It was a tense afternoon in the September of the year 1594.

 

The Bishop of Geneva in France, had convoked a meeting of all his clergy.

>> There was an urgent need for priests to go to a place named Chablais.

 

Chablais was a territory in Geneva, which had been under political and religious siege.

>> Around fifty priests in this place had been banished.

>> Many churches had been burnt and devastated.

 

Chablais had become a place of terror for the Catholic Church.

>> It had became infamous for its terrible persecution of the Catholic Faith.

 
It’s in this horrifying situation, that the Bishop of the place had called for a meeting…

… to ask for volunteers to go to this place and renew the faith.

 

But none came forward…

>> None were willing to risk their lives…
It’s at this point, that there came a gentle yet firm voice – “My Lord, if you think that I am capable of it, command me, I am ready!”

 
The voice was of St Francis de Sales.

 

His own father considered this decision as “utter madness”

>> Perhaps, the other priests and clergy would have also felt this decision as a “crazy one”

 

The risk of being driven out, failing in his undertaking and of becoming a laughing stock of the world was great indeed.

>> But St Francis de Sales stood firm to His decision.

 

 

>> It was a decision which perhaps defied reasons…

>> It was a decision which perhaps seemed out of senses…

But this decision was to become the turning point of a spiritual revolution!
St Francis de Sales was convinced, that nothing is greater than “seeking and doing” the Will of God. 

>> He would in fact, later in life, say: 

“Do everything calmly and peacefully.

Strive to see God in all things without exception, and consent to His will joyously. 

Do everything for God, uniting yourself to him in word and deed.” 

What about our Christian Life? 

>> Is it centred on seeking and doing the Will of God, at every moment, in every situation?

The Gospel of the Day is a narrative of Jesus displaying His conviction and commitment on the most vital dimension of the Kingdom of God: Doing God’s Will.

 
Jesus was in the thick of His ministry.

>> The place was packed with people sitting on the floor, in the passage-way, around the doors and windows, craving to listen to what Jesus was speaking.

 
It’s at that time that His family members arrived.

 

His family couldn’t get through to Him

>> So they send a message in, and it passed from one person to person: “Tell him that his mother and brothers are outside looking for him” (Mk 3: 32)

The message finally reached Jesus.

 

 

It is interesting to consider the feelings and reactions of the different persons…

 

• The family of Jesus…

….were eager and concerned to get the Lord back home

… were wanting to meet Him and if possible to give Him a break in His ministry

 

• The crowd around Jesus…

… were understandable that the family of the Lord are keen to meet Him

… were expecting Jesus to stop His preaching, to accommodate meeting His kith and kin

 
It is in such critical moments and crucial situations…

… that the Lord loves to make use, to put across a message…

… that the Lord loves to thrive on, to send forth a teaching…

 
Jesus uses the arrival of His physical family as an opportunity to teach about His relationship with His spiritual family.

 
What is most needed…

… is not human relationships

… is not human affairs

>> Rather, spiritual relations and spiritual affairs!

 

Jesus brings to focus the importance…

… to seek and do God’s Will

… to become related in the Kingdom.

 
What is our own attitude and mentality…

>> Am I concerned more with worldly affairs or do I engage myself more into spiritual realities?

>> Am I disturbed more by earthly concerns or do I share more the anxiety for spiritual growth?

>> Am I obsessed more with worldly gains or do I be zealous for spiritual graces and blessings?

 

Very often we lose our focus…

>> Very often we lose sight of the proper track…

The Lord, today, brings back the “spotlight” on the essentials of a Christian Life.

 
>>Christian life sometimes gets diluted with too many “social” concerns…

… at the expense of spiritual realities.
>> Christian life sometimes gets polluted with too many “interdisciplinary” matters…

… at the expense of true faith and teachings.
>> Christian life sometimes gets ruined with too many “compromising” practices…

… at the expense of Gospel values and standards.

 
Today we celebrate the Feast of St Francis de Sales.

…. the Doctor of Love!

… the Gentleman Saint!

>>He, today, invites and encourages us to embrace this path of constantly seeking and doing the Will of God!
In His book – The Introduction to the Devout Life (a book recommended for all, especially those in family life) ….

>> He clearly enunciates simple and practical tips of how one can grow in devotion and holiness…

… by constantly remaining in the presence of God

… by continually doing the Will of God

 Undoubtedly, in doing the Will of God, we will have to…

… we will have to face moments of loneliness, ‘cos we will find ourselves, swimming against the currents of the world

… we will have to encounter hardships and rejections, ‘cos we would become a subject of calumny and mockery, as others may oppose us

… we will have to go through situations of darkness, ‘cos we would find it hard to even have clarity in our life of faith 
But in all such situations, the Lord assures us, with the 5 magical words: I WILL BE WITH YOU!

