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!

 One of the easiest traps in our life, today, is to acquire Cheap Popularity!

‘Popularism’ is a bane which affects many areas of our life.

 

People choose…

… to undermine values

… to forsake principles

… to abandon relations

… to disown doctrines

… and even to dilute ideologies

>> Just to gain some cheap and shoddy popularity!

 

 

But Jesus came to the world…

>> Not to seek Cheap popularity…

… rather in quest of Precious Sinners

 

>> Not to acquire instant Glory…

… rather in granting Everlasting Peace!

 

>> Not to please People…

… rather to Honour God!

 

Jesus was clear in His Mission: To seek the wayward, to find the lost, to grant peace to sinners!

 

This Mission of the Lord would make Him lose His popularity ratings & reputed recognitions!

But Jesus dared…

… to prioritize Principles over Popularity

… choosing Reconciliation over good Reputation!

 

 

The Gospel today begins with the verse:

“…Jesus saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office,

 He said to him, “Follow me!” (Mk 2: 14)

 

 

For the religious elite of the Society, this calling of Levi (St Mathew), the Tax Collector was a shocking experience!

>> Tax Collectors were among the most hated people in the Jewish Society.

 

Tax collectors were generally despised and tainted and stained on three different aspects:

 

1. Nationally Traitors

A tax collector, “sold himself”, to the foreign Roman government, and was a betrayer of the Nation.

>> One of the top-most nation-betrayers!

 

2. Morally Corrupt

Each tax collector had the right from the Roman government to gather taxes.

 

The more he gathered, the more he could keep!

>> One of the top-most dishonest people!

 

c. Religiously Unclean:

The constant contact of the tax collectors with the Gentiles made them religiously suspect.

>> One of the top-most impure class!

 

 

And it is this Levi, a tax collector…

… that Jesus invites to “Follow Him”!

>> An unpopular approach indeed!

 

But the Lord is least bothered of human appreciation and public popularity!

>> He came to Seek the Lost….and gather the scattered ones!

 

And this offer of the Lord, was gladly welcomed by Matthew..

 

He Opened himself to the Love of the Lord….

 

1. He opened His heart:

Levi became a new person.

 

Accepting Jesus, meant…

… turning away from his old-ways

… forsaking a good deal of income

… rejecting some of his corrupt business people

 

2. He Opened His Home:

Levi was excited to share his new-found Love, with others too.

 

The transformation in one person, became an opportunity, for many others…

… to experience God’s enterprising love

…. and be challenged to undergo a change!      

 

3. He opened his hands:

Levi also opened his hands & worked for the Lord.

 

“It could be said, that when Jesus called Levi (Matthew), he left his job to follow Christ, but he took along with him, his pen!”

>> And this would later help him to pen the Gospel…the Gospel according to St Matthew!

 

 

 

The Call of Levi, was Jesus’ way of telling that things happen in the Kingdom of God…

… not for the Sake of Popularity!

 

Rather, the Kingdom is an Invitation and a Home to all who find themselves…

… lost, least, broken, rejected, seeking, disturbed!

 

 

We all are in one way or the other, facing some of these problems or difficulties in life..

>> Let these not discourage us…

 

As the saying goes:

Never say, “GOD, I have a big problem!” but instead, “Hey Problem, I have a big GOD!”

 

 

The Lord is ever-ready to welcome us.

>> He is least bothered of what others think or criticize!!

>> He values our lives much more than losing popularity!

 

Yes, We are more precious to Him, than popularity!

>> He Loves us!

>> He Values us!

>> He Longs for us!

 

We all can find…

… rest in His Heart

… welcome in His Home

… and strength in His Hands!

 

Pope Benedict XVI says:

“If you follow the will of God, in spite of all the terrible things that happen to you, you will never lose a final refuge…!

>> Go on, trusting, in the One that loves you.” 

 

Let us Follow the Lord closely….

… and like Levi, give our hearts, our homes and our hands – our everything – to Him!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 A wealthy man was once seen driving his Lamborghini car through the streets of a busy city.
As he stopped in a particular place for parking, a curious passer-by, remarked at the driver:

“Hey, it’s surprising! You’re driving such an expensive car… but didn’t you notice that your rear window glasses are broken!”
“There’s a reason for pursuing with the broken glasses…”, the man in the car replied, “the broken windows remind me of God’s Providential Love!”

“Huh?”, enquired the passer-by with greater curiosity, “How do ‘broken windows’ remind you of God’s Providential Love?”
“Well.. then, listen to my story,” said the man as he continued, ” I was once passing through the streets, zipping across in my luxurious car…

… when suddenly, a crashing sound was heard from the back!

