There is a simple fable, perhaps known to many of us… of a swan…. 

The swan – white, beautiful and spotless – was pitying a poor pig, who was in its muddy environment.

>> It began to describe to the pig, that further up the river, there was a beautiful country – with green banks and rising slopes.

 
The swan invited the pig to join the happy company of the white swans that lived in that “pleasant country”.

 

The pig was pretty fascinated and was willing to go.

>> But it asked a question: ” Is there any marshy swamp in that pleasant country?”

 

“Oh no!” replied the swan, “the land is free from all mud and mire”

 

“Ah Hmm…” said the pig with face cast-down, “In that case, I am sorry, I cannot accompany you!

I must stay here in the swamp!”

 

 

An invitation to move from the dirty swamp to a pleasant country was extended…

… but the offer was refused and rejected!

 

 

So true is this fable, with respect to our own experience in spiritual life.

 

>> We are constantly exhorted, to advance to live in holiness and purity…

… but we stubbornly choose to inhabit in sin, shame and ignorance!

 

>> We are often invited, to move into a life of spotlessness and sanctity..

… but we remain satisfied to dwell with the unclean and dirty things of life!

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a continuation of the Jews getting into arguments with Jesus on the question of His Divinity.

 

>> The Lord invites them open their eyes to see and experience the Truth…

… but they close their minds, and choose to remain stubborn, in their own understanding

 

>> The Lord exposes before them the futility of being ignorant and the advantage of knowing the Truth…

… but they wilfully choose to remain stuck in their past knowledge and be unwilling to open their hearts to possibilities of change.

 

 

Jesus, the Truth-Incarnate, declares:

” You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free” (Jn 8: 31)

 

But the people retorted and answered: “… we have never been enslaved…” (Jn 8: 33)

 

They considered slavery from only a physical perspective!

>> They were extremely offended when Jesus considered them to be slaves!

 

But Jesus brings the focus into right perspective (as he does always!), and speaks of a deadlier form of slavery and a higher form of freedom…

>> A slavery to Sin…

… that causes one to be away from God and His people

 

>> A slavery to ignorance and error…

… that causes one to be closed to God’s Word and prevent His transformation to take place within

 
He invites to receive Freedom in Him…

… that enjoins with knowing and doing the Father’s Will

… that liberates one from the bondages of death, and leads into peace and joy!

 

 

The danger to remain stagnant in sinful or ignorant ways constantly lurks in our life:

>> The Truth of the Bible is often presented to us in appealing and interesting formats…

… but we often seek to remain ignorant or don’t show any interest to read and understand God’s Word

 

>> The beauty of the Sacramental Life and the Teachings of the Church is laid before our eyes…

… but we time and again, tend to be lethargic, casual and sometimes even, hostile to them

 

>> Our eyes often come into contact with the suffering lot of people, in and around us…

… but many times, we turn a blind eye to them and remain indifferent in our cosy lifestyle

 

 

Each of us needs a purification…

>> Each of us needs a movement…

 

 A purification from our stubborn ways to a life of obedience and docility to God’s Word

>> A movement from a sluggish life of faith to being a fervent and committed Christian

 

 

Yes, Jesus is constantly extending His Nail-Scarred Hands to lead us to the “pleasant country” of holiness and sanctity.

>> Let us not deny his invitation and say:

 “Ah Hmm…! I am sorry, I cannot accompany You!

I must stay here in the swamp!”

 

Instead, let us make a self-examination of our state of life…

… realise the need to have a purification and a movement…

… and embrace and live with Jesus, the Truth, “Who sets us free”!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death.

 

Though it has many and wide range of reasons and factors, the cause is frequently attributed to mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, alcoholism, or drug abuse.

>> Stress factors such as financial difficulties or troubles with interpersonal relationships also often play a key role.

 

In this fast-paced world, where indifference has grown in a humongous manner, suicide is certainly one great tendency and trend.

 

This suicide is, mainly, of the physical order.

 

• How many of us have, however, thought of the threat of suicide occurring, even with respect to our spiritual life?

• How many of us, have considered, that there is a danger of suicide happening, even with respect to our life of faith?

 
The Gospel of the Day is a warning to be aware of the danger of “suicide” from a spiritual angle, that can occur in the soul of each person.

 

Jesus continues His revelation to the people, of He, being the ambassador of God, His Father.

 

He tells the people that “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin” (Jn 8: 21)

 

The Lord refers to “dying in one’s sin”

 

This aspect of “dying in one’s sin”, which would be equivalent to a person committing suicide in the spiritual sense, could consist of various ways:

 

1. A person dangers oneself to “suicide” in the spiritual sense, when one is too self-righteous – an attitude of “I know everything – even more than God!”

