A story is told about Phythius, an ancient King of Lydia ( Lydia – a place in the present day Turkey).

Phythius was very wealthy, but also very greedy, and he would spend as little as possible.

His wife – the Queen – was however, greatly determined to cure him of this “wealth mania!”

One day when he came home hungry from a long hunt, she told the slaves to place before him dishes that were filled with gold…

… gold that was fresh from the royal gold mines.

The King stared down at his gold-filled plates, admiring them for some time, and then he asked for some food.

“Food?” his wife asked, feigning surprise, “But surely they have brought you what you love best in the world, haven’t they?”

“What are you talking about?” the King replied, as he lost his temper, “Gold can’t satisfy my hunger.”

“No?” the Queen answered, “Is it not foolish then to have such love for something that cannot be useful so long as you hang on to it?

>> Believe me; gold is truly of service only to people who exchange it for the good and useful things of life.”

The Rich Young Man in the Gospel of the Day also faced a similar “wealth mania”…

… and was reminded that “riches come to have true value, only when given in service, to the needy”

Are we also facing a “wealth mania” in our lives?

The young man in the Gospel approaches Jesus to ask, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10: 17)

When Jesus gave him a list of commandments, that needed to be followed to help ensure a passage into eternal life, the man replied, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth” (Mk 10: 20)

We underline a few aspects of this young man…

… he did desire for a life of eternity and followed the commandments

… he did nurture a sense of being pious and devout, to please the Lord

However…

… he probably failed to live up to the intentions of the commandments

… he possibly got lost into only keeping the letters of the commandments; not the spirit!

• He got attached to doing God’s commandment, but failed to break his attachments with the riches of the world.

• He possessed the good will to follow God’s teachings, but failed to let go of the possessions of his life.

The Lord realized this “pitiable” condition of the young man.

• He was wealthy in the world, but was unable to be rich before God

• He was obedient to the laws, but was unable to be obedient to give up his attachments.

Therefore, the Lord, knowing this state of the young man – devout yet not properly focused – “looked at him, loved him, and said, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come, follow me'” (Mk 10: 21)

This young man could represent any one of us…

• We seek to be pious but find it hard to let go of our possessions

• We seek for holiness in life but go through a struggle to give up our attachments

• We seek to follow the Lord wholly but stumble to give ourselves entirely to the Lord

Yet, the Lord does not give up on us…

• He looks on us…

• He loves us…

And He invites us, to have the proper focus in life!

• It is not material possessions that ought to occupy our hearts; rather, our hearts needs to be possessed with the Love for the Lord.

• It is not worldly treasures that should be our prime motto in life; rather, a life, dedicated to the Kingdom of God and helping the needy with the resources we have.

• Our material life is totally in the control of the Lord.

• Our material possessions will be of no avail, when we leave this world.

• Our hands will not be able to hold any riches when we depart from this life.

Let us instead be possessed by the Lord, gather the precious stones of His grace and love by works of charity and hold on to Him, so that we may have a wonderful life of eternity with the Lord of all treasures!

Let us give heed to some of the wise and noble sayings of Holy People who have described the necessity to be detached from the riches of the world…

>> St Bede the Venerable: “He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his neighbor.”

>> St Alphonsus Liguori:”Those who desire nothing from this world are masters of the whole world.”

>> St Gregory the Great: “Be not anxious about what you have, but about what you are… Make use of temporal things, but set your heart on eternal things.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

When some guests came home, a little child was once asked to make the sign of the Cross, invoking the name of the BlessedTrinity.

This little girl, with a gleaming smile and innocently looking at her parents, made the sign of the Cross with the words, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of St Anthony, Amen!!”

(The child had probably heard much more about St Antony than about the Holy Spirit)

Another child, during the time of Christmas was asked, “Who are the three persons of the Blessed Trinity”

Looking at the beautiful crib that was made at home, the child answered, “God the Father, Mary our Mother and Baby Jesus, our Saviour!”

In another incident, a child, after attending a prayer service, with various invocations especially to the Infilling of the Holy Ghost, had this doubt: “I don’t understand why the West Coast isn’t included too!”

When inquired what she meant, she added, “You know, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the whole East Coast.”

(The Holy Ghost had been misunderstood by the little child as Whole East Coast!)

Well, such simple misunderstandings are commonly seen among little children.

>> The truth, however, is that, when it comes to the Dogma of the Blessed Trinity, even elders are not spared of possibilities of similar misunderstandings.

The Dogma of the Blessed Trinity is indeed the most fundamental, yet the most baffling and confusing mystery of the Christian Faith.

However, we are encouraged by a great truth about this mystery…

• The mystery of the Trinity is more to be lived, than merely be understood

• The mystery of the Trinity is more to be encountered, than merely be grasped

• The mystery of the Trinity is more to be experienced, than merely be comprehended

Today we celebrate the Great Solemnity of the Holy Trinity.

