EUREKA: Discovering Catholic Treasury – through a Lenten lens! Day 16: “Lumen Gentium”

A. What is it?

>> “Lumen Gentium” is a Second Vatican Council Dogmatic Constitution on the Church

>> “Lumen Gentium” is the Latin phrase for “Light of the Nations”

>> It was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 21 November 1964

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Lumen Gentium” has a two-fold purpose:

(a) To explain the Church’s nature as “a sign and instrument of communion with God and of unity among all men”

(b) To clarify the Church’s universal mission as the sacrament of human salvation.

>> “Lumen Gentium” consists of 7 chapters

(i) Chapter 1: “The Mystery of the Church”

>> It provides a summary of the very nature of the Church – as both the visible and invisible reality – through which all persons are called to participate in the Trinitarian, Divine life of God through, with, and in Christ Jesus.

(ii) Chapter 2: “On the People of God”

>> It teaches that God wills to save people not just as individuals but as a people.

>> Because Christ’s love and mission are universal, so the Church’s missionary love extends to all people

>> In union with Him, the members of this people share in His anointing and thus in His mission. Baptism confers the dignity of being prophet, priest, and king in Christ.

(iii) Chapter 3: “On the Hierarchical Structure of the Church and in Particular on the Episcopate”

>> Christ entrusted the apostles with the mission of leading, assigning Peter as the head. Their successors, the bishops, are entrusted with the same mission until the end of the world.

>> The Bishop’s highest priorities are to lead the people towards order, harmony, and unity.

(iv) Chapter 4: “The Laity”

>> Christ continues His threefold messianic mission through the laity as well as the hierarchy.

>> The laity profoundly evangelize by how they live their everyday lives.

(v) Chapter 5: “The Call to Holiness”

>> The key to holiness rests in Love – Love of God.

>> This call to holiness is from Christ himself.

>> It is the Holy Spirit who moves us closer to God’s holiness.

>> All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity

(vi) Chapter 6: “The Religious”

>> The religious state clearly manifests that the Kingdom of God and its needs, in a very special way, are raised above all earthly considerations.

>> It is considered a “deepening of the baptismal character”.

(vii) The Eschatological Nature of the Pilgrim Church and Its Union with the Church in Heaven

>> We are in a special way connected to all those who have attained Christ’s promise.

>> Our union in the Mystical Body of Christ is never more real than when we participate in the Sacred Liturgy/the Mass.

>> Celebrating the Eucharist closely unites us to the Church in heaven. We are together in communion with those in heaven and we worship God together, through Christ, in the Spirit.

(viii) “Our Lady”

>> The Church honors Mary because she is the beloved Mother of Jesus.

>> As the Mother of God and as the Mother of the Redeemer, She maintains a place of honor in both the earthly Church and in the Heavenly.

>> We honor and have piety toward Mary for no other reason than to better know Christ and to open the whole world up to receiving the graces of Christ.

>> It encouraged people to cultivate a loving devotion to Mary and strongly urged theologians and pastors to abstain from gross exaggerations and or neglectful omission in considering the dignity of Mary.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Lumen Gentium” emphasizes on “the Call to Holiness and a Fully Human Life”

>> Christ instituted the Seven Sacraments and established the Apostles and their Successors to represent Him as Head of the Church. Through them Christ continues to teach, to sanctify, and to rule over the Church.

>> The Church, possesses the fullness of the means of sanctification.

2. It speaks of “a Church of the Poor and for the Poor”

>> In loving the poor, the Church practices the Lord’s admonition to love those who are unable to make kind of return (Lk 6:32-34)

>> To be poor like Christ means to rely entirely on God.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Lumen Gentium” for this Season of Lent?

1. Focusing on the Primary Duty of our Christian vocation: To be Holy

2. Love the Church – Be proud to belong to the Church

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Everyday making an examination and ask: How much did I try to grow in holiness today?

2. Pray for the Church everyday – especially in these days of crisis and scandal…

… trusting that God will always protect the Church and keep Her safe.

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Encyclical “Lumen Gentium” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Lumen Gentium” can be found at:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Mar 13 (Jn 5:1-3, 5-16)

The entrance of a particular church once had a large banner that had large, bold letters printed on it.

The words in this banner, read thus: Those people who expect salvation at the eleventh hour…

… often die at 10:30!

Postponement in spiritual matters, is indeed a perilous matter!

