The Indian folklores of Akbar-Birbal are popular.

Here is one…

Once King Akbar asked his prime minister, Birbal, “Who is greater, me or God?”

This minister Birbal was very clever and prudent person.

>> Without hesitation, he answered, “You are, Your Majesty.”

Though the king was flattered, he asked, “How can that be?”

“Well, you see, Your Majesty “, replied the smart minister, “If you do not like someone, you can banish him from your kingdom very easily.

>> However, how can God banish anyone from His Kingdom?

Where can He send him?

The whole universe is God’s Kingdom!”

With one answer, the minister had achieved two goals:

• Pleased his King – by affirming his greatness by telling of the ‘power’ to banish

• Told the truth – by acknowledging God’s total sovereignty

This little incident speaks to us of the supreme Glory and Omnipotence of God and His Kingdom.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus teaching to us on the nature and characteristics of the Kingdom of Glorious and Omnipotent God, with the help of parables.

One aspect that we need to note here is the usage of parables in the teaching ministry of Jesus.

It could be said that if Jesus had a grammar teacher, then, probably the teacher would have been extremely proud of this Student!

Jesus used a lot of metaphors, similes, illustrations and parables in His teachings.

Therefore we need to be aware and careful when we read and understand this ‘technique’ of the Lord:

• Such parables and examples were not to be taken in the literal sense, but in its figurative sense

• Such metaphors were presented by Jesus to emphasise on a particular aspect of a teaching

• Such illustrations were not meant to be closed-reflections; rather, they were to be means of allowing a person to explore and delve deeper into the mystery that was being explained.

The teachings connected to God and His Kingdom are mysteries…. divine and lofty.

• Metaphors and parables are the meaningful expressions of these mysteries.

They are never complete by themselves… Yet, they are rich and meaningful.

• They induce emotions.

• They help to situate culturally.

• They unite people together in a common search.

And this is the essence of true religiosity: fostering one’s search and longing for the Divine.

By presenting the parables, Jesus triggers our minds to open up to the vastness of the reality of God and to foster our desire to seek Him more, in our everyday living and circumstances.

• For a true seeker of God, every situation of life becomes a parable from God, revealing His Supreme Providence.

• For a genuine searcher of the Divine, every circumstance and person in life, becomes an illustration from the Lord, to know His Presence and Will

>> Do I consider my life as a “beautiful parable” from God, and seek to find the Divine elements in it?

>> Do I reflect on the circumstances of my life – joyful, painful, sorrowful, sinful – as a “wonderful illustration” from the Lord, inviting me to see His Presence and fostering my own relationship with Him?

The two parables of the Day present to us, figuratively, some aspects of the Kingdom of God:

1. The Parable of the Kingdom of God as the seed that is sown, sprouted and giving a rich harvest, without being in the grasp of the awareness of the one who sows

What does this parable teach?

a. The duty of the one who sows, even if one is unaware how the growth-process happens

>> Am I active and energetic in being an agent of the Kingdom of God – by speaking of Christ, by living His Gospel values, by freeing our lives from sin – even if I fail to understand ‘how’ would this help in the growth process of the Kingdom?

b. The glory of the growth of the seed, taking its own time and conveying the message of patience and persistence

>> Do I be patient when success doesn’t come to me immediately and do I continue to be persevering in my efforts – of prayer, of duty, of my responsibilities – even if it takes a longer time than I expect?

c. The assurance that the growth of the seed, fostered by earthly elements, nevertheless, given by the power and grace of God.

>> Do I be faithful to the duties that I need to do and then totally depend on the mighty hand of God in order to experience success and see the fruits of my labour? As the Psalmist says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain, who build” (Ps 127: 1)

2. The Parable of the mustard Seed as the Seed that is the smallest when sown, yet grows on to be the greatest of all shrubs, and becomes a shelter for the birds of the air

What does this parable teach?

a. The little things of life also have the potency to develop to give the greatest results, since God is the Author of such successes and accomplishments

>> Am I convinced that even if my resources – be it talents or time or income or personnel or anything else – are too small or insignificant, they can still become powerful means for the growth of God’s Kingdom, if we are faithful and depend totally on His grace?

b. The external growth and triumphs that are achieved, in turn, ought to become a source of help and solace for the others (as the birds of the air take nest in the huge mustard shrubs)

>> Do the achievements of my life – small or big- help me to become a person who reaches out in support and solace, to the needy ones?

c. An element of surprise and wonder is present in every act of nature – the little mustard seed, which would otherwise have been trampled upon as something too ordinary, amazes by its extraordinary growth

>> Am I able to trust in the “surprising and astonishing” wonders that the Lord can perform in ‘any’ situation of my life ?

All of us are part of the Project ‘Kingdom of God’.

May we nurture and grow in this task that is entrusted to us, in the little or big way that God graces us…

… and thus bring glory and honour to our Supremely Glorious and Omnipotent God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A Chinese proverb goes thus: “Do not have each foot on a different boat.”

“Standing on two boats” is a trend that we find in our modern world.

… people taking double standards in their life in the society outside and life at home inside

… friends changing their loyalties to one another depending on the circumstance and situation, for their own favour

… spouses cheating on one another, for their own selfish and sinful pleasures

… business partners entering into secretive contracts with other companies, for unaccounted gains

Many such examples of people not being “true to their words” makes today’s Gospel extremely relevant in our context.