 

When Jesus told that He is going away, the Jews said, “He is not going to kill Himself, is He, because He said, “Where I am going, you cannot come?” (Jn 8:22)

 

The Jews failed to understand the words of the Lord, because they were filled with pride of their knowledge, and considered themselves to know everything.

 

They were filled with a certain obstinacy in being open to the words of the Lord, and failed to see that there could be also other possibilities of looking at the words of Jesus.

 
2. A person risks the danger of “suicide” with respect to one’s faith, when one fails to set one’s eyes heavenward, and instead gets fixated with earthly things.

 

Jesus said to the Jews, ” You belong to what is below. I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world” (Jn 8: 23)

 

The Jews had their thoughts and deeds centred only on the things of this world and failed to transcend their minds heavenward.

They were filled with a certain worldliness that made their concerns to be limited.

 

They were unable to understand the heavenly realities that the Lord presented before them, and even shut their eyes to make an attempt to understand them

 

3. A person exposes oneself to the perils of “suicide” from the spiritual point of view, when one is wilfully ignorant of the Truth.

 

Though Jesus had spoken much, performed much, the Jews still ask Him,” Who are you?”. Jesus then said to them, “What I told you from the beginning” (Jn 8: 25)

 

The Jews had great many opportunities to discover faith in the Lord, as He had exposed them to many great wonders, taught several teachings and performed many deeds to show His divinity.

 

Though, they were learned in their scripture and laws, they failed to recognise the Source of the Scripture and the Giver of the Law.

• Their minds were adamantly closed to the Reality.

• Their hearts were purposely shut to the Truth.

 

 

 

The Lord moaned that these Jews were risking the danger of “committing suicide” spiritually… of “dying in one’s sins”.

 

This warning is addressed to us also….

• Am I exposing myself to the risk of “losing my life, in sin”?

• Am I endangering myself to the peril of “forfeiting my soul, in sin?”

 

Let us be wary of these menaces…

… to be adamantly self-righteous and being proud with ouw own knowledge and failing to trust in the mighty wisdom and power of the Lord.

… to be engrossed only in the affairs of this world and failing to raise our hearts to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”.

… to be obstinately closed in spirit, to the promptings of the Lord through various inspirations and failing to see the hand of God in the wonders that occur in our lives.
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A small boy had done something wrong.

>> Unfortunately for him, he got caught up by his elder brother.
Caught red-handed, the little boy found himself, in the midst of a room full of elders…

… stern and hard-looking – waiting to scold him!
(The elders wanted the boy to understand the seriousness of his offence) 

The boy looked at each one – with a sense of remorse and guilt -and a tear-stained face.
Seeing no sign of any of the elders relenting, the little boy burst into tears and asked: 

>> “Oh, won’t somebody forgive me?”

Forgiveness is a treasure, that is sought after by many people in our world today

>> So many are broken… so many are hurt… so many are guilty
Maybe…

… they have committed mistakes, knowingly

… they have fallen into wrongs, without being aware

… they got trapped into situations of errors and faults
But each of them… asks us a question:

>> “Oh, won’t somebody forgive me?”
 

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful testimony of a person who…

… found herself at the lowest ebbs of her life

… when everybody seemed to reject her

… and all seemed over and out!

 

Yet…

… was able to receive acceptance and forgiveness 

… found herself to be called to renew her life

… and be given a chance, to live life anew!
All by the grace and power of the Lord, who intervened, and instilled a new hope and zeal in her…

… giving her an answer to the question: “Oh, won’t somebody forgive me?”
 

The incident in focus is the ‘infamous’ occurrence of the woman who was “caught” in adultery.
This is the story…

… of a tragic failure in life.

… of immense shame in life.

… of generous grace in life.

 

There are so many things to be pondered and reflected on, through this incident…

 

 

>> Think of the “mean” and “disgraceful” attitude of the people who “caught” this woman “in the act” (Jn 8:3)

… Were they fitted with “special probing and lusty” eyes, that devilishly gazed into “intimate exchanges”, that too on an early morning?

 

>> Think of the “self-appointed” role of these “moralists” who sought to restore the innocence of the land, without realising that, perhaps, their own eyes were filled with lust, their hearts drenched in obscenity and their lives soaked in vulgarity.

… How was it that their “clean” consciences and “true” intentions caught hold of only the woman, “caught in the act”, whereas, the man involved, was left, scot-free?