This feast is celebrated on the Sunday, following the Feast of the Pentecost.

The encounter of the Holy Spirit, was a life-transforming experience for the Disciples.

• It brought about a huge upliftment in courage for their sagging and fearful spirits.

• It brought about a massive alteration of mind, to being bold and dynamic in their faith.

Along with this, it also brought in the tremendous experience of the Holy Spirit as a God!

This was something very new, strange and heart-experiential.

The disciples, as we know, were Jews.

Jews believed in strict monotheism – One God.

They professed this belief in One God, daily, by the ‘Shema Israel’, “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one God….” (Deut 6:4)

However, in Jesus, the disciples encountered a deep Divine experience.

On Pentecost Day, they also encountered a deep Divine experience in the Holy Spirit.

This tremendous experience, along with the grace of God, helped them to reflect on the many words and sayings of Jesus that pointed to the dimension of Three Persons in the One nature of God.

Thus, with gradual and deeper reflection on the words of the Lord, and the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples – strict monotheists – began to understand the mystery of God in a new light…

• God is One

• There are three Persons – the Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God

• The Father is not the Son and the Spirit; the Son is not the Father and the Spirit; the Spirit is not the Son and the Father.

This Triune invocation was the way the Lord exhorted to Baptize disciples in all the nations, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28: 19)

The Dogma of the Blessed Trinity has proofs, explanations, rationalization and details in the Holy Scripture and the Teachings of the Church.

>> However, with all that, the Dogma continues to remain a mystery…

And this is the beauty of the Mystery of the Triune God…

… It is something to grow in, daily

… It is something to develop a deeper relationship, daily

… It something to be lived and experienced in practical life, daily

As Evagrius of Pontus, a Greek monk of the 4th century said: “God cannot be grasped by the mind. If God could be grasped, God would not be God!”

This is our Blessed Triune God…

… He escapes being subjugated to the prisons of the mind; instead, invites to forge a powerful bond with the heart!

… He gets away from being trapped in the intriguing theological explanations and philosophical reasoning; instead calls forth to form an everlasting covenant of love!

• Are we willing to grow in cultivating an intimate and close bond with the Triune God – the God of Love and Holiness?

• Are we willing to live the beautiful virtues of the Blessed Trinity – unity, self-giving, in our personal relationships with one another ?

Our whole world reflects the Triune nature of the Blessed Trinity…

• Water exists in three forms – solid as ice, liquid as water, gaseous as steam

(In physics, it is also proved that theoretically, water exists as solid, liquid and gas at the same time at something called the triple point – a temperature of 0oC or 273.16 K and at a pressure of 611.2 Pa)

• Sunlight displays a triune dimension – the substance of the sun, the heat, the light

• The universe consists of three things: matter, space, and time.

(Each one of those is itself a trinity.

Matter = mass + energy + motion.

Space = length + height + breadth.

Time = past + present + future)

• Human beings have a triple dimension, consisting of the body, the mind and the soul

The Trinity is everywhere!

>> The most important factor that is needed is that we need to grow in this awareness and deeper our love for Him!

May the Blessed Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit- helps us to grow in our intimacy and union and in turn, help to reflect His image to all people in our lives!

Happy Feast of the Blessed Trinity!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Home Sweet Home.. is a phrase that is often used in our parlance.

Home evokes a feeling of comfort, relaxation, wellbeing, ease and contentment.

>> “Feel at home” is an constant invitation that we extend to our guests and visitors and make them feel secure.

>> Some places are naturally able to give us this “homely-feeling”…

>> Some persons are also naturally able to render us this “homely-feeling”…

Jesus, is the one person, who is certainly & surely able to give the “best homely feeling!”

The Gospels are a testimony to this fact…

>> Sinners found a home…

… a solace in the Sanctifying Presence of the Lord!

>> Sick people found a home…

… a remedying cure in the Healing Presence of the Lord!

>> Broken souls found a home…

… a regrouping catalyst in the Restoring Presence of the Lord!

>> Outcast groups found a home…

… an accepting embrace in the Welcoming Presence of the Lord!

>> Hopeless persons found a home…

… an encouraging impetus in the Energetic Presence of the Lord!

In the Gospel of the Day, we encounter another set of Persons who sought to find a Home in the Lord and wanted to experience His comforting love – Little Children

Little children are brought to Jesus to be prayed over and to be blessed… (Mk 10:13)

These Little Children are brought to Jesus so that find a Home in Him- a Home of Blessing & Sanctity!

>> But unfortunately… the Disciples prevented the Little Ones from being brought to Jesus!

How often this happens in our world too: Little things in life often not being given the due importance and are discarded or pushed away..

