The world of popular cinema mesmerizes and enchants its viewers. 

>> They transport one to a whole new world of fantasy and fiction. 
One is transferred to having emotions, feelings and sentiments that are seemingly joyful or ecstatic or sensational. 
This atmosphere sometimes mesmerizes the viewer to stay glued to this ambience, and one feels to just remain in this “world of sensation and thrill”. 

>> But the viewer is immediately made to be aware that life is not just about always being happy and walking on a bed of roses… 
Life stings us with many realities of hardships, constant problems and nagging difficulties! 

The Gospel of the Day presents the disciples of Jesus undergoing a comparable “cinematic feeling” – moving from the miraculous world of amazement to a harsh world of fear and doubt! 

The passage begins with the verse, “While they were all amazed at his every deed…” (Lk 9:37) 

When we re-trace back to some of the prior verses in the 9th Chapter of St Luke, we see that the disciples had every reason to be amazed and to find themselves in a “world of sensation and thrill”… 

>> Jesus had cast out an unclean spirit  who had tormented the only child of a father (Lk 9:37-43) 
>> Jesus had been transfigured on the mountain sharing His glory with Moses and Elijah (Lk 9: 28-36) 

 

>> Jesus had multiplied the bread and the fish to feed over five thousand people (Lk 9: 10-17) 
These events and deeds were indeed strong enough for the disciples to go overboard with feelings of astonishment! 

“They were all amazed at the greatness of God!” (Lk 9:37) 
They couldn’t look at Jesus and not be amazed. 

>> They couldn’t look at Jesus and not be astonished. 
They were amazed at the greatness of God manifest in Jesus. 

>> He was God and they could feel His Divinity and His Power! 

  

But the Lord is a practical person. 

>> He doesn’t let his followers to have a worldly outlook in being His disciple. 

>> He doesn’t give in to letting people be stirred with mere external peripherals. 

>> He doesn’t run away from boldly accepting the realities and tragedies of this life. 

Jesus is not an escapist. 

>> He doesn’t allow Himself to be a drug for transient pleasures. 
And so, Jesus reminds his excited and amazed disciples, of the future of his life, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men” (Lk 9:44) 
Jesus brings them down from a ” flashy world of miracles and wonders”…

… to the ” naked world of the Cross”.  
Jesus calls them back from a “happy-to-be-enjoying moments of glory”…

… to the “wanting-to-be-freed moments of humiliation”. 
Jesus pulls them from a “comfortable situation of fame”…

… to the “unpleasant situation of shame”. 

The Gospel goes on the say, “..and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying” (Lk 9:45b). 

What made the disciples to be fearful in clearing this doubt from their Master? 
We don’t know the exact reasons…but… 

 

>> Like a child who is hesitant to look at the report card fearing a negative result… 

>> Like a patient who is hesitant to look at the doctor’s report fearing a negative result… 

>> Like a criminal who is hesitant to hear the verdict of the judge fearing a negative result… 
Could it be that the disciples knew…

… that the shadow of the Cross would spoil their moments of splendour…? 

… that the disciples knew that the hard Gospel teaching would snatch away their moments of pleasure? 

… that the committed Christ would make them sacrifice their will for the Will of God? 

Like the Disciples, we too could often find ourselves to be amazed in the in the “world of sensation and thrill” but afraid to descend to the “realms of hardships and pain”. 

The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes will remind us of the transience and fleeting  character of the pleasures of this life with the words, “Vanity of vanities, all things are vanity” and to “remember your creator in the days of your youth…” (Ecl 12:1, 8). 
Yes, it is DESIRABLE to live always in a world of amazement and thrills…

… but it is DISCOVERED that life is more often a world of complications and calamities… 

>> And so, it is a must, to DECIDE to one answers life’s challenges with a greater determination! 
Today, let us re-commit our lives once again to the Lord…

… Who Himself was bold and strong to face the challenges and struggles of life. 
In Him we have the strength! 

>> In Him we have the courage!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Nature teaches and inspires us!
One of the beautiful lessons we learn from nature is from one of the most amazing flowers – The Sunflower!

The Sunflowers literally ‘follows the sun’!

(Technically, it is called “heliotropism” i.e. ‘sun turning’)
They turn to the sun, following it all day…

… from its rising in the east to its setting in the west!
It is even found that on a cloudy day…

… if any glimpse of the sun appears, the sunflower finds and follows it! 

