Sports lovers enjoy hat-tricks!

A hat-trick in sports is the achieving of a positive feat three times in a row during a game, or other achievements based on ‘threes’ in some sports.

This term ‘hat-trick’, it seems, first appeared in 1858 in cricket, to describe a bowler HH Stephenson, taking three wickets with three consecutive deliveries.

>> The fans held a collection for Stephenson, and presented him with a ‘hat’ bought with the proceeds.

The term was eventually adopted by many other sports including hockey, association football, water polo, team handball etc.

Hat-trick requires an exceptional performance and therefore is quite rare.

Well, how about a double hat-trick?

A double hat-trick would be too exceptional, isn’t it?

And would be much rarer…right?

Well, the Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the Champion Player, in the field of wits and wisdom, after having earned an exceptional double hat-trick!

What is the double hat-trick in the case of Jesus, the Champion Player?

It is the dismissal and silencing of six groups of people… in their human cunningness…and letting the light of God’s Wisdom to emerge triumphant!

The three passages that precede the Gospel passage of the Day present 6 groups of people…

1. The Chief Priests 2. The Scribes    3. The Elders

“As Jesus was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders approached Him, and said….” (Mk 11:27)

4. The Pharisees       5. The Herodians

“They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech” (Mk 12:13)

6. The Sadducees

“Some Sadducees who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus….” (Mk 12: 18)

Jesus, as the Champion Player…

… dismisses all the 6 of them, in their wicked plans to humiliate Him

… silences all the 6 of them, in their dishonest tactics to put Truth to the test

All the 6 groups go back… in defeat… faced with a challenge to examine themselves and their thought-patterns!

A double hat-trick has been achieved by the Champion Lord!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus putting forward the formula for success in the game of spiritual life – LOVE!

The passage begins with a member of the scribe, after having seen the stupendous performance of the Lord, approaching Him with a question, “Which is the greatest of all commandments?”

To this question the Lord answers the formula for success in the game of spiritual life:

“The Lord our God, is Lord alone. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mk 12:29- 30) and

“Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)

·      When one’s life is truly centred on love for God, one also begins to express this love to one’s neighbours in sure and certain acts of love

·      When one’s life is drawn into real service for humankind, one slowly but surely has to realise that the source of these charitable deeds is God and thereby one is to draw closer to the Lord.

Our life needs to be constantly checked to see if we are living under the banner of these two fundamental commands of Christian life – Love of God and Love of neighbour!

·      Does my whole being realise the need to fully love its Creator and constantly nurture relationship with Him?

·      Does my whole being realise that the other is also a person, created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore deserving of my care, attention and appreciation?

·      Is my life reflecting the Divine or do I cast a shadow on God’s graces by a life of sin or persistent evil inclinations or possessive bad habits?

·      Is my life mirroring a love for the other or do I strain relationships by my selfish desires, egoistic attitudes and uncharitable actions?

The 6 groups of people that had approached the Lord to test, to interrogate and to trap had failed to display this fundamental formula of life – Love!

·      They displayed arrogance…

·      They showed jealousy…

·      They characterised hatred…

But none of it, could stand before Jesus, the Lord of Love!

Jesus, the Champion Lord today invites and exhorts each of us to be more and more energized with the power of Love, so as to emerge victoriously in this game of life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is an incident in the life of St Augustine.

 

He tells of a certain heathen, who showed him his idol gods and said, “Here is my god: where is thine?”

 

Then, pointing up at the sun, the heathen said, “Lo! here is my god: where is thine?”

 

Then showing him many diverse creatures, still upbraiding  him said, “Here are my gods: where are thine?”

 

“But,” said St. Augustine, “I showed him not my God;

Not because I had not One to show him, but because he had not eyes to see Him.”

 

 

Truth is received and understood only by the one who is open and willing to accept it!

• Truth can never be forced upon..
• Truth can never be thrust on anyone…

Rather, Truth with the freedom it allows, is taken in only by the one docile to it!

 

 

The Gospel of the Day presents another group of  opponents – characterised by rigidity to accept the truth and blocked in mentality to be docile –  who try to put down and prod our Blessed Lord in His teachings. 

 

Yet, Jesus, who is source and perfection of all wisdom, fails to get bogged down – instead traps them in their own arguments and leaves them faced with a mighty challenge to change!

 

 

The Sadducees came to Jesus to put forward a hypothetical riddle regarding the question of the Resurrection.

 

The Sadducees were the top people in the nation, the elite group of aristocrats who owned a lot of land, wealth and rank.

 

They were the power brokers in Israel’s supreme court, the Sanhedrin.

Even the high priests came from the families of the Sadducees.

 

They were selective in what they accepted from the Scriptures.

