A beautiful yet commonly quoted story goes thus:

A very poor woman called a Christian radio station asking for some assistance and help.

A man – known to be an unbeliever in God and who highly despised religion – who was listening to this radio program…
…. decided to make something out of it…
>> He decided to play a prank on the woman, and make her a fool.

He got the ladies’ address…
… then called his secretary and ordered her to buy food
>> And take to the woman with the following instruction:
“when the woman asks who sent the food…
… tell her that it’s from the devil.”

When the secretary arrived and delivered the food to the woman…
… the woman was so happy and readily accepted the food and moved inside her little house.

The Secretary, out of curiosity asked her: “But don’t you want to know who sent the food?”

The woman answered:
“NO, it doesn’t matter!
>> Because when GOD orders, even the devil obeys.”

Yes…
… when God orders, even the devil obeys!

The Gospel of the Day presents this act of encounter…
… where the shackles of captivity and bondage of Satan are broken by the power of release and liberation by Jesus!
… where Kingdom of Satan yields to the Kingdom of God!

Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and addressing the people. (Mk 1:21)

>> His teaching is full of power and conviction…
>> His teaching is filled with passion and fervour…

This presentation of Jesus, with full of power and authority is something remarkable…
… and worth to be imitated and inspired.

Jesus announced in his First Programmatic Speech (Lk 4: 16-30)…
>> “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…
… to proclaim liberty to the captives”

In tune with this announcement, the Lord goes about “preaching liberty to the captives”…
>> Those people, who were captivated…
… by sin
… by oppression
… by evil forces and satanic powers

And this “liberation from captivity”, was done by Jesus…
… with a lot of power and authority
… with immense conviction and passion

When one is deeply convinced of one’s beliefs, it overflows into one’s words and actions
>> When one is highly passionate about one’s faith, it overwhelms one’s deeds and life.

As He thus taught the people, Jesus encountered a man with an unclean spirit, who cried out:
” What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mk 1: 24)

>> Darkness cannot reign, when light shines!
>> Filth cannot dominate, where there is immense holiness!
>> Satanic powers begin to crumble, when the Word of God is proclaimed!

The man with the unclean spirit could not tolerate the Words and the Presence of Jesus!
>> His heart and mind began to reverberate
>> The depth of his soul was pierced

Irritation began in him..
… Restlessness began to overpower him

And finally, unable to withstand, he yelled out:  “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?!” (Mk 1: 24)

But the Power of God was much more powerful than this yelling!
>> The Lord with might and power, boldness and  audacity ordered:
“QUIET! Come out of him” (Mk 1: 25)

And when God orders, even the devil obeys!

The Gospel says: “The unclean spirit convulsed him, and with a  loud cry came out of him” (Mk 1:26)

Our life is a constant battle with the powers of the evil.

Time and again, we have people and situations who discourage us
>> Many times we go through moments when spiritual life doesn’t seem to be encouraging

We often get tied down by the powers of temptation
… We often get disappointed by the struggles of sinful tendencies

But let’s know for sure: The power of the Lord is with us – waiting to save us!
>> We need to know for sure: That when God orders, even the devil obeys!

What is therefore needed is that, we need to…
… yield ourselves to the Orders of God!
… make ourselves open and docile to the Commands of God!

Let’s examine our Christian lives and check:
>> Do I constantly seek live a life, in the Presence of the Lord…
… so that no powers of Satan can touch us?

>> Do I nourish my spiritual life with the daily food of Prayer, Word of God and rec-commitment to holiness…
… so that we are never under the bondage of the evil?

The mighty power of the Lord is with us
>> Always wanting to provide for us!
>> Always wanting to take care of us!

Let’s submit ourselves to His Power and Authority, knowing for sure:
“When God orders, even the devil obeys!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A visitor was once walking along a high part of the shore of the Dead Sea.

As he casually was strolling across and relaxingly enjoying, he lost his balance and fell into the water.

•      Swimming was an activity he had never learnt!
•      Desperation was a weakness that hastened to him quickly!

He could not swim and, in extreme anxiety, lest he should sink and be drowned, he began to fling his arms about frantically!

