There is a popular quote in Hindi, which goes so:
” Bhagwaan jab deta hain, chappar phaad kar deta hain”

The meaning of the words are given below:
>> Bhagwaan (God)  jab (when) deta hain (gives), chappar (roof)  phaad (tear open)  kar deta hain (gives)!

Therefore, literally, in English, this quotation would get translated as:
“When God gives, He tear opens the roofs and gives!”

The Gospel of the Day gives a similar scene of “The roof being torn open!”

Our Blessed Lord is engaged in His ministry of teaching (Lk 5: 17)

This is something that we can all learn from!

The Lord…
… though quite popular as a miracle worker
… though very admired for his mighty deeds of healing
>> Always gave a great priority to the “ministry of teaching”

He would always make it a point to “teach” the people

Very often, in our lives (especially those engaged in various Church ministries)…
… we neglect the aspect of teaching
>> We tend to run after works and ministries that are more sensational, popular and “glamorous”!

This verse of the Gospel is a challenge for us to renew our commitment to the “ministry of teaching”…
… about the Kingdom of God
… about ways to lead a Holy Life by prioritizing God above all
… about understanding the true meaning of God’s commandments

As Jesus is engaged in this “ministry of teaching”…
… a great number of Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem (Lk 5:17)

>> The house was fully packed, with people cramming to hear the Lord..
>> The house was, brimming with persons seeking the healing of the Lord…

It was then that a group of people brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed (Lk 5: 18)

>> They came with much expectation to see the paralysed man, whole and well again.
>> They sought with an eager and earnest desire for the Lord of power and healings.

But as they approached the house… their hopes would have gone down!
>> The thick crowd of people would have slimmed their hopes!
>> The massive gathering at the door would have thinned their anticipations!

But when the chips are down, one is given a chance to find strength one never knew one had & put it toward the greater good.

>> They came seeking for blessings…
>> They came seeking for the God of blessings…
But it seemed, that the firmament was closed to shower down blessings!

But then they had a hope…similar to the words…” Bhagwaan jab deta hain, chappar phaad kar deta hain!”
>> Yes …”When God gives, He tear opens the roofs and gives!”

And so they decided to take on this same principle that God uses to shower His blessings:
“To tear open the roof!”

But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles* into the middle in front of Jesus. (Lk 5: 19)

“Opened up the roof” has other translations…
… “dug a hole through the roof”
…“removed part of the roof”
… “uncovered the roof”

We would perhaps think the roof was some primitive, thatched roof.

But most likely, that was not the case…

As per the architecture then, this roof was more than likely a mud clay roof with tiles

To lower the paralyzed man through the roof, they literally had to do a major demolition of the roof.

Well… picture this…

You’re in this packed house – people crammed to the max…trying to listen to Jesus.
>> All of a sudden you start to hear some banging on the roof.

These people would have literally tore the tiles off the roof, made a hole & lowered the paralyzed man by a rope into the house.
>> Then the roof materials begins to fall in on you!

Well… imagine also the people’s responses…

>> They would have been astonished, amazed and some even angered!
>> They were there to listen to Jesus….they had come early…they had won their spot…

They were perhaps hearing their life-transforming sermon!
>> It’s at this point, that the “roof starts tearing down!”

But Jesus, the God of blessings, is immensely pleased and edified by their faith and trust!
>> Their “tearing of the roof” was blessed by “pouring down of blessings”.
>> Their “tearing of the roof” was rewarded with a “cleansing of sins”.

                                                                                                                                               
Many of the times, we too face similar barriers and blockages in our experience for the Lord.

>> Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of discouragements, disappointments and distresses?

>> Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of ‘end-of-the-road’ feelings and ‘hopeless situations’?

>> Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of problems which seem impossible and unsolvable?

