There are a few things which are not understood in life…

(Well, don’t worry…. we are not getting too philosophical here…!)

One among these… which has perhaps, intrigued many, including me is… a physician’s (doctor’s) medicine prescription!

(Are physicians reading this more closely now??)

The physician usually is a busy person, with many patients to be attended to and many in distress seeking his/her advice.

In the midst of this heavy work, the medical prescription is often scribbled down.

>> Many times their handwriting goes for a toss!

>> Many times the legibility of this writing is hard to decipher!

This untidily written prescription of medicines is often not much understood by the patient.

This quickly scribbled medicine prescription is often criticized by the patient’s attendants…

>> “Why can’t they write neatly?”

>> “Who can understood this indecipherable paper?”

But the Physician is quite at ease with the prescription!

The poor writing doesn’t disturb….

>> The illegibility doesn’t come in the way.

>> The scribbled letters don’t prevent from suggesting the right medicine.

The physician’s prescription in the hands of people who do not understand and grasp, is a cause of irritation and criticism!

>> The physician’s prescription in the hands of person who understands them well, is a cause of life-giving medicines!

The script is the same…but…

… to the one who fails to understand, it becomes a basis of cribbing and complaining

… to the one who understands it well, it becomes the source of life and vitality

The Gospel of the Day is nice setup – a Physician, a chief patient, other patients & some complaining people! (Mk 2: 13-16)

>> The Physician is the Lord Himself…

>> The chief patient is Levi, the tax collector…

>> The few other patients are the other sinners and tax collectors…

>> The set of complaining people are the scribes and the Pharisees…

Jesus, the Great Physician is out on His regular rounds…

… of nursing the wounds of people with His soothing bandages

… of strengthening the brokenness in people with His powerful words

… of touching the miseries and sicknesses of people by His healing touches

On one such round, He comes across Levi, the tax collector.

He sees him busy at his desk, counting the money, exchanging coins…

>> Jesus sees in Levi, a man who perhaps has indulged in cheating…

>> Jesus sees in Levi, a man who has been looked down badly by the local people…

The physician Jesus, sees in Levi, a patient who is sick and in trouble.

>> And so, He scribbles down a prescription…”Follow Me” (Mk 2:17)

The patient, with this prescription is happy and relieved…

… because he realizes, the Physician has given him a prescription that will bring him life!

Levi must have not understood much of this prescription….

>> But he follows the great Physician!

However, the other people who watch and see this prescription…fail to understand it!

And they begin to complain and groan:

“Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mk 2:16)

Yes, the Physician’s prescription in the hands of people who do not understand & grasp, is a cause of irritation and criticism!

>> But, the Physician’s prescription in the hands of people who understands them well, is a cause of life-giving medicines!

But Jesus, the Great Physician of Galilee, knows well & is confident of the prescription that He has given to His patient.

>> And so He boldly proclaims, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mk 2: 17)

Is any of us sick among us?

>> Spiritually sick…

… .with crisis with God or difficulties in prayer life or a standstill in faith?

>> Emotionally sick…

… with hard feelings hitting our life or unable to handle various moods?

>> Physiologically sick…

… with painful diseases and ailments or troubling aches, hurts and ills?

>> Financially sick…

… with businesses and jobs going down the drain and no hopes seen ahead?

>> Socially sick…

… with ill-acceptance by others and painful rejection by those whom we love?

Then the Great Physician is out here…. to heal and touch us!

>> No matter whether the prescription is not understood by us…

>> No matter whether the prescription is criticized by other people…

It makes perfect sense to the One who has prescribed it!

>> It makes perfect sense to the One who is to give the medicines!

The Great Physician is on duty…

>> Come, let us go to Him…for His Healing and Life-Saving Prescription!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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*Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS)* – “ A good way of staying in God’s Presence, is if we are and ever wish to be, entirely at His disposal!”

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A wealthy man was once seen driving his Lamborghini car through the streets of a busy city.

As he stopped in a particular place for parking, a curious passer-by, remarked at the driver:

“Hey, it’s surprising! You’re driving such an expensive car… but didn’t you notice that your rear window glasses are broken!”

“There’s a reason for pursuing with the broken glasses…”, the man in the car replied, “the broken windows remind me of God’s Providential Love!”

“Huh?”, enquired the passer-by with greater curiosity, “How do ‘broken windows’ remind you of God’s Providential Love?”

“Well.. then, listen to my story,” said the man as he continued, ” I was once passing through the streets, zipping across in my luxurious car…

… when suddenly, a crashing sound was heard from the back!

>> I saw that a stone had been thrown at my car!

In great anger, I noticed that it was  a rag-picker boy, who had thrown the stone!

My blood boiled, in rage, as I stopped my vehicle and moved closer to him.

But then I saw him, joining his hands, as he pleaded to me in tears: “Sir, look at my younger brother…

>> I noticed to see, that a young boy who legs were paralyzed was lying down, with a heavy scars and bruises on his legs.

The boy continued: ‘I was crossing the road, helping my lame brother, when a fast-moving bike ran over him, to leave with a bleeding leg.

I called out to many people for help…but none cared!

Finally, out of my helplessness, I decided to throw a stone at the vehicle which would come next, in order to seek help!

The boy continued: ‘Sir, I am extremely sorry that your expensive car is damaged. But, trust me, this was the only way I could seek help for my injured brother!”