•      Was his life going to be terminated?
•      Was his enjoyable walk awaiting an anti-climax end?

At last, exhausted by wildly moving his arms for help, he felt he could do no more.

Then he found something strange happening…
>> The waters bore him up!

The water of the Dead Sea is so heavy with salt and other minerals that when he lay still in it he found he floated on the surface!

When he frantically moved his arms, in despair, there was immense fear of drowning..
>> But when he became still, he experienced the calm of support and strength!

Drowning was an impossibility so long as he resigned himself to the power of the deep!

The Gospel of the Day is this powerful lesson to trust deeper in the power of the Lord, when we encounter the storms of life!

The Gospel narrates the incident of Jesus and His disciples travelling in the boat, encountering the fierce storms and how the Lord brings in calm and serenity in that situation of turmoil and turbulence.

All the three synoptic Gospels – Mathew, Mark and Luke – not only report this incident of Jesus calming the boat, but also mention a simple yet significant detail – “Jesus slept”!

•      St Matthew says , “Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.  But Jesus was sleeping.”  (Mt 8:24)

•      St Luke says “As they sailed, he fell asleep.”  (Lk 8:23)

•      St Mark says, ” A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.” (Mk 4:38)

It’s amazing to imagine this situation:
•      The storms are raging high…
•      The waters are probably hitting hard on the boat…
•      The disciples are anxiously rowing, struggling to balance…

There is terror around.. there is a sense of fear… there is growing apprehension.

Yet, in the midst of all this, the Gospels say that “the Lord is sleeping”!

Wow!
>> That really must be a good and sound sleep, isn’t it?

The Psalmist says, “I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Ps 4:8)

To be able to sleep in the midst of severe storms, is a sign of tremendous peace of mind!

Isaiah 43:2 promises:
” When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown”

•      The One who has immense faith and trust in God has absolutely nothing to worry…even in the midst of any storm or squall

•      The One who has great confidence and belief in Divine Providence has just nothing to fear…even in the midst of any horror or terror.

Jesus was in communion with His Father.
>> This bonding made Him to be assured of every protection and care!
>> This union made Him to be rest assured of every safety and security!

Here is an important spiritual principle that Jesus teaches us:
>> The greater one is in communion with God, the greater and easier is one’s trust in Divine Providence.
>> The higher one is in union with God, the lesser will be the anxiety and worry factor in life.

Even when Jesus faced the greatest storm of His life – His passion and death – He was able to go through the crisis in peace and serenity.

In fact, before being arrested and taken for being crucified, Jesus assures peace and joy even for his disciples:
>> “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn 14: 27)

The Lord today invites us to have this same kind of an faith and trust in Him and His Divine Providence.

Life will, undoubtedly, bring with it many storms and tempests in life.
>> We may experience lots of fear…
>> We may feel the end is near…

But the one who trusts in Him, is assured of safety and security!

The more we are close to the Lord, the deeper would be this faith and confidence!

Drowning in life is an impossibility…
… when we resign ourselves to the complete power and providence of the Lord.

The power of the Lord is with us and beneath us…
… waiting to bear us up!

Do we trust?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A familiar story goes such…

A man just got married and was returning home with his wife.

>> They were crossing a lake in a boat, when suddenly a great storm arose.

The man was a warrior, but the woman became very much afraid because it seemed almost hopeless:

The boat was small and the storm was really huge…

… and any moment they could be drowned.

But the man sat silently, calm and quiet, as if nothing was happening.

The woman was trembling, saying:

“Are you not afraid?”

>> This may be our last moment of life!

The man laughed and took the sword out of its sheath.

>> Then he brought the naked sword close to the woman’s neck, so close that just a small gap was there, it was almost touching her neck.

He said,” Are you afraid?”

She started to laugh and said:

” Why should I be afraid?

>> If the sword is in your hands, why I should be afraid? I know you love me.

The man put the sword back and said:

“This is my answer, as well!

>> I know God Loves me, and the storm is in His hands!”

The man was willing to trust in the Lord!

>> And thus, any passage through any storm, would be without any fear!

What about us…

>> Do we trust in the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by the Lord to grow in the Virtue of Trust!