This was the conviction that led St Francis de Sales to become a Great Saint…

… treading confidently and optimistically in the Path of Holiness and Sanctity. 
He would say: 

“In all your affairs, rely wholly on God’s providence, through which alone you must look for success. 

>> Nevertheless, strive quietly on your part to cooperate with its designs…

… Imitate little children who with one hand hold fast to their father while with the other they gather strawberries or blackberries from the hedges.” 

May we seek the mighty intercession of the Gentleman Saint to “Seek and Do” God’s Will at all times and thus “soar in the skies of sanctity”

May the following words and quotes of St Francis de Sales inspire and strengthen us:

>> “Bloom where you are planted”

>> “Be what you are and be at its best”

>> “I have made a pact with my tongue… not to speak, when my heart is troubled!”

>> “A spoonful of honey attracts more bees than a barrel of vinegar”

>> “Be patient with all things; but first of all, with yourself!”

>> “Praying daily for half an hour is essential, except when you are busy… in those times, an hour!”
Wish you all a very Happy Feast of St Francis De Sales!

>> With joy and love, let us proclaim with him, “Vive Jesus…Live Jesus!”

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

 It was a healing and deliverance session in a praise and worship music concert.

 

The music was in full blow…

>> The praises were ringing high…

>>> The atmosphere was electrified….

 

In that high and spirited ambience, the choir began to sing the hymn,

“In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus, we have the victory….

In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus, demons will have to flee…”

 

As this hymn of mighty power and deliverance was being sung…

… some of the people who were standing in front, and were reportedly demon-possessed, also began to sing and dance joyfully!

 

Now that was something surprising and shocking for the people who were singing on the stage…

 

It was a song for deliverance…

… but instead, these possessed people were also enjoying…

 

It was a song for liberation…

… but instead, these possessed people were also rejoicing…

 

 

On asking them as to how could they be also happy and rejoicing, these people answered:

” Well, although most of you are singing, ‘In the name of Jesus, demons will flee’, none of you seem to be singing it with any conviction or belief.

 

You seem to be enjoying the music more..

… and so therefore, we too are happy to enjoy the music and sing along!”

 

>> The hymn lost its power and value…

… because it was sung merely as a fast number!

 

>> The prayer lost its sanctity and sacredness…

… because it was sung merely as a jumping song!

 

There was no authority in the singing.

>> There was no credibility in the prayer.

>>>> There was no sincerity in the faith.

 

 

When authority and integrity are lacking in a spiritual endeavour, there is very less spiritual growth and nourishment!

>> When authority and integrity are present in a spiritual endeavour, there is much spiritual progress and advancements!

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of how true integrity and authority can work tremendous wonders, conversions of heart and transformations of life…

… and how it can also cause some people to engage in calumny and character-assasination!

 

 

The Gospel of the Day begins with the statement that…

… “the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul and by the prince of demons , He casts out the demons” (Mk 3:22)

One of the reasons why the Scribes were irked by the personality of Jesus was because of the tremendous authority that was displayed by Jesus!  

 

Yes, the amazing factor in the ministry of Jesus was His tremendous authority!

>> The wondrous aspect in the ministry of Jesus was His awesome integrity!

 
 Elsewhere, in the Gospel of St Mark, we read…

 

>> The people “were astonished at his teaching, for He taught as one who had authority…” (Mk 1:22)

 

>> “..they were all amazed so that they questioned among themselves…. ‘…with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him” ( Mk 1: 27)

 

 

This authority and integrity came…

… through His deep union with His Heavenly Father.

… through His faithfulness to the commands of His heavenly Father

… through His undivided devotion to His Heavenly Father

 

 

How authoritative, credible and integral are we in our life…

… as a Christian?

… in the family?

… as a consecrated person?

 

Authoritative does not mean arrogance…

>> Credibility does not mean over-confidence…

>>> Integrity does not mean super-importance…

 

 

Authority, credibility and integrity in the Lord means…

… filled with the power and strength of God’s Spirit

… imbued with a deep passion for the Lord and His Church

… living an honest lifestyle in accordance to God’s Will and teachings

 

 

The Gospel of the Day calls us to check and examine…

… is my prayer life and devotion truly authentic and credible?

… is my preaching and spreading of God’s Word filled with His Holy Spirit?

… is my reception of the Sacraments helping me to make an honest effort to be a true Christian?

 

 

Let our prayers become a true raising of hearts to God…

>> Let the receiving of the Sacraments become an honest transformation for life…

>>> Let the spreading of God’s Word become a credible witness to God’s Kingdom….

