A simple and commonly known story goes such…

A generous and a noble King once made a grand announcement to his subjects.

He declared that on a particular day, all the people could come into the King’s palace, and take for themselves from the palace hall, whatever they wished for!

An amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity indeed!

And so the day came… hundreds and thousands had gathered in the palace.

The people waited for the King’s signal to start picking up whatever they wanted in that hall.

The moment arrived…the King waved his royal hand to begin…

>> It was time to lay hands on whatever they wished to make their own possession.

The rush was maddening…

>> People ran helter-skelter, seeking for the most precious things…

… Golden vessels, silver goblets, jeweled showpieces, antique fancy items etc…

But in that crazy rush, there was one particular girl, a teenager, who thought differently.

She took this chance, to go and hug the Prince!

Bingo!!

>> That was the prized catch!

She now became not just the possessor of the love of her life…

… but also on the heir of the land!

She sought what was the most prized possession!

>> She went after, that which was the most treasured of them all!

What are we – you and I – seeking in life?

The Gospel of the Day has Jesus posing this fundamental question of our lives: “What do you seek” (Jn 1: 38)

The first chapter of St John has an account of two disciples of John the Baptist who are sent to follow Jesus by the words, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (Jn 1: 29)

John the Baptist is indeed an amazing person.

His life offers us immense qualities to imitate and follow.

1. He called people to a renewed way of life by turning to God in repentance

He teaches: The need to have a constant examination of our conscience…

2. He lived a life of intense asceticism and self-mortification

He reminds: Of the vanity of earthly glory and what things instead are of utmost importance…

3. He pointed out to Jesus as the Lamb of God and directs people towards Him

He teaches: The importance of focusing on Jesus in life and not on other people or things

4. He doesn’t feel jealous that all are following Jesus and confesses also of his unworthiness

He reminds: The power of humility and the joy of giving everything for God’s Kingdom

When Jesus sees them following, He turns…. (Jn 1: 38)

He turns around to see ‘a part of the humanity that is seeking Him’.

>> He turns around to look at a tiny generation of human beings in quest of Him

>> He turns around to witness a representative of people that is wanting to know Him

And then Jesus poses this soul-probing question…”What do you seek?”

We too have been following Jesus for quite some time…

>> Maybe we’ve heard from others & so we follow Him…

>> Maybe we’ve experienced His caring presence & so we follow Him.

But the Lord once again turns….and asks us, who are following Him : “What do you seek?”

It’s not an interrogation to just obtain some information…

>> It’s not an enquiry to just gather some data.

It is rather a question that is posed to determine what is the real focus and centre of our life.

Jesus probably knew why many people were beginning to follow Him:

>> There would be many seeking Him…

… for bread alone.

… for getting healings alone.

… out of mere curiosity alone.

… for theoretical arguments alone.

… for their own personal desires alone.

And so Jesus poses this heart-penetrating question…”What do you seek?”

The Lord, with His deeply penetrating eyes gazes into the depths of our soul…

… with His soul-arresting charm fixes His eyes into the castle of our heart asks:

>> “My Child, what do you seek?”

Are you seeking just to have some of your earthly desires fulfilled…

>> Or do you seek Me in order to treasure me completely and possess eternity?

Are you seeking spirituality just for namesake and out of a societal and religious obligation…

>> Or do you seek Me because you are convinced of finding in Me, the real Truth and Joy?

Are you seeking transcendence in order to just have a relief in your pains and difficulties…

>> Or do you seek Me to also have a share in my agony and anguish of the Cross?

The Psalmist would say: “God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God” (Ps 53:2)…

Can I be a real Seeker of God and of His Kingdom??

Embracing Jesus, the Prince of Life, would ensure the inheritance of eternity.

>> Possessing Jesus, the Prince of Joy, would ensure the inheritance of Divine Life.

Let us become a true seeker of the Lord with the right motives and the proper intentions.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The five fingers of the hand have their own functions and roles.

However, one finger among these five, is often engaged in a pretty notorious activity…

That Finger is …

… the Forefinger or the Index Finger.

And the activity that it is often used for, is…

… Blaming!

The Index finger or also called as the Pointer Finger is often used

… to point to others and accuse them

… to point towards others and blame them

… to point towards others and lay a charge on them

This action is also called as ‘Finger-Pointing’ – the act of casting the blame or assigning the blame for something, to someone else.

We have somehow, consciously or unconsciously, got into a habit of using our Index or the Forefinger to always blame and accuse others and pass on the fault to other people.

The Gospel of the Day, is however, a welcome change to this “sickening” trend of finger-pointing!

