Any guesses on who could be given the All-time Best Teacher Award? 

Well…in the light of the Gospel Reading these days, from the Fifth Chapter of St Mathew…

…its not too difficult to guess…

>> Right?

 

 

Yes…

… And the award goes to:

>> JESUS…the teacher-par-excellence!

 

 

It is said that…

… Some books/thoughts are to be just tasted

… Some are to be just swallowed

… while Some others are to be chewed and digested!

 

 

Well… Here is a teaching given by Jesus, best Teacher, that is certainly not too easy to digest…

 

Listen to His Words: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you!” (Mt 5:44)

 

 

Sometimes when we hear the word ENEMY…

… our thoughts go to some enemies of the nation or some social criminal

 

So perhaps, some of us, may think of some person who has harmed us deeply or cheated us, and has turned to be an enemy…

 

>> But if we analyze our lives closer… we may observe that most of us, have many enemies in our lives…

 

 

An Enemy, is defined by the Oxford Dictionary, as “a person or thing, hostile or opposed to something; that harms or weakens someone/something”

 

A little more closer examination of our lives…and we can discover perhaps…

…. many people fall into this definition!

>>Many in our family or the community…

>> Many in our workplaces

>> Many in our friends circle

>> Many in the society

 

Very often, we get so easily offended when our egos our hurt…

… we get opposed in our life of luxury or comfort

 

So many of them weaken our selfish interests and motives…

…. there are often so many tussles and mental game, and we have so often grudges against all these people

 

 

The list of enemies… though apparently unnoticed, is perhaps deeper….

>> And today the Lord says: “Love those enemies… and pray for them!”

 

 

The Lord wants us to be perfect (Mt 4:48)

 

It is a high demand

>> It is a huge challenge.

 

But we also know one thing…

… if it were not possible, the Lord would have never said it

 

So therefore, let us pick up this challenge of the Lord…and seek towards perfection..

 

 

St John Paul II says: “Do not be afraid to be the saints of the Third Millennia!”

 

>> Let us not remain in idealistic talks and thoughts…

… rather, let us translate the words and challenges of the Lord, in our practical and daily life.

 

>> Let us pluck off the weeds in our lives, and make our lives a beautiful and pleasant garden to the Lord!

 

 

Yes, let us be inspired by Jesus, the Best Teacher, Who not just “taught, but practiced”…

… and thus, seek to be His ‘good students’.

 

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

India honours Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the nation.

 

The New Testament made a great impression on him, especially the Sermon on the Mount, which went straight to his heart.

 

He would say to one of his disciples, “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that He taught His followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…” 

 

“The message of Jesus as I understand it,” said Gandhi, “is contained in the Sermon on the Mount unadulterated and taken as a whole…

 

The Gospel of the Day presents this lofty teaching of Jesus on non-retaliation and the power of forgiving love.

 

It is significant to read that in this Passage of the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus is instructing some of the core personal tasks that has to be taken up by each individual Christian.

• The Sermon on the Mount makes a personal obligation on each Christian

It is worth meditating and reflecting on each line of this Great Sermon, and examining to what extent am I living this lofty and powerful teaching of the Lord in my life.

 

One of the highly debatable and confusing teachings of Jesus is contained in today’s Gospel reading.

 

Jesus says, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5: 39)

 

This verse could easily raise a lot of doubts and questions…

• Did Jesus mean that Christian should be passive to evil?

• Did Jesus teach that we should suffer unnecessarily in the face of social evils?

• Did Jesus teach passivity and being lethargic when one encounters wickedness and evil?

 

The one direct answer to all such doubts is seen in the light of the life of Jesus Himself…

• He was always actively against evil and sinful activities

• He was a constant opponent to oppression, condemnation and human wickedness

 

Then what would have Jesus meant by those strong phrases of “resist evil.. and turning one’s cheeks?”