>> By listening to Him

>> By giving heed His Word

>> By being obedient to Him

“Jesus appointed seventy (two), whom He sent ahead of Him, in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit” (Lk 10:1)

They were “chosen and appointed”.

>> Why were these chosen?

… and not others?

>> Well… we can only make some guess-works… because the bottom-line is:

“They were ‘chosen'”

Choice is always a gift, and not a merit!

>> This gift cannot be demanded…. it is given by the Lord, out of His Will

Therefore, it demands a sense of “gratitude” and a spirit of “responsibility”!

The choosing of the seventy (two) also reflects Jesus as the New Moses!

Moses had chosen seventy elders.

We read this in the Book of Numbers:

“The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people.” (Num 11:16)

The “seventy” were chosen from the elders of the tribes of Israel to assist Moses.

>> They were to become an extension of the work that was entrusted to Moses, by Lord Yahweh

In the Gospels, the seventy (two) disciples are also called, by Jesus, for the similar task:

>> They were to become an extension of the work that was entrusted to Jesus by the Heavenly Father.

In this task of “becoming an extension”, one of the most important essentials was that of “listening to the words of the Master” – TRUSTING IN HIM

>> Obedience to the Word is a necessary criteria to become a true extension of the Lord!

Jesus very specifically lays downs rules and regulations to be followed in their mission journey and task:

“Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road….” (Lk 10:4)

These exhortations by the Master would cause…

… a sense of insecurity for the disciples

… a feeling a being stranded in the problems that they could encounter.

Yet, the disciples were strongly urged to…

… Listen to His Exhortation

… to Trust in His Providence

… and to be obedient to His Word

• The disciples were to listen to Jesus, the Beloved Son and grasp His teachings for life

• The disciples were to listen to Jesus, Beloved Son’s commitment in the path of suffering

• The disciples were to listen to the Beloved Son’s trust in God’s Will at every moment

Each one of us is called and chosen, as Christians, to be a disciple of Christ – “an extension of the Lord’s tasks in this world” …

… “You did not choose me, but I chose you; and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16)

• Life will take us through many storms and rough seas of difficulties.

• Life will put us through various tempests and hurricanes of hardships.

But in all such moments, are we ready and open to Trust in the Lord?

The Lord will take us through…

… every storm

… every squall

… every tempest

>> Because, He loves us!

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8: 31)

>> Let us grow in our efforts to trust in the Lord!

>> Let us pray for His grace to be truly listening and following the voice of our Master!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A little boy was returning home, with a jar of honey in his hand.

A gentleman, walking behind him, was constantly observing the boy…
… how very often, he would stick his finger inside the jar, and taste a little of the honey.

After noticing this quite a few times, he approached the boy and asked:
“Son, what do you have in that jar”

“Honey” said the boy

“Honey? Is it sweet?” enquired the man
>> “Yes Sir”

“How sweet is your honey?” asked the man again
>> “Very sweet Sir!”

“Well, I don’t understand you!” continued the man, “I am asking you how sweet it is, and you are only saying, it is very sweet! I don’t understand you!”

Finally, the boy lost his patience, and sticking his finger into the honey, he said: “Taste and see for yourself!”

Quite true, isn’t it?

Any description of the sweetness of the honey would not suffice…
… unless one actually experiences it!

So it is with the Lord!

The sweetness of the Lord, however described by others cannot suffice…
… unless one actually experiences it!

Today we celebrate the Feast of one such event of a person, who experienced the Sweetness of the Lord: The Conversion of St Paul.

When we look into the life of St Paul, there are several factors that we can meditate on, and learn from.

One of the very striking aspects is that of the Passion and Zeal of St Paul.

This passion was greatly reflected in all aspects of his life…
… in his preaching and his writings!
… in his dealing with the Gentiles and their cause of faith
… in his aggressiveness against anything that caused scandal and harm to the Church
… in his uncompromising attitude towards anything that endangered his relationship with the Lord!

Some of his writings in the letters reflect this aspect of Passion and Zeal:

>> “Woe to me, if I don’t preach the Gospel” (1 Cor 9:16)
>> “I count everything as a loss for Christ…” (Phil 3:8)
>> “For me to live is to Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21)
>> “ My preaching… was  a demonstration of the Spirit and power” ( 1 Cor 2:4)

We need to ask of ourselves:

>> Is my Christian life, filled with passion and zeal?

