There is a little story told of a person who went to Paris on a trip.

Wishing to buy his wife a gift, he purchased a phosphorescent, ‘mother-of-pearl’ match-box container.

(‘Mother-of-pearl’ is the common name for sparkling nacre, a blend of minerals that are secreted by oysters and deposited inside their shells, coating and protecting them from foreign objects; these eventually become pearls)

The beauty of this gift was that in the dark it was said to radiate a wonderful light.

The man packed it in his trunk, took it home and after the family-dinner, asked for the lights to be put out.

>> In the dark, he took the match-box container from his pocket to present it to his wife.

But, when he looked at it, it was as black as the darkness around.

Frustrated, he said, “That is just the way foreigners are often treated! I have been cheated!”

Next day, however, his wife, a bit curious, discovered on the box, a few words in French.

>> She took it down to some friends who had a French maid and had it translated.

That night, in the darkness, that box was all aglow, for she had followed the instructions written on the box, which said:

‘If you keep me all day long in the sunlight,

I will shine for you all night long, in the darkness’

Yes…

>> The greater one is in the light, the greater would be one’s glow in the dark!

… because a glow in the dark is assured for that which has the capacity to infuse light within itself!

Light emerges from the depths of holiness.. to shine clearly even in the dark…

>> This is Transfiguration!

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are invited to have this Transfiguration Experience, in imitation of our Blessed Lord.

Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord

The scene of the Transfiguration is a visually powerful and an authoritatively impactful incident.

>> Jesus takes three disciples – the core team among the Twelve – Peter, James and John – and led them up a high mountain. (Mk 9: 2)

>> There He was – His appearance changing and seen to be with Great Glory!

One of the easy tendencies in life is to “get used to”…

>> Get used to doing the same works and dealing with the same people.

A tendency of “monotony” creeps in

>> A feeling of “boredom” crawls in!

The danger with “monotony” is that…

… it can drain away enthusiasm from the works one does

This danger of “monotony” is a strong possibility even in our spiritual life.

>> We begin to take our faith for granted

>> We tend to view our devotions with casualness.

Prayers get boring.

>> The Holy Eucharist seems meaningless

>> Pious practices fails to generate any passion

The same danger was true even in the case of the Disciples.

The disciples had been with Jesus for a while now…

>> They had seen Him…

… performing many wonders

… teaching and addressing the crowds

… being the subject of many oppositions too

But slowly, as human tendency is – a feel of monotony would have begun to creep into their lives.

It is at this stage, that our Blessed Lord chooses three of His “core” disciples – Peter, James and John, and in their presence gets Transfigured! (Mk 9: 2-10)

The Transfiguration experience was something very special and unique for these disciples…

>> They saw our Blessed Lord glisteningly shining – His clothes being whiter “as no fuller on earth could bleach” (Mk 9:3)

>> They witnessed Moses and Elijah (Mk 9:4) – the great Lawgiver and the mighty Prophet – along with Jesus, Who was the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophet!

>> They heard the Divine Voice – “This is My Beloved Son; listen to Him” (Mk 9: 7b) – from the cloud; reminiscent of God Yahweh who would speak to His people of old, from the clouds

The three disciples were being introduced to a new perspective of their Master.

>> They saw Jesus – not in the usual way – but arrayed in His Divine Glory and Honour!

Jesus had not become something that He was not…

>> He was always God and was always the Second Person of the Divine Trinity.

All this while, the eyes of the disciples were kept away from seeing the fullness of glory – only sparks of Divinity was revealed to them

But now, here was a moment, though short – the Transfiguration – when the chosen disciples could come face-to-face with Divine Glory!

The moment of Transfiguration had made them see things in a new light…

>> Jesus was still the same – but they now saw Him, for a short moment, with a Glorious Glow

That is the splendour and glory of the moment of Transfiguration…

… when woundedness is refined into beauty

… when sufferings are graced into meaningfulness

Have we had this Transfiguration Experience?

Surely, we have had…

But perhaps, many of us fail to recognise it.. or acknowledge it

>> A moment…

… when our words have touched and sparkled a sad soul..

… when we ourselves have been healed in our brokenness by some Divine intervention

… when we experienced the light of God’s healing, restoration, forgiveness etc through the Sacraments of the Church

… when a pulse of joy and satisfaction raced through our veins in having rendered, perhaps, a tiny but significant act of service and care to a needy person

… when, in our brokenness or deep pain or lethargy, an encouraging word has revived our bent spirits

Many are such moments of Transfiguration in our life…

>> But the more we look deeper, the more we find, that God has blessed us immensely with such “Transfiguration” experiences.

It is these “Transfiguration” moments that will take us through, strongly, in our moments of darkness.

>> The light of Transfiguration on Mount Tabor helped to shine through during the darkness of Crucifixion on Mount Calvary for Jesus!

The greater one is in the light of the Transfiguration, the greater would be one’s glow in the dark phases of life!

May this Gospel of the Transfiguration help us to be reminded of the promise of the Lord that:

“If you keep yourself, all day long in the sunlight of My Love,

I will shine for you all night long, in the darkness of your life”

Happy Feast of the Transfiguration!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A man once had a fine-bred dog – an American Foxhound – named Jasper.

>> Jasper was trained well and the owner expected much of him.