 

>> Think of the “deadly” trap that they were laying before the Lord, in seeking to find his opinion on the accused woman

… How neatly they had trapped the Lord in a “most vicious” dilemma:

~~ If the Lord permitted death, it would be going against the Law of the land – of the Romans – since only the Romans were permitted to take the life of a person

~~ If the Lord did not allow to stone, He would be going against the Law of the Lord, which had ordered the stoning of the convicted adulterer to death.

 

>> If the Lord permitted killing, He would be going against His own teaching of mercy, and His fundamental mission of “coming to seek and save the lost”

>> If the Lord forgave her, He would be going against the principle of Justice, and that would be infringing the rights and duties of a Just God.

 

It was a near-perfect scene, for the religious leaders to dreadfully trap the Lord.

The woman had been caught “in the act” of adultery…

>> Jesus was now to be trapped “in the act” of breaking the Law…

 

The woman had been shamefully paraded and stripped of all her dignity…

>> Jesus was now to be gloriously humiliated and disrobed of His glory and majesty…

 

But all these were “mere” human thinking and wile wishes…

>> The wisdom of God is much greater than all human craftiness and cunningness

>> The mercy of the Lord extends much beyond all human wickedness and maliciousness.

 

In their wickedness, they failed to see, that they were testing the law with the Law-Giver Himself!

 

And so, the Benevolent Law-giver, bent down, and wrote with His finger…(Jn 8:6)

… just as He had, centuries back, written the Law on the tablet and given to Moses: “… tablets that were made by God, having inscriptions on them that were engraved by God Himself” (Ex 32:16)

 

 

>> He wrote, not a new law…

… but He wrote to make the law perfectly understood..
>> He wrote, not a new commandment…

… but He wrote to make understand the true spirit of the commandment…

“Let the one who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn 8:7)

 
This statement shattered all those accusers who heard it!

 

>> Those who came to cast the stone had themselves stoned brutally, by the guilt of their sin!

>> Those who came to enjoy parading the nakedness of the woman, themselves were stripped naked, by their sin and shame!

 

Justice had triumphed!

>> Mercy had excelled!

>>> Love had won!

 

All had left, save the one accused and the One who was Love and Compassion!

>> The one accused, stood in fear and trembling before the One who recreates and renews!

 

 

And so she was given another chance… 

… to realise the mistakes of her life

… to amend her life

… and to start anew!

 
Life may very often reduce us also to the same state as this one who was accused.

We may find ourselves crushed….broken…accused… abandoned…shamed!

>> But the Lord, still gives us a chance….

 

Whenever we find ourselves lost, abandoned, broken, helpless…

… And ask the question: “Oh, won’t somebody forgive me?”
>> Jesus answers: ” I forgive you, My Child!”

Let us fall at the feet of our Compassionate and Merciful Saviour…

… and hearing Him telling us:

“Neither do I condemn you! Go, from now on… sin no more!

I forgive you, My Child!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An incident is narrated of a 6 year old boy, who was diagnosed with leukemia (cancer of the blood/bone-marrow).

One day, the child had to undergo a very painful procedure called “spinal tap”.

(‘Spinal Tap’ is a procedure in which a needle is inserted into the spinal cord in order to take out fluid for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment).

The mother, knowing that her child would have to undergo a lot of pain, approached him and told:

“Remember, if it hurts, it’s because you are loved, and there is purpose for the pain!”
The child remembered this sentence and took it to heart.

As the procedure was conducted, the child yelled and sobbed and cried…

… with the horrendous pain.
When the process was finally getting through, the child, with tears in his reddish eyes, looked up to the doctor and exclaimed: 

“Thank you Doctor for the pain! 

I know there is a purpose!

I know I am loved!”

( The incident goes on to say, that the child survived the painful illness and went on to live a normal life!)

Well, life often takes us through “painful procedures” right?
In all such situations, our Christian faith reminds us: 

“Remember, if it hurts, it’s because you are loved, and there is purpose for the pain!”

The Gospel of the Day – the raising of Lazarus – is a powerful teaching on this dimension of how we need to put our trust in the Lord…

… and realise, that there is a purpose that God has in store for us, even in the most painful situations of our life. 

The narration of the raising of Lazarus is the longest single narrative/story in the entire Gospels (Jn 11: 1-45). 