>> Do I burn with love for God and His Kingdom?

>> Does the Lord and His Will come first, in my life?

Its easy to often remain on the “theoretical” dimension of Christian life!
>> We can very often have only discussions and deliberations about faith
… but not real prayer or living in the Spirit

>> We can many times have talks being heard or books being read on Christian life
… but not necessarily living the Christian life of virtues and a Sacramental Life

>> We can sometimes enter into doubts about Christianity, to “know more”…
… but not necessarily growing in our relationship with the Lord or loving Him more

The Feast of the Conversion of St Paul is a mighty reminder to all of us…
… to live our Christian lives “passionately and zealously!”

Yes, just as any description of the sweetness of honey would not suffice…
… unless one actually experiences it!

So it is with the Lord!

The sweetness of the Lord, however described by others cannot suffice…
… unless one actually experiences it!

St Paul experienced the “sweetness of the Lord”…
… and he gave his life for the Lord – in passion and in zeal.

What about us?
>> Are we ready to stick our lives into the “jar of God’s honey of love?”

God bless! Live Jesus!

It was a tense afternoon in the September of the year 1594.

The Bishop of Geneva in France, had convoked a meeting of all his clergy.

>> There was an urgent need for priests to go to a place named Chablais.

Chablais was a territory in Geneva, which had been under political and religious siege.

>> Around fifty priests in this place had been banished.

>> Many churches had been burnt and devastated.

Chablais had become a place of terror for the Catholic Church.

>> Chablais became infamous for its terrible persecution of the Catholic Faith.

It’s in this horrifying situation, that the Bishop of the place had called for a meeting…

… to ask for volunteers to go to this place and renew the faith.

But none came forward…

>> None were willing to risk their lives…

It’s at this point, that there came a gentle yet firm voice – “My Lord, if you think that I am capable of it, command me, I am ready!”

>> The voice was of St Francis de Sales.

His own father considered this decision as “utter madness”

>> Perhaps, the other priests and clergy would have also felt this decision as a “crazy one”

The risk of being driven out, failing in his undertaking and of becoming a laughing stock of the world was great indeed.

>> But St Francis de Sales stood firm to His decision.

It was a decision…

… which perhaps defied reasons…

… which perhaps seemed out of senses…

>> But this decision was to become the turning point of a spiritual revolution!

The one…

… who has eyes fixed on one’s goals is indeed a mad person!

… who is filled with God’s love is indeed an obsessed person!

>> Mad for one’s aim … obsessed in love……passionate about one’s goals!

The Gospel of the Day is a narrative of a parable which describes of a “mad and passionate” Sower…

… a Sower of the Word of God!

“The Parable of the Sower” is a very popular one.

One of the striking messages of this Parable is the “unknown, unexpected and unexplored” manner in which the Word is Sown.

Going through the various places in which the Seed was sown would probably make one to say…

… “why was it that so much Seed was simply wasted – on the wayside, on the rock, among the thorns – places where there was hardly any possibility of growth?”

>> “Why was it that the Sower was so unscientific, so lacking in common sense and so careless in simply broadcasting the precious seeds haphazardly?”

Probably, a logical answer and a reasonable explanation to these questions is to be found in the fact that the Seed has a tremendous power and potential.

>> And therefore, the Sower ‘takes the risk’ of broadcasting the Seed everywhere.

The Sower was, in that sense, “mad” and “out of mind!”

His generosity was so much, that He would be lavish to sow the Seed!

>> His passion for spreading the Seed (of the Word) was so much that He went beyond “normal thinking!”

Yes, the one…

… who is filled with God’s love is indeed an obsessed person!

… who has eyes fixed on one’s goals is indeed a mad person!

>> The one who is fully convinced of Spreading the Seed of the Word, goes beyond the realms of “normal human thinking!”

One is…

… obsessed in love

… mad for one’s aim

… passionate about one’s goals!

