We live in a world of contrasts.

Contrasts are encountered at every sphere of our life.

 

>> Socially, we find contrasts among the various classes…. the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, the caste distinctions, the racial and language divides…

 

>> Emotionally, we find contrasts in our experiences… joyful situations sandwiched between tragic moments, moods varying between situations and people, temperaments changing from person to person…
 

The Gospel of day presents some of these contrasts in a vivid manner…and could be termed as a “parable of contrasts” – the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

 
This parable is set out as a play… a two-act play.

 

The plays takes place on two stages…

… the stage of this world

… and the stage of the other-world.

 

The contrasts are plenty:

In the First Act….

>> A rich man – a poor man

>> The man is rich but unnamed – the man is poor but is named, Lazarus (meaning ‘God Helps’)

>> The rich man clothed in purple – Lazarus clothed fully with sores

>> The rich man caressed with fine linen – Lazarus licked by the dogs

>> The rich man feasted sumptuously – Lazarus desired to be fed by what fell from the table.

>> The rich man died and was buried – Lazarus died but was carried by the angels.

 

In the Second Act…

>> Lazarus is in Abraham’s bosom – the rich man is in Hades.

>> Lazarus receives good things – the rich man was in torment.

>> Lazarus was comforted – the rich man was in anguish

 
This “parable of contrasts” is also …

… a “parable of comfort and consolation”

… a “parable of challenge and confrontation”

 
1. It’s a “parable of comfort and consolation” because….

… Lazarus, who had undergone great misery and suffering was blessed with the presence of joy of the Lord.

 

It gives comfort and consolation to us, who need to be strengthened in our moments of trials and hardships, knowing that the Lord will surely look with mercy on His needy ones.

>> “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 3)

 

2. It’s a “parable of challenge and confrontation” because…

… the rich man, who had a luxurious life, was condemned to torments, and had to endure the flames of suffering.

 

It’s a great challenge and a confrontation before us, who need to realise that indifference and an attitude of closing one’s eyes to the pain and misery of the other can be disastrous and punishable

>> “He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need.” (Prov. 21:13)

 
The world of contrasts needs a Gospel of Comfort and Consolation, and towards this, we are challenged and confronted…

>> Challenged to get rid of our attitudes of indifference and lethargy to help the needy ones.

>> Confronted to overcome our tendencies to remain satisfied in our comforts and close our eyes conveniently to the necessities of the other.

 
Let us make our life a Good News of Comfort and Consolation.

 
God bless! Live Jesus!

A rich businessman had grown greatly in his endevours. 

>> He became greatly possessed with acquiring more wealth and seeking for greater power.
His sole intention in life was to find ways and means to gain more wealth (by hook or crook; by honest or corrupt ways!) and capture more positions of power. 
Though a Christian…

… he cared hardly for his family

… he bothered least about his faith

One day, while sitting in his posh office, pondering on ways to augment his wealth and prestige in the society…

… his eyes went towards the Crucifix that was placed on his table.

Looking from the place where he was sitting, he could see…

… The Crucifix and a Chair that was placed opposite him.

And suddenly a thought came across his mind:

“What is more important for you in life?

>> Cross or Chair?”

This thought stuck him badly.

>> Being greatly disturbed… he sought to ward off that idea from his mind.
But it kept disturbing him…. “Cross or Chair… Cross or Chair!”

Well, it’s not known whether that incident changed his life.
But this question is placed before each of us:

“What is more important for you in life?

>> Cross or Chair?”

The Gospel of the Day is the incident of the mother of the sons of Zebedee aspiring to obtain a place of honour for her children..

… through which, Jesus poses this question of supreme importance to us as well: 

“What is more important for you in life? 

>> Cross or Chair?”

This incident is sandwiched between two important instructions by Jesus..

1. His master plan of establishing the Kingdom: His Passion, Death and Resurrection 

2. His master technique to allow access to the Kingdom: The way of Humility 

1. His master plan of establishing the Kingdom: His Passion, Death and Resurrection 

 Jesus predicts about His sufferings to His disciples (Mt 20: 17-19)

>> It was clearly His way of telling His chosen ones, that His Kingdom is not to be one that accords prime importance to power and position… 

… instead it was about obedience and self-giving. 
2. His master technique to allow access to the Kingdom: The way of Humility 
Jesus further teaches His disciples that the key to enter the Kingdom is the way of humility (Mt 20: 26-28)

>> It was clearly a reminder as well as a warning, that His Kingdom is not reserved for the powerful or the mighty…

… instead it is to be given to those of meek heart and lowly self.