We have St John the Baptist who utilizes this action of pointing, not for blaming or accusing… … but rather to point out the Saviour of the World!

He points out, in a majestic style, to Jesus…

… and declares emphatically, ” Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1: 29)

He points towards Jesus…

… to make known the One who is the long-awaited Messiah!

… and reveals to the world, the One who is to redeem humanity!

… to proclaim the One, who by His greatness, would grant salvation!

John the Baptist, becomes a witness and a testimony to the world, to reveal Jesus as the Redeemer!

This pointing to the Saviour reveals many inner qualities of St John the Baptist…

a. He displays great humility in acknowledging the greatness of Jesus!

b. He shows forth immense goodness in choosing to play the secondary role!

c. He exhibits nobility by gently shifting the focus and limelight to Jesus, the Saviour!

d. He demonstrates faithfulness to his mission of being the forerunner to the True Messiah!

Our life is sometimes plagued by the “bad tendency” to point to others, only in a negative sense…

We point to others…

… to pass on judgment and condemnation

… to cast feelings of guilt and culpability

… to make public the faults of other people

It’s not that we should refrain from constructive criticism… or correcting others gently… or making the other person aware of their shortcomings.

But can we learn from St John the Baptist, the attitude to point out to others, in order to….

… Instill a sense of encouragement and affirmation

… Acknowledge their valuable and precious presence

… Allow people to notice the good and noble deeds of others

Pointing to others, ought not to be a tool of painful criticism and discouragement…

… rather it must be an action of encouragement and acknowledgement.

Pointing to others, ought not to be a medium of accusation and denunciation…

… rather it must be a means of appreciation and admiration.

We celebrate today the Feast of St Chavara Elias Kuriakose, the Saint from India (Kerala).

He became a symbol of great Encouragement, Acknowledgement & Appreciation of others.

In his own words, “Make it clear that your home is not a place for indulging in profane conversation or for speaking ill of others or slandering”

May we tread the path and example shown by St John the Baptist and St Chavara Kuriokose.

Let us become a people of true acknowledgement… and not wasteful blaming.

>> Let us become a people of honest encouragement…and not critical judgment.

>> Let us become a people of credible appreciation… and not distasteful denouncing.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Stage Fear” is a common phenomenon found among many.

This is the anxiety or fear aroused in an individual, when asked to perform in front of an audience.

One of the prominent reasons for this “Stage Fear”…

… is the lack of self-confidence.

This lack of self-confidence could be due to…

… a physiological factor; since the body is made to react to a stimulus

… or since the person of unsure of his/her presence before the audience

… or being unsure of the content (of the performance – song/speech etc) to be presented

However, if these factors could be overcome, and if one is filled with self-confidence…

… then “stage fear” would never be a problem!

As Christians, many of us face a “stage fear”…

… the fear of living in the world by practicing the Christian Virtues, and witnessing our life as a Christian!

St John the Baptist is a beautiful model, presented to us…

… a person who was filled with self-confidence, by knowing clearly His Mission in Life

>> And thus being a person, without an iota of “stage-fear”!

The Gospel of the Day is an introduction to this personality person of John the Baptist…

>> An attempt is made to ” know more” about John…

… his name… his occupations… his interests and liking.

The Fourth Gospel introduces the person of St John the Baptist to us.

>> He is a person of great enthusiasm, of a passionate zeal and of a fighting spirit.

Some Priests and Levites came to him to ask, “Who are you” (Jn 1: 19)

John the Baptist was quite clear and convinced of the answer to this question.

>> He admitted that he was not the Messiah. (Jn 1: 20)

>> He admitted that he was not Elijah. (Jn 1: 21)

>> He admitted that he was not the Prophet. (Jn 1: 21)

>>> He testified that he was the voice crying in the desert. (Jn 1: 23)

>>> He testified that he was the one exhorting to ‘make straight the way of the Lord’. (Jn 1:23)

>>> He testified that he was the witness to the Light that was coming to enlighten the world. (Jn1: 8)

>> He testified that the One coming after him was ranking ahead of him (Jn 1: 15)

>> A deep conviction of “who he was” guided all the actions of John the Baptist.

>> A powerful knowledge of “his role in life” was the strength of mission for John the Baptist.

>> A clear cut awareness of “what was his mission” was the secret of success for John the Baptist.

Do I possess such kind of a deep conviction in my Christian Life?

>> Or do we sometimes get affected by a “Stage Fear” in our Christian Living?

John the Baptist was questioned, “Who are you” by many people.

He had an answer for it… and that made Him not to waver or get bogged down by situations.

Life often throws this question to us – “Who are you?”