>> Difficulties and barriers will always be many in life…
>> Hardships and challenges will often stare on our face…

But let us have the grit and the guts to be ready to “break through the roof” of all such adversities!
>> Then, we will experience the God of blessings also pouring down Graces on us… “Chappar phaad ke!!” (breaking the roof)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the exciting things in life, which many of us have gone through, is learning a bicycle.

These days, bicycles come with a special set of training wheels that are attached to the back wheels.

>> The two little wheels attached to the back wheel are there to help provide balance and confidence to the rider.

But many of us, would have also learnt the bicycle in the old-fashioned way…the parent or a friend who ran alongside the one learning, until the rider got under way.

This person, who would be accompanying, would most often say three things, while learning this art of cycling…

1. Always keep the eye on the road…

…to keep the focus

2. Don’t lean to the left or the right side…

… to have proper balance

3. Remember, I am always there with you…

… to feel the confidence and trust

These three principles would help the person to learn quick this art of cycling.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve…to learn the Art of Mission…

Like the art of cycling…the Apostles are also given some basic principles…

…the principle to keep focus

… the principle to have a proper balance

… the principle of confidence and trust

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

>> There were crowds of people following Him…

>> There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

The Heart of the Lord is moved in empathy for these people.

>> The Gospel says, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.

> Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus

> Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus

> Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus

But as the saying goes… “Challenges are what makes life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…

… He remained courageous and determined.

And so, He chose the Twelve?

… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The Twelve were to be His extension – of His Teachings, of His Works

And so, He not only chooses the Twelve…but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…

…with an authority over unclean spirits

…to proclaim the Kingdom of God

… to preach repentance and peace

In this art of mission, the Lord gives a few instructions and principles…

… and “also gave authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness” (Mt 10:1)

The Twelve were to learn…

… to keep focus on the preaching of repentance and bringing healing to people

… to have a proper balance by not getting discouraged in the face of any sort of rejection

… to have confidence and trust in the Lord Who was with them to provide what they needed

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…

>> Am I focussing on preaching only His Gospel and living only His life….

…or do I get distracted with other agenda and motives?

>> Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…

…or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

>> Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…

… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?

The art of missions is exciting.

>> We may feel a little afraid at times…

>> We may sometimes even fall..

But we only need to follow some of the basic principles, coupled with His Grace…

… to be focussed on the Lord alone

… to be balanced in prayer and faithfulness

… to be trusting and being confident in His awesome power

And when we embark on this art of mission…

…Just like a caring parent, who is happy to see one’s child cycling confidently…

…our Heavenly Father will also look at us with much happiness and joy and be proud of us!

Are we ready to cycle our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

What is common to a sports match… a theatre-act… a street-play… a television program… a cinema-show… a circus-extravaganza… a musical-concert… a dance-display…?

Any guesses…??

Yes… it’s the audience!

Audience are the onlookers who cheer and enjoy the performances.

>> But they themselves don’t participate.

Though they might seek to get involved emotionally, a little, they still remain mere watchers and spectators.

A similar attitude is perhaps strongly seen in our following of Christ.

We seem to have become a people who are mere spectators to the teachings of Christ.

>> We seem to have reduced ourselves to being mere onlookers of the Gospel values.

The Gospel of the Day calls us to examine our real attitude and position in being a follower of Christ.

The Lord declares today, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Mt 7:21)

The Lord is clear to tell that a mere lip-confession that Jesus is the Lord will not suffice in finding a place in the Kingdom…

How much do we really mean when we call Jesus as the Lord?

These days, “Jesus is Lord” and “Praise the Lord” are phrases that are very commonly used.

Sometimes we use them without being aware of it.

>> Sometimes we use them without actually meaning it.

The word, “Lord” – Kurios in Greek – means a possessor or the master of a thing or a sovereign prince or an emperor.

We call Jesus as our Lord and give praises to Him as the Lord…

>> But do we really consider Him as the possessor of all our thoughts and plans and aspirations?

Do we acknowledge Him as the Master of our broken past, our worrying present and our unknown future?

