There was a wealthy old man, who on one of his birthdays invited his servants to his house, to receive gifts.
“Which will you have” he asked, addressing the security guard, “the Bible or the two thousand-rupee note?”

>> “I would have taken the Bible, but I cannot read, so I think the money will do me more good” came the reply.
 “And you?”, he asked the gardener.

>> “My poor wife is so ill that I sadly need the money,” responded the gardener.
“You can surely read”, said the old man to the cook, “Will you have the Bible?”

>> “I can read, Sir” she replied, “but I never get the time. Moreover, the money will fetch me a fine dress”

Finally to the table-boy, the master said, “My boy, will you take this money and replace your old clothes with a new pair of fine dress?”

>> “Thank you Sir” said the young boy, “but my mother used to read to me the Bible when I was small, at home. I still have good memories of that, and therefore would like to have that Good Book, please.. ”
“God bless you, my boy!” said the old man, “and may your wise choice bring you more riches and blessings”
 

As the boy received the Bible, and unclasped its covers, a bright gold piece rolled to the floor.
Quickly turning its pages, he found them thickly interleaved with bank notes!

The other servants, discovering the mistake of their worldly desires, hastily departed, in sadness!
 

The one who makes a choice to live by the Word of God, receives blessings galore – spiritual and material.

… Spiritually, with gifts and graces to love the Lord more and live a life in deeper union with Him

… Materially, with a grace to be satisfied with the needs of life and trusting on the Providence of God
 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus exhorting to make a choice for God’s Word in one’s life…

… and to tune one’s conduct in accord with the Will of God, in order to be graced and blessed by Him.

One of the primary focus of Jesus, in His teachings as well in His life, was to shift the focus from the mere peripherals of life…
Often times, we are deeply prejudiced, limited, caught-up, with the external factors of life.

>> We are unable to transcend just material dimensions…

This applies to any of the aspects in life…

>> We get stuck with our own customs, cultures, languages, races, castes etc, and fail to move beyond them…

… and see the possibilities of cherishing and nurturing these differences
>> We remain fixated in our own mentalities, conditioned set-ups and set patterns of lifestyles…

… and fail to recognize that life can be greatly celebrated by valuing others opinions and adopting a lifestyle in tune with God’s Will

This principle Jesus also applies to his own material and physical relationships.

>> He defines a new understanding of familial relationship and bonding: A relationship based on those who “hear God’s Word and do It” (Lk 8: 21)

What a wonderful invitation this is, isn’t it?
Jesus says, that we can be part of His family.. be His own…

This is a lovely invitation extended to each of us…

>> Shall we not welcome this invitation with glad hearts and follow the exhortation of the Lord – to Hear His Word and to Live It?”
 

May we be graced to move beyond the peripherals of life and focus our attention and live our lives towards the higher and important  demands of life.

>> The Lord’s assurance is with us, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things shall be added unto you” (Mt 6: 33)
 

May we make a choice, not simply for worldly desires…

… instead choose the “Good Book” of God’s Word and live it in our lives.
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Some scientific experiments are fairly simple and practical, yet quite interesting and exciting too.
One such experiment, which some of us would have tried or seen others doing…

… is producing fire with the help of a magnifying glass.
 

The magnifying glass is kept in front of a piece of paper with the sunlight falling on the magnifying glass, in such a way that a small bright dot appears on the paper.

>> In sometime, with a strong sunlight, one is able to observe that the paper has caught fire!
 

The magnifying glass acts as a medium, to let the sunlight pass through and converge, in order to generate fire!

>> The magnifying glass plays a significant role in transferring the heat of the sun to objects which are focused!
 

Our Life as a Christian ought to be similar…

In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus tells to His disciples, “No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp stand, so that people coming in may see the light…”  (Lk 8:16)
 

This passage in the Gospel of St. Luke is just preceded by the Parable of the Sower (Lk 8: 4-15).

>> The parable of the Sower beautifully illustrates the various modes of reception of the Word of God.

When the Word of God is welcomed and received with a open heart, one is able to bear fruit…fruit in abundance.

>> A person, who receives God’ Word with an open heart and a receptive mind is able to reflect it in one’s life.

And this is where, a Christian Life resembles a Magnifying Glass which allows God’s Word to pass through and kindles others with the fire of His love!
 

We need to be an open and active medium allowing God to permeate through us, in order to let others experience His Love!
Do I…

… allow God’s word to work in me, so that the depressed may experience God’s light of joy and happiness?

… sanction God’s power to direct me, so that the suffering humanity may experience God’s light of healing?

… permit the seed of God’s word to take root in me, so that the sinful may experience God’s light of mercy?