>> When we face emotional crisis in our relationships and social interactions, we are encountered with this question, deep within us…

… “Who are you?”

>> When things in life do not go the way we wished or expected and somehow the future appears bleak, we are encountered with this question, deep within us…

… “Who are you?”

>> When in the castle of interiority, we experience a barrenness and a feeling of isolation from the Lord, we are encountered with this question, deep within us …

… “Who are you?”

Failing to find an answer to this question, can sometimes….

… plunge us into a deep struggle

… make us to fear life and people

…. crush our hopes and aspirations.

We may enter into a “Stage Fear” mode!

We may even tend to think…

… “What really is the purpose of my life??

… “Why should I continue to life in this manner?”

… “I wish I could just be free from all this web of pain and tensions!”

Yes, life will at many times, throw this question at us – “Who are you?”

Today, St John the Baptist, exhorts & challenges us, to not get too disturbed when we are faced with this provoking question in life.

>> Our faith and strength, like St John the Baptist, ought to be Jesus, the Light.

>> Our hope and courage, like St John the Baptist, ought to be Jesus, the Messiah.

>> I am God’s Child….

… in this is my true identity.

>> I am the witness to the True Light…

… in this is my true role in life.

>> I am a Voice in the wilderness…

… in this is my Christian duty and obligation.

>> I am dependent on the Grace and Mercy of the Lord…

… in this is my authentic hope and faith.

As the words of the beautiful song goes…

>> “Who am I?…

… I am YOURS!”

May St John the Baptist, whom we have come to “know more” today, become an inspiration and a challenge, as we march forward in this New Year 2018…

>> with faith and love

>> through the valleys and mountains

>> and wilderness and oasis

… and thus filled with confidence, overcome any sort of “Stage Fear” in our Christian Living!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A medical thermometer, also known as the clinical thermometer, is used to measure the temperature of the body.
>> This device helps us to check the heat in the body…

When the heat goes up, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say that we have fever.
>> When the heat goes low, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say we that have gone cold.

When the heat remains average, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say that we are normal.

The thermometer helps us to examine and check our physical health and vigour.

Our spiritual life also needs such kind of a thermometer to check our spiritual health!

The heat levels however, give a different indication, unlike the physical bodies…

When we are filled with God’s power and enthusiastic, the thermometer shows a high level.
>> When we are cast down with problems and spirits are low, the thermometer shows a low level.
>> When we are lacklustre and just pulling on with life, the thermometer shows a lukewarm level.

What is the level on our Spiritual Thermometer at this point of time??

We are on the first day of the New Year…and on the 8th day after Christmas –  the Octave Day.

We notice that the hustle & bustle of Christmas, the celebrations & merriment of the Festival are slowing waning down…

The Crib and the Christmas Tree and the stars which were brightly shining have faded away…
>> The large number of people in Church for Christmas have reduced to a slender one today…
>> The joy and devout mood of the faithful which was on high, has slowly reduced…

Is the message of Christmas slowly being left behind…?

But the Church still dynamically and emphatically keeps up the True Spirit of Christmas.

This Octave Day of Christmas, fittingly celebrated as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a reminder to this fact…
…that Christmas is not a one day event; rather a celebration for life.
…that spiritual exercises and movements can’t be limited; rather need to overflow everyday

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a dogma of the Church and the devotion to Mary is one of the great treasures of the Church.

However, often there are many doubts arising and controversies created over Mary, being considered and called as the Mother of God.

But the logic is pretty simple and easy to understand actually…

Premise 1: Mary is the Mother of Jesus

Premise 2: Jesus is fully God and fully Man

Conclusion: Mary is the Mother of Jesus, the fully God and fully Man.

And therefore, Mary is the Mother of God!

In honouring Mamma Mary with this title, we acknowledge, and give glory to Jesus, fully God and fully Man.

In addressing Mamma Mary with this identity, we proclaim and declare emphatically the divinity and humanity of Jesus.

Thus, the Title – Mary, Mother of God – is great proclamation of the our basic aspect of faith – Jesus is both God and Man!

The Motherhood of Blessed Mamma has many implications for us…

1. We are assured of a Maternal protection and care in our journey towards the Lord, when we face crises, problems and difficulties.

2. We are challenged to respond to God’s inspirations, just as She said “Yes” to God’s call to be a partner in the salvation of the world.

3. We are invited to be faithful and committed in being united with Jesus, in the face of any hardships and troubles that come our way.

4. We are exhorted to totally committed and focussed on Jesus and Him alone and to make His Life as the aim, the goal and the foundation of our life.