Tears filled my eyes, as I told the boy: “My car windows are surely broken! But they are also a reminder, that sometimes, we have to allow God to break certain things, to remind…

… that we need to stop and help!

… that we need to depend on God in all aspects of life!

>> Surely, these broken windows are a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

Are there “broken windows” in our life?

>> Broken windows…

… when tragedies and calamities have hit our life?

… when untimely incidents and unexpected twists have taken place in life?

>> Though difficult to comprehend, perhaps, a deeper reflection, will help us to realize that such “Broken Windows are a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

The Gospel of the Day is a story of how a “broken roof becomes a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

We are travelling very quickly with St Mark’s journey of the ministry of Jesus.

>> We were with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, where He called the first disciples (Mk 1: 16-20)

Then…

… we came to the synagogue, where Jesus cures a man with an unclean spirit (Mk: 1: 21-28)

… we reached Simon’s house, where Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31)

… we went to the mountains to pray with Jesus, who always remained focused (Mk 1: 35)

… we met a leper, unacceptable in the society, who was made clean by Jesus (Mk 1: 40-45)

The journey moves fast and immediately…

At Capernaum, a great crowd has gathered in a house, where Jesus is preaching (Mk 2:1-2)

>> The house is fully packed with people cramming to hear the Lord and seek His Healing..

Then comes a group of thick friends who have brought their paralytic friend to Jesus.

>> They came with much expectation to get their friend whole and well again.

But as they approached the house…

… their hopes went down!

The massive gathering at the door thinned their anticipations!

But when the chips are down…

… one is given a chance to find strength one never knew one had & put it toward the greater good.

They came seeking for blessings…

… but it seemed, that the firmament was closed to shower down blessings!

But then they had a hope: They realized that “Even a broken roof can be a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

>> And so they decided to plead God to shower His blessings: “by tear opening the roof!”

“Unable to get near Jesus, because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above Him” (Mk 1:4)

“Opened up the roof” has other translations:

>> “Dug a hole through the roof”

>> “Removed part of the roof”

>> “Uncovered the roof”

We would perhaps think the roof was some primitive, thatched roof.

>> But most likely, that was not the case…

As per the architecture then, this roof was more than likely a mud clay roof with tiles

>> To lower their paralyzed friend through the roof, they literally had to do a major demolition of the roof.

Well… picture this:

You’re in this packed house…trying to listen to Jesus.

>> All of a sudden you start to hear some banging on the roof.

These friends would have literally tore the tiles off the roof, made a hole & lowered the paralyzed man by a rope into the house.

>> Then the roof materials begins to fall in on you!

Well… picture the people’s responses:

>> They would have been astonished, amazed and some even angered!

They were there to listen to Jesus….they had come early…they had won their spot…

>> They were perhaps hearing their life-transforming sermon!

It’s at this point, that the “roof starts tearing down!”

>> But Jesus, the God of blessings, is immensely pleased and edified by their faith and trust!

Their “tearing of the roof”…

… is blessed by “pouring down of blessings” and a “cleansing of sins”.

Many of the times, we too face similar barriers and blockages in our experience for the Lord.

>> We need to plead to God to shower His blessings: “by tear opening the roof!”

>> When we have…

… ‘end-of-the-road’ feelings and hopeless situations

… problems which seem impossible and unsolvable

>> Are we willing to have our “roofs broken”…

… and thus realize God’s Providential Love?!

Difficulties and barriers will always be many in life…

Hardships and challenges will often stare on our face…

>> But let us have the grit and the guts to be ready to “have our roof broken” of all such adversities!

Yes, let us understand that even a “broken roof is a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ It is no great merit to serve one’s king during times of peace amid the delights of the court life.

>> To serve him during the hardships of war and amid troubles and persecutions…

… is a true mark of constancy and fidelity!”

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Kalaupapa was a remote peninsula, surrounded by the roaring Pacific Ocean, on three sides on an island named Molokai.

This tiny place had become the prison for those forcibly banished as a result of being afflicted with Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy).

The souls outcast here became prisoners in their own land, harshly kicked from boats, washing onto shore without adequate supplies, infrastructure, medicine, or tools.

>> Families on surrounding islands, powerless to help, mourned for the cruel fate of their loved ones.

In this situation, a priest named Damien, volunteered to move to this place and serve the people who are afflicted by this dreaded disease.

Fr Damien was greeted with devastation.

>> He walked among the living dead.

Everywhere he looked…

… there was only bleeding and oozing sores

… rampant diseases of various kinds

… and perhaps worst of all, hopelessness and endless misery

Choosing to make this place as his home for life, Fr Damien began his first sermon, addressing the people in the leper colony: “We lepers….”

Fr Damien did not yet have a sign of the leprous infection, but he already identified himself with the afflicted ones, by including himself as “We lepers…”

>> But within fifteen years, he too would be afflicted with the same disease and die!

When one is committed to a cause, one identifies totally with the cause, even to the point of death!

>> When one is faithful to a mission, one equates with its demands, even to the point of being afflicted!

This is what Damien – St Damien – would teach from his life…

And this is what we learn, as St Damien did, from the life of Jesus: a total identification with the afflicted ones, in order to redeem and save them!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who effects a healing for a leper…

… but in the process, undergoes the isolation and separation that was the lot of the lepers.