It’s in between these two powerful “Kingdom” teachings, that we have the incident of the mother of the sons of Zebedee seeking for a place of honour for her children (Mt 20: 20-24)

The incident showed that they had quite badly misunderstood Jesus…

>> They mistook His master plan of establishing the Kingdom as being “through force and power and might!” 

>> They mistook His master technique to allow access to the Kingdom as being “the way of Supremacy!” 

But Jesus shatters this misconception by posing a master question: “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” (Mt 20: 22)

>> “Drinking the Cup” for Jesus meant the Master Plan of His Passion, Death and Resurrection

>> “Drinking the Cup” for Jesus meant the Master Technique of the way of Humility

This incident is a reminder and warning for each of us as well:

1. Are we willing to be in accord with the Lord’s master plan of establishing the Kingdom: His Passion, Death and Resurrection? 

2. Are we ready to practise the Lord’s master technique to allow access to the Kingdom: The way of Humility ?

Jesus clearly poses this question of supreme importance: 

“What is more important for you in life? 

>> Cross or Chair?”

Very often we settle down to sit on the “Chair”…

… the ‘chair’ of comfort and relaxation

… the ‘chair’ of lethargy and indifference

… the ‘chair’ of materialism and individualism
But the Lord challenges us to carry the “Cross”…

… the ‘Cross’ of responsibility and commitment

… the ‘Cross’ of witnessing to the Lord and trusting in Him

… the ‘Cross’ of serving the deprived and being sensitive to the need of the other

The way of the Christian is none but the Way of the Cross.

>> The path of the Christian can be none but the Path of Humility.

Let us give heed to the words of St Louise de Marillac (the patronness of the parentless and of Social Workers):

“If humility, simplicity and charity which produce support, are well established in you…

… your community will be made up of as many saints as there are persons!”
Yes, let us dare to follow the Path of Humility…

… and seek to positively answer to the question that Jesus poses to each of us:

“What is more important for you in life? 

>> Cross or Chair?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Maundy Thursday is associated with a customary practice that is followed in many of the Churches all around the world…
It consists of choosing of twelve persons from the Church – based on various parameters or criteria.

>> These twelve are given the “privilege” to have the feet washed by the Main Celebrant (usually the parish priest) during the Holy Mass.
This is a symbolic remembrance of the “washing of the feet” that Jesus had undertaken on the evening of the Last Supper. 

Preaching on this custom, on a Holy Thursday, a priest once spoke the following in his sermon:
“There are twelve of us, who have been chosen from among us, whose feet will be washed this evening.
Perhaps, there were many others also who had a desire that their feet also be washed.

Probably, some of you, children, are dreaming of growing up faster in life, so that one day, you too may be chosen to have your feet washed.

But here is a point to be considered…

Most of us probably are thinking only about ‘having our feet washed’.
But I really do wonder, how many of us – be it those who have got a chance or those who have missed – think also of ‘being the one who washes the feet of others?’
We all probably are desiring and wishing only for the chair, to be seated, and have our feet washed.

But how many of us also wish and desire for the ‘towel’?”

It was his direct way of telling that there were very few who will to be the last, the least and the lowest in the Church, the Body of Christ. 

Am I a person who is willing to lower myself in humility?

Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23: 12)

The 23rd Chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew begins with Jesus turning the attention of His disciples and of the crowds, towards the Scribes and the Pharisees.
Focussing on the religious leaders and on their practices, Jesus launches a volley of critically true statements, a string of their hypocritical misconduct and a barrage of their wicked misdeeds!
The chapter ends with the “Painful Lament” by Jesus over Jerusalem – the city of the Lord!

One of the highlights in this highly volatile and strongly-worded Chapter is the number of times Jesus mentions the two groups of people – “Scribes and Pharisees”
There is, in total, 7 occurrences of the phrase, “Scribes and Pharisees” – a biblical number for totality!