… agree to the authority of God to control me, so that the weak may experience God’s light of strength?

… let God’s commandments to guide me, so that the wayward may experience God’s light of acceptance?
 

Jesus says, ” No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed…”
Times have changed drastically however…
 

Earlier times, one used to be proud to call oneself as a Christian and witness boldly to be known as one.

>> Today, perhaps, many of us feel a tweak and go a bit uncomfortable when called publicly as a Christian!
What was a matter a pride some years has today possibly become a matter of awkwardness and uneasiness.

How well do I witness the Light of Christian Faith to the world outside?

There are many tiny yet significant gestures and practical actions by which we may be hiding the Christian Light in us, with a bowl, and not allowing it to shine forth…

>> Feeling ashamed to bow publicly before the Blessed Sacrament or as we enter a Church…
>> Feeling uneasy to make a sign of the cross or say prayers before meals when many are there…
>> Feeling embarrassed to be called a Christian or a Consecrated person in a secular surrounding…
>> Feeling disinterested to carry a Bible or wear a crucifix around the neck or hold on to a rosary etc…
>> Feeling strange to either wear or avoid certain dresses or habits, especially thinking what will others feel…
>> Feeling awkward to say about Jesus or the Gospel virtues to our friends, thinking that our thoughts are naive…
>> Feeling bored to participate in the Sacraments and show no interest in making extra efforts to prepare for them…
 

There are many more occasions wherein we may be losing out a chance to witness Christ and His Love!

The nature of the sun, is to shine upon and enliven the whole earth.

>> But if one puts a magnifying glass in the rays of the sun over a paper, this light  of the sun will turn into fire.
The nature of God’s love is to shine upon and enliven the whole universe.

>> But if we act as a magnifying glass, united with Jesus, our Lord, this light of God’s Love will turn to fire!
 

Let us let the light of love to burn and blaze like a radiating fire through our lives!

>> Shine, Jesus, Shine!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus

One of the most powerful, spectacular and amazing natural wonder of the world is a Volcano!

>> The image of a Volcano brings to our mind a massive mountain, erupting fumes of smoke and lava.
 

A volcano represents mighty force.

>> A volcano stands for…

… immense heat

… great strength

 
The Gospel of the Day lets out a life-challenging message, delivered with much power and force…like a volcano!
 

We have the familiar parable of the Landowner and the workers from Mt 20:1-16 for our Gospel Passage today.
 

This landowner is quite unique and amazing in his approach.
He hired labourers for his vineyard first at 6 am…

>> Then periodically throughout the day…

>> Finally, he hired some at 5 p.m. to work only one hour.
The labourers in those days, like often in our society too…

…  had no secure work and no consistent income.

They were given hired on a day to day basis.

>> Those hired late, were not sure of what wages they would be paid…

>> They had to, therefore, solely depend on the kindness of the one who had hired them!
 

The landowner in the Gospel, pays the labourers, not as per their work…

… but as per his kindness!
>> He pays the labourers, not just based on their hard efforts…

… but based on His big-heartedness!

The Landowner is like a Volcano… mighty and immense and great…in his generosity!
He is a Volcano of Generosity!

>> Like a volcano, he is mighty…

…  in standing up to his principles and in being firm to render benevolence.
>> Like a volcano, he is immense…

… in lavishing unexpected favours and rendering surprising packages
 >> Like a volcano, he is great…

… in being fair in his dealings and yet going beyond justice to the needy.

This landowner is Jesus!

>> He is the volcano of generosity.
>> Jesus has given us life and many essentials and comforts of life…

… in His generosity.
>> Jesus has strengthened us with His transformative words in the Bible…

… in His generosity.
>> Jesus has provided us with grace and mercy when we have been lost in sin…

… in His generosity.
>> Jesus has blessed us with His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist to nourish us…

… in His generosity.
>> Jesus has showered us with love and affection when we have been broken and shattered…

… in His generosity.
 

All this He has done when we least deserved it.

>> Like the late-employed workers we did not deserve this great bounty.

Perhaps, some of us might identify ourselves with the workers who were employed at the start of the day…and we feel ourselves been cheated and treated unfairly.

>> We feel that since we have been more faithful and committed, we ought to deserve more!

But the words of the Lord, need to sink deep into our hearts, “My friend, I am not cheating you….Am I not free to do as I wish, with my own money?” (Mt 20: 13, 15)

Let’s accept it: We have been treated justly….we have been given our just wages…we have been paid rightly.