Jesus is in the land of Galilee.

>> A leper comes to Him seeking for a cleansing: “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mk 1: 40)

Looking at the leper, Jesus knew and understood the immense agony and dread that the man had undergone…

The ancient times had leprosy as one of the most feared diseases.

The book of Leviticus required that all those found unclean with leprosy “shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp” (Lev 13:46)

Jesus knew that to come into contact with a leper was to make oneself unclean.

>> Jesus knew that to touch a leper was to also share in the affliction and misery.

Yet, the Lord, who is the One who cleanses (Eze 36:25) and the One who refines (Is 48:10) decides to touch the leper…and bring about a healing!

>> “Jesus stretched out His hand, touched him and said to him, ‘ I do will it. Be made clean'” (Mk 1:41)

The leper was immediately made clean.

>> The leper had to also get it confirmed from the priest.

But Jesus, who cleansed and freed the leper, now Himself, undergoes the pain as that of a leper…

The Gospel says that, “…it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places…” (Mk 1:45)

Jesus now identifies Himself with the isolation that the leper himself had undergone

>> Jesus now undergoes Himself the staying away from society, that the leper had undergone.

Yes, when one is faithful to a mission, one equates with its demands, even to the point of being afflicted!

>> When one is committed to a cause, one identifies totally with the cause, even to the point of death!

Each of us is called with a specific mission and purpose in life…

>> It requires a deep commitment.

>> It requires an identification with the people and situation.

>> It requires a complete giving of oneself to the cause and mission.

Am I ready to embrace such a dedication?

St Paul invites us to be “… imitators of Christ” just as he imitated Christ (1 Cor 11:1)

Let us seek to imitate Christ in His deep commitment and dedication.

>> Let us seek to imitate Christ who came to bring healing to all in this world.

>> Let us seek to imitate Christ who shared in sufferings to bring redemption and joy.

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We all have a vocation.

>> We believe that God has called us to this state in life to fill a special need…

… that no one else can accomplish!”

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For several years, the American television telecasted a show titled, “To Tell the Truth.”

>> The show features a panel of four celebrities whose objective is the correct identification of a described contestant who has an unusual occupation or experience.

This contestant is accompanied by two impostors who pretend to be the central character.

The panel question the three contestants; the impostors are allowed to lie but the central character is sworn “to tell the truth”.

After a round of questions, each panelist selects which one of the persons he believed to be the real “one”.

>> The panel rarely reach consensus.

The true identity of the “real one” was revealed by the moderator asking, “Will the real _______ please stand up. ”

This phrase become a well-known expression: “Will the real ___________ please stand up?!”

We are today placed with a similar task before us through the Gospel reading: To identify the real Jesus!

>> “Will the Real Jesus please stand up?”

The Gospel of the Day is a continuation of St Mark’s account of the Lord’s ministry.

Jesus is engaged in His proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

>> He is proving Himself to be a person who is of the supernatural and the extraordinary realm.

>> He teaches the Scriptures with deep authority and conviction…

… People hear God speaking in their lives!

>> He silences and expels the forces of evil and influences the nature…

… People experience the Divine force in their lives!

>> He infuses life into the dead and proclaims his great power…

… People come across the marvellous works of the Lord!

>> He exercises His healing over the sick and the suffering…

… People witness His glorious control and supremacy!

People are…

… swayed over His mighty works

… super-excited by His amazing wonders

… overwhelmed with His wonderful deeds

>> But such occasions are the times of great testing and trial for anyone..

The easiest moments of losing oneself is in the midst of immense success!

>> The most tempting times of losing one’s focus is when there are widespread victories!

The Lord was surrounded by immense recognition and successes.

>> The crowds were thronging around Him and His popularity ratings were soaring.

But, just as the tree of success must be deeply grounded & rooted in the soil of stability and firmness…

>> So also, the Lord was fully aware of His goals and mission.

And so the Gospel of St Mark would explicitly point out the actions of the Lord…

‘Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed’ (Mk 1: 35)

>> ‘He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come”‘ (Mk 1: 38)

The Lord points out to the people and to His disciples the priorities of His Life – Being in communion with His Heavenly Father and Spreading the Kingdom of God!

>> He doesn’t get over-awed with success!

>> He doesn’t get carried away by reputations!

He reminds His disciples and His people to seek the “real” Jesus!

>> He brings to the notice of His disciples and His people to long for the “real” Jesus!

It’s a moment for us to check and examine our own lives: Am I following the “Real” Jesus?

>> Is Jesus merely a source of healings and remedies in my moments of physical sicknesses…

… or has He also become the true balm and consolation in my spiritual health and well-being?

>> Is Jesus only like a call-centre agent whom I seek in order to fix some problems of life…

… or Has He also become genuinely the treasure and the priceless fortune of my Life?

>> Is Jesus simply a solution and answer when crisis hits my life and things go badly…

… or has He also become authentically the greatest powerhouse and thrust of my Life?

Am I following the “Real” Jesus?

>> Or is it merely…

… a Jesus of quick-fix solutions?

… a Jesus who is a problem-solver?

… a Jesus who is remembered in times of trials alone?

… a Jesus who is expected to give all answers to my confusions?

