A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim.

 

Ovation comes from the Latin word “ovo”,  which means “I rejoice”.

 

When a certain accomplishment causes great rejoicing and happiness, it is often, responded with an ovation..

>> Sportstars receive this ovation after a stupendous performance of sporting skills…

>> Musicians are accorded this ovation after a special rendition of their musical piece…

>> Orators and speakers are given this ovation after a marvellous speech or a talk…

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a similar account of Jesus expressing His ovation for a person who showed tremendous faith.

 

When the faith and trust becomes so intense, even Jesus gives a special sign of appreciation!

 

 

We have today the incident of the healing of the Centurion’s servant.

 

Jesus lavishes His appreciations and admirations for a wonderful display of faith.

 

Here is the story an unusual faith found in an unusual man who displayed his faith in an unusual way.

 

1. The Centurion was an unusual person…

As the name suggests, a Centurion was a person with a hundred soldiers.

>> They worked for the Roman Empire and were Gentiles.

 

This Centurion however, was unusual, because of the fact, that he was very much concerned of his slave.

This was rare indeed!

 

In the Roman Empire, slaves had no rights.

>> They could be mistreated and even put to death.

 

It was said that “when your animals are old, you throw them out to die. You do the same with your slaves.”

 

So this is the unusual thing about this unusual Centurion – He cared very much about his slave!

 

2. The centurion showed an unusual faith…

The Centurion came to Jesus asking and pleading for help.

 

But when Jesus said that He would come to his house and heal him, the centurion was quick to answer him, ” I am not worthy to have you under my roof” ( Mt 8:8)

 

The spirit of a military man is clearly exhibited by the centurion..

 

A soldier’s way of thinking is extremely logical and to the point: When an order is given, instant obedience is expected.

>> “My commanding power goes beyond the realms of space

My presence or absence is no excuse for my soldiers to disobey”

 

 

The Centurion fully believed that Jesus was a mighty commander with all powers subjected to Him.

>> And so a word was enough for the healing to take place…

 

An expression of approval was good enough for the miracle to happen…

 

3. The Centurion received an unusual response

This tremendous expression of faith was enough for Jesus to admire and appreciate Him.

 

Jesus was astonished by this wonderful demonstration of confidence and belief: ” Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel, have I found such faith” (Mt 8: 10)

 

We have seen many instances of people praising and appreciating the works and wonders of Jesus.

>> But, it’s one of those rare occasions, when Jesus publicly acknowledges and asserts the glorious faith of the one seeking for help.

 

 

The Lord gives a wonderful ovation and applause for this wonderful presentation of faith.

 

 

This Gospel is a wonderful challenge for each of us to examine our life of faith…

 

In a situation when we are surrounded by sicknesses of negativity and discouragement,

>> Can we also boldly say, ” Only say a word, Lord…and I will be healed!”

 

In a situation when life-threatening moments of crushing-failures and despair encircle us,

>> Can we also boldly say, ” Only say a word, Lord…and I will be healed!”

 

In a situation when we get depressed by the various day to day problems of life,

>> Can we also boldly say, ” Only say a word, Lord…and I will be healed!”

 

 

As a famous saying goes, “It is easy to praise the Lord… But it really is a challenge, to receive praises from the Lord!”

 

>> When we stand firm in our faith in God, we receive ovations and appreciations from Him

>> When we have confidence in our love for God, we receive ovations and admiration from Him

>> When we remain strong in our Hope in God, we receive ovations and approval from Him.

 

 

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read, that when St Stephen was at the verge of death, after his powerful witness, he saw, “Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56)

>> The Courageous Faith of St Stephen was rewarded with a standing ovation by the Son of God!

 

The Trusting Confidence of the Centurion was blessed with a verbal ovation by the Saviour of the World!

 

 

Shall we also make our faith and our Christian, worthy of an ovation from the King of kings?

 

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Most of us have been to hotels or cafeterias.

Hotels or cafeterias provide a menu book or a menu card, which allows customers to select and choose their choice of food or drink.

>> This choice of food depends on various factors : The availability of food, the company of friends we have, the mood and feelings of our mind, the time and occasion of the meal etc…

The choice of food varies based on several changing factors!

This cafeteria mentality works out very well for our food taste and our appetite.

But sometimes, we adopt a similar attitude, even in our Christian Lives!

>> We like to pick and choose aspects and portions of Christ and Christianity to fit into our choice…

>> We like to prefer and select parts and segments of Christ and Christianity which are more comfortable…

We follow a “Cafeteria Spirituality” in Christianity!

The Gospel of the Day warns and cautions against choosing this attitude of a Cafeteria Spirituality in following Christ and instead demands a total commitment – “If anyone would follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me” (Mk 8: 34)

Today’s Gospel is the familiar passage of Jesus enquiring His disciples with the dual-query, “Who do people say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” (Mk 7: 27b, 29)

The world may have innumerable answers when the question “Who do people say that I am?” is posed.