>> I saw that a stone had been thrown at my car!
In great anger, I noticed that it was a rag-picker boy, who had thrown the stone!
My blood boiled, in rage, as I stopped my vehicle and moved closer to him.

But then I saw him, joining his hands, as he pleaded to me in tears: “Sir, look at my younger brother…

>> I noticed to see, that a young boy who legs were paralyzed was lying down, with a heavy scars and bruises on his legs.
The boy continued: ‘I was crossing the road, helping my lame brother, when a fast-moving bike ran over him, to leave with a bleeding leg.
 I called out to many people for help…but none cared!
Finally, out of my helplessness, I decided to throw a stone at the vehicle which would come next, in order to seek help!
The boy continued: ‘Sir, I am extremely sorry that your expensive car is damaged. But, trust me, this was the only way I could seek help for my injured brother!”
Tears filled my eyes, as I told the boy: “My car windows are surely broken! But they are also a reminder, that sometimes, we have to allow God to break certain things, to remind…

… that we need to stop and help!

… that we need to depend on God in all aspects of life!
>> Surely, these broken windows are a sign of God’s Providential Love!” 

Are there “broken windows” in our life?

>> Broken windows…

… when tragedies and calamities have hit our life?

… when untimely incidents and unexpected twists have taken place in life?

>> Though difficult to comprehend, perhaps, a deeper reflection, will help us to realize that such “Broken Windows are a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

The Gospel of the Day is a story of how a “broken roof becomes a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

We are travelling very quickly with St Mark’s journey of the ministry of Jesus. 

>> We were with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, where He called the first disciples (Mk 1: 16-20) 
Then…

… we came to the synagogue, where Jesus cures a man with an unclean spirit (Mk: 1: 21-28) 

… we reached Simon’s house, where Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31) 

… we went to the mountains to pray with Jesus, who always remained focused (Mk 1: 35) 

… we met a leper, unacceptable in the society, who was made clean by Jesus (Mk 1: 40-45) 
The journey moves fast and immediately… 

At Capernaum, a great crowd has gathered in a house, where Jesus is preaching (Mk 2:1-2) 

>> The house is fully packed with people cramming to hear the Lord and seek His Healing.. 
Then comes a group of thick friends who have brought their paralytic friend to Jesus. 

>> They came with much expectation to get their friend whole and well again. 
But as they approached the house… 

… their hopes went down! 
The massive gathering at the door thinned their anticipations! 
But when the chips are down…

… one is given a chance to find strength one never knew one had & put it toward the greater good.  
They came seeking for blessings… 

… but it seemed, that the firmament was closed to shower down blessings! 
But then they had a hope: They realized that “Even a broken roof can be a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

>> And so they decided to plead God to shower His blessings: “by tear opening the roof!” 
“Unable to get near Jesus, because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above Him” (Mk 1:4) 
“Opened up the roof” has other translations: 

>> “Dug a hole through the roof”

>> “Removed part of the roof” 

>> “Uncovered the roof” 
We would perhaps think the roof was some primitive, thatched roof. 

>> But most likely, that was not the case… 
As per the architecture then, this roof was more than likely a mud clay roof with tiles 

>> To lower their paralyzed friend through the roof, they literally had to do a major demolition of the roof.
Well… picture this: 

You’re in this packed house…trying to listen to Jesus. 

>> All of a sudden you start to hear some banging on the roof. 
These friends would have literally tore the tiles off the roof, made a hole & lowered the paralyzed man by a rope into the house. 

>> Then the roof materials begins to fall in on you! 
Well… picture the people’s responses:

>> They would have been astonished, amazed and some even angered! 
They were there to listen to Jesus….they had come early…they had won their spot… 

>> They were perhaps hearing their life-transforming sermon! 
It’s at this point, that the “roof starts tearing down!” 

>> But Jesus, the God of blessings, is immensely pleased and edified by their faith and trust! 
Their “tearing of the roof”…

… is blessed by “pouring down of blessings” and a “cleansing of sins”. 
Many of the times, we too face similar barriers and blockages in our experience for the Lord. 

>> We need to plead to God to shower His blessings: “by tear opening the roof!”

>> When we have…

… ‘end-of-the-road’ feelings and hopeless situations

… problems which seem impossible and unsolvable

>> Are we willing to have our “roofs broken”…

… and thus realize God’s Providential Love?!
Difficulties and barriers will always be many in life… 

Hardships and challenges will often stare on our face… 

>> But let us have the grit and the guts to be ready to “have our roof broken” of all such adversities! 
Yes, let us understand that even a “broken roof is a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

  One of the common experiences in many of our daily lives is the aspect of “delay”…

 

> Go to get a certificate in a university….and we are told: “Come next week”

>> Go to an office to get a document signed…and we are told: “Today it’s not possible”

>>> Go to a department to meet an official…and we are told: ” Sir is busy today”

 

Our works are not done in time… Much of our time gets wasted.

