God is the Great Gift Giver!

>> He loves to lavish gifts on his creation…

… and especially on Human Beings, the Crown of His Creation!

Among the gifts that He has showered, one of the greatest gifts is…

… the Gift of Freedom!
 

God has bestowed this precious treasure of Freedom to each and every human being.

>> God regards the worth and value of this gift. God respects our yes or no, to this gift!

The Gospel of the day presents to us a classic example of Freedom being lavished, but sadly being squandered away.

The towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were given the freedom and the choice to become part of the Kingdom of God…

… but they chose to reject and refused the Saving Message.
 

The Gift of Freedom is a double-edge entity:

The gift of freedom can be used….to obtain life!

>> The gift of freedom can be misused…to obtain death!
 The gift of freedom can be abused…to receive troubles!

>> The gift of freedom can be utilized…to receive blessings!
The gift of freedom can be exploited destructively…to acquire sadness!

>> The gift of freedom can be employed constructively…to acquire happiness!
 

The triple cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum failed to use, utilize and employ constructively their freedom…

… rather, they misused, abused and exploited destructively their opportunity to find peace and salvation.
 

And Jesus has harsh words reserved for such kind of an attitude – “WOE TO YOU!“

The word “woe” in Greek is “oh-hoo-aai” or “ouvai”!

>> The figure of speech is onomatopoeia – it means what it sounds like.
It is a word of pain!

>> It is the sound someone makes when they are hurt or are grieved.

When the Lord proclaims a WOE over these cities, there’s a great deal of anguish amplified with a sense of pain.

The Lord was pained that these cities received wonderful opportunity to hear God’s saving message…

… but failed to turn to God in repentance.
The Lord was pained that these cities received great chances to see God’s miraculous deeds and wonders…

… but failed to turn to God in penance.
 The Lord was pained that these cities received exclusive occasions to receive God’s salvific graces…

… but failed to turn to God in humility.
 

The Lord today challenges us to make an examination of our lives:

God lavishes many graces on me through regular chances to hear God’s word through the Bible, retreats, recollections, talks, spiritual magazines etc…
Am I using these chances to grow in my spiritual life?

Or am I wasting away many of such chances?

>> Is freedom used?  Or misused?
 

God showers many opportunities for me to avoid sin…

… by giving me inspiring and holy thoughts

… by a constant urging to be good through my parents, superiors, family and community members and other people in my life…
Am I using these opportunities to foster my holiness?

Or am I frittering away much of such opportunities?

>> Is freedom used? Or Misused?
 

God bestows many occasions to become a powerful witness to His love and His Gospel through different means like…

… preaching the Word

… celebrating or participating in the Eucharist and in the other Sacraments

… helping others in their needs and difficulties

… praying for various people

…  living a integral life in the society based on the Gospel values etc.
Am I using these occasions to strengthen my Christian life?

Or am I throwing away many of such occasions?

>> Is freedom used? Or Misused?
 
The example of the three cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum is before us and the condemnation of Jesus, because of their lackluster response is also before us.
Freedom is the great gift of God…

… and God totally respects the use or the misuse of this precious gift.
 

Are we going to use this Gift to gain life, blessings and happiness?

>> Or are we going to misuse this Gift to receive death, troubles and sadness?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Arabian horses are made to go through painstaking and meticulous training in the dry deserts of the Middle East.
 

One of the most important aspects that the trainers expect from the horses is of “absolute obedience”.

>> This final test to assess their level of obedience is quite extreme…
The trainers compel the horses to be without water for many days.

A few days later, they turn the horses loose towards a pool of water…

>> The highly thirsty, parched and dehydrated horses, of course start running towards it.
But just as they get to the edge, ready to plunge in and drink, the trainer blows his whistle.

>> Screech….!
 

The horses are to stop mid-way…

The horses who have been completely trained and who have learned perfect obedience, stop!

>> They turn around and come pacing back to the trainer.

>> They stand there trembling, wanting water… but they wait in perfect obedience.

When the trainer is sure that he has their obedience, he gives them a signal to go back to drink.

>> Complete obedience  from the horses is a sign of their being completely trained.
 

Well.. this sure sounds hard and severe…

>> But perhaps, we need to learn an important aspect: the need for trustful obedience to our Master!.
·       When we are in the dry deserts of life, we got to be totally obedient to God.

·       When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the voice of the Lord.