Procrastination – the tendency to postpone/delay – is an inclination that is to be greatly avoided in our spiritual journey.

Life often takes us through paralyzing and crippling situations

>> And this may cause us to often “delay or postpone”

But the Gospel of the Day is a mighty reminder on how we ought to not postpone…

… rather be “proactive” in our spiritual life.

The Gospel passage is a beautiful presentation of this aspect:  On how to have our heads raised up, in hope and trust, despite many crushing and crippling causes in life.

Jesus is in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

>> As he passed through the town, he came near a pool, named Bethzatha.

Jesus encounters a person there, who has been ill for a very long period… thirty eight years! (Jn 5:5)

We are not exactly told what illness was it…

Probably a paralyzing illness… a cripple of the legs… or even a combination of many other sicknesses.

>> But one thing is known: this sickness made the person to not walk!

The sickness had immobilized him.

But more than his physical body, it seems, that the sickness had crippled also his mind:

·      His way of thinking seemed jammed in having hope in life…

·      His outlook to life seemed blurred to see optimism and hope…

·      His perspective of people seemed to distort his confidence and trust…

When Jesus questions the man, “Do you want to be well?”, the man answers not with a positive affirmation or an optimistic assertion.

Instead he begins to get into a complaining and a pitiable mode, ” Sir, I have no one…” (Jn 5: 7)

>> A ray of hope was offered to him…

… but instead the man continued to see only the dark clouds.

>> A glimpse of joy was revealed to him…

… but instead the man persisted on the sad aspects alone.

The long period of sickness had blotted his vision and faded his hopes.

But the Lord.. the ever-challenging God, does not allow the man to remain in this unfortunate and “look-on-me-with-sympathy-please” mode…

>> Instead, Jesus charges him, “Rise, take up your mat and walk” (Jn 5:8)

And immediately the man became well, took up his mat and walked!

>> The presence of the Lord vanished away the man’s doubts and lame excuses…

>> The mighty word of the Lord purged away the man’s feelings of looking at life negatively…

The man who had the tendency to probably “procrastinate – delay and postone”…

… now becomes “proactive!”

The man became proactive…

… casting away his attitude of complaining to become a person of courage

… dropping off his crippling attitude of “none-to-help” and picking up the mat of power and grace

Problems beset each of us in this world.

>>  Difficulties surround all of us, at various times and situations

But, the one who is “proactive” in life, is able to get over these “paralyzing” factors of life!

Jesus gives us this courage and the hope to “not postpone or delay” matters connected to our spiritual life

>> Such a pro-active action is spurred by the mighty love and mercy of the Lord.

>> Such a pro-active move is an approach, impelled by a tremendous faith and hope in the Lord.

You and I, very often may find ourselves in crippling situations of life.

·      We may keep on lying down…

·      We may keep on being a “complaint-box”

·      We may keep on postponing our good and only blame people and situations…

Or…

·      We may raise up our heads to see the Lord challenging us to walk…

·      We may garner strength and courage and be bold to pick up our mats of suffering…

·      We may imbue ourselves with the Lord’s power to never let anything cripple our minds..

Yes, Postponement in spiritual matters, is indeed a perilous matter!

>> Let’s remember: Those people who expect salvation at the eleventh hour…

… often die at 10:30!

Shall we be ready, “to rise, take up our mats, and walk?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Mar 12 (Jn 4:43-54)

There was once a good woman who was well-known among her circle for her simple faith and her great calmness in the midst of many trials.

Another woman, living across the street, hearing of her, said, “I must go and see that woman, and learn the secret of her calm, happy life.”

She went, and, enquired the woman: “Are you the woman with the great faith?”

“No,” was the answer!

“I am not the woman with the great faith, but I am the woman with the little faith in the great God,” came the rest of the answer!

Yes, the secret of “staying calm and happy” is about having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

The Gospel of the Day presents an incident of a “person who stayed calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

Jesus is in the land of Galilee…away from his hometown. (Jn 4:43)

>> His own people in the hometown had rejected Him.

>> The known persons of His native place had failed to give heed to His mighty deeds.

And so He arrives, yet again, at a Gentile place… where they welcome Him wholeheartedly!

How true is this of many a human situation…

>> Those familiar to oneself, often fail to understand…

… but those outside, are able to give better respect!

>> Those known to a person, often, fail to see the value of the person…

… but those who are unknown, recognize the specialty of the person!

Familiarity, very often, breeds contempt!