• They rejected all the historical books.
• They also rejected all the psalms and the other ‘writings’ like Job and Ecclesiastes.
• Not one of the books of the prophets would they accept.

They were left with just the first five books of Moses.

 

 

Moses was their person of authority.

That is why when they come to Jesus, they characteristically begin, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us…” ( Mk 12:19)

 

They also rejected the resurrection of the dead.

• “Men stay dead,” they said; human beings only have this life here and now.

That is what they believed; no judgment; with death, the soul perishes with the body.

 

 

 

We live in a world where we also encounter many of the “modern” Sadducees.

• People who live as though there is no Resurrection..
• People who deny giving any significance for life after this life
• People who fail to uphold any teachings or thoughts that support a life after death

 

For such “modern” Sadducees,

… Life consists in basically enjoying the pleasures of this present life to the maximum!

… Life is not to be drowned in “boring” piety and “dull” devotions with a hope for the future!

 

Perhaps, some of us, may also share such thought-patterns  of the Sadducees.

 

Yet, the Lord addresses us, just as He did to the Sadducees, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mk 12: 24)

 

• The Scriptures clearly testify to the various references that are made to the fact of the “dead” not really being dead… rather, alive in the Lord
• The power of God clearly testifies that God as the one who created creation out of nothing, also has the power to grant new life to those who are dead

 

 

The Gospel passage ends with the statement by Jesus, “You are greatly misled” (Mk 12: 27b).

Another translation would read, “You are quite wrong”

 

The Lord was not afraid to clearly and bluntly tell the Sadducees that they were wrong and misled in their understandings.

 

And perhaps, if we are in the category of being a “modern” Sadducee, the Lord uncompromisingly tells us also, “You are greatly misled”

 

We need to be open to the voice of the Lord, calling us to trust deeper, in the presence of a life after this life.

 

Truth is received and understood only by the one who is open and willing to accept it!

 

May we grow to be more docile to the voice of the Lord, so that we may mould our present lives in perfect tune to God’s Will, and thus be able to enjoy a life of Resurrection – true happiness in eternity!

 

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A commonly known story is told of a Mathematics Professor.

He was to give to a test to the class on Trigonometry

(Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics dealing with the relations of the sides and angles of triangles and with the relevant functions of any angles.)

Before commencing the class, the Professor announced:

“Dear Students, Today I am giving you two tests.

One is a Test on Trigonometry, the other is a Test on Honesty!

One will test your obligation to your professor…

… the other will test your obligation to God.

I hope you will pass them both

>> But if you must fail one, let it be trigonometry

For there are many good people in this world today who cannot pass an examination in trigonometry…

… but there are no good people in the world who cannot pass an examination in honesty.”

How about us?

Life is an examination, that is posed to us.

>> Do we seek to write it “honestly, and in tune with the Gospel”?

Are we ready to take up the Christian mission of “constantly seeking to fulfil all our obligations to God – in love and with joy – and in selfless service to one another?”

The Gospel of the Day is a challenging passage to always become aware of our duties in life…

… and especially to give the first and prime importance to the obligations due to God…

… to God, our life giver

… to God, our sustainer

… to God, our meaning and purpose of life!

We have today with the incident of people seeking to trap the Lord with a query on whether or not to pay taxes to Caesar.

The query on “should taxes be paid to Caesar or not” was asked by two groups: the Pharisees and the Herodians.

It is interesting to note that forces with evil and crooked intentions often work in tandem.

>> These two groups, normally opposed to each other, join hands, to oppose Christ.

Here is a fulfillment of the quote: “The enemy’s enemy is my friend!”

The Pharisees resented and opposed the payment of tax to Caesar…

…because they considered Israel as a sovereign state under God’s rule and therefore should not pay taxes to another king.

The Herodians, on the other hand, accepted and supported the payment of tax to Caesar…

…because they belonged to the political party of Herod, the king of Galilee, who owed his power to the Romans.

Saying a NO would bring Christ before the Roman government for treason.

>> Saying a YES would bring Christ before the Jewish authorities for blasphemy.

The forces of evil had posed a severe danger to the Mission of Christ.

>> The answer by Christ would be very vital and important to the continuity of His Mission.

But the Missionary Jesus…who was convinced of His purpose and aim in life, had the best answer…

“Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God!” (Mt 22:21)

He did not deny paying to Caesar.

>> He rather, raised the level to one’s relationship with God, who is the sole authority of life & the giver of all things and goods.

The answer baffled and amazed the ones who had come to interrogate Him.

>> The Mission had not only been saved…the Mission received a greater boost.

The Lord was convinced of His Mission in life…

… the Mission of ‘always being faithful to the Will of His Father’!

He was convinced that He belonged to His Father and that all authority comes from Him.