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by the Lord to listen to Him, to give heed to His Word and to be 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”

>> 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 deserts and desolations of difficulties.

·       Life will put us through various storms and hurricanes of hardships.
But in all such moments, are we ready and open to listen to the Voice of the Lord?
 

Yes, when we are in the dry deserts of life, we better be totally obedient to God.

>> When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the voice of the Lord.
The Lord will take us through…

… every crisis

… every desert

… every darkness

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

May we seek the special intercession of St Maria Faustina- the Great Saint of Mercy – on her Feast Day.
Let us give heed to the words of our Blessed and Merciful Lord, as mentioned in her Diary:

>> ” My daughter, know that you give Me greater glory by a single act of obedience than by long prayers and mortifications.”
>> “Yes.. when you are obedient I take away your weakness and replace it with My strength. I am very surprised that souls do not want to make that exchange with Me.”
 

 Let us grow in our efforts to be completely obedient to our Master!

>> Let us pray for His grace to be truly listening and following the voice of our Master!
Are we ready to listen and obey the voice of the Lord?
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is a non-fictional self-help book by Napoleon Hill named ‘Think and grow rich’.
There is a lovely story in this book, which goes thus….
 

A long while ago, a great warrior faced a situation which made it necessary for him to make a decision which insured his success on the battlefield.

>> He was about to send his armies against a powerful foe, whose men outnumbered his own.
He loaded his soldiers into boats, sailed to the enemy’s country, unloaded soldiers and equipment…

… then gave the order to “burn the ships” that had carried them.
 

Addressing his men before the first battle, he said, “You see the boats going up in smoke! That means that we cannot leave these shores alive unless we win!

>> We now have no choice – we win, or we perish!”

History says that they won the battle!
 

Any person who wishes to find success in any undertaking much be willing to “burn his ships” and to cut off all sources of turning back…

>> Only thus, can one be sure of maintaining a “burning desire” to win!

The Gospel of the Day highlights on this aspect of making a complete commitment to the cause of the Kingdom of God…

… and being prepared to face any challenges in being faithful to this dedication!

Jesus says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Lk 9: 62)

Our Blessed Lord speaks of three areas of “giving-up” in our Christian life…
1. The “Giving-Up” of personal security
The Lord says, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Lk 9: 58)

The life of Jesus was characterized by a lack of personal security.
>> It is to this life of “poverty” that our Blessed Lord invites each one of us too….

… in the sense of knowing that our Loving Father will provide for us, with our genuine co-operation

… in the sense of not being anxious or over-worried over the concerns of life

… in the sense of depending on the Lord for the necessities of life
 

2. The “Giving-Up” of personal gains
The Lord says, “Let the dead bury the dead” (Lk 9: 60)
This was in response to the man who said, “let me go first and bury my father”.
This statement was a common way of saying, “Let me wait until I receive my inheritance from my father!”
It was an excuse of “economics and finance” that the man was trying to furnish, to evade the Kingdom responsibility!
 

>> Jesus calls us to a life of “obedience” to his Will…

… in the sense of letting go of personal gains and profits for His sake

… in the sense of curbing our selfish wantings and cravings
 

3.  The “Giving-Up” of personal relationships
The Lord says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Lk 9: 62)
This was in response to the man who said, “I will follow you Lord, but first let me say farewell to my home”

>> Jesus calls us to a life of being “chaste” to His Divine Love…

… in the sense of prioritizing Him above all other relations

… in the sense of giving the Lord the first place in life
 

We ought to have a “burning desire” as the missionaries of the Kingdom, to spread God’s Word and make Him loved more!
Martin Luther King Jr. said:

“Consider that people are like tea bags.

They don’t know their own strength until they get into hot water”

It is essential, therefore that we “burn our ships” of comfort and personal wishes…

… so that we can be better imitators of Him, Who demands that we be zealous in our journey towards perfection.
 

Let’s give heed to the words of St Jerome:

“Good, better, best.

 Never let it rest.

‘Til your good is better and your better is best.”

Let us today specially seek the Intercession of St Francis of Assisi – the Wonderful Saint – on his Feast Day.

>> May we seek to be an instrument of joy & peace, as we sing with the mystical saint the chorus: “Make me Lord, a channel of your peace…”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I?   

I took the one less travelled by,   

>> And that has made all the difference.”   
These well-acclaimed and much-celebrated lyrical words from the poem “The Road not taken” by Robert Frost highlight the importance of making critical choices in life.
 