The Bible and the Church is a gigantic collection of deeds and acts of such people who were “mad” and who took “crazy” decisions in life…

>> Abraham was “crazy” to have faith in God, to have children, even at the ripe old age of hundred!

>> was “mad” to trust God to lead a tiny nation from the clutches of the imposing Egyptian empire!

>> Mother Mary was “crazy” to give up her promising life and instead consent to an Angel to become the Mother of God!

>> St Peter was “mad” to abandon his career and family to follow Jesus for a ministry of unknown and uncertain future!

>> St Paul was “crazy” to undergo tremendous sufferings and agonizing troubles for the sake of the spread of the Gospel!

>> St Francis De Sales was “crazy” and “mad” to undertake risk of going to the Chablais mission and renew the faith of the people!

When one is really passionate towards one’s mission, there is an element of “craziness”!

>> When one is really zealous about one’s purposes, there is an element of “madness”!

Do I have and reflect this “mad” passion and zeal for God’s love?

… by seeking Him in all our works, activities and plans

… by reaching out His love to the needy and the disadvantaged

… by spreading hope, courage and optimism in this broken world

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Francis de Sales.

>> He is the Doctor of Love!

>> He is the Gentleman Saint!

And today, he invites and encourages us to embrace this path of love and gentleness!

Let us dare to walk and live the path of the Crucified Lord…

… the One who was called mad and insane

… the One who was misunderstood and unaccepted

>> Because He chose to live and die for His convictions of Love!

Let us not be worried… let us not be anxious…but trust in our Loving God!

In the words of St Francis De Sales: “God takes pleasure to see you take your little steps; and like a good father who holds his child by the hand…

… He will accommodate His steps to yours and will be content to go no faster than you.

>> Why do you worry?”

Happy Feast of St Francis De Sales!

>> With joy and love, let us proclaim with him, in his words: “Vive Jesus…Live Jesus!”

God Bless!

A spotlight is a strong beam of light that illuminates only a small area, used especially to centre attention on a stage performer.

>> It’s an intense light focused so as to pick out an object, person, or group.

A spotlight is very often used in stage shows or theatres to bring to the attention of the audience, a particular character or an important object etc…

A spotlight…

…helps to focus the attention on the most important person or object

… brings to notice a diverted mind or a deviated mentality

The Gospel of Day has Jesus making use of a “spotlight” to focus the attention of His followers on the most vital dimension of the Kingdom of God: Doing God’s Will.

Jesus is in the thick of His ministry.

>> The place is packed with people sitting on the floor, in the passage-way, around the doors and windows, craving to listen to what Jesus is speaking.

It’s at that time that His family members arrive.

His family can’t get through to him, so they send a message in, and it passes from one person to person: “Tell him that his mother and brothers are outside looking for him” (Mk 3: 32)

The message finally reaches Jesus.

It is interesting to consider the feelings and reactions of the different persons…

• The family of Jesus…

… are eager and concerned to get the Lord back home

… are wanting to meet Him and if possible to give Him a break in His ministry

• The crowd around Jesus…

… are understandable that the family of the Lord are keen to meet Him

… are expecting Jesus to stop His preaching to accommodate meeting His kith and kin

This was a significant time and moment.

The Lord, however, loves to make use of critical moments to put across a message…

>> The Lord loves to thrive on crucial situations to send forth a teaching…

Jesus uses the arrival of His physical family as an opportunity to teach about His relationship with His spiritual family.

In a sense, Jesus uses a “spotlight” to bring the focus back on what is most essential.

>> What was most needed was not human relationships…

>> What was most needed was not human affairs…

But what was most necessary was spiritual relations!

>> What was most necessary was spiritual affairs!

Jesus brings to focus…

… the importance to seek and do God’s Will

… the importance to become related in the Kingdom.

What is our own attitude and mentality…

Am I concerned more with worldly affairs or do I engage myself more into spiritual realities?

>> Am I disturbed more by earthly concerns or do I share more the anxiety for spiritual growth?

>> Am I obsessed more with worldly gains or do I be zealous for spiritual graces and blessings?

Very often we lose our focus…

>> Very often we lose sight of the proper track…

The Lord, today, brings back the “spotlight” on the essentials of a Christian Life.