In the Gospel, Jesus says: “Let what you say, simply be ‘Yes’ or “No’” (Mt 5:38)

Continuing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives His instructions to His disciples, on how one should remain “focused in one’s faith”.

The Sermon on the Mount can be also termed as a “Teaching on Challenging Mediocre Lifestyles”.

Jesus, all through the Sermon on the Mount, picks up various topics…

… anger

… adultery

… divorce

… vows

… love for enemies

etc…

>> And raises the level of their understanding for a Christian.

Today’s Gospel presents Jesus speaking on the topic of “vows and promises”…

… emphasizing on the aspect of remaining focused and clear, in one’s words and deeds.

Jesus categorically declares that for a Christian, there ought to be no “double standards”

… a Yes, ought to be a Sincere Yes

… a No, ought to be a Firm No

>> A Sincere Yes to God… a Firm No to Satan

>> A Sincere Yes to Holiness… a Firm No to Sin

>> A Sincere Yes to the Kingdom of God… a Firm No to the ways of the world

The reason to have this conviction is our Faith and Confidence in the Lord.

>> He is the Lord Who remains the same always: “Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever!” (Heb 13:8)

We need to therefore ask ourselves:

>> Am I focusing on sincerity and honesty, in my daily actions and words…

… or do I sometimes take “double-standards”?

>> Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…

… or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

>> Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…

… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?

The world today clearly promotes and propagates insincerity, unfaithfulness and duplicity.

>> Glamour and popularity are the motivations

>> Business-orientations and short-term gains are the catchwords in relationships

In such a “tricky and trying” situation, a Christian is called forth to avoid “standing on two boats”…

… and instead, “be firm and resolute” to standing on Christian Principles.

Our Master Jesus reminds us:

“I prepared for 30 years in silent contemplation of the Christian Virtues…

… 3 years in preaching them

… and 3 hours – on the Cross – in standing firmly in defense of them!

What about you?”

Today we seek the intercession of St John Francis Regis, a Jesuit Priest in the early 17th century.

>> He was well known for his work with at-risk women and orphans.

>> He established safe houses and helped the unemployed find work.

May his words spoken to people who were not bothered about their spiritual life, inspire us towards a “stronger and more resolute” Christian life…

… “What concerns me is not death, which is the object of my wishes: but the state of damnation that you are in, and regard so little!”

God Bless! Live Jesus

The Canadian author, Thomas Costain in his historical novel “The Three Edwards” speaks of the life of a 14th century Duke named Raynald Ill.

>> Raynald was extremely overweight and was commonly called by his Latin nickname “Crassus” which meant ‘fat’!

 

 

This Duke Raynald, after a violent quarrel, suffered defeat in a revolt by his younger brother Edward.

 

Edward captured Raynald, but did not kill him.

 

Instead he imprisoned Raynald in a room in the castle…

… and promised that he could regain his title and property, if he was able to escape from the room.

 

 

This task – to escape from the room – would have been pretty simple for most people, since the room had several windows and a door; none of which was locked!

 

But Raynald had a problem…. His size… His uncontrolled appetite!

 

Edward knew his elder brother…

… and He very well knew this weakness as well!

 

Each day, therefore, Edward send him a variety of delicious foods!

>> Instead of dieting his way out of the room, he began to relish on the grand food served to him…

… and Raynald grew fatter!!

 

When Edward was questioned by the people on his cruelty for having captured his elder brother, he would reply, without any qualms: 

“My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave when he so wills.”

 

 

The story goes on to say that Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn’t released until after Edward died in battle. 

>> But by then his health was so ruined, that he died within a year!

 

Raynald died…

… as a prisoner of his own appetite!

 

 

How often is this a reality in our spiritual lives as well!

 

>> Sin sometimes captures our hearts so much…

.. that we are unwilling to let go, and thus wither in our sinful state

 

>> Immorality and transgressions take over our lives so much…

… that we become slaves, and remain much bound to them.

                                                                                                                           

 

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful call by Jesus to make an honest examination of our state of life, and check whether we are imprisoned by sin…

… especially from the perspective of immorality and decadence in our ethical system.

 

 

Our modern society is often a rude and mute witness to many inhuman atrocities and abuses, especially against women.

>> The world seems to be more and more losing, the sense of sin!

 

 

In this context, it’s shocking to read the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading:

“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery in his heart”! (Mt 5:28)

 

 

Jesus’ words pierces through the heart!

>> He gives no space for lame excuses and silly explanations…

… he hits straight at the target!

 

SIN consists not in some external actions alone…

…..but SIN is conceived and given birth in one’s heart!

 

When we consider the society in which we live in, we find that…

Immorality is on the rise….

>> We pass through cities and towns..

>> We look through newspapers and magazines…

>> We scan across websites, swanky apps and fancy shops…

.. and we find that…  Immorality is, indeed, on the rise!

 

Immoral pictures, sensual visuals, inhuman portrayal of persons, double-meaning talks have somehow become the order of the day!

>> We are very often surrounded by filth and lewdness in our society.