This Chapter is a therefore, a full-blown critique and condemnation of the ways of the Scribes and Pharisees.

why is Jesus so outright in His condemnation, so merciless in His usage of words and so blatant in His attacks on the Scribes and Pharisees?

(Meanwhile, when we go through these critical attacks of our Blessed Lord on this group, one must always remember the words of Jesus Himself: “I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Lk 5:32)
>>> There was deep pain in the heart of the Lord, in seeing the way religion was being manhandled, misused and misinterpreted by the religios leaders of His time
>>> As the Son of His Beloved Father, it was hurting for the Son to see a section of people, trampling upon God’s precious and venerable truths, and twisting them for their own self-interests and self-agenda
>>> A strong form of condemnation was reserved only to those who were hardened in heart – as a means for them to repent and turn back their ways to the Lord. The method of ‘sharp condemnation’ was reserved only to the proud and the arrogant; never to the poor sinners!)

The reason for Jesus making a scathing attack on the religious authorities of His times, could be summarized into one crucial point: Glorification of one’s own self at the expense of the Glory of God and the Mercy deserving for His people!

Therefore, Jesus goes on to point out the many occasions and circumstances when the Self-Interest of the Pharisees and Scribes took extreme priority over God Himself!

It is this self-centred and self-glorifying act that makes Jesus to tell, “For they preach, but they do not practise!” (Mt 23: 3b)

How easily can this be our own state of affairs, in our life…!
We may be people…

… who “appear” to be very fine and kind – but perhaps, we are persons who find it too hard to let go of our pride, in reaching out to the needy, in humble service!

… who speak a lot on helping others and being generous – but perhaps, we go through grilling moments in lowering ourselves and adopting a lowly status to extend a helping hand!

… who desire happiness in communities and peace at homes – but perhaps, we discover ourselves to be persons who are unwilling to let go of my ego and allow a listening ear to the views and opinions of others!

The call, today, therefore is…

… ” to work for a cause – not applause

… to live life to express – and not simply to impress!”

Following the Great example of Jesus, may we dare to pick up the “towels” of service and kindness and live a life “clothed in humility!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Barter is a system of exchange by which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money.

This type of exchange was relied upon by early civilizations.
Goods were exchanged for food, tea, weapons, and spices.

>> The barter system requires the giving of a good (product), to receive an equivalent good.
>> It is a system which involves the dimension of providing and obtaining, offering and receiving.

The Gospel of the Day calls for a similar barter system…on a Divine realm though…
>> Giving to God and obtaining His graces and favours.
>> Offering to God and receiving His blessings and mercy.

The Lord, giving His teachings on a practical Christian life, exhorts,”…give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give, is the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38)

Jesus brings a very concrete example from the market scene, to drive home his point of generously giving.

The context of Jesus is the market in Israel, the middle-east part of the world.

As in many places today, this area witnessed markets that had buyers and sellers engaged in bargaining and negotiating over prices, quality and the amount of things and goods.

There would be many of the open-air markets, where the farmers would bring their grain—wheat, corn, barley—and spread it on a mat on the ground.
>> Potential customers would examine the grain, make an offer, and the bargaining would start….

When a price was finally set, the customer would offer his container—usually a large bowl or pot or an open vessel—and the seller would use a scoop (measuring spoon) to fill the container.

There would be some interesting steps in this process of measuring the grain for a customer and which Jesus quotes in His approach to giving:

1. First, the seller would fill the container to the top.
2. Secondly, he would press the grain down and fill some more.
3. Thirdly, he would shake the container so the grain would settle and then fill in some more.
4. Finally, he would fill the container until it overflowed!

The contents of this overflowing container would then be transferred to a pouch or a bag so that the buyer could bring home the contents from the market.

Well, this process could sound a bit strange and weird to us in the modern world.
>> We live in times, when contents are sold by the weight, and not the volume..
>> We live in times, when manipulations are done to give as less as possible…

But this is where, Jesus, bringing in the example of the market, invites generosity in giving…
>> Our giving ought to be measured not by weight, but by volume…and that refers to a far-greater amount of giving!
>> Our giving ought to, not be curtailed down by clever manipulations…rather is to be done very generously and lavishly!