On this first day of the New Year, the Lord invites us to check &examine our Spiritual Health on the Spiritual Thermometer….

Am I fervent and zealous in my commitment and consecration?
>> Am I passionate and ardent in my Love for Jesus, my Lord?
>> Am I charitable and caring in my dealings with my brothers and sisters?

Blessed Mamma, the Mother of God invites us to hold Her hands and march forward joyfully and fervently on the Path of Faith & Love.

Wish you a Very Happy Feast of  Blessed Mamma!

Wish you a Blessed and Holy New Year 2018!

May we always Live Jesus! God Bless!

Please note that Jan 1st 2018, falls on a Monday.

For those of us, going to participate in the New Year’s Vigil Mass, please note that It is the Mass of 1st Jan (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – New Year’s Day).

Please do not miss to attend the Sunday Morning/Saturday Evening Mass…

… thinking that it is enough to attend the New Year Vigil Mass.

Participating in the Vigil Mass on Sunday evening/night Mass will not fulfill the Sunday Mass obligation.

Kindly spread this awareness to maintain the good Catholic Faith.

Let’s thank the Lord for all His Blessings through this year 2017!

God bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

Bengaluru, India

There goes a story about a family, in the US, that was struggling to survive during the Great Economic Depression in the 1940’s…

The father of the family had lost his job, and they moved to the city to find work.

They couldn’t afford to buy their own house, so they lived in the basement of someone else’s house, paying a large rent for the tiny space.

It was not the most comfortable or cosiest situation …

… Mom, Dad, and five Children cramped into a mouldy basement.

But they made the best of it by pouring as much love as they could into little things.

>> They kept the place neat and clean.

>> They had their small and sparse meals together every day.

>> They said their prayers each morning and each evening as a family.

>> They even pitched in to help other families who were in even more difficult situations.

One day, one of the children’s school teachers came by to visit the family.

>> She was shocked at the cramped quarters and the poverty of the family.

The next day at school the teacher took the little girl aside and tried to comfort her.

She said, “I am so sorry that you don’t even have a home to live in!”

But the little girl was surprised and answered:

“Oh no!

We have a wonderful home; we’re just still looking for a house to put it in!!”

The li’l girl did not have a proper house, but she had a wonderful home!

>> The family was constricted into a tiny space, but they had much space for each other in their hearts!

Yes, it’s the little things in life that can make the biggest difference.

Often times, we have a grand house but a very poor home…

We have many big things: a three-car garage, a home movie theatre, football-sized rooms, latest of communication & entertainment gadgets etc…

But very often, something essential is missing…

Is it true?

>> Are we living in a “House” or in a “Home”?

Today Holy Mother Church takes delight in celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

>> This was a home with much joy and peace, though it struggled to have even a proper house.

The Gospel of the Day speaks of the Presentation of Child Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2: 22-38) and the return to Nazareth, where the Child grows (Lk 2: 39-40)

The Holy Family of Nazareth is often considered as the perfect and ideal family.

In which sense is it perfect and ideal?

>> Lack of tensions…?

>> Free from problems…?

>> Abundance of wealth…?

>> Absence of worries and fears…?

>> No tension of financial constraints…?

Well…

… if these are the yardsticks to define a perfect and ideal family, the Holy Family of Nazareth would be too far from it…

This “ideal” and “perfect” family of Nazareth had to undergo many severe crises, as in any of our families…

1. The young Mary had to face an unplanned pregnancy…

>> She was thrown between a choice to face stoning for death or placing hope in God.

2. The just man Joseph had the dilemma of accepting a lady who could be doubted by society…

>> He faced the challenge of divorcing his to-be-wife or to accept her in faith and trust.

3. Joseph and Mary failed to find a proper place even to have the birth of their child…

4. At the middle of the night, they had to abandon their only place of refuge and fly to Egypt…

5. At the age of twelve, Jesus gets lost and His words to them are not understood by the parents…

6. A few years into boyhood, Jesus loses Joseph, his caring Father and the young Mary becomes a widow…

Are these “ideal” or “perfect” situations for a family?

Then, how do we say that the Holy Family of Nazareth is an “ideal” and “perfect” family?

Idealness and Perfection comes not as a result of absence of problems and difficulties.

>> Idealness and Perfection is attributed not because of being free from any risks or challenges.

They were able to move beyond a “house” and build a “home” because…

… They had God as their Ultimate Refuge

… and They always sought and listened to what God wanted in Their lives!

Idealness and Perfection is ascribed because They chose to trust and hope in God always!

>> >> Idealness and Perfection is credited because They sought to walk as per the Will of God always!

What about our families?