Do we enthrone Him as the Prince and Emperor to rule over all our desires and ambitions?

Very often, “Jesus is Lord” becomes a mere “profession” limited to the lips!

This aspect of “professing” but “failing to perform” is an aspect seen in various areas of our lives…

Politicians “profess” many promises and oaths…

…but many fail in their “profession” and indulge in unfair and corrupt practices.

Doctors “profess” an oath of being true to the service of the suffering humanity…

…but many fail in their “profession” and engage in cheating and swindling patients.

Lawyers “profess” to be honest and guardians of the truth and justice…

…but many fail in their “profession” and involve themselves in violating the law.

The religious circles are no exemption to this “cancerous” trend…

Religious “profess” to lead a life the consecrated vows and promises…

… but many fail in their “profession” and get busy with many worldly concerns and cares.

Priests “profess” to be committed to spreading the Gospel and the love of God to all…

…but many fail in their “profession” and lose track of the real focus and aim of priesthood.

Husbands and wives “profess” to be with each other in every situation and troubles of life…

…but many fail in their “profession” and break up in irreconcilable fights and disputes.

Christians “profess” to be the light of the world and salt to the earth at the Baptism…

….but many fail in their “profession” and often become scandals and anti-witnesses.

The Lord dishes out a challenging message today…

A “profession” without true faithfulness can be a dangerous one.

>> A “profession” without living up to its demands is highly destructive.

This is what the Lord reminds us through the parable of the two foundations (Mt 7: 24-27)

The house built on firm rock remains firm in every storm or calamity.

>> The house built on loose sand gets destroyed in any storm or calamity.

Is the “profession” that I make built on the firm rock of certainty and conviction?

>> Is the “profession” that I make built on the loose sand of uncertainty and confusion?

Christian calling is not a call to remain mere spectators or an onlooker.

A spectator enjoys the fun from far…

… a participant is fully involved in joy and satisfaction.

An onlooker appreciates a performance without being affected…

… a participant struggles hard for it.

Christianity is a call to get involved in the realities of life, with the power and love of the Lord.

Our “profession” to call Him as our Lord…

… ought to get translated into our day to day living.

… ought to result in a purposive choice to do God’s Will.

… ought to be a preferential option for God’s Word.

The Lord is worthy of the highest commitment…and of our complete involvement.

Let us build our lives on the firm foundation of certainty and conviction and declare Him, with passion, faithfulness and commitment, as the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Picnics are a time of great fun and enjoyment.

They enrich relationships, nurture relaxation and foster a spirit of joy and peace.

>> Most of us have been part of picnics…either from schools / parishes / as a family / as a community / as a group of friends.

A picnic becomes an occasion to share… to care…and to also dare to know each other more.

The Gospel of the Day is a lovely occasion of a Picnic…

… A picnic with Jesus.

A picnic basically has some essential elements…

1. A nice location

2. Joyful interactions

3. Good food

4. A sense of satisfaction and contentment

Our picnic with Jesus in today’s Gospel passage has all these elements.

Come…let’s join Jesus…

… in this wonderful time of a picnic

1. A nice location:

The mood of a picnic is very often regulated by the choice of the place we make.

It should be something exciting, something scenic and something to involve ourselves in.

The location that Jesus chooses for this picnic is a Mountain (Lk 15:29)

A mountain is certainly an exciting place…

… a scenic location and moves our hearts to get involved in its beauty.

The mountain was one of the favourite places of the Lord.

>> This high altitude place was where Jesus could strengthen His attitude towards His mission.

>> He would spend hours of the night in communion with His Father on the mountains.

And so, He invites us to join with Him on the mountains…

… To relax in His love and to experience the coolness of His presence.

… To raise our thoughts to higher levels and overcome the worldly concerns.

