanctified life?

Many people are often forced to remain in the shadows of guilt, shame and abuse…

>> Can I be a lamp, bringing them to Christ’s light by my prayers, sacrifices and good works?

The Lord is inviting us…

… to let His light to pass through our actions, deeds and activities.

… to let His light illumine our thoughts, visions and mentalities.

Let us lead a saintly life, and allow others to experience the Light of God’s love!

>> Let us be glowing with a holy life, to let others to see the Radiance of God’s Peace!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Love is like fire – the finer the fuel, the brighter the flame;

>> Similarly the more refined, more spiritual the object of love, then the keener, stronger, more lasting will be love’s attachment!”

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Mr. Bhola was getting late to office…

As he was getting ready and keeping his file and office bag ready…

… he called out to his wife, who was inside the kitchen, preparing breakfast: “Please get me my tie!”

He continued to get ready and as he began to tie his shoes, he called out, little more loudly, to his wife who had not responded to him yet,” Would you please get me my tie?!”

Bhola was by now dressed up, but his wife had not responded yet…

>> Irritated, he went into the kitchen and screamed at her, “Can’t you hear what I said? Please get me my tie!!”

His wife, turned around, and in a louder voice, shouted back: “And for the third time, I am also telling you…

… Your tie is ready on the table!!”

Feeling embarassed, Bhola realised his mistake…

>> It was not his wife who did not hear…

… it was he, who did not hear!

>> It was not his wife who was short of listening…

… it was he, who was short of listening!

Very often…

… listening becomes a problem for us…

… we get short of hearing properly…

>> Does the same happen in our life, with respect to God’s voice?

The Gospel of the Day is a call to hear properly God’s Word and receive His message into our hearts.

The Lord is beside the Sea of Galilee…

A very large crowd of people have gathered around Him…

>> Jesus, during the course of His instructions and teachings said, “Listen!” (Mk 4:3)

The people have a gathered together in a big crowd…

>> There were probably…

… some, who were not able to get a proper sitting place…

… many children and mothers who had to take care of their kids…

… many sick eagerly waiting for the gracious words of the Lord…

The atmosphere would have been a bit chaotic.

>> The situation would have been a bit restless.

>> The circumstance would have been a bit noisy.

It’s in this muddled, disordered and disorganized setting, that the Lord thunders: “LISTEN!”

The voice of the Lord addresses us at many moments in life.

>> His sweet gentle tone speaks to us occasionally…

>> His melodious pleasant expression converses to us many times…

But am I really listening?

>> Am I giving heed to His voice?

Our ‘listening mentality’ could be classified similar to the four types of soil that Jesus mentions in the Parable of the Sower…

1. Like the soil on the wayside, we could be a “passive and unprepared listener”…

… disinterested and uncaring for God’s Words

… unmindful of any consequence or loss of God’s inspirations

… lethargic and careless about many of God’s graces and favours

2. Like the soil on the rock, we could be an “overenthusiastic yet foundationless listener”…

… showing immediate but highly temporary reaction to Godly experiences

… finding only instant gratification and satisfaction in being a devotee of God

… making great plans and resolutions, but hardly translated to real actions

3. Like the soil among thorns, we could be a “distracted and unconvinced” listener…

… confused with many pleasurable activities and diverting matters

… easily wavered by contrasting Gospel messages and inauthentic teachings

… unable to discern between true and false exhortations of faith and beliefs

4. Like the soil in a good place, we could be an “attentive and focused” listener…

… eager to act upon God’s word and make them practical in life

… keen and excited to share the saving message of Christ to other people

… passionate and zealous to become sharers of the Good News of the Lord

The Lord today invites us to become active, attentive, focused and alert listeners.

Let us not be short to hear…

>> Let us not be hard of listening

Instead:

Let us seek…

… to listen to the Lord with a deeper longing and interest.

… to listen to His Will with an intensified love and affection.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Since God sends us inspirations by means of His Angels…

…we should frequently return our aspirations to him, by means of the same messengers!”

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A story is told of an elderly lady – who would go place to place, house to house – selling thread, buttons, and shoestrings.

Whenever she would come to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick into the air…

… and go in the direction the stick pointed when it landed.

One day, however, she was seen tossing the stick up several times.

A passerby asked her:  “Why do you toss the stick more than once?”

Because,” replied the woman, “it keeps pointing to the left…

… and I want to take the road on the right!”

She then dutifully kept throwing the stick into the air……

… until it pointed the way she wanted to go!

Very often, in our spiritual life, we are like that:

>> Even though we know what is the Will of God for us…

… we keep tossing our minds in such a way, that we convince ourselves to do what we want to do!

>> Even if we understand what is it that the Lord wants us to do…

… we toss our thoughts in a way, to finally do, what we were desiring to do!

Is doing the Will of God at the centre of our lives?

The Gospel of Day has Jesus focusing the attention of His followers on the most vital dimension of the Kingdom of God: Doing God’s Will.

Jesus is in the thick of His ministry.

>> The place is packed with people sitting on the floor, in the passage-way, around the doors and windows, craving to listen to what Jesus is speaking.

It’s at that time that His family members arrive.

>> His family can’t get through to him, so they send a message in, and it passes from one person to person: “Tell him that his mother and brothers are outside looking for him” (Mk 3: 32)

The message finally reaches Jesus.

It is interesting to consider the feelings and reactions of the different persons…

· The family of Jesus…

….are eager and concerned to get the Lord back home

… are wanting to meet Him and if possible to give Him a break in His ministry

· The crowd around Jesus…

… are understandable that the family of the Lord are keen to meet Him

… are expecting Jesus to stop His preaching to accommodate meeting His kith and kin

This was a significant time and moment.

The Lord loves to make use of critical moments to put across a message…

>> The Lord loves to thrive on crucial situations to send forth a teaching…

Jesus uses the arrival of His physical family as an opportunity to teach about His relationship with His spiritual family.

Jesus brings the focus back on what is most essential.

>> What was most needed was not human relationships…

>> What was most needed was not human affairs…

… But what was most necessary was spiritual relations!

… What was most necessary was spiritual affairs!

Jesus brings to focus…

… the importance to seek and do God’s Will

… the importance to become related in the Kingdom.

What is our own attitude and mentality…

>> Am I concerned more with worldly affairs or do I engage myself more into spiritual realities?

>> Am I disturbed more by earthly concerns or do I share more the anxiety for spiritual growth?

>> Am I obsessed more with worldly gains or do I be zealous for spiritual graces and blessings?

Very often…

… we lose our focus

… we lose sight of the proper track…

>> The Lord, today exhorts us on the essentials of a Christian Life.

Christian life sometimes gets diluted with too many “social” concerns…

… at the expense of spiritual realities.

Christian life sometimes gets polluted with too many “interdisciplinary” matters…

… at the expense of true faith and teachings.

Christian life sometimes gets ruined with too many “compromising” practices…

… at the expense of Gospel values and  standards.

Let us avoid all those temptations that cause us to toss our minds in such a way that deviate us away from the Will of God!

As St Angela Merici, (whose feast was celebrated on Jan 27) says:

>> “In the fulfilment of your duties, let your intentions be so pure that you reject from your actions any other motive than the glory of God and the salvation of souls.”

>> ” Do something, get moving, be confident, risk new things, stick with it…

…  then be ready for BIG SURPRISES”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ God enables His children to walk before Him.

>> He holds their hand in difficulties; He Himself carries them along…

… in hardships that he sees as being otherwise, unbearable to them!”

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