Finally, after his ‘training’, Jasper was let go on a ‘hunt’ in the nearby forest.

As he was let free, Jasper got sight of an antelope and gave a spirited chase.

Soon, however, a startled rabbit came across the track of the antelope, diverting Jasper’s attention!

>> Forgetting the antelope, Jasper dashed after the rabbit.

Just as he was gaining momentum, a rat darted across the path!

>> Again, Jasper diverted and rushed after the rat, only to see it run into a hole in the ground.

Highly excited, scratching and barking, Jasper presented a picture of frustration – distracted from the ‘big thing’ to end up by barking into a hole in the ground!

Jasper had been trained and was expected to chase “bigger” preys; but ended up, grunting, lunging and scratching at something worthless!

The reason was simple:

• Losing sight of the bigger goal and instead, being distracted by something very petty and useless

• Unable to keep focus on the ‘more’ valuable aim and instead, being diverted by something very trivial.

Is my life also “losing sight” of the precious aspects of life?

>> Am I seeking “the right things” and the “proper entities” of life?

The Gospel of the Day is a call by our Blessed Lord to ‘refine’ our priorities in life and to ‘re-sort’ our concerns towards Him and His Kingdom.

Today’s Gospel passage forms part of the “Bread of Life” Discourse of the 6th chapter of St John.

Jesus, after having performed the ‘magnanimous’ miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, had His popularity ratings on a high.

There were many factors that propelled towards this…

>> Huge problems suddenly seemed to ‘shrink in size’ before Jesus, the Great God!

A huge crowd, who were ‘hungry’ had just been ‘satisfied’ to the full

>> Impossible situations suddenly seemed to be non-existent before Jesus, the God of all possibilities!

Just two little fish and five barley loaves became a medium of nourishment to thousands

There was naturally, immense excitement among the crowds with respect to Jesus.

• Before their own eyes, a ‘massive’ miracle had been wrought

• For their own stomachs, a ‘miraculous’ wonder had been performed

They would have felt themselves in similar situations as the people of Israel in the wilderness, when their leader Moses had fed them with food (Ex 16: 12-15)

Some among them would have also recounted the words of Jesus, elsewhere during His ministry: “Behold, something greater is here…” (Mt 12:41)

And so, the people, who had become ‘fans’ of our Blessed Lord, began to ‘seek’ – frantically and with great craze.

A personal experience of the Divine is to become a launching-pad in forging a personal relationship with the Lord!

• But a personal experience of the Divine, when not properly channelled, can also get deviated and remain fixated to mere devotion and emotional piety.

Jesus was very well aware of the danger that lay in ‘fickle’ crowds who followed Him – merely for ‘bread’ and not for a ‘life-transformation’.

And so He puts forward a probing challenge to the crowds who were desperately following Him:

“Amen, Amen, I say to you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6: 26-27)

The crowds were asked by Jesus to ‘refine’ their priorities in life and to ‘re-sort’ their concerns towards Him and His Kingdom!

The same exhortation is being rendered to us today: to ‘refine’ our priorities in life and to ‘re-sort’ our concerns towards Him and His Kingdom…

>> Do I follow the Lord only to be satisfied by the ‘bread’ of having our prayers always heard in the way I want and of ‘always’ enjoying prosperity in life…

… or do I also follow the Lord for His own sake – as the One who truly becomes the ‘Bread’ of life- my strength, my hope and my greatest asset in life?

>> Do I seek the Lord only when I am ‘given’ something by God; following merely a ‘receiving’ spirituality – that has hands always stretched out in anticipation to ‘get’ something from God…

… or can I grow in my hunger for Jesus, the Bread of Life, and also be willing to respond to His demand to “give” my life in service of Him, of His Kingdom and of His people?

As Christians, we ought to be persons who have our aims set on the “high” things of life – seeking Jesus and His Kingdom.

• Jesus ought to be the greatest treasure of our life

• Jesus ought to be the deepest satisfaction in our life

We are expected to chase up “bigger” preys.

ü But do we sometimes, end up, grunting, lunging and scratching at something worthless?

We need to make an examination of our lives.

Perhaps, we are…

• Losing sight of the bigger goal and instead, being distracted by something very petty and useless

• Unable to keep focus on the ‘more’ valuable aim and instead, being diverted by something very trivial.

Jesus, the Bread of Life – especially by His Holy Word and in His Holy Eucharist – invites us to wholly dedicate our lives in seeking Him alone.

Let us realise, that as true Christians, real fulfilment comes from more than “just making a living”; it comes, instead, from “making a life, in Jesus”

May we not be merely ‘bread-seekers’; instead be the sincere seekers of the One who is the True Bread of Life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Mammoth Cave National Park, in central Kentucky, is a U.S. National Park.

>> It encompasses portions of the Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system known in the world.

In these caves, one can see enormous pillars which have been formed by the steady dropping of water from the roof of the cavern.

This masonry – formed of solid rock – made by the slow and silent process of nature, is a true marvel…

• A single drop of water, finds its way from the surface down through the roof of the cave, and deposits its sediment

• Another follows it and still another… each adding its imperceptible contribution, until the icicle of stone begins to grow, ultimately reaching the pillar which likewise has been forming on the bottom of the cave.

These become a massive pillar – brilliant and classic.