>> But we lose our temper, because we compare ourselves with others and feel, ” I deserved more”!
>> We cry foul, because we judge other people and their efforts and say, “That fellow was not so much worthy “!
>> We shout unfair, because we look over on the other side of the fence and exclaim, ” I did better than that one!”
>> We go blind that we have been treated justly and instead crib that others have been prized with great generosity.

This is the Volcano of Generosity – Jesus.

>> His generosity goes beyond our wildest imaginations.

>> His generosity crosses all human boundaries of expectations.

>> His generosity traverses way ahead of what we can think or conceive!

The Lord clearly states in Is 55: 6 – “For My Thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My Ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways and My thoughts thank your thoughts”

And this Volcano of Generosity invites us to be similar in our attitude and life…

>> Be a volcano of generosity…

… with encouragement, for those who fail in life, despite trying hard!

… with love, for those who lose heart and struggle with problems of life!

… with patience, for those who get irritated and annoyed with situations!

… with kindness, for those who constantly find faults and are pessimistic!

… with hope, for those who find no meaning in life and remain depressed!

The Volcano is one of the most powerful, spectacular and amazing wonder in the world.

>> If we can shape our lives, into a Volcano of Generosity, we too can be a powerful, spectacular and amazing witness to the Lord in this world!

Are we ready to let go of ourselves…

… and get transformed to be a Volcano of Generosity?
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Hello.. are you there?”

Most of us use mobiles…

One of the most common troubles that many of us face in the usage of mobiles is the problem of Range.

 
There are many a times, especially, when one happens to frequent rural areas, that a message pops up on the mobile screen…
…Network not found!
… Out of Range!

We feel ourselves so much lost and becoming impatient when such situations arise.
>> This level of anxiety increases all the more when we have an urgent call to be made or in an emergency! 

Sometimes, one person keeps muttering and talking…
… but the other one, having lost range, fails to hear anything!

All that remains perhaps is… “Hello.. are you there?”

Well… there is so much of tension and  stress suffered when we miss our range or our network…
>> Isn’t it?

 
But have we ever given a thought to what will happen if God goes out of range, in dealing with us?
>> Perhaps many of us, might not even become aware that sometimes we are in a “no-network” zone with God!

Through the Gospel of the Day, the Lord invite us to examine the level of life that I am, in my spiritual life.

 
The Parable of the Sower broadcasting an uncounted number of seeds is very much familiar to us.
>> A great number of seeds are sown…
… and they fall on varieties of soil
… and the reactions of each one is varied too.

A great number of words are spoken by God…
… and they fall on varieties of ears…and the response of each one is varied too..

1.Seeds falling on the way – an Attitude of “Paying no mind” to God’s words.

The seeds that fell on the way were trampled upon…
… and the birds of the sky ate it up.

>> God’s words are often not given due consideration…
… we remain unaffected and unmoved by it.
… we take for granted as being too common and familiar.
…we fail to esteem the seriousness and gravity of the Word of God!

2. Seeds falling on the rocks – an Attitude of “Passing”

The seed that fell on the rocks, when it grew, withered for lack of moisture.

>> The Word of God sometimes makes us very thrilled…
… but we soon become slack and sagging and lethargic.

>> The Word of God sometimes finds quick response…
… but we soon die out in the commitment and dedication.

>> The Word of God sometimes makes us take radical decisions…
… but we soon fade in our enthusiasm and passion!

 
3. Seed falling among the thorns – an Attitude of “Preoccupation”

The seeds that fell among the thorns got choked by the thorns.

>> God’s words often gets strangled…
… in the midst of immoral living and corrupt practices.
… in the presence of many diluting and misleading spiritualities.
… with too many materialistic and worldly concerns and affairs.

4. Seed falling on the good soil – an Attitude of “Perception”

The seed that fell on the good soil gave fruits of various measures.

>> The Word of God when received properly…
… brings true joy and happiness to life.
… helps us to share the love and joy of the Lord. 
… makes our life a source of blessings for others

 
God goes on speaking… He goes on sharing His Word…
>> Am I paying no attention to Him?
>> Am I taking His words just for passing?
>> Am I being too much preoccupied with many things and fail to listen to Him? Or…
>> Am I perceiving and understanding His word clearly and able to produce fruits for the Kingdom of God?

 
Let us make sure that we are in the range and network of God..
>> He constantly keeps calling us and sends many SMS’s.

Are we listening to Him?

 
We celebrate today the Feast of a modern saint…an exemplary and prayerful priest: St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
>> He inspires us today to closely follow to Lord… through the paths of prayer!

He would say:
>> “Prayer is the best weapon we possess. It is the key that opens the heart of God.”