The Disciples of Jesus fell prey to this sad and pitiable trend of the ‘frantic and frenzied’ world…

>> Perhaps they felt…these little children are a nuisance in the hectic & occupied schedule of Jesus…

>> Perhaps they considered…these little children are an unnecessary burden to an already overburdened Jesus…

>> Perhaps they thought.. these little children are a hindrance in the teaching, healing and preaching ministry of Jesus…

But Jesus, the Home-giver, the Care-provider…. reprimands & reproofs this attitude & approach.

>> He is a Home to the Homeless… He is a Shelter to the Shelterless.. He is a Hope to the Hopeless…

He invites the Little Children to be brought to Him & help them feel His Homely Presence!

>> He bids the Little Ones to be brought to Him & let them be touched by His Healing Presence!

In our lives, we at times photocopy this attitude of the Disciples & fall short to approach the Lord: Avoiding the little things of life that give spiritual console and spiritual strength

>> In my work-dominated life…

… Do I fail to spend, a little time in the Homely Presence of the Lord?

>> In my high-styled life…

… Do I miss to realize & enjoy, the little joys in the Providence of the Lord?

>> In my passive life…

Do I take for granted, the favours that I obtain in the Mercy of the Lord?

>> In my tension-filled life…

Do I neglect the blessings, that I receive through the Bounty of the Lord?

People might prevent us…Situations might discourage us…Circumstances might dampen our spirit

>> But, the Lord has a Home for each one of us!

The Lord never gets tired of us… let us go to Him, to seek comfort and solace!

>> The Lord eagerly waits for us… let us run to Him and be blessed and graced in His embrace!

>>>> The Lord has enough time for us … let us approach Him & experience the true happiness of life!

Jesus, is the One Person, Who is certainly & surely able to give the “best homely feeling!”

>> Let us be AT HOME WITH JESUS!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An elderly couple narrates an incident in the life of their daughter.

A couple of weeks after the marriage of their daughter, they got a call from her.

>> The newly-weds had their first big fight.

After several tense moments over the phone, the mother gave the phone to the father and asked him to speak and console her daughter.

A few minutes later, the father came back to the mother, who had been sitting worriedly, in the living room.

“What happened? What did she say”, asked the tense mother.

“She wanted to come home” replied the father.

“Oh! Then what did you tell her?” enquired the worried mother

“I told her” said the father, “she was already home!”

Yes…

… once married, the husband and wife form one home, “leaving their father and mother”!

>> This was the truth that was explained by the father to her daughter.

Marriage is a sacred institution – a precious covenant – that demands a lifelong commitment and a faithful dedication, despite the ups and downs of life.

It is this message that is driven home by Jesus in today’s Gospel when He expounds His teaching on the sacredness of the Covenant of Marriage.

The passage begins with a testing interrogation by the Pharisees, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” (Mk 10: 2a)

St Mark clearly points the intention of the Pharisees in asking this question to Jesus: “To test Him” (Mk 10: 2b)

Jesus was in the district of Judea, across the Jordan (Mk 10:1)

>> Is there something specific in this particular detail being mentioned – “across the Jordan”?

“Across the Jordan” was the place where John the Baptist had been working (Jn 1: 28)

>> By mentioning the place, St Mark alludes to the outcome that had befallen on John the Baptist.

John the Baptist had got into great persecution because of his open-condemnation of the adulterous relationship of King Herod with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. (Mk 6:17)

>> By putting forward the “same question of divorce” before Jesus, the Pharisees were laying a much greater trap…

… If Jesus condemned divorce, it could amount to an act of treason against King Herod, the ruler of the land!

John the Baptist had lost his head due to the strong stance on the issue of divorce

>> Now Jesus, is also being snared into such a life-threatening trap!

But Jesus remains the Person that He is – uncompromising, unflinching, convinced, bold and daring!

A big lesson for us too, to learn from Jesus…

>> There will be situations in life when people get into our skin, trying to put us into confusion and even states of danger…

… Can we still remain undaunted and courageous to stand firm on our convictions and principles?

Jesus came to the world to demonstrate the magnanimity of God’s Love.

This magnanimity includes…

… His unconditional manner of loving us, irrespective of our worthiness

… His unreserved faithfulness to us, despite our many acts of betrayal and disloyalty

It is this model of God’s love that becomes the blueprint for us in loving others, and especially in a marriage relationship.

The partners, pledged in love to each other in marriage, ought to imitate the love that God has for us…

>> We have cheated and strayed away from what God wants of us…

… He still loves us and is faithful to us

>> We have, on innumerable occasions, spat at His face by our shameful deeds and defamed His name by our sinful acts…

… He still holds us close to Him and remains loyal to us

>> We have, despite many warnings, purposely hurt Him in thoughts, words and deeds and even rejected His graces by not co-operating with His Will for us…

… He still waits patiently for our return and constantly seeks to draw us to Him

>> We have failed Him many times, but He has always made efforts to try to win us

>> We have hurt and pained Him much, but He has still longs for us, with His soothing balm of acceptance

It is this “magnanimity of God’s Love” that becomes the basis, the inspiration and the ideal in every marriage relationship.