This process is so similar that which occurs in our hearts…

>> Each thought, that awakens for a moment, sinks into the soul – just as each little drop of water, with its limestone deposit, makes its contribution to the pillar in the cave.

>> Other thoughts follow and yet others…erecting within our hearts, pillars of purpose that form our character.

Think nobler, and our character will mould into being noble…

>> Think wicked, and our character will decay into being evil…

What is the thought-pattern that we nurture in our lives?

The Gospel of the Day makes a dramatic presentation of two opposing characters – one of them holy and the other evil – John the Baptist and Herod the Tetrarch…

… which were formed as a result of the accumulation of contrasting deposits of thoughts and feelings.

The Gospel passage is a sort of a “flashback” passage which recounts the visually-disturbing incident of the ‘beheading of John the Baptist’.

The increasing popularity of Jesus caused Herod the Tetrarch, the ruler of the land, to come face-to-face with his guilty conscience.

Truth is always very powerful!

It can, silently, yet very authoritatively …

… challenge faulty lives

… prick guilty consciences

… confront culpable actions

Herod bore the guilt of having killed John the Baptist, who was the voice of the Truth.

>> He knew that he had done something extremely wicked and merciless

>> He knew that he had acted in opposition to truth, to honesty and to sincerity.

Therefore, the rising fame of the Lord – whom he misunderstood as John the Baptist – drove him to despair over that brutal act of the killing of the Baptist.

• The constant exposition to wicked thoughts and evil inclinations had caused his life to become a pillar of guilt-filled feelings!

>> Think wicked, and our character will decay into being evil…

On the other hand, was the righteous life of John the Baptist.

He was born with a sense of purpose – of being a voice to the Truth.

He maintained this goal by always living in sincerity – fearless and courageous.

>> To this end, he even valiantly shed his blood!

• The constant nurturing of holy purposes and sacred acts had caused his life to become a pillar of a purpose-filled existence!

>> Think nobler, and our character will mould into being noble…

What is the thought-pattern that we nurture in our lives?

• Is my life a Pillar…

… of guilt-filled feelings – formed by deposits of wickedness, evil and sin?

OR

• Is my life a Pillar…

… of a purpose-filled existence – formed by deposits of holy determination and sanctified lives?

Today we celebrate the Feast of St John Maria Vianney, the patron saint of all the priests!

>> As a young son, he had to face resistence from his father, who was opposed to his being a priest, due to financial difficulties as well as the strained political climate of his time

>> As a young seminarian, he had to face hardships in the seminary, due to his difficulties in studies

>> As a young priest, he had to face isolation from the parish at Ars, where he was first appointed, due to the indifference and the secular lifestyle of the people in the village.

He experienced the great reality: “When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…

… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!”

But despite this harsh experience of “indifference and hostility to the Truth”…

… he held on to “Doing the Will of God, and be His Faithful Follower!”

>> St John Maria Vianney placed His entire trust in the Power of God

Today let us seek the Intercession of St John Maria Vianney…

… to remain “faithful and firm”

>> And thus, seek to imitate St John the Baptist, in following our Blessed Lord

May his words inspire us:

>> “You cannot please both God and the world at the same time, They are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires, and their actions.”

>> “I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the cross than in serving the world and its pleasures.”

Let us also pray specially for Priests all over the world, that their Patron Saint – St John Maria Vianney – may intercede, to help all priests…

… to be more holy and faithful to their Noble Vocation

… to be more zealous in administering the Sacraments and giving His Word

… to be more passionate in Loving the Lord and bringing many more to His Love

Happy Feast to all the Priests!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A young salesman became discouraged because he had been rejected by many of the customers that he approached.

He asked a more experienced salesman for some advice.

>> “Why is it that every time I make a call on someone I get rejected?”

“I just don’t understand that,” answered the older salesman…

… “I’ve been hit on the head, called dirty names, and thrown out the door, but I’ve never been rejected!

Remember, my son… Rejection isn’t what happens to us…

… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

How do we interpret the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life?

>> Do we get depressed and discouraged…

… or can we still be hopeful and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!?”

Rejection and dejection, are sure companions in the life of a Christian, who is uncompromising and unwavering in one’s faith.

>> Despite these aspects, are we ready to hold on to Doing the Will of God, and be His Faithful Followers?

Our Blessed Lord Himself underwent rejection and dejection in life.

>> Yet He would cling on to Doing the Will of God!

The Gospel of the Day narrates this painful incident of “rejection and dejection” that our Blessed Lord encountered in His life, at the hands of His own country people (Mt 13: 54-58)

It is interesting to note, how the people of the hometown seek to justify their rejection of Jesus, by rationalizing their attitude…

>> Using 6 questions ( 6= A Biblical symbolic number which often stands for imperfection!)…

… the people of the hometown, reveal their blocked minds and closed hearts.

When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…

… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!

And so the Lord would declare: “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country or his own house!” (Mt 13: 57)

Thus, Jesus becomes the “Sign of Contradiction!”

… the Prince of Peace, begins to be seen as a cause of division and despise

… the Healer of Souls, begins to be seen as a cause of disagreement and discord!

… the Comforter of Hearts, begins to be seen as a cause of disturbance and distress

Anyone who seeks to follow Jesus – the “Sign of Contradiction” – the Epitome of Truth and Honesty…

… is sure to face the same experience!

