“Being inspired by the Compassionate Mother, who is with us in our every sorrow, as she helps us, to follow Her Crucified Son and our Saviour, Jesus!”

(Based on the Memorial of our Lady of Sorrows)

A prayer meeting was on.

The participants were reciting the Rosary of the Seven Dolours (= the seven sorrows of our Blessed Mother Mary).

It came to the fifth sorrow, which is “Jesus dies on the Cross”.

However, the one who was leading the prayer, by mistake said, “Mary dies on the Cross”.

A few participants, who heard this mistake, burst out into laughter…
… at the mistake!

But in hindsight, if we consider that statement, there is so much of truth and meaning in it – “Mary dies on the Cross!”

While on earth, there was no one who was closer to our Blessed Lord than His Own Beloved Mother.

He received His body from Her.
With Him, She rejoiced!
With Him, She suffered!
And finally, in those deepest agonizing moments on the Cross…
… there was none who suffered more than Her!

Every pain of Her Little Child, was experienced by the Blessed Mother

Mary was the Woman Who was most happy at the birth of the Lord
Mary was also the Woman Who was most sorrowful at the death of the Lord!

Today, Holy Mother the Church keeps the memorial of Mary, the Sorrowful Mother of Jesus.

This feast is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of our Blessed Mother.

The title “Our Lady of Sorrows” focuses on Mother Mary’s intense suffering during the Passion and Death of Jesus…
… and invites us to meditate especially through the Seven Sorrowful and Dolorous Moments in the life of our Blessed Mother.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon
2. The flight into Egypt
3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
4. Mary meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
5. Jesus dies on the Cross
6. Mary receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her arms
7. The Body of Jesus is placed in the Tomb

Suffering is an immense and an intense reality of our lives.

Many times, sufferings hit our lives when…
… we least expect it
… we are least prepared for it

Such moments of pain and agony…when encountered without any faith….
… can cause us to lose any meaning in life and renders our life to be shorn of hope
… can cause us to question God and His goodness and strips our faith of its strength
… can cause us to have recourse to “unbecoming” means to relieve ourselves from pain

However, such moments of suffering and difficulties…. when faced with deep faith and trust…
… will become occasions of God’s overflowing grace filling our lives and making us stronger
… will become occasions for us to depend deeper on our Creator and to feel His power more strongly
… will become occasions for us to realise the value of life, and become more compassionate towards others

In the midst of the pains and struggles that surround us, we need to ask ourselves…
… have we been able to increase our faith and trust in the Lord, and know the God is very much with us, even in this unexplained time of suffering?
… or has our faith wavered, and is our life cluttered with many uncertainties and questions of hopelessness?

Our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother of Sorrows and the Mother of Compassion – teaches us many important and vital lessons for life

She had every reason to complain and fight against God…
She had every reason to protest and abandon God and His Will…
She had every reason to murmur and let go of the plan of God for Her…

But, the “Yes” that She pronounced at the Annunciation was echoed all through Her life… at every step
… be it in times of joy and calmness
… be it in times of sadness and calamity

The “Yes” She said was the “Final Profession” She made…
… just as the Religious make on the Day of their Profession
… just as the Priests make on the Day of their Ordination
… just as the Married make to each other and to God, on their Day of Wedding
… just as the Baptised make to the Lord and seek to live, from the time of Baptism

It was a binding for life…
It was a commitment to, with conviction…
It was to be lived in sincerity, with dedication…

The Feast of the Mother of Sorrows is a beautiful reminder and reflection on “Two Hearts that were united to each other, burning with love” – the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mother Mary!

These two Hearts underwent immense pain and suffering…
… yet, rejoiced in Love!

We are invited to live a life…
…. free from sin
… filled with love
… firm in conviction
… fashioned in grace

Like our Beloved and Blessed Mother Mary!

Mamma Mary invites all of us to live a life of joy, even when the clouds of sorrow paint the skies of our lives.

Her Seven Special Moments of Joy…

1. The Annunciation
2. The Nativity of Jesus
3. The Adoration of the Magi
4. The Resurrection of Christ
5. The Ascension of Christ to Heaven
6. The Pentecost or Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
7. The Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven
   … are a reminder to know that God reigns over every situation in life
   … and we need to “wave the Flag of Joy in our lives always!”

May we be filled with the courage and grace to truly make it our prayer:
“Holy Mother, pierce me through
In my heart, each wound renew
Of my Saviour Crucified!”

Wish you a Happy Feast of our Compassionate Mother, who is ever with us in our every sorrow…
… as she helps us, to follow Her Crucified Son and Our Strengthening Saviour, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – _The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

By themselves however they cannot disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress.
Science and technology are ordered to man, from whom they take their origin and development…

… hence they find in the person and in his moral values both evidence of their purpose and awareness of their limits. (CCC # 2293)

“Reflecting deeper on the Cross of our Blessed Lord, and beautifying our lives – which is truly a ‘treasure in clay’ – in holiness and love!”