The sunflower is a beautiful symbol of our spiritual journey…

>> Of how, we need to constantly ‘look to the Lord’, the Sun of our Life!

>> Of how, we need to always ‘follow the Lord’, the Sun of our existence!

This “looking to the Lord” and “following the Lord” finds its practical expression…

… in a life of prayer!
 

The Gospel of the Day presents before us with St Luke’s version of the familiar passage, of Jesus asking His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?”…

… beginning with “Jesus praying in solitude…”(Lk 9:18)

The Gospel of Luke is also known as the Gospel of Prayer. 
He highlights the aspect of Jesus spending time in prayer…. 

>> At the time of His Baptism, Jesus prays (Lk 3:21)
>> At the time after a ministry of healing, Jesus goes to pray (Lk 5:16)
>> At the choosing of the Twelve, Jesus spends the night in prayer (Lk 6:12)

 
>> At the time of the Transfiguration on the mountain, Jesus was praying (Lk 9:28)
>> At the request of His disciples, Jesus teaches them the ideal and the model prayer (Lk 11:1)
>> At the garden of Gethsemane, before being led to His passion and sufferings, Jesus prayed (Lk 22:41)
>> At the final breath, in the agony and pain of His imminent death on the Cross, Jesus makes a prayer (Lk 23:46)

The ‘Praying Master’ through the ‘Gospel of Prayer’ exhorts us to some crucial and practical aspects of our life: 

>> Do I spend special time in prayer…

… before important and critical times and decisions of our life? 
>> Do I enjoy spending time in prayer…

… and seeking to grow in my relationship with God, our Father? 
>> Do I cling to God in intense and deep prayer…

… in our time of suffering and pains? 
>> Do I make prayer a way of life and rhythmic…

… with every moment of my day?

It is only when we build a strong rock-solid foundation of prayer that we can be bold in witnessing our faith!

The world may have varied responses to the question, “Who do people say that I am?”. 
>> Many saw only the zeal and fiery exhortations on repentance…

… and identified Him with John the Baptist 
>> Many saw only His mighty acts and deeds…

… and considered Him as Elijah 
>> Many saw only His authoritative power in preaching… 

…and considered Him a Prophet 
But they failed to see Jesus truly as the One He really was – The SON OF GOD!

 

It is only when we are in prayer that we can know the Lord more…and deeper!

>> The understanding of the Real Jesus can be experienced only through our moments of prayer.

How is our life of prayer?

… Personal

… In the Family/Community
Personally, we must make it a point to spend atleast sometime, daily, in prayer

>> As a family/community also, we must make a priority, daily, to come together in the presence of the Lord!
Personally, we will have a lot of activities and feelings to keep us away; but we must still be faithful to our time of prayer

>> As a family/community also, there would come many things to give us excuses; but we must still be insistent on having our time of prayer together!

We celebrate today the Feast of a modern saint…an exemplary and prayerful priest: St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. 

>> He inspires us today to closely follow to Lord… through the paths of prayer!
He would say:

>> “Prayer is the best weapon we possess. It is the key that opens the heart of God.”

>> “Let us glance at the Divine Master who prayed in the Garden and we will discover the true ladder which unites the earth to Heaven…

…. We will discover that humility, contrition and prayer make the distance between man and God disappear, and act in such a way that God descends to man, and man ascends to God, so that they end up understanding, loving and possessing one another.”
Let us seek the intercession of St Padre Pio, to grow deeper in prayer and follow God’s Will deeply and closely in our lives!

Yes, the Lord encounters each one of us today personally and puts forward  the same question, 

“Who do YOU say that I am?”

>> May we, “like the sunflower, that follows every movement of the sun”, turn towards the Lord and walk, with joy, looking to Him, and radiating his Love!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There are a few things which are not understood in life…
(Well, don’t worry…. we are not getting too philosophical here…!)
One among these… which has perhaps, intrigued many, including me is… a physician’s (doctor’s) medicine prescription! 
(Are physicians reading this more closely now??)
The physician usually is a busy person, with many patients to be attended to and many in distress seeking his/her advice.
In the midst of this heavy work, the medical prescription is often scribbled down.
Many times their handwriting goes for a toss! >> Many times the legibility of this writing is hard to decipher!
This untidily written prescription of medicines is often not much understood by the patient.
This quickly scribbled medicine prescription is often criticized by the patient’s attendants…

… “Why can’t they write neatly?”

