“Realising that our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by our offering to the Lord!”

(Based on Col 3:1-11 and Lk 6:20-26 – Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A highly rich and influential person was privileged to be one of the special guests to undertake a 21-day cruise on a Majestic Battleship.

This ship had been modernized with immense facilities and luxurious features.

The man was highly impressed with the comforts that were provided on board.

Among the many things that made a pleasant impact on him…
… was also the Sunday Morning Mass that was attended by all the sailors and attendants, who were not on duty.

It was more so, since the man himself was not so particular about the practise of faith.

At the conclusion of the celebration of the Mass, the man asked one of the sailors:
“Are you obliged to attend these Sunday Morning services?”

“It’s not exactly about obligation, Sir!” replied the sailor, “but our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by this our offering to the Lord!”

Those sailors and attendants had made a conscious and deliberate choice…
… to practise their faith
… and to surrender themselves to the Higher Power for safety and protection.

Our lives are also similar to such cruises…
… sometimes going through calm and quiet waters
… sometimes struggling in disturbed and turbulent waters
… sometimes encountering dangerous storms and violent gales

Do we make a constant choice for the Lord and live ourselves in surrender to Him?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful teaching of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke.

The beatitudes are assurances of blessing and joy to all those who make a conscious choice for the Lord and His Kingdom!

Jesus says, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God” (Lk 6: 20)

One of the great messages in this verse is the Message of Hope!

The Greek word used for “poor” is “ptochos”

Ptochos means…
… reduced to beggary or asking for alms
… destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour
… helpless, powerless to accomplish an end

It’s interesting to note that this word “Ptochos” has its origin in the word “ptosso” which means “to crouch”

Therefore, the “poor” literally means, “one who is crouching” – a position…
…. where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down

It’s a position that is very often defied and despised, in the worldly standards…
… which emphasizes on being proud and haughty
… and glorifies pomp and external show!

Thus, when the Lord says, “Blessed are the poor,” it is a tremendous message of Hope…
… to those who find themselves at the peripheries of life
.. to those lost in the miseries of life and find no hope – materially, spiritually, mentally, socially

Of course, the word “poor” does not mean…
… that one simply becomes timid and passive or be simply submissive to any social evils without any resistance
… that one adopts an attitude of being “always hands folded” in surrender or “faces cast down” in defeat

“Poor” instead refers to the fact that one has God has one’s greatest strength and treasure

Being “poor in the Lord,” contradictory as it may sound, is the greatest richness that one can have.

How true is the saying, “One who kneels before God, can stand before anyone!”

One who is dependant on God and His Grace…
One who is aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses and yet offers oneself entirely to the power of God…
… such a one, in the eyes of the world may be “poor” but is “blessed” in the sight of God!

It takes courage and conviction to be a Christian who is committed and passionate!

In the ‘cruise of life,’ let us be ever faithful to our duties as a follower of Christ, not just as an obligation…
… but knowing that “our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by our offering to the Lord!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 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

If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an absolute value.
It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for it’s sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at sports.

By its selective preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can lead to the perversion of human relationships. (CCC # 2289)

“Deepening our love towards Mother Mary, and walking in the path of God, more faithfully!”

(Based on the Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother)

A teacher in her classroom of Second Standard students, once explained and gave a lesson on the ‘magnet’ and its functions and uses.

The next day, the teacher conducted a written test.

One of the questions in this test was:
“My full name has six letters.

My name begins with ‘M’
One of my functions is to pick up things.
Another function is to attract things towards me.
Who am I?”

When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to see the answer that was given to this question by over half the class.

Any guesses as to what answer did the children write?

Hmmm….

They wrote the word – “Mother!”

The little children, with their own personal experience had seen and witnessed a Mother being the person..
… who would pick up things ( and especially the children!)
… who would attract to herself (especially the children themselves!)

The name “mother” evokes a lot of feelings and emotions…

Love, affection, tenderness, self-giving, warmth, kind-heartedness etc.

The name “mother” also evokes a lot of characters, functions works and tasks…

A life-giver, a care-giver, a consoler, a strength, a forgiver, a refuge etc.

A simple word – Mother – yet evokes so many powerful functions and feelings.

Today we celebrate the Birthday of the Most Beloved, the Most Loving and the Most Lovable Mother of all – Blessed Mother Mary!