>> Many saw Jesus preaching zealously on repentance…and considered Him as John the Baptist

>> Many saw Jesus being mighty in deeds and wondrous acts…and considered Him as Elijah

>> Many saw Jesus powerfully authoritative in his words…and considered Him a Prophet

But most of them failed to see Jesus truly as the One He really was! The SON OF GOD!

This can easily happen to any one of us too.

> We may find Jesus as a source of many powers and many blessings and with many qualities.

… And we may tap this source for our various needs and wants.

> We may be deeply impressed with Jesus and His huge treasury of teachings

… And we may admire and appreciate Him as a Great Moral Teacher

> We may look at Jesus as being a wonderful person, like many other great people in the world

.. And we may engage ourselves in studying about Him, collecting quotes on Him and reading various books on Him

But with all these “varied” qualities and dimensions, sometimes, we tend to forget the fact that our Blessed Lord…

… came not merely to be a storehouse of blessings and favours to be delivered

… came not simply to give some teachings and bring some societal transforms with some philosophies

… came not simply to be called as a “great man” and become a subject of many books, articles, talks etc

He primarily came to be Our Saviour!

> He came to help us gain eternal life

> He came to save us from our sins

> He came to win us back to God

But sometimes, we adopt a “Cafeteria Spirituality” in our understanding and following of the Lord.

We choose the qualities we like but in the process, we might sometimes lose the very person Himself!

The Cafeteria Spirituality in our Spiritual Life may cater to many of our wants.

>> But it might be found short of answering our basic need of redemption and salvation!

Jesus is primarily our Messiah…

… the Anointed one

… the Saviour of the World!

This is what Peter boldly expressed, “You are the Messiah of God”! (Mk 8:29b)

This understanding of the Real Jesus can be experienced only through our complete commitment to the cause of Christ and a faithful following by taking up our crosses.

The Lord encounters each one of us today personally and puts forward the same question,

>>> Who do YOU say that I am?

Am I going to adopt the “Cafeteria Spirituality” and answer vaguely, imprecisely and abstractedly…

… depending on my moods and likings and situations?

Or I am ready to give a bold and convinced answer to the Lord, from the depth of our hearts:

“Lord, you are truly the Messiah of God…

… You truly are my Saviour and Lord!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Church abounds in celebration of many feasts.

>> All of them focuses our attention on the joyful and happy aspects of life.

But we know, that…

…. Life is not always a superhighway

>> Life is more a kuccha (temporary) road with many pits and rough areas!

The Church today celebrates one such feast of our Blessed Mother, which is a celebration for sure…

… but focuses our attention more on the darker realities of life – pain, suffering, tears and struggles: The Feast of the Mother of Compassion.

This feast is characterized by the commemoration of the Seven Sorrows of our Blessed Mother…

… seven major events, evoking compassion, in the life of “Mater Dolorosa” (Mother of Sorrows)

Let us journey with our Blessed Mamma through the Seven Mysteries of the Sorrows:

1. The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon

The time was festive and the mood was joyous when Jesus was being presented in the Temple.

>> It’s in this special time that Simeon comes forward to bless the Child Jesus.

But it comes with a catch: Mother Mary was to be pierced by a sword – a sword of sorrow!

>> The celebratory atmosphere suddenly turns a bit gloomy and overcast!

Many are the times when we enjoy joyful moments, when a sudden crisis hits our life.

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes the Model for us : To be Patient and Trustful!

2. The Second Sorrow: The flight into Egypt

Mother Mary and Joseph took up the great duty in the safeguarding of their Little One, Jesus!

They listened to God’s voice…

…. to come together as the parents of God’s Child

… to share the difficulties during the Birth of the Child.

>> And now, they listen to God’s voice to flee to Egypt and save the Saviour of the World!

To listen to the voice of the Lord, was a remarkable aspect of the success of their life as a couple!

To listen to God’s voice through the Bible, through our authorities or through our life situations sometimes becomes difficult for us.

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a model for us: To be attentive and Obedient to God’s voice.

3. Third Sorrow: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple

The picture of the Holy Family had also some shadowy spots.

They were not free…

… from troubles

… from doubts

… from conflicting situations

The Holy Family was very much a human family.

But what made them Holy and a Model for families?

>> It was their willingness to let go of their personal mindsets and seek how God wanted them to live.

Often, we find our families or communities broken and unable to gel with each together.

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary, as the Mother of the Family, becomes a model for us: To adapt to God’s Will.

4. The Fourth Sorrow: Mary meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary

The sight of the Mother and Child meeting on the Via Dolorous was a picture of total sadness!

Tears filled both their eyes…

… the Divine Child and the Sorrowful Mother!