Today, unlike any other time in the history of the world, a family or a community faces severe challenges…

>> Consumerism and materialism ruins the fabric of a family…

>> Individualism and self-priorities hampers the structure of a family…

>> Failure to understand and readiness to abandon each other becomes quick solutions…

>> Media and other “knowledge sources” bombard minds with many alternative lifestyles…

As a family and a community, we today, stand before the Crib and gaze on the “Ideal” and “Perfect” family of Nazareth…

>> They had Their own issues and problems…

>> They had Their own sets of difficulties.

We might argue, that their problems are nothing compared to what we are going through.

Yet, the method and style of handling and tackling the problems remains the same…

>> Seeking to do God’s Will…

>> Being steadfastly faithful to one another in every crisis…

>> Being the strength to each other in rough times…

The Holy Family…

… challenges us to place unity and love as the prominent concerns.

… exhorts us to trust God in all situations and have God as the highest priority

… invites us to understand and accept each other and love the other as they are

We need to mould and build our families lovingly, inspired by the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Let us move from being just “house-makers” to being “home-makers”…

>> Let us go beyond the fleeting concept of “houses” to build everlasting and loving “homes”…

Are we living in a House or in a Home?

Happy Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth to all our Families!

God bless! Live Jesus!

There is a quotation by William Barclay, a famous theologian:
“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born and the day we discover why!”

One of them is easier and simpler than the other.

One is just a date and a moment in history.
>> It could be something like the 28th of November or the 7th of March or the 14th of July etc…

This was the day, we first made our appearance on this earth.

This day is special….

The other day is also special…but it’s not easy to discover it!

In fact, it is an arduous task and a patient undertaking.

>> That is day we figure out why we are on this Planet Earth.
>> That is the day we come to a greater realization of our Life.

The first day tells that I am here in this earth!
>> The second day would tell us “why” I am here on this earth!

To discover this meaning and purpose of life and seek to live it fully well, will make our lives satisfying and truly happy.

>> It could happen in one day!
>> It could happen over a period of some years!
>> It could happen over one’s whole lifetime!

Yet, the most important thing is to “keep seeking for it and be alert for its discovery”
>> Am I in this all-important process of discovering “Why I am born in this world”?

The Gospel of the Day will point out today to a person who discovered greatly this aspect of the purpose in life, and dedicated her whole life for it – Anna, the Prophetess.

We are still in the festive passages of Christmas – the Nativity of our Saviour.

Joseph and Mary have brought their Beloved Child, Jesus, to the temple to be presented to the Lord.

After the ritual purification rites and customs, the Holy Family of Nazareth is encountered by Simeon.

>> He who was docile and open to the promptings of the Spirit discovered the Glory of God.
>> He who was patient and constantly in quest, was blessed with the true meaning of his life.

At the same time, another woman was also eagerly waiting for the Messiah…in constant eagerness and longing…Anna!

‘Anna’ is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hannah, which means, ‘Grace’
>> Like the Old Testament Hannah, this Anna is also characterized by prayer and fasting

She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
>> Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Asher is considered to be one among ten of these tribes, which had strayed away from the path of the Lord, that were taken captive by the Assyrians in 722 BC, before the northern Kingdom fell.

However, “some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem” (2 Chr 30:11).

So, Anna belonged to that small remnant of the tribe of Asher, that had humbled itself to seek protection & providence in the Lord.

Anna was, however, a widow
>> She was a widow for a very very long time…
… for over seven decades, she had been a widow.

>> It was a tremendous grief to live so long without the love of a husband.
>> It was a dreadful challenge to struggle for survival and existence as a widow.

Sorrow can cause two consequences to a believer….

>> It can make one hard, bitter, resentful and rebellious against God
or…
>> It can make one kinder and dependable on God!

>> Sorrow can cause our faith to be spoilt
or…
>> Sorrow can cause our faith to take deeper roots!

Anna, the widow, chose the better part!
>> She chose to reveal and revel in the Grace of God and live a Gracious Life!

And this process of her discovering “why she was born in the world” made her to…

1. Practice a life of purity: She lived in holiness and integrity.

2. Pray constantly: She lived in the temple continually and was incessantly fasting and praying

3. Persevere Patiently: She battled loneliness and depression and persevered successfully to meet the Lord.

4. Proclaim Boldly: She challenged others in their cozy life by proclaiming the Messiah and His promises!

Life is constantly calling and challenging us to discover “the day why I am born”

It’s easy to while away our time in comforts and pleasures of this world.
>> But that will certainly not serve the goal of our existence here on this earth.

Each of us have a specific task and responsibility entrusted by the Lord.
>> This role is proper to our own vocation as in family life or in a consecrated life.