Our world, in the modern trend, fluctuates between two contrasting approaches towards our Blessed Mother.

1. Minimal devotion to Mother Mary
   On one side, there is a highly sad and deplorable ignoring of the honour and the status that is due to our Blessed Mother.

Many consider Her only as an “egg-shell”, whose role and relevance completely ceased, after having given birth to Jesus
Many consider Her as just any ordinary woman, who “happened” to be picked by God, so that He could “use” Her to fulfil His plan.
Many consider Her to be worthy of absolutely no extra honour and mock at Her only as causing a distraction, away from God

2. Exaggerated devotion to Mother Mary
   On the other side, there is a “comfortable” and dangerous trend towards exalting Mother Mary to such an extent that She is sometimes accorded the worship of a goddess or a deity!

Many consider devotion to Her being much more important, much more satisfying and much more easier than to God Himself!
Many consider expressing their actions of piety and affection to such an extent that even God is sometimes neglected (especially God in the Blessed Sacrament or in the Holy Word)!

But both these extreme understandings and approaches towards Blessed Mother Mary need to have a refinement, filtering and restoration towards the right perspectives!

Towards this end, the name “MARY” could be expanded, in the following manner, to help in having a truer appreciation, a genuine devotion and a deeper love for Her: MARY…
… a Model, an Apostle, a Revolutionary, a Yeast

1. Mary – is the Model for every Christian
   Her life becomes a wonderful example to every person who wishes to follow our Blessed Lord.

She remains the perfect Model of being attentive to the voice of God, being actively response to His call and being faithfully committed to every task entrusted to Her

2. Mary is the Apostle-par-excellance
   As an Apostle of Her Son and Saviour, She always remained in His presence – either physically or in Her thoughts or through Her constant longing for Him

She is the Beloved Apostle who had offered Her whole body, mind and soul to the glory of God and fulfilling His every plan

3. Mary is the Revolutionary who dared to do God’s Will

Her Yes to the Plan of God, at the Annunciation and Her continual Yes to His Will…
… even in the moments of the most extreme suffering had the tenacity and the passion of a True Revolutionary
… and is beautifully reflected in the words of the Magnificat!

It is hard to follow God’s Will, especially in some moments of crisis;

It requires extreme courage and unfailing commitment to be always walking in the path of God
Mary is the wonderful Revolutionary who dared to always seek and do God’s Will in Her life!

4. Mary is the Yeast who silently fulfilled Her role in the plan of salvation
   In the Bible, the words of Mother Mary are fairly minimal; yet Her few words and above all…
   … Her dedicated life speaks volumes of Her role in the Salvific Plan!

She is the unseen Yeast through whom the mighty Grace of God wonderfully worked to raise up the Author of Salvation!

Blessed Mother Mary is our wonderful and beautiful Mother…
… who deserves our greatest affection and love, in a way that draws us more and more towards Her Son, Jesus.

Let us be encouraged by the words of St Maximilian Kolbe:
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much.

You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

May the celebration of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, help us to deepen our love towards Her…
… and may we, holding Her Hands, walk in the path of God, more faithfully and strongly committed!

As Fulton J Sheen says:
“The less we think of Him, the less we think of Her.

The more we adore His Divinity, the more we venerate Her motherhood.
The less we acknowledge His divinity, the less we have respect for Her!”

A wonderful Birthday to our Blessed Mother!

We Love you, Dearest Mamma!

Happy Feast day to all Her children!

Let us deepen our love for Her Beloved Son and our Saviour, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 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

Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.

We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good. (CCC # 2288)

“Living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ!”

(Based on Wis 9:13-18b, Phil 9-10, 12-17 and Lk 14:25-33 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

Imagine a boy, like any other teenager.

He’s on his computer, laughing with friends, playing games, scrolling through social media.
Quick-witted, lively, full of teenage energy.

Yet, quietly, he spent hours creating something extraordinary…
… cataloguing Eucharistic miracles from around the world
… inviting people to meet Christ in the Eucharist.

And when leukemia struck him, he offered his suffering for the Church and for souls he would never meet.

Am ordinary teenager, right?

But with an extraordinary love for God.

Now, picture another young man…
… full of life, climbing mountains, running through streets with friends
… enjoying sports, enjoying laughter, enjoying life.

He seems ordinary and carefree.

Yet, quietly, he reached out in help to the poor, visited the sick in the slums, and gave food to the needy.