Every true Christian, because of one’s convictions in the Eternal Values of Uncompromising Truth and Desire to do the Will of God, is sure to face…

… rejection from the people, because one’s ways challenge the lethargic lifestyle of others!

… dejection from the society, because one’s way of living poses a threat the corruption around!

But despite this “rejection and dejection”, can we still continue to hold on the Lord, the “Sign of Contradiction!”?

Life often hurls the “bricks of rejection” at us…

>> We can either be hurt by them…

… or be strengthened and buckle ourselves up with greater courage

>> We can either blame all those situations and curse life…

… or we can be thankful for those moments, which provides us a chance for “more blessings!”

Yes, we need to remember always:

>> Rejection isn’t what happens to us…

… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

Let us not get depressed and discouraged by the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life…

… instead let us be hopeful, and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!”

On this First Friday of the Month, let us re-dedicate our love and commitment to the Sacred Heart of Jesus…

… and always pray for greater commitment and dedication to the Will of God, filled with immense peace and joy!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It was a physics class.

The professor noticed that one of the class students was not paying attention to the class.

So he suddenly asked this question, “Andy, will you tell me what is electricity?”

The boy, realized that he was caught unawares.

>> In fact, he had not heard the question properly!

But he tried to be appear to have understood.

And so he said:

“Oh.. Sir.. Hmmm… Well, I am sorry.

I actually had it on the tip of my tongue, just a moment ago!

But it just escaped me right now!”

The whole class broke into laughter and the professor with a grin said:

“Oh, what a pity!

Here is the only boy in the history of the world who has ever know what electricity is and had it even on the tip of his tongue.

>> But sadly, he’s forgotten already!!”

Well… such is the case with many of us as well, probably.

>> There are many things we do not understand…

… but pretend that everything is known to us

>> There are many things not going on fine with us..

… but we still behave as if we are aware of everything.

We sometimes are people who affirm and consent…

… without really understanding or grasping the whole reality

>> It’s a “lip” yes…

… but not a consent with the mind.

>> It’s an external nodding…

… without a true affirmation from the heart.

The Gospel of the Day presents such a classic case in the context of the disciples of Jesus saying a “Yes” to having understood the teachings of Jesus…

… And invites us to examine our lives and check whether:

>> We say only a “lip” yes without the consonance of the mind!

>> We give an external nodding without the affirmation of the heart!

The first 50 verses of the 13th Chapter from St Matthew is a quick montage of several parables…

… Seven in all…

1. Parable of the Sower (vv. 1-9)

2. Parable of the Weeds among wheat (vv. 24-30)

3. Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv. 31-32)

4. Parable of the Yeast (v. 33)

5. Parable of the man finding the treasure (v. 44)

6. Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (v. 45)

7. Parable of the Net thrown in the sea (vv. 47-50)

These 7 parables teach several great truths and virtues….

1. Preparing our hearts to receive the Generous Word of God….

2. Accepting the reality of evil in the world and being firm to be good…

3. Realizing the Divine Grace that blossoms our littleness into a shelter for many…

4. Recognizing the transforming effect of a committed faith…

5. Experiencing the joy of discovering the Lord as the Treasure of our lives….

6. The Willingness to give up everything to prioritize the Lord as the Pearl of Great Prize….

7. Living a life with the awareness of the judgment of good and evil at the end of our lives!

At the end of this quick, power-packed narration of the 7 parables, Jesus puts forward a question to His Disciples:

“Do you understand all these things?”(Mt 13:51)

The Lord wished to know if His disciples were grasping these great truths of Christian Life…

>> He wanted to know from His chosen ones, the level of their understanding.

The Gospel says the Disciples “answered, ‘Yes'”(Mt 13:51b).

Well, we are not fully sure whether the Disciples really understood and grasped everything….

>> We really can’t say for certain whether their “Yes”,…

… was only a “lip” yes or one with the consonance of the mind

… was an external nodding or one with the affirmation of the heart

There are many occasions in the Gospels…

… when we see the Disciples “said something” but did not actually follow it or live it

… Or they really did not fully understand and grasp the person of Jesus and His teachings

>> At the Transfiguration, when Peter said, “Let us make three tents”, the Gospel says, “he did not know what he was saying!”(Lk 9:33b)

>> After the multiplication of the loaves, the Gospel says “they had not understood the incident of the loaves”(Mk 6:52)

>> After the calming of the storm at the sea, they said to one another “Who then is this Whom even wind and sea obey?”(Mk 4:41)

>> They failed to recognise and see the Father in Jesus and so Jesus chided them, saying, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me?” (Jn 14:10)

They asked Him Show us the Father.

We therefore do not really know the depth of the “Yes” of the Disciples…

… Was it only an instinctual reply?

… Was it just a spontaneous answer?

We cannot fully trace the intention of the Disciples.

But this incident is certainly a reminder and an invitation for us to examine…

… Do we seek to understand the Lord and His Teachings?

… Are we aware of the greatness and the worth of the many devout practices of our faith?

Let us examine…

>> Do we realize the Power of the Most Holy Mass and prepare ourselves accordingly for a worthy celebration…

… or has it become a regular routine of life, without the due preparation and a sense of reverence?