St Paul in 2 Cor 9:6 would say, “Whoever sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly; whoever reaps bountifully will also reap bountifully”

Our giving ought not to be a calculated effort…rather should be a overflow from the heart!

When we engage is such a lavish and generous giving, God too will shower His abundance, in a similar and much better fashion!
“For the measure you give, will be the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38)

Of course, that is not to say that we are limiting God’s power of giving…
>> God’s surely showers His gifts lavishly!
>> God surely pours His blessings overwhelmingly!

But the Lord invites us to be involved in a Divine Barter System…
>> Give to God, who deserves all, so that we may be prepared to receive His blessings.
>> Give to God, who is worthy of all, so that we may be blessed to receive His graces.

In the Divine barter system, the advantage is that, we get much more than what we give… we obtain far greater than what we offer!

God’s giving is not to be seen just from material or physical aspects…
>> In fact, that would just be a very limited and low level of understanding.

God’s gifts are to be understood more from a spiritual perspective:
… Gift of His mercy to live a life in union with Him.
… Gift of His grace to be faithful and more committed.
… Gift of His love to be better human beings and be more charitable.
… Gift of His salvation to enjoy eternal bliss and happiness with Him .

All these gifts will be surely lavished  and given… “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured out into our laps!”

The greatest exchange…the Divine barter system.. is seen and experienced in the Holy Eucharist.. at every Holy Mass.

Let us give ourselves entirely to the Lord… especially at Holy Mass and through the Mass, at all times of the day… to all persons in our life.

Then, in the words of Fulton Sheen, we will be graced to hear the words of the Divine Lord telling us…
•       You give me your humanity, and I will give you my Divinity!
•       You give me your time, and I will give you My eternity!
•       You give me your broken heart, and I will give you Love!
•       You give me your nothingness, and I will give you My all!

God bless! Live Jesus!

A five year old boy was playing in the front yard of his house, by throwing a ball up in the air. 
An elderly priest, who was passing that way, asked the boy what he was doing.

The little boy, with innocence answered: 

“I am playing a game of ‘catching the ball’ with God!

>> I throw the ball up in the air…

… and He throws it back to me!”

The senior priest was pretty amused at the simple answer.
And as he moved ahead, he thought in his mind…

” Although, the boy in his innocence just said his experience of a law of nature…

… in that simple statement, he also expressed a religious reality:
>> Divine experience is this: Throwing of ourselves into the Hands of God…

… and receiving what He gives to us”

That’s very true isn’t it?

>> Divine experience is ” throwing of ourselves into the Hands of God…

… and receiving what He gives to us”

When we throw ourselves into the Hands of God, and receive what He gives us…

… that is the experience of Transfiguration!

The Gospel of the Day on this Second Sunday of Lent is the incident of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the mount. 

The Scene of the Transfiguration is one of the most captivating and thrilling scenes of the Gospels. 
It’s interesting to see that this scene takes place on a high mountain. 
The Gospel Passage (Mt 17:1-9), begins with the verse:

“After six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John, his brother and led them up a high MOUNTAIN, by themselves… ( Mt 17: 1)
 
Mountains play a key role, in the Bible and especially in the life of Jesus.
Mountains of course, dot the landscape of the Biblical regions. 

>> They are a great part of the physical reality of the Biblical world. 
They are a symbolic of “being closer to God”. 

 

The Gospel of St Matthew especially has a particular love for this “lofty symbol of God’s presence” 

  

>> Jesus underwent a temptation by Satan on the Mount – the Mount of Temptations (Mt 4:8) 

>> Jesus delivers His Sermon and Teachings on a Mount – the Mount of the Sermon (Mt 5:1) 

>> Jesus performs many deeds of healings on a Mount – the Mount by the Sea of Galilee (Mt 15:29) 

>> Jesus is transfigured on a Mount – the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:1)

>> Jesus gives His final teaching and discourse on a Mount – the Mount of Olives (Mt 24:3) 

>> Jesus gives up His life on a Mount – the Mount of Calvary (Mt 27:33)

>> Jesus delivers His Final Mission mandate on a Mount – the Mount of Galilee (Mt 28:16) 

So in this Lofty and High Place of the Presence of God – a Mountain – Jesus undergoes His Transfiguration…

… and is joined by the presence of two other “Mountain” Figures – Moses and Elijah!
>> Moses is the Man of the “Mount of Sinai” and “Mount Nebo”…

… representing the Law of God! 
>> Elijah is the Man of the “Mount of Carmel”…

… representing the Prophets of God! 
Jesus is the “God and Man of all the Mountains” – the Fulfilment of all the Laws and the Prophets!