(Based on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

Venerable Fulton J Sheen is undoubtedly one of the greatest proponents of Catholicism of the 20th century.

In his autobiography titled, “Treasure in Clay,” Bishop Sheen gives a beautiful and heart-rending illustration of the Cross – the Crucifix:
“In the Crown of Thorns, I see my pride…
… my grasping for earthly toys, in the Pierced Hands,
… my flight from shepherding care, in the Pierced Feet
… my wasted love, in the Wounded Heart
… and my prurient desires, in the Flesh hanging from Him like Purple Rags!”

Yes…
… on the Most Holy Cross, we have the autobiography of all our lives!

On this Great and Blessed Feast of the Exaltation of the Most Holy Cross, we turn our gaze towards the Cross on which our Blessed Lord redeemed us…
… as we gratefully thank Him for His Awesome Sacrificial Love
… and pledge to live a life in expectation of this Great Sacrifice of our Crucified Lord!

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was the foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ!

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

“Biblical Typology” refers to a person, place or event in the Old Testament that has its own proper significance…
… but also prefigures a person, place or event, later in the New Testament

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

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

Sometimes there is lack of comfort.
Sometimes there is an inflation of hardships
Sometimes there is an increase in uncertainty.
… And we begin to complain, grumble… falling into many sinful ways and habits!

But Divine Love, wanting to have us back to Him, provides us the means to be rescued from the deadly effects of such sins…
… The Holy Cross is the Symbol of this redemption and salvation that is won for us, by Christ!

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

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

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

Usually the heart is considered to be the great symbol of Love…

But, from a Christian perspective, probably, the Holy Cross…
… is a greater and a more meaningful symbol of the Immense Love of God for each one of us.

The Cross demands sacrifice…
The Cross demands a self-emptying nature…

The Cross demands a complete commitment…
… And this is indeed the true nature of Love – sacrificial, self-emptying and committed! (Phil 2: 6-11)

As we honour and venerate the Holy Cross, may we hear the words of our Crucified Lord, tenderly whispering to us, with deep love and affection:
“You are mine, forever…
… and you belong to Me and to Me alone!

Hold on to My Cross, always!”

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

One mocked Jesus…
… the other sought Jesus
One took pride in himself…
… the other humbled himself
One lost a golden opportunity…
… the other, won the Prized Paradise!

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

We have a choice…
… like both the thieves

What choice are we going to make?

Let us reflect deeper on the autobiography of our lives, written on the Cross of our Blessed Lord…
… and thus preserve, nurture and beautify our lives – which is truly a “treasure in clay” – in holiness and love!

In the words of Ven. Fulton Sheen:
“The ideal is to reach a point in practice, where, like Our Lord on the Cross…
… we witness to God even amidst abandonment and the agony of a crucifixion!”

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Cross!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Basic scientific research, as well as applied research, is a significant expression of man’s dominion over creation.
Science and technology are precious resources…

… when placed at the service of man and promote his integral development for the benefit of all. (CCC # 2293)

“Giving heed to the ‘disciplining call’ of the Lord, and reforming our lives so that our love for the Lord may show forth in true obedience and sincere submission!”

(Based on 1 Tim 1:15-17 and Lk 6:43-49 – Saturday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

It is said that “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment”.

Discipline, in general, is based on four F’s:
Firmness
Fondness
Frankness
Fairness

The Book of Proverbs 13: 24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”

Disciplining a person, with the principles of firmness, fondness, frankness and fairness, is an act of charity and an expression of genuine love.

The Gospel of the Day presents a verse of disciplining by the Lord – the One Who deeply yearns…
… that we always walk in the right path and in the ways of perfection.

Jesus says, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do what I tell you?” (Lk 6: 46)

The test of true love consists in a faithful obedience to the one who is loved.

Spouses may exchange gestures of love and affection…
… but do they also exhibit true love by caring for each other, respecting each other’s opinion and accepting one another as they are?

Children may say that they truly love and care for their parents…
… but do they also exhibit it in action, by being obedient to them and taking practical heed of their advices?

Students may express their concern and acknowledgement for their teachers…
… but do they also display it in their life, by faithful abiding to what is expected of them as students?

To say “I love you”, but failing to show it forth in actions of obedience, is mere farcical!

There is therefore, a great need to examine – in honesty and sincerity – when we say “I love you” to the Lord.

Our Blessed Lord raises a tone of pleading when He asks, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do what I tell you?”