>> Do we read the Living Word of God daily, and seek to live in accordance with His Teachings…

… or has the Bible merely become another “object” of the house, only to be kept in a place of seclusion, with an occasional glance?

>> Do our prayers and the reception of the other Sacraments become a God-experience and have a life-touching effect…

… or have they been rendered as casual or even compelled actions, with little effect on one’s life and activities?

Yes, as Christians, we are sometimes people who affirm and consent…

… without really understanding or grasping the whole reality.

Let us instead, give heed to the Lord, who invited His followers to be like the ” instructed scribe, who is like the house holder who brings from his storeroom, both the new and the old.” ( Mt 13:52)

God bless! Live Jesus

Jenny was a cheerful little seven-year old girl of a poor home.

Once, while out shopping with her mother, in the market…

… she came across a “fine white pearl” in a pink foil box.

Though it was an imitation pearl (not a real one), the girl was highly fascinated, and sought to buy it.

>> After a lot of pestering, the mother – giving up some of her precious savings, to satisfy her daughter’s desire – bought the imitation pearl to her.

As soon the girl reached home, her uncle – whom she loved much and had returned from foreign – was waiting to see her.

The excited girl ran to her loved uncle, and presented the imitation pearl, saying:

“Uncle, see how beautiful this pearl is! I am so excited to be possessing it!”

But the Uncle – who knew the child’s love for pearls – looked into her eyes and asked:

“Child, if you really love me, give the pearl to me!”

“Oh no Uncle! I can’t give this pearl to you!

I have got this bought from Mummy after a lot of insistence.

>> I will give you my favourite doll instead…but don’t ask me for this pearl.. please!”

But Uncle went on insisting: “No, if you really love me, give me that pearl!”

The child, by now had tears in her eyes…

… little drops flowing down her tender cheeks, Jenny says:

“Uncle, I do love you very much.

Though it is extremely hard for me, but because I love you, I will give you this pearl!”

>> And so saying, she handed over the pearl to her uncle.

As soon as Uncle received that pearl – which was an imitation…

… he reached out his hand inside his bag, and took out a box.

Handing over the box to the crying child, he told her: “Check what I have for you, in return for what you gave me”.

Jenny opened the box.

>> To her great surprise and delight, it was a Necklace of Real Pearls!

Her eyes glistened, as she held the Priceless Necklace of Pearls, in her little hands.

And as she kept admiring, her Uncle told her:

“Remember my Child! So it is with life…

>> Unless you recognize and give up the fake things of life…

… you can never possess the real treasures of life!

Never be afraid of taking the risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is priceless!”

What about us?

>> Are we ready to hand over the “imitation” pearls to our Loving God, in order to be handed over the real “Pearl of Great Price!”

The Gospel of the Day are the twin parables of Jesus about the Kingdom of God being compared to a “priceless fortune” being discovered.

>> A man finding a treasure in a field (Mt 13: 44-45)

>> A merchant finding a pearl of great price (Mt 13:46)

One of the common thought-pattern exhibited in both these parables is the following factor:

” The risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is priceless!”

>> The man on finding the treasure in the field…

… takes the risk of selling everything, in order to buy the treasure, which was priceless

>> The merchant on finding the precious pearl…

… takes the risk of selling all that he had, in order to possess the pearl, which was priceless.

The pages of the Bible narrate this pattern: ” The risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is priceless!”…

… St Joseph risks listening to the voice of the Angel, and taking Mary as his wife – in order to provide a home for the Son of God – a priceless responsibility!

… St Peter risks giving up his boats and fishing nets – in order to follow Jesus – a priceless vocation!

… Zacheaus risks inviting Jesus into his home and doing away with his riches – in order to obtain salvation – a priceless reward!

… St Paul risks doing away with his former ways of persecuting Christianity and preaching to the Gentiles, instead – in order to win many souls- a priceless way of life!

“Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved playing it safe, and sticking to the familiarity of the known!”

Are we ready to take this risk…?

… risk doing away with our sinful ways, in order to live a new life in Christ?

… risk giving up some undue attachments, in order to allow the Lord to possess our hearts?

… risk removing some unwelcome addictions, in order to allow the Spirit of God to work in us?

Jesus, the Priceless Fortune deserves our best!

We, however, often cling on to the “imitation” pearls in our life.

… assuming that they can give us happiness – when in actuality, they are mere imitations!

Our Loving God constantly asks us: “Child, if you really love me, give the pearl to me!”

>> Our human weakness and tendency may tell “Oh no! I can’t give this pearl to you!

But let us not be afraid to “take the risk”…

… and tell the Lord:

“Lord, I do love you very much.

Though it is extremely hard for me, but because I love You, I will give You this pearl!”

Yes, this act of “taking a risk” will surely win for us “The Pearl of Great Price”!

Let us faith-life always remind us:

” Unless you recognize and give up the fake things of life…

… you can never possess the real treasures of life!”

Yes, let us “never be afraid of taking the risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is Priceless!”

Today, let us seek the intercession of Great Saintly Doctor of the Church , St Alphonsus Liguori – the Patron Saint of Theologians – on his feast day.

>> His life was lived in purpose and clarity, seeking the Will of God, in the midst of the many confusing and deviant ways of the world

>> His being was filled with determination, despite the many heresies and anti-faith philosophies that cropped up in his time.