 

There could be, speaking in general terms, three responses to evil:

1. Opposing with violence

2. Bearing everything passively

3. A courageous non-violence

 

The first two responses are also popularly called as Fight or Flight

…either FIGHT against the evil… or take FLIGHT from the evil situations

 

FIGHT: oppose with evil and violence

FLIGHT: run away from the situation or passively be submissive

 

But the way of Jesus is a higher one… a much higher and bolder one: the way of ACTIVE NON-VIOLENCE.

 

The Greek word that is used by St Mathew, for “resist” is “antisthemi”

 

‘Antisthemi’ is not a passive or a weak term.

It was a classical Greek ‘military’ term.

 

It means…

… to take a stand against, to oppose or to resist

… to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously “holding one’s ground,”.

… It means refusing to be moved (” being pushed back”)

 

This clearly shows that “to resist evil” is not merely a passive act of submission, rather is a firm, courageous and bold action of holding onto one’s convictions of truth and opposing every reaction to subdue truth.

 

This is further illustrated in the example that Jesus gives, “of turning one’s cheek, when hit on the right cheek”

 

In the culture of Jesus, the left hand was commonly used for unclean tasks, and only the right hand was considered appropriate for such actions as striking another person.

 

Now, its common sense to note, that if one hits with the right hand, it would hit the other person only on the “left” cheek.

 

Therefore, if the person is hit on the “right” cheek, as in the example of Jesus, it simply means, that one was hit with a “back-hand”.

 

What is the significance of a back-handed slap?

A backhanded slap, had a greater message than merely hurting or causing pain…

Instead, it meant to be an act of “severe” humiliation… of “terrible” insult!

 

A backhand slap, in the time of Jesus, was the usual way of admonishing inferiors:

Masters backhanded slaves; husbands, wives; parents, children; men, women; Romans, Jews.

 

What is the response that Jesus suggests for such an act of dreadful humiliation?

Not Fight… Not Flight.

Rather, a strong and bravely opposing act of courage: “turn the other cheek as well!”

 

It is a calculated response intended to invite the aggressor to consider his or her actions.

This bold action of turning one’s cheek robs the oppressor of the power to humiliate.

 

It is as if the oppressed person is saying,

“Try again if you want, buddy!

Your first blow failed to achieve its intended effect.

I deny you any power to humiliate me!”

 

This was how our Blessed Lord who gave this supremely lofty teaching demonstrated in His life… by dying on the Cross!

• The Cross was a powerful opposition to evil and sin.

 

The One who died on the Cross did not die a passive death…

Rather, He boldly preached against every act of oppression and mightily spoke against every form of discrimination!

 

As Christians, we need to be bold and courageous to “resist” every evil and sinful deed.

In Christ, we have a teaching that is not passive, but is “extremely” active and powerful.

 

To merely FIGHT or simply make a FLIGHT in the face of oppressions, is cheap and ordinary…

In fact, it is “no spirituality”.

 

But to “be bold in one’s convictions” and “to oppose” evil, even to the point of giving up one’s life, is a lofty, supreme and mighty spirituality.

• Jesus embodied this spirituality.

• Many great men and women in history have been inspired by it and lived it.

 

As Christians, the followers of the Bold Jesus, are we ready to embrace this “powerful” spirituality?

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Wishing all of you, a Happy Feast of the Most Blessed Body and Blood of Christ.

Check out the latest video – “text-based”… on The Holy Eucharist!

http://youtu.be/bAq2QjletDo

God bless! Live Jesus!

We are on the eve of the Feast of the Greatest Gift that God has given in our Catholic Faith – The Holy Eucharist

>> The Feast of the Corpus Christi – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

As we prepare for this Great Feast, let us seek to grow in our Devotion for the Holy Eucharist.

We shall today, quickly go through some “unnoticed” parts of the Holy Mass, which often go unrecognized- and realize its significance, in order to love the Holy Mass, more deeply and devoutly. 
THE INTRODUCTORY RITE: 

 The Opening Prayer: Called as the ‘Collect’, this prayer, gathers together all the intentions, and unites with the prayer of the High Priest, Jesus Himself.