>> Therefore Jesus says, “What therefore God has joined, let not man put asunder” ( Mt 19: 6b)

We live in a world where the quickest solution to many problems is found in “throwing it away!”

>> And the same mentality affects human relationships too… especially to those in marriage.

The challenge therefore is to dare to swim against these worldly currents and bring in the “Jesus Culture of Faithful Commitment” in human relationships, especially of marriage.

Theoretically speaking, this sounds quite good and wonderful.

>> But when it comes down to the actual practice.. in married lives… it is undoubtedly a very hard effort.

“But what is impossible for humans is possible for God” (Lk 18: 27), is the assurance of Jesus.

When the going gets really hard and we want to call it ‘quits’ in our relationships…

… let us look to Jesus who said “Yes to the Will of God” in the painful agony at Gethsemane

>> There may seem no hope ahead…

>> There may appear only meaninglessness ahead…

Still, can we say Yes to God’s Will – to be faithful and committed?

When none of our efforts of restoration work out and we get ‘fed’ up and feel to have reached the ‘limit’ in relationships…

… let us look to Jesus Crucified, who was never ‘fed’ up with our misdeeds and our constant misunderstanding and misuse of His love

>> It may look like the end of the road…

>> It may seem that all the past was mere fantasy and the future appears to be non-existent…

Still, can we hold on to Hope in God – to be true to our promise and be loyal?

The promises made…

>> to our Faith in Baptism

>> to the spouse in Marriage

>> to the Lord in Consecrated and Priestly Life

… all demand an undissolved commitment, an undiluted faithfulness and an unmixed dedication.

May we grow in the understanding of “being faithful and committed” to our relations…

… and seek to “feel at home” – with God and with one another!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An experience is narrated of a family who went to visit the world-famous Niagara Falls.

It was spring, and ice was rushing down the river.

>> s the family members viewed the large blocks of ice flowing toward the falls, they could see that there were carcasses of dead fish embedded in the ice.

A large number of sea-gulls (= birds, which feed mainly on fish) were riding down the river, feeding on the fish.

As they came to the brink of the falls, their wings would go out, and they would escape from the falls.

However there was one particular sea-gull, which seemed to delay much in flying.

>> It was deeply engrossed in the carcass of a fish.

Finally, only when it came to the brink of the falls, did it “flap its wings”.

…But it was a moment too late!

The bird flapped and flapped and even lifted the ice out of the water.

>> But it had delayed too long so that its claws had frozen into the ice.

The weight of the ice was too great, and the gull plunged into the abyss!

>> Excessive attachment and attraction, at the expense of “letting go”, cost the sea-gull its life!

How true is the saying: “The finest attractions of this world become deadly when one becomes overly attached to them.”

The Gospel of the Day is the powerful exhortation of Jesus on the need to “cut-off and pluck-off” ANYTHING which causes us to sin…

… thus ascribing the prime duty of every follower of Christ to meticulously and diligently pursue the paths of holiness!

Jesus uses an extreme language to convey this message across:

“If your hand causes you to sin… cut it off!

If your foot causes you to sin… cut it off!

If your eye causes you to sin… pluck it off!” ( Mk 9: 43,45,47)

The hand….the foot… and the eye.. are three faculties which are extremely vital for a person’s activities:

The hand: points to the things “that we do”

The foot: points to the places “that we go”

The eye: points to the things “that we see or desire”

Jesus, thus refers to ANYTHING, which causes sin, to be totally be dismembered.

We need to make an honest examination of our lives.

What are the areas of my life, which cause me to sin…

… and keeps me away, from pursuing holiness?

Who are the people in my life, who lead me to sin…

… or keep me away from becoming closer to the Lord?

Which are the activities, which instigates me to sin…

… and renders me a slave to the wiles of the devil?

As human beings, there could be a naturally tendency….

… to easily get attached to things which attract and allure us

… to find it hard to let go of situations which gives us momentary pleasure and vain gratification

… to be impelled to remain holding onto certain people, even though we know they cause us to sin

But the Lord calls for an honest examination of our life…

…and dares us to “let go” of anything that would cause us to be unworthy of His Love.

May we seek to not get “attached” or “stuck” to the peripheries of life…

…instead “flap our wings” in the proper time…

… and pursue the paths of holiness and sanctity!

Let our lives be a saintly one, attracting many to Christ…

… and not a scandalous one, repelling many from Christ!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A man possessed a ring set with wonderful diamonds.