It is our choices that show who we are, far more than our abilities.

>> It is our choices that determines our success in life, far more than our talents.
The attitude of our life determines the altitude of our life!

 
The Gospel of Day takes pride in presenting a determined Jesus, who has made a choice-for-life in moving towards the mission of His life.
“When the days for His being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51)

The Gospel of St Luke presents the whole ministry of Jesus as a linear journey…

… a movement from Galilee to Jerusalem.

>> All the events and actions of Jesus are oriented towards Jerusalem.
 

This verse – Luke 9:51 – signifies a mega shift in the earthly ministry of Jesus.
Jesus leaves the northern area of Israel called as Galilee and moves ahead to the southern area of Israel called as Judea.

Just as the Israelites had the Exodus Event, which marked the beginning of their salvation as a nation…

… Jesus too will have the Exodus Event which culminates in Jerusalem, which will mark the beginning of the salvation of the whole world!
This verse – Luke 9:51 – marks the beginning of the Exodus Event in the life of Jesus.
The verse reads, “… He RESOLUTELY determined to journey to Jerusalem”
The Greek word used for “resolutely” is Sterizo.

>> Sterizo is a strong word, which means…

… to strengthen and to establish

… to stand firm with one’s decision.
Jesus makes this strong resolution  – Sterizo – To embrace the vision and plan of God.

>> Jesus makes this strong resolution  – Sterizo – To be 

obedient to the Will of His Father.

Jerusalem was the place where he was to suffer and die.

>> He was fully determined to go and would not be dissuaded;

>> He went cheerfully and courageously though He knew the things that should befall Him.

The Road to Jerusalem was to be marched resolutely by Jesus!

All of us walk the Road to Jerusalem…
Life…

… with its hard challenges and unexpected troubles

… with its spiritual difficulties and luring temptations

… with its doses of unforgiveness and bad temperaments

… with its continual showers of unpleasantness and irritations

… with its allurements to bad habits and hard-to-give up pleasures

>> Is indeed a Road to Jerusalem!
But unless we make a strong resolute decision to walk through this Jerusalem Road, salvation and victory and happiness can never be ours!

When Jesus decided to go ahead with resoluteness in His decision, He met with rejection!

“…they would not welcome Him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem” (Lk 9:53)
 

The Jews and the Samaritans were much at loggerheads with each other.
As we see in Jn 4:20, the great controversy between the Jews and the Samaritans was about the place of worship – whether it was Jerusalem or whether it was Mount Gerizim.

>> So bitter was the altercation between them that the Jews would have no dealings with the Samaritans, nor they with them (Jn. 4:9).
 

This is the reality of the world.
When one makes a determined decision for life, one is faced with many challenges.

>> When one makes a strong resolution for life, one is faced with many oppositions.

Like the disciples, James and John, very often, the answer to this rejection is sought in the form of vengeance and violence and wrath.

>> It is the easier way.

>> It is the more simpler way.

… but it is a destructive way!
 

Jesus answers this rejection with a better and a powerful weapon: self-sacrifice.
The Son of Man came not to destroy, but to save through a call to repentance.

>> It is the hard way.

>> It is a the more tough way.

… but it is a saving way!
 

The answer to life’s problems is not in reacting, but in being pro-active!
Jesus in the Gospel today invites each one of us to have a resolute determination in walking the Road to Jerusalem.
It’s easy to pick up shortcuts and easy roads to find success in life.

>> But it takes a resolute decision to walk the hard way…

 
The grace of God will strengthen and boost us in this hard path…
The Holy Bible is a witness to this great saga of great people who have walked this hard path…

… including Jesus.

Two roads diverge at every moment in our life

>> A road of the easy…and the road of the hard…
Which one shall we travel by?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
All love to have friends who make life more interesting and joyful by their presence.

>> The journey of life gets more easy and exciting with the presence of friends.

Our spiritual journey too follows this concept…
God, the author of life, in His all-powerful Wisdom, has blessed each of us with a friend.

>> A friend who accompanies us.

>> A friend who strengthens us.