 

Jesus is our model and example to be true and honest in life!

>> Jesus is our ideal and standard to be faithful and committed to our mission!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The town of Feldkirch, Austria in 1799 was faced with the prospects of being attacked by the armies of Napoleon.
It was an Easter Day and the sun shone brightly, letting the soldiers of the enemy being spotted.

The Town Council was called together, in haste, to consult what had to be done.

> It was a situation of tension.

> It was a time of immense distress.

After a long period of discussion, the dean of the Church made a proclamation:

“My brothers it is Easter Day! 

We have been reckoning our own strength, and that fails.
Let us turn to God.
Ring the bells and have service as usual, and leave the matter in God’s hands…”

It was a hard and (humanly speaking) a risky decision, but they agreed to do as he said. 

Thus from the Church towers of Feldkirch, rang the boisterous and joyous peals of the bells, in honour of the Resurrection of the Lord.

 > The streets began to be filled with worshippers, hastening to the Church.

The enemy army, on hearing the sudden ringing of the bells, were taken aback with surprise and shock.
They came to a conclusion that the Austrian Army had arrived in order to relieve the place.

So they fled hastily!

The town of Feldkirch were saved from the possibilities of destruction and ruin! 

Divine Providence had rescued a tiny town, who placed their trust in Him, from the deathly clutches of a mighty army!

Is my life of faith, characterised by a “Deep Trust in Divine Providence”?

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful presentation of the marvels that can be witnessed when one place’s one’s complete trust in the Lord and surrenders one’s life – in action and deeds – to the Providence of the Lord. 

Our Blessed Lord was into His ministry of preaching and proclaiming God’s Word, after the arrest of John the Baptist (Mt 4:17)

The Word was transforming people…

   … and in sometime, a wonderful transformation was to happen to a person, who would become a close follower of the Transforming Lord!
“As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea” (Mt 4:18)

In the Gospel of St Luke, we read in interesting statement, in the similar context…

… “the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets” (Lk 5: 2b)

This verse, though little and appears insignificant carries a mighty message: the message of the Power of God’s Providence.

The fishermen had toiled the whole night… caught no fish, and were now, dejectedly, washing their nets.

The boat was empty – bereft of any fish!

But Divine Providence had a mighty plan in this “barrenness”

>> The emptiness of the boat allowed our Blessed Lord to enter it, and make it His Pulpit for preaching God’s Word!
>> The vacancy in the boat prompted our Blessed Lord to enthrone it, and make it His platform for calling His First Disciples!

 

Had there been fish in the boat…

  … in all probability, the fishermen would be in it, sorting and cleaning the fish..

  … and would have left no space for the Blessed Lord to preach from it 
Had there been a mighty catch that night…

  … in all probability, the boat, filled with the fish, would not have been there

  … and the vehicle of “catching fish” would have missed the chance to be a “podium for proclaiming God’s Word”

Is my life, at this point, empty and barren… like this boat?

>> Maybe its been a long time I have been watching and expecting, patiently and faithfully, for my boat to be filled.
>> Maybe its being a horrible wait, sometimes even leading to frustration and hopelessness, for my boat to be filled
But can I trust Divine Providence, in having a purposive plan for this “emptiness and barrenness”? 

When Jesus called them, “Come after me, I will make you fishers of men…”

… “At once, they left their nets and followed Him” (Mt 4: 20)
Here is a beautiful story of how..

A competent fisherman who had failed utterly in his field of competence…

… is initiated into being a competent fisher of people, for the Kingdom of God!

 
As Christians, we do claim to be people of faith and belief.
But does this “faith” translate itself into real “trust”?

>> When hardships come in life… I may proclaim my faith with my lips.. But do I “trust” Him to take me through?
>> When emptiness fills my life.. I may perform external works of faith..But do I “trust” Him to utilize my barrenness, in the way He wants?
>> When toils of life yield no results… I may persist in saying that I have faith… But do I “trust” Him to grant me the fruits of labour, in His own time and in His own measure?

And if I really “trust” in the Lord…
… I would be a person of joy, going about my works without anxieties and radiating serenity and calm…

   > even when walking through the valleys of sufferings

   > even when sinking in the deluge of pain   

   > even when surrounded by the clouds of uncertainty!

May we take this message of the Gospel to heart… 

… and be reminded of the need to “let go” of our own fears, apprehensions, preconceptions and pride in order to “fully trust” in the mighty power of God’s Providence, and experience His Awesome and Amazing Care for us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Enthusiasm” is a word that is very commonly used. 