One with a Cross over the shoulders…

… the other a cross in Her heart!

>> Both their lips, however, sang the same chorus – Fiat, Thy Will be done Lord!

Life often puts us to situations of total hopelessness and darkness…

… the way ahead seems closed!

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a model for us: To remain faithful and loyal.

5. The Fifth Sorrow: Jesus dies on the Cross

>> At the Annunciation, when asked to give birth to a child, Mary had asked the Angel: “But how can this be since I am a virgin”.

>> At Calvary, when seeing the death of the child, perhaps, Mary was asking the Lord, “But how can this be since I am a mother”

They were questions which expressed human limitations and the demand to let everything be resigned into the hands of God!

We ourselves have had many such mini-experiences of Dying – of loved ones, of relationships, of great dreams..

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary, becomes a model for us: To accept our human boundaries and give ourselves into God’s hand.

6. The Sixth Sorrow: Mary receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her arms

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”, was the cry of the Lord from the Cross.

With Her Dead Child in Her arms, perhaps, the Mother of God would have also echoed the same question!

>> No answer given.

Yet, the tears that dropped from her lovely eyes, to the cheeks of her tender baby, carried the power of Hope and Trust and Faith!

We too sometimes encounter situations and times, when life crushes us

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a Model for us: To remain resigned to God’s Providence and be hopeful in faith!

7. The Seventh Sorrow: The Body of Jesus is placed in the Tomb

As the body of Jesus was placed inside the tomb, it seemed to be the end of the world for Mother Mary.

The life of the Old Testament Isaac was spared and Abraham had to joy of being reunited with his Son.

>> The life of the New Testament Isaac was however not spared!

Was it the end of her life too?

Circumstances often drags us to give up in life…and to abandon our call to be soldiers of God’s Kingdom!

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes the model for us: To reply to life’s harsh challenges with an even bolder face of courage!

Let the Commemoration of this Feast of the Mother of Sorrows…

… spur us to live our Real Lives of Struggle and Hardships with Immense Faith, Hope and Love!

May Her Compassionate Love help us to imitate our Blessed Lord who was “meek and humble of heart”…

… and thus “be Merciful, like the Heavenly Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36)

Happy Feast of the Mother of Compassion!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Two thieves on either sides, died with Christ on the Cross

>> One mocked Jesus…

… the other sought Jesus

>> One took pride in himself…

… the other humbled himself

>> One continued to remain condemned…

… the other moved on to receive salvation

>> One lost a golden opportunity…

… the other, won the Prized Paradise!

The Cross – with Jesus hanging – beckons to each one of one of us today

We have a choice…

… like both the thieves

What choice are we going to make?

>> Are we going to lose a golden opportunity…

… or are we going to seek the Prized Paradise?

Today we celebrate the Feast of the instrument that was employed by Divinity in buying our souls to Himself – the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

In the Gospel (Jn 3: 13-17), Jesus tells to Nicodemus, “… as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (Jn 3: 14)

Centuries before Jesus was crucified, Divinity in its Immense Wisdom was already preparing for the plan of salvation!

Having been powerfully freed from the slavery in Egypt, the people of Israel were travelling to the Promised Land through the wilderness.

>> However, this difficult journey caused the people to lose their patience, and they murmured against God and His servant, Moses on the lack of comforts!

The result of this sin was the plague of poisonous serpents, that caused suffering and death to them. (Num 21: 4-9)

However at the intercession of Moses, God had him lift up a bronze serpent on a pole, so that all who looked it would be healed!

This was the foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ!

(This method of Interpreting the Bible is also called “Biblical Typology”

>> “Biblical Typology” refers to a person, place or event in the Old Testament, that has its own proper significance…

… but also prefigures a person, place or event, later in the New Testament

In the words of St Augustine: “The New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is made manifest in the New!”)

Like the people of Israel, our life is often a journey through the wilderness.

> Sometimes there is a lack of comfort.

> Sometimes there is an inflation of hardships

> Sometimes there is an increase in uncertainty.

… And we begin to complain, grumble… falling into many sinful ways and habits!

But Divine Love, wanting to have us back to Him, provides us the means to be rescued from the deadly effects of such sins…

… The Holy Cross is the Symbol of this redemption and salvation that is won for us, by Christ!

Are we ready to take refuge in the shadows of this Holy Cross, and affirming our sincere acceptance of Christ in our lives, do we live a holy life, worthy of our salvation?

St John of the Cross would say, “The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily, must cast off all things and use the Cross as his cane.

>> In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.”

Usually the heart is considered to be the symbol of Love..

>> But, from a Christian perspective, probably, the Holy Cross is the most beautiful and apt symbol of the Immense love of God for each one of us.