>> A friend who helps us….
 This friend is known as “The Guardian Angel“

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of “The Guardian Angel“

The Church in her teachings affirms and assures that “from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by watchful care and intercession of the angels. Beside each believer, stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 336)

From the first moments of our existence, the Guardian Angel has been with us…

>> At our birth, the Guardian Angel was elated at the dawn of a new life…

>> At our Baptism, the Guardian Angel was pleased to have us join God’s Family…

>> At our Confession, the Guardian Angel was delighted to have us back to God’s holiness…

>> At our Holy Communion, the Guardian Angel rejoiced in us, receiving the Loving Lord…

>> At our Confirmation, the Guardian Angel was joyful in us, being strengthened in the Spirit…

>> At our Marriage, Profession/Ordination, the Guardian Angel was happy with our way of life..

>> At our final moments, the Guardian Angel will be with us to strengthen and console us…

At every stage and step of our life, God has blessed us with this beautiful companion to ” to guide and protect us through life and to lead us safely to our Eternal Home.“
The Lord wants each one of us to be walking in His presence and be safe from the snares of the Evil.

>> And for this purpose, He has blessed us with a the beautiful image of the Guardian Angel…
 

An Angel is a being, a person  – one who has an intelligence and a free will.

>> An Angel thinks…but clearer than we do….

>> An Angel loves..but dearly than we do…

How does a Guardian Angel guard us?

By gentle inspirations…
In the hard moments of doubts and confusion…

>> The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with words of clarity and understanding.
In the dark situations of hopelessness and resignations…

>> The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with the light of God’s hope and strength.
In the narrow tunnels of losing faith and giving up…

>> The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with comforting words and counsels.
In the unfaithful times of going away from doing God’s will through sin…

>> The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with strong urges to come back to God’s ways.
In the daily moments of facing a choice of doing good or bad…

>> The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with showing what is more beneficial and valuable.

The Guardian Angels do not force us.
The Guardian Angels do respect our free wills.

>> But the Guardian Angels do long for us to always walk in God’s power and presence.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is an opportunity for us to increase in our devotion and fondness for this “friend” whom God has blessed each one of us with.

>> The Feast of the Guardian Angels is also an opportunity for us to increase in our duty and responsibility of becoming a guardian, a friend and a guide to one another.

There are many whom we know who struggle with difficulties…problems…

>> faith-issues…financial difficulties…

>> mental problems..emotional breakdowns…

The Feast is a reminder to each one of us, to become a Guardian to all…

Jesus, through the Gospel of the day on this Feast day says… “See that YOU DO NOT DESPISE one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Mt 18:10).

“Not despising” someone not only includes avoiding putting down or humiliating or causing scandal to others etc…

… but on a positive sense, means to encourage, promote and strengthen one another.

A true friend is the one who really cares…when the whole world despises.

>> We have a responsibility to be a True Guardian to each other in our life on the earth.

God has also blessed each one of us, with a True Friend, in our Guardian Angel.

>> Let us grow in reverence and love for our Dear Spiritual Friend.

Let us invoke the assistance of this friend in our works, on meeting people, on going to different places etc.
Let us grow in our awareness, as St John Vianney would say:

” When we are walking in the streets, let us fix our eyes on Our Lord bearing his Cross before us; on the Blessed Virgin who is looking at us; on our Guardian Angel who is by our side.“
 

Happy Feast to our Dear Friend, the Guardian Angel ..and to each one of us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

In a certain village, a parishioner – a Catholic for many years – was having a conversation with his parish priest.
He said: “Father, if I had fifty acres of land, I would have gladly donated half of it – twenty-five acres – to the Lord and His church”

>> The priest replied: “Ah! That’s so nice and generous of you. And what if you had only 20 acres?”
The man replied: “Oh! Yes, I would have given 10 of it!”

“And”, continued the priest, “what if you had only 10 acres?” Will you spare five for the Lord?”

>> “Sure, I would”, said the man.
 

Finally, the priest said, “And what if you had only two acres? Would you give one to the Lord?”

“Oh!”, snapped the man, “Now don’t ask me that!

>> You know, that I have only two acres!”
 
Well…

… that’s how it is often in our lives as well, isn’t it?
We promise many big things to the Lord…

… but when it comes to “actually doing something for the Lord”, we tend to back out!

Are we just preachers?

… or can we also be people who practise?

Life judges us, on the basis of how well does our preaching and practising co-ordinate & complement each other.

>> Life presents different moments when there seems to be a dichotomy between one’s words and deeds…

>> Life challenges us to bridge the gap between the two essentials of life – one’s talking and one’s walking the talk!
 

The Gospel of the Day presents to us an interesting parable of two Sons who are asked to work by their Father.