Christian life sometimes…

… gets diluted with too many “social” concerns…at the expense of spiritual realities.

… gets polluted with too many “interdisciplinary” matters…at the expense of true faith and teachings.

… gets ruined with too many “compromising” practices…at the expense of Gospel values and standards.

In the words of St Angela Merici, an Italian Saint:

>> Let us ” Do something, get moving, be confident, risk new things, stick with it…

… then be ready for BIG SURPRISES”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It was a healing and deliverance session in a praise and worship music concert.

The music was in full blow…

>> The praises were ringing high…

>>> The atmosphere was electrified….

In that high and spirited ambience, the choir began to sing the hymn,

“In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus, we have the victory….

In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus, demons will have to flee…”

As this hymn of mighty power and deliverance was being sung…

… some of the people who were standing in front, and were reportedly demon-possessed, also began to sing and dance joyfully!

Now that was something surprising and shocking for the people who were singing on the stage…

It was a song for deliverance…

… but instead, these possessed people were also enjoying…

It was a song for liberation…

… but instead, these possessed people were also rejoicing…

On asking them as to how could they be also happy and rejoicing, these people answered:

” Well, although most of you are singing, ‘In the name of Jesus, demons will flee’, none of you seem to be singing it with any conviction or belief.

You seem to be enjoying the music more..

… and so therefore, we too are happy to enjoy the music and sing along!”

>> The hymn lost its power and value…

… because it was sung merely as a fast number!

>> The prayer lost its sanctity and sacredness…

… because it was sung merely as a jumping song!

There was no authority in the singing.

>> There was no credibility in the prayer.

>>>> There was no sincerity in the faith.

When authority and integrity are lacking in a spiritual endeavour, there is very less spiritual growth and nourishment!

>> When authority and integrity are present in a spiritual endeavour, there is much spiritual progress and advancements!

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of how true integrity and authority can work tremendous wonders, conversions of heart and transformations of life…

… and how it can also cause some people to engage in calumny and character-assasination!

The Gospel of the Day begins with the statement that…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This authority and integrity came…

… through His deep union with His Heavenly Father.

… through His faithfulness to the commands of His heavenly Father

… through His undivided devotion to His Heavenly Father

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

… as a Christian?

… in the family?

… as a consecrated person?

Authoritative does not mean arrogance…

>> Credibility does not mean over-confidence…

>>> Integrity does not mean super-importance…

Authority, credibility and integrity in the Lord means…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let our prayers become a true raising of hearts to God…

>> Let the receiving of the Sacraments become an honest transformation for life…

>>> Let the spreading of God’s Word become a credible witness to God’s Kingdom….

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

>> Jesus is our ideal and standard to be faithful and committed to our mission!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The fish has been greatly associated with Christianity.

The early Christians used to associate each other with a code symbol named ICHTHUS.

ICHTHUS is the Greek word for Fish.

ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthus) was also an acronym for “Ίησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ”, (Iēsous Christos, Theou Yios, Sōtēr), which translates as “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour”.

It is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish.

As per an ancient story, when a Christian met a stranger in the road..

… the Christian sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt.

>> If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company.

The fish has been sailing along the Christian waters for quite long!

And this journey of the fish in the Christian waters has its commencement in the Gospel of the Day – Jesus calls His first disciples, who were busy “catching fish”.

In the Gospel of the Day, Simon , his brother Andrew, along with the family of Zebedee – John, James and their father, were busy fishing.

>> The Lord, indeed, comes to meet and encounter us in the ordinary situations of our life.

Fishing was their means of livelihood.

As they are engaged in these affairs of livelihood and occupation, they have a surprise visitor – Jesus!

He comes with a contagious fire of love in His heart & a gentle expression on His face.

>> He comes with a deep passionate look in His eyes & a soothing appearance in His personality

He calls out to the busy fishermen, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!” (Mk 1:17)

“Fishers of men??!”

All their life they had only known that its only fish that can be fished!

>> But this was strange to hear – that “people could also be fished”!