> The Cross demands sacrifice…

> The Cross demands an self-emptying nature…

> The Cross demands a complete commitment…

.. And this is indeed the true nature of love – sacrificial, self-emptying and committed! (Phil 2: 6-11)

As we honour and venerate the Holy Cross, may we hear the words of our Crucified Lord, tenderly whispering to us, with deep love and affection:

“You are mine, forever…

… and you belong to Me and to Me alone!

>> Hold on to My Cross, always!”

The Cross – with Jesus hanging – beckons to each one of one of us today

We have a choice…

>> ESCAPE FROM THE CROSS…

… OR EMBRACE THE CROSS!!

>> EXIT THE CROSS…

… OR EXALT THE CROSS!!

What choice are we going to make?

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Cross!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A nine year old girl was walking through the fields, a little away from her home, when two persons, appearing to befriend her, asked her to help collect fruits from the forest.

Brought up with the good habit of showing courtesy to elders, the girl hurried to obey.

>> But soon she realised that it was a trick to kidnap her!

“I saw two persons behind me,” she would recall later…

… “One of them briskly grabbed me with one hand, while the other one pulled out a knife and held it to my side.

He told me, ‘If you cry, you’ll die! Follow us!?’”

After a forced march, the girl was sold as a slave.

>> The captors gave her a name, in Arabic, which meant (ironically) “The Lucky One!”

Though this title was intended to be a sarcastic one, it came about to express the girl’s approach towards life.

In the coming years, she gladly accepted the name.

After her release, she amazingly, even thanked God for the good that had come, from her suffering.

“If I were to meet those who kidnapped me, and even those who tortured me,” she wrote, “I would kneel and kiss their hands.

>> For if these things had not happened, I would not have been a Christian and a religious today!”

The name of the girl is St Bakhita – a Saint for those who are “prisoners of the past”!

>> She was able to heroically display the Christian virtue of forgiveness…

… especially to enemies – those who had persecuted her and had cause irreparable damages to her life!

In life, so often we get “imprisoned by our past”!

This is true especially from the perspective of relationships…

>> There are many who cause hurts and pains to us

>> There are many against whom we have causes to hold grudge in the heart

>> There are many with whom we find it difficult to relate and extremely hard to forgive

The past clings to us in a mighty way…

“Enemies” are, undoubtedly, a reality in most of our lives!

What is our attitude and approach to these “enemies” in our life?

The Gospel of the Day is a bold challenge by Jesus to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you!” (Lk 6:27)

One of the sayings goes thus, “Divinity cannot be confined to one’s pockets or be contained in one’s purse!”

So vivid is this saying in the life of Jesus, the Fullness of Divinity.

> Jesus does not allow to be confined to the tiny pockets of our mindsets

> Jesus does not permit to be limited to the finite purses of our expectations

He goes much beyond…. His teachings reach a new level…

This is what we come across when we challenge ourselves with the words of the Lord:

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you!” (Lk 6: 27)

There are four explicit commands that are given:

1. Love

2. Do Good

3. Bless

4. Pray

All these four exhortations are very often in direct contrast to what we expect or what we wish

1. Love your enemies

> Our natural tendency towards our “enemies” is that of animosity or grudge or at the best, indifference

But Jesus says to go beyond… Love them!

>>> Love them… in a way, that they are able to experience the Mighty Love that God has for each one of us!

>>> Love them… in a way, that no hateful feelings get sown or nurtured in our hearts and we be free in our minds!

2. Do good to those who hate

> Our common inclination to those who hate is to say, “Why should I have anything to do with someone who is least interested in me and only keeps hurting me?”

But Jesus says to go beyond – Do good to them!

>>> Do good to them… in a way, that our good actions – little or big, seen or unseen – become actions that evoke repentance and contrition!

>>> Do good to them… in a way, that gestures of charity is a way to crush our own ego and pride feelings and makes us to be humbler, in imitation of Christ who totally humbled Himself!

3. Bless those who curse you

> Our first instinct to those who curse us to “give back still strongly” in return and wish the worst for the concerned person.

But Jesus says to go beyond – Bless them!

>>> Bless them… in a way, that our holy wishes may move the heart of the one who offends us and we become a channel and active instrument to allow God’s forgiveness to flow

>>> Bless them… in a way, that our words of grace may heal the vibrations of negativity and hatred and evokes the mighty power of God against the dark forces of Satan

4. Pray for those who abuse you

> Our immediate reaction to those who abuse is to abuse in return or to let out a volley of unfit phrases or violent actions and gestures

But Jesus says to go beyond – Pray for them!

>>> Pray for them… in a way, that the grace of God’s mercy and compassion may descend into the relationship

>>> Pray for them… in a way, that the the words of abuse may fizzle out in the blazing power of prayer and holiness

Life constantly seeks to “imprison us in our past”

>>But God’s Grace coupled with our willingness to co-operate with His grace, will allow us to “live in love and holiness”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A highly rich and influential person was privileged to be one of the special guests to undertake a 21-day cruise on a Majestic Battleship.