>> We experience a lot of “delays”

 

>> Delays could suggest lack of availability.

>> Delays could suggest a lack of interest.

>> Delays could suggest a lack of sincere efforts.

 

But the Gospel of the Day is in stark contrast to this “delay” syndrome!

>> Get set to meet the “fast-paced” and “accelerated” Jesus in the Gospel of St Mark!

 

 

The Gospel of St Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels and probably the earliest.

>> This Gospel was primarily intended to the group of persecuted Christians.

 

It was most likely intended to be read aloud in the Christian assembly, rather than a private reading.

>> A Gospel for the ear more than the eye!

 

And so we would have in the Gospel of Mark, the use of constant repetitions, summaries, recapitulations and variations on a theme. 

 

One of such word that is an oft-repeated one.. is the word “Immediately”

 

The Greek usage of this word is Eutheos,” which is variously translated “straight away, immediately, at once, soon” etc.

>> St Mark would use this word “Eutheos” an astounding 40+ times in his Gospel!

 

 

Here are some examples:

>> Immediately, the Spirit drove Him to the desert (Mk 1: 12)

>> And they immediately left their nets and followed Him (Mk 1: 18)

>> Jesus immediately knew in His mind what they were thinking (Mk 2: 8)

>> The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel against Him (Mk 3:6)

>> The seed sprang up immediately because the soil was not deep (Mk 4: 5)

 

Even the Gospel of the Day uses this word “immediately”…

>> The leprosy left him immediately and he was made clean (Mk 1:42)

>> Then warning him sternly, he dismissed him immediately (Mk 1:43)

 

 

No other Gospel or New Testament writer uses this word “immediately” to the extent that Mark does in his Gospel.

 

What’s happening?

>> Why is St Mark so obsessed with this word “immediately”?

 

Perhaps the foremost word to describe the Gospel of Mark is action.

> No effort is wasted.

>> No time is spent on the frivolous.

>>> The pace is fast.

>>> The language vivid.

 

Mark’s purpose was to immediately confront readers with the need to respond to the Lord.

 

 

What does this “immediacy” mean for us – you and me?

>> This sense of immediacy is still relevant to us today.

 

 

When we take a stand for the Gospel…

… we are immediately tempted.

                                                                         

When we are called by the Lord…

… we are invited to follow Him immediately.

 

When we are touched by the Lord…

… we are made to respond immediately.

 

>> There is to be no “delay”, but a need to “immediately” perform.

>> There is to be a promptitude in His service and the urgency for His mission.

>> There is to be no holding back, no reluctance, no slackness, but a blessed “immediateness”.

 

 

As Christians, we have perhaps allowed ourselves to get into a “delay” syndrome…

>>> We no longer feel the pinch to react when there is immense injustice and corruption around

>> We take it so lightly when we hear reports of tragic deaths and heart breaking calamities.

> We are not much moved when people around us suffer and undergo deep pain.

 

 

We have many who “talk” in defence and importance of faith…

>> But very few who really live and profess this faith.

 

We have many who raise protests when false accusations and persecutions of faith are made

>> But very few who actually live a life of prayer and holiness.

 

We are often no longer on the cutting edge of relevancy… We seem to be more comfortable!

 

 

>> Are we “delaying” to help the suffering people?

>> Are we “delaying” to reinvigorate our Christian lives?

>> Are we “delaying” to take our faith and spiritual life seriously?

>> Are we “delaying” to stand up in defence of Christ and His Church?

>> Are we “delaying” to mould and shape our lives according to God’s Will?

 

In all these “delay” syndromes, the Gospel of Immediacy is challenging and confronting us!

 

 

Come, let us be ready to act…

Come, let us be ready to respond…

…Yes…. immediately!!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

For several years, the American television telecasted a show titled, “To Tell the Truth.” 

>> The show features a panel of four celebrities whose objective is the correct identification of a described contestant who has an unusual occupation or experience. 
This contestant is accompanied by two impostors who pretend to be the central character. 
The panel question the three contestants; the impostors are allowed to lie but the central character is sworn “to tell the truth”. 
After a round of questions, each panelist selects which one of the persons he believed to be the real “one”. 

>> The panel rarely reach consensus. 
The true identity of the “real one” was revealed by the moderator asking, “Will the real _______ please stand up. ” 
This phrase become a well-known expression: “Will the real ___________ please stand up?!” 