 

Just as the God, the Divine Sower sows the seeds of Word of God…

… so, Satan, the Father of Deception scatters the seeds of Immorality and Lust everywhere!

 

It’s here, that a Christian needs to be on the watch.

>> It is our duty as Christians, to preserve our hearts from this dangerous contagion.

 

The beatitudes tell us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God” (Mt 5: 8)

 

We have a duty…

… to preserve ourselves from Impurity!

… to protect others in their dignity and honour!

…to awaken the society which is often, deadened in immorality & perversion!

 

 

Let us examine our lives and check.. “Am I becoming a prisoner of my own appetite?”

… being a slave to lustful thoughts or immoral patterns of attitudes

… being indifferent to a society which strips itself of all dignity in the name of liberty and freedom

 

The Lord very powerfully challenges us to be totally intolerant to casting away sin and sinful tendencies from our life…

>> ” If your right eye causes you to sin… tear it out and throw it away” (Mt 5: 29)

>> ” If  your hand causes you to sin… cut it off and throw it away” (Mt 5: 30)

 

Sin has no place in a world of mercy and love!

>> Mercy places an obligation that all sin be rid off!

>> Love demands that all wrongdoing be cast away!

 

Let the words of St Antony of Padua be given heed to:

“Anyone, then, who desires to live chastely in Christ Jesus, must flee not only the mouse of lust, but even from its very scent.”

 

Let’s awake, Dear Christians…

…  Purify our World and live in Sanctity and Holiness…

 

 

Let us free ourselves from the “imprisonment of our appetites” and experience the “glorious liberty” of the Children of God!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus

It is said that there are two extremely fatal phrases in the English language.

>> They are

1. “What is the use?”

2. “Why should I?”

“What is the use?” is the fatal tendency…

… that causes people to look at the world from a purely pragmatic perspective

>> Such a tendency…

… causes people to lose interest in things and people, if they don’t seem useful and beneficial

… causes people to manipulate people, things and situations in a way that suits their self-interests

“Why should I?” is the fatal tendency…

… that causes people to look at the world from a resigned and indifferent perspective

>> Such a tendency…

… causes people to rot in lethargy and tepidity and lose the spice of life

… causes people to push the responsibility to other, and themselves slacken in comfort and ease

These two phrases were very much reflected in the “Pharisaic and the Scribal lifestyle” which Jesus, in today’s Gospel invites each us to surpass and overcome.

>> The “What is the use” lifestyle…

… which made them to only flaunt their external piety and lose sight of the unglamorous aspect of devotion

>> The “Why should I” lifestyle…

… which made them to reject any offer calling them to repentance or amend their ways and instead made them to be stuck to their own prejudices and adamant patterns of thought.

Jesus always keeps challenging us!

The Lord loathes laziness and lukewarmness…

>> He loves to keep raising the standard of our holiness and faith!

This challenge is reflected in today’s Gospel Reading.

Jesus says, ” Unless your righteousness exceeds that of Scribes & Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20)

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees would consist…

… in a lifestyle which insisted only on the exact following of the ‘letter’ of the Law neglecting its spirit

… in a tendency to neglect the fundamental aspects of the Law and focus only on the peripheries

What could be some of the negative aspects of the Righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees, which Jesus condemns…and which perhaps, we need to overcome?

1. They liked to preach…but not practise

We live in a world where there are many people who are good in preaching, writing reflections and advising on spiritual matters.

>> But very often, a massive chasm appears between their preaching and their way of life.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

2. They liked to do things to “show-off”

A tragedy of religious practices can be, when things are done not to please God, but to win the approval and endorsement of people.

>> Religious piety and devotions very often become means to have self-gratification of one’s senses, and sadly, even platforms to boast and brag about one’s capacities and capabilities.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

3. They liked to make the Word of God, user-friendly, at the cost of God’s Will:

One of the trends in the modern world, is to have all products and gadgets “user-friendly”.

Sadly, this trend is also often applied to the Word of God.

>> The Word of God, its commandments and laws are twisted and condensed and expanded and interpreted and quoted and explained and elucidated – all to suit one’s own comfortable and pleasurable way of life!

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

Am I in any of these category of peoples??

The Lord challenges us today.. to exceed this sort of a righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

We need to be people…

… “who walk the talk”!

… “who practice our Faith to Please God and Him alone

… “who live a Gospel-oriented life”

The Gospel ought to mould and shape us – and not we changing the Word of God to suit and justify our secured and comfortable lives!

>> Gal 1:10, says,” If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”

Our modern world strongly advocates the two fatal phrases of…

… “What is the use?” and “Why should I?”

As followers of Christ, it is our duty and task to go beyond such a “Pharisaic and Scribal Lifestyle”…

… and live as Jesus would want us to!

We need to counter these two fatal phrases, with inspirational mantras…

>> “What is the use?” is to be countered by “All to Thy Glory!”

>> “Why should I?” is to be countered by “To let Thy Will be done!”

Let all our actions and thoughts be directed only to God.

Let our Lives truly be a Good News!

>> As St Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel always…use words, if necessary!“

God Bless us! Live Jesus!

Great incidents and heroic stories can inspire and challenge us greatly.