• Action: Use the moment of silent, to bring before the Lord all intentions and prayers
LITURGY OF THE WORD: 

 Signing ourselves on the forehead, lips and the chest: We seek His Help to cleanse our minds, lips & hearts, that we may worthily receive Jesus, the Word into our lives!

• Action: Use the moment, to truly have clean thoughts (mind), sincere words (lips) and honest feelings and deeds (heart)
THE OFFERTORY

 The Offering of Bread and Wine: The Gifts, represent fruits of our labour. As the gifts, we pray, that we too be changed into His Body and Blood.

• Action: Use to moment, to offer our entire life to the Lord – just as we are – with all our situations, struggles, aspirations and hopes.
 The mingling of a drop of water in the wine by the Priest: The water represents, our littleness, which is totally mingled with the wine, signifying, our intention to be one with the Divine Lord 

• Action: Use the moment, to sincerely wanting to be united with the Lord and becoming more and more like Him!
 The washing of the hands: The Priest – the representative of the People of God, cleanses himself and prepares, for the Most Holy Sacrifice of Calvary.

• Action: Use the moment, to repent of our sins and praying earnestly, never to fall into sin again!
THE PREFACE

 Lift up your hearts: Our minds and hearts need to transcend our human worries, concerns and troubles, and be raised in heavenly contemplation

• Action: Use the moment, to ascend to the heights of glory, in order to recognise and be united to the Will of God in our lives.
 Prayer: The Church enlists (as per the Liturgical Season or the theme) the various ways in which the Lord has worked in human history. We (the Church Militant), seeking intercession for the Faithful Departed (the Church Suffering) join the beautiful choir of the saints and angels (Church Triumphant) and angels, singing Holy Holy, Holy to the Most High God! 

• Action: Use this moment of intense praise and Divine worship, to be longing to possess Heaven and to be filled with the radiance of this joy in this world. 
THE COMMUNION RITE

 Epiclesis: The portion where the power of the Holy Spirit is invoked, so that the gifts of bread and wine, may be transformed into Divine Species.

• Action: Use this moment, to pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, that His Power may overshadow us
THE CONSECRATION

 A small piece of the host is mingled with the Sacred Wine: Signifying the unity of the Body and Blood of the Lord pointing symbolising Resurrection, and also the Unity of the Body of Christ, the Church. 

• Action: Use this moment, to pray for the grace to share in His Resurrection and to love the Church and be thankful for our Catholic Faith
THE HOLY COMMUNION 

 A moment when heaven touches the earth…when the Divine lowers itself to embrace the fallen Humanity, to raise it up to Divine status… 

• Action: Use this moment, to be totally absorbed in the mighty ocean of God’s Mercy and experiencing the consummation of His Divine Love!
THE RITE OF THE DISMISSAL

 We are asked to be the Eucharist to one another – breaking ourselves, in service!

• Action: Use this moment to pledge to be a True Missionary, giving His Love to all – in the little way, that we can!

There is nothing more beautiful on this earth, than the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist – the Holy Mass!

>> As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI says: “The Eucharist is our most precious treasure… it contains all the mystery of our Salvation!”
Yes, Let us truly “Experience and Enjoy the Eucharist!” 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It was the 14th century in Bologna, Italy

 

A little girl was deeply in love with Jesus!

Her parents were devout Catholics, known for their charity and generosity to the underprivileged of Bologna.

 

So intense was her love for the Lord, that at the age of 9 (which was extremely unusual), she entered the cloistered Dominican community.  

 

To receive Our Lord in Holy Communion became the burning desire of her heart.

 

But the custom of the place and time had fixed twelve as the earliest age for reception of first Holy Communion.

 

This pious girl kept begging for an exception to the rule, but the chaplain of the community refused.

 

Her prayers were miraculously answered on the Feast of the Ascension in 1333.