Last Sunday, we reflected on the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Mt 20: 1-16).

>> We discovered how the landowner – God, proved Himself to be a Mighty Volcano of Generosity and Kindness.
 

This Sunday, we are back to the vineyard…and the Father invites two of his sons to work in the vineyard.
 

One SAYS YES…but DOES NOT! 

>> The other SAYS NO…BUT DOES!
One preaches…but does not practise!

>> The other does not preach…but practises!
One consents initially…but refuses finally!

>> The other refuses initially…but consents finally!
 

How often does this situation arise in our own lives and situations too…
We pledge ourselves at trendy events, for the cause of the poor…but we fail to help…

>> Many others remain quite unnoticed…but become forerunners for the cause of the poor!
We make a big show and be popular as a helpful person…but we fail in some genuine needs..

>> Many others remain quite unnoticed…but are present with their full force to render help!
We make many resolutions on new year days or birthdays..but fail to materialize them…

>> Many others remain quite unnoticed…but are able to make many amendments and changes!
 We make many promises to the Lord during feast days or novena times…but fail to live up…

>> Many others remain quite unnoticed..but render much love to the Lord through the year!

We all experience this “I will do”

… but “I did not do” experiences in life.

On the personal Faith Level, this trend is seen more distinctly and vividly…
>> People claim themselves to be Catholics…

… but appear in church only on grand feast days!
>> People appreciate the Catholic teaching…

… but support moral laws and practise morality which go directly against!
>> People assert having dedicated their lives to God…

… but fail to find time for God and prayer!
>> People declare loving God above all…

… but fail to reject pleasures which hurts and pains Him!
>> People profess and make vows to God…

… but neglect to even try to keep up those promises!
 

Like the second son, who said Yes…

… very often, we too become people who nod our heads in consent for anything and everything…but fail to live up to that YES!

The Lord says in Mt 7:21, “Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he does the Will of My Father”
Therefore, the proposition is clear:

>> It is not pompous words that will grant life, but carrying out the Will of the Father!

>> It is not fancy talk that will confer true happiness, but practising the Will of the Father!

>> It is not flowery language that will accord blessings, but fulfilling the Will of the Father!

How are we to observe the Will of the Father?
St. Paul (in the second reading of today’s Liturgy) explains how we should set about trying to do the Father’s will:

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:5)

>> Like Christ, when we dare to be merciful and compassionate…

>> Like Christ, when we prioritize other’s interests over selfish ones…

>> Like Christ, when we empty ourselves and became obedient…

… we can do the Father’s Will!
 

It is not only good news “proclaimed” but good news “practised“…

… that will win others  to the glorious freedom of forgiveness of sins! 

As we thank the Lord for the gift of all the blessings in the month of September, let us offer the new month of October into His Safe and Caring Hands…

… especially seeking the help of our Blessed Mother Mary by praying the Rosary daily, in this Month of the Rosary – October!
Today we also tenderly beseech the help of the Little Flower – St Therese of Child Jesus – on her feast day and give heed to her words:

“Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.”
 

Yes, let us examine…and if needed, amend our lives:

>> Are we the one who only preaches?

… or can we also be the one who practises?
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Julius Caesar” is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare.

>> It is one of several plays written by Shakespeare based on true events from Roman history.

The life of Julius Caesar engrossingly proceeds with placing a great trust in his best friend Brutus.

Brutus, though his closest and most trusted friend, was albeit a misled man.

>> Therefore, among the conspirators who finally assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 was Brutus as well.
Caesar had not only trusted him, but also favoured Brutus as his own son.

 

The Roman history tells that Caesar had first resisted the onslaught of his assassins.

>> But when he saw his beloved Brutus among them, with his dagger draw, the Roman Emperor ceased to struggle and withdraw every attempt of resistance.
He pulled the top part of his robe over the face and asked the infamous question, “Et tu, Brute?”

>> “You too, Brutus?”
 

… A question which cuts across the marrows of the bones and the pierces the depths of the heart, to express disgust and contempt of the deadly human vice of betrayal!

… A question which cuts across civilizations and generations, to show forth the abhorrence and the detestation of the wicked trait of disloyalty!
 

The Gospel of the Day presents a mighty warning by Jesus on the danger of we becoming betrayers to Him and His Love!
 