Long as it is, this incident also teaches us a number of essential lessons for life…

1. The Providence of God, that answers, even when we do not “feel” His presence around us (Jn 11: 4-6)

>> “So when Jesus heard, that Lazarus was ill, He remained for two days in the place where He was” (Jn 11: 6)
Thus teaching us…

… we need to depend on the Lord at all times, even in our dark moments of life

… the Lord will never abandon us and in fact, can never leave us
2. The slow understanding of the Disciples, who were with the Lord for a while, and yet had not understood His Ways and Words (Jn 11: 8-16)

>> “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved” (Jn 11: 12)
Thus teaching us…

… doubts and dilemmas are very much part of one’s life as a disciple

… the patience of the Lord in dealing with those who are called and chosen
3. The power of trust and hope in the Lord , even in hard and trying situations of life (Jn 11: 21-27)

>> Martha said to Jesus, ‘Yes Lord, I have come to believe, that You are the Messiah, the Son of God…” (Jn 11: 27)
Thus teaching us…

… as gold is tested in furnace, so our faith will be tested in the crucible of pains and sufferings

… we need to resign ourselves to the Power of the Lord, even though we may not understand many things
4. The empathy of the Lord in sharing with the pain of humanity (Jn 11: 35)

>> “And Jesus wept” (Jn 11: 35)
Thus teaching us…

… in our suffering moments, the Lord is very much close to us, and suffers with us

… our tears are precious to the Lord and He stores them in a bottle (Ps 56:9)
5. The power of God’s Word (Jn 11: 43-44)

>> “Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!'” (Jn 11: 43)
Thus teaching us…

… the Word Which created the entire universe, is given to us in the Holy Bible, for us to read, cherish and find strength!

… the promises given by His Word will come to fruition in due season and no powers on this earth can diffuse or dilute it!

In the midst of all these and various other “food for transformation” that this incident offers…

… we focus our attention on one message: “God’s delays are not His denials”
Yes, God’s delays are, certainly, not His denials!

One of the striking aspects we encounter in this Gospel passage is the delay that Jesus “purposely” entails in coming to Lazarus. 
The Gospel says that “… when Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was.” (Jn 11: 6)

This statement is on one side surprising; while on the other, shocking!
It was clearly known that Jesus was closely associated with Lazarus. 
“A friend in need, is a friend indeed” is a phrase that we are aware. 

>> Then why did Jesus delay in going to Lazarus?

As the Lord Himself answers: “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (Jn 11: 4)
This verse then is the key to many of our problems and anxieties about “prayers not being answered!”
>> How many are the times, when we go through the struggles of life, and we expect the Lord to work a wondrous deed…

… But when nothing as such happens, we become feeble in our faith!
>> How many are the occasions, when we face a problem in our material or spiritual life, and we hope that something terrific is going to happen…

… But when the situation remains the same, we begin to waver in our belief!

This is where the words of the Lord, “this illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God”…

… ought to come to our aid!

We need to examine our life…

… Am I only having “belief in the Lord”, but not having “trust in Him”?

… Am I only “professing the Lord with my lips”, but failing to “recognize His power from my heart”?
>> “Belief in the Lord” would only consist of declaring oneself to be a Christian, and having a name that one is a follower of Christ…

… But “Trust in the Lord” would translate to also follow the commandments of being a Christian, and seek to live as Christ lived, by seeking and doing God’s Will in life.
>> “Professing the Lord with my lips” would only include saying vocal prayers, being regular to the practices of devotion and piety and finding satisfaction in doing the external duties of the religion…

… But “Recognizing His Power from the heart” would mean to also remain calm in the face of problems, being patient even in great darkness and being joyful in the midst of turbulent life situations. 

As Christians, the only way is the “Way of the Cross”

… a way filled with pains and sufferings

… a way that enshrines hardships and struggles
But, we must also realise, that it is this “way of the Cross” alone…

… that would lead to the “joy of the Resurrection!”

All our “unwanted” situations of life – pains, struggles, difficulties, crisis – have a meaning and purpose in the eternal plan of God… 

>> “… all things work for good, for those who love God…” (Rom 8:28)

>> “… I know well that plans for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe..” (Jer 29:11)

Yes, in all our struggles and hardships of life, let us seek…

… to move higher in our faith and belief towards a real “trust in the Lord”

… to advance from just “professing the Lord with my lips” to “recognizing His power from our hearts!”
And thus, in every situation of life let us with hope and trust exclaim:

“Thank you Lord for the pain! 

I know there is a purpose!

I know I am loved!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It’s pretty strange that sometimes contradictions that can actually help to recognise the truth!

 

For example:

If there is a similar looking pair of twins… how does one distinguish one from the other?

Obviously… we look into certain contradictions in the two – in appearance, in voice, in behaviour etc – to spot rightly, who is who.

 

If there are two similar appearing chains of gold… how does one distinguish the true one from the fake?

Obviously… we look into certain contradictions in the two, – the lustre, the hardness – to spot rightly, which is true and which is false.