We are today placed with a similar task before us through the Gospel reading: To identify the real Jesus! 

“Will the Real Jesus please stand up?” 

The Gospel of the Day is a continuation of St Mark’s account of the Lord’s ministry. 
Jesus is engaged in His proclamation of the Kingdom of God. 

>> He is proving Himself to be a person who is of the supernatural and the extraordinary realm.
>> He teaches the Scriptures with deep authority and conviction…

… People hear God speaking in their lives! 
>> He silences and expels the forces of evil and influences the nature… 

… People experience the Divine force in their lives! 
>> He infuses life into the dead and proclaims his great power… 

… People come across the marvellous works of the Lord! 
>> He exercises His healing over the sick and the suffering… 

… People witness His glorious control and supremacy! 
People are…

… swayed over His mighty works 

… super-excited by His amazing wonders

… overwhelmed with His wonderful deeds 

>> But such occasions are the times of great testing and trial for anyone.. 
The easiest moments of losing oneself is in the midst of immense success! 

>> The most tempting times of losing one’s focus is when there are widespread victories! 
The Lord was surrounded by immense recognition and successes. 

>> The crowds were thronging around Him and His popularity ratings were soaring. 
But, just as the tree of success must be deeply grounded & rooted in the soil of stability and firmness… 

>> So also, the Lord was fully aware of His goals and mission. 
And so the Gospel of St Mark would explicitly point out the actions of the Lord… 

‘Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed’ (Mk 1: 35) 

>> ‘He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come”‘ (Mk 1: 38) 
The Lord points out to the people and to His disciples the priorities of His Life – Being in communion with His Heavenly Father and Spreading the Kingdom of God! 

>> He doesn’t get over-awed with success! 

>> He doesn’t get carried away by reputations! 
He reminds His disciples and His people to seek the “real” Jesus! 

>> He brings to the notice of His disciples and His people to long for the “real” Jesus! 

It’s a moment for us to check and examine our own lives: Am I following the “Real” Jesus? 
>> Is Jesus merely a source of healings and remedies in my moments of physical sicknesses… 

… or has He also become the true balm and consolation in my spiritual health and well-being? 
>> Is Jesus only like a call-centre agent whom I seek in order to fix some problems of life… 

… or Has He also become genuinely the treasure and the priceless fortune of my Life? 
>> Is Jesus simply a solution and answer when crisis hits my life and things go badly… 

… or has He also become authentically the greatest powerhouse and thrust of my Life? 
Am I following the “Real” Jesus? 

>> Or is it merely… 

… a Jesus of quick-fix solutions? 

… a Jesus who is a problem-solver? 

… a Jesus who is remembered in times of trials alone? 

… a Jesus who is expected to give all answers to my confusions? 
The people and the disciples, as we see in the Gospel, seemed happy and satisfied to seek Jesus who performs wonders. 
Surely, wonders and sensational deeds are good. 

>> But they are not to be an end in itself…. 

>> They are not to be made the primary motto. 
Miracles and marvels ought to become a launching pad for a deeper relationship with the Lord. 
Let us not reduce the greatness of Jesus to just miracles… 

>> Let us not bring down the immensity of Jesus to just physical needs. 
Let us rather, seek…

… the True and Living Lord for a wholesome & integral growth for eternity. 

… the Compassionate and Powerful Lord to grow in holiness & sanctity. 
“Will the Real Jesus of my life please stand up?” 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Chess is a popular game that is loved and played by millions around the globe. 

>> It is a two-player strategy board game that is played on a chess board. 
The game of Chess brings alive a war on the board… 

…with clever strategies and witty planning 

…with constant movements and sharp tactics 
It’s a sort of..

… a battle that rages strongly

…. a combat that is highly engrossing. 
Our Christian lives sometimes represents such a game of Chess 

…with constant warfare and continual clashes with the evil forces 

The difference of course, is that the Christian warfare is not fictitious; it is real and lively! 
The Gospel of the Day presents such an action of encounter… 

… between the Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God 

… between the shackles of captivity and bondage and the power of release and liberation 
Today onwards we are back to the Ordinary times of the Liturgical Season in the Church. 

>> The Liturgical colours shifts from the solemn and majestic ‘golden and white’ colours to the ordinary, yet unassuming ‘green’. 

  
It’s a time…

… to live the solemn celebrations in our regular affairs of life. 

… to give witness to the majestic splendour of God’s love in our everyday activities. 