Jesus tells His disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands!” (Lk 9: 44)
Jesus gives a forewarning to His disciples on the sword of betrayal that would be his painful lot.
This betrayal had to be faced on different levels..

… an act of betrayal through a kiss by Judas Iscariot

… acts of denial by Peter, His close disciple

… acts of abandonment by His other disciples

… acts of rejection by the chief priests and elders

… acts of passivity by the people for whom He had served

Today our Lord poses the same question…. Am I betraying Him in my acts and deeds?

>> Is the Lord, calling us by name, asking us, ” Et tu, ……..?”… “You too, ……..?”
 

>> Do I betray the Lord by failing to avoid occasions of sin and constantly moving away from doing His Will?
>> Do I betray the Lord with my words of unpleasantness, judgmental nature and destructively critical?
>> Do I betray the Lord by being unkind, unforgiving and harbouring grudge by my actions?
>> Do I betray the Lord by causing harm to others and being insincere in my works?
 

May we ask the grace to remain ever faithful to the Lord and be loyal to His Love and His Kingdom.
Like St Philip Neri, may we too pray:

“Watch me, O Lord, this day; for, abandoned to myself, I shall surely betray thee.”
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An elderly parish priest was walking in the portico of the Church, when he came across a couple of young boys.
 

They were standing in front of the mighty statue of St Michael.
 

As they stood admiring the majestic figure, the younger one said to his elder brother, “Hey look, what a might sword!

>> This is the sword, which Mummy told, with which this great saint would thrust into the devil isn’t it?”
The elder one nodded and exclaimed, “Yeah! And see how triumphantly he crushes the head of Satan! Wow!”
Seeing their excitement, the priest approached them and commended, “How wonderful to see these little boys who are well taught in the teachings of the Church! Blessed is this family!”

The story goes on to say that the priest took them in the Church and taught them the beautiful prayer to St Michael (which he asked them to recite after the Holy Mass):

“St. Michael the Archangel

Defend us in this day of battle!

Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him we humbly pray,

And do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,

By the Power of God,

Cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits

Who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls, Amen!”
 
Today, the Feast of the Archangels – St Michael, St Gabriel, St Raphael- is a reminder by the Church to learn more about our Catholic Faith and to grow in celebrating and living this faith, in our daily living.

Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels. (cf. Eph 1:21, Col 1:16)
In ascending order, the choirs or classes are 1) Angels, 2) Archangels, 3) Principalities, 4) Powers, 5) Virtues, 6) Dominations, 7) Thrones, 8) Cherubim, and 9) Seraphim.

The Feast of the Three Archangels  – St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael is an opportunity to learn more about them and to grow in deeper devotion and fondness for them.
1. St. Michael
The name of the archangel Michael means, in Hebrew, “Who is like unto God?”
St Michael is known as “the prince of the heavenly host.”

>> He is usually pictured as a strong warrior, dressed in armour, crushing the head of Satan.

>> He is also known as the “Patron Saint of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist”
 

St Michael makes an appearance in the Bible on four occasions:

> In Dan 10:13 and in Dan 12:1, he appears as the special guardian of the people of Israel.

> In Jude 9, he appears in a dispute with the Devil.

> In Rev 12:7-9, he fights against Satan and his evil forces.
What does St Michael teach us?
 St Michael teaches us to depend on the power of God in our battle against the forces of Satan

… St Michael teaches us to guard ourselves against the disguises and snares of evil forces.
… St Michael teaches us to become a guard and protector of our fellow brothers and sisters.
 

2. St Gabriel
The name of the archangel Gabriel means, in Hebrew, “God is my strength”
St Gabriel is known as a “messenger of God”

>> He is usually pictured announcing something and sometimes with a lily or a sceptre.

>> He is also known as the “Patron Saint of the Sacrament of Baptism”
St Gabriel makes an appearance three times in the Bible:

> In Dan 8:15–26 and  9:21–27, he appears to Daniel to explain his visions

> In Lk 1:11-38, he appears to Zechariah and Mary to deliver the good news from God

What does St Gabriel teach us?

… St Gabriel invites us to listen to God’s voice and inspirations through various sources.
… St Gabriel invites us to find courage in situations of fear, by trusting in God’s Providence.
… St Gabriel invites us to be open to surprises and wonders the Lord works in our lives.
                                                                                                 3. St Raphael
The name of the archangel Raphael means, in Hebrew, “God has healed?”
St Raphael is known as “a wonderful helper and fellow traveller”

>> He is usually pictured walking with a young boy, sometimes carrying a staff.