>> This ring was a charm – whoever wore it, became so sweet and true in character that all people loved him.

It was always passed down from father to son, and always it did its work.

As time went on, it came to a father who had three sons whom he loved with an equal love.

>> What was he to do when the time came to pass on the ring?

The father had an idea…

… He made two other rings made precisely the same way – so that none could tell the difference.

On his death-bed he called each of his sons in, spoke some words of love … and without telling the other, gave to each a ring.

When the three sons discovered that each had a ring, a great dispute arose as to which was the true ring.

The case was taken to a wise judge.

>> He examined the case, and then spoke:

“If the true ring gives sweetness to the character of the man who wears it,” said the judge, “then I and all people will know the man who possesses the true ring by the goodness of his life.

So, go your ways -Be kind, Be truthful, Be brave, Be just in your dealings.

>> He who does these things will be the owner of the true ring.”

The owner of the original ring was to be found by the life that they lived!

Am I a possessor of the “Ring” of Christian Faith?

>> Then it needs to be displayed by a life of faith and love

>> Am I wearing the “Ring” of being a follower of Christ?

>> Then it needs to be exhibited by a life of conviction and commitment

The incident in today’s Gospel focuses on how Jesus opens the minds of His disciples to “not get limited” by peripherals of religion…

… Instead to focus on the power of God and to live a life worthy of our Christian Calling!

One of the disciples – John – told Jesus: “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following Us” (Mk 9:38)

An act of demoniac-healing was being conducted by one who was “not in Jesus’ group”

The disciples were alarmed by it…

… they felt it their duty to forbid it, since that man was outside their “boundary”

… they would have felt within themselves, “How can he who is not with us, do such things?”

… there might perhaps even been a tinge of jealousy, since sometime back, they themselves couldn’t heal a possessed-boy (Mk 9:18)

This incident of the Gospel has a marked parallel in the Book of Numbers 11: 25-29

>> The Lord had spoken to Moses and bestowed the spirit on seventy chosen elders

>> Among them, two named Eldad and Medad were not in the gathering, but left in the camp

>> Joshua, came rushing to Moses and complained, “Stop them… they are prophesying in the camp”

>> To that, Moses replied sternly, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!” (Num 11: 29)

Many times, among the “chosen people”, there could be such a tendency to “monopolize” Divine gifts

>> There could be occasions when “selected persons” feel themselves to be having a special right and privilege, to which no others can lay claim!

But the Lord seeks to break such fake boundaries and false borders, by telling:

“Whoever is not against us, is for us” (Mk 9:40)

The quality of our Christian Life will be not assessed, simply by the vocation to which we are called…

…but by our life of faithfulness and fidelity

>> The Christian Vocation is not merely a “title” to be hung around in pride…

… it is a responsible duty that is to be carried out with sincerity and earnestness

>> The Call to be a member of God’s Kingdom is not merely a “plaque” to be carried around for gratification…

… it is an accountable task that is to be performed with dedication and perseverance

Yes…

> We need to let go of our “restricted, narrow and prejudiced” mindsets and be open to the working of God’s Spirit, in any people

As Christians, we all are blest with the “ring” of being called the followers of Christ

>> Let us live a life of faith and love, conviction and commitment – and become to worthy to be truly called as the “Children of our Heavenly Father”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is a story of a tourist who visited a particular church.

He was quite surprised to see the figure of a lamb, that had been carved near the top of the church’s tower.

On enquiring, he came to know the reason…

He was told that when the church was being built, a workman fell from a high scaffold.

> His co-workers, in fear and despair, rushed down, probably expecting that their companion might have died.

But to their pleasant surprise, they found him alive, with just some minor injuries.

How did the workman survive that steep fall?

A flock of sheep was passing at that time, beneath the scaffold of the tower.

>> The worker, fell on the top of one of the lambs!

The lamb was crushed to death, but the man was saved!

To celebrate this miraculous escape, a carved lamb was placed on the tower at the exact height from which the workman fell!

It is unknown whether this story is true or a legend, but one thing is for sure and certain: we need the Lamb for our survival – the Lamb of God!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the Lamb of God predicting His passion and death and drives home the message of the necessity of being clothed with humility and innocence, in order to achieve true greatness in life.

Jesus had a very specific purpose in coming to the world – the salvation of all.

> The path chosen to realise this salvific act was the path of suffering and death, leading to glory.

Jesus was always clear in what He wanted and the aims of His Life.

And so very plainly, He forewarns His disciples, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He is killed, He will rise after three days” (Mk 9: 31)

Unlike some popular preachings, Jesus preached to the world…

…. not ordinariness or littleness; rather a Gospel of Greatness

…. not being satisfied with the minimum or with the least efforts; rather a Gospel of the Maximum.