>> “Even if the world were to capsize…
… if everything were to become dark, hazy, tumultuous…
…God would still be with us!”

 
Yes, We need to…
….Listen… Trust… Walk!

“Hello.. are you there?”

 

God bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most powerful, spectacular and amazing natural wonder of the world is a Volcano!
>> The image of a Volcano brings to our mind a massive mountain, erupting fumes of smoke and lava.

 
A volcano represents mighty force.
>> A volcano stands for…
… immense heat
… great strength
 

The Gospel of the Day lets out a life-challenging message, delivered with much power and force…like a volcano!

 
We have the familiar parable of the Landowner and the workers from Mt 20:1-16 for our Gospel Passage today.

 
This landowner is quite unique and amazing in his approach.

He hired labourers for his vineyard first at 6 am…
>> Then periodically throughout the day…
>> Finally, he hired some at 5 p.m. to work only one hour.

The labourers in those days, like often in our society too…
…  had no secure work and no consistent income.

They were given hired on a day to day basis.
>> Those hired late, were not sure of what wages they would be paid…
>> They had to, therefore, solely depend on the kindness of the one who had hired them!

 
The landowner in the Gospel, pays the labourers, not as per their work…
… but as per his kindness!

>> He pays the labourers, not just based on their hard efforts…
… but based on His big-heartedness!

The Landowner is like a Volcano… mighty and immense and great…in his generosity!

He is a Volcano of Generosity!
>> Like a volcano, he is mighty…
…  in standing up to his principles and in being firm to render benevolence.

>> Like a volcano, he is immense…
… in lavishing unexpected favours and rendering surprising packages

 >> Like a volcano, he is great…
… in being fair in his dealings and yet going beyond justice to the needy.

This landowner is Jesus!
>> He is the volcano of generosity.

>> Jesus has given us life and many essentials and comforts of life…
… in His generosity.

>> Jesus has strengthened us with His transformative words in the Bible…
… in His generosity.

>> Jesus has provided us with grace and mercy when we have been lost in sin…
… in His generosity.

>> Jesus has blessed us with His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist to nourish us…
… in His generosity.

>> Jesus has showered us with love and affection when we have been broken and shattered…
… in His generosity.

 
All this He has done when we least deserved it.
>> Like the late-employed workers we did not deserve this great bounty.

Perhaps, some of us might identify ourselves with the workers who were employed at the start of the day…and we feel ourselves been cheated and treated unfairly.
>> We feel that since we have been more faithful and committed, we ought to deserve more!

But the words of the Lord, need to sink deep into our hearts, “My friend, I am not cheating you….Am I not free to do as I wish, with my own money?” (Mt 20: 13, 15)

Let’s accept it: We have been treated justly….we have been given our just wages…we have been paid rightly.
>> But we lose our temper, because we compare ourselves with others and feel, ” I deserved more”!

>> We cry foul, because we judge other people and their efforts and say, “That fellow was not so much worthy “!

>> We shout unfair, because we look over on the other side of the fence and exclaim, ” I did better than that one!”

>> We go blind that we have been treated justly and instead crib that others have been prized with great generosity.

This is the Volcano of Generosity – Jesus.
>> His generosity goes beyond our wildest imaginations.
>> His generosity crosses all human boundaries of expectations.
>> His generosity traverses way ahead of what we can think or conceive!

The Lord clearly states in Is 55: 6 – “For My Thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My Ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways and My thoughts thank your thoughts”

And this Volcano of Generosity invites us to be similar in our attitude and life…
>> Be a volcano of generosity…
… with encouragement, for those who fail in life, despite trying hard!
… with love, for those who lose heart and struggle with problems of life!
… with patience, for those who get irritated and annoyed with situations!
… with kindness, for those who constantly find faults and are pessimistic!
… with hope, for those who find no meaning in life and remain depressed!

The Volcano is one of the most powerful, spectacular and amazing wonder in the world.
>> If we can shape our lives, into a Volcano of Generosity, we too can be a powerful, spectacular and amazing witness to the Lord in this world!

Are we ready to let go of ourselves…
… and get transformed to be a Volcano of Generosity?

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is a particular type of a caterpillar called as “Pine Processional Caterpillars”.

>> These “Processional Caterpillars” walks in long lines, each one following closely the next in front.

A noted French naturalist named Jean Henri Fabre, once conducted an experiment on them.
 He took a flowerpot and placed of a number of these “Processional Caterpillars” in a single-file around the circumference of the rim of a flower-pot.

>> Each caterpillar’s head touched the one in front of it.
He then placed the caterpillar’s favourite food in the middle of the pot.