In this Gentile land, a royal official whose son was ill – nearing death – approached Jesus, seeking for a healing.

He travelled a far distance – nearly 25 miles, from Capernaum to Galilee – and coming to Jesus, he asked, “Sir, come down, before my child dies” (Jn 4: 49)

The request of this official would perhaps, remind some of us of another person, who came with a similar problem….

.. The centurion, in Mt 8: 5-13…whose servant was at home, paralyzed.

This centurion had showed tremendous faith and was even greatly praised by Jesus.

But the royal official, in today’s Gospel, had a mixed bag of faith…

>> He had faith in Jesus, which made him to come a long distance to meet Jesus.

… his faith was however, prompted mainly only because of a need for a healing.

>> He had faith in Jesus, which made him to request the Lord for a healing.

… his faith, was however, limited by physical distance (since he asked the Lord to come to his house, unlike the Centurion (Mt 8:8)

Often our faith resembles this royal official…

… turning to the Lord only in times of afflictions and troubles

… having our own doubts on whether the Lord can really work miracle in the way I want

But we must also remember…

… hard and difficult situations, are willed by God, to allow for miracles and healings, which ought to become the springboard for a deeper and committed life of faith!

… the Lord has His own ways and means of working powerfully in our lives, and we need to have the openness and humility to receive them in His way and in His time!

When the Lord gave His word, ” You may go; your son will live” (Jn 4:50), this royal official, with a mixed bag of faith…

… began to understand the secret of “staying calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

The Gospel says, “… the man believed what Jesus said to him and left” (Jn 4: 50b)

>> Moments of immense difficulties and crisis often cripple us.

>> Times of tremendous hardships and pains often cause worries to us.

But, the Lord constantly invites us “to stay calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

>> It’s His grace that strengthens us.

>> It’s His mercy that empowers us.

Shall we also adopt and personalize this great secret?

… of “staying calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Mar 10 (Jn 3:14-21)

Here is probably, a well-known incident…

A motivational session was on…

The speaker began the seminar by holding up a 2000 rupee note.

With the audience curiously looking at the crisp-note, the speaker asked, “Who among you would like to have this 2000 Rupee note?”

>> Needless to say, all the hands in that seminar-hall went up.

The speaker was not surprised.

He then said, ” I will surely give this note to a lucky one among you.. but first, let me do this….”

>> He then proceeded, to crumble up the note.

Oh… there it was.. the note – now badly crumbled and no longer appearing crisp or appealing…

He then asked, “How many still want this note?”

>> No reduction in the number of hands that went up!

The speaker proceeded, to further disfigure the note… and asked, “How many still want it?”

The number of hands that went up, still remained the same…

… and in fact, there was a greater excitement among the audience, to get the note!

The note was badly crumbled and out of shape…yet all wanted that valuable note!

Does it sound strange?

>> Or was that just normal?

The note was badly crushed, but all still wanted it…

>> The note was greatly disfigured, yet all sought for it…

For a moment, lets replace that ‘note’ with a human person, who is much more priceless.

>> Do we have the same acceptance for a person who has been disfigured or is in a bad shape?

>> Do we have the same longing for a person who has been badly battered or hurt in life?

We already seem to be having some second thoughts, unlike in the case of the multi-rupee note!

It’s here the Gospel of the day brings home the message, that whatever happens in our life, there will be One Person who will always accept us, long for us and love us: God!

>> Life may many times crumble us and ground us, to alter us…

>> Sin may many times cause us to be disfigured and stained and blemished…

But in all this… we have a great assurance: God accepts and loves us!

The proof: The Crucified Lord, who stripped Himself of all glory and honour, took upon our sins on Himself, and died a shameless death – punished, agonized and abandoned!

It is His painful death on the Cross that has won eternal life for us: “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” ( Jn 3:14-15)

One of the inherent tendencies, perhaps, in humanity is to “forget good deeds”.

This is so true when one considers the relation between the people of Israel and God Yahweh.

Israelites found themselves very often in trouble, under persecution and being oppressed.

Every time, however, God would deliver them from danger.

This would be followed by a brief period of faithfulness and commitment by the Israelites, before lapsing again…

>> Again the Lord would rescue…

But the people would again “forget the good deeds” of the Lord.

>> They would forsake His commandments

>> They would forego His instructions

>> They would lose sight of His laws.

Yet, God never abandoned His people.

>> They continued to be precious to Him…always!