The Bible is most certainly a power-filled storehouse of such great incidents and heroic stories…

… which inspire us to be more zealous in serving the Lord

… which challenge us to be more enthusiastic in our following of the Lord

One of the most powerful incidents, which has this dual dimension of “inspiring and challenging” is the one found in the First Book of the Kings, Chapter 18, verses 20-39.

This incident is known by many titles …

>>The Challenge of Elijah, the Prophet

>> Elijah v/s Baal

>> Elijah and the prophets of Baal

… and many more.

The incident is familiar to most of us…

After a drought of three years, the prophet Elijah presented himself to Ahab, the king of Israel, with the promise that the Lord would provide rain.

Elijah, then went on to challenged 450 prophets of the pagan god named Baal and 400 prophets of another pagan god, Asherah to a contest on Mount Carmel.

His words of challenge to them were powerful:

“How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21).

The game of challenge began:

>> Each side (The numerous prophets of Baal v/s Elijah, the solitary prophet) made sacrifices to their God without building a fire…

… and the lighting of the fire was to be performed by the strongest god (God!)!

Baal was silent.

>> The confident prophet Elijah began to even mock the prophets of Baal:

“Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27).

The time then can for Elijah to intercede for the revealing of the Glory of God…

He poured a large amount of water over his sacrifice and asked Jehovah to reveal Himself by consuming the sacrifice.

>> “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench” (1 Kings 18:38)

When the people saw the clear victory of Jehovah, they fell on their faces and said:

“The Lord, He is God!

The Lord, He is God!”

Elijah then commanded the people to seize the prophets of Baal and to not let one of them escape.

>> God then sent the rain he had promised and the drought ended (1 Kings 18:41-46).

One of the most powerful messages derived from this incident is that…

…” When we stand for God, God stands by us!”

… “When we seek to uphold the Lord, the Lord reveals His Glory through us!”

The Prophet Elijah, who stood for the Lord and was bold to proclaim His Power…

… became the mighty instrument through whom God would reveal His glory!

Elijah, the prophet , through whom God manifested His Glory…

… would foreshadow the Great Prophet, Jesus, Who would be the fullness of God’s Glory! (Col 1: 19)

>> Jesus is not just the Great Prophet, Who is the Voice and Word of God

>> Jesus is not just the Supreme Law-Giver, through Whom everything came into being

… Jesus would be the fulfilment and the completion of the Law and the Prophets (Mt 5: 17)!

This Jesus goes on to present a mighty challenge to His followers:

“Whoever relaxes one of the least of the commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven;

But he who does them, and teaches them shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:18-19)

This is a powerful invitation that the Lord presents before us:

>> “Are you willing to stand up for me?”

>> “Are you willing to uphold my virtues and the Kingdom values by your life?”

Just as Prophet Elijah, in his days, found challenged by paganism, our world today is faced with innumerable challenges…

>> A spirit of materialism, that seeks to devour all people into a life of comfort and cosiness…

… at the loss of dependence on God and faithfulness to Divine Providence

>> A spirit of relativism, that does away with even fundamental truths and basic institutions…

… by seeking to dilute the virtues for which the Church champions and makes void Christ’s teachings

>> A spirit of division, that slays communities and societies on peripheral grounds like colour, language, caste, region etc…

… and causes people to even divert from essential elements like faith, worship, communion etc

>> A spirit of indifference, that makes people to behave as strangers to one another…

… and making one to be insensitive to the needy and hurting the Triune Image of God within oneself

As Christians, more than ever before, the challenge is before us…

>> To stand up for God…

… and know for sure, that He will stand by us!

>> To uphold the Lord…

… and experience truly the Glory of God revealed through us!

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Antony of Padua…

… one of the most loved Saints, all over the world.

He is popularly invoked by those who have trouble finding lost objects.

But in own day, he was more popular as the “Hammer of Heretics”…

… due to the powerful witness of his life and preaching.

An account in the life of St Antony tells of an Ordination of some Franciscan and Dominican friars both…

… and the superiors desired that someone be designated to preach.

With no one prepared to speak, St Antony was pressed by the other friars in attendance (both Franciscans and Dominicans) to take on the unprepared task.

He hesitated…

… but was encouraged by the others to speak “whatever the Spirit of God gave him to say.”

Anthony proceeded to preach with great brilliance, to the shock of all those in attendance!

His zeal, oratory skill, and many conversions won him the title “Hammer of Heretics.”

>> His brilliance made him the foremost preacher in his day.

May the great incidents and the heroic stories of the Bible continue to always “inspire and challenge” us

>> And May the Powerful Intercession of the “Hammer of Heretics” – St Antony of Padua…

…. help us to be bold and daring – to rise up to the occasion… and Stand up for God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Here is a lovely story of a humble little monk named Telemachus living out in the farming regions of Asia.

Telemachus had no great ambitions in life.

He loved his little garden, and tilled it through the changing seasons.

But one day in the year 391, he felt a sense of urgency, a call of God’s direction in his life – to Rome.

Rome was the heart and soul of the mighty empire.

The feelings of such a call frightened him, but he went anyway, praying along the way for God’s direction.

When he finally got to the city it was in an uproar! The armies of Rome had just come home from the battlefield in victory, and the crowds were turning out for a great celebration.