>> The Lord, indeed, comes to meet and encounter us in the ordinary situations of our life.
Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and addressing the people. (Mk 1:21) 

>> His teaching is full of power and conviction…

>> His teaching is filled with passion and fervour… 
>> When one is deeply convinced of one’s beliefs…

… it overflows into one’s words and actions 
>> When one is highly passionate about one’s faith…

… it overwhelms one’s deeds and life. 
As He taught the people, Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit, who cried out:

” What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mk 1: 24) 
>> Where there is light, darkness cannot stand too long… 

>> Where there is immense holiness, filth cannot remain for long… 
When the Word of God is proclaimed, the powers of Satan begin to tremble… 

Imagine this situation… 
Jesus had been preaching for a while in the synagogue. 

>> All people were in rapt attention & awe, listening to His gracious words. 
But in the midst of them.. was this man, with an unclean spirit. 

>> He also was patiently hearing… 
But as the bold words flowed from Jesus, the spirit within this man began to disturb. 

>> The Lord’s voice began to reverberate his heart and mind… 

>> The Lord’s voice began to pierce into the depths of his soul… 

He began to get agitated. He began to get restless. He began to get frantic. 
And finally, he could no longer tolerate and with a massive and shrieking voice, he cried:

“What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?!”
The cry of the man is not something in isolation…

The cry of the man is not something which is unique…. 
This cry is often repeated by all of us too: “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” 
When we are living a life of coziness and comforts… 

… and we are encountered with situations of misery and helpless of other people

>> We hear the words of the Lord to reach out to them in compassion and love… 

… but, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” 

  

When we are living a life in sin, bad habits and without even a sense of guilt… 

… and we are encountered by caring people who remind us of our need to give up such things

>> We hear the words of the Lord to renew and mend our lives in purity and holiness…

… but, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” 
When we are going through our life without proper sacraments and religious practices… 

… and we are encountered by constant exhortations to deepen our spiritual life… 

>> We hear the words of the Lord to return to Him in humility and repentance. 

… but, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” 
We are happy to remain with the spirit of luxury, the spirit of casualness, the spirit of indifference, the spirit of lukewarmness, the spirit of pleasures etc… 

>> We don’t like being disturbed

>> We don’t like being questioned

>> We don’t like being shaken up. 
If we are, we get agitated and irritated… we resist and we get wild. 

>> We even shout out: “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” 
But, in all such situations, the Lord wants to empower us with His powerful & bold words, “QUIET! Come out of him” (Mk 1: 25) 

Yes, our life is a constant warfare with the forces of the evil and the spirit of darkness. 

>> It’s a battle that rages strongly… 

>> It’s a combat that is highly engrossing. 
Let us not allow the evil power to “checkmate” us! 

>> Let us not give way to Satan to “defeat” us! 
The Powerful and Awe-Inspiring Lord is on our side!

>> Let us hold on to Him… and victory will be ours! 
In the language of the game of chess: Check…? 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is a story told about St. Patrick, a 5th-century Bishop, known as the “Apostle of Ireland”

 

Once he passed through a kingdom named Munster when the Prince King Aengus, came forth to meet him. 
This prince had already obtained some knowledge of Christianity, and asked the grace of holy baptism from the saint. 

 

Now a bishop always carries a crozier ( a stylish staff, symbol of the governing office of a Bishop) with him.  
St. Patrick’s crozier had a metal spike, so that he could stick it into the ground. 

 
When he began to baptize Aengus, he stuck his crozier into the ground beside him. 

But the crozier did not go into the ground, it went instead right through Aengus’s foot!!

 

The prince did not even moan, but just went a bit pale…

… St. Patrick, however, went on with the ceremony, not knowing what he had done.  

 
After the ceremony, St Patrick turned to take his crozier from the ground. He saw the ground splattered with blood! 

>> He was horrified when he realised what he had done…. 

 

“Why didn’t you say something?” Patrick asked.  
Aengus answered, “Well! I thought it was part of the baptism ceremony!”

 
The new convert didn’t complain of the deep pain & even the loss of blood, thinking it was part of the ceremony. 
Well!! We could perhaps laugh over it! 

>> We could perhaps think that he was too naive in his understanding of Baptism!
 

But then, think of it, from another perspective….

>> Is not pain an intrinsic element of Baptism?

>> Is not shedding blood a real part of Baptism? 

 
Has Baptism, today, become a mere ritual with celebrations and get-togethers?

>> Or has Baptism become a life-transforming process, with its intrinsic elements of pain and sacrifices? 

 
Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. 

The liturgical season of Christmas, celebrating the self-revelation of God through Jesus, comes to an end with the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. 

  
This incident of the Baptism of Jesus is greatly significant and important…. 

