It is said of one of the great Tsars (emperors) of Russia of how he would often visit the people of his kingdom, in disguise.

>> This was his method of recognizing the welfare and the well-being of his people.

 

On one occasion, he dressed up in the garment of a peasant (farmer).

 

He knocked at the door of an inn for a night shelter.

 

The innkeeper, who opened the door, had a long look at the peasant.

>> With hands folded, the man was pleading for a place to stay in the inn.

 

Seeing his shabby clothes and his haggard appearance, the innkeeper began to dismiss him saying:

“Tonight, there are many of the King’s courtiers and noblemen taking lodging in this inn.

>> You may look for a place somewhere else!”

 

 

But as he said this, one of the King’s noblemen, who heard the sound of the peasant man, rushed to the door, and motioned to let him in, saying:

“The dress may be that of a peasant, but the voice is the voice of my lord, the King!”

 

 

Very often in our lives, our God comes to us, in disguise…

… in the supplication of a needy neighbour or a distressed companion

… in the silence of a broken soul or an unhappy relationship

… in the pleading of an oppressed cry or a troubled heart

>> Do we recognize our King in all these?

 

Perhaps the word “King” always brings to our minds, images of…

… royal dresses and majestic clothings

… bane arrogance and vain haughtiness

… super-riches and wealthy adornments

 

 

But Christianity always comes to break such notions and shatter such worldly conceptions: Behold Our King – Jesus!

>> Seated not on a throne of gold…

… but laid on the bare wood of the Cross!

>> Crowned not with an emerald diadem…

… but circled with the painful crown of thorns!

>> Filled not with a wretched pride…

… but exposed with the sweat of humility!

 

Are we ready to be the sincere followers of this True and Just King?

 

The Church today, on this last day of the liturgical year, invites Her children to HAIL this Mighty King – Jesus…

… with the Solemnity of Christ the King!

 

 

The Gospel of the Day very aptly shatters all worldly and materialistic interpretations of a King!

 

 St Luke takes us to the Mount of Calvary…

… where the King is enthroned on His throne – the Cross

… and flanked on either sides by His subjects – the two thieves

Very often, we have very amiable images for the Church…

… as the Bride of Christ

… as the Body of Christ

But here is an image of the Church, which may not seem that appealing; nevertheless is a valid picture of the reality – The Crucified Christ between the Two Thieves.

Just as the two thieves (who had been caught, condemned and crucified, for reasons which are unknown to us) …

 

>> We too are very often thieves!

… gifts and graces given by God are misused and manipulated by us

… responsibilities entrusted to us, are not performed with sincerity and dedication

… the Will of God shown in His Commandments and Teachings, are often violated and disobeyed

 

Thus, the two thieves, beside the Crucified Christ, are a representative of each of us.

At the same time, we need to consider the fact that both these thieves displayed contrasting attitudes…

One of them said: ” Are you not the Christ! Save yourself and us! (Lk 23: 39)

>> The other said: ” Have you no fear of God? We have been condemned justly. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Lk 23: 40-42)

… One reviled the Lord; the other revered Him!

… One abused the Christ; the other adored Him!

 

Such is also the case, in the Church.

>> We have sinners as well as saints

>> We have those who will turn away from the Gaze of the Lord; and others who will look to the Lord and draw salvation from His Face of Mercy!

Though we all are thieves – sinners, breakers of the Law, we need to examine our attitudes towards the King…

>> Are we a people who revile the Lord by saying that everything in the Church is scandalous and horrible …

… or can we revere the Lord, knowing that despite the weaknesses, the Church is the treasury of Grace and Mercy, especially offered through the Sacraments

>> Are we a people who abuse Christ by saying that He is not taking care of our needs and we are left to ourselves in our struggles and difficulties…

… or can we adore Christ, knowing that despite the problems I face, my God is very much beside me, suffering with me, and strengthening me, by His Loving Gaze.

Here is therefore a great lesson:

Both the thieves wanted relief…

>> But only one, was willing to open his heart to the Lord!

Mercy was beside both of them…

>> The one who closed his heart and reviled Him, remained in distress!

>> The one who repented and placed his trust, rejoiced in salvation!

In all our sufferings and sins and problems and difficulties…

… We can continue to remain in distress; or begin to rejoice in salvation

>> It depends on whether we close ourselves; or we open our hearts to the Fount of God’s Mercy!