 

After Mass, she stayed in her place in the chapel, where one of the nuns was putting away the sacred vessels.

Suddenly, the nun heard a noise and turned towards Imelda.

 

Hovering in mid-air, as the little girl was knelt in prayer, was a Sacred Host, the Blessed Eucharist, shining with a bright and forceful light.

The frightened nun ran to find the chaplain.

 

By the time the chaplain arrived, the rest of the nuns and other onlookers had crowded, awe-struck, into the chapel.

 

When the priest saw the shining, hovering host, he put on his vestments, went over to the girl, took the miraculous host in his hands, and gave her Holy Communion.

 

Some minutes later, after the crowd had dispersed, the mother superior came over to call her for breakfast.

She found the girl still kneeling, with a smile on her face.

 

But the girl was dead!

>> She had died of love, in ecstasy and bliss, after receiving Christ in the Eucharist.

 

The name of the girl was Imelda Lambertini.

 

Today she is Blessed Imelda, the Patron of the First Holy Communicants. Her incorrupt body, interred in a Church in Bologna.

 

Imelda had discovered the greatest treasure on the earth – the Most Holy Eucharist.

>> Have we?

 
Today we solemnly celebrate the Great Feast of the Corpus Christi – the Body and Blood of Jesus.

 

The Catechism of the Church teaches, “In the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained” (#1374).

 

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus with His chosen disciples, celebrated the Passover Meal, taking the bread and wine, solemnly declaring, “This is my Body” (Mk 14: 22) and “This is my Blood” (Mk 14: 24)

 

The following day, Jesus would carry out this sacrifice of offering Himself for the expiation of the sins of the world, on Mount Calvary.

 

The Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist is the perpetual continuation and adoration of the sacrifice of Calvary.

• The Holy Mass is not another sacrifice.

• The Holy Mass is not a repetition of the sacrifice of Calvary.

• The Priest at the Holy Mass is not offering a different sacrifice.

 

Instead,

• The Holy Mass is the same sacrifice of Jesus.

• The Holy Mass is the perpetual continuation and adoration of the sacrifice of Calvary.

• The Priest at the Holy Mass is Jesus Himself, the High Priest and Victim of the Sacrifice.

 

What is our understanding, love and commitment to the Holy Mass?
 

In the Holy Eucharist, we have the promise of the Emmanuel God, “I am with you always, till the end of the age” (Mt 28: 20) being fulfilled.

Do we also cultivate the growth and longing to be with our Saviour Lord?

 

We live in times when…

… there is a lot of indifference growing

… there are several newer problems and crisis cropping up

 

We live in a situation of faith where…

… there is a tendency to dilute many of the spiritual values

… there is a strong opposition to living holy and sanctified lives

 

For all such struggling moments and trying situations, we have an answer and solution in the Holy Eucharist.

 

>> The Eucharist is the story of a God who longs to dwell with us and in us.

>> The Eucharist is the saga of a God who is madly and passionately in love with us.

 

He longs, craves and desires for us..
From the Cross, our Blessed Lord cried, “I thirst” (Jn 19: 28b)

>> Shall we not respond, with a positive affirmation, to this cry of the Lord?

The Feast that we celebrate today… is a Feast for All the Days of the year…. The Lord is present in the Blessed Sacraments in our Chapels and our Churches…all the days…!

>> It is our duty to be with the Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament, whenever possible.

 

Let this Feast help us to make some practical resolutions, so that we can love the Lord, more and more, in the Eucharist, and thus become a Eucharist in this our broken and fragmented world.

 
St. Francis de Sales says, “When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”
 

May this Feast day…

… be a reminder for us of the deep, unconditional and exciting love of the Lord

… be an occasion for us to revive our spiritual lives and to renew our commitments

… be a day to resolve to be more zealous and passionate with respect to the Holy Eucharist

… be an opportunity to renew our lives to be a “Eucharist”- broken & shared – to one another

 

Blessed Imelda would sometimes exclaim, “Tell me, can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die?”