It is interesting to know the root meaning of this word
“Enthusiasm” is derived from two Greek words – “en” and “theos”

>> “En” means IN

>> “Theos” means GOD
“En-theos” means being “In God”

Enthusiasm therefore points to the fact of…

… someone being “possessed by God”

… someone who is mad with the works of God
 

The Gospel of the Day is a narrative of a Man Who is deeply enthusiastic… IN GOD…

… the “Mad and Insane” Jesus!

St Mark’s Gospel is pretty straightforward – to the point and blunt in its nature.

 

 The Lord was out to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of Love and Mercy…

• Broken lives were mended by the balm of His Holiness

• Ruined minds were revived by the power of His teachings

• Shattered destinies were made whole by the cure of His touch

• Hardened hearts were touched by the softness of His presence

• Ruptured consciences were restored by the gentleness of His love

 

 

The crowd following had increased…the popularity ratings had soared!

 

This however causes a great disturbance and distress in the family of Jesus…

“Again the crowds gathered, making it impossible for them, even to eat.

When His relatives heard of this, they set out to seize Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind’ ” (Mk 3: 20-21)

 

Jesus was labelled as being “out of mind!”

>> Jesus was tagged as being “insane and mad”

>>> Jesus was branded as being “crazy and odd”

 
The one who is filled with God’s love is indeed an obsessed person!

>> The one who has eyes fixed on one’s goals is indeed a mad person!

Obsessed in love…mad for one’s aim…passionate about one’s goals!

 

And Jesus was indeed passionate and highly zealous for His mission…

So much so, that even His own relatives misunderstood and mistook Him.

       

 

 

The Bible and the Church is a gigantic collection of deeds and acts of such people who were “mad” and who took “crazy” decisions in life…

 

>> Abraham was “crazy” to have faith in God, to have children, even at the ripe old age of hundred!

>> Moses was “mad” to trust God to lead a tiny nation from the clutches of the imposing Egyptian empire!

>> Mother Mary was “crazy” to give up her promising life and instead consent to an Angel to become the Mother of God!

>> St Peter was “mad” to abandon his career and family to follow Jesus for a ministry of unknown and uncertain future!

>> St Paul was “crazy” to undergo tremendous sufferings and agonizing troubles for the sake of the spread of the Gospel!

When one is really passionate towards one’s mission, there is an element of “craziness”!

>> When one is really zealous about one’s purposes, there is an element of “madness”!

 

Do I have and reflect this “mad” passion and zeal for God’s love?

… by seeking Him in all our works, activities and plans

… by reaching out His love to the needy and the disadvantaged

… by spreading hope, courage and optimism in this broken world

 

 

Let us dare to walk and live the path of the Crucified Lord…

… the One who was called mad and insane

… the One who was misunderstood and unaccepted

Because He chose to live and die for His convictions of Love!

 

Let us not be worried… let us not be anxious…but trust in our Loving God!

 

 

In the words of St Francis De Sales:

“God takes pleasure to see you take your little steps; and like a good father who holds his child by the hand, He will accommodate His steps to yours and will be content to go no faster than you.

 

Why do you worry?” 

 

  

Yes, let us be people filled with “enthusiasm”… being IN GOD….

… someone being “possessed by God”

… someone who is mad with the works of God
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The role of judges in a competition or a contest is known to everybody.

 

The judge is to make a choice of the outstanding performers.

>> This choice is based on a number of criteria…

>> This choosing is dependent on a number of factors…

 

The ones who are selected are considered to be the best among the lot!

>> The ones who are chosen are considered to be the finest among them all!

 

But it’s quite interesting and sometimes even strange, that in the Divine realm, this principle is not followed!

>> Yes, God’s ways are truly far different from the way of human beings!

>> God’s style is exceedingly distinct from the style of human beings!

 

God makes His choice on the Single Principle of Love!
 

The Gospel of the Day is a testimony to this fact, when Jesus makes a choice of His disciples.

“Jesus went up to the mountain, and called to Him those whom He desired, and they came to Him” (Mk 3:13)

 

Another translation would read, “…and summoned to Him those whom He wanted…”

 

The disciples were called because Jesus desired them!

>> The disciples were summoned because Jesus wanted them!

 

This style of choice is indeed strange and queer, isn’t it?

>> Judges usually select the best and the outstanding…

>> Judges usually choose the finest and the exceptional…

But Jesus, the Judge, seems to be doing it all wrong!

 

Here is Project Kingdom at hand…and Jesus chooses not the best, but the ordinary!

 

Jesus is out to usher in a Kingdom of healing and many divine works…

>> But Jesus chooses some mundane fishermen for this task – Peter and Andrew and James and John!