Not for attention. Not for praise. Simply out of love.

Who are these young men?
These are the new generation saints – Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati…
… both set to be canonized tomorrow by Pope Leo XIV.

Ordinary boys.
Ordinary joys.
Ordinary struggles.
Yet…
Extraordinary in holiness.
Extraordinary in zeal.
Extraordinary in love.

If these young men, so much like us, could live with such radical love…
… how much more are we called to count the cost, take up our crosses
… and follow Jesus, with everything we are?

The Gospel of the Day is this exhortation of the Lord to all who seek to follow Him:
“If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters…
… yes, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple!

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple!” (Lk 14: 26-27)

The Gospel begins with the statement that “Great multitudes accompanied Jesus…” (Lk 14:25)

The multitude – crowds of people – probably had various intentions of following Jesus

Some to receive healing and be touched by Him (Lk 6:19)
Some to hear the Good News and to follow Him (Lk 5:11)
Some to simply eat the bread (food) that the Lord provided (Lk 9:17)
Some to satisfy their curiosity and fascination (Lk 4:22)
Some to question Who He was and What was His motive (Lk 7:18-19)

Whatever be the intention of the crowds, the Lord was clear in whom He wanted as His followers:

Those who give the highest priority in life to the Lord
Those who would take up their cross
Those who are willing to give up everything, for the sake of the Lord

Towards this end, Jesus cites two parables which would make every disciple of Jesus question their authenticity of following Him

a. The Parable of the one desiring to build the tower (Lk 14:28-30)

Are you willing to count how much it will cost you, to follow Jesus?

b. The Parable of the king who wanted to wage war (Lk 14:31-32)

Are you willing to calculate the risks that are involved, to follow Jesus?

This is a serious challenge that is placed before all Christians, who profess to follow Christ…
… and also to all those, who in in ministry, seek to attract disciples for Christ!

Have I “counted the cost” and “calculated the risks” to know, that following Jesus means…
… not to simply run behind miracles and wonders; rather also involves living as Jesus did – in poverty, obedience and purity of heart!
… not just having a Christian name and fulfiling basic duties; but also implies to give the highest priority to the Lord and His Kingdom values, in all what we do!
… not merely reciting prayers and raising hymns of praise; but also infers at reaching out to the poor and needy in self-giving and doing everything for the Glory of God!

All of us have tendencies to be attracted to worldly ways

We even have the goodwill to truly follow Jesus…

However, often, because of…
… a lack of strong motivation
… ignorance and lack of people who can guide us
… various discouraging and deterring incidents and scandals

We fail to truly Follow Jesus.

We need to offer our lives to Jesus…
… and allow ourselves to pass through Our Crucified Lord!

He will cleanse us to make us pure
He will strengthen us with proper motivation
He will nourish us with courage and passion to be bold and faithful

And thus, we will be able to live as a disciple of Christ…
… living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ.

As we thank the Lord for Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati…
… soon to be canonized

Let us marvel at their ordinary lives, lived with extraordinary love and holiness.

Let their courage inspire us.
Let their zeal awaken us.
Let their selfless hearts challenge us.

Take up your cross.
Follow Jesus boldly.
Love radically.
Be a saint!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 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

Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.

We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good. (CCC # 2287)

“Seeking the Grace to uncover many ‘Diamond Vases’ contained in the Holy Scripture!”

(Based on Col 1:21-23 and Lk 6:1-5 – Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

The story goes of a large castle which lay abandoned for a large number of years.

Being considered haunted or jinxed, it failed to have buyers.

But a young man, without giving heed to any of those fears, purchased it.

The castle had a large attic, with a huge number of things being dumped in it.

The man decided to take up the task of cleaning this attic.

While cleaning, the man found, in the corner of the attic, a very old vase, fully covered with dust!

Taking it in his hands, as he began to wipe it with a cloth, the man discovered that it was a priceless item that he was holding on!

It was a Diamond Vase!
Unnoticed, uncared and undiscovered…
… the Diamond Vase, on being dusted, became a priceless “bonus” for that man.

How often in our lives, we too have many such “Diamond Vases” – unnoticed, uncared and undiscovered.

It’s highly essential that time and again, we dust off the “unnoticed, uncared and undiscovered” entities in life, to discover their preciousness!