As we thank the Lord for another month in our lives, let us offer this new month of August into the Providential Hands of our God…

… knowing and trusting that He will ultimately cause “Everything for our good” (Rom 8:28)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, once said:

” Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand!”

Among the many mysteries, that causes wonder, which we seek to understand (though more often, causes doubts!), is the Mystery of Evil.

So often do we ask these questions of mystery…

>> “Why does evil exist in a world that was created good?”

>> “Can evil have any meaning; rather, is it not spoiling our existence on earth?”

>> “How long are the good to suffer with the presence of evil all around?”

Today our Blessed Lord opens His mind on this crucial Reality of our lives, by the explanation of the Parable of the Weeds.

It’s noteworthy to know some interesting facts about this parable…

1. Sowing weeds in someone else’s field, was a way take revenge on the other and to express one’s hatred and anger!

Something similar to today, people…

… breaking the glass of the houses of those whom they don’t like

… disfiguring the walls of the house of the people whom they hate

2. The weeds that Jesus speaks of in the parable, were highly similar to the wheat that was sown.

>> It was almost impossible to distinguish the two, in their initial stages.

3. Seeking to pull up the weeds would definitely destroy the wheat plant

>> This was because, their roots would get inter-twined.

Any attempt to pull up the weeds, would also cause harm to the good plant.

It is in the light of these points, that our “doubt and perplexity” about the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds grows:

>> “Why does evil exist in a world that was created good?”

This is where the Lord challenges every Christian to understand…

… that some mysteries in life cannot be fully understood…

… but are to be boldly lived!

… that some struggles in life cannot be totally eliminated…

… but are to be bravely challenged!

…. that some problems in life cannot be completely solved…

but are to be fearlessly encountered!

As we take time to digest this fact, let us also spare a thought for the seed of wheat that was sown by the Sower.

For the Sower, the Seed of Wheat was priceless… special…!

He had sown it with a lot of love, care and affection.

>> And so, He would do everything in His power, to make sure, that He loses nothing of it, in the attempt to get rid of the weeds.

The Sower is God.

>> And the Bible, throughout, speaks about how the seed that is sown – the wheat – is precious to God…

… the lost sheep is passionately sought until it is found (Lk 15: 1-7)

… the lost coin is ardently searched till it is found (Lk 15: 8-10)

… the leftover pieces of loaves are devoutly gathered up (Mt 14:20)

… the rejected short man, hiding on the tree, is assigned a new chapter in life (Lk 19: 1-10)

… the nearly-stoned woman, caught in the act of adultery, is given new life (Jn 8: 1-11)

… the impulsive fisherman, called as the rock, and who denied three times, is accepted back (Jn 21: 15-19)

We are the precious Wheat.

Jesus opens our hearts and minds to have a “realistic understanding” of life.

>> We need to be patient with ourselves and with others…

… in dealing with sin and with evil tendencies

Of course, as humans, we do many times…

… bite our teeth in anger glaring at the inhumanness in our society and the world

… lose our cool in finding ourselves to be imperfect and sinful even after years of trying

… go mad in encountering silly disputes and indifferences in our families & communities

… have our blood boiling seeing the various scandals and shameful incidents in the Church

But the Lord says.. “Hold On”….

Surely, we have our emotions and feelings when we come across unjust situations..

But the Lord says:

” Do your best…and leave the rest to Me!

Aim for perfection….but give not into despair because of devastations!”

This certainly is no excuse for us to deny our duty and responsibility…

… and even the obligation to seek to avoid wickedness and dissuade evil practices.

But we may never find ourselves in PERFECT elimination of evil and sinful behaviours…

…either in our personal life, or societal life or even in the life of the Church.

The Lord, the Final and the Supreme Judge, will make sure, that “Good finally triumphs over the evil!”

>> “The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will collect out of His Kingdom, all who cause others to sin and evildoers…

… the Righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of Their Father!” (Mt 13: 41, 43).

As the national motto of India says: “Satyam eva jayate” (Truth alone triumphs!”)

Let us have recourse to the Awesome and Ultimate Power of God, and be strengthened in our lives!

May we seek today the intercession of St Ignatius of Loyola, the Founder of the “Society of Jesus” (Jesuits), on his Feast Day.

May his prayer echo in our hearts as well:

“O my God, teach me to be generous,

teach me to serve you as I should…

… to give without counting the cost,

… to fight without fear of being wounded,

… to work without seeking rest,

…. to labour without expecting any reward,

but the knowledge that I am doing your most holy will.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Jesus in the Gospels loves to use simple, tiny and insignificant objects, to project His message of the Kingdom!

Today He uses the example of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven in describing the Might of the Kingdom!

>> Little Is Much When God is in It!

The mustard seed & leaven would’ve hardly received any attention in the normal sense…

>> But Jesus, the Master Artist paints these li’l objects into the Mighty Canvas of the Kingdom & delivers a powerful message…

>> The Kingdom of God has its humble beginnings…

… but it develops into a Powerful Force!

>> The Kingdom of God often starts very insignificantly…

… but it expands into a Huge Reality!

>> The Kingdom of God initiates in an unnoticed manner…

… but it enlarges into an Influential Entity!

Little Is Much when God is in It!

The mustard seed develops into a Tree, which renders shelter to the birds of the air (Mt 13: 31-32)…..