 

Jesus is out to usher in a Kingdom of love and detachment…

>> But Jesus chooses some doubtful personalities like tax collectors and lover of money – Mathew and Judas Iscariot!

 

Jesus is out to usher in a Kingdom of Divine love and peace…

>> But Jesus chooses some nationalists and zealots – Simon!

 
Yes, God’s ways are truly far different from the way of human beings!

>> God’s style is exceedingly distinct from the style of human beings!

 

You and Me – as Christians, are also called and chosen!
What was the reason for it?

>> What was the criteria for God choosing us?

 

Nothing exceptional or spectacular in us…

>> But simply and purely, His exceptional and spectacular love has chosen us!
He chose us simply because He wanted to choose us!

>> He selected us simply because He wanted to select us!

Sounds crazy? Sounds weird?
Well… God’s love and choices are indeed crazy and weird!

>> But they are also full of wisdom and Divine Providence!

 

 

Yes, we are called into existence in love, by the One who loves us deeply!

 

This sole factor can and should be the impelling and encouraging force in our lives!

 

In moments, when we feel that we are unwanted and unloved…

>> Know and realise, that God has chosen us…in love!

 

In moments when we feel unequipped and disarmed to undertake some duties and tasks…

>> Know and realise, that God has chosen us…in love!

 

In moments, when we are broken into despair and rejected into helplessness and loneliness…

>> Know and realise, that God has chosen us…in love!

 

In moments, when meaning to life is found missing and the future looks too hazy and clouded…

>> Know and realise, that God has chosen us…in love!

 
It may be easy for me to write reflections on God’s love…

>> It may be not too hard a task for me to preach on God’s love…

But deep within… can we know and experience, for sure.. that God’s Love encompasses us!

 

He simply loves us!

>> He simply loves to lavish His affections on us!

 

There can be no greater personal revelation for me than to know and experience that I am loved and chosen by God!

>> There can be no greater personal satisfaction and happiness for me, than to live and be passionate about this deep, personal and intimate love and choice of God!

 
Today, let us renew our commitment and zeal to this Love of the Lord!
He is calling us once again… in love..

…to be His disciples

…to be close to Him

…to be part of His Project Kingdom

…to be partakers of His mission in this world

Let’s seek the intercession of martyrs St Sebastian & St Fabian, whose feast we celebrate today , in order to live a faithful life… 

… and to be his faithful disciples! 
“The devil strains every nerve to secure the souls which belong to Christ. We should not grudge our toil in wrestling them from Satan, and giving them back to Christ” (St Sebastian) 

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

A magnet is an object made of certain materials which creates a magnetic field around itself.

>> This magnetic field causes objects of certain properties to attract to itself…

 

The closer the objects are to the magnet, the stronger they are pulled to the attracting force.

 

Another interesting thing is that…

… objects attached to the magnet, over a certain period of time, themselves become magnetized and are able to attract other things to itself.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful exhibition of this Magnetic Presence of Jesus!

 

St Mark beautifully presents this attractive power of the Lord through the words:

“A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.

Hearing what He was doing, a large number of people came to Him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan and from the neighbourhood of Tyre and Sidon” (Mk 3: 7-8)

 

 

The popularity of the Lord was spreading far and wide…

>> His power over sin had many to look up to Him…

>> His authoritative teaching was astonishing to many…

>> His dominance over evil spirits was awe-inspiring for many…

>> His amazing healing power had caused a stir among people…

 

Like a magnet, the Lord was attracting many to Himself!

>> Like a magnet, the Lord was pulling variety of people to Himself!

                                                                                                                                               

The magnetic and charming power of the Lord attracts us too..

… But do we remain willing to get attracted to this amazing force?

 

The Living Presence of the Lord in our midst is in the Holy Eucharist.

>> The Holy Eucharist is the powerful magnet that can pull and attract many!

 

The tragedy in our life is that very often, this “magnetic” Eucharistic presence remains abandoned and forsaken!

 

It’s a pity that the Living Lord is hardly visited in the Blessed Sacrament!

 

>> Chapels and Churches often remain empty and forlorn…

>> Very few to visit Jesus in the Eucharist!

>> Hardly any say Hello to the Lord in the Eucharist!

 

We sometimes are reducing ourselves to a generation seeking only after mighty wonders!

>> We sometimes are making ourselves to be a people wanting only fascinating miracles!

>> We sometimes are forming ourselves to be ones who are attracted only to external sensations!

 

But Eucharist – the greatest wonder and miracle of the world often remains unnoticed!

 

There is nothing more sublime in this world than the Holy Eucharistic Presence!