>> He was totally sure that His purpose and aim in life was not earthly, but of the divine realm.

>> He was fully certain of His mission in life, to live a life dedicated to His Heavenly Father.

We too, in our Christian lives, often face such situations of dilemma and trouble…

… in a world getting addicted to consumerism, materialism, relativism and sensationalism, the challenge to live “honestly and in tune with the Gospel” is especially great indeed.

Situations may force us to give in to abandon ‘faith’, and follow only what ‘reason’ teaches…

>> Situations may make us to give up our ‘values’ and follow the ‘vain standards’ of the world…

>> Situations may cause us to dilute the Church teachings to accommodate our wants and pleasures…

>> Situations may incite us to loosen our hold on true traditions to pave way for a “modernistic” lifestyle…

The challenges to our Mission as a Christian and as a Catholic are much.

>> But like our Lord Jesus – the First Missionary and our Leader in Missions – we ought to stay convinced and remain enthusiastic to spread the Mission of the Lord.

Each of us, in any way of life, is a Missionary…

>> We have a Mission to belong to the Lord and to Him completely.

>> We have a Mission to spread the Love of the Lord to the whole humanity.

>> We have a Mission to bring peace and harmony and wholeness for the entire humanity.

>> We have a Mission to orient our lives to the values of the Gospel and to travel heavenward.

Let’s rekindle the fire and zeal of the Missionary Jesus, our King and Leader…

… and constantly write the Examination of Life, “honestly and in tune with the Gospel”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A catechism teacher was explain the story of David and Goliath to the children.

And the end of the teaching, a boy stood up to ask a doubt.

“Why did David,” asked the boy, “take five smooth stones with him? Could he not have taken only one small pebble?

>> Did he have doubt in the Power of God?”

The teacher, impressed with the student’s doubt… after some thoughtful moments replied:

“Firstly your doubt about the 5 stones…

If you read 2 Sam 21:15-22, you can find that there were at least 4 giants that are mentioned – similar to Goliath!

>> Perhaps, David thought that if Goliath is attacked, these 4 other giants could also come forth.

And so he probably prepared himself to fight against them as well!

And with respect to the “smooth” stones…

Well…

>> You can shoot much more accurately with the proper ammunition.

He had faith, but he also used sanctified common sense. He didn’t simply say, “The Lord is going to do it anyway, so I’ll just pick up any old jagged rocks.”

>> No, he recognized human responsibility as well as Divine providence and selected shiny, round stones that would speed straight to the mark!”

Well…

… it’s not known, how many of us would accept this explanation of the Catechism teacher.

But one thing is for sure: David not only depended on God’s Power…

… he also made sure, he executed his human responsibilities, by making use of his God-given talents, potentials and wisdom.

It is always “freedom with responsibility” that ensures true success and proper satisfaction.

Human tendency, however, it is, to often want…

… to enjoy, without having worked

… to reap fruits, without having harvested

… to take credit for oneself, even for things/people not belonging to oneself.

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful reminder by Jesus, through the Parable of the Tenants…

… that we are only stewards in this beautiful world of ours, which is owned by God

… that we are to be caretakers of the many duties entrusted to us, by the Almighty

Jesus puts forward the Parable of the Tenants.

The tenants were entrusted with the vineyard by the Master, and were expected to provide the produce in due time.

>> They were entrusted fully with the taking care of the vineyard.

The Master placed a lot of trust in the servants.

He gave the freedom… a responsible freedom…

…which could be meaningfully used and nurtured

…or which could be woefully misused and manipulated.

However, the tenants, who were trusted immensely…probably lost their focus on the real trust and diminished in their commitment and responsibility to their Master as well as their duty.

>> Their personal interests gained greater prominence over their entrusted duties.

>> Their selfish agenda gained the upper hand over the faithfulness to the Master.

This led to them to a total denial of all the emissaries and servants of the Master, who were sent to collect the produce.

>> This denial was extended even to the Master’s own Son!

This denial of the Son led to the letting loose of the anger and fury of the Just Master!

>> A squandering away of the responsible freedom, led to the downfall of the tenants!

>> A failure to give heed to the emissaries and servants caused them to face the Master’s rage!

>> A denial and rejection of the Master’s own Son, with a cruel intent, caused their destruction!

Are we also, as Christians, as tenants of the Heavenly Master failing in our responsibilities and duties?

The Lord has entrusted us with many responsibilities…

>> To promote and grow in our faith…

… by a faithful prayer-life, co-operation with the graces of God, keeping away from a life of sin etc.

>> To be faithful to the vocation and works we are called to do…

… by constantly renewing our resolve in the works we do, remaining focused on our calling etc.