It has tones similar to…
… a parent who tells the child, “Why do you say, you like me, when you constantly disobey me and fail to give heed to my words?”
… a teacher who tells the student, “Why do you say, I want to be a good student, when you fail to make efforts to learn and do your
works, in the proper time and in the right manner?”
… an elderly person who advises a young person, “Why do you say, I wish to lead a happy life, but still continue to walk in the paths of immorality, dishonesty and lethargy?”

The Lord is deeply interested in the well-being of our lives…
.. but somehow, we fail to understand this aspect, and continue to live a life, as per our own wishes and fancies!

And therefore, the Lord raises the rod of discipline, and makes it very clear – a stern warning – with the parable of the Two Foundations.

Unless you live a life, founded on the rock of obedience, the “house” of your life will not stand!
If you seek to base your life on the “sands” of disobedience, be assured, that soon it will have a tragic collapse!

The Lord is FIRM, FOND, FRANK and FAIR with us, in His Love for us!

Let us respond to this Love with greater discipline and faithfulness

Let us give heed to the “disciplining call” of the Lord, and reform our lives…
… so that our love for the Lord may show forth in true obedience and sincere submission!

Today we celebrate the Feast of of St John Chrysostom – the great Doctor of the Church and one the greatest preachers of the Church.

Let us seek the intercession of this “golden mouthed Saint” and be inspired by his words:

“The primary goal in the education of children is to teach, and to give the example of, a virtuous life.”
“Nothing will divide the church so much as the love of power.”
“The bee is more honoured than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labours for others.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Scientific, medical, or psychological experiments on human individuals or groups…

… can contribute to healing the sick and the advancement of public health. (CCC # 2292)

“Reviewing our lives and being willing to ring in positive transformations!”

(Based on 1 Tim 1:1-2, 12-14 and Lk 6:39-42 – Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

In a particular town, there lived a cobbler, who was unable to make a living by his trade.

Driven to despair by his poverty, he accommodated himself in another far-away town, and began to practise medicine.

He sold a drug which he claimed to be an antidote for all sorts of poisons.

Towards this end, he also created a great popularity campaign through advertisements and boastful proclamations.

Unfortunately, in a short period of time, the cobbler himself happened to fall sick to a serious illness.

The ruler of the town sought this as a nice chance to test his medicine’s capability and the man’s genuineness.

For this, the ruler called for a cup, and filling it with water, pretended to mix poison with the cobbler’s antidote…
… commanding him to drink, with a promise of a handsome reward.

The sick cobbler, overcome with much fear and trembling, confessed that he had no knowledge of medicine!

The ruler then called the people of the town and addressed them:
“Oh how foolish are you!

You have not hesitated to entrust your heads to a man, whom no one could employ to even make shoes for their feet!”

Often times, perhaps, it so happens that we too…
… get fooled in life
… get led by people who are incapable
… get ourselves to be a slave to things which are unbecoming

We become blind…
… and perhaps, we also lead others to stumble!

Our Blessed Lord in today’s Gospel invites us to deep examination of the quality of our lives and our credibility in being a leader.

Jesus says, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” (Lk 6:39)

This verse is a reference to two sets of people: one, the guide.. second, the one who is led.

We could find ourselves in either of these categories or sometimes even both.

We could be a guide or one who is guided or both – a guide as well as one who is guided.

In any of the cases, one needs to examine one’s quality of life.

Am I shrouded in the darkness of being in ignorance and apathy…
… disinterested to learn and be willing to know more…?
… causing others to be misled and creating confusions and misunderstandings…?

Am I a person who is sunk into the dark abyss of being prejudiced and unforgiving….
… unwilling to be open to the truth and adamant in considering to even review or re-examine my own viewpoints…?
… blinded to accept differences and failing to cherish diversity and thus constantly being at loggerheads with others…?

Am I constantly veiled under the dark shades of being unjustly critical and judgemental…
… full of pride and being unable to let go of my own selfish interests and self-centred wants…?
… enamoured by a pleasure in looking for opportunities and means to put down others or find faults with others…?

Our Blessed Lord invites us to make an honest review of our lives…
… and to be constantly willing to ring in positive transformations.

Let us seek to put into the practise the beautiful saying:
“If you use the head with which you reprove others to reprove yourself, there will be fewer faults;

If you use the heart with which you forgive yourself to forgive others, there will be perfect friendship”

Today we celebrate the Holy Name of Mary…
… a feast that reminds us of Her closeness to our lives.

Her name – as Her life – speaks of humility, faith…
… and a life wholly open to God’s plan.

Let us always realise that “Her name never rivals Christ…
… it always leads us to Him!”

Let us call upon the name of Mary
… imitate her trust, her courage, and her willingness to be transformed!
… and find strength to live anew in Christ!

Whisper the name “Mary!”

Walk with Her
Meet Christ!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense.
Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices.

They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law. (CCC # 2291)

“Allowing the Crucified Lord to be our model, our inspiration and our strength in our desire to live the ‘Gospel of the Tough!’”