 

Georges Bataille, a French intellectual and literary figure writes, “I believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction”

 

This fact is clearly demonstrated in the life of Jesus – the Truth Incarnate.

He lived a life of contradictions.

He lived a life of paradox.

 

And therefore Christ had to undergo varied responses from those who encountered Him…

… very few understood Him, a little

… many of them failed to understand Him

… many of them even badly misunderstood Him

 

He remained The Truth – yet, the sign of contradiction.

 

The Gospel of the Day presents this deep contradiction that was experienced by the people of His time – including the religious leaders.

 

The passage records two conversations:

• The first one among the crowd

• The second one among the chief priests and the Pharisees

 

Both have a similar subject: Jesus.

Both have a similar dilemma: Confusion about Jesus.

 

The people in the crowd were confused in recognising who really Jesus was.

The words of the Lord were so authoritative and astonishing that some considered Him as a prophet revisited and some even seeing Him as the Messiah. (Jn 7:41)

 

However, others are not convinced and they begin to debate on the origin of the Messiah.

 

The second conversation, between the chief priests and Pharisees, was not just about some personal opinions, but involved the proper following of the Law as well.

 

Nicodemus, the one who had met Jesus, one night, however , began to defend Jesus.

It was to him, that Jesus, on that night, had told, one of the most loved verses, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16)

 

After his encounter with the Truth-Incarnate, Nicodemus….

… the genuine seeker of truth, had the spark in his heart, kindled by the Lord of Love.

… the honest searcher of reality, had the longing within, nourished by the Lord of Holiness.

 

And so he stands firm and bold, to defend the One whom he perceived as the Truth!

 

 

 

But here, one also gets to see the deep hatred that was grooming in the minds of the leaders…

 

Nicodemus told that, in judging Jesus, it was necessary to follow the Law properly: “Does our law condemn a person, before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” (Jn 7:51)

 

He did not say that he agreed with Jesus…

He did not say that he denied Jesus could be a criminal…

All he said was to follow the law – to be just and fair!

 

But that statement provoked the anger of the other blinded and obstinate religious leaders!

 

The forces of confusion and dilemma watered him down, and contradictions reigned galore!

 

• Where there is the proclamation of truth, there is the presence of many false screams, seeking to drown it hard!

• Where there is the defence of truth, there is the defiance of many evil forces, wanting to do away with it!

 

Jesus is a sign of contractions.

He is The Truth.

• In His presence, no lie can stand.

• In His presence, no evil can withstand.

But it is this confusion, that can lead a person to understand the reality, if one is open and honest!

 

Yes, it’s pretty strange that sometimes contradictions that can actually help us to recognise The Truth!

 

G.K. Chesterton has said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”

 

 

 

The Lord – the Truth Incarnate is ready to reveal Himself to those open at heart and honest in seeking Him.

• Are we ready to learn more from Him and to know Him more?

• Are we ready to draw the waters of Holiness from the Fountain of Truth?

• Are we ready to blaze our lives with the fire of passionate love from the Furnace of Truth?

 
As we begin the new month of April, let us offer all the days of this new month in the safe Hands of the Lord…

… Knowing that HE will lead and guide us…

 
Let us not be…

… confused by the Lord who was the sign of contradiction.

… puzzled by the Lord who was the sign of paradoxes.

 

Instead, let us be…

… convinced in the Lord of Truth!

… passionate for the Lord of Truth!

 
God bless! Live Jesus!

There is an incident about David Hume, 18th century British philosopher. 

He was a person who had rejected historic Christianity.

 

Once his friend met him, hurrying along the streets of London.

He was enquired, “Where are you off to, in such a hurry, Mr Hume?”

 

The philosopher answered, “To hear George Whitfield preach”

 

(George Whitfield was an Anglican Cleric, famous for his preaching and especially in the revival movement termed as the “Great awakening”.

He would draw great crowds and was known as one of the best-known preachers in Great Britain and North America.)

 

This friend was surprised to hear that, since David Hume was a non-believer and queried back, “But surely you don’t believe what Whitfield preaches do you?”

 

With a playful smile, he replied “No, I don’t! But he does believe!”

 

 

>> The philosopher did not believe…

… but the convictions of the preacher made him to listen!

 

>> The philosopher rejected what was spoken…

… but the certainty of the preacher made him to give heed!

 

 

Life is like a roller coaster.

>> There are mountains to climb and hills to coast

 

>> It is convictions in life that will help to experience true serenity and happiness.

>> It is convictions in life that will help to tide across the various storms encountered.