In God’s precious eyes, there are no small or great responsibilities.
>> He values and treasures each and every duty -small or big- with equal measure.

Every task, when performed with immense love and dedication has its greatness.

Anna, the old lady, “Young and Vibrant at Heart” teaches us today…
… To pursue what we are to be…to discover “why I am born”…to prevail in our aim!

… by Practicing a Life of Purity
… by Praying Constantly
… by Persevering Patiently
… by Proclaiming Boldly!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Mobile phones come with an option of keeping it in the ‘silent mode’.

It often happens, that when a phone is kept in the silent mode, one fails to notice a call.

But if one has been eagerly and excitedly waiting for someone’s call, it will be received, even if the phone is kept in the silent mode..

>> Right?

Great blessings from God often come to us silently and quietly.

>> But the one who is waiting eagerly and patiently excited, receives these blessings even in the silent mode of events…

Such was the case when the Lord was born…

The Messiah was promised long back.. centuries ago.

>> Yet, when we go through the accounts of the Bible, it seems that most people were not ready to receive Him…

> The Scribes and Scholars of the time never seem to have expected…

> The rich and the powerful people of Bethlehem failed to have any notice of Him…

Hardly anyone knew when and where the Saviour – the Little Babe was born!

It seemed like a call on the mobile phone that is kept in the silent mode!

>> Silently, the Precious Gift was delivered…

>> Without and fuss or fanfare, the Marvelous Treasure was presented…

But there was also a tiny group of people, who were waiting for this Blessed Fortune…

>> There were some who were waiting eagerly and patiently excited..

Among this tiny set of persons was Simeon!

In some dramas, we see some characters who appear on the stage just once…

… speak a few crucial dialogues or perform some significant deeds

…and they disappear

…never to be seen again!

Simeon is one such figure…

We know nothing about his background, his hometown, his education, or even his occupation.

>> We assume that he was an old man, but even that is not explicitly mentioned.

He simply appears on the stage of salvation drama for a few moments…

>> After his part is over, he fades from the scene, never to be heard from again!

We however, do know….that this Simeon was waiting eagerly for the Lord.

We could just imagine how Simeon would have gone through his days of waiting for the Saviour of the world…

>> Every time some couple walked in with child, Simeon would have asked, “Could this be the Promised Messiah?”…

Finally, when Mary and Joseph walked in with the child Jesus…

… Simeon sensed the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

However, looking at them, perhaps, a doubt would have arisen in his mind…

>> “Could the child of this simple and ordinary parents really be the Messiah?

>> The man seems to be some ordinary carpenter sort of…and the mother looks so ordinary a peasant girl.

>> Is it really possible that the Messiah, the Promised Saviour of the Universe, be having such simple and ordinary parents?”

And probably, the voice of the Holy Spirit would have boomed into the ears of Simeon…

“YES!

Truly.. .there is the Messiah.. the One promised by God!

“Human beings seek external appearances….but God chooses by His own Divine standards.

>> Doubt not… but go and meet Him, Who was promised for ages!

Believe firmly…and encounter the One who is the Salvation of the world!”

What about us?

Do we seek and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

It could come through various formats?

>> Inspirations… Thoughts… Circumstances…Other people… Commandments of the Church.. Bible.. Challenges in Life…etc…

Do we be in patient waiting and constant vigilance to hear this voice of the Lord?

>> Sometimes we cast away inspirations and feelings as trivial and minor…

>> Sometimes we discard some people as just insignificant and unimportant…

>> Sometimes we pass of situations and circumstances as ordinary and common…

>> Sometimes we reject commandments and teachings as outdated and obsolete…

But the Lord…through the patient and ever-watchful Simeon, today, invites us to always be on the watch to listen to the promptings of the Spirit…

We sometimes miss important calls when our phones are kept in silent mode…

Let it not happen so with the movements of the Spirit…

>> Let us always be observant and alert…

The Spirit is talking.. the Spirit is moving…

>> Are we listening?

>> Are we aware?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Christmas is one of the most – if not the most – popular Fest in the world!

This Fest is – besides the spiritual nourishment – greatly celebrated…

… with a lot of joy and merriment

… with the aspect of renewing relationships through get-togethers

… with a great deal of decorations and festoons to amplify the exciting tone

But for a moment, when we think of the very First Christmas Night…

… we being to understand that such was not exactly the mood back then!

There were many elements on that First Christmas Night which were actually very ordinary and some even, sad and scandalizing!

… the long and arduous travel of the “expectant Mother with Child ”and the ‘uncertain father’ towards Bethlehem

… the Holy Family failing to find a place in the inn (perhaps, refused to be given a place!)