What is the purpose of the “many mountain settings” of the Transfiguration Scene? 
It is…

… to look further

… to imagine deeper

… to hear beyond 
To see the way God sees us. 

>> To imagine the way God perceives us. 

>> To hear the way God wants of us. 

We all need a ‘Transfiguration Moment’ in our lives…

… a ‘Transfiguration Experience’ in our lives.
>> Vision that needs to be transfigured…

… into God’s representation!
>> Imagination that needs to be transfigured…

… into God’s resemblance!

 

>> Hearing that needs to be transfigured…

… into God’s resonance! 

Let us take courage… and accompany the Lord:

>> Beyond the peripheral problems of life…away from the hardships and difficulties of our 

physical, mental, spiritual, emotional worries…

… to climb the Mountain of Spiritual Closeness and Presence of the Lord… 

>> And share in the joy of the Transfiguration!

Life has much more to offer.

>> Life has much more to hope for….
>> Do I see, imagine and hear beyond the mere basic realities and peripherals of life?

This requires that we let go ourselves into the hands of God… 

>> And it is when we “throw ourselves into the Hands of God, and receive what He gives us”…

… that we have the experience of Transfiguration!

Yes…

>> When human offering is joined to the mighty power of God…

… there is Transfiguration!
>> When Divine Grace descends on human experiences…

… there is Transfiguration!

The Lord underwent the Transfiguration. 

>> The Disciples shared in this joy. 
You and me are invited today…

Let us “throw ourselves into the Hands of God, and receive what He gives us”…

… and thus have the experience of Transfiguration!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Myopia is a commonly found eye condition.

>> Popularly, it is also called as “near-sightedness” or “short-sightedness”.

 

It is a state of the eye that causes distant objects to appear blurred, while close objects can be seen clearly.

 
Coming from the greek word, “muōpia”, which literally means “trying to see like a mole”…

… Myopia is a condition of the eye that causes the image that one sees, when looking at a distant object, to be out of focus, but in focus when looking at a close object.

 
Well, this short-sightedness or myopia is limited to not just the physical eye…

>> It can also easily be applicable to our general outlook of life or our spiritual life.

 
Yes, it is often found that one becomes short-sighted in life – seeing things only as they appear at the moment, and unable to take the long view of matters.

>> This is “spiritual myopia”

>> This is “spiritual short-sightedness”

 
The Gospel of the day presents Jesus inviting us to become aware of the presence of a possible “spiritual myopia” in our lives and to take measures to get rid of this condition.

 

The passage begins with the statement.. “You have heard that it was said….. But I say to you” (Mt 5: 43)

 
It must be borne in mind that the region in and around the ministry of Jesus, was multicultural and multilingual.

>> Under the Roman Empire, there was an infusion of languages… Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew…

 

Many of the common people of Israel usually spoke in Aramaic or Greek and perhaps Latin.

In this multi-linguistic situation, the reading and understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures (which was in Hebrew) was mainly by the religious leaders of the time – the Pharisees and the Scribes.

 
This therefore gave them the chance to interpret the Scriptures in a manner that reflected their own personal and biased teachings.

>> As time passed, this style of interpretation finally led to the situation that just observing the Law in an outward allegiance was sufficient in fulfilling God’s demands.
The spirit of the law was sacrificed for the letter of the law!

>> The inner dimensions and requirements were abandoned.

 
A “spiritual myopia” had crept in…

>> A “spiritual short-sightedness” had overpowered them…

 

• They were fixed only to doing the stipulations, but failed to live the spirit of the Law

• They were limited to a vision of doing only the externals, but got blind to the internals.

 
And therefore, Jesus warns the people to be aware of this “spiritual myopia” and to see beyond..