They flowed through the streets like a tidal wave, and Telemachus was caught in their frenzy and carried into the Colloseum.

He had never seen a gladiator contest before, but now his heart sickened.

Down in the arena men hacked at each other with swords and clubs.

The crowds roared at the sight of blood, and urged their favorites on to the death.

Telemachus couldn’t stand it.

He knew this wasn’t the way God wanted people to live or to die.

So little Telemachus worked his way through the crowds to the wall down by the arena. “In the name of Christ, forbear!”, he shouted.

Nobody heard him, so he crawled up onto the wall and shouted again: “In the name of Christ, forbear!”

This time the few who heard him only laughed. But Telemachus was not to be ignored.

He jumped into the arena, and ran through the sands toward the gladiators. “In the name of Christ, forbear!”

The crowds laughed at the silly little man, and threw stones at him.

Telemachus, however, was on a mission.

He threw himself between two gladiators to stop their fighting. “In the name of Christ, forbear!” he cried.

They hacked him apart!

They cut his body from shoulder to stomach, and he fell onto the sand with the blood running out of his life.

The gladiators were stunned, and stopped to watch him die.

Then the crowds fell back in silence, and, for a moment, no one in the Colloseum moved.

The site of the dead man, and the reaction of the crowd, led the emperor and his guests to silently stand, turn and leave the Colloseum.

After a few minutes, the Gladiators put their swords down and they too left.

>> All that remained in that giant stadium was the scrawny lifeless body of the young man.

History claims that this was the very last gladiator game at the coliseum.

The memory of that man screaming to the crowd, and the image of the blood thirsty lust of the crowd had changed the hearts and the minds of the Romans in that instant.

Within an hour, the emperor issued an edict forbidding any future games of war within the Roman Empire.

• There was no more killing in the Colloseum.

• There were no more gladiator matches in Rome.

All because one man, stood up….and said “In the Name of Jesus, forbear!!”.

He, as a true Christian, became, the salt of the earth and light of the world.

This is the call of the Gospel of the Day.

Jesus says, ” You are the salt of the earth” ” (Mt 5: 13) and “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 14)

• In ancient Greece, salt was considered so valuable it was called, “theon”, divine.

• The Romans believed that nothing was of more value than salt except the Sun. Roman soldiers were even paid in salt.

• An ancient Near Eastern custom still practiced among some Arabs today is that a pact of friendship is sealed with a gift of salt.

This call of the Gospel has gained significant importance and urgency in our world today.

We live in times and generation when the need to be a “salt” and “light” has gained tremendous urgency…

• The world is losing a taste for things of everlasting value and instead relishes more of transient materials.

Can I be a “salt” in such situations giving the taste of eternity and goodness, to revive lives and to orient them towards the real joys of life?

• The world is fast degrading and losing values in various areas like moral life, social situations, cultural integrity and religious fervour.

Can I be a “light”, casting away the darkness of ignorance and shedding new illumination and radiance for the revival of sanctified lives?

• The world today, and even the Church, sometimes, is sadly deeply getting corrupted and there are strong strands of infection and contamination affecting various core dimensions.

Can I be a “salt” which rubs in consciousness for transformation and change and be a healing agent to prick the conscience of people to lead an integral life?

• The world and even the Church, sometimes, is easy on closing the eye to the evils that are constantly rising, and fails to be a powerful voice for justice and peace

Can I be a “light” which casts its powerful rays on the dark shades of wickedness and expose the inhuman elements of the society, helping towards a harmonious and pleasant world?

“Salt” and “light” are symbols of purity.

To be the “salt” and “light” in the world, demands a high level of perfection and holiness in our lives.

May we be willing to rise up to the challenge of being the “salt of the earth” and “light to the world” even if it requires giving up many of our comfort areas of life, so that our Christian values can be preserved and the love of God may shine forth to the world!

God bless! Live Jesus!

A story is said of a man who lived a very fine life.

>> Being a carpenter, he had helped in the construction works of the church.

>> He was also very benevolent in helping people who needed his counselling and guiding skills

However, at a particular phase in his life, many things went wrong…

>> His wife had a sudden death and the man found himself at a deep loss

>> There was also a financial crisis that he faced, with a few people exploiting his simple innocence

These and many other experiences left him quite broken, dejected and defeated.

It was at this time, that attending a Sunday Mass, he heard the priest preaching on the Love and Providence of God.

>> The sermon touched him much… the Word of God moved him greatly.

After the Mass, he approached the priest to have a talk with him

>> The priest welcomed him cordially, and the two spoke for a long time.

After his sharing, the man felt extremely relieved and coming back home, he told his neighbour:

“What a man he is…!

“When I went into his office, all the stars had fallen out of my skies -but one by one he put them back again…

I feel so much stronger and hopeful, now…!

Experiences in life are often such…

… unfair and unjust

… partial and discriminatory

We therefore are in need of encouragements in life…

… to lift our sagging spirits

… to raise our deadened hopes

… to boost our depressed minds

In situations where “the stars fall out of our skies”…

… we need encouragements and support to have them ” one by one, be put back again!”

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of St Barnabas – who was an immense source of encouragement…

… and invites us to also become persons of encouragement to others.

In the Bible, there are many characters and personalities, who assume great importance and are in the highlight, by virtue of their words and deeds.