That trade of “fishing of people” would soon be taught to them by the Great Fisherman of Galilee…

>> Not with hooks of iron…

… but with hooks of conscience-appeal and heart-attraction

>> Not spreading nets of cloth, nylon or fibre etc…

… but with nets of goodness and love

>> Not travelling in deep waters of the sea…

… but navigating into the depths of human life

In the ordinary situation of life…

The disciples experienced the call to go beyond mere existential realities

>> The Lord introduced them to a Way to Eternity!

In the normal routine of life…

The disciples experienced the power to transpose their basic and ordinary needs

>> The Lord manifested to them the Higher Needs of Life!

For these fishermen-disciples, life had got into a sort of daily ordinary rhythm:

Going for fishing and trying their luck…

…Sometimes high success… many times immense failure…most of the times nothing exciting.

It was just a monotonous, repetitive and droning style of life.

Our lives too sometimes become a matter of routine and ordinary existence…

>> The same daily works and activities…

…Sometimes high success… many times immense failure…most of the times nothing exciting.

It is, very often, just a tedious, dull and boring style of life.

But in these ordinary moments, there are glimpses of the Extraordinary that is often revealed.

>> In the simple situations, there are rays of the Light of Eternity that often shines through.

Are we open and docile to these “ordinary” and “simple” appearances of the Lord in our lives?

Simple fishermen became part of the Super Fishing Strategy of the Greatest Fisherman of the world!

>> You and I… are called to today, in the littleness and the ordinariness of our lives…

…to give witness to the One who renovates lives and transforms hearts!

… to get transformed & filled with the same passion and zeal of the Disciples!

Are we ready to go fishing with this Great Fisherman of Galilee?

Hail ICHTUS – Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Enthusiasm” is a word that is very commonly used.

It is interesting to know the root meaning of this word

“Enthusiasm” is derived from two Greek words – “en” and “theos”

>> “En” means IN

>> “Theos” means GOD

“En-theos” means being “In God”

Enthusiasm therefore points to the fact of…

… someone being “possessed by God”

… someone who is mad with the works of God

The Gospel of the Day is a narrative of a Man Who is deeply enthusiastic… IN GOD…

… the “Mad and Insane” Jesus!

St Mark’s Gospel is pretty straightforward – to the point and blunt in its nature.

The Lord was out to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of Love and Mercy…

• Broken lives were mended by the balm of His Holiness

• Ruined minds were revived by the power of His teachings

• Shattered destinies were made whole by the cure of His touch

• Hardened hearts were touched by the softness of His presence

• Ruptured consciences were restored by the gentleness of His love

The crowd following had increased…the popularity ratings had soared!

This however causes a great disturbance and distress in the family of Jesus…

“Again the crowds gathered, making it impossible for them, even to eat.

When His relatives heard of this, they set out to seize Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind’ ” (Mk 3: 20-21)

Jesus was labelled as being “out of mind!”

>> Jesus was tagged as being “insane and mad”

>>> Jesus was branded as being “crazy and odd”

The one who is filled with God’s love is indeed an obsessed person!

>> The one who has eyes fixed on one’s goals is indeed a mad person!

Obsessed in love…mad for one’s aim…passionate about one’s goals!

And Jesus was indeed passionate and highly zealous for His mission…

… so much so, that even His own relatives misunderstood and mistook Him.

The Bible and the Church is a gigantic collection of deeds and acts of such people who were “mad” and who took “crazy” decisions in life…

>> Abraham was “crazy” to have faith in God, to have children, even at the ripe old age of hundred!

>> Moses was “mad” to trust God to lead a tiny nation from the clutches of the imposing Egyptian empire!

>> Mother Mary was “crazy” to give up her promising life and instead consent to an Angel to become the Mother of God!

>> St Peter was “mad” to abandon his career and family to follow Jesus for a ministry of unknown and uncertain future!

>> St Paul was “crazy” to undergo tremendous sufferings and agonizing troubles for the sake of the spread of the Gospel!

When one is really passionate towards one’s mission, there is an element of “craziness”!

>> When one is really zealous about one’s purposes, there is an element of “madness”!

Do I have and reflect this “mad” passion and zeal for God’s love?