It is only then that the Crucified King…

>> with pomp and splendour in His sufferings

>> enthroned on His Glorious Throne of the Cross

… would make a solemn proclamation: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me, in paradise!” (Lk 23: 43)

As Venerable Fulton J Sheen would write about this Good Thief “who stole heaven”:

” It was the thief’s last prayer, perhaps even his first.

>> He knocked once…

… sought once

… asked once

… dared everything

… and found everything!

 

Today – 20 Nov, 2016 – we close this Great Jubilee Year of Mercy!

>> As we thank the Lord, we recall that it was a year, when the Church opened Her arms to embrace the pained, to seek the lost and to nurture the wounded!

Many of us have had wonderful memories of this year… of the Mercies of the Lord

>> Perhaps, some of us, have missed to make the best use of the Jubilee Year – either due to our ignorance or our carelessness or just our indifference or several other reasons.

But the Lord reminds us..

The closed door of the Jubilee Year of Mercy is not the end…

>> In fact, this ought to be the launching pad and a reviving spark…

… to seek the Lord’s Mercy by participating in the Sacraments more often and more responsibly!

… to reach out to the needy and the deprived, by performing acts of mercy and compassion!

… to continue to strive to “Be merciful, like the Heavenly Father is merciful!” (Lk 6:36)

Jesus, our Great King, desires earnestly and eagerly to reign over our hearts!

>> Shall we not open our hearts and lives to the Lord?

He is Crucified for sure… but in Him, is our Salvation!

>> There is suffering with Him for sure… but in that, is our glory!

>> There will be moments of abandonment for sure… but in that, will we be blessed with joy!

The challenge is great, but the King exhorts us:

“Allow me to reign over all your thoughts, words and deeds as your King…

>> And I will make you, My Missionary of Mercy…

… and you will hear Me, say to you: “Today, you will be with me, in Paradise!”

Happy Feast of Christ, our Glorious King!

>> All thanks to the Blessed Trinity for this Jubilee Year of Mercy!

>> Love and affection to our Mamma – the Mother of Mercy and the Queen Mother of our King!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is a story of a man who had been afflicted with a terminal disease.  

With much fear of death, he sought counselling and help from one of his Christian doctors.

The doctor, was initially lost for words.

>> He did not know how to console the dying man.

As he was fumbling for an answer, he heard the noise of scratching on his door.

>> He got the answer of consolation.

“Do you hear that?”, he asked his patient, calling his attention to the scratching noise on the door.

“Well!”, continued the doctor, “that’s my dog!

I left him downstairs.

>>But he has become very impatient and has come up, hearing my voice.

He doesn’t have much idea, of what’s happening in here- beyond the door…

… but he knows one thing: ‘That I am here!’

>> And so, if I open the door now, he would just jump over me, into this room!”

The doctor continued, looking into the eyes of the patients, “Isn’t it the same with our lives?

We don’t have much idea of what lies beyond the Door, but we know that the Master is there!”

This is the Christian Faith: that beyond the Door of this Life, is the Master!

>> This is the hope of Resurrection!

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to reinforce our faith and hope in the Resurrection.

The Sadducees who did not believe in the Resurrection, put forth a question of “after-life” to Jesus. (Lk 20: 27-33)

Jesus, Who knows the intentions of all hearts and the craftiness of every mind, spoke…

… of the difference in the nature of life – in this world and in the next

… of His sovereignty over those who have died and those who are alive

Referring to the passage of the Burning Jesus, Jesus proclaims, “… He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive!” (Lk 20: 38)

This verse of the Lord is one of the direct and easy-to-understand basis…

…for the Catholic teaching and practise of “praying for the dead”.

Many are the times when this noble piety of the Catholics is put into question…

>> “It is unbiblical to pray for the dead”

>> “Our prayers have no effect on those who are dead, since it is not our works, but their faith, which saves”

 

… These are some of the statements said against the Catholic practice of “praying for the dead”

But the Lord very clearly shows, through today’s Gospel..

… that God is the God of all – the living and the dead

… that all are living for Him – even though for us, apparently those who are gone from us, are dead

It is our human experience, that while living on this earth…

… we do seek the help of one another – especially through prayers

>> We ask one another’s help and prayers…

… when we are going through a crisis or problem

… when we are struggling through sufferings

>> Then can’t the same logic be applied to those who have died (who are actually alive in the eyes of God!)

>> Can’t those who are away from this world – the faithful departed – seek for our help and assistance, in their moments of suffering and struggles?

(For those of us… who may have doubts as to “what kind of suffering do the dead have…”

>> The Church teaches us …

…. Nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27)

>> While we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us…

….especially venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.