• The sinners find a solace in this Tree….

• The sick encounter support in this Tree..

• The rejected have a remedy in this Tree…

• The cast-outs meet consolation in this Tree….

• The prostitutes experience peace in this Tree…

The leaven which is little, makes the whole mass of dough to rise (Mt 13:33)…

• The rod in Moses’ hand – a shepherd’s ordinary crook – became a mighty symbol of God’s Power

• The jawbone with Samson – a decaying useless bone – became an instrument of killings thousands of enemies!

• The stone in David’s hand – an unnoticed stone – became the means of conquering the gigantic Goliath!

Little Is Much When God is in It!

>> We live in times when many things are explained or rejected in terms of science, psychology, post-modern modern philosophies and assorted spiritualities

>> We live in times when Material values and worldly attitudes are corroding our lives.

>> We live in times when ethical Principles and traditional virtues often get kicked into the backyard!

Times are bad.

>> Times are worsening.

>> Times are sickening…

Times, are even, sometimes seen hopeless and scary and terrifying!

>> But we also ought to realize that…many things, that cannot be discovered and understood through the microscope of science and modern theories can be discovered by looking through the eye of faith!

Massive things can be seen and achieved by looking through the miniscule eye of Faith!

>> Little Is Much When God is in It!!

Maybe, many of us are also going through a “bored and unexcited” phase of our life…

… feeling uncertain about the future

… experiencing worry about the past

… troubled by the anxieties of the present.

Yet, the Lord is with us…

… to transform us and to renew us!

What is needed is our self-giving…

… little and small as we are: let us offer our lives to the Lord

… broken and disturbed as we are: let us give ourselves to the Lord

>> Little is much, when God, is in it!

Yes, our efforts and attempts to spread God’s Kingdom may be just minor…

… like the Mustard Seed and the Leaven.

But let us always realize and trust:

>> Little Is Much When God is in It!!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Here’s a simple question… from the world of the Gospels…

Which is the only miracle, besides the Resurrection of our Blessed Lord, that is mentioned in all the four Gospel accounts?

Well, it should not be too difficult to answer this one…

Or, is it a tough one?…

Well, the answer is…

>> Yes

…. it IS the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves.

The feeding of the people, by the mighty deed of multiplication of the loaves, in the only miracle, besides the miracle of the Resurrection of Jesus, that finds a mention in all the four Gospels.

And each of these Gospels also have something unique to speak of this incident:

>> Mt 14: 13-21: mentions about five thousand men being fed, “without counting women and children”

>> Mk 6: 31-4: mentions of making the people to be seated in “groups and clusters of hundreds and fifties”

>> Lk 9: 10-17: also mentions of five thousand men and being seated in clusters of fifty and also mentions Jesus, “looking up to the heavens”.

>> Jn 6: 5-15: mentions of a “little boy”, who is the provider of the five loaves and two fish and also that “the Lord gave thanks for it”, before distributing it to the people.

The Gospel of the Day presents this account of the multiplication from the eyes of St John, the Evangelist.

Since this miracle finds its parallel with the Resurrection, as the only one mentioned in all the four Gospels, we could highlight some of the outstanding features of this “massive” miracle

>> The multiplication of the loaves fed a massive crowd.

Five thousand men could mean, that including women and children, it would have easily exceeded over twenty thousand people!

This easily was the miracle that Jesus performed with the greatest number of witnesses and participants.

>> The multiplication of the loaves was a miracle of “creation”.

There are other miracles of Jesus, mentioned in the Bible, which could fall in the following categories…

>> Miracles of healing: Curing of many sicknesses and diseases

>> Miracles over nature: Powerful control over the forces of nature

>> Miracles of exorcism: Casting out demons and liberating people from them

>> Miracles of transformation: Transforming an object to something else or even of people

>> Miracles of restoration: Restoring people to their original state of life and good condition

But the miracle of the “multiplication” is unique in the sense, that it resembled “creation”.

>> God created the world “ex-nihilo – out of nothing”; Jesus now creates the loaves from nothing, and feeds the people.

This miracle of the multiplication also reveals some of the finest qualities of Jesus, the Messiah…

1. His sensitivity to the needs of the people

While the disciples were just eager to send the crowd away, Jesus reaches out to them in compassion and love.

2. His ability to effect changes in the mindset and thinking-pattern

The disciples could see no way, in that desert to feed the gigantic crowd. They had only question marks before them.

But Jesus, sheds new light on their minds and helps them find a solution, even in the seemingly impossible situation

3. His perfect control in a situation of panic

Though there would have been panic in the minds of the disciples, Jesus impresses upon them the fact, that He is in total charge and in complete control.

As the Lord and Creator, He knows exactly what is to be done in the moment of crisis and calamity.

4. His attitude of raising His heart in thanksgiving at every situation

We read that before the actual multiplication happened, Jesus “took the loaves, and gave thanks…” (Jn 6: 11)

It’s amazing to imagine that situation:

… Thousands and thousands of people, eagerly waiting, hungry and exhausted….

… Having just Five Loaves and the Two Fish – which was scarcely able to meet the hunger of a couple of people…

… Jesus still raises His Heart in thanksgiving and gratitude!

It is tremendous faith that allows a person to raise one’s mind in gratitude, even in the midst of utter poverty, deep need and barren nothingness!