The people and the disciples, as we see in the Gospel, seemed happy and satisfied to seek Jesus who performs wonders.

Surely, wonders and sensational deeds are good.

>> But they are not to be an end in itself….

>> They are not to be made the primary motto.

Miracles and marvels ought to become a launching pad for a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Let us not reduce the greatness of Jesus to just miracles…

>> Let us not bring down the immensity of Jesus to just physical needs.

Let us rather, seek…

… the True and Living Lord for a wholesome & integral growth for eternity.

… the Compassionate and Powerful Lord to grow in holiness & sanctity.

“Will the Real Jesus of my life please stand up?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed!”

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One of the very beautiful descriptions of a “Prophet” goes thus:

>> A prophet is someone…

… who comforts the disturbed

… and disturbs the comforted!

This description finds its expression in the lives of Prophets in the Bible

They were people…

… who offered great comfort and consolation to those in difficulty and distress

… who reached out to the ones who needed a word of hope and happiness

At the same time, they were people…

… who out rightly condemned those who led a comfortable life – away from God and His Commandments

… who vehemently opposed the ways of those who oppressed the poor and constantly disrupted the lethargic lives of people.

Jesus is the “Prophet of all prophets!”

>> The perfection and the fullness of all prophets!

And so, undoubtedly, Jesus, by His Prophetic Ministry also greatly upheld the principle of being the one…

… who comforts the disturbed

… and disturbs the comforted!

The Gospel of the Day presents such an action of encounter…

… where on side a group of people, who are listening to Jesus, are comforted

… while on the other side, some are extremely disturbed by the Prophetic Presence of Jesus!

… between the Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God

… between the shackles of captivity and bondage and the power of release and liberation

Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and addressing the people. (Mk 1:21)

His prophetic teaching is full of power and conviction…

>> His prophetic teaching is filled with passion and fervour…

When one is deeply convinced of one’s beliefs, it overflows into one’s words and actions

>> When one is highly passionate about one’s faith, it overwhelms one’s deeds and life.

As He taught the people, Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit, who cried out,” What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mk 1: 24)

Where there is light, darkness cannot stand too long…

>> Where there is immense holiness, filth cannot remain for long…

>> When there is the Word of God being proclaimed, the powers of Satan begin to tremble…

Imagine this situation…

Jesus had been preaching for a while in the synagogue.

>> All people were in rapt attention & awe, listening to His gracious words.

But in the midst of them.. was this man, with an unclean spirit.

He also was patiently hearing…

>> But as the bold words flowed from Jesus, the spirit within this man began to disturb.

The Lord’s Voice…

… began to reverberate his heart and mind…

… began to pierce into the depths of his soul…

He began to get agitated.

>> He began to get restless.

>> He began to get frantic.

And finally, he could no longer tolerate and with a massive and shrieking voice, he cried, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?!”

The cry of the man is not something in isolation….

>> The cry of the man is not something which is unique….

This cry is often repeated by all of us too…

>> “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are living a life of coziness and comforts…

>> And we are encountered with situations of misery and helpless of other people..

We hear the words of the Lord to reach out to them in compassion and love.

>> But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are living a life in sin, bad habits and without even a sense of guilt…

>> And we are encountered by caring people who remind us of our need to give up such things…

We hear the words of the Lord to renew and mend our lives in purity and holiness.

>> But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are going through our life without proper sacraments and religious practices…

>> And we are encountered by constant exhortations to deepen our spiritual life…

We hear the words of the Lord to return to Him in humility and repentance.

>> But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

Often, we are happy to remain with the spirit of luxury, the spirit of casualness, the spirit of indifference, the spirit of lukewarmness, the spirit of pleasures etc…

We don’t like being disturbed.

>> We don’t like being questioned.

>> We don’t like being shaken up.

If we are, we get agitated and irritated… we resist and we get wild.

>> We even shout out: “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

But, in all such situations, the Lord wants to empower us with His powerful & bold words, “QUIET! Come out of him” (Mk 1: 25)

Yes, Jesus the Prophet, mightily challenges all of us!

He is the Great Prophet

… who comforts the disturbed

… and disturbs the comforted!

Our life is a constant warfare with the forces of the evil and the spirit of darkness.

It’s a battle that rages strongly…

>> It’s a combat that is highly engrossing.

But let us not be afraid…

The Powerful and Awe-Inspiring Lord is on our side!

>> Let us hold on to Him… and victory will be ours!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not be afraid when difficulties come your way.

>> Laugh in its face…

… and know that you are in the Hands of God!”

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The fish has been greatly associated with Christianity.

The early Christians used to associate each other with a code symbol named ICHTHUS.

ICHTHUS is the Greek word for Fish.

ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthus) was also an acronym for “Ίησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ”, (Iēsous Christos, Theou Yios, Sōtēr), which translates as “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour”.

It is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish.

As per an ancient story, when a Christian met a stranger in the road..

… the Christian sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt.

>> If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company.

The fish has been sailing along the Christian waters for quite long!

And this journey of the fish in the Christian waters has its commencement in the Gospel of the Day – Jesus calls His first disciples, who were busy “catching fish”.

In the Gospel of the Day, Simon , his brother Andrew, along with the family of Zebedee – John, James and their father, were busy fishing.

>> The Lord, indeed, comes to meet and encounter us in the ordinary situations of our life.