Therefore, it is needed to have “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven… ”

>> This is called as “purgatory”.

This purification causes suffering… as a purification that takes place in fire!

>> The dead – the faithful departed – seek our prayers, for a deliverance from this struggle of sufferings!)

November is a month especially dedicated to pray for the Faithful Departed.

The Church invites her children in this world…

>> To remember and pray

>> To offer sacrifices and penances

>> To lead a life away from sin, in holiness

… for the faithful departed!

Yes, it is our faith and hope in the Resurrection, that spurs us…

… to live a life of holiness

 

… to be zealous in reaching out the message of salvation to all

… to be fervent in our prayers for the suffering who have passed away from us

Let us cease to be a “practical Sadducee” : professing belief in the Resurrection only in lips but failing to display this belief by a life of holiness!

It is true that we don’t have much awareness of how the “next life” would be…

… We do fall short of words to explain the nature of the life-to-come or rationally describing “how heaven would be!”

… We may even have our own fears and anxieties in thinking of death or in the parting moments of our loved ones!

 But we do know for certain one thing: that we would be one with our Lord- the lover of our soul…

… the fullness of joy

… the supremacy of holiness

… the culmination of every desire

Yes, we don’t have much idea of what lies beyond the Door, but we know that the Master is there!

Let us grow in our faith in the Resurrection…

… and let us live a life of holiness and sanctity – that would boldly proclaim this belief to all!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the basic requirements of religion is the aspect of Sacredness.

God is Holy.

> And all matters pertaining to this holy God, has a Sense of the Sacred.

>> Worship becomes meaningful, when one becomes aware of this Sense of the Sacred.

>> Preaching becomes powerful, when one is convinced of this Sense of the Sacred.

>> Liturgy becomes heart-touching, when one acknowledges this Sense of the Sacred.

Today we need to make an examination…

>> Is my Worship of God becoming merely external and losing its inner values?

>> Is my Preaching of God reduced to great talks but devoid of conviction and passion?

>> Is my Liturgy more a ritualistic and obligatory exercise than truly an experiential one?

If the answer to any of the above questions is a ‘Yes’…

… then we are perhaps losing the Sense of the Sacred.

The Gospel of the day presents a classic case of this loss of the Sacred Sense.

The Temple of Jerusalem is desecrated by a loss of the Sacred Sense and Jesus seeks to restore it by cleansing the temple.

 

“Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things” (Lk 19:45)

The Jerusalem Temple was very dear to the faith of the people of Israel.

>> Worshipping in this temple was the ultimate for the Israelites, in their honouring of God.

At the Passover, Jews from around the world came to the temple to sacrifice to the Lord (Ex. 12:1-28; Lev. 23:4-8).

It was highly impractical to bring sacrificial animals long distances.

>> So they were made available in the Jerusalem Temple.

Most Jews also paid the temple tax during the Passover.

Since, they came from various places and bore pagan Roman seals, money-changers were there in the temple, to convert the Roman coinage into appropriate currency.

>> Pagan symbols on Roman money made it unacceptable for Yahweh’s house.

Where there is money, corruption slowly creeps in…!

Pilgrims had to pay exorbitant rates to change money, and sellers exploited those in poverty, overcharging for the poor man’s offering of pigeons and doves (Lev. 5:7).

To make things worse, these merchants set up shop in the Court of the Gentiles, making it useless as a place of prayer due to the hustle and bustle of the buying and the selling of goods..

Though not inherently evil, these practices became occasions for sin.

>> What started for a noble cause, led to immense corruption.

There began the loss of the “Sense of the Sacred”…

 

 

And this is so true in our own lives…

The beginning of the loss of the Sense of the Sacred begins with trivial things.

We allow a little delays and some relaxations in our prayer life…

>> And suddenly, we find no excitement in spending time in prayer.

We allow laxity and silence and indifference in our relationships…

>> And suddenly, we find no meaning in many of our relations…

 

We allow unpreparedness and disinterest to walk into our celebration and participation of Mass…

>> And suddenly, we find no meaning in the Holy Eucharist.

The loss of the Sense of the Sacred happens in a very subtle and quiet way.

>> And unless, we remain vigilant and careful, we can lose our way in the spiritual warfare.

It is this reminder and warning that the Lord delivers today, by cleansing the Jerusalem Temple.

“It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it into a den of robbers'” (Lk 19: 46)

Today we have converted many of the places into “dens of robbers”…

>> Today we have badly defiled the “Sense of the Sacred” in many places…

Cinemas and movies have a heavy stench of vulgarity and indecency.