… “Who can understood this indecipherable paper?”

But the Physician is quite at ease with the prescription!

>> The poor writing doesn’t disturb…

>> The illegibility doesn’t come in the way.

>> The scribbled letters don’t prevent from suggesting the right medicine.

The physician’s prescription in the hands of people who do not understand and grasp, is a cause of irritation and criticism!
The physician’s prescription in the hands of person who understands them well, is a cause of life-giving medicines!

The script is the same, but…

… to the one who fails to understand, it becomes a basis of cribbing and complaining

… to the one who understands it well, it becomes the source of life and vitality

The Gospel of the Day is nice setup – a Physician, a chief patient, other patients 

& some complaining people! (Mt 9:9-13)

The Physician is the Lord Himself…

The chief patient is Matthew, the tax collector…

The few other patients are the other sinners and tax collectors…

The set of complaining people are the scribes and the Pharisees…

Jesus, the Great Physician is out on His regular rounds…

… of nursing the wounds of people with His soothing bandages

… of strengthening the brokenness in people with His powerful words

… of touching the miseries and sicknesses of people by His healing touches

On one such round, He comes across Matthew, the tax collector

(Mt 9:9a)

>> He sees him busy at his desk, counting the money, exchanging coins…
>> Jesus sees in Matthew, a man who perhaps has indulged in cheating…

>> Jesus sees in Matthew, a man who has been looked down badly by the local people…
The physician Jesus, sees in Matthew, a patient who is sick and in trouble.

>> And so, He scribbles down a prescription…”Follow Me” (Mt 9:9b)

The patient, with this prescription is happy and relieved…

… because he realises, the Physician has given him a prescription that will bring him life!
Matthew must have not understood much of this prescription…. But he follows the great Physician!
However, the other people who watch and see this prescription…fail to understand it! 
And they begin to complain and groan, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mt 9:11)
Yes, the Physician’s prescription in the hands of people who do not understand & grasp, is a cause of irritation and criticism!

>> The Physician’s prescription in the hands of  people who understands them well, is a cause of life-giving medicines!
But Jesus, the Great Physician of Galilee, knows well & is confident of the prescription that He has given to His patient. 
And so He boldly proclaims, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mt 9:12)

Is any of us sick among us?
>> Spiritually sick….with crisis with God or difficulties in prayer life or a standstill in faith?
>> Emotionally sick….with hard feelings hitting our life or unable to handle various moods?
>> Physiologically sick…with painful diseases and ailments or troubling aches, hurts and ills?
>> Financially sick…with businesses and jobs going down the drain and no hopes seen ahead?
>> Socially sick…with ill-acceptance by others and painful  rejection by those whom we love? 

Then the Great Physician is out here…. to heal and touch us! 
No matter whether the prescription…

… is not understood by us

… is criticized by other people
It makes perfect sense to the One who has prescribed it!

>> It makes perfect sense to the One who is to give the medicines! 

The Great Physician is available… Come, let us go to Him…for His Healing and Life-Saving Prescription!

Happy Feast of St Matthew!
God Bless! Live Jesus!

We live in a generation where clicking photos and taking selfies have become a sort of a norm!

>>  And when photos or selfies of a group are clicked, there is often a crowding together of many people to come inside the photo frame…to be seen visible in the photo that is clicked.
To jostle together to get inside a photo-view or a photo-frame, can be fun…and sometimes real tough too.

Today, the Divine Master Jesus, is out to click a photo…to capture on frame all who belong to His Family… 

>> There is a lot of jostling and shoving and pushing by people to sneak inside this photo frame.
But Jesus makes a clear demarcation: “Only those who hear the Word of God and do it are to be a part of this Family Photo frame”!

The Gospel of the Day depicts the incident where the mother and brothers of Jesus come to meet Him…

… and He declaring that His mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and do it in their lives”

Jesus loves to break new ground. 

>> He loves to define new concepts. 

>> He dares to look at things with innovation.
And here, Jesus revolutionizes and redefines the understanding of belonging to God’s Family.

In the Gospel of Luke 2:41-52, we have the incident of Jesus getting lost in the Temple of Jerusalem. 

When Mother Mary questioned Him why He had done so, Jesus replies back: “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Jesus shows His priority and importance with respect to relationships and familial ties.

Relationship in a human family is understood in terms of connectivity of blood. 

>> Relationship in Jesus’ family is to be understood in terms of connectivity of hearts.