>> There is nothing more beautiful than moments spent before the Eucharistic Lord!

>> There is nothing more awesome than an experience of love in the Holy Eucharist!

 

Am I ready to get attracted and charmed by this magnetic presence of the Holy Eucharist?

 

>> The Lord waits for us…every moment…every day!

>> The Lord seeks for us…every second…every hour!

 

We may have different excuses to evade and avoid time before His presence…

>> Maybe too many works and occupations…

>> Maybe a feeling that it is too dry and boring to be with Him…

>> Maybe an attitude that social works suffice and go beyond all such pious devotions…

 

But no excuse and no theory can give justification to miss the Presence of the Lord!

He is the magnet who can infuse us with power and strength!

>> The more closer we are, the more attracted we be!

>> The more we remain with Him, the more we become like Him!

 

>> May the Magnetic Power of the Holy Eucharist be sought more!

>> May the Magnetic Love of the Holy Eucharist be longed more!

 

And may, we, in turn, become a magnetic Presence of the Lord to others!

… Seeking the Eucharist, to be a Eucharist to the other!

… Loving the Eucharist to break and share oneself to the other!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 The Christian tradition has for a long time, associated the four evangelists (Gospel writers) with the four living creatures that surround God’s throne as described in the book of Revelation.

 

Rev 4:7, “The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf (ox), the third had a face like that of a human being and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight…”

 

These associations are made as follows:

>> Matthew – Human being/Angel;

>> Mark – Lion;

>> Luke – Ox (Calf);

>> John – Eagle.

 

The Gospel of the Day is a passage from the Gospel of St Mark.

 

And today the Lion, associated with Mark’s Gospel is set to “roar”!

Yes, Jesus, the Marcan Lion is out to “roar” in the Synagogue!!

 

It’s another Sabbath day…

>> And Jesus is in the synagogue where there is a man who has a withered hand.

 

St Mark is particular to mention that the Pharisees were watching him keenly, to observe what Jesus, the healer would do (Mk 3:2)

 

>> They did not look, to praise God…they observed in order to pinpoint faults!

>> They did not seek, to glorify God’s name…they scrutinized in order to defame the Lord!

 

What a pity when…

…. religious leaders become only harsh law-enforcing personnel and fail to administer compassion and love!

… when protectors of the law become too rigid and stubborn to keep the rules that they become perpetuators of a perpetual hypocrisy!

 

As the Pharisees keep watching what He is going to do, Jesus throws the ball in their court.

>> The Lord knows the secrets of human hearts!

>> The Lord gauges the depths of human hypocrisy!

 

And so Jesus, the Marcan Lion roars and asks:

” Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” ( Mk 3:4)

 

A basic and a fundamental question was staring on the faces of the Pharisees…

>> They were people who were staunch to uphold the laws and the rules.

>> They were people who would strive to maintain faithfulness to the minutest regulations

>> They were people who would raise their voice at any violation of God’s commandments.

 

Was it love that drove them to do God’s commandments?

>> Was it pure motives that made them to be zealous for God’s law?

>>> Was it a striving for God’s glory that impelled them to be strict keepers of the rules?

 

>> Here was a moment for them to express their intention behind all these things…

>> Here was a chance to tell the world what was their aim in doing all the obligations…

 

“But they remained silent” (Mk 3:4b)

What an anti-climax it turned out to be!

>> They gave the worst possible reply to the life-convicting question: Silence!

 

>> It was a deafening silence that was brutally wounding and viciously hurting!

>> It was a booming silence of their cruel disapproval of Jesus’ healing ministry!

>> It was a crashing silence exposing their wickedness of heart and duplicity of minds!

 

And so Jesus, the Lion roars…

“Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of hearts…” (Mk 3:5)

 

>> The inhuman silence of the Pharisees provokes Jesus, the Lion to anger!

>> The hypocritical hush of the Pharisees instigates Jesus, the Lion to fury!

>> The dreadful stillness of the Pharisees wounds Jesus, the Lion to grief!

 

How many of us are similar to this attitude of the Pharisees….?!

 

We see people withered in misery and abjection…

>> And we assume a dignified silence of inaction and apathy!

 

We see others withered in sinful situations and evil circumstances…

>> And we take refuge in a silence of not doing anything to help them, come out of this condition!

 

We see families, societies and communities withering in disunity and discord…

>> And we maintain a “clean-image” of silence, instead of doing the unpleasant task of unifying!

 

We see ourselves withered in corrupt inclinations and errant behaviour…

>> And we uphold a silence of indifference and lethargy and avoid reformation and renewal!

 

But the Lord, the great Lion, roars in all such “unfair and debasing” moments of silence!