5. His consciousness to gather the remaining pieces, after the miracle

The Lord, “Who came save and seek the lost” is also highly mindful of gathering up the remaining broken pieces of the loaves.

The disciples get trained to become aware of “what is often considered as wasteful” can also become resourceful!

The disciples are reminded that even things that are usually “discarded” and regarded as being “unwanted and useless”, can become sources of strength and nourishment!

This beautiful and unique miracle of the multiplication, is a reminder to each one of us also:

Am I able…

(1) … to be sensitive and responsive to the needs and desires of those around me?

(2) … to see the brighter side of life, with the Grace and strength from God, and rub the fragrance of this positivity onto others in my life?

(3) … to rise above the situations of panic and disturbances, and be calm, knowing that I have a God, who is ultimately in total and perfect control of every situation of turmoil?

(4)… to lift up my heart to the Lord, in thanksgiving, at every moment and situation of life, even when the chips are down or when I pass through the dark tunnels and the deep, despairing valleys life?

(5)… to be aware of the “unwanted” talents in me, the “excess” people of the society and the “discarded” peripherals of the world, and seek to make the best use of them and collect them to be part of the mainframe scene?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most baffling and mysterious aspect in our world…

… is the active & dynamic presence of evil in this world.

Today the Lord Jesus ventures into opening His mind on this crucial Reality of our lives….

A couple of days back, we were with the Generous Sower, who was madly liberal in sowing on different types of soil and which had their corresponding results (Mt 13: 1-9)

Today, we are back to the field….

>> But our deliberation is not on the Sower or the Seeds…

… but on the presence of Weeds among the Wheat (Mt 13:24-30)

Let the botany in us, focus today on The Weeds…. the Irritable Weeds!

Botanically named Lolium temulentum, the weeds are also called Darnel or Tares.

>> These weeds have a characteristic of making one feel poisoned with drunkenness, when consumed.

They also have the deceptive characteristic of bearing a close resemblance to Wheat.

>> In fact, these weeds are also called as False Wheat!

So the enemy in the parable…is a Learned Deceiver!

He sows this deceptive and misleading weed among the innocent and harmless wheat!

But the Lord, the Ultimate Judge gives out a strong, yet strange command:

“Let the weeds not be pulled up, lest the wheat be uprooted with them; let them just grow together until harvest!” (Mt 13:29-30)

>> Some mysteries in life cannot be fully understood…

… but is to be boldly lived!

>> Some struggles in life cannot be totally eliminated…

… but is to be bravely challenged!

>> Some problems in life cannot be completely solved…

but is to be fearlessly encountered!

Here is another hard reality to be digested: “God uses the very wickedness and injustices of evildoers to perfect his Elect.”

The triumph and prosperity of the wicked are short-lived…

…whereas the reward of the Christian who suffers from their wickedness is everlasting.

That’s a hard and unpopular and even impractical statement, right?

>> But Facts remain facts – we consent or not!

This leads us to a vital aspect of our Practical Christian Living: To be Patient with ourselves and with others…

… in dealing with sin

… with evil tendencies

… with horrifying obsessions

… with unacceptable practices

… with unalterable addictions

… and with abominable disgraces.

Often…

… we bite our teeth in anger glaring at the inhumanness in our society and the world

… we lose our cool in finding ourselves to be imperfect and sinful even after years of trying

… we go mad in encountering silly disputes and indifferences in our families & communities

… we have our blood boiling seeing the various scandals and shameful incidents in the Church

But the Lord says.. “Hold On”….

Surely, we have our emotions and feelings when we come across unjust situations..

But the Lord says:

” Do your best…and leave the rest to Me!

Aim for perfection….but give not into despair because of devastations!”

This certainly is no excuse for us to deny our duty and responsibility…

… and even the obligation to seek to avoid wickedness and dissuade evil practices.

But we may never find ourselves in PERFECT elimination of evil and sinful behaviours…

…either in our personal life, or societal life or even in the life of the Church.

The Ultimate Eliminator is the Lord Himself…

>> The Perfect Vanquisher is the Lord Himself!

>> The Supreme Conqueror is the Lord Himself!

Are all these too abstract, theoretical & impractical talks?

… NO!

St Paul gives an assurance in Romans 8:26-27:

The Spirit comes to our aid in our weaknesses. He Himself will intercede for us, when we co-operate with Him.”

God, who is all-powerful shares His Omnipotence with us…

… in the Holy Sacraments, in Prayer, in the Bible and in the Church.

Let us have recourse to this power of God, and be strengthened in our lives!

Let us try to do our utmost…

… but let us also permit to encounter disappointments…!

Let us strive for the finest…

… but let us fret not too much over failures and frustrations…!

The Lord knows all

>> HE sees all

>> HE has the perfect solution to all.

St Faustina says: “Our sins and weaknesses and miseries are like little sticks, before the burning furnace of the Love of God”.

Let us throw our little sticks into this burning furnace…

>> Let God be God in our Lives – the Ultimate Judge and Defeater of all Evil!”

We seek the intercession of St Alphonsa, whose feast we celebrate today.

>> Let us seek her intercession and learn from her the virtues of…

… being patient in trials

… being bold in situations of injustice

… being optimistic in moments of uncertainties

God Bless! Live Jesus!