>> To encourage others to increase in faith and in love of life…

… by being interested In their well-being, supporting them, teaching them etc.

The Lord presents Himself as the cornerstone…

… “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone..” (Mk 12: 10)

Jesus is the cornerstone…of Salvation.. of the Church.. of His People!

>> We need to find strength and support in this Cornerstone…

… the cornerstone to build a wonderful life in God and grow in holiness

… the cornerstone to stand firm and strong in faith to withstand every storm of life

Let us come to understand that in all our works and activities, we not only depend on God’s Power…

… but also execute our human responsibilities, by making use of his God-given talents, potentials and wisdom.

Yes, it is always “freedom with responsibility” that ensures true success and proper satisfaction.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An incident is told of a seminarian who was guiding a group of tourists in St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican.

These tourists were quite clueless about the Catholic Faith…

… and so paid great interest to what was being told by the seminarian-guide.

The seminarian had explained with great care about the masterpieces of art, sculpture and architecture in this magnificent basilica.

Finally, he concluded the tour of the Basilica at the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the Basilica…

…. and tried to quickly explain What It was.

One of the elderly persons in the group who had paid a special attention to all the details, said:

“Pardon me! Would you please explain What is This ‘Blessed Sacrament’?”

The seminarian did.

At the end of it, the man, falling on his knees, exclaimed: “Ah! If this is so, then this Chapel where God Truly Lives, is the greater work than any other art in this entire Basilica!”

Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is indeed the Most Important Treasure on this world.

> Have we discovered this Spectacular Truth?

>> Are we passionate about this Awesome Gift?

Today we solemnly celebrate the Great Feast of the Corpus Christi – the Body and Blood of Jesus.

The Catechism of the Church teaches, “In the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained” (#1374).

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus with His chosen disciples, celebrated the Passover Meal, taking the bread and wine, solemnly declaring, “This is my Body” (Mk 14: 22) and “This is my Blood” (Mk 14: 24)

The following day, Jesus would carry out this sacrifice of offering Himself for the expiation of the sins of the world, on Mount Calvary.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist is the perpetual continuation and adoration of the sacrifice of Calvary.

• The Holy Mass is not another sacrifice.

• The Holy Mass is not a repetition of the sacrifice of Calvary.

• The Priest at the Holy Mass is not offering a different sacrifice.

Instead,

• The Holy Mass is the same sacrifice of Jesus.

• The Holy Mass is the perpetual continuation and adoration of the sacrifice of Calvary.

• The Priest at the Holy Mass is Jesus Himself, the High Priest and Victim of the Sacrifice.

What is our understanding, love and commitment to the Holy Mass?

In the Holy Eucharist, we have the promise of the Emmanuel God, “I am with you always, till the end of the age” (Mt 28: 20) being fulfilled.

We live in times when…

… there is a lot of indifference growing

… there are several newer problems and crisis cropping up

We live in a situation of faith where…

… there is a tendency to dilute many of the spiritual values

… there is a strong opposition to living holy and sanctified lives

In all such struggling moments and trying situations, we have an answer and solution in the Holy Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the story of a God who longs to dwell with us and in us.

>> The Eucharist is the saga of a God who is madly and passionately in love with us.

From the Cross, our Blessed Lord cried, “I thirst” (Jn 19: 28b)

>> Shall we not respond, with a positive affirmation, to this cry of the Lord?

It’s also good to quickly go through some “unnoticed” parts of the Holy Mass – and realize its significance, in order to understand and love the Holy Mass, more deeply and devoutly.

THE INTRODUCTORY RITE:

The Opening Prayer:

>> Called as the ‘Collect’, this prayer, gathers together all the intentions, and unites with the prayer of the High Priest, Jesus Himself.

An action to do: Use the moment of silent, to bring before the Lord all intentions and prayers

LITURGY OF THE WORD:

Signing ourselves on the forehead, lips and the chest

>> We seek His Help to cleanse our minds, lips & hearts, that we may worthily receive Jesus, the Word into our lives!

An Action to do: Use the moment, to truly have clean thoughts (mind), sincere words (lips) and honest feelings and deeds (heart)

THE OFFERTORY

a. The Offering of Bread and Wine

>> The Gifts, represent fruits of our labour. As the gifts, we pray, that we too be changed into His Body and Blood.

An Action to do: Use to moment, to offer our entire life to the Lord – just as we are – with all our situations, struggles, aspirations and hopes.

b. The mingling of a drop of water in the wine by the Priest

>> The water represents, our littleness, which is totally mingled with the wine, signifying, our intention to be one with the Divine Lord

An Action to do: Use the moment, to sincerely wanting to be united with the Lord and becoming more and more like Him!

c. The washing of the hands

>> The Priest – the representative of the People of God, cleanses himself and prepares, for the Most Holy Sacrifice of Calvary.