 

Relationship in a human family is defined by association with a particular lineage and ancestry. 

>> Relationship in Jesus’ Family is defined by association with hearing and doing God’s Will. 

The true family has God as its Father and whose children are those “who hear the word of God and act on it.” 

>> The true family in the Kingdom of God, is not first determined by bonds of earthly kinship, but rather by the bonds of spiritual kinship! 
The true family is the family of God, the church, the body of Christ. 

>> The early church father, St. Cyprian of Carthage, said quite rightly, “You cannot have God as your Father, if you do not have the Church as your Mother.”  

 
Too often in times past, Christians, especially, we Catholics, have taken great pride in our faith. 
But today perhaps we need to examine the basis and validity of this our claim and pride…

>> Am I proud to be a Catholic merely because I have been born and brought up with a Catholic upbringing… 

… or can I be proud I am a Catholic because I know and live its teachings and traditions in my life? 
>> Am I proud to be a Catholic merely because I attend regularly Sunday masses and fulfill some church obligations…

… or can I be proud that I am a Catholic because I have a deep faith in the Sacraments especially in the Eucharist?
It’s great to be called a follower of Christ…and enjoy privileges and benefits as a Christian… 

>> But it’s a challenge to live His teachings and principles in our life, and truly be called His follower!
It’s nice to be called as a follower of Christ and be known in the society as belonging to a “peaceful and nice” community… 

>> But it’s a challenge to live the virtues of love and patience and follow God’s Will in our lives, and truly being a peaceful and nice Christian. 

Yes, the Divine Master Jesus, is out to click a photo…to capture on frame all who belong to His Family… 

>> Let us do God’s will so that we may be part of His Family Photo!
Say Cheese?

God Bless! Live Jesus

Some scientific experiments are fairly simple and practical, yet quite interesting and exciting too. 
One such experiment, which some of us would have tried or seen others doing…

… is producing fire with the help of a magnifying glass. 
The magnifying glass is kept in front of a piece of paper with the sunlight falling on the magnifying glass, in such a way that a small bright dot appears on the paper. 
In sometime, with a strong sunlight, one is able to observe that the paper has caught fire!
>> The magnifying glass acts as a medium, to let the sunlight pass through and converge, in order to generate fire! 

>> The magnifying glass plays a significant role in transferring the heat of the sun to objects which are focused! 

Our Life as a Christian ought to be similar…

In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus tells to His disciples, “No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp stand, so that people coming in may see the light…”  (Lk 8:16)

This passage in the Gospel of St. Luke is just preceded by the Parable of the Sower (Lk 8: 4-15). 
The parable of the Sower beautifully illustrates the various modes of reception of the Word of God. 

>> When the Word of God is welcomed and received with a open heart, one is able to bear fruit…fruit in abundance. 

A person, who receives God’ Word with an open heart and a receptive mind is able to reflect it in one’s life.

>> And this is where, a Christian Life resembles a Magnifying Glass which allows God’s Word to pass through and kindles others with the fire of His love! 

We need to be an open and active medium allowing God to permeate through us, in order to let others experience His Love!

 
>> Do I allow God’s word to work in me, so that the depressed may experience God’s light of joy and happiness? 

>> Do I sanction God’s power to direct me, so that the suffering humanity may experience God’s light of healing?

>> Do I permit the seed of God’s word to take root in me, so that the sinful may experience God’s light of mercy?

>> Do I agree to the authority of God to control me, so that the weak may experience God’s light of strength?

>> Do I let God’s commandments to guide me, so that the wayward may experience God’s light of acceptance?

Jesus says, ” No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed…” 
Times have changed drastically however…

Earlier times, one used to be proud to call oneself as a Christian and witness boldly to be known as one. 

>> Today, perhaps, many of us feel a tweak and go a bit uncomfortable when called publicly as a Christian!
What was a matter a pride some years has today possibly become a matter of awkwardness and uneasiness.

How well do I witness the Light of Christian Faith to the world outside?
There are many tiny yet significant gestures and practical actions by which we may be hiding the Christian Light in us, with a bowl, and not allowing it to shine forth…

>> Feeling ashamed to bow publicly before the Blessed Sacrament or as we enter a Church…

>> Feeling uneasy to make a sign of the cross or say prayers before meals when many are there…

>> Feeling embarrassed to be called a Christian or a Consecrated person in a secular surrounding…

>> Feeling disinterested to carry a Bible or wear a crucifix around the neck or hold on to a rosary etc… 

>> Feeling strange to either wear or avoid certain dresses or habits, especially thinking what will others feel…

>> Feeling awkward to say about Jesus or the Gospel virtues to our friends, thinking that our thoughts are naive…

>> Feeling bored to participate in the Sacraments and show no interest in making extra efforts to prepare for them…

There are many more occasions wherein we may be losing out a chance to witness Christ and His Love!