Our lives are so often patterned as that of the people of Israel.

>> Many times we fall into sin and get grounded by our many evil tendencies….

>> Many times we forsake God’s ways to follow our own interests and selfishness…

>> Many times we dirty ourselves with impure thoughts, uncharitable deeds and indifferences…

Yet, we remain priceless and precious to the Lord, always

>> We remain valuable and worthwhile to the Lord, always

God offers His beautiful gift of salvation and redemption through means of the Holy Cross.

In the Cross, we have the powerful proof and demonstration…

… that in all our sufferings, we have a God who shares in our pain and misery

… that in all our sinful tendencies, we have a God who has borne the pain of abandonment

… that in all our hopeless situations, we have a God who Himself suffered discouragement

The Cross proves that we are always precious to the Lord and that He deeply desires and longs for us, just as we are!

Let us hold our heads higher in firm faith and trust, knowing that we have a God who is deeply in love with us.

>> May we be impelled by His love to let go of our sinful inclination.

>> May we be motivated by His bountiful mercy to cast away our erring tendencies.

Yes, God so loved each of us – You and Me – that He sent His only Son…

…. so that each of us – You and Me – may not perish,

… but may have eternal life!

God bless! Live Jesus!

Mar 9 (Lk 18:9-14)

Let’s begin with a simple question today….

Which is the only disease in the world, which can affect everyone else, except the person himself/herself?

Is the answer too hard to guess?

…

…

Hmm..

Well.. the answer is pretty simple…

It is…

Pride!

>> Pride is the disease that can affect everyone else, except the person himself/herself!

>> Pride is the sickness that can cause harm to all others, except the one who possess it!

>> Pride can be a snare to the other, while one enjoys oneself in the false pleasure it gives!

>> Pride can be a spirit-dampener for the other, while it is an ego-inflator for oneself!

The Gospel of the Day exhorts a strong message on this deadly vice of Pride.

Chapter 18 of the Gospel of St Luke begins with two parables, that teach on the aspect of Prayer.

• The parable of the Widow who was persistent (Lk 18: 1-8)

• The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18: 9-14)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector have interesting comparisons with respect to the various gestures and actions that they take:

Both go up to the Temple area to pray…

>> The Pharisee took up his position… the tax collector stood off at a distance

The Pharisee spoke the prayer to himself… the tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven

>> The Pharisee spoke of his personal glories…the tax collector acknowledged being a sinner, in need of mercy.

Though the Gospel doesn’t speak of it, it seems that both, the Pharisee and the tax collector had taken a mirror with themselves, when they went to pray….

>> A mirror.. yeah!

But, the strange fact is that, both of them used the mirror in contrasting manners!

The Pharisee used the mirror and saw his many achievements and accomplishments…

… being unlike the rest of the sinful humanity like the greedy, dishonest or adulterous

… fasting twice a week

… pay tithes on his whole income

The tax collector, also used a mirror… but saw in it, his many failures and shortcomings…

… the moments when he had cheated others to have greater financial gains

… the times he had subjected himself to be a traitor by working against his own people

… the need to seek for God’s mercy acknowledging his sinfulness

Prayer is like a mirror…but it depends on one’s attitude and disposition what one sees…

>> If one is filled with pride and self-conceit, one sees only one’s accomplishments…

… and thus pushes out God and replaces oneself as the source of all good works!

>> If one is truly humble and modest, one sees one’s weaknesses and limitations…

… and thus acknowledge the dependence on God and on His grace in life!

Prayer could be made into a time of reciting the litany of one’s great achievements…

…or prayer could be made into a moment of seeking God’s mercy and compassion.

Prayer could be made into an occasion to boast of oneself and put down others…

… or prayer could be made into a moment to see the glittering light of God guiding us.

What is our attitude and disposition?

>> Am I afflicted with the sickness of pride which makes me to flaunt only myself at the expense of the other?

>> Am I distressed with the disease of arrogance which makes me to see myself as the greatest person in the world, casting aside all people and even God?

There is something of “this” Pharisee, perhaps, in all of us which needs to be shun…

There is something of “this” tax collector, which needs to be cultivated…

>> The need to cast away pride and the need to embrace humility and dependence on God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

EUREKA: Discovering Catholic Treasury – through a Lenten lens! Day 17: “Spiritual Combat”

A. What is it?

>> “Spiritual Combat” is a 17th century Catholic Spiritual Classic on Ascetic Theology

>> Fr Lorenzo Scupoli is considered to be its author.