 
We need to ask ourselves…

…. Am I living a life of deep convictions in faith, which makes people to take notice of the Lord and help them come closer to Him?

… Am I filled with a deep passion for the Lord, which makes others to be attracted and fascinated to the Kingdom of the Lord?

 

 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, boldly facing and withstanding the various storms of difficulties, and thus emerging as an Epitome of passion and conviction.

 

 

Jesus is progressing in His ministry.

 

>> On one side, there has been a increase in His popularity ratings…

… many sick being healed, many oppressed finding solace, many rejected finding consolation.

 

>> On the other side, however, there has also been an augmentation in opposition to Him…

… many being offended by His radical call of transformation, many finding Him blaspheming, many snubbed at His uncompromising authority.

 

 

But Jesus remains unperturbed!

>> He continues to preach the Word of God…

>> He continues to openly declare His relation with the Father…

>> He continues to publicly affirm His mission and purpose on the earth…

 

 

Jesus is the Epitome of convictions and passion!

>> Nothing could make Him to compromise His convictions…

>> Nothing could make Him to lay down His principles of life…

Neither threats, nor adulations… neither opposition, nor exaltation!

 

Can I also…

… seek to grow in my life of conviction in my faith?

… try to deepen my passion for the Lord and His Kingdom?

 

 

One of the very popular and yet, good-to-remind quote is:

“My life may be the only Gospel…

… that people may encounter

…that people may read

…that people may experience”

 

 

On this last day of the month of March…

… Let us recall all the graces and blessings that the Lord has showered throughout this month

… Let us also seek His forgiveness for the times we have failed to do His will, and renew our commitment to live as Convinced Christians!
Yes, let our lives radiate powerfully and convincingly the message of the Gospel!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is considered to be one of the greatest presidents of the nation.

 

His presidency was under constant attacks and opposition, especially during the painful years of the Civil War.

 

However, thought he knew, there would be occasions for him to make mistakes, he had made one strong resolve: that he would never compromise on his integrity.

>> He sought to make integrity as one of the hallmarks of his presidential term.

 

So strong was this resolve, that he once said:

“I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration…

… that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one Friend left…

… and that Friend shall be down inside of me.”

 

 

Abraham Lincoln chose not to compromise his integrity…

… because he realized that only that will ensure his friendship with the Lord…

… till the end!

 

 

He valued his integrity for Christ’s sake…

… than to compromise his principles and turn popular

 

He gave priority to his honesty for the Lord’s honour…

… than to dilute his ethics and gain cheap fame.

 

 

Our Christian Life is a constant challenge to stand against such prospects of gaining false fame and phony popularity, by compromising on one’s Christian ideologies and values.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who stood firm and rock-solid, in his mission commitment, even in the face of opposition, indifference and apathy from the Jews.

 

The context of today’s Gospel Passage – Jn 5:31-47 – is the aftermath of the Healing of the Crippled Man by the pool of Bethesda, on the Sabbath Day (Jn 5:1-18)

 

This incident had sparked a rage of opposition against Jesus…

>> He was persecuted because the act of healing was done on the Sabbath (Jn 5: 16)

>> His defense caused the Jews to kill Him, because Jesus equated Himself with God (Jn 5:18)

 

There was a strong wave of antagonism and hostility, against Jesus…

… that was pressurizing Him to compromise His teachings

….that was coercing Him to dilute His principles

 

But Jesus stood firm and rock-solid, in his mission commitment, even in the face of opposition, indifference and apathy from the Jews.

 

 

He therefore presents before the Jews, witnesses which would testify to Him, to His Divinity.

 

He uses the language of a courtroom – “witnesses” – to prove His credibility as the Divine Person

 

The Jews considered that two witnesses were needed for the veracity of a testimony or person.

>> The Torah says, “One witness shall not arise against a man for any sin or guilt that he may commit; according to two witnesses or according to three witnesses a matter shall stand.” (Dt 19:15)

Jesus, however brings in 4 witnesses…

1. The Witness of John the Baptist (Jn 5: 33-34)

2. The Witness of His Works (Jn 5: 36)

3. The Witness of God the Father (Jn 5: 37-38)

4. The Witness of God’s Word – the Scriptures (Jn 5: 39-40)

 

 

Our Christian Life is a constant challenge..

… to let go of our values and principles

… to compromise on our efforts and mission works

 

But we need to be inspired and imitate our Blessed Lord…

… Who was unwilling to let go of His Commitment and Dedication to the Mission

 

And like Jesus, we too have the help of “Divine Witnesses” to accord veracity to our testimony.