>> It is one of the few passages that appears in all the four Gospels. 

>> It was the first public revelation of the Three Persons of the Trinity

>> It was the first official declaration of Jesus as the Son of God to the world

   
For Jesus…

… it was a moment of identification with us sinners. 

… it was a moment of decision to begin His public ministry. 

… it was a moment of approval when His Father called Him as His “beloved Son”. 

 
Each one us, as Christians have been baptized in the Lord!

What does Baptism mean to us? What has Baptism meant to us?

 

Baptism is a time when we call ourselves to have ” put on” Christ…

… a time of conversion…from the old to the new!

 
For a moment, lets borrow the idea of how the Jewish conversion would be effected…

… so that we could have a better and a deeper understanding of our Christian Baptism.

For a Gentile to become a full fledged Jew there was a basic three-step process…

 

 

1. To offer a sacrifice 
A heifer or a pair of turtledoves was brought to the priest and given as a burnt offering to God. This meant some expense involved.

 

>> It required hardship, forfeiting and sacrifice oneself to become a new person!

2. Circumcision – the cutting away of a piece of flesh from a man’s body. 
For a Jewish boy, this was done when he was 8 days old, thus the pain wasn’t remembered. 
But an adult male, who wanted to become a Jewish proselyte, had to undergo this procedure, regardless of his age. 

 

>> It required deep pain, immense agony and even shedding of blood to become a new person!

 
3. Baptism
The person stripped off all of his clothes. He then went into the water naked before the Rabbis…

…. dipped himself under water making sure to fully immerse his entire body!
>> It required a lot of humility and self-sacrifice to become a new person! 

 
Christian Baptism doesn’t have these external signs and actions as that of the Jews.

>> But the internal aspects are much more strongly present…and even more valid! 
 

To be a Baptised Person in Jesus – a passage from the Old to the New, requires: 
1. Sacrifice of oneself
Willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the Lord, in the form of money, talents, time, energy etc…
>> He who wishes to follow me, must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me (Mt 16:24)

 

2. Undergoing pain and suffering 
… Openness to share the agony and grief of life through various life situations and being patient and faithful in all trials …
>> “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart… to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…” (Dt 30: 6)

  

3. Embracing a life of humility and dependence on God

… Readiness to overcome our pride, our selfish desires and interests and allow God’s grace and mercy to flow through us…
>> “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1Pet 5:6) 
 

Most of us have been Baptized when we were too little…

>> We were not aware…. But those who loved us and cared for us, were aware.
 

Baptism was a beginning… an initiation…into a life of grace…a journey with the Lord!

  
The Spirit of the Lord is within us…

>> And the call from deep within us is strong:

“Rise up from slumber, if you are sleeping… 
As a Baptised Christian, you have a very noble vocation and an immense responsibility…
Christian Life is no joke.. 

.. it does not tolerate passivity

… it does not allow lethargy!
Look up..  

… Mother Church is waiting to embrace you in deep love with Her Sacraments…
Mother Mary and all the Saints and Angels are encouraging you to become a Saint…
Yes, You are a Baptised Child of God…Consecrated to the Lord… Holy to Him!

Be true… Be Faithful.. Be Enthusiastic…Be Proud.. to be a Christian”

 
Yes, let us re-kindle the fire and love of being a Christian…. 
Lets renew our Baptism! Lets live our Baptism!

 
Happy Feast to all of us baptized with our Dearest Lord! 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Reflections will not be sent from 27th Dec 2016 to 8th Jan 2017, as I will be away to preach a retreat. 

>> Kindly do pray for me. I too pray for you specially.

We thank the Lord for the gift of this Year 2016. 
Many are the times, the Lord has spoken to us very personally through the Reflection on His Word.

>> We pray that the Lord may continue to comfort, inspire and enthuse us, through His Word.
May we love Him and His Word, more and more!

I pray for His Blessings on You, for the New Year 2017. 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

 

>> Stones were flying from different directions…

>> The atmosphere was very tense and highly apprehensive…

>> The people had become enraged and were very badly instigated…

 

 

St Stephen…. the man filled with the power and spirit of God, however, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God. (Acts 7: 54-56)

 

 

And then a surprising thing happened….

>> He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God!

 

 

Usually, we always read or say in our prayers that Jesus is sitting at God’s right hand…

>> But here, Jesus is seen standing!

 

 

Jesus is probably giving a standing ovation…. to St. Stephen, the one who became his brave witness.

>> The mighty display of faith by St Stephen was worthy of a standing ovation by the Son of God!

>> The Majestic King was tremendously proud of His Faithful and Committed Soldier!