He was surprised to observe that each of the caterpillar followed the one ahead, thinking it was heading for the food.

>> Round and round went these insects – for several days!
Finally, after many days of this absurd activity, the caterpillars started to drop dead – because of exhaustion and starvation!

All that they had to avoid the snare of death was to stop the senseless rounding around the pot…

…. and go, instead, directly to the food, that was placed less than six-inches away from them!

However, these “Processional Caterpillars” were trapped in a lifestyle which made them to only follow the one ahead, and were unable to “disentangle” themselves from the habit of ‘blindly’ following others!

 

Am I turning out to be a “Processional Christian”?

> claiming to follow Christ, just because others are doing the same or I have got into the “rut” of a system?

> aimlessly following Christ, without any conviction or sometimes even awareness of why I am doing so?

The Gospel of the Day presents to us  a beautiful set of “Followers of Christ” who pursued Him in faith, in conviction and with a sense of clear purpose.

The Gospel of St Luke gives an interesting list of people (of course, there would also have been others), who followed Jesus closely and were part of His Kingdom Ministry (Lk 8: 1-3).

1. The Twelve Apostles

2. Mary Magdalene

3. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward

4. Susanna and many others
Its edifying to learn some aspects from each of these sets of people…
1. The Twelve Apostles

>> They were people of opposing temperaments, differing characters, conflicting backgrounds and divergent personalities.
Yet, the “glue” of ‘belonging to Christ’ kept them together
 

Can I learn the aspect of..

… going beyond my personal differences and accidental characteristics, to forge together beautiful and faithful relationships, in my family, my workplaces, my communities etc, in order to follow Christ closer?

2. Mary Magdalene

>> She had personally experienced the power of Christ’s healing
This made her to keep her focus on the Lord, her God and to be intimately following Him for the rest of her life
 

Can I learn the aspect of…

… recognising, cherishing and sustaining the many ‘miraculous and wonderful’ encounters of the Lord’s healing and care, that I experience on a daily basis, and thus to passionately follow the Lord?
 
3. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward

>> She was the wife of Chuza, who was the steward of King Herod Antipas.
To follow Jesus involved a high level of risk for her, as there was a danger from King Herod, who was wicked and had expressed his displeasure by the murder of John the Baptist.

Can I learn the aspect of…

…. being daring and courageous in following the Lord, even at the risk of my life, the risk of being exposed to humiliation and the risk of bearing discouragements, persecutions and indifference from others?
 

4. Susanna and many others

>> There is not much information on their identity but they were part of a section of the society i.e. women who were terribly maltreated and were given an unfair, unequal and unrecognizable positions in the Jewish religious hierarchy.
 

Can I learn the aspect of…

… being ready to break the mental barriers and the paralysing thought-patterns in the society which cripple one’s freedom, in order to become an authentic follower of the Lord?

These followers of Christ teach us vital lessons…

>> of making radical transformations

>> of valuing God’s wonderful workings in life

>> of being courageously bold

>> of overcoming challenges and barriers

… in order to Follow Christ – with conviction, with commitment and with certainty!
 

We cannot simply remain as “Processional Christians” –  being trapped in a lifestyle which makes us to “claim to follow Christ”…

… and being unable to “disentangle” ourselves from the habit of ‘blindly’ following others!
 

We instead need to become…

> “Practical Christians” – who put into practice the preachings of Christ!

> “Praiseworthy Christians” – who live our lives seeking to please the Lord in every act and deed!

> “Precious Christians” – who live with a deep conviction of belonging to the Lord and making efforts to share His love to all!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The General Electric Company is a multinational conglomerate company, which caters to the needs of home appliances, financial services, medical devices, life sciences, pharmaceutical etc.
 

Every year, this company uses more than one and a half million sapphires (= transparent precious stone, usually blue in colour) for bearings in meters and other delicate apparatus.

However, it is highly necessary that there should be a detection to separate the synthetic gems from the natural ones.

 
Towards this end, a cathode ray tube has been developed by a team of researchers.

>> If, in a dark room, the rays from this tube are thrown for a few seconds on a tray of stones, they all glow.
 >> However, when the rays are turned off, the artificial sapphires continue to glow and may be picked out of the tray, while the natural sapphires cannot be seen.
 

This is an easy way of picking up the artificial ones from those which are natural.

Is not something similar that happens to our Christian lives?

The authenticity of our life is exposed and revealed when the rays of Christ’s Teachings are made to fall on us!

> Some of us may be seen shining brightly and appearing to have dazzling lustre

> Some of us may be seen to be apparently very good and being seen to be externally righteous.
 