>> St. Frances de Sales called the “Spiritual Combat” as the “Golden Book”. This “the favorite, the dear book” of the great master of spiritual life was carried by him for 18 years. The Saint read some pages of it every day, entrusted to its supernatural and human wisdom, the guidance of his soul, and recommended it to all under his direction.

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Spiritual Combat” is a practical manual of living. It is a personal “do-it-yourself” book that allows the reader to put the truths of Christian spiritual warfare into practice on a daily basis.

>> The purpose of the book is to lead the soul to the summit of spiritual perfection, by means of a constant, courageous struggle against our evil nature, which tends to keep us away from that goal.

>> The “Spiritual Combat” consists of 66 short chapters based on the maxim that in the spiritual life one must either “fight or die”.

>> It shows the Christian how to combat his passions and vices, especially impurity and sloth, in order to arrive at victory.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Spiritual Combat” analyses various human situations and advises how to cope with them, preserving a pure conscience and improving virtue.

>> The whole human history has been the story of the combat with the powers of evil. In the midst of the battlefield, human beings have to struggle to do what is right, and it is at great cost to himself, and aided by God’s grace, that he succeeds in achieving his own inner integrity.

>> The fundamental scripture at the heart of the “Spiritual Combat” is “None shall be crowned who has not fought well” (2 Tim 2:5)

2. Battle One Passion, at a time!

>> Don’t randomly practice virtues.

>> Instead, wage war against your worst passions and practice the opposite virtue.

3. There are 7 Spiritual weapons that are prescribed

(i) Distrust of Self (ii) Trust in God

(iii) Spiritual Exercises (Practise of 1 virtue at a time)

(iv) Prayer (v) Holy Eucharist (vi) Spiritual Communion

(vii) Examination of Conscience

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Spiritual Combat” for this Season of Lent?

1. Recognizing that we are Soldiers for Christ in this world

2. Never being discouraged, even in the midst of immense hardships

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Being optimistic and trusting in God, even when things don’t seem to be going “our way”

2. Filling our hearts with the “Spirit of Joy” by invoking a short prayer, especially in moments of tension and anxiety: Jesus, I trust in You!

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Catholic Classic “Spiritual Combat” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Spiritual Combat” can be found at:

http://www.catholictradition.org/Classics/combat.htm)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Mar 9 (Mk 12:28-34)

A heart-touching incident is told of a man who was travelling in a train.

Sitting opposite him was a mother and a little girl.

>> He talked to the little girl and told her stories and showed her his penknife – how it opened and closed.

>> He even sang to her, and she loved her new companion.

As the train reached the destination, the little girl looked up to the man and asked: “Do you love Jesus?”

He didn’t understand her at first…

… but she repeated the question.

The man stammered and blushed as he said good-bye to her and her mother…

>> But he couldn’t forget the question; “Do you love Jesus?”

He went to bed that night and that question didn’t go away, “Do you love Jesus?”

>> When he woke up the next morning, it was still there.

The question was planted by the Spirit in his heart and it put down its roots.

>> It demanded an answer.

Five years later he was walking through the city, when he bumped into a lady coming out of her house.

>> He recognized her as the mother of the little girl.

“Hello!” he said to her warmly, “I don’t suppose you remember me. About five years ago I travelled in the same train coach as you and your daughter.”

“I remember it well,” she said, “come in.”

So he went into her house.

“Do you remember that your daughter asked me a question as we were getting out of the train?” >> “How is she? Can I see her?” he asked.

The woman looked away.

>> Tears were in her eyes.

“I’m sorry” she said…

… “She is in heaven!”

She took him to her room and there were her Bible, and her dolls, and prize books, and some toys. “That’s all that’s left of my sweet Lettie,” her mother said.

“No,” said the man – who was shocked and dazed – quite vehemently. “That is not all that is left of her.

>> I am left. I am left. I owe her my faith in God!

I was an unbeliever when she asked me that question.

>> I loved the world and I lived badly, but she asked me that question and I never could forget it, and since that time I have changed.

I am not the man I was. I am now God’s.

>> I can answer the question now!”

What about us?

>> Can we answer that question: “Do YOU love Jesus?”