An Action to do: Use the moment, to repent of our sins and praying earnestly, never to fall into sin again!

THE PREFACE

a. Lift up your hearts

Our minds and hearts need to transcend our human worries, concerns and troubles, and be raised in heavenly contemplation

An Action to do: Use the moment, to ascend to the heights of glory, in order to recognise and be united to the Will of God in our lives.

b. Prayer:

The Church enlists (as per the Liturgical Season or the theme) the various ways in which the Lord has worked in human history. We (the Church Militant), seeking intercession for the Faithful Departed (the Church Suffering) join the beautiful choir of the saints and angels (the Church Triumphant) and angels, singing Holy Holy, Holy to the Most High God!

An Action to do: Use this moment of intense praise and Divine worship, to be longing to possess Heaven and to be filled with the radiance of this joy in this world.

THE COMMUNION RITE

Epiclesis

>> The portion where the power of the Holy Spirit is invoked, so that the gifts of bread and wine, may be transformed into Divine Species.

An Action to do: Use this moment, to pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, that His Power may overshadow us

THE CONSECRATION

A small piece of the host is mingled with the Sacred Wine

>> Signifying the unity of the Body and Blood of the Lord pointing symbolising Resurrection, and also the Unity of the Body of Christ, the Church.

An Action to do: Use this moment, to pray for the grace to share in His Resurrection and to love the Church and be thankful for our Catholic Faith

THE HOLY COMMUNION

A moment when heaven touches the earth…when the Divine lowers itself to embrace the fallen Humanity, to raise it up to Divine status…

An Action to do: Use this moment, to be totally absorbed in the mighty ocean of God’s Mercy and experiencing the consummation of His Divine Love!

THE RITE OF THE DISMISSAL

We are asked to be the Eucharist to one another – breaking ourselves, in service!

An Action to do: Use this moment to pledge to be a True Missionary, giving His Love to all – in the little way, that we can!

There is nothing more beautiful on this earth, than the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist – the Holy Mass!

>> As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI says: “The Eucharist is our most precious treasure… it contains all the mystery of our Salvation!”

Let us truly “Experience and Enjoy the Eucharist!”

May we grow in the love of the Holy Eucharist, for, as Bishop Fulton Sheen says, “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host”!

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Eucharist!

>> May our Blessed Mamma of the Holy Eucharist, help & intercede for us, to love the Lord more!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation, rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.

He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said, “By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.

My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.

But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.

>> How is it with you?”

Well, we don’t know how did the fussy gentleman react to this bold and true reply of the preacher.

(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…

>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude of the chief priests and scribes and elders towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mk 11: 28)

The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter 11 of St Mark’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…

1. The entry into Jerusalem (Mk 11: 1-10)

2. The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mk 11: 11-14)

3. The re-entry to Jerusalem and cleansing of the Temple (Mk 11: 15-18)

4. The re-entry to Bethany, observation of withered tree and teaching on faith (Mk 11: 19-26)

5. The third entry into Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus’ authority (Mk 11: 27-33)

>> The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…

… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

>> The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…

… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple

These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.

>> In Jesus, they perceived a threat.

… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke, than to service of God

>> In Jesus, they sensed a danger.

… a danger to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

>> In Jesus, they identified a menace.

… a menace to their comfort-rendering style of spirituality and way of life.

And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – sought to put Jesus to the task and questioned His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

Their eyes were closed to see the goodness of the Lord

> Their hearts become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience

>> Their lives were rendered blocked to be willing to make necessary changes for the good.

Instead…

… they only found fault with the Lord

… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…

>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

Is such an attitude prevalent among us also…

> A mentality of harshly criticising…?

>> A tendency to inhumanly condemn…?

… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.

May we be able to root out all such pessimistic mind-sets and focus instead of self-growth in holiness and humility.

God Bless! Live Jesus

An interesting and often-heard conversation goes thus…

A youngster asked his grandfather “Grandpa! How did you people live before with:

No technology

No aeroplanes

No internet

No computers

No dramas

No TVs

No airconditioners

No cars

No mobile phones?”

To that, Grandpa, after a few thoughtful moments replied:

“Just like how your generation live today

No prayers

No honor

No respect

No character

No shame

No modesty”

Well!

>> Its left to each one of us to decide and judge, how far the above given comparison is true.

But one thing is for sure: External comforts often leads to lethargy in faith and consequently to the loss of devotion.

The Gospel of the Day is a major attack and a mighty warning by Jesus on this danger of how “external comforts can lead to lethargy in faith and consequently to the loss of devotion.”