>> They rob the society of its ethical culture and moral innocence.

Posters, hoardings and advertisements have become mediums of immorality and offensiveness

>> They rob its viewers of their principles and convictions in life.

The Internet and new media are badly misused to become snares of promoting life-threatening and life-abusing activities.

>> They rob its users of their proper purposes & instead addict them to many compulsions & cravings, which are hard to be given up.

Families and communities often become places lacking in genuine love, unity and peace

>> They rob one of the chance to grow in a spirit of sharing and understanding.

Our bodies are often manipulated with many addictions, improper practises and ungodly behaviours.

>> They rob the person of the purity and holiness that is engraved deep within.

The Cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple is a strong reminder for us, to check the areas and the manner in which we have lost the Sense of the Sacred…

>> We complain that the world is becoming more materialistic and less spiritual.

>> We complain that the Church is becoming more “worldly” and less inspiring.

One of the root problems lies in the fact, that we perhaps losing the “Sense of the Sacred”

>> Unless we are in awe of the God who has created this beautiful and majestic world, we will continue to abuse and misuse the world.

>> Unless we are in wonder of the God who has gifted the Church with life-saving sacraments, we will continue to blame the Church and lose precious graces that we can obtain through her.

>>> Let us revive the “Sense of the Sacred”.

>>> Let us cleanse anything which diminishes this “Sense of the Sacred”

>>> Let us become a people who radiate with joy and enthusiasm this “Sense of the Sacred”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Aicha Moussaoui had been up all night, weeping and pacing inside her house…

“I am wounded,” she said.

Moussaoui was enduring a hard time.
>> She was the mother of an alleged conspirator in terrorist crimes.

Her youngest son, Zacarias Moussaoui, 33, had been accused of plotting with the 9/11 hijackers which killed thousands of Americans at the World Trade Centre.

“For me, it’s as if he had died,” she said of her son…
>> “I want to see him so I could ask my son: Why? How? Is it true?”

Moussaoui said she “felt like the roof fell on me”

These are painful and heart-wrenching words of a mother who was shattered by the alleged misdeeds of her son.

She expected him to respect and honour her care.
>> She had brought him up, with much love and affection.
>> She wanted him to become a responsible person in the society.

But her love was answered with disgrace….
>> Her expectations shattered by humiliation
>> Her affections bruised with pain

The heart of a mother is broken when her child strays away from the ways of truth and honesty!

If this is the experience of an earthly mother, how much more will be the pain and suffering of our God, if we stray away from Him…
… Him, Who loves each one of us deeply with a motherly affection?
>> If a human mother has so much pain, how much more will God, with a motherly heart suffer!

It is this sorrow and grief that is strongly expressed by Jesus in the Gospel of the day.

Jesus laments over the City of Jerusalem.

St Luke records this lamentation of the Lord with a powerfully sentimental verse:
“As Jesus drew near, he saw the city and wept over it” (Lk 19: 41)

Jesus is usually an epitome of great joy and rejoicing.
>> But this joyful Jesus being made to shed tears shows the gravity of situation.

What made Jesus to shed tears?
>> The pain and the hurt He experienced because of the ill-response and harsh reaction of His  chosen people, Israel, represented by the city of Jerusalem.

God had chosen Israel as His people. 

Out of all the civilizations on the earth, He chose them as His beloved.
… through them He promised that the Saviour of the human race would come. 
>> This promise ignited the hearts of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God wiped out their enemies even in the most extreme of circumstances! 
>> Time and again, God blessed them with judges, kings and prophets. He even provided them a place to worship. 

But as the quote goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt!”
>> Israel, God’s own people no longer delighted in being His distinctive people. 

For them, He became a routine.
>> They began to consider Him of little value. 
>> They allowed their hearts to grow hard… over and over… again and again.

Finally, Jesus, the long-promised Messiah came, the One whom God the Father had sent.

But most of the Jews by then, had grown stubborn and complacent in their ways.  
>> They had no room for One who came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.  

They maltreated the Saviour of the World.
>> They rejected the Chosen One of God.
>> They abused the Anointed One of the Lord.

And this led, Jesus to shed tears.
>>  Like a mother…
… whose heart is broken in seeing her child choose wrong ways.
… whose soul is crushed in witnessing her child engaged in misdeeds.
… who cries in agony when her child strays away from the path of goodness.

This story of Jerusalem could well be our own life-story.

We have been specially chosen and loved by the Lord. 
>> He has taken us through many dangers, sicknesses and accidents.
… In times when everything seem lost, He has been our refuge.
… In moments when all seemed totally blank and dark, He has been the glowing light.
… In occasions we felt like quitting life and escaping from realities, He held us in good stead.