 
The nature of the sun, is to shine upon and enliven the whole earth. 

>> But if one puts a magnifying glass in the rays of the sun over a paper, this light  of the sun will turn into fire.
The nature of God’s love is to shine upon and enliven the whole universe. 

>> But if we act as a magnifying glass, united with Jesus, our Lord, this light of God’s Love will turn to fire!

Let us let the light of love to burn and blaze like a radiating fire through our lives! 

>> Shine, Jesus, Shine!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A young man who had recently converted to Christianity was filled with a lot of zeal for the Lord.

>> He was a barber by profession. 
Once, he got a customer, with whom he engaged into a conversation (as do many of the barbers!).
As they were talking, it was revealed that the customer was a Christian, who was no longer practising his faith and had little consideration for the Church and acts of devotion to God. 
Meanwhile, the barber had lathered up the customer for a shave, and had the razor in his hand.
Holding the sharp razor in his hand, ready to shave the customer, the young and zealous Christian barber asked this question: “Are you prepared to meet your God?”
The customer..

… seeing the razor in hand and the question posed with so much of vigour…

… fled the shop, with lather on his face!
What about us?

“Are we prepared to meet our God?”
The Gospel of the Day is a sharp reminder on the need for us to take our spiritual life more seriously…

… have a greater zeal for spiritual matters than even those with worldly desires

…. Make a radical choice for the Lord and Him alone, as the treasure of our life! 

Jesus speaks of the parable of the dishonest steward. 

 
The Steward, who was working under a rich man, has been reported for deceitful service. (Lk 16:1)
He realized that his job would be terminated very shortly!

>> He needed to produce his accounts.
.. it was a situation of tension for him!  
But this steward was a wise and shrewd person!
He did not allow the tense situation to overpower him!

>> Instead, he became the master of the situation and became a controller of the entire crisis-situation…
His brain worked super-fast…his shrewdness gained momentum!

>> He called his master’s debtors, and his pen was set to work…
The debt of one hundred jars of olive oil, was manipulated to fifty…

>> The debt of hundred measures of wheat was reduced to eighty…

It is good for us to know the process of business done in the first century Jewish society.
The amount charged to a customer who purchased on credit would include three things:

1. The price of the product

2. The interest charged by the owner

3. The commission to be earned by the steward.

The steward could add whatever commission he thought he could collect.

>> That was his profit.
In this case of our parable, the shrewd steward probably reduced his commission, and perhaps some of the interest added to the loan.
>> The rich master lost no money as he made sufficient profit…

… The customers gained happiness as their debt was reduced.
>> The steward lost some of his profit…

… but he gained much more: an enhanced reputation, some friends, and lots of security.
It was a win-win situation for all – the Master, the Customers and the Steward!
Well.. all this sounds interesting…

… with this shrewd steward and his crafty style of management.

But what is the message in for us?
One important message that we can take home is that…

… the steward was ever alert and prepared to take any risks and chances, to ensure a good future!

>> He never went into a lethargic or casual mode!
The shrewd steward was ever-prepared to face the future! 

What about us? 

>> Are we prepared…

… in our spiritual life?

… to meet our God? 

The shrewd steward never allowed the “Attitude of Lethargy” to conquer him.

> He was pro-active.

>> He was courageous.

>>> He was bold.

Here is the challenge for us…

>> If this is what the Steward could do, to earn those things that are temporary…

… how much more should we be doing for those things that count for eternity?
>> If this is what the Steward could do, to please his boss & for a secure future life…

… should we not be doing much more, to please God?

Sometimes, it’s incredible to see the great efforts undertaken by people to gain expertise and mastery in the skills of the world…

>> Sportspersons practise for many many hours to sharpen their skills…

>> Singers and musicians put in many many hours of practise to gain proficiency…

>> Students preparing for competitive exams spend nights & days to crack the tests…

Do we put that same kind of love, energy and creativity…

… into building up the Church

… into contributing to the Kingdom of God

… and into the things that are to serve God?