 

 

We are on the first day after Christmas…

 

Yesterday, we celebrated child Jesus in the crib…we sung the “silent night” and “joy to the world”… we remembered the angels singing “Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to people of good will”….we exchanged a lot of smiles and shared much fun…

 

 

But suddenly today, there is a shift…

 

>> The atmosphere of fun and frolic has turned sombre and serious…

>> The carols of mirth and joy are substituted by cries for death and vengeance…

>> The shining gold vestments at Holy Mass are replaced with blood-red vestments…

 

The peace and joy of Bethlehem is contrasted by the tragedy and heartbreak at Jerusalem…

 

Yesterday we celebrated the birth of our eternal King.

>> Today we commemorate the triumphant suffering of His faithful soldier.

 

Yesterday our King left His place in the Virgin’s womb and was born in the world.

>> Today His soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven. 

 

Yesterday a group of enthused and excited people visited and paid homage to our King.

>> Today, a group of proud and ferociously evil mob execute His soldier!

 

 

 

Why does the Church celebrate this tradition of commemorating the gruesome stoning to death of St Stephen, soon after the celebration of the tender Babe?

 

 

The Church’s long tradition of celebrating the memorial of St. Stephen soon after the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, does not serve to demote Christmas, but to continue & manifest more clearly an important meaning of the Christmas celebration. 

 

Christmas essentially means becoming a true disciple of Christ…

 

And a true disciple ought to tread the way of the cross – “If any want to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Lk 9: 23)

 

 

Christ the Master, Himself walked this path of trials and difficulties.

 

 

>> The signs of suffering and pain were foreshadowed very much already in the Crib of Christ…

>> The manger where the babe was laid, foreshadowed the Cross on which He was to be laid.

>> The swaddling clothes of the babe, foreshadowed the shroud which will cover Him in His tomb.

>> The lack of room in the inn, foreshadowed the lack of room for Him to be buried after His death.

  

Christmas is the celebration of Life that was pledged to be given up in death, in order to win back life – life in its fullness!

 

 

Christmas becomes a true reality when Jesus is born in our hearts…

 

When Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts, that heart cannot remain without effect.

 

>> There is a contagious enthusiasm.

>> There is a great transformation.

>> There is a tremendous zeal.

 

 

And this birth of Jesus took place in the heart of St Stephen.

 

>> He underwent a Real Christmas.

 

He experienced the joy of having Christ born in His life.

 

 

And this fact that Christ was born within, led Him to be a dynamic and bold soldier of His King!

>> Nothing could stop Him from being a witness…

 

>> The experience of Christmas in His life had made St Stephen to be a bold soldier.

>> The experience of Christmas in His life had made St Stephen to stand firm for the truth.

>> The experience of Christmas in His life had made St Stephen to bear the pain of stoning

>> The experience of Christmas in His life had made St Stephen to shed His blood for His Lord

 

 

>> Have we also experienced Christmas in a way that transforms and makes us authentic disciples?

>> Have we also celebrated Christmas which makes us to pledge every breath and cell of our life to the Lord?

>> Have we also enjoyed Christmas in order to find immense power and strength in being a true and authentic Christian?

 

 

 

The blood of St Stephen sings the beautiful carols of Jesus who was born in his life!

 >> Are we ready to discover still further, the true and genuine meaning of Christmas in our life?

 

 

Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords gave a wonderful standing ovation seeing the spectacular display of faith and courage of His Beloved soldier, St Stephen.

 

 

Let us also be filled a deep passion and courage that comes from the New Born King and be His Dynamic and Enthusiastic Soldier for His Kingdom!

 

 

Happy Feast of St Stephen, the First Martyr of the New Born King of kings!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

6 year old Johny and James were good friends. 
James had joined Johny’s school just this year and so they were pretty new friends. 

>> Yet, they had forged a good relationship with each other.

Johny was to celebrate his birthday the following weekend, and so he told James:

“Hey James, I hope you remember… It’s my birthday the next Sunday.

I want you to come home for my birthday party.”
James was obviously delighted and he said: “Oh sure, I would love to come. But I do not know the way to your house.”
“Oh, not to worry!” replied Johny, ” I will guide you exactly…”
And so saying, Johny continued:

“Right opposite the ice-parlour to which we often go, is a huge building. 

Enter that building and you will see the lift right on the adjacent wall.
Use your elbow to press the lift switch.
When the lift comes down, use your feet to open and close the lift. 

Then, use your elbow to press Number 5 on the lift buttons. 
When the lift reaches floor 5, once again, use your feet to open and close the lift doors.
Finally, you will see House Number 501 with the bell switch on the side.