… the birth of the Messiah, the Creator of the entire universe, in a manger – which was actually the place of feeding for the animals!

… the terrifying and indecisive flight into Egypt

As the famous Carol goes, it was in all probability more of a “Silent Night…”!

Another importantly sad and scandalizing event was that of the “Killing of the Innocents” under the of two, at the order of King Herod ( Mt 2: 16-18)

On this fourth Day of the Christmas Octave, Dec 28th, Holy Mother the Church celebrates this Commemoration of The Holy Innocents.

The news that a new King of the Jews was born, caused great ordeal for King Herod (Mt 2: 3)

>> He became all the more furious, when he heard that the Magi had deceived him (Mt 2:16)

The easiest solution found was to kill all the males under the age of two.

To react negatively, in a situation of hardship, often seems to be the easiest way out.

>> But it is an extremely cheap and low way of going about

But Herod fell into this snare of “negative reaction” and had little babies killed.

>> These little babies, too little and young to form a will and a desire to love, became martyrs of Blood. (Mt 2:16)

St Augustine would say, “they are the first buds of the Church killed by the frost of persecution; they died not only for Christ, but in his stead!”

The number of children killed is uncertain.

There are a number of views on the actual number of children who were killed.

>> The Byzantine Liturgy (Greek) says that Herod killed 14, 000 boys

>> The Syrian Liturgy speaks of 64,000.

>> Another scholarly study suggests that Bethlehem was a very small town, at the time of Jesus, with a population of maybe 300. The number of children below the age of two could be very less – maybe six or seven.

But the fact remains, that it was a tragic gravely foul and grievously painful.

The death of the little children is a reminder that our earthly life is a pilgrimage…

… to be oriented for the eternal life in heaven

The dreadful massacre of the innocent children can easily cause a question to arise in us:

>> Why did God allow the helpless death of the children before their own parents?

>> Why did these little children have to be murdered, for saving the Divine Child?

>> Could not God have planned a noble way of saving Him?

Such questions can easily cause our faith to be disturbed or even be scandalized by the ways of God

But it brings home an important truth: Our earthly life is a pilgrimage.

>> No one knows how long we will live – some die in infancy, some in their old age; some die prepared, some suddenly and tragically.

This is the reality that we find in the world – we like it or not, we accept or not.

It therefore, is a call for us, to nurture life in the best way possible…

>>> Our own lives by living in holiness and fidelity to the Will of God

>>> Preserving, nurturing and enhancing the lives of others – including the little infants in the wombs.

This commemoration of the Holy Innocents is a reminder to open our eyes to see the tragedies of the world and become courageous torch-bearers of justice

This passage of King Herod and the Holy Innocents, might sometimes seem to be like…

… “the unwarranted bone” in the tasty meal of Christmas

… or the “jarring note” in the melodious music of Christ’s Nativity.

We often like to live in “cosy and comfortable” situations – even if it means, closing our eyes to the stark and tragic realities of life

But it is the obligation of every Christian to “get out of every comfort zone”?

… and enter into the “suffering sections” of the society, and give them hope, consolation and life.

The “cry of the mothers of the innocent children”…

… Mt 2:18 – “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation”…

is also a “Carol”, that is heard every Christmas

Yes, may we deeply understand that Christmas – the birth of Christ, ought to not simply be a “festival of fun or frolic”…

… but also should lead us to hear the many “cries of innocents” today – the oppressed and the abused, the voiceless and the helpless, the sinful and the lonely etc.

Christmas is surely, one of the most – if not the most – popular Fest in the world!

But let not this Fest be drowned only in external celebrations and merriment

>> Rather, let it also be an occasion for all of us to renew our commitment to the cause of justice and peace in the world, and make this earthly pilgrimage more meaningful!

Salutations to the Holy Innocents and Glory to the Divine Babe, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Christmas is a time of great celebration and festivities.

The time after Christmas is often a phase of getting through with many cakes, sweets, food…

The foodstuff prepared for the occasion often exceeds the required amount and thus, it needs a few more days to consume it fully….

Something similar also happens in the spiritual realm…

For many people, the spiritual significance of an event like Christmas cannot be absorbed and completed in a day.

It’s like trying to comprehend the grandeur of some magnificent places like…

… the St. Peter’s Basilica at Vatican

… or the Taj Mahal in Agra

… or the Niagara Falls

… or other great and dazzling sites, in one walk-through.

It’s not too easy.

>> We have to return back to grasp greater the beauty and the splendour.

So it is with the spectacular event of the Nativity..