> It angers Him…

>> It grieves Him…

>>> It provokes Him…

>>>> It pains Him…       

 

ROOARRR!!

The Lion of Judah is “roaring” for a positive and active response from us….

>> The Lord “roars” for a change in our attitude and mentality!

>> The Lord “roars” for a radical transformation in our misery of indifference!

 

Let the “roar” of Jesus, the Lion instil in us the urgency to take necessary actions in our life.

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“You are under CCTV surveillance!”

>> This is one common notice that is increasingly seen, these days. 
Institutions, offices, public places…. are getting scanned under the CCTV (Closed Circuit TeleVision) camera. 
The CCTV seeks to capture every movement that occurs, in order to trace any untoward incident. 
It is mainly placed…

… in order to identify possible mishaps and troublesome occurrences. 

… in order to find out people who involve in pranks, harmful actions and terrors. 

… in order to trace any untoward incidents by capturing every movement that occurs 

Well.. though the gadget named CCTV is a modern technology, we have its human version already existing centuries back… 

>> And the Gospel of the Day is proof of this aspect! 
Check out the CCTV – sponsored and used by the Pharisees and the Scribes. 

>> And today, Jesus and His disciples are under the surveillance of this CCTV! 

Jesus and His disciples were walking through a field of grain on the Sabbath. 

>> The disciples were hungry and decided to pluck some of the grain. (Mk 2: 23)

The OT law of keeping of the Sabbath in no way prohibited picking a handful of grain to satisfy one’s immediate hunger 
In Dt 23:25, God makes a wonderful provision for travellers: 

“When you enter your neighbour’s standing grain, then you may pluck the head with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle in your neighbour’s standing grain” 
The traditional law however added many rules and regulations. 

>> These traditions were rigid concerning Sabbath observance. 
The Talmud – the book of Jewish traditions – has 24 chapters listing various Sabbath laws.  

>> A rabbi would sometimes spend 21/2 years studying one chapter to figure out all the details. 
On a Sabbath Day…

… no burden could be carried that weighed more than a dried fig, or half a fig carried two times. 

… if you threw an object in the air and caught it with the other hand, it was a sin. If you caught it in the same hand, it wasn’t! 

… a tailor couldn’t carry his needle…. The scribe couldn’t carry his pen… A pupil couldn’t carry his books. 

… no clothing could be examined lest somehow you find a lice and inadvertently kill it. 
Nothing could be…

… sold

… bought

… washed
>> Cold water could be poured on warm, but warm couldn’t be poured on cold. 

>> You could not bathe for fear when the water fell off of you it might wash the floor. 

>> If a candle was lit, you couldn’t put it out. If it wasn’t lit, you couldn’t light it. 

>> Women couldn’t look in a glass or they might find a white hair and be tempted to pull it out. 

>> Women couldn’t wear jewellery because jewellery weighs more than a dried fig!! 
It goes on an on…!! 

The system had become mercilessly oppressive, horribly ungodly and brutally unkind. 
 The safe guarders and protectors of these scrupulous laws were the Scribes and the Pharisees. 

>> And today they are out, to catch hold of Jesus and His disciples. 
Their detective eyes are keen to observe the mistakes committed by them. 

>> Their probing eyes are on the look out to get hold of their Sabbath breakages! 
It’s like a CCTV that is capturing minute-by-minute movements… 

>> It’s like a CCTV that keeps a constant watch for any untoward happenings… 
Do I sometimes adopt this tendency of the Pharisees and the Scribes… 

>> Being on the constant look out for mistakes of others… 

>> Watching others behaviours to probe faults and failures in them… 
It’s interesting that the Scribes and the Pharisees fail to see that they also broke the Sabbath Law! 
The Pharisees are following Jesus and His disciples…. 

>> This meant walking beyond the stipulated steps prescribed by the Sabbath Law! 
But, they conveniently don’t mention this! 

>> They self-justified themselves but accused others of guilt! 

>> They self-approved themselves but blamed others of faults! 
>> Am I a person prone to only find faults and negativity in situations and in others… 

… or do I make constructive criticisms and also be a person who genuinely appreciates? 
>> Am I a person constantly bickering about what is lacking and missing in my life… 

… or do I rather be a person who is delightful and content with all what God has blessed me? 
>> Am I person who magnifies the weaknesses of others and defames others character… 

… or do I be a person who understands others and encourages them to be stronger? 
Its human to chance upon the weaknesses of others… 

>> Its Divine to accept, understand and encourage them to be better instead! 
Its human to always look into the negative dimensions in a person… 

>> Its Divine to have a magnanimous heart to look to positives in life! 