But His understanding of “Being Great” and His way of “achieving the maximum” was unlike how the world thought.

>> The world views greatness in being powerful with power, wrapped in wealth, possessing positions and clothed in vain glory

>> The world views achieving maximum in life by means of exploitation, dishonesty, cheating and trickery

That’s the way also the disciples of Jesus thought, when they were quarrelling on the way, as to “who was the greatest” (Mk 9: 34)

But Jesus defines a “new” way of being great…

… by being little

… by being humble

… and by lowering oneself

And so He says, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be last of all and the servant of all” (Mk 9: 35)

>> He preaches the “Gospel of Greatness” – being great in the sight of God, by doing His will and following His commandments

>> He preaches the “Gospel of Maximum” – achieving one’s maximum by depending and trusting in the power of God at all times

In tune with His preaching, Jesus lived a life of immense humility, daring innocence and bold holiness!

He was the mighty Lion of Judah…..but He humbled Himself to become the Lamb of God!

>> Clothed in mighty glory and rapturous splendour, He emptied Himself to live a life of sacrifice, gentleness and surrender to God’s Will!

This is true greatness: the higher that one wishes to become, the lower must one humble, to allow the grace of God to fill one’s life!

>> The Lord wishes that we all become “great” in life…

… but “great” in the proper sense of the term.

>> The Lord desires that we all achieve the “maximum” in life..

… but “maximum” in the true sense of the term.

May we cherish and follow the example of our Blessed Lord in leading a life of humility and scaling the heights of true ‘greatness’ and achieving the ‘maximum’ in life.

Jesus, the Lamb of God – by His sacrificial love and total surrender has given us life and salvation, at the cost of His own life.

>> Shall we not reciprocate and commemorate this tremendous sacrifice, by “carving” our lives, in the image of “this Lamb” – being humble, committed to our cause and trusting fully in the power of God?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A lady once remarked to her spiritual guide, ” I am very afraid to pray, ‘Thy Will be done'”

“And why is that so?”, asked the guide.

“I am afraid…”, continued the lady, “… that God will bring some calamity to my only child or send me a heavy trial in life”

The spiritual guide, having patiently listened to her, replied:

“Suppose if your beloved child comes to you and says, ‘Mummy, here after, I want to always do whatever you say and live as you will…’

Would you say to yourself…

‘Ah! Here is my chance!

>> I will make my child to do all the harsh things.

>> I will make use of his willingness to obey me, by cutting off all his pleasures

>> I will make sure he has a tough time because anyway he will do whatever I say”

“Oh no!” answered back the mother, ” I will give him the best possible things that I can.

>> I will make sure that he is protected from every danger.

>> I will do anything to ensure him true happiness!”

” And do you think…,” continued the spiritual guide, “Do you think that God is less loving than you?”

The will of every human parent is to ensure the best for their children, isn’t it?

>> How much more loving and caring is the Will of the Father!

“God’s Will” is best understood in the set-up of a family…

In a human family…

… Every member wishes that the other is taken care

… Every member seeks for the good of the other

How much more is the love and concern in the Family of God…

… to all those who seek to do the Will of the Father?!

The Church is this Communion of those who “bind upon themselves to do the Will of the Father”

Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary, the Mother of the Church.

>> Mother Mary is the Model for all in the Church to “always say YES to God’s Will!”

This feast which has been brought promulgated from this Year…

… is to be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost.

One of the primary reasons for the celebration of this Feast is “to foster Marian piety and the Maternal sense of the Church.”

Pope Francis says that, “this celebration will help us to remember that growth in the Christian life must be anchored…

… to the Mystery of the Cross

… to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet

… and to the Mother of the Redeemer and Mother of the Redeemed!”

The Marian title of “Mother of the Church,” was given to the Blessed Mother by Pope Paul VI at the Second Vatican Council.

The Gospel of the Day (Jn 19: 25-34) presents the “Model of the Church”

>> Jesus, the Head of the Church

>> Mary, the Mother of all the children in the Church

>> The Beloved Disciple, who stands for all the members of the Church

This “Model Church” stands as a witness and an example for the Church, to “always seek and do God’s Will!”

Jesus said, “Whoever does the Will of My Father in Heaven, is my…. Mother!” (Mt 12: 50)

When we scan through the pages of the New Testament, we find, that perhaps no other person fulfilled the Will of the Father as perfectly as Mary

Mary, the Mother of the Church, always said “YES to God’s Will”

Mary was Blessed not just because she gave a physical birth to Jesus…

… but also because She listened and lived the Will of the Father!

She is blessed…

… because She listened to God’s Word and accepted it wholeheartedly.

… because She chose to put Her faith in God, though the path ahead was dim

… because She was obedient to God’s Will, though She did not understand many things”

As St. Irenaeus says:

“Being obedient, She became the cause of salvation for Herself and for the whole human race.”