This ought to be the ideal in our passion and love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

 

• In the Holy Eucharist, we have a treasure that is unparalleled and unmatched

• In the Holy Eucharist, we have a promise to eternal and a joy that knows no bounds.

May we grow in the love of the Holy Eucharist, for, as Bishop Fulton Sheen says, “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host”!

 

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Eucharist!

>> May our Blessed Mamma of the Holy Eucharist, help & intercede for us, to love the Lord more!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 One of the exciting things in life, which many of us have gone through, is learning a bicycle.

 

These days, bicycles come with a special set of training wheels that are attached to the back wheels.

>> The two little wheels attached to the back wheel are there to help provide balance and confidence to the rider.

 
But many of us, would have also learnt the bicycle in the old-fashioned way…

… the parent or a friend who ran alongside the one learning, until the rider got under way.

 

This person, who would be accompanying, would most often say three things, while learning this art of cycling…

 

1. Always keep the eye on the road…

…to keep the focus

 

2. Don’t lean to the left or the right side…

… to have proper balance

 

3. Remember, I am always there with you…

… to feel the confidence and trust

 

These three principles would help the person to learn quick this art of cycling.

 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus presenting an important tool of “cycling through” in our faith: The tool of Focus.

Jesus says: “Let what you say, simply be ‘Yes’ or “No’” (Mt 5:38)

Continuing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives His instructions to His disciples, on how one should remain “focused in one’s faith”.

The Sermon on the Mount can be also termed as a “Teaching on Challenging Mediocre Lifestyles”.

Jesus, all through the Sermon on the Mount, picks up various topics…

… anger

… adultery

… divorce

… vows

… love for enemies

etc…

>> And raises the level of their understanding for a Christian. 

Today’s Gospel presents Jesus speaking on the topic of “vows and promises”…

… emphasizing on the aspect of remaining focused and clear, in one’s words and deeds.

“Standing on two boats” is a trend that we find in our modern world…

… people taking double standards in their life in the society outside and life at home inside

… friends changing their loyalties to one another depending on the circumstance and situation, for their own favour

… spouses cheating on one another, for their own selfish and sinful pleasures

Many such examples of people not being “true to their words” makes today’s Gospel extremely relevant in our context. 

Jesus categorically declares that for a Christian, there ought to be no “double standards”

… a Yes, ought to be a Sincere Yes

… a No, ought to be a Firm No

>> A Sincere Yes to God… a Firm No to Satan

>> A Sincere Yes to Holiness… a Firm No to Sin

>> A Sincere Yes to the Kingdom of God… a Firm No to the ways of the world

The reason to have this conviction is our Faith and Confidence in the Lord.

>> He is the Lord Who remains the same always: “Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever!” (Heb 13:8)

Like the art of cycling…we are given some basic principles…

…the principle to keep focus

… the principle to have a proper balance

… the principle of confidence and trust

 
 

We are to learn…

>> To keep focus… by always being sincere and honest in our words and deeds

>> To have a proper balance… by not getting discouraged in the face of any sort of rejection

>> To have confidence and trust in the Lord… Who is with us to lead us by His Providence at all times. 

 

We need to therefore ask ourselves:

 >> Am I focusing on sincerity and honesty, in my daily actions and words…

… or do I sometimes take “double-standards”?
 

>> Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…

… or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

 

>> Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…

… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?

 

 
The art of “cycling through” in our Faith is exciting.

>> We may feel a little afraid at times…

>> We may sometimes even fall..
But we only need to follow some of the basic principles, coupled with His Grace…

… to be focussed on the Lord alone

… to be balanced in prayer and faithfulness

… to be trusting and being confident in His awesome power

 

And when we embark on this art…

… Just like a caring parent, who is happy to see one’s child cycling confidently…

… our Heavenly Father will also look at us with much happiness and joy and be proud of us!