This ship belonged to the former Emperor of the land, and had been modernized with immense facilities and luxurious features.

The man was highly impressed with the comforts that were provided on board.

Among the many things that made a pleasant impact on him was also the Sunday Morning Mass that was attended by all the sailors and attendants, who were not on duty.

It was more so, since the man himself was not so particular about the practise of faith.

At the conclusion of the celebration of the Mass, the man asked one of the sailors:

“Are you obliged to attend these Sunday Morning services?”

“It’s not exactly about obligation, Sir!” replied the sailor, “but our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by this our offering to the Lord”!

Those sailors and attendants had made a conscious and deliberate choice to practise their faith and to surrender themselves to the Higher Power for safety and protection.

Our lives are also similar to such cruises…

… sometimes going through calm and quiet waters

… sometimes struggling in disturbed and turbulent waters

… sometimes encountering dangerous storms and violent gales

Do we make a constant choice for the Lord and live ourselves in surrender to Him?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful teaching of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke.

>> The beatitudes are assurances of blessing and joy to all those who make a conscious choice for the Lord and His Kingdom!

Jesus says, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God” (Lk 6: 20)

One of the great messages in this verse is the Message of Hope!

The Greek word used for “poor” is “ptochos”

Ptochos means…

>> reduced to beggary or asking for alms

>> destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour

>> helpless, powerless to accomplish an end

It’s interesting to note that this word “Ptochos” has its origin in the word “ptosso” which means “to crouch”

Therefore, the “poor” literally means, “one who is crouching” – a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down

>> It’s a position that is very often defied and despised, in the worldly standards, which emphasizes on being proud and haughty!

>> It’s a position that is very often made fun of and fooled, in the eyes of the world, which glorifies pomp and external show!

Thus, when the Lord says, “Blessed are the poor”, it is a tremendous message of Hope…

… To those who find themselves at the peripheries of life

… To those lost in the miseries of life and find no hope – materially, spiritually, mentally, socially

Of course, the word “poor” does not mean…

.. that one simply becomes timid and passive or be simply submissive to any social evils without any resistance

… that one adopts an attitude of being “always hands folded” in surrender or “faces cast down” in defeat

“Poor” instead refers to the fact that one has God has one’s greatest strength and treasure

>> Being “poor in the Lord”, contradictory as it may sound, is the greatest richness that one can have.

>> Being “poor in the Lord” gives the greatest confidence to a person, who realises that being in God, one can never fail!

How true is the saying, “One who kneels before God, can stand before anyone!”

>> One who is dependant on God and His Grace…

>> One who is willing to challenge the societies unjust norms with the mighty trust in God…

>> One who is aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses and yet offers oneself entirely to the power of God…

Such a one, in the eyes of the world may be “poor”… but is “Blessed” in the sight of God!

> It takes courage to be a Christian who is committed!

> It requires a conviction to be a follower of Christ who is passionate!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is “trial by jury” in the British legal system.

A jury consists of 12 individuals chosen at random from an appropriate panel.

>> Anyone who is on the electoral register aged between 18 and 70, and who has been ordinarily resident in the UK for five years since the age of 13, is qualified to serve on the jury.

In his essay “The Twelve Men”, dealing with this British jury system, G. K. Chesterton wrote:

“Whenever our civilization wants a library to be catalogued, or a solar system discovered, or any other trifle of this kind, it uses up its specialists.

But when it wishes anything done which is really serious, it collects twelve of the ordinary men standing around…

>> The same thing was done, if I remember right, by the Founder of Christianity.”

And it’s true, right?

>> Jesus did choose twelve people of ordinary standing and average repute as His Chosen Apostles.

The Gospel of the Day presents this account of this choosing of the Twelve by Jesus, the Master.

>> Twelve persons of varied character…

… invited to be part of the ‘One Kingdom Mission’.

>> Twelve persons of different backgrounds…

… invited to be part of the ‘One Jesus Culture’.

>> Twelve persons of dissimilar emotions…

… invited to be part of the ‘One Love Civilization’.

Let these twelve persons today teach us something simple yet profound for our Spiritual Lives:

1. Simon, called as Peter: The one known for his wavering temperaments yet faithful and simple in his attitude.

>> Assets that can be learnt: To be humble enough to accept our mistakes and correct them

2. Andrew: The one who left fishing and at the multiplication of loaves, brought the five loaves and two fish to Jesus

>> Assets that can be learnt: To bring simple things before God who can work great wonders

3. James: The one who was zealous and who accompanied the Lord at many crucial events of His life

>> Assets that can be learnt: To be zealous for the Kingdom of God and be ready to be in close company with Jesus

4. John: The one who was loyal and displayed tremendous love and faithfulness to His Master

>> Assets that can be learnt: To be faithful and loyal to the Crucified One even in the midst of all uncertainties.