We can’t afford to get lethargic in matters related to God, to eternal life, to spirituality etc.
However, many of the times, we take things for granted…

>> Skipping prayer time or spiritual exercises… (We are tired!)

>> Failing to read sometime of Word of God…(We have so many other works!)

>> Missing the Sunday Holy Eucharist…(We get that as the only day to relax more!)

>> Failing to go for confessions… (We say that anyway God will understand me!)

>> Not caring much about our spiritual life…(We remark that God is after all, lenient and nice!)

The Parable of the Shrewd Steward has some negative shades…

>> But it has a very relevant and challenging tone to shake us off from our “Attitude of lethargy” to Life.

We are put forth this question: “Are you prepared to meet your God?”
Are we going to flee away from this question…

… with the lather of lethargy and laziness clinging to us?? 

God bless! Live Jesus!

“Hello… Hello? Are you there?”
Most of us use mobile phones… 

>> One of the most common troubles that many of us face in the usage of mobiles is the problem of range (network).
There are many a times, especially, when one happens to frequent rural areas, that a message pops up on the mobile screen…

…”Network not found!”

…”Out of Range!”

 

We feel ourselves so much lost and becoming impatient when such situations arise. 
This level of anxiety increases all the more when we have an urgent call to be made or in an emergency!
Sometimes, one person keeps muttering and talking…

… but the other one, having lost range, fails to hear anything! 
All that remains perhaps is: “Hello… Hello? Are you there?”
Well… there is so much of tension and  stress suffered when we miss our range or our network… 
Isn’t it?

But have we ever given a thought to what will happen if God goes out of range, in dealing with us? 

>> Perhaps many of us, might not even become aware that sometimes we are in a “no-network” zone with God!

Through the Gospel of the Day, the Lord invite us to examine the level of life that I am, in my spiritual life.

The Parable of the Sower broadcasting an uncounted number of seeds is very much familiar to us. 
A great number of seeds are sown…and they fall on varieties of soil…and the reactions of each one is varied too. 

>> A great number of words are spoken by God…and they fall on varieties of ears…and the response of each one is varied too..
1. Seeds falling on the way – an Attitude of “Paying no mind” to God’s words.

The seeds that fell on the way were trampled upon….and the birds of the sky ate it up.
>> God’s words are often not given due consideration…

…we remain unaffected and unmoved by it.
>> God’s words are often not given due importance…

… we take for granted as being too common and familiar.

 

>> God’s words are often not given due respect…

… we fail to esteem the seriousness and gravity of the Word of God! 

2. Seeds falling on the rocks – an Attitude of “Passing”

The seed that fell on the rocks, when it grew, withered for lack of moisture. 
>> The Word of God sometimes makes us very thrilled…

… but we soon become slack and sagging and lethargic.
>> The Word of God sometimes finds quick response…

… but we soon die out in the commitment and dedication.
>> The Word of God sometimes makes us take radical decisions…

… but we soon fade in our enthusiasm and passion! 

3. Seed falling among the thorns – an Attitude of “Preoccupation”

The seeds that fell among the thorns got choked by the thorns.
>> God’s words often gets strangled… 

… in the midst of immoral living and corrupt practices. 

… in the presence of many diluting and misleading spiritualities. 

… with too many materialistic and worldly concerns and affairs. 

4. Seed falling on the good soil – an Attitude of “Perception” 

The seed that fell on the good soil gave fruits of various measures. 
>> The Word of God when received properly brings true joy and happiness to life. 

>> The Word of God when received properly helps us to share the love and joy of the Lord.  

>> The Word of God when received properly makes our life a source of blessings for others 

God goes on speaking… He goes on sharing His Word… 

>> Am I paying no attention to Him? 

>> Am I taking His words just for passing? 

>> Am I being too much preoccupied with many things and fail to listen to Him? Or… 

>> Am I perceiving and understanding His word clearly and able to produce fruits for the Kingdom of God? 

 

Let us make sure that we are in the range and network of God.. 

>> He constantly keeps calling us and sends many SMSs. 
Are we listening to Him? 

“Hello… Hello? Are you there?”

God bless! Live Jesus!

Thanksgivings raise our hearts to God with a sense of joy and satisfaction. 

>> Thanksgivings ought to be an occasion to praise the Lord for His graciousness and wonderful deeds!
But how pitiful would a thanksgiving be, if it becomes an opportunity to showcase one’s petty mindedness! 