One of such “Diamond Vases” are the precious and timeless truths that can be discovered from the Holy Bible.

Today we shall attempt to “wipe off” the dust from a precious teaching – the Sabbath – to reveal its greater implications in our life and to discover its preciousness!

The Gospel of the day is another Sabbath controversy.

While going through the grain-fields, the disciples of Jesus plucked and ate some of the heads of grain (Lk 6: 1)

But this supposedly forbidden “act of work” was “caught” by the Law Policemen – the Pharisees.

Probably, the disciples had not thought of the fact that they were now enjoying the status of being “special celebrities” – since they were the close associates of the Rising mega-star – Jesus!

And mega-stars and special celebrities always get followed, isn’t it?

Each of their movement is followed…
Each of their talk is taped!

Thus, Jesus and His disciples also found themselves being followed and observed, in all their actions and talks!

The point of contention was the Sabbath Rule – which as per the Pharisees…
… rendered the “work of the disciples” – plucking and eating the heads of grain – as being unlawful and therefore, culpable!

When we seek to trace the the original purpose of “Sabbath,” we could consider a couple of aspects:

1. The “Law” of Sabbath at Creation
   If Sabbath can be considered as a “Law”, then it goes to say without doubt that the Law of Sabbath was a “principle of creation” itself.

Gen 2: 3: “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it, He rested from all the work he had done in creation”

This “Law” of Sabbath therefore, even precedes the Mosaic Law!

It is very interesting to note the pattern of creation that is mentioned in the Book of Genesis.

The Creation is mentioned as happening on a 7-day format.

It can be observed that on all the 6 days, it is mentioned, “evening came and morning followed” (Gen 1:5b, 1: 8b, 1:13, 1: 19, 1: 23, 1: 21b)

The phrase or the usage, “Evening came and morning followed” refers to the completing of a day.

But the 7th day doesn’t have this mention!

What is this pointing towards…?

The 7th day is not complete… it is being continued.

It is unending… i.e. Everlasting!
Therefore, the 7th Day… the Day on which God “rested” is being continued…. into eternity!

So when God calls to “rest” on a Sabbath day, it could be a reference and a reminder to enter “a rest into eternity!”

That’s wonderful, isn’t it?

The Sabbath becomes a reminder that we are created to “enter into a rest with God” which is eternal and unending!

The Sabbath becomes a prefiguration of eternal life – the purpose of all our works and activities!

Can we cultivate this understanding so as to have a stricter observance of the Sabbath Rule?

Every time we faithfully keep the Sabbath Law….
… we express our willingness to God saying: “Yes Lord, I am readying myself for the Eternal Rest that you are promising me”!
… we display our eagerness to God saying: “Yes Lord, I am constantly preparing myself to enjoy an Eternal bliss with You!”

2. The “Law” of Sabbath in the Mosaic Law
   The Book of Deuteronomy explicates this Sabbath Law:
   “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God….
   … You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.

Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Dt 5: 12-15)

The Sabbath Law in the Mosaic Law was a reminder that God was their Rescuer from the land of slavery and therefore, He was their God and they, His people.

Can we also cultivate this understanding so as to have a stricter observance of the Sabbath Rule?

Every time we faithfully keep the Sabbath Law….
… we are reminded that we were also once, slaves – to sin.

Our Blessed Lord, has rescued us from slavery and wishes that we deepen our love, commitment and faithfulness to Him, Our Saviour!
… we are exhorted that it is very much possible that we can become slaves again – maybe to sinful tendencies, to money, to power, to position, to various vices etc.

With constant examination of oneself and a renewing of one’s dedication and pledge to God, we can remain as His own people.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we have sometimes failed to keep the Sabbath Law or perhaps, failed to attach any special importance to it…

The Sabbath Day, sometimes, becomes…
… just another “ordinary” day for us
… a day to indulge in laziness and lethargy
… a day to complete pending works and even ending up doing extra works!

But can we grow beyond such practices and seek to restore the original intents of the Sabbath.

A faithful and dutiful keeping of the Sabbath Law is a vital expression of we, as Christians, being a distinct people – chosen to lead all others towards the Love of God!

Let us seek the Grace to uncover many more “Diamond Vases” contained in the Holy Scripture…
… by wiping off the dusts of ignorance and indifference!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

Anyone who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong…
… becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged.

“Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come. (CCC # 2287)