Use your elbow once again, to press that key… 

…. And lo, I will be there to welcome you for my birthday party!”
James was pretty happy saying, “That’s pretty easy to find your house”

>> But at the same time, he was confused and asked: “But why at all should I use my elbow and my feet? Why can’t I use my hands itself to switch the buttons and open the lift doors?”
To that Johny replied: “Hey come on! Don’t forget James!

You are coming for my Birthday Party, and naturally you will have a big gift in your hand.

So your hands will not be free to do any of those works!!”

Well… Jesus is celebrating His birthday…

… Do we have our hands filled with gifts for the Lord?

>> Or are we empty handed and found gifts for everybody (including ourselves) but forgotten Jesus Himself!

Is Jesus the centre of our Christmas Celebration?
On this Christmas Day, let us have our attention on the Star of the Day: Jesus Christ!

1. Jesus, the Divine Babe is the primary reason for the celebration of this Festival

Many of us have been preparing for the wonderful day of Christmas, for the last few days, particularly.

>> But sometimes, like runners in a race, there can be a possibility to feel tired, or given in to feel exhausted; sometimes even to give up.
Christmas is to become a new beginning in our life; the days of preparation ought to become the launching pad to lead a more holy and zealous life in the Spirit.
Its very much possible, that Jesus – the reason for this season, may get lost in the thickets of celebrations, good food, excited shoppings etc.

>> But the Babe in the Manger, will keep waiting, to be taken home – to one’s heart, to one’s life, to one’s family

2. Jesus, the Divine Babe came primarily as the Saviour of the world

“For today in the city of David, a Saviour has been born for you..” (Lk 2:11) 

>> Jesus came to the world with a very specific mission: to save people from sin and grant eternal life to those who believe in Him (Jn 10:10)
He is the only person Who took birth to die!

>> It was by His death, that He was to achieve the mission of granting life to all.
Therefore, the celebration of Christmas has to be primarily a celebration made in “repentance and renewal”

>> If the heart doesn’t repent, then Christmas can never be celebrated truly

>> If the life is not renewed, then Christmas can never become meaningful
Christmas is the story of a God passionately in love with us, and deeply desiring that we belong to Him, and Him alone! 
3. Jesus, the Divine Babe desires a place in our hearts

Rev 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”

>> Mother Mary and St Joseph had to lay the newborn Babe in the manger, “because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk 2: 7b)
Christmas is the story of a God Who comes searching for His beloved creation, and knocking at the door of each heart, for a place to be born.

 
4. Jesus, the Divine Babe, in the manger, is One who identifies with us, in our weakness

God chose (in human terms) probably, one of the “most ridiculous” way of coming into the world – as a tiny infant
He is the Creator of the World; the One Who has all powers subject to Him . Yet, He chose to be totally detached (Phil 2: 6-8) and take the form of a little baby – weak, helpless and vulnerable
Christmas is the story of a God Who became weak like us, so that we can be strong like Him!
5. Jesus, the Divine Babe deserves a wonderful gift on His Birthday

Birthdays become occasions to gift the one who is celebrating.

>> Jesus, the Birthday Baby surely deserves the best gift.
But what can we give Him? 

All what we have and all what we are, comes from God anyways! 
So is there anything, that I can call of my own? 
Yes! Probably the only thing which belongs to me, is my sin! 
This Christmas, beyond all other gifts and preparations, we could gift our “sinful life” to Him.

>> It might feel bad for us to give all that ugly part of our life. But our Blessed Lord invites us to give of our self to Him entirely – broken, weak, dirty, impure, lost- as we are, to Him, so that He can renew us and make us a new person (Rev 21:5 – “Behold, I make all things new”)
As Bishop Fulton J Sheen says:

” You give me your humanity, I will give you my divinity.

You give me your time, I will give you my eternity. 

You give me your slavery, I will give you my freedom. 

You give me your death, I will give you my life.

You give me your nothingness, I will give you my all.”
Let us take some firm and practical resolutions…

>> Today I will seek to have Jesus as the centre of all that I am to celebrate in this Festive Season and give Him the rightful place in my heart

>> Today I will deepen my awareness of Jesus as the Saviour of my life, and make practical decisions to let go sinful ways, and offer my heart as a Gift to Baby Jesus on His Birthday!

Yes, this Christmas, let Christ be the Centre and Meaning of all our celebrations…

… and thus, let us have our hands filled with gifts for the Baby Jesus!
Happy Birthday to Jesus, our Beloved King!

>> Hearty Congratulations to His Wonderful Parents – Mother Mary and St Joseph. 
Wish you all, a Very Merry Christmas!

God Bless! Live Jesus!