>> How dreadful would a thanksgiving be, if it becomes an occasion to insult or mock God’s creation!

And here is a typical example of this sort of a pitiable and condemnable thanksgiving…

(Disclaimer: The following is not a concocted or a fictitious statement) 

“Blessed are you, Lord, our God, ruler of the universe who has not created me a woman.” 
Read that again??
“Blessed are you, Lord, our God, ruler of the universe who has not created me a woman!”  

This thanksgiving is a  part of a sequence of blessings, found in the Jewish Talmud…

… a huge collection of doctrines and laws which was to be recited by every Jew in the morning hours of the day. 
This formula of “thanksgiving” is an indication of the sad status of women in the Jewish Society. 

>> There was much discrimination and unfairness against the women. 
The male chauvinism had totally clouded the minds, which sometimes even denied basic dignity to them! 
The women needed a holistic liberation. 

>> They needed a true status. 

>> They needed an honest acceptance. 

 
The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the true liberator, breaking some new ground in granting a new status to the discriminated and oppressed class of Women. 
“Accompanying Him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities…..and many others who provided them out of their resources” (Lk 8:1) 
Women who have been healed & have experienced the goodness of the Lord accompany Him in His mission & support Him with their resources. 

We can take a couple of lessons from these few yet  significant words from the Gospel of St Luke: 
1. Broken to Blossom 

Jesus broke some societal traditions to blossom people to experience genuine freedom and liberty. 
Women were generally kept out of public life… 

>> They were forbidden from reading the Sacred Scriptures. 

>> They were mainly reduced to mere onlookers, and not participants in the Sabbath worship. 

>> They had a specially designated outer court at the synagogue, which was located beneath the court for men. 

>> They weren’t allowed to divorce, for the most serious faults; men were allowed even for the most trivial ones. 
But Jesus loved to break open…to let free…and to allow people to blossom! 
>> Jesus permits Mary of Bethany to sit at His feet ( Lk 10: 39)

>> Jesus touches a little girl who was dead and restores her to life (Lk 8:54)

>> Jesus allows Himself to be touched by a woman in hemorrhage (Lk 8:44)

>> Jesus engages in a life-transforming conversation with the woman at the well (Jn 4:7-26)

>> Jesus lets the sinful woman to wash and to be showered with kisses of love on His feet (Lk 7: 38)

>> Jesus had strong words for the practice of divorce which had reduced women to mere objects ( Mt 19:3-9) 

Do I let unhealthy and inhuman practices or mentalities to govern my life, or do I break free and blossom?

>> Do I give in to societal pressures in following certain norms or thought-pattern even if they are harmful?

>> Do I fail to be bold and courageous to initiate a change in attitudes, in order to achieve genuine liberation? 

2. Transformed to Tread! 

The women who were touched by the Lord, had found greater meaning in their life and they accompany the Lord in His ministry and mission. 

 

They were not people who only sought favours; they rather happily extended gratitude and thankfulness.

>> They were not people who wanted Jesus only to get something; they rather had much to give to the Lord in return.

>> They were not people who lived for mere material needs; they, in fact, focussed their attention on higher values of life and of the Kingdom! 

What is my response to the Lord who has showered my life with many blessings at crucial moments of my life… 

>> Do I tread in His path after having been transformed with His Grace?

>> Do I get stuck with seeking only material favours and fail to allow them to lead me to a deeper God-experience? 

>> Do I only remain with the prayer of intercession and prayer of asking, but not grow higher to prayer of thanksgiving and prayer of praise? 

We live in times when the cry for deeper respect and genuine esteem for women is on a high. 

You and I can make a great change in our society, by our attitude and our determination, with the grace of God! 

Let us cast away barriers which reduce people to mere objects…which yokes people, especially women. 

>> Let us imitate Jesus the liberator to Break open to Blossom…

… and also grow in our commitment to Tread after having been Transformed by Him! 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Church abounds in celebration of many feasts.

>> All of them focuses our attention on the joyful and happy aspects of life. 
But we know, that…

…. Life is not always a superhighway

>> Life is more a kuccha (temporary) road with many pits and rough areas!