>> But there are also a few, who remain in the background, and yet are strong and powerful characters…

… St Barnabas, whose feast we celebrate today, is one such personality.

The word “Barnabas” in Greek means… “the Son of Encouragement”.

>> And true to his name, St Barnabas lived a life, “encouraging” the Christian Faith.

It’s amazing to see the very many practical ways in which St Barnabas can be a model and example for our Christian lives

>> Let’s pick up a few areas in which St Barnabas was a source of encouragement…for our practical Christian life.

1. Religiously:

Barnabas was of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36)

>> The tribe of Levi served particular religious duties for the Israelites and had political responsibilities as well.

The spirit of a strict Jewish System was much strong in Levites.

Yet, Barnabas breaks away from that strict religious system, to embrace Christianity – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

>> Am I willing to let go of my many faith-prejudices and false religious-notions and embrace Christ and His Church, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

2. Cultural

Barnabas was from Cyprus, in Turkey (Acts 4:36)

… and yet, he becomes a missionary to work in Jerusalem and other far-away places.

He transcends cultures and places, and moves beyond his own cultural, linguistic and ethnic boundaries – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

>> Am I willing to let go beyond my cultural, linguistic and ethnic barriers, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

3. Financially

When the Early Church was in need, Barnabas sold his field, and gave the money to the Apostles (Acts 4:37)

He was sensitive to the needs of the Church and was willing to be self-giving – all for the love of Jesus and His Church.

>> Am I willing to let go of my richness, possessions and attachments, for the Love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

4. Psychologically

St Paul, after his dramatic conversion, was not easily accepted by the Early Church because of his ignominious past (Acts 9:26).

But Barnabas took the lead in helping Paul to be part of the preaching ministry, as Scripture testifies:

“But Barnabas took him (Paul) and brought him to the Apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27)

It was St Barnabas who supported and encouraged St Paul, in his initial days of struggle – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

>> Am I willing to accept and encourage people who are misunderstood and are mistreated, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

e. Spiritually

St Barnabas was a person mightily filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:24)

>> Yet, he was happy and content to ‘play second fiddle’ – playing the minor and supportive role to St Paul, in his missionary endeavours.

He was willing to remain humble and meek – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

>> Am I willing to let go of my tendencies of spiritual pride, and instead remain humble and meek, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

St Barnabas, remains a humble yet powerful challenge to our Christian lives.

>> He is one of the many unsung heroes of Christianity.

In life, we come across many who are broken and dejected, sad and hopeless…

>> We find many who “have the stars fallen out of their skies”

Can we become persons who encourage, console and strengthen them, “by one by one, putting back the stars” in their life?

St Barnabas invites and exhorts us…

… Are we willing to be a “Child of Encouragement?”

Happy Feast of the “Apostle of Encouragement”!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A little boy came to his father with a great sense of earnestness and asked:

“Father, is Satan bigger than I am?”

“Yes, my boy,” said the father.

“Is he bigger than you are, Father?”

“Yes, my boy, he is bigger than your father”

The boy looked surprised but thought again, and asked, “Is he bigger than Jesus?”

“No, my boy,” answered the father. “Jesus is bigger than he is.”

The little fellow, as he turned away, said with a smile, “Then I’m not afraid of him.”

Our Christian life is a constant warfare between the forces of Satan and our choices for God’s Kingdom.

If we trust in the Lord, then at all moments, we will dare to do God’s Will

>> But, if we are divided in our commitment to the Lord, then we keep ourselves out of the circle of God’s Will…

… and thus always live in fear and division!

Do we realize that our God is much bigger than the evil…

… and thus, we can always trust in Him

>> And hence, we can always do His Will?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus unleashing His convictions on how He has complete power and control over the Devil…

… and thus invites and challenges all His followers, to constantly remain in the “family circle” of doing God’s Will.

The Gospel begins with the statement that…

… “the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul and by the prince of demons , He casts out the demons” (Mk 3:22)

One of the reasons why the Scribes were irked by the personality of Jesus was because of the tremendous authority that was displayed by Jesus!

Yes, the amazing factor in the ministry of Jesus was His tremendous authority!

>> The wondrous aspect in the ministry of Jesus was His awesome integrity!

Elsewhere, in the Gospel of St Mark, we read…

>> The people “were astonished at his teaching, for He taught as one who had authority…” (Mk 1:22)

>> “… they were all amazed so that they questioned among themselves…. ‘…with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him” ( Mk 1: 27)

This authority and integrity came…

… through His deep union with His Heavenly Father.

… through His faithfulness to the commands of His heavenly Father

… through His undivided devotion to His Heavenly Father

How authoritative, credible and integral are we in our life…

… as a Christian?

… in the family?

… as a consecrated person?

Authoritative does not mean arrogance…

>> Credibility does not mean over-confidence…

>>> Integrity does not mean super-importance…

Authority, credibility and integrity in the Lord means…

… filled with the power and strength of God’s Spirit

… imbued with a deep passion for the Lord and His Church

… living an honest lifestyle in accordance to God’s Will and teachings

The Gospel of the Day calls us to check and examine…

… is my prayer life and devotion truly authentic and credible?