5. Philip: The one, with a Greek name, who told another disciple about Jesus & also helped the Greeks to come to Jesus

>> Assets that can be learnt: To be a person who brings other people to the saving presence of Jesus

6. Bartholomew: The one who was shocked that Jesus was from the lowly Nazareth but was quick to trounce this feeling

>> Assets that can be learnt: To let go of prejudices and preconception about persons and situations

7. Matthew: The one who was given an opportunity to reform his way of life and was generous to let go of his possessions

>> Assets that can be learnt: To be free from material attachments in order to follow Christ freely and fully

8. Thomas: The one who was highly daring and also frank and straightforward in his Faith and his attitude

>> Assets that can be learnt: To be bold about one’s faith even if it means to seek a clarification from God

9. James, son of Alpheus: The one who gets hardly any mention except being called by Jesus and being with the others in the Upper Room after the Ascension of Jesus

>> Assets that can be learnt: To remain in the backdrop, in serving the Lord and being unfazed even if not popular

10. Simon, the Zealot: The one who is also hardly mentioned but is identified with having a great religious zeal

>> Assets that can be learnt: To curb one’s personal instincts and likings in order to suit the style and spirit of Jesus

11. Judas Thaddeus: The one who wrote the Beautiful letter of Jude and exhorts to be faithful to Christ even in hardships

>> Assets that can be learnt: To learn to be faithful and strong even when persecuted for being a Christian

12. Judas Iscariot: The one who gave up his love of Jesus for the sake of the love of money

>> Assets that can be learnt: To avoid the subtle trap of materialism and rather remain focused on Jesus always

>> Twelve persons of simple nature…

… teach us many secrets and virtues to be powerful witnesses of the Kingdom

>> Twelve persons of ordinary calibre…

… teach us to become the extension of the love and mission of Christ Jesus

The Jury or the Panel of Twelve Ordinary Persons, chosen by Jesus, have contributed their mite in spreading the Gospel and making this world to experience and recognize God’s tremendous love!

>> The Master now seeks the same of us too..

Though ordinary or simple or little or weak we be…

… He still invites and calls…

Shall we say, Yes?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A young missionary in a particular village, had heard the fame of a senior missionary and his successful ventures in reviving the faith of the people.

Wanted to know the secret of success in ministry, the younger missionary, on meeting the senior, asked him: “What is the secret of reviving the faith of the people in my village?”

The senior man, who was also aware of the worldly lifestyle of the younger missionary said:

“Go back to your home and lock yourself up in a private room.

>> Then, take a piece of chalk, and mark a circle on the floor.

Get down on your knees, then, inside the circle…

… and pray to God to begin a revival inside the circle!

When this prayer is heard, a revival will take place in your people as well!”

Yes…it is when one is revived with the Spirit and Enthusiasm of the Lord…

… that one can radiate the same to others!

This revival demands that we “encircle” ourselves in prayer and self-discipline…

… by being willing to get out of our “comfortable zones” of worldliness and hard-heartedness!

The Gospel of the Day is an encounter with a group of people, who got stuck in their own “comfortable zones” of interpreting and understanding the Scriptures, failing to be open to the True Author of the Scriptures…

… and thus refusing to tread the path of mercy, compassion and charity.

The Gospel passage is another Sabbath day controversy.

Jesus is in the synagogue, teaching and proclaiming God’s Word.

>> His words would bring strength and courage to those in despair

>> His teaching would fill with hope those who were stranded on the peripheries of life

>> His preaching would invigorate those who were sapped of energy and felt themselves rejected.

Among those who heard Him in the synagogue, was a “a man whose right hand was withered” (Lk 6: 6)

It’s not mentioned how did he began to have a withered hand…

… maybe he was born so

… maybe he met with an accident

… maybe he had a sickness which made it so

But having a withered right hand had its own implications and difficulties to pose.

Right hand in the Bible, usually refers to..

… being the hand of blessing

… being the hand of strength

… being the hand of labour

So this man with the withered right hand is portrayed as being…

… disfigured in his purpose and goals of life

… pitiable in being rendered weak and sort of helpless

But more than this man with the physical disability, there were also some others, who had a “withered mentality” – the Pharisees

>> They had God, the source and origin of the Law, as their “right hand”

>> They had the privilege of learning and knowing the Scriptures, as their “right hand”

But, unfortunately, we find them with “withered”…

… their focus on God, the purpose and goal of the Law was “withered”!

… their opportunity to interpret and understand the Scriptures properly was “withered”!

To the man who had the physically withered right hand, Jesus said, “Stretch out your hand” (Lk 6:10)

Probably these words were also directed or perhaps intended more for the Pharisees who were “withered” in their understanding and mentality regarding the Law and the Author of the Law Himself!