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by the Lord, to Love God with our “ALL”…

… All our heart

… All our soul

… All our mind

… All our strength

The Gospel begins with a member of the scribe, approaching Jesus with a question:

“Which is the greatest of all commandments?”(Mk 12: 28)

This man, who questioned Jesus was a scribe

>> Some translations would put it as “a Lawyer”

>> The Gospel of St Matthew describes him as a “Scholar of the Law” (Mt 22: 35)

He was an expert in the Mosaic Law.

…someone who studied the law, interpreted the law and taught the law!

Jesus responded him, with something immensely special:

“The Lord our God, is Lord alone. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength”(Mk 12:29- 30)…

>> “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)

Note the insistence on the word “all”….

… “all” your heart… feelings, emotions, desires

… “all” your soul… will, choices, decisions

… “all” your mind… reason, knowledge, memory

… “all” your strength… talents, abilities, capacities

The Lord commands and demands a “total” and “complete” loving!

>>He demands an “absolute” and “unadulterated” love!

Love, as Jesus defines, is not simply about feelings and emotions, as is the popular and the ‘commercial’ understanding.

Undoubtedly, Love has the dimensions of being a tender feeling and an expressive emotion.

>> But beyond that, Love is…

… a commitment

… a dedication

… a decision

…. that one makes to be faithful – to a person or a duty or a situation!

>> Life sometimes can be quite harsh to us – making us feel totally lost out, abandoned even by God and even causing us to question the presence and existence of a Just and Loving God…

… But, can we still dare to “love God”?

>> Life sometimes hits very hard at us – in the form of others not accepting us, others ridiculing, criticizing us and we finding ourselves as the subject of hatred and injustice.

… But, can we still dare to “love our neighbours”?

>> Life sometimes is very unfair to us, we feel – by not rewarding us with rewards, that we consider, we deserve, in answer to the hard-work we put in.. or by not allowing us to enjoy the joys of life and instead bombards us with tensions and worries

… Can we still go out of the way and live a life “In Love and For Love”?

When one’s life is truly centered on love for God, one also begins to express this love to one’s neighbours , in concrete and certain acts of love.

As Christians, we often…

… seek to find “loopholes” in laws of loving the Lord and our neighbour…

… try to spot “gaps” in commandments which ask to love the Lord and our neighbour…

But the insistence of the Lord is clear:

“Love Fully”

“Love Totally”

“Love Completely”

This is the ideal to which we, as Christians are called!

If not for this highest ideal, our life as a Christian would cease to have a uniqueness!

As we make our journey, in the “train of life”, we are constantly faced with this fundamental question of our faith: “Do YOU love Jesus?”

This question is planted by the Spirit in our hearts and it put down its roots.

>> It demands an answer.

What is our answer?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Mar 8 (Lk 11:14-23)

A group of two brothers were roaming in the forest, when they found a couple of tiny birds of the family of linnets.

When the boys got the birds home, they put the linnets in a cage, opposite the canary bird, which was tied in another cage.

(Canary birds are known to be “Singing Birds”)

They explained to their mother that they hoped the linnets – being so young – would learn to imitate the singing canary…

… Instead of cheeping as normally birds do, they expected them to sing (like the canary)

The next day the boys entered the room, and exclaimed:

“Mother, come here, look what has happened!

>> Our canary is cheeping like a linnet!”

The mother came in.. and found it so!

>> Instead of the linnets learning to sing, the Canary bird forgot its ability to sing!

Thus, the canary had to be separated from the wild birds of the wood and kept under cover for a time before regaining the singing ability.

Such is the case with Christians who allow themselves to “influenced and altered” by the ways of the world!

>> We may end up losing the “Song of our Faith!”

Yes, Christian life requires that we be constantly “on the watch and guard”, because it is…

… a constant struggle between the forces of evil and the power of goodness…

… a relentless warfare between the coercion of sin and the strength of holiness…

The Gospel of the Day presents this struggle between…

… Jesus and the Pharisees

… the Holy One and the evil forces

… the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of Satan

The Lord came to the world to usher in the Kingdom of God.

>> Bringing to forefront the Kingdom of Power and Holiness, the Lord casts out a demon from a person who is dumb. (Lk 11:14)

This mighty action of healing and deliverance had a tremendous effect…

… the dumb man spoke

… and the people marvelled.

But, this wondrous act of power and authority also triggered a volley of struggles…

… a struggle of words between the Pharisees and Jesus

… a teaching on the struggle between the Kingdom of God and the forces of evil

The Lord lashes out in authority and conviction, on being accused of siding with evil powers to cast out demons: “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and a divided household falls” ( Lk 11: 17)

>> Jesus makes it clear that one cannot be siding with negative forces in order to perform deeds of goodness and salvation!