… is my preaching and spreading of God’s Word filled with His Holy Spirit?

… is my reception of the Sacraments helping me to make an honest effort to be a true Christian?

Jesus constantly invites us to be “part of His Family”…

… the Family of those who Seek and Do His Will!

In the Old Testament – the book of Genesis – we read that when Adam and Eve sinned, they chose to “remain hiding” – away from the Presence of God

>> “… I heard the sound of Thee….and I hid myself” (Gen 3:10)

When Adam and Eve failed in their commitment to Seek and Do God’s Will…

… fear engulfed them

… they sought to stay away from the “Familial Presence of God”

Do I “hide from God’s Presence”

… or do I “seek God’s Presence?”

When we realize that God is much powerful than the evil …

… then we can always trust in Him

>> And hence, we can always do His Will!

May Jesus be our model and example to be true and honest in life!

>> May He be our ideal and standard to be faithful and committed to our mission!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is a well-known incident in the life of St Francis de Sales…

During the period from December 1586 to January 1587, St Francis underwent a terrible crisis, a temptation, a trial.

There were several causes:

• His natural tendency to anxiety

• The problem of predestination (a Calvinist position which says that God has determined the eternal destiny of every human being. He has chosen some to eternal life and foreordained others to everlasting punishment) keenly discussed in theological circles in those days.

• A mystical dimension to the trial: an unselfish, pure love of God and total surrender to Him, in which lay the answer to his problems as he was being tempted to despair of his salvation.

One day in January 1587, St Francis went into the church of St. Etienne des Grès.

He went to the chapel of our Lady and knelt down in front of the statue.

He was inspired to make an unconditional surrender of his salvation to God, using the words: “O God, Just Judge and Merciful Father, at least in this life will I love You, if it is not given to me to love You in life everlasting”.

Then he saw there a card with the prayer – The Memorare: “Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary …”

>> He took it and earnestly prayed it.

He was instantly healed.

>> The temptation vanished.

Strength and confidence returned to him.

He consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and decided to dedicate his life to God with a vow of chastity.

The Gentleman Saint, St Francis de Sales found consolation and encouragement by dwelling on the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother Mary, and consecrated himself to Her maternal care.

Today, on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we too are invited to admire and venerate the deep love and affection of our Blessed Mother and to seek Her help and intercession to lead a life in closer union with the Lord.

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mary is celebrated on the following day of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of the Lord.

Both these devotions are intricately linked.

The Catechism of the Church says, :

“Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it.” (CCC # 964)

“This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death”. (CCC #1172)

It was in 1942, in the context of the devastating Second World War, that Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Gospel of the Day gives a glimpse into this Blessed Heart of our Mother.

St Luke testifies that “… Jesus’ Mother kept all these things in Her Heart” (Lk 2: 51b)

What does the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother teach us?

• The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that “everything in life is not understood”.

Mother Mary had to face a lot of things in life, which went beyond the grasp of Her reason and understanding.

Right from the moment of the Annunciation

… to the misunderstandings in her marital life

… the hardships of giving birth to Her Child

…the grievances of post-birth and care

… the loss of Her Spouse, Joseph

… the misunderstandings Her Little Child had to face in His ministry

… the cruel death meted out to Her Beloved Child

None of these would have been understood by Mary.

Yet, even when life handed on situations that was not understood, She remained trustful and obedient.

• The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that “sorrow and pain are an integral part of everyone’s life”

The Heart of our Blessed Mother faced a lot of pain and agonies…

… sacrificing of a promising life ahead, for the sake of giving birth to God’s Child

… facing crisis in the family and possibilities of misunderstanding with her to-be-husband Joseph

… uncertainty during and after the birth of the Child

… living life as a widow and alone with Her Son away in a risky mission

… undergoing the deepest pain of seeing One’s Own Child facing a harrowing death

• The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that ” being focused on doing God’s Will brings the greatest joy and happiness”

The Heart of our Blessed Mother was ever focused on doing God’s Will.

Just as Her Son would tell later on in life, “My food is to do the Will of the One who sent me” (Jn 4:34), Mary also would sustain Her life on doing the Will of the Father at all times.

This would therefore turn out to be the source of strength and joy, even in the midst of the deep pain that Her Heart underwent.

The Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother is a model and example and inspiration for all of us too….

• Do I realise that “not everything in life can be understood”; yet life is still worth living and making it beautiful for others and for God?

• Do I accept that “pains and problems” are part and parcel of life; yet, holding on to the Father’s Hands will assure us of a spiritual joy and heavenly peace?

• Do I seek to constantly seek and do God’s Will in my life, and be committed and faithful to the tasks that are entrusted to me, as part of my vocation?

Today as we honour the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mamma, let us also seek the intercession of the great St Antony of Padua, whose feast also we celebrate.

He was full of veneration to our Blessed Mother, and speaks of the glories that God worked through Her: “She possessed within Her the compactness of love—for nine months She carried Love Incarnate in Her womb.”

May we consecrate our lives to the Maternal Care of our Blessed Mother Mary and find consolation and comfort in Her Immaculate Heart!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, may we rest in You!

Happy Feast of our Immaculate Mamma!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A young couple were travelling on the bike…a jolly ride.