But when the rays of Christ’s teaching fall on us, will our hypocrisy and duplicity get exposed… ?

… or do I have the credibility and integrity, in my life, to be recognized as an authentic follower of God and an ardent missionary of the Kingdom?
 

The Gospel of the Day is an exposition on the attitudes of duplicity and being double-standard that can cram our Christian lives.

Jesus gives an illustration…  of “children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, ‘We piped to you and you did not dance; we wailed and you did not weep'” (Lk 7: 32) 
 

It was a tragedy of that generation…

… that two of the great leaders – John and Jesus – though came with apparent contrast – found themselves rejected!

… that these two great messengers of the Kingdom, met with a tragic end – one beheaded, the other crucified!
 

>> And it shows an important philosophy that underlies many lives: an attitude of indifference to the truth and an attitude of rejection of those who challenge our lives!

This tragedy affects our generation too…

>> We often wrap ourselves often in the garment of hard-heartedness and arrogance…

… and fail to allow the message of the Truth to bring a transformation in our lives
>> We neatly hide ourselves in the dark shadows of indifference and apathy…

… and remain unconcerned with the workings of God’s power and grace in our hearts

But the Lord today renders a wake-up call to shake off the dusts of apathy, hypocrisy and indifference from our lives.
 

In the power of the rays of Christ’s teaching,  our hypocrisy and duplicity will get exposed…

… But can I seek to mould my life to possess  credibility and integrity, in order to be recognized as an authentic follower of God and an ardent missionary of the Kingdom?
 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Abide with me fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens, Lord, with me, abide

>> When other helpers fail and comforts flee; Help of the helpless, O abide with me!”
Hold thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;

>> Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”

This hymn “Abide with me”, (found in ‘Night Prayers in The Divine Office’) is one of the very heart-touching hymns…

…sung especially in times of funerals.
 

They stir up feelings of mourning and the pain of loss…

…they also stir up a sense of hope and trust in the Lord, the God of Life and Resurrection.

The Gospel of the Day presents before us…

… a funeral scene

… feelings of mourning and a pain of loss

… and the instilling of hope and trust by the Lord, the God of Life and Resurrection!
 

The Gospel reading mentions that as Jesus was journeying to a city called Nain, “a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.” (Lk 7: 11-12).
 

Life can sometimes be filled with extremely cruel feelings and blunt experiences, isn’t it?
This incident is a clear example of that…

>> A funeral in itself is an extremely sorrowful occurance
 

>> Add to it, it is that of the only son of a woman

(‘Only son’ meant…

… ceasing of the family generation

… termination of the family’s hopes and aspirations of the future)
>> To top it all, the woman is a widow

(‘Widow’ meant…

… there would be none to support her or to provide for her sustenance

… it was a double heart-break for a woman who had already suffered death once!)
 

This was a harshly unique situation:

>> As per the custom of the time, the bereaved mother walks in front of the bier
>> The dead son was being carried to the grave

…and the “dead” widow was walking towards her grave of utter hopelessness and inconsolable grief

The mother had to literally see her child from the “womb to the tomb!”

It was in this painful situation, that Jesus encountered the funeral procession!
The Lord, Who knows everything…

… seeing that tragic procession would have probably had a flash of what would be soon a reality in the future:

>> He Himself would be the “dead” Child…

… and His Beloved Mother, Mary would be the “dead” Widow!
 

This funeral procession of the “only son” of the “widow”, was a reflection of the scene on Calvary…

…. of Jesus, the “Only Son” of Mary, the “Widow”!

It is also heartening to note that this funeral procession took place in a city named “Nain” (or “Naim”)
This Hebrew name “Nain” has meanings such as…

… sweet, good, lovely, pleasant and delightful!
“Nain” is the word used to describe…

… the quality of Israelities as being the “favoured ones” (2 Sam 23: 1)

… the beauty of music especially the “sweet” sounding harp (Ps 81:2)

… the “pleasant” taste of bread (Prov 9:17)

… the “beauty” of the land (Gen 49:15)
 

The Psalmist also uses this word “Nain” and its derivatives, to describe…

… the beauty of the Lord (Ps 27:4)

… the favour of the Lord (Ps 90:17)

… the graciousness in worshipping the Lord (Ps 135:3)
 

It appeared to be a total contradiction that a city with such beautiful expressions and meanings…

… was facing the tragic situation of immense pain and loss and mourning
 

>> Sweetness and goodness seemed to have been replaced with pain and mourning!

>> Loveliness and pleasantness seemed to have been overtaken by misery and lament!
 

But Jesus, the Lord of Life and Resurrection…

… transforms the feelings of sadness and helplessness into sentiments of relief and hope!