The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience

>> What Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by Her faith”

Mother Mary is the first Evangelizer and the first Disciple of Her own Son and Lord, Jesus the Christ!

Mother Mary is thus, not just the biological Mother of Jesus…

… but, by doing the Will of the Father perfectly, She is also His Spiritual Mother!

Thus Mary is the Mother of the Church!

>> As St Maximilian Kolbe says, “If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his Mother, he will not have Christ for his Brother!”

Yes, doing the Will of the Father…

… is the DNA that joins all the members of the Family of God

… is the sole and mandatory criteria to be part of the Family of God

We may have our fears in doing His Will….

But let us realize, that the Will of Father is wrapped with much love and affection…

… there is a tenderness in His Will, that ensures each of us, His children are protected!

… there is a warmth in His Will, that makes sure that we, His children are always given the best!

Jesus is our Supreme Model and Leader in listening and living the Will of the Father

>> Mother Mary is our Beloved Mother and Perfect Disciple, Who followed Her Son wholly, in obedience to the Will of the Father!

>> Many saints and holy people also show us, by their sanctified lives that it is worth, meaningful and salvific to do the Will of the Father!

All of them beckon us:

“Come be part of the Family of God…

>> Listen always to what God wants of you in your life

>> Ask Him, at all times, what you should be doing in life

>> Put your trust in His Power and Providence, when you do His Will!”

Are we willing to be members of this Family of God?

… Then we need to be ready to do the Will of the Father!

May our Blessed Mother Mary, the Mother of the Church intercede and pray for all of us…

… to be faithful and witnessing members of the Church.

Happy Feast Day of Mary, the Mother of the Church…

… to all Her Little Children of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An old beggar-man lay on his deathbed.

As he was departing from this world, his last words to his only son who had been a constant companion during his begging trips were:

“Dear son,” he said, “I have nothing to give you except a cotton bag and a dirty bronze bowl which I got in my younger days from the junkyard of a rich lady.”

After the death of his father, the boy continued begging, using the bowl his father had given him.

One day, a gold merchant dropped a coin in this boy’s bowl.

>> The merchant was, however, surprised to hear a familiar clinking sound.

“Let me check your bowl,” the merchant said.

To his great surprise, he found that the beggar boy’s bowl was made of pure gold.

“My dear young man,” he said, “why do you waste your time begging?

That bowl of yours is made of gold!

>> It is worth a huge amount of money!

Realize that you are a rich man.

>> Be aware of the worth of the treasure that is with you, and live a life worthy of it!”

How often is our Christian life also lived in such ignorance of the treasure that we possess!

We fail to realize that as Christians, we have been blessed with immense spiritual riches.

Today, on this Great Day of Pentecost, we are invited to open our hearts to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and to become aware of the greatness of our vocation as Christians.

On the day of Pentecost, in the Upper Room, as the disciples were gathered in prayer, along with Blessed Mother Mary, “the Holy Spirit filled the entire house in which they were” (Acts 2:2)

It is to be noted that the word used to describe the coming of the Holy Spirit is the Greek word “aphno” which means “suddenly”

“And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind…” (Acts 2: 2)

The coming of the Holy Spirit was “sudden”.

>> This energetic entry of the Holy Spirit is a glimpse to one important characteristic of the person of the Holy Spirit: Vitality!

The Holy Spirit is a spirit of life…

… of energy

… of vivacity

… of animation

… of dynamism!

Where the Holy Spirit is, there is the great movement of the will, the mind and the heart!

It was this “sudden” coming of the Holy Spirit, that transformed the small group of Jesus’ disciples into mighty warriors of the Kingdom of God.

Fear was transformed into power…

> Timidity was changed into boldness…

>> Uncertainty was converted into conviction…

Our own lives need an encounter of this “life-transforming”  experience.

>> Is my Christian life, dull and slow – merely laced with routine actions of prayers and sacraments?

>> Is my life of faith, lethargic and tepid – simply being pulled on, without any particular awareness or lived without any enthusiasm?

… then, we need the mighty movement of the Holy Spirit to impress life and vitality to our life and our faith!

The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly one of the most shy person of the Blessed Trinity and therefore, also often, neglected in our daily prayers or devotion

>> The study and awareness of the Holy Spirit is certainly, in general, given lesser priority and importance in comparison to the other Persons of the Trinity

>> The Feast of the Pentecost is very often not accorded the “solemn” tone in comparison to other feasts like Christmas or Easter.

But let us realize, that in the Holy Spirit and in the celebration of this Feast, we have a great treasure to cherish and enjoy.