Fast they went…thru the narrow streets, wide highways, lush-green meadows and fruit-laden fields.

As they moved across a rather long highway, at a high speed…

… the rider – the young husband – realized that the brakes of the bike had failed.

But he didn’t allow his wife to know the impending danger.

Instead as they were conversing,  he asked her, “Do you really love and trust me?”

>> The wife answered, “Of course I do! And am so happy to love and be loved by you!”

Then the husband said, as he was riding, “Then take off my helmet and put it on for yourself! Let’s see whether you trust in my riding skills!”

The girl- innocent and unsuspecting –  felt it as a challenge, and went on the take the helmet and put it for herself.

In a few moments, the bike, whose brakes had failed, would soon crash onto a tree…!

The young husband suffered from serious head injuries…

… but the girl, with the helmet on her head, remained safe…

All because, the boy, in his deep love for her, had sacrificed his life, for the safety of his love!

True love, by its nature, moves out of oneself…

… and gives in total self-giving to the other… to the one who is loved!

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – in Which is displayed the greatest expression of Love…

… a God who madly loves humanity and gave Himself up, in entirety for us, Whom He loves!

In the year 1673, Our Blessed Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary and made her to rest her head upon His Heart; and during which He revealed to her the wonders of His love.

He revealed to her, His Sacred Heart and requested her to establish the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the Friday after the Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, in order to make reparation for sins which offend His Sacred Heart.

In her vision, she saw His wounded heart, on fire with love, saying, “Behold this Heart which has loved men so much and has received such little love in return.”

It was on June 11, 1899 Pope Leo XIII solemnly consecrated the whole mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Gospel of the day presents the account of how the Heart of our Blessed Lord was pierced with a lance, on Mount Calvary.

“But one soldier thrust his lance into His side, and immediately blood and water flowed out” (Jn 19: 34)

The Catholic tradition identifies the water as the symbol of Baptism and the Blood as the symbol of the Holy Eucharist.

·      The Water symbolizes purification.

·      The Blood symbolizes atonement.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is today one of the most recognizable symbols of the Christian faith.

·      The picture consists of the Heart, with the wound of the lance in its side, a crown of thorns about it, a cross above it and flames surrounding it.

This Sacred Heart of Jesus represents not simply His physical heart but His love for all humankind.

This Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of the Lord teaches us many things…

1. It teaches us the immense love that the Lord possesses for each one of us, personally.

>> Have I experienced the tremendous love that the Lord has for me?

I may feel myself low.

>> I may consider myself to be not very good.

>> I may think that my life is just not worth living.

>> I may deem that my past has ruined my life very badly.

>> I may judge that situations around me can never be changed.

Even with all these things, am I convinced that “Jesus loves me”, still…

… and that He will take me through, by the power of His love?

2. It teaches us the pain and the agony that the Lord still undergoes as a result of our sin and the sins of the world

Do I realize that a sinful life brings tears to the Lord and causes more wounds to the Precious Heart of the Lord?

There is nothing which pains the Lord more than sin.

>> It was for our salvation that He shed even the last drop of His blood.

>> He not just wants but insists and demands and commands us to live in holiness.

Do I give heed to this “passionate and sincere” call of the Lord to live our lives in sanctity and in accordance to God’s Will in my life?

3. It teaches us the need to be part of the process of redemption that Christ has won for us and to be shareholders in His mission of bringing God’s love to all

Do I become aware that Christ is calling me to be part of His redemptive work of salvation?

>> Christ still suffers and undergoes pains.

>> From the Cross, He cried, “I thirst” (Jn 19: 28)

>> He desires that people who have known and experienced His love become effective agents of bringing His love to others.

By a life of sacrifices (tiny or great…little or huge), by simple acts of love, compassion and mercy and by greater participation in the Sacramental Life of the Church, the love of the Sacred Heart can be brought to many more people.

Am I willing to take up this responsibility that the Lord is handing on to us?

We live in times when heart diseases and ailments are on the rise…

>> Physically: Heart Attacks, Hole in the heart, Congestive Heart failures, Narrowing of the arteries…

>> Emotionally: A Broken Heart,  A Fearful Heart, An Anxious Heart, A Discouraged Heart, A Lonely Heart, A Rejected Heart…

>> Spiritually: An Angry Heart, A Sinful Heart, An Unrepentant Heart, A Lukewarm Heart, A Lustful Heart, An Unfaithful Heart…

We all, possess one or more aspects of these hearts….

Perhaps, , we need a Spiritual Heart Surgery…

… a change of heart…to be more like the Heart of Jesus!

>> In Ezekiel 36:26, the Lord says, “I will give you a New Heart….”

The Sacred Heart is burning with love for each of us!

>> “The Love of Jesus ever gives, forgives, outlives;

And ever stands with open hands;

And while it lives, it gives,

For this is love’s prerogative

To give, and give, and give!”

Let us be united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord…

… renew our consecration this day to Him…

… and pray and persevere, to Live Love, in its purity, in its faithfulness and in its truth!

LET’S LIVE LOVE, TO GIVE LOVE

>> LET’S LIVE JESUS, TO GIVE JESUS!

Happy Feast to Jesus, our Beloved…and Happy Feast to all of us, His Lovers!

God Bless! Live Jesus!