Jesus was asking them to “stretch out their hands” which were withered…

… because they failed to understand the basic purpose of God’s Law which was aimed at reflecting on God’s Goodness and to reflect the same in their lives

… because they were stuck to their own rigid and arrogant interpretation of God’s Word and failed to put into practise the real meaning of God’s Word which is to do good, show mercy and extend charity

Are those words, “stretch out your hand” being directed to us also?

>> Are we failing to centre our lives on the Precious Gift that God has blessed us with – His Holy Word in the Holy Bible – and failing to make efforts to read, learn more and understand God’s Word properly and effectively

>> Do we consciously cultivate practices which help us to set apart time (on a daily, regular basis) to read the Bible and reflect and shape our lives, in the light of the Holy Word of God?

>> Do we remain rigid, obstinate and closed to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us, through different sermons, write-ups, talks etc. on the Word of God and allow transformations to happen in my life?

>> Do we be zealous to learn God’s Word more deeply, to know Him more and to cultivate a personal taste to understand the Scriptures better with self-reflection?

Our Blessed Lord invites and exhorts us to have a “Revival in our Christian Lives”

It is only when one is revived with the Spirit and Enthusiasm of the Lord…

… that one can radiate the same to others!

May we allow the Lord to work this revival in us, by “encircling” ourselves in prayer and self-discipline…

… and being willing to get out of our “comfortable zones” of worldliness and hard-heartedness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“And behold He saw that everything was good”

This is a recurrent refrain that is observed in the first chapter of the first book of the Bible, the Genesis. (Gen 1: 1-31)

God, after each days’ work of creation…looked around at the marvellous works and exclaimed with great exultation and thrill… “Everything is indeed good”

He made the light and separated it from darkness…

And God saw that it was good (Gen 1:4)

He made the waters and separated the dry land and called it earth…

And God saw that it was good (Gen 1:10)

He made all sorts of vegetation and every kind of plant and fruit…

And God saw that it was good (Gen 1:12)

He made the great lights and the stars to shed light in the day and the night…

And God saw that it was good (Gen 1: 18)

He made all the various living creatures – animals, birds, reptiles etc…

And God saw that it was good (Gen 1:25)

He finally crowned creation with His masterpiece- the human being….

And God saw that it was very good (Gen 1:31)

The process of creation was “something that was very good” indeed!

But sin came into the world, and brought about disharmony and disunity.

The original goodness was lost…

The fundamental equanimity had vanished.

But Jesus came into the world to re-establish goodness and integrity.

His ministry on the earth was a mission of restoration….

… to restore complete dignity and honour

… to restore holiness and wholeness

… to restore sanctity and completeness

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of Jesus restoring and renewing the Creation, in the healing of a person who had a hearing and speaking impediment.

And as in the creation process, so also, in this renewed act of creation by Jesus, the words are proclaimed, “Everything is indeed good”

>> “He has done all things well” (Mk 7:37) are the words of the people, exclaiming Jesus after His wondrous miracle of recreation and renewal of the deaf and dumb person.

Jesus is back to the district of the Decapolis.

It was in this region that Jesus had healed the man who was possessed by a legion of demons (Mk 5: 1-20)

When Jesus had performed the miracle then, the people had requested Him to leave the place.

“Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their district” (Mk 5:17)

But today’s Gospel says that these people, were begging Jesus to lay His hands on the deaf and dumb person! (Mk 7:32)

What had caused this dramatic change?

A people who were begging Jesus to leave their place…

… were now begging Jesus to perform a miracle!

Probably, the great witness of the man who has delivered from the legion of demons had caused about this transformation!

>> He would have spread the good news about Jesus.

A real experience of the Lord can indeed be a source of many to believe in the Lord!

>> A true encounter with the Lord can indeed turn one to be a tremendous missionary!

But Jesus in healing this deaf and dumb person, has a very peculiar style of going about.

Jesus takes the person away from the crowd, put His fingers into the man’s ears, spitting, touched his tongue, lifted up His eyes to heaven, groaned and said “Ephphatha, Be Opened!” (Mk 7:33-34)

There is a very personal and intimate touch in this healing process!

It is interesting to note that in the book of Genesis, when God formed human beings, there was a very personal involvement from the part of God to create humans – the crown of creation.

>> “God formed man, out of the clay and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.” (Gen 2:7)

Jesus also does something similar in the healing of the deaf and dumb person….

>> He very personally involves Himself.

>> He uses His own touch to heal and recreate the person!

A New Creation indeed! A renewal indeed!

Yes, Jesus is the Lord of the New Creation!

God created the world good.

Human beings spoiled it through sin.

>> But Jesus restores and renews the goodness!

Our ears maybe closed very often to the voice of the Spirit of the Lord

>> Our mouth maybe often mute to speak the power of the Lord to others.