The Gospel passage of the day is one of the many “sandwich” passages in the Gospel of St Mark.

“Sandwich” stories are a literary technique in which the narration of one story begins, but is interrupted by another story, before finishing the first one.

Some of the examples of these “sandwich stories” are…

In Mk 3: 20-35, we have…

A. Mk 3:20-22: Jesus’ family members set out to seize Him

B. Mk 3: 23-30: Jesus speaks to the Pharisees on their accusation of Him

A’. Mk 3: 31-35: Jesus family comes to meet Him

In Mk 5: 21-43, we have…

A. Mk 5: 21-24: Jesus is pleaded by Jairus to heal his daughter

B. Mk 5: 25-34: The woman suffering from haemorrhage is healed

A’. Mk 5: 35-43: Jesus heals the daughter of Jairus

In Mk 6: 7-33, we have…

A. Mk 6: 7-13: The disciples sent on a mission

B. Mk 6: 14-29: Herod’s opinion on John the Baptist and the narrative of the beheading.

A’. Mk 6: 30-33: The disciples return from the mission

In Mk 14: 1-11, we have…

A. Mk 14: 1-2: The Conspiracy against Jesus

B. Mk 14: 3-9: The anointing of Jesus at Bethany

A’. Mk 14: 10-11: The conspiracy plan by Judas to betray Jesus

Such kind of “sandwich” layers illustrates points for reflection by showing ..

… similarities and contrasts between the outside and the inside layers.

… the first and the last as “the bread”‘ and the centre one as the “filling” of the sandwich!

Today’s Gospel also follows this “sandwich-story” structure… Mk 11: 12-25, we have…

A. Mk 11: 12-14: Jesus cursing the fig tree

B. Mk 11: 15-19: Jesus cleansing the Temple

A’. Mk 11: 20-24: Jesus’ teaching on the withered fig tree

The passage of the Cursing of Fig Tree has been one of the very “puzzling parables”

… especially to know why did Jesus curse the fig tree, “when it was not the season for figs” (Mk 11:13)

It is to be noted that in Palestine “the fig fruit appears before the leaves”

(The fruit that first appears on a fig tree comes in March and April – the Passover time.

>>These are the first fruits – small fruits – very immature but edible, and could be eaten when one was particularly hungry.

The harvest – the season for figs – would be in mid-August to October. That would be when they would be in full fruit and fully mature)

The Gospel says that “Jesus saw the fig tree in leaves…” (Mk 11:13)

To see a fig tree with leaves, therefore, warranted the assumption that there would be fruit on the tree.

But this tree was odd!

The leaves were there, but it was fruitless.

The Lord had a right to expect some fruit, even though it wasn’t the full season for fruit yet.

>> So He approached the tree.

But when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves.

This phenomenon, therefore, served as a perfect “visual aid” for an important lesson that the Savior wished to teach.

In the incident that follows in this “sandwich story”, Jesus cleanses the Jerusalem Temple

The Jerusalem Temple which was to be a place of “prayer and worship”…

… had become more of a “place of business and commerce”

>> It was like a “fig tree: having leaves, but no fruits!”

>> The Fig Tree – with leaves but no fruits…

>> The Jerusalem Temple – with external beauty but no inner devotion…

… both point to this important dimension: “External comforts can lead to lethargy in faith and consequently to the loss of devotion.”

Is my life like this Fig Tree?

>> Having a lot of leaves of comfort and external show…

… but failing to produce the fruits of love, joy and peace?

Is my life like the Jerusalem Temple?

>> Having a strong external edifice of fame and name in the society…

… but failing to maintain intimate devotion and inner faith?

We live in a world with a lot of materialistic and worldly challenges.

Yet, as Christians, we are called forth to live a life “of faith and devotion”

Let us always be reminded: “External comforts often leads to lethargy in faith and consequently to the loss of devotion!”

On this First Friday of the Month, let us surrender ourselves and to the Sacred Heart of our Lord, renewing our love and commitment to Him…

… and may this Gospel Passage be a strong reminder and a warning to all of us, to live a life of “holiness and sanctity”, producing the fruits of good virtues!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An old sacristan who had served in a particular church was shifting from the city parish, back to his village.

On his farewell day, as many of the parishioners were expressing their gratefulness to him…

… one of them asked this advice: “You have been with all of us for so long.

>> What advice or observation would you like to leave with us?”

The elderly person, after a thoughtful pause replied:

“Most people here wish to serve God…

… but in an advisory capacity only!

I would wish we had more people ‘in service’ than just people ‘in advising!”

Service ought to be the autograph of every Christian!

Today, is the Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother Mary…

… A beautiful incident of how Mother Mary became a person, who rendered Her life “in service” to God and others – and thus gave full bloom to the graces of God within Her!

This Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother has its origin in the medieval times.

>>It was observed by the Franciscan Order before 1263, and soon its practice spread throughout the entire Church.

>> Previously it was celebrated on July 2….

… now it is celebrated on 31st May – between the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord ( Mar 25) and the Birth of St. John the Baptist (Jun 24) , in conformity with the Gospel accounts.

One of the interesting term used by St Luke in his description of this incident (Lk 1: 39-56) is the word “HASTE”.

St Luke says: “In those days, Mary arose and went with HASTE…..” (Lk 1: 39)

The Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary and announced the Good News that She was to be the Mother of the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1: 31)

>> Mary was “overshadowed by the Power of the Most High” (Lk 1: 35)

>> The Angel had also pointed to the mighty work that was done in the life of her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1: 36)

The Annunciation became the turning point in the life of Mary!

She was no longer the same…

… The simple girl had been exalted and chosen to be the Mother of the Most High God!

… She would no longer be seeking to do her desires; She would seek to God’s Will at all times!

… Her life would no longer be carried by her plans; Her life would be impelled by what God wanted!

The Child in Her, would now make Her to be “always in haste”!

… In haste: to serve others

… In haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God

… In haste: to have Jesus as the centre of Her life

The Holy Spirit completely possessed the Virgin Daughter of Nazareth and impelled her to act.

The beautiful incident of the Visitation of Mother Mary teaches us this beautiful lesson:

When Christ grows inside of us, we will be in HASTE….

… to reach out to others in service

… to spare no efforts to get out of our own comfort zones of pleasure, relaxing and lethargy

… to forget one’s own needs and be totally other-centred and radiate joy and hope to others

Mother Mary becomes the “Woman on the move” – on a continual and constant journey:

… She would embark on an hard trip to Bethlehem, while pregnant (Lk 2:4)

… She would again move – after the birth of the Child – along with Joseph, and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:14)

… She would return back to Nazareth, under the instruction of the Angel of God (Mt 2:23)

… She would further travel to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and there would go in search of Her Beloved Child, when He was lost (Lk 2: 45)

.. She would be travelling with Jesus in His ministry – may not be physically, but Her Heart and Soul completely accompanying Her Son

… She would, finally, even accompany physically, with Her Innocent Child on the Way of the Cross (Jn 19: 25)

Mother Mary lived the words of the poem which centuries later would be formulated by another great Saint – St Francis of Assisi:

“It is in giving that we receive…

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life…”

The Feast of the Visitation is a reminder for us examine some of the important aspects of our life…

… Am I a person allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and take complete possession of me – my words, my thoughts, my actions?

… Am I a person, having Jesus in me, impelled to reach out to the other in service? As St Paul says: “The love of Christ impels me” (2 Cor 5:14)

… Am I a person, who is daring to be a “person on the move” – moving out of my safe comfortable zones, moving out of conditioned and prejudiced mindsets, moving out to make my life of praise and honour to God?

St Ambrose says: “Delayed efforts are foreign to the grace of the Holy Spirit”

Charity is never idle!

>> Charity is always on the move …

… Sensitive to the needy

… Seeking to do good

May the graces of God in us, not get stagnant, or decayed or rusted …

… instead may they be extended in loving service to God and His people…

And thus our life be a beautiful Magnificat: “My Soul magnifies the Lord my God, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!”

It is not difficult to serve God in an advisory capacity!

>> But what is needed are more people ‘in service’ than just people ‘in advising!”

Happy Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother Who moves us, constantly…towards Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Spending time along little streams can be a fascinating pastime.

When along these streams, one can observe tiny flies that come and bathe in it.

If one notices carefully, it can be seen that while they plunge their bodies, they keep their wings high out of the water and fly away, with their wings un-wet!

The wings are kept safe from getting wet, so that there is no hindrance in flying again!

How beautiful a lesson is this for us Christians…

…. who live in the world, yet are called to be out of the world.

… who live amidst possibilities of wealth, yet are called to be detached from them.

… who live with the prospect of gaining immense power, yet are exhorted to not be attached

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus highlighting this essential element of Christian living: Being in the world, but living out of the world, with eyes firmly set on heavenly realms.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee approach Jesus and ask for a favour: “Grant to us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (Mk 10:37)

They sought for a prime place in the future Kingdom of the Lord.

They probably had the conception and understanding, that Jesus would rule in glory, and they being His chosen ones, sought for esteemed positions in this Glorious Kingdom.

They were certainly right that the Lord would surely one day rule in glory.

But they got it totally wrong in their understanding and perspective of the nature of this rule.

>> His was not to be a kingdom of arrogant display of power…

… rather one of serene majesty and mercy

>> His was not to be a rule of aggression and pomp…

… rather one of gentle splendour and grace.