>> He is also known as the “Patron Saint of the Sacrament of Reconciliation”
 

St Raphael makes many appearance in the Book of Tobit in the Bible:

> St Raphael appears disguised in human form as the travelling companion of Tobias, the son of Tobit.
What does St Raphael teach us?

… St Raphael inspires us to discover God as the healing balm in our afflictions and hardships.
… St Raphael inspires us to walk boldly with God in all the terrains and valleys and paths of life.
… St Raphael inspires us to trust in God in seemingly hopeless and impossible hurdles of life.
 
Modern trends often seek to downplay some of the traditional Catholic beliefs…

… the belief in the Angels, being one of them, perhaps!
But, this Feast is a great reminder for us to be reminded that the Catholic Teachings (like the teaching on Angels) are…

… Scripturally rooted

… Traditionally verified

… Logically reasonable

… and spiritually nourishing!
 

May this Feast of the three Archangels – St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael –  help us to…

…  grow in our love for our heavenly friends…

>> And orient our lives more towards heaven!
 

Happy Feast of the Heavenly Protectors!
God Bless! Live Jesus!

An incident is narrated of a man who brought a package of supplies from a trading shop.
On reaching home, to his surprise, he found a silver coin inside the package.

>>Something troubled him.
He came back the next morning to the trader and handed him back the silver coin.

>> The trader was amused and surprised and asked him: “That’s interesting to see that you have returned back the silver coin!”

The customer replied: “Well, I got a good man and a bad man in my heart!
The good man said, `It is not yours’; the bad man said, ‘Nobody will know’.
The good man said, ‘Take it back’; the bad man said, `Never mind’.”
And so thinking, I went to bed…

… but the good man and the bad man talked the whole night and troubled me.”

The conscience of the man caused him disturbance because of the fault that he was supposedly in…

… and made him to yield to its goodness!
 

Each of us, at every moment, have our conscience speaking to us…

>> Do we listen and give heed?

>> Or do we silence the voice of the conscience and allow our guilt to rotten up our minds and dirty our actions?
 

The Gospel of the Day presents the intense ordeal faced by King Herod who failed to give consideration to the voice of conscience…

>> And instead had his mind corrupted and his actions dirtied…

… by falling into the trap of guilt and shame.
 
King Herod had exercised his authority and sinfulness by beheading John the Baptist. (Mt 14:1-12; Mk 6:14-27).

>> The demon of guilt and shame of that inhuman murder  kept bothering him.
In this scattered state of mind, King Herod hears about the deeds and wonders of another man, Jesus.

>> His guilt-filled and confused mind is unable to grasp the identity of this new man who works marvels and so he asks: “I had John beheaded; WHO IS THIS MAN about whom I hear such wonders?”(Lk 9:9)
The king harassed by sin and shame failed to grapple the mystery of the Son of God, the King of kings!
Herod’s question is perhaps, one the most important question ever asked or answered: “WHO IS THIS MAN?”

Being confused about who Jesus is, was not new trend, especially in the Gospel of St Luke.
>> In Lk 5:21, at the healing of the paralytic, the Scribes and Pharisees begin to ask, “WHO IS THIS who speaks blasphemy?”
>> In Lk 7:19, the disciples of John the Baptist question Him, “ARE YOU THE ONE WHO IS TO COME, or should we look for another?”
>> In Lk 7:49, after the pardon of the sinful woman who washed His feet, the others, who were invited for the meal commented, “WHO IS THIS who even forgives sins?”
>> In Lk 8:25, after witnessed the calming of the sea and the storms, the disciples inquire, “WHO then IS THIS, who commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey Him?“
>> In Lk 9:20, Jesus Himself asks His disciples, “WHO do you say AM I?“
 

>> In Lk 20:2, the chief priests and scribes question Jesus, “By what AUTHORITY ARE YOU doing these things? Or who is the one WHO GAVE YOU AUTHORITY?“
>> In Lk 22:70, the council of elders and the chief priests and the scribes question Jesus, “ARE YOU then THE SON OF GOD?“
 

The persona of Jesus surpasses great minds and cannot be arrested by hardened hearts!

>> The character of Jesus baffles proud mentalities and cannot be captured by cynical spirits!
King Herod was greatly disturbed with a guilty conscience and a sinful heart.