…to the real requirements of the law

…to the core of God’s commandments

           

                                                                           

Jesus attacks the method which interpreted Scripture with a limited vision and perspective…

He contrasts the Pharisees’ interpretation of the law with the law’s real meaning, by using the formula : “You have heard that it was said to those of old. . . . But I say to you . . .”

 

Six times in the second half of Matthew 5, Jesus uses this formula…speaking about…

… anger (Mt 5: 21-22)

… adultery (Mt 5: 27-28)

… divorce (Mt 5: 31-32)

… oaths (Mt 5: 33-34)

… retaliation (Mt 5: 38-39)

… loving enemies (Mt 5: 43-44)

 

>> Each time Jesus described the “limited” interpretation of the law…and each time He “broadened” the vision of the law.

>> Each time Jesus exposed the “myopic” understanding of the law…and each time, He “enlarged” the understanding of the law.

 
Am I also in a condition of a “spiritual myopia”?

… limited in my vision of the love of God and failing to extend His charitable love to all

… limited in my vision of the law of God and being stuck to my egoistic interpretations

… limited in my vision of the mercy of God and blocking it from reaching our enemies.

 
Am I also in a condition of a “spiritual short-sightedness”?

… having eyes fixed only on materialistic aspects and failing to see heavenly realities

… having eyes fixed only on what happens externally and failing to understand inner facts

…having eyes fixed only on being pious outside and failing to have a genuine intimacy within

 
In the Nazareth Manifesto, at the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus declared that He has been sent, “to proclaim…recovery of sight to the blind…” (Lk 4:18)

 
Let this season of Lent be a time for us…

… to seek the grace of the Lord

… to have our eyes touched

… and thus to be healed of our spiritual “myopia”

 
God Bless ! Live Jesus!

Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional character.

>> His tales are mostly voyage stories – fantastic adventure stories through the seas of Africa and South Asia.

 

 

One of the tales narrates of how Sinbad and his sailors landed on an island.

 

On arriving, they saw coconuts, high up on the trees; which could very well quench their thirst and satisfy their hunger.

>> But these coconuts were far beyond their reach.

 

However, they noticed a large number of monkeys on the branches of the trees.

>> Soon enough, Sinbad and his men, began to throw stones and sticks up at the apes.

 

This enraged the monkeys and they began to seize the coconuts…

… and hurl them down at the men on the ground.

 

This was exactly what Sinbad and his men wanted!

 

 

They got the monkeys so angry…

… that they gave in to satisfy the needs of those who made them angry!

 

 

 

This is exactly what anger does…

… we play ourselves, into the hands of those who cause us to lose our temper!

 

We end up “reacting”…

.. than “responding”! 

 

The Gospel of the day is a teaching by Jesus on this very important concern of Christian Life: Anger.

 

 

 

 

Killing is considered to be a serious evil in every society and every religion.

>> Killing in its basic form is usually considered only in the sense of the physical body.

 

 

But the Lord today presents a higher perspective in the understanding of killing…

“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill’; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment’. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judgment….” (Mt 5: 21)

 

 

The Lord expands the understanding of killing beyond the physical body…

 

A person engages in killing… if, by anger…

…the social standing of the other person is upset

…the emotional state of the other person is wounded

…the spiritual balance of the other person is disturbed      

 

 

We could understand anger from various perspectives…

 

1. Anger as Quick temper

Prov 15:18 says, “An ill-tempered man stirs up strife…”

 

It is said that speak when one is angry, one makes the best speech that would be regretted much!

 

Quick temper sometimes…

…. forms part of our temperament

… comes even unknowingly

… is instigated by other’s actions

 

Yet, in all this, one ought to…

… rise quickly from remaining in the state of anger.

… become conscious of the occasions which can excite anger

… see that the temper is not fed or nurtured or intensified

 

2. Anger which leads to stubbornness

Eph 4:26: “…. do not let the sun to set on your anger”

 

Sometimes, the anger within is allowed to grow so much…

…that we get habituated to getting angry for even tiny and trivial matters

…that we lose our peace of mind, and sometimes even become indifferent

…that we choose not to budge from our position or viewpoint and remain adamant

 

Yet, we need to make efforts…

… to try to overcome our ego and self mentality and seek to make amends with the person

… to lower oneself in humility (even if we are right) and ease the situation of annoyance

 

Anger needs to be sanctified…channelled in the proper way!