 

 

There will be moments when…

… we get into situations of being asked to be dishonest, lethargic and be untruthful

>> We need to seek the Witness of John the Baptist…

… who remained uncompromising in living a life of truth, dare and boldness!

 

There will be moments when…

… life surrounds us doubts in the form of sicknesses and tragedies

>> We need to seek the Witness of the Works of Jesus…

… which brought new life and healing to the hopeless, the lost and the dying!

 

There will be moments when…

…our life will be caught in a turmoil of confusions and uncertainties

>> We need to seek the Witness of God the Father…

… Whose unconditional love and compassion, strengthens us and lifts us without fail!

 

There will be moments when…

… our convictions get challenged by the straying and deceitful philosophies of the world

>> We need to seek the Witness of God’s Word – the Scriptures …

… Which can bring clarity and passion in our Christian life.

 

 

Let this Gospel Passage challenge and inspire us…

.. to remain ever uncompromising in our Christian Life.

>> To stand for God and His Kingdom

>> To live to share His Love and Mercy

 

And to say…

… “if at the end… even if I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one Friend left…

… and that Friend shall be down inside of me.”

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Let’s get down to do an action song today?

 

He’s got the whole world…

>> In his hands He’s got the whole wide world..

>> In His hands, He’s got the whole world…

>> In his hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands!

 

Many of us know this action song, right?

 

The essence of this popular and simple song, is that God, the Creator is the One who maintains and preserves this entire universe, by His Divine and Loving Providence.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is an amazing revelation by Jesus on His relationship with the Father.

 

 

This passage has its background in the healing that Jesus performed on a Sabbath day, of a man who had been ill for a very long time – thirty-eight years (Jn 5: 1-16).

 

When the Jews found out from the healed person, that it was Jesus who had done this work, they were extremely furious.

 

Their objection was that…

… Jesus had done this miracle on a Sabbath

… Jesus had made the person to perform a work – of carrying the mat – on the Sabbath day.

 

They, therefore, began to persecute Jesus (Jn 5: 16).

 

But Jesus brought out a fair logic in defending Himself, ” My Father is at work until now, so I am at work” (Jn 5:17)

 

Here is an interesting statement… “My Father is at work until now”

 

 

We did an action song at the start of this reflection…a song which affirmed that God, the Creator is the one who sustains and maintains this entire world, this entire universe.

 

And Jesus also affirms the same here, “My Father is at work until now…”

 

 

This could brings us to an interesting doubt:

>> Did God, keep the Sabbath Law, that He had given to the people of Israel?

 

The Law required the people to refrain from work on the Sabbath Day.

>> Did God do so?

>> Did God refrain from work on the Sabbath?

>> Did the Law-giver follow the Law that was given?

 

Well.. Gen 2:2 says that “God rested on the seventh day”….

 

 

But the Jews soon found out, that if God continued to do so… i.e. resting on the Sabbath day… then by Friday evening, at the start of the Sabbath…

…. the world would soon start collapsing!

… the universe would come to a standstill!

 

 

Therefore, when the commandment of Sabbath was expanded and expounded to specific do’s and don’ts, in order to sort of accommodate God, it was exhorted that…

…one could move something from one place to another in the house but not from one house to another. 

 

 

For eg: a basket of fruits could be taken from one room to another, but not from one house to another…

 

And since, for God, the whole universe is His House, it is justified, that He can work inside His house!

 

Thus it was lawful for God to do the maintenance and sustenance of the world, even on the Sabbath day!

 

 

Drawing from this logic (or illogic!), Jesus now puts forward the truth and justification for His act of healing on the Sabbath, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work!” (Jn 5: 17)

 

>> Jesus equates Himself to the Father….

>> Jesus establishes Himself as the Son of God…

 

And He draws the point, that just as, on the Sabbath Day, His Father….

… creates and sustains, so is He renewing and bringing life to the world!

… supplies life and maintains, so is He nourishing and refreshing the world!

 

 

>> Jesus, as the Son has every right and privilege to engage in life-saving works, just as His Father

>> Jesus, as the Son has every justification and claim to do life-redeeming works, just as His Father

 

 

As followers of Jesus, we are to be the extension of His life-saving and redeeming works in the world…

… Am I willing to become a person, filled the power of the Lord, in order to bring healing to the world, by my deeds of kindness and goodness?

 

… Am I willing to become an extension of the Lord, imbued with His spirit, in order to spread His love and mercy to our broken and struggling world?

 

 

As followers of Jesus, we need to have the proper and true understanding of the Sabbath…

>> The Sabbath is a day of solemn rest, holy to the Lord…

… Do I give it to the Lord, entirely, engaging only in deeds that help me come closer to Him?