But we tend to easily forget all these good deeds and wonders of the Lord.
>> We fail to be grateful and thankful to the Lord….
…by living a holy and virtuous life.
…by deepening our bond of love and affection with Him
…by translating His graces into deeds of charity and concern for our people.

We instead persecute and torture Him…
…by living a lethargic or unholy or even scandalous life
…by abandoning many of His commandments and the teachings of the Church
…by harming our brothers and sisters and being highly indifferent in situations.

God’s heart, like that of a broken mother weeping for her child, is crying out for us…
>> We have strayed much!

It’s time to come back to Him
>> He calls us.
>> He longs to have us with Him always.
>> He wants us back in His loving embrace.

As little children, let us run, in sincere repentance, to the welcoming motherly heart of our Beloved God.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

And they lived happily forever….

This is an ending that we read in many fairytales and kids stories.

As kids we felt that life is always going to be happy as in these fairytales.

>> But as we grow, we realize, that life often is the other way!

Life…

… grinds us with problems and difficulties…

… crushes us with tensions and worries…

… squeezes us with struggles and labours…

Sometimes, we have a very fairytale understanding of God too.

We experience His love and read about His deeds of power and greatness.

>> And we draw up a fairy-tale image of God…

A God…

… Who is always goody-goody and smiley-faced.

… Who is always lenient and closing His eyes to any of our misdeeds.

We take God for granted.

>> We assume God to give us a free-hand always.

But the Gospel of the Day reminds and warns us of demanding side of God!

>> The Lord is gentle and kind…

… but HE is also challenging.

>> The Lord is soft-hearted and loving…

… but HE is also tough and firm.

The parable of the Ten Gold Coins begins with a nobleman who is about to make a trip to a distant country.

>> He leaves his servants in charge of his kingdom.

While he is gone, he expects them to make the most of their opportunity to serve him.

He calls ten servants and gave them ten gold coins.

The phrase used for 10 gold coins’ is “ ten minas” which means “10 units of money”…

… equivalent to about 3 months wages.

They were told to put the money to work, to invest the money, until the nobleman returned.

How well did they do?

 

 

The first two gave their financial report…

The first man came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned ten more.”

“Well done, my good servant!” he replied. “Because you’ve been trustworthy in a small matter, take charge of ten cities.”

The second came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned five more.” His master answered, “You take charge of five cities.”

And then come the third servant… Mr Play-it-Safe.

>> He felt that he knew his master very well…

… but in fact, he failed to understand his mind.

>> He felt it was easier to play safe, than to invest…

… but in fact, he failed in his poor calculation.

This caused great anger for the Master…

What angered the servant was not that the servant did not make profit…but because…

…this servant did not even try to use his money…

…this servant had a very lethargic attitude…

… this servant was overly-cautious and hesitant for any risks…

The focus now turns to us…

All of us have been entrusted by God, with great resources, which needs to be invested.

>> Some of us might put them into good use, and gain rewards from the Lord.

But some of us, might want to keep it securely and imitate the third servant, Mr Play-it-Safe.

We may think that we know God well…

… that He is always a forgiving and kind-hearted one, and so all my inactivity and sluggishness will be overlooked

… that He is all too sweet & compassionate, and so all my failures to do my duties will be ignored

But the Lord warns us of serious consequences, as the third servant, Mr Play-it-Safe had to face.

>> “With your own words, I shall condemn you” (Lk 19:22) were the harsh words addressed by the Master to the servant.

Our inability to respond to His grace…

Our lethargy to try to utilize God-given gifts…

Our failure to make attempts to use our talents…

.Our apathy to acknowledge God’s manifold blessings…

… all these will be very severely condemned and punished by God.

>> The Lord doesn’t care for results…

… but He demands a try.

>> The Lord doesn’t look for profit…

… but He demands an effort

>> The Lord doesn’t ask for success…

… but He demands an attempt

>> The Lord doesn’t fret over victories…

… but He demands commitment.

>> The Lord doesn’t bother about accomplishments…

… but He demands faithfulness

We have perhaps very rosy and fairytale images of God.

>> But along with it, let us also become aware of the tough and challenging dimension in God.

His deep love and mercy will save us….

… But His unfailing justice can cause us to be condemned!

His deep compassion will protect us…

… But His impartial righteousness can cause us to be destroyed!

Let us be on the guard.

>> Let us make the best use of the resources that God has blessed us with.