 

 

One may feel a ‘just’ anger at….

… the immense corruption in the world and even in religious circles

… the forces of evil that seem to root away even faint traces of hope

… the indifferent and unchanging attitudes and temperaments of people which is sickening.

 

Yet… even these ought to get channelled properly

…even these ought to be routed in the right manner

 

Yes… even our just anger needs to be sanctified and purified in the burning furnace of God’s Love.

 

>> Anger is indeed a major tendency that is a cause of distress for many of us.

>> Anger is indeed a prime inclination that is a root of sin for many of us.

 

There are moments, when anger captures us and we throw ourselves into people…

… throw words which are not appropriate

… throw emotions that would cause shame and guilt later

… throw actions and deeds that would cause pain and injury

 

 

Let this season of Lent be a time of making genuine, practical and realistic efforts in the fight to sanctify and purify our anger.

 

 

Undoubtedly…

… it is painstaking

… it requires deeper attempts

… it requires committed determination!

 

But the Lord assures His grace to help us and His Love to encourage us!

 

 

Let us make efforts to be people, who not simply “react”…

… instead, in patience and gentleness, seek to “respond”!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A story is told of a group of tourists who were visiting a large sheep farm.
The guide of the tourists was explaining how the little lambs are taken care by the mother sheep. 
In order to demonstrate this, he took one little lamb from the farm…

… and placed it in a large enclosure with thousands of sheep.
>> The noise of the bleating sheep was deafening.
The little lamb, who seemed lost in the midst of that crowd…

… after a moment of silence, began crying loudly.
As it bleated, the mother lamb, who was at the end of the enclosure, heard the cry…

… and rushed towards her little lamb. 

As the tourists were wonder-struck at this sight, the guide – who was a Christian – made a statement:

“This is how it is with God also!

We should never imagine that we are beyond the reach of God!

>> He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”

The Gospel of the day presents this assurance given by Jesus, of how every cry of prayer is heard and answered by the Lord, in His Holy Will…

… and His teaching on having a proper attitude and disposition in prayer.
 

The Lord gives the analogy of the human father to expound the right understanding we should have with respect to prayer: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him” (Mt 7: 11)

 
The Lord is clear in proclaiming that the God our Father would very surely bestow “good” things on His children.

“Good” things….

>> “Good” not from our perspective…but from the way God looks at it.

>> “Good” not from the way we understand…but from the manner God sees it.

 
Very often when children ask for certain things…

… the parent does not give immediately.

… or sometimes, the parent even denies it. 

It could be situations involving some danger or risk…

… and so, the parent, in the full interest and care of the child, would either delay or outrightly deny permission.

But would the child understand?

In some cases…they might.

>> But in many cases…perhaps, No!

 
The child would start weeping…crying…throwing tantrums!

They would even yell… even wail saying…

>> “Why do you deny me?”…”You don’t give me what I want”.. “You don’t understand me”..etc..

>> Is the parent really bad in denying the child?

>> Is the parent wanting to make the child sad by giving what is asked?
Certainly No!

 

It is, in fact…

 … out of deep love that the demands are not fulfilled as per the child’s desire.

… out of much care that the query are not answered as per the child’s want

Just as the child who thinks is asking “good” things…we too ask many “good ” things..
But… sometimes we are denied

…sometimes we are given after a while

…sometimes we are given something else

 
The denial…or the delay…or the different…is not because God wants to make us sad…

It’s simply because God loves us much deeply and cares much abundantly!

 
Yes, it is God’s pure love and unfathomable wisdom which sometimes causes…

…denials in our prayers

…delays in what we ask for

…differences in our demands and wants      

 

>> What seems proper for us, in God’s amazing understanding, might not be proper!

>> What seems good for us, in God’s immeasurable wisdom, might not be good!

>> What seems just for us, in God’s glorious insight, might not be just!

 
Are we ready to grow… 

…. in our trust in God, our Father, who knows and cares for us immensely?

… to build our faith in God, our Father, who will take us through any situation in life?

 
>> Let’s trust in God more and more

… because we can only see a little bit down the road, but God can see every curve!

… because we can only see the struggling caterpillar, but God can see the beautiful butterfly!