2. Joyful interactions:

Great crowds came to Him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute and many others. They placed them at His feet and He cured them (Mt 15:30)

The picnic with Jesus, on the mountain, becomes an occasion of cure and restoration.

On the mountain, Jesus becomes a fountain of healing and the source of joy.

3. Good food:

Food is one of the best parts of a picnic.

And the Lord lavishes abundant food to all those who were there with Him on the mountain.

Then, He took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples, who in turn, gave them to the crowds (Mt 15:36)

It seemed to be a situation of starvation and hunger.

>> But the Lord converts this grim situation into an occasion of contentment and blessing.

His compassionate love overflows into a lavish multiplication of the loaves and the fish!

4. A sense of satisfaction and contentment:

Every picnic ideally should end on a note of great fulfillment and bliss.

The picnic with Jesus on the mountain, where He healed a lot of people, spoke His Life-giving words and blessed them with abundant food, becomes moments of happiness.

“They all ate and were satisfied…” (Lk 15:37)

It had been a lovely time for the people in this picnic with the Lord…

>> They had the picnic in a nice scenic location of the mountain

>> They had the picnic with many joyful interactions with Jesus, who healed and cured many.

>> They had the picnic with good food, in lavishness, provided by the Lord Himself.

>> They had the picnic with a great sense of satisfaction and deep fulfilment.

The Lord invites us to join with Him in a picnic with Him…

> To go to the mountain of prayer and intimacy with the Lord.

> To have joyful interactions with Him and receive His spiritual, emotional and physical healings.

> To be blessed with the good food of His Holy Eucharist and His nourishing Word.

> To have a great satisfaction in being filled with immense peace and serenity.

Let us enjoy the picnic with the Lord & make our lives a beautiful one…

… to share… to care..

>> And to also dare to know the Lord more and to help each other more.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A lady, who was known to be a devout Christian, was undergoing a long time of suffering.

As she was visited by some of her friends who came to console here, she was heard to be commenting:

“I have a beautiful robin that sings outside my window.

>> This bird strengthens me.”

Then with a bigger smile, she continued:

“I like him, because he sings in the rain!

When the storm has silenced almost, all other birds…

… the robin sings on!

And that’s how my life is!”

The lady – who herself was suffering and going through the storms of life – found great inspiration in the Robin…

… the one which sings, even in any storm or rain!

That’s the life of a Christian!

Anyone can sing, when its sunshine…

… but when the clouds of hardships pour out the rain, can we sing?

The Gospel of the Day, presents Jesus Who is rejoicing in the Spirit…

… “In the same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, ‘I thank you Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth..’” (Lk 10: 21)

Jesus always displayed a great sense of joy and enthusiasm

>> He was a picture of calmness and serenity.

This was owing to His intimate relationship with His Father – His Abba!

He, of course, had His Own struggles…

… Rejection by His own people at Nazareth (Lk 4: 28-29)

… Very often facing the criticism of the people (Lk 5:30)

… Constantly being put under the scanner with questions (Lk 5:33)

… Facing the wrath of many religious leaders (Lk 6: 7, 11)

But none of these “storms” or “rains” prevented the Lord from singing the praises of His Father…

… and rejoicing in the Spirit

And He invites His disciples to also understand the great privilege they have received to experience the Love of the Father:

“Blessed are the eyes which see what you see…” (Lk 10: 23)

As followers of Jesus, we are also given the privilege to always be “people, who rejoice in the Spirit”…

… “people who can sing, even when it’s raining or in the midst of a storm!”

Are we often spending our days in sadness and complaint?

>> Or can we also become conscious of the many blessings, God showers on us… and thus rejoice!

Are we constantly looking for the negatives in our relationships?

>> Or can we also seek to treasure people, just for who they are, and begin to love them more!

>> Are we feeling that life is a burden and thus fail to have peace of mind and lightness of heart?

>> Or can we also begin to understand that as a Christian, we have the privilege to understand how God mightily works in our life, and is constantly showering His Love and Mercy on us!