And may we be privileged to hear the soft words of our Lord:

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”

And thus…we can truly, live happily forever…..

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Biblical stories are interesting and motivating.

One of the Biblical story which is not just interesting & motivating, but also greatly popular is of the little man – Zacchaeus.

The Gospel of the Day takes us through this life-changing incident of this Little Man.
>> Thought little, this person teaches us big things
>> Though small, the story tells many great lessons.

The story begins with Jesus coming to Jericho and intending to pass through the town (Lk 19:1)

Jericho has a long history, especially seen in the Old Testament.
>> Jericho was the first city to be conquered by the Israelites under Joshua. (Josh 6:1-27)

It was surrounded by a huge wall. However, with directives from God & under the leadership of Joshua, the city was laid siege.

On the appointed day, Joshua ordered the people to shout & the walls of the city collapsed and the Israelites destroyed it.

Joshua laid a curse on the one who would rebuild this city.
>> Thus, Jericho bore the brunt of a curse.

It is to this ‘place of curse’ that Jesus makes his entry.

As Jesus makes his entry to this cursed place, a little man named Zacchaeus climbs & hides himself behind the leaves of a sycamore tree.

Zacchaeus was a rejected man.
>> This rejection was on two levels:
1. A personal level
2. A societal level

The Gospel mentions that Zacchaeus was “short in stature” (Lk 19:3)

It is interesting to note that “Zacchaeus” in Greek means…
… the pure –  a just one

However when St Luke speaks of him as being “short in stature”, it was a pointer…
… that he was perhaps living a life contradictory to what his own name suggested.

His being short was probably referring to the fact…
… that as a tax collector, he was living a life of corruption
… that as a rich man, he was still quite unsatisfied in life

Being short, he faced a sense of rejection…
… in his own self!

At the same time, Zacchaeus was also rejected by the society.

The Gospel describes him as being a tax collector.

Under the Roman system, tax collecting jobs were outsourced to people…
… who bought the right to collect taxes.

Tax collectors paid a fixed amount of tax to Rome
>> After that, they enriched themselves by forcing the public to pay far more than what Rome required.

Zacchaeus thus became a tax collector for the hated Roman government
>> He was probably treated as a heathen…
…  isolated from all social life
… equated with the Gentiles at a distance when he went to the temple!

Thus, being a tax-collector, he faced a sense of rejection…
… in his own society and among his own people!

Besides, Zacchaeus was a “chief” tax collector…
… so his rejection was still more “chief” – greater and graver.

Do we also find ourselves to be rejected – just as Zacchaeus was?
>> Despising ourselves because of our own weaknesses and shortcomings?
… Being despised by the society, when we take a conviction that is opposed to the worldly and materialistic ways?

>> Despising ourselves, because of the weight of habitual sins and prolonged bad habits?
… Being despised by the society, when we fail to abide by the unholy trends of the modern world?

Zacchaeus, however, stands as an example and challenge to us…
… to not get dejected by such rejections!
>> Instead to “deeply desire” for the Lord and be ready to climb the sycamore tree of “sadness, rejection, disappointment and dejection” in our lives!

The Lord is gazing, addressing and seeking for us.
>>  Am I ready to encounter, to listen and to be found by Him?
 

A Yes to the question, will also mean taking some radical decisions in our life, just like Zacchaeus did…
>> Giving up of possessions…
>> Letting go of my undue desire for money, cheap popularity, the riches in my life etc.
>> Repaying those whom I have cheated…
>> Forgiving and accepting those whom I hurt, whom I don’t like, whom I am not in good terms etc.

Zacchaeus was a despised man.
>> He was despised because of his short stature.
>> He was despised because as a tax collector, he worked for the enemy-government and would cheat and defraud people.
>> He was despised because Jesus came to his house – a house of a sinner.

But the encounter with Jesus made him a transformed person
>> The encounter with Jesus made him to go beyond all complexes and filled him with deep joy!

This same transformation is at hand for us…

Let, us, learn from the Little Man and make significant changes in our life, in order to experience the magnanimous wonders and graces from our Big God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Every person in the world faces a moment of darkness.
>> Some of us get encompassed by it.
>> Some of us get dejected by it.

The Gospel of Day presents the healing of a blind man.
> The blind man, faced immense darkness, but did not allow to get encompassed  or dejected by it.

Let us travel with him through this exciting journey of moving  from “Tamas”(darkness) to “Jyothi”(light)…

These blind man takes us through four stages of a spiritual life:

1. A State of Blindness

The man was stuck with blindness.
There is no idea as to when or how or why he became blind.