>> Each Christian ought to build an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

>> Each Christian must become more aware of the role of the Holy Spirit in daily living

How wonderful it would be if we could inculcate a few practical resolutions to grow in our intimacy and union with this Powerful and Dynamic Personality of the Blessed Trinity:

a. Wishing “Good Morning, Holy Spirit ” to Him as we begin the day, thanking for His protection and seeking His help through the day

b. Invoking a tiny chaplet, “Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and minds” as we begin a particular activity or work

c. Making a short examination of conscience at the end of the day, introspecting our lives in overcoming sin, being grateful for His guidance and seeking to grow spiritually in holiness, with the power of the Holy Spirit

D. Co-operating with the Holy Spirit to become effective agents of unity in our homes, our communities, our places of work and our churches.

e. Purposely creating a few seconds of silence in the schedule of our works or our activity or through the course of the day, and talking to the Holy Spirit, as a friend, in the cave of our heart

f. Listening to the still, gentle voice of the Holy Spirit in the depths of our being, speaking to us to be more active to read God’s Word in the Bible and to partake of the Sacraments more frequently especially Confession and Holy Eucharist.

The Lord has blessed our lives with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

> He longs to empower our lives…

>> He earnestly wants to be in total control of our lives…

But for this, He needs our permission…

A permission in the form of…

… longing for Him

… making sincere efforts to live away sin

Let us realize that by the Grace and Power of the Holy Spirit, we are all rich!

May we be aware of the worth of the treasure that is with us, and live a life worthy of it!

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Spirit – the Pentecost!

Happy Birthday to our Mother Church!

> May we receive the sweetness of the Holy Eucharist more worthily and enthusiastically!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The experience of teachers in a school with the students is pretty interesting.

Each student is unique in their character and nature.

>> The relationship with each student is also unique.

Undoubtedly…

… some students tend to be more in the limelight… due to their high vibrancy and level of enthusiasm

… some students remain in the shadows… due to. their soft and timid nature

But the teacher shares a unique relationship with all..

… with some more close, with some just normal, with some just casual

>> Sometimes the most naughty one, or the mischievous one gets special attention

>> Sometimes, the most silent one gets a special favour of affection and care

The Greatest Teacher, Jesus also had his class of students… his chosen twelve.. the Apostles.

He shared a unique relationship with all of them, undoubtedly.

>> Yet, among the twelve, there were some with whom Jesus had a special bonding

·      One among them was very vocal, emotional and actively in the limelight…

·      The other was more silent, affectionate and passively in the backgrounds…

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the teacher in conversation with these two of His students, with whom He had a special bonding – Peter and John.

·      Peter  was the one, very vocal, emotional and being active in the limelight…

·      John was the more silent, affectionate and remained passively in the backgrounds…

We are the end of the Gospel of St John.

Jesus had engaged Peter in a one-to-one conversation reviving His commitment to Him and the Kingdom by asking him, three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was also entrusted to be the Shepherd of His Church on the earth.

However, Peter was also curious what would be the future of the other disciple.

His curiosity is a common human trait: a keen desire to know the future and the prospects of other people.

·      Sometimes this trait can also degenerate into jealousy…

·      Sometimes this trait can also be reduced to envy…

1. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard… those who came at the end received the same one denarii as the first.

The complaint of those who toiled the whole day was not just that they received a less pay; but more so, that why did the last ones get a higher pay!

The generosity towards the others, made them to feel envious.

2. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the prodigal son was given a grand reception on his arrival back.

The complaint of the elder son was not just that he never had enjoyed a luxurious time with his friends; but more so, that the younger sin who had committed many sins, was given a special welcome.

The generosity towards the younger son, made him to feel jealous.

Realizing the possibility of this common human trait, Jesus chides Peter who was over-curious to know of the future of John; instead He re-focusses Peter’s attention on what is most important: Following Him.

Therefore Jesus tells to Peter: “What concern is it of yours? You follow me” (Jn 21: 22)

The same advice is rendered to us also…

·      We sometimes tend to be too anxious about the life of the other… but fail to have a proper control in our personal lives!

·      We sometimes tend to be over-curious about the future of others… but fail to live our lives worthily!

The Lord advises us the same too, “You follow me!”

The vocation and life of Jesus, the teacher’s two special students  – Peter and John is also a reminder of two ways or levels of Christian holiness…

·      The Life of Peter… lived in witness to Christ by a life of martyrdom

·      The Life of John… lived in witness to Christ by a life of loving sacrifices in life

Each one of us are to…

… live in holiness, filled with love, like St John

… live in commitment, willing to give up even our lives, like St Peter

On this eve of the Great Feast of the Pentecost, let us prepare our hearts to receive the fire of the Holy Spirit.

May we be animated and constantly live in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, so that we too may be Christ’s faithful and dynamic witnesses…

… and like St Peter and St John, become “special students” of our Great Teacher, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!