Let us learn to imitate, Jesus, our Master, Who constantly “rejoiced in the Spirit”

… and thus make our Christian Life, a beautiful witness of God’s Love and Compassion.

Let’s listen to the words of St Mother Teresa of Kolkatta:

“Joy is a net of love by which we catch souls!”

Yes…

>> Anyone can sing, when its sunshine…

… but when the clouds of hardships pour out the rain, can we sing?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Legends are common and are important to a culture.

A legend is a semi-true story, which has been passed on from person-to-person and have important meanings or symbolism inherent in it.

It usually includes an element of truth, involve heroic characters or based on historic facts, but with ‘mythical qualities’.

One such famous legend is about King Nero.

In AD 64, a great fire consumed the city of Rome. For six days & seven nights, the Romans watched helplessly as their city burned…

This historical fact is accompanied by a legend which says that while the city of Rome was burning, its Emperor Nero was very casually busy, playing the fiddle!

It’s from this legend (true or not) that we get the English phrase “To play the fiddle while Rome burns”

It means to “do nothing or something trivial while knowing that something disastrous is happening”.

>> It means “to spend time enjoying oneself or doing things that are not important when one should be dealing with a serious problem”

The Gospel of the Day is a strong warning to examine whether we too, as in the legend of Nero, are engaging ourselves “in playing the fiddle, while Rome burns”.

We are on the first day of the Season of Advent.

In the Church, there are four different liturgical seasons…

1. The Season of Lent: Invites us to focus on the reality of sin and make repentance.

2. The Season of Easter: Invites us to focus on the mighty power of God through His Resurrection.

3. The Season of the Ordinary Times: Invites us to focus on daily life and teachings of Jesus and draw practical conclusions for our life.

4. The Season of Advent: Invites us to become aware of God’s deep faithfulness and prepare our hearts to receive Him more deeply into our lives.

Advent is a time to become more aware of the presence of the Lord in our lives.

>> Advent is a time to wake up from the slumber of sin to a life of grace and blessing.

>> Advent is a time to shake off the dust of sluggishness and become more zealous and fervent.

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”…

… which is a translation of the Greek word parousia

The central theme of reading of the Day is Jesus’ warning to each one of us to be alert, watchful and prepared because Christ’s Second Coming can occur at any time.

We are invited to examine ourselves in asking….

>> Am I casually wasting away my life, without giving enough attention to my spiritual life?

>> Am I spending my time enjoying in vain, without paying attention to the higher things of life?

>> Am I dozing off in lethargy and laziness and failing to carry out my Christian responsibilities?

The Gospel gives a call to be awake & alert in life by an illustration of a master entrusting great responsibility to his servants.

Wandering land-owners and wayfaring masters were a common thing in the time of Jesus.

Large land-property owners often lived elsewhere, leaving their servants in charge of caring for and carrying on the business as if the owners were still present.

This kind of a situation was a test for the servants who were made in-charge.

>> The absence of the master was a test of the faithfulness of the servant.

The real test of the honesty of the students happens when the teacher is absent in the exam hall.

>> The real test of the conduct of the children happens when the parents are away from the house.

>> The real test of the character of the employees happens when the boss is not observing or monitoring them.

The real test of the faithfulness and commitment of the servant happens when the master or the land-owner is away and is not in a position to keep an eye on them…

>> Would they be faithful daily, or would they wait until they heard the master was about to return & then quickly get things in order?

>> Would they engage in malpractices and dishonest activities or would they conduct themselves in truthfulness and sincerity?

The time of the return of the Master was unknown.

The moment of the coming back of the owner was unspecified.

And this called for alertness and watchfulness at all times.

Our whole life too, ought to be drenched in preparation and vigilance.

Often times, we tend to allow laxity and sloppiness to dominate our lives.