Fishing was their means of livelihood

>> As they are engaged in these affairs of livelihood and occupation, they have a surprise visitor – Jesus!

He comes with a contagious fire of love in His heart & a gentle expression on His face.

>> He comes with a deep passionate look in His eyes & a soothing appearance in His personality

He calls out to the busy fishermen, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!” (Mk 1:17)

“Fishers of men??!”

All their life they had only known that its only fish that can be fished!

>> But this was strange to hear – that “people could also be fished”!

That trade of “fishing of people” would soon be taught to them by the Great Fisherman of Galilee…

>> Not with hooks of iron…

… but with hooks of conscience-appeal and heart-attraction

>> Not spreading nets of cloth, nylon or fibre etc…

… but with nets of goodness and love

>> Not travelling in deep waters of the sea…

… but navigating into the depths of human life

In the ordinary situation of life…

The disciples experienced the call to go beyond mere existential realities

>> The Lord introduced them to a Way to Eternity!

In the normal routine of life…

The disciples experienced the power to transpose their basic and ordinary needs

>> The Lord manifested to them the Higher Needs of Life!

For these fishermen-disciples, life had got into a sort of daily ordinary rhythm:

Going for fishing and trying their luck…

…Sometimes high success… many times immense failure…most of the times nothing exciting.

It was just a monotonous, repetitive and droning style of life.

Our lives too sometimes become a matter of routine and ordinary existence…

>> The same daily works and activities…

…Sometimes high success… many times immense failure…most of the times nothing exciting.

It is, very often, just a tedious, dull and boring style of life.

But in these ordinary moments, there are glimpses of the Extraordinary that is often revealed.

>> In the simple situations, there are rays of the Light of Eternity that often shines through.

Are we open and docile to these “ordinary” and “simple” appearances of the Lord in our lives?

Simple fishermen became part of the Super Fishing Strategy of the Greatest Fisherman of the world!

>> You and I… are called to today, in the littleness and the ordinariness of our lives…

…to give witness to the One who renovates lives and transforms hearts!

… to get transformed & filled with the same passion and zeal of the Disciples!

Are we ready to go fishing with this Great Fisherman of Galilee?

Hail ICHTUS – Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS

Bengaluru, India

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS)– “ You can catch more flies with a spoon of honey than with a barrel of vinegar!_”

There is a story told about St. Patrick, a 5th-century Bishop, known as the “Apostle of reland”

Once he passed through a kingdom named Munster when the Prince King Aengus, came forth to meet him.

>> This prince had already obtained some knowledge of Christianity, and asked the grace of holy baptism from the saint.

Now a bishop always carries a crozier ( a stylish staff, symbol of the governing office of a Bishop) with him.

St. Patrick’s crozier had a metal spike, so that he could stick it into the ground.

When he began to baptize Aengus, he stuck his crozier into the ground beside him.

>> But the crozier did not go into the ground, it went instead right through Aengus’s foot!!

The prince did not even moan, but just went a bit pale….

>> St. Patrick, however, went on with the ceremony, not knowing what he had done.

After the ceremony, St Patrick turned to take his crozier from the ground.

>> He saw the ground splattered with blood!

He was horrified when he realized what he had done….

“Why didn’t you say something?” Patrick asked.

Aengus answered, “Well! I thought it was part of the baptism ceremony!”

The new convert didn’t complain of the deep pain & even the loss of blood, thinking it was part of the ceremony.

Well!!

>> We could perhaps laugh over it!

>> We could perhaps feel, “how immature he was!”

>> We could perhaps think that he was too naive in his understanding of Baptism!

But then, think of it, from another perspective….

>>> Is not pain an intrinsic element of Baptism?

>>> Is not shedding blood a real part of Baptism?

Is Baptism, today, become a mere ritual with celebrations and get-togethers?

>> Or is Baptism a life-transforming process, with its intrinsic elements of pain and sacrifices?

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus.

The liturgical season of Christmas, celebrating the self-revelation of God through Jesus, comes to an end with the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.

This incident of the Baptism of Jesus is greatly significant and important….

It is one of the few passages that appears in all the four Gospels.

>> It was the first public revelation of the Three Persons of the Trinity

>> It was the first official declaration of Jesus as the Son of God to the world

For Jesus…

… it was a moment of identification with us sinners.

… it was a moment of decision to begin His public ministry.

… it was a moment of approval when His Father called Him as His “beloved Son”.

Each one us, as Christians have been baptized in the Lord!

What does Baptism mean to us?

>> What has Baptism meant to us?

Baptism is a time when we call ourselves to have ” put on” Christ…

… a time of conversion…from the old to the new!

For a moment, lets borrow the idea of how the Jewish conversion would be effected…so that we could have a better and a deeper understanding of our Christian Baptism.

For a Gentile to become a full-fledged Jew there was a basic three-step process…

1. The first was to offer a sacrifice

A heifer or a pair of turtledoves was brought to the priest and given as a burnt offering to God. This meant some expense involved.

>> It required hardship, forfeiting and sacrifice oneself to become a new person!

2. The second was circumcision – the cutting away of a piece of flesh from a man’s body.

For a Jewish boy, this was done when he was 8 days old, thus the pain wasn’t remembered.

But an adult male, who wanted to become a Jewish proselyte, had to undergo this procedure, regardless of his age.