>> Jesus makes it clear that one cannot be on the side of evil and sin and yet be authentic and genuine in doing works of true deliverance and righteousness!

This brings us to an important dimension that needs our honest and critical consideration:

Am I a person truly on the side of God when I engage in works and ministries of the Lord…

… but still continuing to be on the side of the Evil One by living a life of sin?

Am I a person imbued with the Spirit of the Holy Lord in professing to be a Christian…

… or am I living a dual-life by failing to give up immoral tendencies and obliging the evil spirit?

Am I a person who may be performing a lot of good works in the name of God…

… but failing to have an intimate relationship and union with the God of all power and glory?

Venerable Fr Peter Marie Mermier, the founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales puts it beautifully:

“The ministry of a priest without prayer, is a barren ministry, without any effect, even harmful; it is a ministry of death!

>> Instead of enlightening, it blinds; instead of healing, it kills!

But the ministry of the one who prays, is a ministry of life!”

Christian life is not to be just defined by external works of piety and works…

…but is to be a reflection of the inner intimacy and relation with the Lord.

Christian Life is not to be merely characterized by many deeds of charity and devotion…

… but is to be a manifestation of one’s true faith and closeness to the Divine Master.

• A true inner disposition and authority is a must to be effective and credible in our life.

• A proper grounding is an absolute requirement to be engaged in the works of the Lord.

I may find myself often in the “cage” of faith and unbelief…

>> But am I clear in taking the side of the Lord and Him alone?

I may find myself often in the “cage” of actions of goodness and temptations of the evil…

>> But am I convinced of taking the side of the Kingdom of God alone?

Christian Life is a constant struggle

… between the evil and good

… between the Devil and Jesus

… between the Kingdom of God and the powers of wickedness

Which side are we on?

Let us be careful not to allow ourselves to “influenced and altered” by the ways of the world…

… so that we may not end up losing the “Song of our Faith!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

EUREKA: Discovering Catholic Treasury – through a Lenten lens! Day 16: “Spe Salvi”

A. What is it?

>> “Spe Salvi” is an Encyclical by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI promulgated on November 30, 2007, >> “Spe Salvi” is a Latin title which means “Saved in Hope” and is the second Encyclical by the Pope Emeritus.

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Spe Salvi” speaks about the Theological Virtue of Hope.

>> The central thesis of this Encyclical is that Christian hope utterly transforms human life.

>> The Pope reminds us that we can have hope because we have a great goal: our salvation.

>> We can’t take our salvation for granted because it depends on our cooperation with grace.

>> “Spe Salvi” is divided in 8 sections:

(i) Faith is Hope: The solid basis for our Hope is our “Faith in God”.

>> Because we know God, we can have hope and rest secure in the knowledge that as Christians, we “have a future.”

(ii) The concept of faith-based hope in the New Testament and the early Church: Mentions that the encounter with Christ is not something abstract, but can change our lives. That is what attracted people to it in the beginning of the Church.

(iii) Eternal life – what is it? : “Eternal life” is the ultimate goal, what gives sense to our whole life.

(iv) Is Christian hope individualistic? : The role of Hope is vital, for Faith can be interpreted (wrongly) in a merely “informative sense”, whereas genuine Hope always goes beyond the “informative to the performative”.

(v) The transformation of Christian faith-hope in the modern age: Faith…enables us to experience the reality of God’s Kingdom in this present life.

>> This experience in turn becomes the final proof to us that what we hope for is real and true.

(vi) The true shape of Christian hope: Man’s great, true hope that holds firm in spite of all disappointments can only be God—God Who has loved us and Who continues to love us ‘to the end,’ until all ‘is accomplished.’ ”

(vii) ‘Settings’ for learning and practicing hope: The pope identifies four “settings” for learning and practicing hope. (a) Prayer (b) Deeds of Service (c) Suffering (d) Judgment of God

(viii) Mary, Star of Hope: This is a long prayer to our Lady, invoking her intercession.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Spe Salvi” is a reminder of the Great Virtue of Hope

>> The Three Theological virtues are Faith, Love and Hope

>> Of these, often, Hope is often given a “backseat” and sometimes, even taken for granted

>> This Encyclical calls us to consciously grow in this Theological Virtue especially in this world, which is often “tending towards hopelessness and fatalism”

2. “Spe Salvi” demonstrates a variety of examples and illustrations from other Christian authors, books and other philosophical thinkers/writers

>> Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI displays his class by referencing to a number of authors and books – including a funeral oration by St. Ambrose, theologians like Henri de Lubac, mystics as Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Benedict of Nursia, philosophers such as Francis Bacon, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx, Max Horkheimer, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Plato along with other authors and thinkers like Vladimir Lenin, Theodor W. Adorno, Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan.