>> Maybe he was blind from birth.
>> Maybe he was blind  due to some sickness as he grew up
>> Maybe he was blind  as a result of some accident or calamity

The reasons for his blindness is unknown

Perhaps, many of us are in a state of blindness….
>> Blindness of being rejected and not accepted…
>> Blindness of inferiority complexes…
>> Blindness of inner brokenness…
>> Blindness of family crisis…

> Some of us maybe experiencing this darkness from the time of our birth.
> Some of us maybe experiencing this darkness due to calamities striking our lives as we grew

2. A State of Seeking

A life of blindness meant a life of total dependence on others…
…at times facing the ire of the people…at times facing the rejection of the people.

> The blind man could have become dejected and totally depressed.
> He could have given up in life and cursed their destiny.

But the blind man, did not allow the darkness to cloud his lives.
>> He probably would have heard about Jesus and the wonders He had done.
>> He sought with hope, the One who could banish his darkness.
>> His sought with faith, the One who could heal his gloominess.

Our state of blindness should not become a hindrance to seek the Lord.
>> We need to seek the Lord with our entire being…
>> We need to seek the plan of God and His providential care in our shadows..
>> We need to seek the road ahead with Hope and Faith in His Divine plans…

3. The State of Faith

The blind man, after making a deliberate choice to seek the Lord, expressed his deep faith in the healing power of the Lord.

The Lord makes a test of his trust and hope in Him.

“What do you want me to do for you?”
He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight” (Lk 18:41)

Our seeking for the Lord, needs to be supplemented greatly with the vitamin of Faith!
>> Delays in our prayer requests, should become an incentive to grow deeper in faith.
>> Addition of more problems in life, ought to be a moment to have more faith in Him

4. The Stage of Proclamation

The blind man, who was healed by Jesus, now, was filled with tremendous joy and enthusiasm.

> His happiness is so much overflowing, that he goes beyond the words of Jesus, and proclaims His wonderful miracle to the peoples.

“And immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God” (Lk 18: 43)

> Once we are touched by the Lord, our happiness would know no bounds.
> Once we are healed by the Lord, our enthusiasm would get highly contagious.

The Blind man in the Gospel take us through these four stages…
The Stage of Blindness… The Stage of Seeking…the Stage of Faith…the Stage of Proclamation.

Let us be inspired and challenged by him

>> Let us seek the Lord of Light in our darkness.
>> Let us seek the Lord of healing in our sicknesses.
>> Let us seek the Lord of holiness in our blindness.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the common technique of understanding and personalizing a Biblical text is by, what could be called as the Method of Assuming a Character.

>> One puts oneself in the shoes of one of the characters in the Biblical passage and draws reflections and thoughts for one’s spiritual growth.

 

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son…

>> One could assume the character of the Younger Son…and identify as one having gone away from God.

>> One could assume the character of the Father….and identify as one who longs for the return of those lost and those gone away from us.

>> One could assume the character of the Elder Son….and identify as one who gets irritated and even angry at the apparently “unjust” side of God’s love of being overly merciful!

 

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan…

>>One could assume the character of the injured man….and identify as one who is beaten up and lying helpless, seeking for assistance

>> One could assume the character of the thieves….and identify as one who engages in wicked activities and harming the lives of others

>> One could assume the character of the Levite or the Priest….and identify as one who fails to set right the priorities in life.

>> One could assume the character of the Good Samaritan….and identify as one who reaches out to people in their dire need.

>> One could assume the character of the inn-keeper….and identify as one who remains generous in allowing the injured man in the inn, despite a possible loss of money.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is the Parable of the Persistent Widow.

>> For our reflection, we shall use the similar Method of assuming a Character.

 

The Parable speaks of a judge and a widow.

 

The judge is characterised by some features:

> He did not fear God.

>> He did not fear humans.

>>> He was initially adamant in his refusal.

 

The Widow is characterised by some features:

> She had a genuine need.

>> She was denied justice.

>>> She remained persistent till the end.

 

 

In our usual understanding, we assume the character of the Widow and God as the Judge and draw some of the following conclusions:

> We are often in many and true needs.

But we often, find ourselves, a bit depressed at the delays in receiving the answers to our prayers.

The parable encourages and exhorts us to remain persistent in our prayer life and not to get discouraged by God’s delays, which apparently appears as God’s denials.

Yes, God’s delays are certainly not His denials!

>> God’s pauses are certainly not His refusals!