(Based on Col 3:12-17 and Lk 6:27-38 – Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

There is a joke among listeners of Gospel sermons and talks:

There are two categories of the Gospel message:
(a) The “Gospel of the Easy” – Gospel passages which are uncomplicated to comprehend and unproblematic to carry out.

(b) The “Gospel of the Tough” – Gospel passages which are very difficult to understand, highly demanding in practicing and too taxing to be even considered realistic and feasible!

The Gospel Reading of the Day would undoubtedly fall in the second category: A Gospel of the Tough!

And this Gospel of the Tough, has probably one of the most toughest sentence of the Gospels enshrined in it: “Love your enemies…” (Lk 6:27)

Many of us may feel that this statement is just way too ideal to be feasible and doable.

But well…
… Facts remain facts… we like it or not… we accept it or not!

And this fact that Jesus really meant to “Love your enemies…” is proved by what follows after this statement:

He gives some explanations for the same: (Lk 6:27-28)

Do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who abuse you.

He gives some practical tips for the same: (Lk 6: 29-30)

If someone hits you, turn the other cheek.
If someone takes your shirt, give your jacket too.
If someone asks you, give him something.
If someone steals your money, do not demand it back.

This is followed by the splendid Golden Rule: Do to others what you want others to do to you! (Lk 6:31)

Indeed, the teaching to “Love your enemies” is a reality and a fact and is a call to which we are invited to give heed.

That leads to a very practical question: Who are my enemies?

In general, an enemy is anyone who feels hatred toward, intends injury to, or opposes the interests of another.

The moment we hear the word “enemy”, our minds usually transports to some famous “enemies” of the world like some notorious terrorists or some dictators or rulers or gangs etc…

But the Lord is very particular in pointing out who are these “enemies”.

Jesus doesn’t restrict “enemies” to people who are against the state or the nation, but he specially means our personal enemies.

Who are these our personal enemies?

One clue we get from the words of Jesus, in Mt 10:36, “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household”.

Oops! That’s pretty close, right?

Those in our homes…
… those in our close circles
… whom we meet everyday

People whom we meet regularly and whom we come in contact often are the ones whom most likely we can hurt or who hurt us….
and over time, they may become our personal enemies

So, well… it’s time to identify a few enemies – a few personal enemies…

Do I own a grudge against the members of my family – spouses, parents, children?
Do I possess hatred against the members of my community – superiors, companions, juniors, mates?
Do I kindle anger against my extended family members – siblings, in-laws, relatives?
Do I harbour ill-feelings against those with whom I work – bosses, colleagues, junior workers?
Do I maintain bad thoughts against the members of my church – priests, sisters, persons entrusted with in-charges, various association members etc?
Do I keep resentment against some other known people in life – friends, acquaintances, neighbours?
Do I entertain bitterness against many strangers – storekeepers, some people whom we come across often when we travel in the bus/metro/auto/train etc?

We have to admit…
The ones who are close to us and who are more familiar are the ones who are hurt or who abuse us
… and they turn out to be our “personal enemies!”
(Though often we don’t like to put them in the ‘category of enemies!’)

Yet, the statement of the Lord remains firm as a rock – “Love your enemies…”

So how do we love our “enemies?”

Here are some practical tips and suggestions (of course, depends also on the ‘level of our enemity!’):

Greeting them: Wishing them constantly at least ensures we do not avoid them or dodge away from them.

Spread goodness: Respond to constant avoidance, with positive strokes of good deeds. Make the first move to heal.

Avoid evil-talk: Stop any bad utterances and expressions to flow from the mouth. Every time we talk: either life comes or death. The tongue has power! Allow it to forgive and bring forth life.

Thank God for them: God seeks the good of ALL persons…including the one who is not liked by us. Offer the person to this goodness and benevolence of God and be grateful

Pray for them: We may become helpless in our situation. But through prayer, God has the great ability to gift pardon and mercy. An honest heart will surely allow God’s love to flow through the relationship.

Ask God to Bless them: It’s hard to accept, but the enemy can be a gift from God. Like Joseph who said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20), the enemies become an cause for us to be humble, to keep us on our knees, to reveal our weakness & to expose our total need for God!

Pray for the grace of forgiveness: Forgetting the hurt is never easy; but with God’s Grace, we can begin the journey of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a feeling – it’s a decision, and Grace makes that decision possible. When we forgive, we free not only the other person, but also our own heart. The Cross teaches us: forgiveness is costly, but it is never impossible.

The teaching to – “Love your enemies…” is unmistakably the “Gospel of the Tough!”

Let the Crucified Lord be our model, our inspiration and our strength…
… in our desire to live this “Gospel of the Tough!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine.

Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air. (CCC # 2289)