… because we can only see the dark dismal clouds, but God can see the bright sunrays waiting to shine forth!

 
We may have moments when we feel lost out.. and we keep crying to God in prayer.
But let us always know, that our Loving God, hearing our cry…

… will always rush towards us!

Yes, let us grow in our trust and always keep in mind:

“We should never imagine that we are beyond the reach of God!

>> He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 Remember the school-going days..when there was the (usually considered as) “terrorizing” subject called as Mathematics?

 

One of the questions that would frequent in a Mathematics question paper, would be questions of the type…”Prove that…”

 

So some examples of these theorems or statements to be proven would be…

>> “Prove that” the sum of two even integers is even.

>> “Prove that” the square root of two, is an irrational number.

 

Such examples of proof require a precision in the logic and methodology, so as to arrive at the proper conclusion of the facts.

 
The Gospel of the Day presents a similar question of “prove that” nature.

 
> The Examiners posing the question: The people in the crowd

> The student facing the question: Jesus

> The statement to be proved: Prove that You, Jesus, are the Messiah, the Son of God.

> The nature of proof required: Through signs and miracles.

 

 

This student, Jesus has faced such similar tests many times before.

 

 

>> Many times in His life, He has been worked up by many to prove His status…

 

>> Many times in His life, He has been demanded things to prove His authority…

 

He is an experienced student.

 

 

On the Mount of the Temptations… (Lk 4: 1-13)

 

Satan demanded Jesus to “prove that” He was the Son of God…

… by working a miracle

… by bowing to Him

… by jumping down

 

 

While at ministry…

… the Pharisees and teachers of the Law asked Jesus to “prove that” He had the authority to forgive sins. (Lk 5:21)

 

… the disciples of John asked Jesus to “prove that” He was indeed the One who was to come or whether they should look for another (Lk 7:19)

 

… some in the crowd asked Jesus “to prove that” He worked wonders and even drove out demons by His own power, by asking for a sign from heaven (Lk 11:16)

 
The Student, Jesus….has already faced many such “to prove that” situations!

 
Today’s Gospel once again puts the Student, Jesus to the test “to prove that” He is the Messiah by a demand for signs!

 
Am I also a person who is guilty of making Jesus a student, by putting Him “to the test” by asking Him “to prove” many things in life…?

 

>> In times of sicknesses and pains… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Healing God.

 

>> In times of financial difficulties… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Provider God.

 

 

>> In times of mental tensions and worries… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Caring God.

 

>> In times of spiritual aridity and emptiness… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Living God.
 

Of course, from a human perspective…owing to our limitations and weakness, we do sometimes ask some signs or miracles or some wonders.

 

>> But these demands for sign and miracles should not become THE criteria for proving God’s Existence or even His Presence…

 

>> These demands for some external manifestations and wonders should not become THE yardstick for proving the might and power of God…

 
> We should not be holding God at ransom, by demanding signs

> We should not be hijacking God and demand miracles.

                 
We rather need to look back into our lives, and see the various moments and the times when…

… He has caressed us with His affection

… He has nurtured us with His love

… He has filled us with His presence

 
The Lord gives to the people in the crowd, the signs and examples of the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba.

 

The people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba…

… were gentiles

… were not the chosen people

… were not people who had a first-hand experience of God.
Yet, when they heard the preaching of Jonah and saw the glory of Solomon…they believed!

 

They did not demand miracles.. they did not demand signs….yet, they believed!

 

 

The Lord through today’s Gospel makes us to realize the worth and the value of the many wonders and the signs He has already worked in our lives.

 

> We sometimes might tend to take God’s blessings “for granted”

> We sometimes might tend to not consider God’s graces as “something big”

> We sometimes might tend to not able to even see something “special” in God’s favours .

  

Today is a chance for us to have a retrospective into our lives and see the many, maybe tiny and small, wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives…

 

 

None can say, ‘I have no miracles in my life’!

>> From our birth, to our upbringing, our education, our formation, our works, our surroundings, our people…etc….. at every step, we have many miracles and signs of God!
The hand of the Lord is very much at large in our lives.

 
We don’t need to become a people which poses God with “prove that” type questions!

 
Let us see… Let us realize.. and Let us thank!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!