>> It required deep pain, immense agony and even shedding of blood to become a new person!

3. The third was baptism.

The person stripped off all of his clothes.

He then went into the water naked before the Rabbis…dipped himself under water making sure to fully immerse his entire body!

>> It required a lot of humility and self-sacrifice to become a new person!

Christian Baptism doesn’t have these external signs and actions as that of the Jews.

>> But the internal aspects are much more strongly present…and even more valid!

To be a Baptised Person in Jesus – a passage from the Old to the New, requires….

1. Sacrifice of oneself

…. Willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the Lord, in the form of money, talents, time, energy etc…

He who wishes to follow me, must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me (Mt 16:24)

2. Undergoing pain and suffering

… Openness to share the agony and grief of life through various life situations and being patient and faithful in all trials …

“The Lord your God will circumcise your heart… to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…” (Dt 30: 6)

3. Embracing a life of humility and dependence on God

… Readiness to overcome our pride, our selfish desires and interests and allow God’s grace and mercy to flow through us…

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1Pet 5:6)

The Catholic Baptism has some of the following elements, which are powerful pointers to recognise the worth and depth of this Sacrament…

1. Water

>> Recalls the many miracles from the Old Testament…

… Noah’s Flood for a new creation

… The Crossing of the Red Sea, by dying to the past and welcoming a new beginning

… Moses bringing water from the rock symbolizing the new life in Christ

… The cleansing of the leper Naaman in the waters of Jordan showing the purifying and sanctifying action.

2. Baptismal Garment

>> Symbolized purity from the stain of the original sin and the call to live in holiness and sanctity, clothed in white, washed in the blood of the Lamb.

3. The Baptismal Candle

>> Represents the Flame of Grace that is kindled at Baptism and the utmost care to be taken to keep it away from being extinguished by the wind of mortal sin.

>> It also shows the acceptance of Jesus, the Light of the World and His Word to be a “lamp for one’s feet and a light to one’s path” (Ps 118: 105)

4. The Oil of Anointing

>> The Oil of Anointing is the seal that we are blessed to be called the children of God and the members of the Holy Church

>> It is the initiation into the three-fold ministry – being a Prophet, being a Priest and being a Shepherd – just like Jesus.

5. God Parents

>> They represent the Church, committing themselves to the growth, guidance and guarding of the spiritual life of the Baptised person

Most of us have been Baptized when we were too little…

We were not aware….

>> But those who loved us and cared for us, were aware.

Baptism was a beginning… an initiation…into a life of grace…a journey with the Lord!

The Spirit of the Lord is within us…

>> And the call from deep within us is strong….

“Rise up from slumber, if you are sleeping…

As a Baptised Christian, you have a very noble vocation and an immense responsibility…

Christian Life is no joke

… it does not tolerate passivity

… it does not allow lethargy!

Look up..

>> Mother Church is waiting to embrace you in deep love with Her Sacraments…

>> Mother Mary and all the Saints and Angels are encouraging you to become a Saint…

Yes, You are a Baptized Child of God

…Consecrated to the Lord

… Holy to Him!

> Be true…

>> Be Faithful…

>>> Be Enthusiastic…

>>>> Be Proud.. to be a Christian”

Yes, let us re-kindle the fire and love of being a Christian….

Let’s renew our Baptism!

>> Let’s live our Baptism!

Happy Feast to all of us baptized with our Dearest Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When the daughter of a strange land was about to espouse an Israelite, the law commanded her to put off the garment of her captivity, to pare her nails, and to shave her head;

>> Even so the soul which aims at the dignity of becoming the spouse of Christ, must put off the old man, and put on the new man, forsaking sin…

… moreover, it must pare and shave away every impediment which can hinder the Love of God!”

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The Greek mythology has a character named Narcissus whowas renowned for his beauty.

>> He was exceptionally proud; so much that he even disdained those who loved him!

One day, Narcissus was attracted to a pool of water.

He saw his own reflection in the water and fell in love with it. He failed to realise that it was only an image!

>> Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, he drowned in the waters!

An obsessive love of his own-self drowned him!

A true appreciation, real honouring and genuine love of oneself is highly important & needed.

>> But when this self-directed love crosses the boundary, it can lead to obsession and fixation!

Are we in anyway getting drowned, knowingly or unknowingly, as a result of an excessive love for our self?

The Gospel of the Day invites and challenges us to ponder over this aspect by presenting the dramatically humble personality of John the Baptist!

One of the most supreme and vital messages that we learn from the life of John the Baptist is Humility – a virtue in direct contrast to the dangerous vice of Pride!

There are two kinds of pride: good and bad.

‘Good pride’ is our dignity & self-respect…

>> ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.

What is pride, as a vice?

>> In simple words, it could defined as “wanting our own way!”

Therefore, what is humility as a virtue?

>> In simple words, it could be defined as “wanting God’s Will!”

This is what we learn from the life of St John the Baptist.

He sought not his own way, but the way of the One who sent him.

>> He wanted not his light to shine, but the Light of Him who sent him.

The Gospel of the day has a scene of dispute arising…

John the Baptist, by his bold preaching and his radical life-style had attracted many disciples.