We need…

… more time to comprehend about the Christmas Night

… more time to understand the virgin birth

… more time to realise that God came down to earth as a tender Babe for our salvation etc…

As a result, the Church gives us seven additional days to contemplate these divine mysteries.

These extra days on the liturgical calendar, along with the feast day – eight in total – is called as The Christmas Octave.

Every day of the Christmas octave is filled with meaning that reflects back on the Nativity – not just the birth of Christ, but the impact, the reality and the consequence of that birth in the lives of different people.

It’s interesting to note that each of the three days following the Feast of Christmas, commemorates a different type of martyrdom…

Dec 26th – the Feast of St Stephen – the Martyrdom of the Will, Love and Blood:

>> By His powerful witness, St Stephen was stoned to death in act that was completely willed by him, totally offering his Love for Jesus & shedding his blood.

Dec 27th – the Feast of St John – the Martyrdom of the Will and Love:

>> By a life of immense faithfulness & total dedication, lived with a tremendous passion and fervour, St John suffered the martyrdom of the Will and of Love.

Dec 28th – the Feast of the Holy Innocents – the Martyrdom of Blood:

>> On coming to know of the birth of Jesus, King Herod ordered that males under the age of two should be executed. These little babies, too little and young to form a will and a desire to love, became martyrs of Blood. (Mt 2:16)

Their innocent blood came in defence of the blood of their Divine Contemporary – Baby Jesus, who would grant salvation to them by His Precious Blood!

On this third Day of the Christmas Octave, Dec 27th, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of St John, the Evangelist – the Martyr of Will and Love!

St John, the Apostle and Evangelist is known as the Apostle of Love.

His Life defined Love.

>> His writings expressed Love.

>> His thoughts instilled Love.

The Gospel of St John is a witness that “this disciple who was loved by Jesus” received two unique places alongside Jesus, that none of the other apostles received.

1. Near the heart of Jesus – in the bosom of His Divine Lord! (Jn 12: 23)

Jesus bestowed this unique place, close to His heart, to John, His Beloved Disciple, at the Last Supper.

At the last supper, while Jesus announced that one of His disciples would be betray Him, John, leaning on Jesus’ bosom, asked Him, “Lord, who is it?” (Jn 13: 25)

While the synoptic Gospels testify to the fact, that when Jesus said, “One of you will betray me”, all other disciples, with a (perhaps) sense of guilt or doubt asked, “Is it I, Lord?”

>> But the Gospel of St John, clearly testifies to the fact, that when Jesus said, “One of you will betray me”, John with a clear conscience asked directly, “Lord, who is it?”

The innocent heart of John did not bear any guilt or doubt.

>> The love in John’s veins prompted him to not have any fear or panic.

>> The child-like trust in John prompted him to ask Jesus bluntly, “Who is it..?”

Love seeks to be close to the One who is loved.

>> Love wants to have the nearest place to access the One who is loved.

>> Love longs to be intimate to the heart of the One that is deeply loved.

St John, the Apostle of Love, was given this place to be closest to the Heart of Jesus!

2. Near the Cross – in the crucible of suffering of His Divine Lord (Jn 19:26)

Jesus bestowed this unique place, close to His Cross, to John, His Beloved Disciple.

While all other disciples had forsaken the Lord, John remained close to the Cross of Jesus.

The Apostle of Love remained faithful and committed to His Master.

>> The Apostle of Love was staunchly courageous in the face of extreme fear and danger.

Love…

… desires to be with the pain of the One who is loved.

… defies every hurdle to be joined to the suffering of the One who is loved.

… breaks itself completely to have a share in the anguish of the One who is loved.

St John, the Apostle of Love, was given this place to be closest to the Cross of Jesus!

It’s a point to be noted, that the only other person who was given this unique privilege of being closest, both, to the Heart and Cross of Jesus…

… was our Blessed Mamma Mary – the Supreme Apostle of Love!

… She was closest to the heart of Jesus, nurturing and nourishing Her tender Babe

… She was closest to the Cross of Jesus, sharing and suffering the pain of Her beloved Child.

YES… An Apostle of Love can be made and moulded only in these two unique places…

… Near the Heart of Jesus and near the Cross of Jesus.

Love longs to be close to the Heart…

>> Love drives every fear of the Cross.

Love seeks to kiss the Heart…

>> Love impels to embrace the Cross!

Blessed Mamma Mary and St John invite us, with much tenderness and affection:

>> “Come my Child.. Come my brother and sister… Be an Apostle of Love – close to the Heart and Cross of Jesus”

Happy Feast of the Apostle of Love!

God Bless! Live Jesus!