The Church today celebrates one such feast of our Blessed Mother, which is a celebration for sure…

… but focuses our attention more on the darker realities of life – pain, suffering, tears and struggles: The Feast of the Mother of Compassion.
This feast is characterized by the commemoration of the Seven Sorrows of our Blessed Mother…

… seven major events, evoking compassion, in the life of “Mater Dolorosa” (Mother of Sorrows)
Let us journey with our Blessed Mamma through the Seven Mysteries of the Sorrows: 
1. The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon

The time was festive and the mood was joyous when Jesus was being presented in the Temple. 

>> It’s in this special time that Simeon comes forward to bless the Child Jesus. 
But it comes with a catch: Mother Mary was to be pierced by a sword – a sword of sorrow! 

>> The celebratory atmosphere suddenly turns a bit gloomy and overcast!
Many are the times when we enjoy joyful moments, when a sudden crisis hits our life. 

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes the Model for us : To be Patient and Trustful!

2. The Second Sorrow: The flight into Egypt

Mother Mary and Joseph took up the great duty in the safeguarding of their Little One, Jesus! 
They listened to God’s voice…

…. to come together as the parents of God’s Child 

… to share the difficulties during the Birth of the Child. 

>> And now, they listen to God’s voice to flee to Egypt and save the Saviour of the World!

 
To listen to the voice of the Lord, was a remarkable aspect of the success of their life as a couple!  
To listen to God’s voice through the Bible, through our authorities or through our life situations sometimes becomes difficult for us.

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a model for us: To be attentive and Obedient to God’s voice. 

  

3. Third Sorrow: The Loss of Jesus in the Temple

The picture of the Holy Family had also some shadowy spots.
They were not free…

… from troubles

… from doubts

… from conflicting situations
The Holy Family was very much a human family.  
But what made them Holy and a Model for families?

>> It was their willingness to let go of their personal mindsets and seek how God wanted them to live.
Often, we find our families or communities broken and unable to gel with each together.

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary, as the Mother of the Family, becomes a model for us: To adapt to God’s Will. 
4. The Fourth Sorrow: Mary meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary

The sight of the Mother and Child meeting on the Via Dolorous was a picture of total sadness!
Tears filled both their eyes… 

… the Divine Child and the Sorrowful Mother! 
 One with a Cross over the shoulders…

… the other a cross in Her heart! 
>> Both their lips, however, sang the same chorus –  Fiat, Thy Will be done Lord!
Life often puts us to situations of total hopelessness and darkness…

… the way ahead seems closed!

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a model for us: To remain faithful and loyal.

 

5. The Fifth Sorrow: Jesus dies on the Cross

>> At the Annunciation, when asked to give birth to a child, Mary had asked the Angel: “But how can this be since I am a virgin”. 
>> At Calvary, when seeing the death of the child, perhaps, Mary was asking the Lord, “But how can this be since I am a mother”
They were questions which expressed human limitations and the demand to let everything be resigned into the hands of God!
We ourselves have had many such mini-experiences of Dying – of loved ones, of relationships, of great dreams.. 

>> The Compassionate Mother Mary, becomes a model for us: To accept our human boundaries and give ourselves into God’s hand. 

6. The Sixth Sorrow: Mary receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her arms

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”, was the cry of the Lord from the Cross. 
With Her Dead Child in Her arms, perhaps, the Mother of God would have also echoed the same question! 

>> No answer given. 
Yet, the tears that dropped from her lovely eyes, to the cheeks of her tender baby, carried the power of Hope and Trust and Faith!
We too sometimes encounter situations and times, when life crushes us

>> The Compassionate  Mother Mary becomes a Model for us: To remain resigned to God’s Providence and  be hopeful in faith!

7. The Seventh Sorrow: The Body of Jesus is placed in the Tomb

As the body of Jesus was placed inside the tomb, it seemed to be the end of the world for Mother Mary.
The life of the Old Testament Isaac was spared and Abraham had to joy of being reunited with his Son. 

>> The life of the New Testament Isaac was however not spared! 
Was it the end of her life too?

Circumstances often drags us to give up in life…and to abandon our call to be soldiers of God’s Kingdom!

>> The Compassionate  Mother Mary becomes the model for us: To reply to life’s harsh challenges with an even bolder face of courage!

Let the Commemoration of this Feast of the Mother of Sorrows…

… spur us  to live our Real Lives of Struggle and Hardships with Immense Faith, Hope and Love!
May Her Compassionate Love help us to imitate our Blessed Lord who was “meek and humble of heart”…

… and thus “be Merciful, like the Heavenly Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36)

Happy Feast of the Mother of Compassion! 

God Bless! Live Jesus!