>> Our ears maybe closed very often to the cries of the poor and the needy,

>> Our mouth maybe often mute to speak for justice for the cause of others.

But the Lord is ready to touch us…

… and renew and recreate us.

Are we ready to receive this renewing and recreating touch from the Lord?

“Ephphatha… Be Opened!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A legendary story is said of how God sent an angel down from heaven to find the most beautiful thing on earth and bring it back to heaven.

When the angel observed the lovely flowers, he said, “These must be the most beautiful things on earth”

>> And gathered them up to take with him back to heaven.

A little further, when he saw a child of wondrous beauty and golden hair and lovely smile, he said, “This must be the most wonderful thing on earth. Nothing could be sweeter than the smile of that innocent child.”

>> And he held the child with the smile, in the arms

But as he moved ahead, he reached a simple cottage…

… where a mother sat in the doorway with her little baby on her lap.

As he watched her tender and beautiful care for the little babe, he said, “This must be the fairest thing on earth. I will take that mother’s love back with me to heaven.”

When he reached the portals of heaven…

… the flowers had faded and were dead

… the smile on the child’s face had changed into an angry frown

>> But the mother’s love remained unchanged!

Yes, a Mother’s Love is special!

>> The Mother is precious!

>> The Mother is truly worth much much love and affection!

Today, we celebrate the Best, the Most Beloved and the most Lovable Mother of all – Blessed Mamma Mary!

September 8th.

>> The Nativity of the Blessed Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Saviour of the World!

But why should we really be celebrating HER?

“We like the list of qualities and roles of mothers…and truly, we agree that the role of a mothers is very special.

But why should all that be applied to Mary?”

>> “Are we not taking away the glory and the honour which is due only to God?”

>> “Are we not attaching undue festivities and illogical devotions to…well…after all ‘a creature of God'”?

>> “Are we not over-emphasizing and getting over-emotional and going overboard in magnifying Mary?”

How do we understand Mary and Her importance in our lives and the need to give Her a special honour?

As in the words of Fulton J Sheen,

“We begin with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!

>> The less we think of Him, the less we think of Her.

>> The more we adore His divinity, the more we venerate Her motherhood.

The less we acknowledge His divinity, the less we have respect for Her.”

Mary receives and deserves and acquires honour and special respect, solely due to Her Divine Son, Jesus!

We may feel that our mothers and Mary as a mother are not too different…

But the difference is their children!!

>> We are just ordinary….but Jesus is not!

Mother Mary is different and unique and exclusive and singled-out, because Her Child is Supremely Special!

And this is what the Church teaches through the Readings of today’s Mass, especially the Genealogy that is presented in Mt 1:1-16.

Today’s Gospel has a dual outlook:

1. The Narration of the Birth of Jesus (Mt 1: 18-23)

2. The Genealogy (Mt 1:1-16)

The Genealogy with its too complex length and its tongue-twisting names is most of the time, “avoided” and “skipped”.

>> But those sixteen verses of the Genealogy in the Gospel of Mathew contains a treasure and mystery of the legacy of our faith!

The Genealogy is like Archaeology.

>> We look for buried cities…

… and we find crumbled walls

>> We look for ancient treasures…

… and we find dust

>> We look for timeless art…

… and instead find broken pottery!

>> We look for holy people but we find cracked sinners

>> We look for valiant persons but we find ordinary folk

>> We look for the precious plan of God and instead find often the non co-operation of people!

And our lives are similar too…

>> We look for peaceful lives…

… but we encounter constant troubles

>> We seek for happiness and success…

… but we meet failures

>> We expect the miraculous interventions of God…

… but often find life hitting hard at us!

But in the history of salvation…and in our own history….

>> The Lord of History guides with His Mighty Hand!

In all the ordinariness that is seen…

…. the Mighty God steers and pilots our lives through the thickets & valleys & plains & deserts!

And it is here, that the role of Mother Mary is brought out in full force and in true vigour: She Said YES!

She said YES to the amazing plan of the God of History…

… and consented for God’s Unique style of saving the world!

>> And with this YES…began Her journey of greatness!

The “Yes” to allow Her body to become the sanctuary of Sanctuaries…

… was repeated at every moment of Her life!

And it is this Her continual state of saying YES to God’s Will that makes Mamma Mary great and worthy of all respect and honour.

The moon does not take the brilliance away from the Sun!

>> All its light is reflected from the Sun!

Blessed Mamma Mary reflects Her Divine Child!

>> With Him, She is the Mother of All!

The Mother is special!

>> And Mother Mary is the most special among them all!

Let’s rejoice with Her today.

>> Let’s thank God for Her today.

>> Let’s become more close to Her from today!

With Her…

… we will always have our lives secure in God!

… we are sure to be safe in God’s embrace!

Happy Birthday Dearest Mamma!

We Love You!

God Bless! Live Jesus!