… by seeking Him in all our works, activities and plans

… by reaching out His love to the needy and the disadvantaged

… by spreading hope, courage and optimism in this broken world

Let us dare to walk and live the path of the Crucified Lord…

… the One who was called mad and insane

… the One who was misunderstood and unaccepted

Because He chose to live and die for His convictions of Love!

Let us not be worried… let us not be anxious…but trust in our Loving God!

In the words of St Francis De Sales:

>> “God takes pleasure to see you take your little steps; and like a good father who holds his child by the hand, He will accommodate His steps to yours and will be content to go no faster than you.

Why do you worry?”

Yes, let us be people filled with “enthusiasm”… being IN GOD….

… someone being “possessed by God”

… someone who is mad with the works of God

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The role of judges in a competition or a contest is known to everybody.

The judge is to make a choice of the outstanding performers.

This choice is based on a number of criteria…

This choosing is dependent on a number of factors…

The ones who are selected are considered to be the best among the lot!

>> The ones who are chosen are considered to be the finest among them all!

But it’s quite interesting and sometimes even strange, that in the Divine realm, this principle is not followed!

>> Yes, God’s ways are truly far different from the way of human beings!

God’s style is exceedingly distinct from the style of human beings!

God makes His choice on the Single Principle of Love!

>> God makes His choice on the Sole Rule of Love!

The Gospel of the Day is a testimony to this fact, when Jesus makes a choice of His disciples.

>> “Jesus went up to the mountain, and called to Him those whom He desired, and they came to Him” (Mk 3:13)

Another translation would read, “…and summoned to Him those whom He wanted…”

The disciples were called because Jesus desired them!

>> The disciples were summoned because Jesus wanted them!

This style of choice is indeed strange and queer, isn’t it?

Judges usually select the best and the outstanding…

>> Judges usually choose the finest and the exceptional…

But Jesus, the Judge, seems to be doing it all wrong!

Here is Project Kingdom at hand…

… and Jesus chooses not the best, but the ordinary!

Jesus is out to usher in a Kingdom of healing and many divine works…

>> But Jesus chooses some mundane fishermen for this task!

Jesus is out to usher in a Kingdom of love and detachment…

>> But Jesus chooses some doubtful personalities like tax collectors and lover of money!

Jesus is out to usher in a Kingdom of Divine love and peace…

>> But Jesus chooses some nationalists and zealots!

Yes, God’s ways are truly far different from the way of human beings!

>> God’s style is exceedingly distinct from the style of human beings!

You and Me – as Christians – followers of Christ – are also called and chosen!

What was the reason for it?

>> What was the criteria for God choosing us?

Nothing exceptional in us…

>> Nothing spectacular in us…

But simply and purely, His exceptional and spectacular love has chosen us!

He chose us simply because He wanted to choose us!

>> He selected us simply because He wanted to select us!

Sounds crazy? Sounds weird?

Well… God’s love and choices are indeed crazy and weird!

>> But they are also full of wisdom and Divine Providence!

Yes, we are called into existence in love, by the One who loves us deeply!

This sole factor can and should be the impelling and encouraging force in our lives!

In moments, when we feel that we are unwanted and unloved…

>> Know and realise, that God has chosen us…in love!

In moments when we feel unequipped and disarmed to undertake some duties and tasks…

>> Know and realise, that God has chosen us…in love!

In moments, when we are broken into despair and rejected into helplessness and loneliness…

>> Know and realise, that God has chosen us…in love!

In moments, when meaning to life is found missing and the future looks too hazy and clouded…

>> Know and realise, that God has chosen us…in love!

It may be easy for me to write reflections on God’s love…

>> It may be not too hard a task for me to preach on God’s love…

But deep within… can we know and experience, for sure.. that God’s Love encompasses us!

He simply loves us!

>> He simply loves to lavish His affections on us!

There can be no greater personal revelation for me than to know and experience that I am loved and chosen by God!

>> There can be no greater personal satisfaction and happiness for me, than to live and be passionate about this deep, personal and intimate love and choice of God!

Today, let us renew our commitment and zeal to this Love of the Lord!

He is calling us once again… in love..

…to be His disciples

…to be close to Him

…to be part of His Project Kingdom

…to be partakers of His mission in this world

God Bless! Live Jesus!