Some of these disciples come and tell John, “Rabbi, the One who was with you across the Jordan, to Whom you testified, here He is baptizing and everyone is coming to Him” (Jn 3:26)

These disciples of John…

… seem so resentful of Jesus that they don’t even mention His name!

… are distressed that Jesus and His disciples are more successful than they are!

… are irritated that their Master has not come up with any remedy yet!

There seemed anxiety in their voice…

>> There seemed anger in their tone!

John had preached about repentance…baptized…and had pointed to the coming Messiah

This should have been a time for John’s disciples to celebrate, now that Jesus was coming to the forefront!

But they forgot an important aspect of ministry: That we are doing all for HIM!

The disciples of John, perhaps, sought a “narcisstic” attention to their own ministry…

>> They, perhaps, adopted a “narcisstic” style in their works and activities…

Looking into just themselves and their interests….

>> Seeking to fulfil only their objectives and motives…

But John the Baptist – their master – remain unperturbed and undisturbed.

He displays an angelic countenance of humility!

As St Augustine says, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels”

Like a good coach, who drills discipline & restraint into “his men”, John tells his disciples, “Let’s get back to the basics!”

John reminds His disciples…

… that His ministry is not of his own, but received from God!

… that He is not to take centre-stage, but only the One greater than him!

… that He was not to be the Messiah, but only the forerunner of the Messiah!

>> John reminds His disciples that He is only the friend of the bridegroom.. (Jn 3:29)

In our life, it is easy for us to lose our focus from the Lord and have a “narcisstic” style of preferences for our own selves…

>> We may tend to forget the blessings that the Lord has showered on us…

… and instead attribute all successes to our own talents and abilities.

>> We may lose sight of the Lord, the real purposes of our vocation and the mission…

… and instead seek to fulfil our personal agenda and motives.

It is easy to bask in the glory of popularity and fame.

>> It is satisfying to enjoy the sunshine of reputations and recognitions.

… but let them never lead us to have a “narcisstic” approach of just “looking into” ourselves.

Let us have the humility to acknowledge that it is God’s power being manifested in our works.

>> Let us have the acceptance that it is God’s graces that has lifted us to a high position.

Yes, “drown” not in the murky waters of pride, egoism and selfishness…

>> Rather let us “sail” together with the Lord over the clean waters of humility and meekness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Let us not lower our eyes without humiliating at the same time the heart; let not others think we want the last place without truly desiring it.”

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Life sometimes is quite strange!

>> Often, when things go all well and it seems that everything is fine…disasters strike in life.

This is an experience of many of us in our lives.

Think of a man who is in his early thirties…

He has a wonderful wife, with two lovely children.

>> It’s a home with lot of joy and happiness…

One day, the man comes back home after work – he is a mason.

On coming back, he informs his wife of a tiny sore that has been nagging him for sometime

>> This sore had turned a bit reddish after the heavy days of work.

With much insistence and persuasion by the wife, the man agrees to show it to a doctor.

After the initial check up, the doctor tells them:

“Well, the sore certainly has grown a bit. I have some of my initial observations, but I need to work on them still.

>> Why don’t you stay up here in the hospital for a few days, so that I can further examine?”

And so they agree.

As days pass, the sore gets more infectious.

The doctor, now is ready with his well-studied and examined decision…” I am sorry to inform you…

… but you are infected with… Leprosy!!”

Hearing this, the man is terrified.

Leprosy, he knew, was not just an ordinary sickness.

>> It was a slow death sentence – distanced from family, distanced from society, distanced from self!

Imagine that situation of the happy living family!

The man is now to leave his wife and children; his land and work;

… He is to go and live with people who were afflicted with a similar disease.

>> This was the law of the land.

>> This was the regulation practised in this area.

The Law required the lepers to keep as far away from all healthy people as possible.

>> Whenever someone drew near who did not have leprosy, the leper was supposed to shout, “Unclean! Unclean!”

So, with a heavy heart and a crushed spirit, the man leaves his loving wife and two children.

>> He goes off alone… to rot!

>> He goes off alone… to die!

He couldn’t even have an animal for a companion.

>> If he touched even a dog, the dog had to be killed so that it did not carry the disease back into the city.

Life as a leper was just too horrible and miserable!

>> Life sometimes is indeed quite strange!

The Gospel of the Day presents one such leper…

… A man who was “full of leprosy” ( Lk 5:12)

One fine day, however, this leper looks up and sees a small group of people following a Man.

That man, the leader, he comes to know.. is Jesus.

The leper has heard about Jesus.

>> He would wish to hear Him.

But the Law did not permit to go close!

As the group passes their way, this leper man remembers what the Law taught Him..

>> And he begins to shout, “Unclean! Unclean! I have leprosy! Stay away from me! Unclean!”

But then a strange thing happens!!

Jesus keeps coming closer to him.

His shouts increases… louder goes his cries…”Unclean, Unclean!”

>> But Jesus keeps coming closer and closer… till He has reached the leper man!

The leper man has now been afflicted for many years.

He misses his family very deeply.

>> He knows he is at the edge of life… undergoing a slow death!

But…

… Before him, now stands, Someone, who he has heard, has tremendous power!

… Before him, now stands, Someone, who he has heard, can unshackle any bondage!

And so, with tears filling his eyes and dread filling his shocked face, he asks, ” Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean!” (Lk 5:12)

>> It was a cry of agony.