We tend to become people “who play the fiddle, while Rome burns…”

Though we sense the fire of sins and transgressions burning in our lives, we play the fiddle of making many excuses and postpone the need to repent.

Though we sense the fire of indifference and unconcern burning in our relationships, we play the fiddle of not taking the lead to improve our contacts and slip into more hatred.

Though we sense the fire of abuses and corruption burning in our society, we play the fiddle of passing the responsibility onto others and promote those evils by our apathy and lack of concern.

This Season of Advent is a wonderful time to renew our commitment and consecration to the Lord.

The Lord wishes to come into our hearts….

>> God will fulfill His promise of coming into us, when we do our part of being watchful and prepared…

As St. Thomas Aquinas: “Without God, I can’t. Without me, He won’t.”

Let us become…

… more watchful.

… more prayerful.

Let us stop “playing the fiddle while Rome burns”

>> Instead let us “be enthusiastic and responsible while (our heavenly) Home calls!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

All of us have had the experience of utilizing certain things or products which work quite fine for some time….but as time passes, becomes less effective or less efficient.

A ceiling fan/ table fan, after few months or years, tends to be less forceful…

>> A fast-processing computer/laptop after few months of years, tends to slow down…

>> Colourful clothes after a few washes or usage, tends to lose their initial glean and shine…

A similar aspect could be visible in our spiritual lives as well!

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder to examine this aspect in our lives and to make amends, in order to revitalise and revive our lives.

The Gospel begins with the verse “But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation…” (Lk 21:34)

Dissipation is strong word which could have several parallel understandings…

>> With respect to morality:

Dissipation refers to an overindulgence in sensual pleasures.

>> With respect to behaviour:

Dissipation refers to a conduct that shows one is interested only in pleasure, money, etc.

>> With respect to economics:

Dissipation refers to an act of using all or a lot of money, time, etc., in an imprudent way.

>> With respect to physics:

Dissipation refers to a physical process by which energy becomes not only unavailable but irrecoverable in any form.

Dissipation is a tendency…

… to squander away enthusiasm because of allowing monotony to creep into life.

… to lose vitality as a result of being indulged in continuous immoral behaviours

… to leak-out the energy and vigor in oneself, in small amounts and thus become lifeless

… to become disinterested and dispirited due to constant exposure to luxury and comforts

Dissipation is a terrible malady that had badly affected many people in the Bible…

>> The people during Noah’s time were dissipated with eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, although God had sent out a warning of their destruction through Noah.

>> The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah were dissipated with extremely immoral and corrupt practices, even though the people were given a forewarning of their possible.

>> The people of Israel were dissipated with frustration and dissatisfaction while travelling in the desert and failed to understand the providential hand of God.

>> The disciples of Jesus were dissipated with sadness, shattering of hopes and brokenness after the death of Jesus and failed to believe and trust in His great promises.

We have a call to examine our lives and check whether we too have fallen into a state of “dissipation”…

>> Maybe my prayer life is “dissipated” due to various distractions, excuses of lack of time, complaints of being tired or just simply a lack of interest…

>> Maybe my personal intimacy with God is “dissipated” since I don’t experience any joyful or experiential feelings or because some of my expectations of God are not met…

>> Maybe my relationships with people is “dissipated” due to some friction or misunderstanding or an indifference that has sneaked in without any particular reason.

Maybe my family/community life is “dissipated” because I feel disinterested or not so enthusiastic in going beyond some of my personal comforts or I feel lonely in not feeling accepted or loved.

Dissipation can be a tendency that can steal into our lives very stealthily and can drain away much of our energy, eagerness and passion.

In the book of Revelations, the Lord has this complaint, ” …I have this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent and do the works you did at first” (Rev 2:4-5)

Let us seek to renew our initial fervour and zeal.

>> Let us challenge ourselves to revive our zest and interest.

The Lord deserves not “dissipated” people..

… but “spirited” and “passionate” people!

God Bless! Live Jesus!