Let us have our focus always on the Lord and His true commandments, seeking the intercession of St Antony of the Desert, the Abbot, whose feast we celebrate today. 

>> Let us strive to give heed to the words of this saintly monk: 

“The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross.”  

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Most of us are familiar, with the story of that person who bought large new, exquisite flower vase from the market.  

>> This person was excited in possessing this big and wonderful flower vase. 
He came home and placed this flower vase in the centre table of the main hall. 

>> He looked at the vase and admired saying, “Wow! This vase looks so pretty”. 
But as he kept admiring the beauty of the vase, he realized, that somehow the torn and the rugged carpet beneath, was not matching with this newly bought vase. 
So he decided to change the carpet… 
Once he did the changing of the carpet, and as he admired the flower vase, he realized, the painting on the walls of the house also did not match with the flower vase, and the new purchased carpet.. 

>> So there.. he decided to paint anew the walls as well! 
Well.. the entry of the single vase…. brought about effective changes in the surrounding! 
The love for the beautiful vase prompted the person to make additional changes. 

>> The admiration for the charming vase made the person to bring in extra alterations. 

Something similar is to happen, when the Beautiful and Precious Jesus enters into our lives… 

>> The old is to get transformed.. the new is to be ushered in! 

>> The former is to undergo an alteration…the novel is to be welcomed in! 

This is what the Lord puts forward in the Gospel of the Day by the examples of the old & new cloak and old & new wine 

Our Lord often used examples from daily life to illustrate his parables. 

Today, He uses two concepts that would have been readily understood by his listeners: 

>> No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. (Mk 2:21) 

>> No one pours new wine into old wineskin (Mk 2: 22) 
It was a known fact as to what would happen if an unshrunk (new) patch was sewn onto an old garment. 

>> When it was washed, the new patch would shrink and pull away from the garment leaving a bigger tear than before. 

In ancient Israel, the grapes were pressed in the winepress and left in the collection vats for a few days. 
Fermentation starts immediately on pressing, and this allows the first “tumultuous” (gassy) phase to pass. 

>> Then the fermenting juice was put in clay jars to be stored, or into wineskins if it was to be transported some distance. 
.When this new wine was placed into a wineskin, it continued to ferment; so it was essential to put it into a new, flexible, skin that would expand, as the carbon dioxide gas (a by-product of fermentation) was given off. 

Historically, these examples illustrate the incompatibility of the old with the new.  

>> The new is Jesus’ message of the Kingdom of God. 

>> The old is the present status of Judaism. 

Contextually, what do these examples mean to us today? 
We have professed and declared ourselves to be Christians, following the path of Jesus. 
Is there a newness and a novelty that I experience and live in my daily life? 

>> Does Jesus Christ really effect any difference in my attitudes and my actions? 

For long, perhaps, we have been proud to carry the tag of being a Christian. 

>> But is it not time that Christ really begins to become “REAL” and “LIVING” in my life? 

We use Christianity as a bait to obtain concessions, quotas, easy entries for jobs etc… 

>> But does Christianity make me to live the values of the Gospel to root out corruption from the society & within ourselves? 

As Christians, we are often portrayed as “forward” people – associated as a western culture of posh and sophisticated living, as a “wine-and-cake” people and as “short-dresses-folk”! 

>> These are not to be trademarks of a Real Christian!! 
Does being a Christian… 

… impel me to forego a sinful life and seek after holiness? 

… encourage me to stand for the values of truth and honesty? 

… make me to be less materialistic and more focussed on things eternal? 

… me shun peer & societal pressures & stand for moral convictions? 

… propel me to defy evil tendencies of the world and be firm to the Kingdom values? 

  

The one who is truly living in the Lord, cannot, but alter his/her sinful way of life. 

>> The one who is really professing to be a Christian, cannot, but seek after holiness. 

Let Jesus, as a beautiful vase, occupy the greatest presence and authority in my life! 

>>This would certainly mean…

… changing the old carpet of sinfulness and evil habits. 

… painting the soiled walls of our wounded past with the new shade of holiness. 
May the newness and the novelty of the Lord sparkle and glitter in our everyday Christian Life! 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

>> However, one 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! 

>> He points towards Jesus… and reveals to the world, the One who is to redeem humanity!

>> He points towards Jesus… 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… 

>> He displays great humility in acknowledging the greatness of Jesus!

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

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

>> 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 

>> We point to others to cast feelings of guilt and culpability 

>> We point to others 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. 
Let us become a people…

… of true acknowledgement… and not wasteful blaming. 

… of honest encouragement…and not critical judgment. 

… of credible appreciation… and not distasteful denouncing. 

God Bless! Live Jesus!