>> It was a wail of immense anguish.

He had suffered much.

>> He had been separated from loved ones for long.

Now he wanted a deliverance.

>> He wanted freedom from the captivity.

>>> He wanted a wholesome life in his loathsome existence!

And then comes the spectacular words of Jesus: “I do Will. Be clean!” (Lk 5:13)

The Lord touches him!

>> His body was touched!

>> His heart was healed!

>> His soul was cleansed!

Life was restored! Happiness was returned!

Do you and me also feel sometimes like a leper?

>> Situations of happiness being snatched away?

>> Moments of love and affection being afflicted?

>> Times of joy, serenity and calmness being affected?

Unloved? Rejected? Despised? Abused? Helpless? Hopeless? Dying?

We may be going through hard times…

>> We may feel that life is unfair to us…

>> We may feel that existence is meaningless…

But…

… The Lord wants to restore us!

… He wants to make us whole again!

>> Life is strange…

… but the Power of the Lord is more strong!

>> Life is complicated…

… but the Grace of the Lord is more compelling!

The Lord is here to touch us!

>> Lets stretch out to Him…

… our hands!

… our hearts!

… our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “During the night we must wait for the light.”

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A carpenter is a person who works with wood.

The carpenter uses various tools and implements in order to cut, shape, chisel, carve and cut into the pieces of wood.

>> Gives new shapes… repairs the broken ones…polishes the rough edges etc…

The Gospel of the Day is an encounter with such a Carpenter.

Well… he is no ordinary one….

>> He is the Great Carpenter of Nazareth.. JESUS!

Jesus is in His hometown of Nazareth.

>> He walks into the synagogue, as was His custom.

>> He is handed over the book of prophet Isaiah and reads a prophetic passage.

All were amazed at His gracious words and they began to ask each other, ” Isn’t this the Son of Joseph” (Lk 4:22)

Yeah, Jesus was the Son of Joseph, the carpenter!

>> And this Child of Joseph, was Himself also a carpenter!

>> The people would have murmured this statement to belittle Jesus.

>> The people would have referred Him so, because of their bias and prejudice.

>> The people perhaps called Him that way to show that He was just ordinary – one of them.

But what the people murmured or muttered or grumbled was indeed true…

>> Even later on, the people would refer, “Is He not the carpenter, the son of Mary…” (Mk 6:3)

Truly, Jesus is the Carpenter…

>> Not just an ordinary one, but the Great Carpenter of Nazareth!

The Jewish people were in great expectation of a Messiah.

>>Their concept of a Messiah would have been one who is very powerful, kingly, majestic etc.

But Jesus, the Messiah doesn’t ornament Himself with all such expected grandeur.

>> He doesn’t robe Himself with a showy magnificence or armour Himself with majestic works.

He takes the role of a Carpenter.

>> He identified Himself with the common people…

>> He became one with humanity with hard labour and gritty toil.

On one of the tombstones, in Great Britain, there is an epitaph written for a man named Thomas Cobb.

>> It says, “Here lies Thomas Cobb, who mended shoes to the glory of God, for 40 years.”

Yes, glory and honour can be rendered to God in any activity- small or great, menial or expert!

What is my understanding about the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me?

>> Am I aware that in all works – small and great, I can be giving glory to God?

>> Do I perform all my tasks, with a Sacred Sense that it’s an extension of God’s creative works?

A carpenter’s work is to fashion new things from ordinary wood and also to repair things that have been damaged.

The Great Carpenter of Nazareth is wanting to do the same in our lives…

>> He wants to create us anew and refashion our lives.

>> He wants to give new shape and utility to our brokenness and damaged parts of life.

Are we ready to let the Great Carpenter of Nazareth to work in our lives?

>> Hammer in some of the nails of discipline and virtues?

>> Chisel away sin and other unwanted portions of our life?

>> Polish some places of life that have lost its sheen and shine?

>> Drill in some screws to tighten the lethargic and sluggish areas of life?

>> Level some habits in us that can hamper the balance of our spirituality?

>> Measure some of our activities to determine how much exactly is needed?

In Mt 12:20 we read, “… a bruised reed, He will not break..”

We all of us have our brokenness in life… damages in relations… bruises in thoughts..

>> But the Great Carpenter assures that He will not let our bruised reeds be broken!

> He wants to mend us..

>> He wants to repair us…

>>> He wants to fashion us anew!

As a stanza in one of the lesser-known carol titled, “Behold a little Child” goes…

“Christ, Master Carpenter,

We come rough-hewn to Thee;

At last, through wood and nails,

Thou mad’st us whole and free;

In this thy world remake us, planned,

To truer beauty of Thine Hand.”

Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is upon this Great Carpenter of Galilee, “…to bring glad tidings to the poor;

Liberty to the captives; Recovery of sight to the blind;

Let the oppressed go free;

To proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Lk 4: 18-19)”

Knock…Knock… The Carpenter is already here…

>> Let’s open the door to Him…

… no matter, even if the door is also damaged!!

Let us entrust our lives into the care of the Great Carpenter of Nazareth….!

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Be patient with all, but especially with yourself. Do not trouble yourself about your imperfections.

>> Always have the courage to pick yourself back up and begin again every day…

… for there is no better path to success in the spiritual life than always to begin again and never to think that you have done enough.”

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