The Gospel says that:

Jesus “was moved with pity for the woman and said to her, ‘Do not weep’…

… and touching the coffin, He said, “Young Man, I tell you, arise!” (Lk 7: 13-14)
 

>> Tears were halted…and life was restored!

>> Mourning was terminated…and life was celebrated!

Do we not face situations…

>> When life seems to be filled with extremely cruel feelings and blunt experiences…?

… death and separations in the family and relations

… loss of hope at workplaces and areas of labour

… feelings to ‘quit and give up’ as life loses meaning

In all such “dead” situations, the Lord encounters us in our journey of life, and…

>> Comforts  us: “Do not weep!”

>> Restores us: “I tell you, arise!”

We need to trust in Him

>> We need to be willing to encounter Him

>> We need to hold on to Him in our journey of life!

Our God is indeed the God of Life and Resurrection…

… and He seeks to instill hope and trust in Him!

May we always pray, “Lord, abide with me”…
And thus with hope and trust, even in the ‘dead’ situations of our life, cry out:

” Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away!

>> Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim.

 

Ovation comes from the Latin word “ovo”,  which means “I rejoice”.

 

When a certain accomplishment causes great rejoicing and happiness, it is often, responded with an ovation..

>> Sportstars receive this ovation after a stupendous performance of sporting skills…

>> Musicians are accorded this ovation after a special rendition of their musical piece…

>> Orators and speakers are given this ovation after a marvellous speech or a talk…

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a similar account of Jesus expressing His ovation for a person who showed tremendous faith.

 

When the faith and trust becomes so intense, even Jesus gives a special sign of appreciation!

 

 

We have today the incident of the healing of the Centurion’s servant.

 

Jesus lavishes His appreciations and admirations for a wonderful display of faith.

 

 

Here is the story an unusual faith found in an unusual man who displayed his faith in an unusual way.

 

1. The Centurion was an unusual person…

As the name suggests, a Centurion was a person with a hundred soldiers.

>> They worked for the Roman Empire and were Gentiles.

 

This Centurion however, was unusual, because of the fact, that he was very much concerned of his slave.

>> This was rare indeed!

 

In the Roman Empire, slaves had no rights.

>> They could be mistreated and even put to death.

 

It was said that “when your animals are old, you throw them out to die. You do the same with your slaves.”

 

So this is the unusual thing about this unusual Centurion – He cared very much about his slave!

 

 

2. The centurion showed an unusual faith…

The Centurion came to Jesus asking and pleading for help.

 

But when Jesus said that He would come to his house and heal him, the centurion was quick to answer him, ” I am not worthy to have you under my roof” ( Mt 8:8)

 

The spirit of a military man is clearly exhibited by the centurion..

 

A soldier’s way of thinking is extremely logical and to the point: When an order is given, instant obedience is expected.

>> “My commanding power goes beyond the realms of space

My presence or absence is no excuse for my soldiers to disobey”

 

The Centurion fully believed that Jesus was a mighty commander with all powers subjected to Him.

>> And so a word was enough for the healing to take place…

 

An expression of approval was good enough for the miracle to happen…

 

3. The Centurion received an unusual response

This tremendous expression of faith was enough for Jesus to admire and appreciate Him.

 

Jesus was astonished by this wonderful demonstration of confidence and belief: ” Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel, have I found such faith” (Mt 8: 10)

 

We have seen many instances of people praising and appreciating the works and wonders of Jesus.

>> But, it’s one of those rare occasions, when Jesus publicly acknowledges and asserts the glorious faith of the one seeking for help.

 

 

The Lord gives a wonderful ovation and applause for this wonderful presentation of faith.

 

 

This Gospel is a wonderful challenge for each of us to examine our life of faith…

 

In a situation when we are surrounded by sicknesses of negativity and discouragement,

>> Can we also boldly say, ” Only say a word, Lord…and I will be healed!”

 

In a situation when life-threatening moments of crushing-failures and despair encircle us,

>> Can we also boldly say, ” Only say a word, Lord…and I will be healed!”

 

In a situation when we get depressed by the various day to day problems of life,

>> Can we also boldly say, ” Only say a word, Lord…and I will be healed!”

 

 

As a famous saying goes, “It is easy to praise the Lord… But it really is a challenge to receive praises from the Lord!”

 

>> When we stand firm in our faith in God, we receive ovations and appreciations from Him

>> When we have confidence in our love for God, we receive ovations and admiration from Him

>> When we remain strong in our Hope in God, we receive ovations and approval from Him.