 

>> The Sabbath is a memorial of Israel’s liberation from bondage in Egypt

… Do I remind myself of being a person to be liberated from the bondage of sin, and seeking to grow in holiness?

 

>> The Sabbath is sign of the irrevocable covenant between God and human beings…

… Do I renew the spirit of this pledge and promise to the Lord with salvific deeds of love?

 

 

Let us deepen our relationship and grow in our efforts to be more in union with the Lord…

… the One who guides the world, the One who sustains each of us and the One who fills life in all!

 

 

Yes, the One whose got the whole world…

… the One in whose hands, He’s got the whole wide world!

 

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“The seven habits of highly effective people” by Stephen Covey is one of the most popular best-selling book in the world.
The book speaks of seven prime qualities to tap success in life and to achieve one’s objectives and aims.
The first among these seven habits of highly effective people is  “to be proactive” in life.
·   Problems beset every person in this world.

·   Difficulties surround all of us, in every society.
But, the one who is “proactive” in life, is able to get over these “paralyzing” factors of life.
 

The Gospel of the Day 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 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 be “proactive” in life, with His grace and mercy.
·   Pro-activity is not a mere human attitude of determination…

… it is an action spurred by the mighty love and mercy of the Lord.
·   Pro-activity is not a mere individual display of willpower and resolve…

… it 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 blaming 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..

Shall we be ready, “to rise, take up our mats, and walk?”
The choice is ours…

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Heard of Impalas? 

Impalas are medium-sized antelopes (animals like deer, with smooth hair and upward pointing horns) that roam the African Savannas (large plains with hills and forests).

 

They have a great speciality:

• Impalas are fleet runners, able to leap distances of up to 33 feet (10 meters)!

 

They use this technique to escape predators and sometimes, apparently, simply to amuse themselves.

 

The impala can also clear bushes and other obstacles by soaring some 10 feet (3 meters) in the air.

• Typically, a running impala will simply jump over anything in its path!

 
But there’s a catch…

These extremely versatile animals can, however, be kept in a zoo with only a 3-foot tall wall surrounding them!

 
How is that possible?

 How is just a 3-foot wall enough, to enclosure an animal that can leap upto 33 feet and soar around 10 feet in the air?

 
It’s easy to explain…..

• The impala will not jump if they are unable to see the spot where their feet will land!

 

So, even though they can jump several feet higher than the wall surrounding them in a zoo, they 

do not jump, because the 3-foot wall obstructs their sight of the outside, where they would land!

 

Since they cannot see where they land, they do not jump … even though they could.

 They can, but they remain limited!

 They are able to, but they remain restricted!

 

How often are we too caught up with this mentality in life?

 Small enclosures block our view…and therefore we fail to jump…even though we can!

 Mini problems restrict us in our lives…and we fail to leap…even though we can!

 
The Gospel of the Day presents an incident of a “leap in faith”…

… of a person who fails to get bogged down by enclosures surrounding him, and instead trusting in the power of Lord, “jumps”…and is blessed!

 

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

• His own people in the hometown have rejected Him.

• The known persons of His native place have 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, fail to understand…but those outside, are able to give better respect!

 Those known to a person, fail to see the value of the person…but those who are unknown, recognise the speciality 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 travels a far distance – nearly 25 miles, from Capernaum to Galilee – and coming to Jesus, he asks, “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 gives His word, ” You may go; your son will live” (Jn4:50), this royal official, with a mixed bag of faith…. makes a tremendous “leap and jump” in faith.

 

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

 

 

There were many enclosures – of pain, doubt, uncertainty- surrounding the royal official…

… but he makes a giant “leap” trusting in the Lord.

 

Perhaps, he was not sure, where he would land, but he still “jumped” in faith!

 

Our lives, very often necessitate this “jumping” in faith, trusting in the mighty power of the Lord.

 Unlike the Impalas which do not jump, when they can’t see where they are landing, this royal official, trusted in the Lord, and takes the “leap” of faith.

 

We too are called to do the same…

… Not be afraid, where we will be landing, but trusting in the goodness of the Lord, we make a “leap” of faith.

 

• Barriers of immense difficulties and crisis often surround us.

• Walls of tremendous hardships and pains often block our lives.

But, the Lord has empowered us with graces to jump and leap over them all!

 

• It’s His grace that strengthens us.

• It’s His mercy that empowers us.

 
Are we going to get enclosed by the walls of discouragements, despair and depression?

… or shall we, with faith, “leap” over these walls and experience the joy and thrill in the Lord?

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!