>> He felt greatly challenged and threatened by Jesus, Who was being considered as a King.
 

The sinful and corrupt Kingdom of Herod was faced with an opposition from…

… the pure and holy Kingdom of God!
We need to examine our lives and conscience and check…

>> Am I, like King Herod, filled with fear and doubts because of my sinful conscience and guilty mind?

>> Am I eager, like King Herod to see some miracles of Jesus, just to satisfy my curiosity, but not for repentance?

>> Am I hesitant to encounter the Lord, because that could mean having a transformation and renewal of my life?

Yes, each of us, at every moment, have our conscience speaking to us…

>> Do we listen and give heed?

>> Or do we silence the voice of the conscience and allow our guilt to rotten up our minds and dirty our actions?
 

Purified by the Sacraments…

>> Strengthened by God’s Word…

>> Empowered in prayer…

… may we become persons who have our conscience always pure and always give heed to the voice of the Lord, “Be Holy, as I am Holy!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A young man worked in an umbrella factory.

>> It was one of the largest umbrella factories in that area.
 

One day, with a discouraged heart, he went to his Parish Priest and expressed, “Father, I will have to hunt another job”
The priest was surprised, as he knew that the boy was good at his work.
He enquired, “What is the matter? Do you have some issues with the company’s management?”

>> “No, it’s not that” came the reply.
“Does not your factory have enough orders to keep going all the time?” was the next query.

>> “No, it’s not that, Father” said the boy, “The factory actually has more orders than they can fill”

“Then what is the matter, my Son”, enquired the concerned priest.
 

“Well, they haven’t enough electricity to keep all the machines going at once.

>> And my machine has to remain idle for a greater part of the day, and I lose so much of time and pay.
The actual trouble with the factory is that, they have more machinery than power!”
 

>> The necessary equipments were available for production, but the required electricity was unavailable!

>> The needed machinery was at hand for manufacturing, but the mandatory power was unobtainable!

Does this sort of a tragedy hit our Christian lives as well?
 

… Am I possessing all the required resources to proclaim the Gospel message, but unfortunately failing to have the most essential aspect of God’s Power within me?
… Am I having all the necessary entities to give witness to Christ’s Teachings, but sadly, unable to be endowed with the most important element of God’s Spirit in me?
 

Is my Christian life being reduced to a state of “having more machinery, but less Power?”
 

The Gospel of Day is an exhortation by the Lord on the need to “be endowed with His authority and be filled with His power” in order to have a faithful and committed life as His disciple and His Missionary.
 

Jesus sends the Twelve on a Mission.
 

The Gospel of Luke narrates this procedure beautifully with a 2-step strategy..

1. He empowers them from within:  “He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority…” (Lk 9:1)
2. He exhorts them to be free from outside: He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey…” (Lk 9: 3)
 

Jesus wishes and makes sure that His disciples are “empowered from within”

>> This is an authority that makes them to be true ambassadors of the Kingdom of God

>> This is a power that causes them to be filled with the divine gifts to conquer evil forces

Jesus also wants and strongly exhorts that His disciples are “to be from from outside”

>> This is a detachment from worldly things and in turn, causes them to be truly dependant of God, the Highest Power

>> This is a freedom from possessions, attachments and links that makes one to be wearied, slackened in spirit and weighed down with anxieties

Each one of us, as Christians, are to be a disciple of the Lord and a Missionary of the Kingdom.
 

Can I also give heed to the words and message of the Lord…

… to be “empowered from within”

… “to be free from outside”
 

>> I can be “empowered from within”…

… by spending quality time with the Lord-  in prayer – regularly, and renewing my zeal and commitment to Him

… by seeking to listen to His voice addressed to us in various situations and people and following His Will … by being obedient to His teachings and following the commandments and requirements of the Commandment of Love
 

>> I can be “free from outside”…

… by letting go – gradually and radically – my self-centered interests and selfish desires

… by realizing my limits and growing in awareness of the majestic power of the Lord in my life

… by constantly reviewing my life to check whether I get entangled in worldly ways and unbecoming lifestyles

Let us seek the intercession of St Vincent de Paul, the Patron Saint of Catholic charities, whose feast we celebrate today…

…giving heed to his words: “If Christ is the centre of your lives, no words are necessary. Your mere presence will touch hearts!”
 

May we constantly be on the watch to avoid our Christian lives being reduced to a state of “having more machinery, but less Power!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!