 

But for a change, for our reflection, we shall try to reverse our roles…

 

Let US assume the role of the JUDGE…and GOD as the WIDOW!

Sounds strange?

Me as the Judge? God as the Widow?

 

Widows in the first century found themselves at a very sad state.

They were quite literally unprotected. Many became homeless and destitute after the death of their husbands.

 

Often they were at mercy of cunning men, including some religious leaders who would ?devour widows houses? (Mark 12:40)

> A widow couldn’t count on anyone to come to her aid.

She represents the hopeless….the unaided…the oppressed.

 

In Mt 25:35, Jesus identifies Himself with the one who was hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger and the imprisoned.

>> Jesus in the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger and the imprisoned…. is the hopeless one…the unaided one..the oppressed one.

 

Jesus, like the widow in the Parable…comes knocking at our door: Behold I stand at the door, and knock… (Rev 3:20)

 

As the oppressed and justice-deprived widow, Jesus, knocks at our door – we the Judges.

 

What is our reaction and response?

 

The cry of the one in pain and suffering reaches our hears…

>> Do I reach out my heart to them and seek to ease their troubles and hardships?

 

The moaning of a broken family or a lost teenager or a spoilt child comes to us…

>> Do I pray for them and help them, in ways possible for me?

 

The sad tear of the abused or oppressed people with whom we work is seen by us…

>> Do I get out of my comfort-shell to make them feel comforted and consoled?

 

The disturbing reports of violence, corruption, injustice in the society falls on our senses…

>> Do I remain indifferent to them and become saturated with such atrocities?

 

Yes…the widow – the hopeless, the unaided and the oppressed one… keeps knocking at our doors…

>> As a Judge…do I keep refusing?…do I keep getting irritated?…do I feel life as a botheration?

 

The Parable of the Persistent Widow is certainly a big lesson to remain firm and to persevere in our prayer life.

>> But this parable, when looked from another perspective, is also a big challenge to become a people who reach out in justice and give comfort and consolation to the needy.

 

 

 

Knock….knock…

Do we hear the knock, seeking for help?

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Spending time along little streams can be a fascinating pastime.

 

When along these streams, one can observe tiny flies that come and bathe in it.

 

If one notices carefully, it can be seen that while they plunge their bodies, they keep their wings high out of the water and fly away, with their wings dry!

 >> The wings are kept safe from getting wet, so that there is no hindrance in flying again!

 

How beautiful a lesson is this for us Christians…

…. who live in the world, yet are called to be out of the world.

… who live amidst possibilities of wealth, yet are called to be detached from them.

… who live with the prospect of gaining immense power, yet are exhorted to not be attached

 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus highlighting this essential element of Christian living : Being in the world, but living out of the world, with eyes firmly set on heavenly realms.

 

Jesus says, “Whoever seeks to gain his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life, will preserve it” (Lk 17:33)

Very often our lives get too attached to material riches and attachments.

 

>> We fall prey to seeking great honour and fame in being a Christian…

… but are unable to grasp the fact that ‘to be a Christian is to be living a life of simplicity’.

 

>> We yield to temptations of being obsessed to seek power and positions of futile vanity…

… and fail time and again to live up to the Christian virtues of humility and modesty

 

>> We often become victims of engaging in dirty politics and authority-grabbing games…

… and become an anti-witness to the Lord who ‘came to serve, rather than be served’

 

We need to give heed to the words of the Lord who prayed that “we are in the world, but do not belong to this world” (Jn 17: 15)

 

 

A Christian life ought to be hallmarked by detachment and separation…

… detachment from too much of worldly distractions and vain glory

… separation from sinful ways and evil tendencies

 

 

It ought to be radiated with total focus and complete dedication…

… total focus on the Lord who ‘walked the talk’ by giving up His life in service

… complete dedication to the Kingdom of God which calls for a humble way of life

 

The world today is being ‘gripped in sin’, “as it was in the days of Noah” (Lk 17:26)

>> We need to open our eyes to realise the warning given by the Lord and be ‘on the watch’ after the example of the destruction of the sinful city of Sodom.

Perhaps our own life… or our family… or our community… our society…

… is resembling the city of Sodom

>> There is much drunkenness in worldly pleasures!

>> There is much ‘eating and consumption’ of corrupt practices!

>> There is much neglect of honest ways and of truthful conduct!

>> There is much enjoyment of bad, inhuman and cruel behaviours!

Let us deepen…

… our faith in the Lord

… our love for the Kingdom

… and our detachment from riches

As St Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized a saint says:

” We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect.

>> Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!