The Lord had, as per St Mark’s Gospel, just made His third prediction, regarding His Passion, Death and Resurrection.

>> He was revealing the true nature and character of the victory that He was to gain.

>> He was exposing the manner in which His glory would be stamped upon all ages to come.

However, the disciples fell short in grasping these words of the Lord.

>> St Mark says that “they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid” (Mk 10: 32b).

Our lives are very often no different, from the ignorance that the disciples had and the wrong notion that was expressed by James and John.

>> We fall prey to seeking great honour and fame in being a Christian…

… but are unable to grasp the fact that ‘to be a Christian is to be living a life of simplicity’.

>> We yield to temptations of being obsessed to seek power and positions of futile vanity…

… and fail time and again to live up to the Christian virtues of humility and modesty.

>> We often become victims of engaging in dirty politics and authority-grabbing games…

… and become an anti-witness to the Lord who ‘came to serve, rather than be served’

We need to give heed to the words of the Lord who prayed that “we are in the world, but do not belong to this world” (Jn 17: 15)

A Christian life…. ought to be hallmarked by detachment and separation…

… detachment from too much of worldly distractions and vain glory

… separation from sinful ways and evil tendencies

A Christian life… ought to be radiated with total focus and complete dedication…

… total focus on the Lord who ‘walked the talk’ by giving up His life in service

… complete dedication to the Kingdom of God which calls for a humble way of life

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Booking tickets and getting a confirmed seat to travel by the Indian Railways is sometimes a stressful affair.

 

The massive number in the people travelling makes this process a very competitive one, with all jostling to get confirmed seats.

 

To those who manage to get confirmed seats, there is a sense of relief.

 

But those who fail to get confirmation, and obtain a waiting-list ticket instead, are made to face a lot of tension and worry.

• There is tension as to whether the tickets would get confirmed in time, so as to be able to travel hassle-free…
• There is anxiety as to what is to be done and what are the other alternatives, if the possibility of confirmation is very less…

 

An assurance of confirmation makes the journey pleasant and tension-free.

An anxiety over the confirmation adds immense apprehension to the possibility of journey.

 

Our lives in the Lord, is a spiritual journey…

• The greater assurance we have in the promises of the Lord, the more pleasant will be our journey
• The stronger our assurances in the Word of the Lord, the swifter will be our progress in this journey towards the Lord

 

 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring His assured promises to those who follow Him, sincerely and wholeheartedly.

 

Jesus tells to Peter and the other disciples, ” Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and the sake of the Gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age….and eternal life in the age to come” (Mk 10: 29)

 

This incident takes place right after the encounter of the rich young man with Jesus (Mk 10: 17-22)

 

This man was proposed by Jesus to sell all his possessions and then follow Him.

 

The man, however, found it hard, to let go off his attachments, and instead let go of the Lord.

He went away sad!

 

Peter, as the leader of the disciples, however, contrasts this “possessive and worldly” tendency of the rich young man by telling Jesus, ” We have given up everything and followed you” (Mk 10: 28)

 

• Perhaps, there was a growing concern among the disciples, as to whether their radical decision to commit themselves to the Master would go in vain!
• Perhaps, there was an apparent fear within the disciples, as to whether their decisions to leave their professions, their families and their aspirations to follow the Lord would go fruitless!

 

And so the Lord, with a candid straight-forwardness replies that their sacrifices would surely assure them of rewards of a much higher quality and  eminence.

 

How often do our lives also sometimes sink in hopelessness, thinking whether our expressions of faith would end up in meaninglessness!

 

Sometimes even fearful thoughts and anxious emotions may cross our mind…

… will the various sacrifices and pains that I take up for the Lord, go in vain?

… will my unshed tears, my unspoken prayers and painful sighs, end up in futility?

… will the efforts I make to grow in love and nourish others in faith, lead to fruitlessness?

 

But the Lord assures us, that none of these efforts – small or great, noticed or unnoticed, seen or unseen – will escape the penetrating eyes of the Lord and go unrewarded.

 

All our actions, done in love has an assured reward!

 

 

What is however, most essential, is our total focus on the Lord and unflinched commitment to Him.

 

The Lord most certainly assures us of rewards and gifts.

But, in this pursuit, may we not stray or lose focus of Him!

 

• Our lives ought to be impelled by the love for the God of rewards, than merely the rewards of God!
• Our lives must be lived in faithfulness to the God of gifts, than being fascinated only to the gifts of God!

 

May the Lord Himself be our greatest reward… our finest gift!

 

 

The journey of our spiritual life comes with a “confirmed ticket” from the part of the Lord.

>> There need be no anxiety… no undue worry!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!