 

 

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read, that when St Stephen was at the verge of death, after his powerful witness, he saw, “Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56)

>> The Courageous Faith of St Stephen was rewarded with a standing ovation by the Son of God!

 

The Trusting Confidence of the Centurion was blessed with a verbal ovation by the Saviour of the World!

 

 

Shall we also make our faith and our Christian, worthy of an ovation from the King of kings?

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An incident is said of a worker named Richard Weaver (He would later on become a popular preacher of the Word) who was working in a mine.
 

During the course of the work, unintentionally, he hit a fellow-miner.
The fellow-miner, however lost his cool and retorted: “I feel like giving you a hard smack on your face!”
“Very well”, said Weaver, “If that will do any good, you may do it.”
The man struck him.
Weaver turned to him the other cheek.

>> The man struck again.
This was repeated five times; and when Weaver presented his cheek for the sixth time, the man turned away, cursing.
Weaver cried after him: “The Lord forgive you, for I do; and the Lord save you!”

The following morning, as work started, this man was the first person that Richard Weaver met.
As Weaver approached him, he burst into tears.

>> “Oh Richard” he cried as he knelt before him, “do you really forgive me?”
Richard Weaver helped him get up…

>> As he rose… a changed and transformed man!

That’s the Power of Forgiveness!

The Gospel of the Day presents this Mighty and Power Message of Forgiveness…

… Forgiveness that goes beyond the rules of mathematics!

A common observation that is noticed among many children, is the fear and apprehensions of some subjects in the school or college.

>> Among these subjects, one which would top the list of subjects which causes tension and undue worry, is certainly, Mathematics!
 

·       Many have a fear of this subject which deals with figures and numbers.

·       Many have an aversion to this subject which deals with digits and numerals.
 

Well, it’s not known or certain whether Our Lord had any such aversion or fear or apprehension or even dislike for this subject, Mathematics!
But one thing is for certain…

… that the Lord sure loved to keep out Mathematics when dealing with important spiritual dimensions.

… that the Lord indeed would transgress the norms of Mathematics when engaged in vital spiritual aspects.
 

The Gospel is an exhibition of this aspect of the Lord going beyond mathematical boundaries in dealing with the beautiful virtue of forgiveness.

The passage begins with the Lord’s chief and one-of-the-first apostles Peter, raising a query to his Master, ” Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? ” ( Mt 18: 21)
 

It was probably a genuine doubt of Peter, which arose from his own personal experiences.
He must have had some difficulties in forgiving, out of his wavering temperament, perhaps!
But he now puts forward to Jesus a doubt as to what should be the limit of one’s forgiveness.
·       Peter sought to know what are the exact boundaries that one must limit oneself, while forgiving.

·       He wanted clear-cut rules to define the maximum threshold and frontiers of generosity in pardoning.
 

But the Lord replies firmly, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy seven times” (Mt 18:22)
 

·       The Lord does away with the mathematical rules in forgiveness!

·       The Lord does not confine to the mathematical stipulations in forgiveness!
 

“Seventy seven  times” would refer a number, unlimited and uncountable!

>> The frontiers for how many times to forgive are done away with…

>> The boundaries for how many times to forgive do not hold good…
 

As the Lord spoke these words to Peter, the apostle would himself have recalled…

“Once beside the sea of Galilee, when I encountered the Holy Master, I realized that I was drowning in the waters of sin… and I had asked pardon from the Lord.
Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man (Lk 5:8)”
 

These words of the Lord would have again echoed in the ears of Peter, later on, after the resurrection of Jesus….

>> Once again, beside a Sea… this time, the Sea of Tiberius, Peter experienced the forgiving power of the Lord in accepting back, though he had betrayed Him three times (Jn 21: 15-18)
 

Many times he had sinned against the Lord…

>> Many times he had caused pain and ache to the Lord…

>> Many times he had abandoned and betrayed the Lord…
But every time, the Lord forgave, wholeheartedly!
 

The Lord was truly the Master, “who practised what He preached”

>> The Lord was truly the Master, “who forgave unconditionally and without any limits”
 

This Lord, today seeks to impress on us too, this same attitude of forgiveness.
 

The teaching on forgiveness, is most certainly easy said than done!

>> To forgive….especially to forgive repeatedly, is certainly no easy task…
But it would require a deeper experience of the Unconditional Love of the Lord and our own determination, along with His grace, to reach out in forgiveness and pardon to our constantly erring brothers and sisters!
 

·       Are we ready to cast away mathematical limitations in forgiving, and extend the mercy of the Lord to others?
·       Are we ready to do away with mathematical countings in pardoning others, knowing that we ourselves have received this favour from the Lord?
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!