>> This reminds all Christians of that famous quote: “Every Christian must have a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.”

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Spe Salvi” for this Season of Lent?

1. Being a person of hope

2. Having a deeper thirst for knowledge

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Being optimist and cheerful in all the situations of life – and especially when things go wrong, to have “hope” that God is always doing everything for our good. (Rom 8:28)

2. Keeping ourselves updated on the happenings of the world, and seeking to find “Christian solutions” to these day-to-day challenges

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Encyclical “Spe Salvi” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Spe Salvi” can be found at:http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Mar 7 (Mt 5:17-19)

Here is an interesting read….

First dentistry became painless;

Then bicycles chainless

The latest steel rustless,

And probably laws, enforceless.

Next, cookery became fireless,

Telegraphy wireless,

Cigars nicotineless

And tennis courts, grassless

Soon oranges were seedless,

The proper diet, fatless,

The motor roads dustless,

And coffee, caffeineless.

Our times are such that there are many advancements made as a result of great technology.

However a danger has also appeared in rendering things to be made “¬¬¬____less”

Our prayers seem to be devotionless

Charity heartless

Preaching depthless

And religiosity, faithless!.

While it’s wonderful to allow technology and modern techniques to make our life ‘easier and relaxing’, it’s a grave danger to allow the same “relaxing and easing” tendency to overpower our spiritual endeavours!

The Gospel of the day is a warning by the Lord to be wary of this inclination to “relax” and “loosen” things which are pertaining to God and thus be exposed to the risk of being “lowered” in the eyes of God.

“Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven… ” (Mt 5: 19)

The Lord addresses Himself as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Mt 5:18)

God, in the Old Testament, while delivering the commandments to the people of Israel, had strictly enjoined on them to keep His decrees and laws close to their hearts and to follow them carefully:

“But take care, as you value your lives! Do not forget the things which you yourselves have seen, or let them slip from your heart as long as you live; teach them, rather, to your children and to your children’s children.” (Dt 4:9)

But as time passed on and generations went by, the intensity in the following of these commandments drastically reduced.

• The laws began to lose their original spirit and motive.

• The instructions of the Lord were abandoned for their spiritual value

• The commandments began to be followed more from a social perspective

There began a “loosing” and “relaxing” of the commandments and the laws of the Lord!

The Greek word for “relaxing”, that Jesus speaks of in referring to the commandments of God is a word – “luo”.

This word “luo” can imply different meanings:

• It could be to break up or to demolish or to destroy that which is bound up firmly.

• It could be the loosening of the bond of matrimony between a husband and wife

• It could be to loosen any person or thing, that is tied or fastened to something

• It could be the undoing or dissolving of anything or any thought or idea.

• It could be to annul or subvert something especially laws or authority.

This “luo” is a grave danger to which all of us are also exposed to…

The danger to allow lethargy to troop in, in the name of “easiness”

The danger to allow lukewarmness to creep in, in the name of “convenience”

The danger to allow sluggishness to dominate, in the name of “broadmindedness”

The Lord today invites us to examine and probe into areas of our life that needs a real “tightening” and “intensification”

Has my prayer life become relaxed and casual…

>> Can I “tighten” it up, to grow in deeper communion with the Lord?

Has my participation in the Holy Eucharist become too monotonous and more “ritualistic”…

>> Can I “intensify” my preparation and participation in this most sacred act of the world?

Has my reading of the Word of God taken a backseat or lost its significance in my daily life…

>> Can I “tighten” it up, in order to draw strength from the mighty sword of God’s Word?

Has my relationship with my fellow people and the needy ones, devoid charity and kindness…

>> Can I “intensify” with a truer interest in their concerns and making a difference in their lives?

Let us seek to have and live…

A life that is sinless…

A faith that is fearless…

An enthusiasm that is limitless…

A joy that is deceitless

And a hope that is endless!

God Bless! Live Jesus!