 

Are we ready to “cycling through” in our faith, with our Heavenly Father?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Canadian author, Thomas Costain in his historical novel “The Three Edwards” speaks of the life of a 14th century Duke named Raynald Ill.

>> Raynald was extremely overweight and was commonly called by his Latin nickname “Crassus” which meant ‘fat’!

 

 

This Duke Raynald, after a violent quarrel, suffered defeat in a revolt by his younger brother Edward.

 

Edward captured Raynald, but did not kill him.

 

Instead he imprisoned Raynald in a room in the castle…

… and promised that he could regain his title and property, if he was able to escape from the room.

 

 

This task – to escape from the room – would have been pretty simple for most people, since the room had several windows and a door; none of which was locked!

 

But Raynald had a problem…. His size… His uncontrolled appetite!

 

Edward knew his elder brother…

… and He very well knew this weakness as well!

 

Each day, therefore, Edward send him a variety of delicious foods!

>> Instead of dieting his way out of the room, he began to relish on the grand food served to him…

… and Raynald grew fatter!!

 

When Edward was questioned by the people on his cruelty for having captured his elder brother, he would reply, without any qualms: 

“My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave when he so wills.”

 

 

The story goes on to say that Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn’t released until after Edward died in battle. 

>> But by then his health was so ruined, that he died within a year!

 

Raynald died…

… as a prisoner of his own appetite!

 

 

How often is this a reality in our spiritual lives as well!

 

>> Sin sometimes captures our hearts so much…

.. that we are unwilling to let go, and thus wither in our sinful state

 

>> Immorality and transgressions take over our lives so much…

… that we become slaves, and remain much bound to them.

                                                                                                                           

 

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful call by Jesus to make an honest examination of our state of life, and check whether we are imprisoned by sin…

… especially from the perspective of immorality and decadence in our ethical system.

 

 

Our modern society is often a rude and mute witness to many inhuman atrocities and abuses, especially against women.

>> The world seems to be more and more losing, the sense of sin!

 

 

In this context, it’s shocking to read the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading:

“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery in his heart”! (Mt 5:28)

 

 

Jesus’ words pierces through the heart!

>> He gives no space for lame excuses and silly explanations…

… he hits straight at the target!

 

SIN consists not in some external actions alone…

…..but SIN is conceived and given birth in one’s heart!

 

When we consider the society in which we live in, we find that…

Immorality is on the rise….

>> We pass through cities and towns..

>> We look through newspapers and magazines…

>> We scan across websites, swanky apps and fancy shops…

.. and we find that… Immorality is, indeed, on the rise!

 

Immoral pictures, sensual visuals, inhuman portrayal of persons, double-meaning talks have somehow become the order of the day!

>> We are very often surrounded by filth and lewdness in our society.

 

Satan, the father of deception scatters the seeds of immorality and lust everywhere!

 

It’s here, that a Christian needs to be on the watch.

>> It is our duty as Christians, to preserve our hearts from this dangerous contagion.

 

The beatitudes tell us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God” (Mt 5: 8)

 

We have a duty…

… to preserve ourselves from Impurity!

… to protect others in their dignity and honour!

…to awaken the society which is often, deadened in immorality & perversion!

 

 

Let us examine our lives and check.. “Am I becoming a prisoner of my own appetite?”

… being a slave to lustful thoughts or immoral patterns of attitudes

… being indifferent to a society which strips itself of all dignity in the name of liberty and freedom

 

The Lord very powerfully challenges us to be totally intolerant to casting away sin and sinful tendencies from our life…

>> ” If your right eye causes you to sin… tear it out and throw it away” (Mt 5: 29)

>> ” If your hand causes you to sin… cut it off and throw it away” (Mt 5: 30)

 

Sin has no place in a world of mercy and love!

>> Mercy places an obligation that all sin be rid off!

>> Love demands that all wrongdoing be cast away!

 

Let the words of St Antony of Padua be given heed to:

“Anyone, then, who desires to live chastely in Christ Jesus, must flee not only the mouse of lust, but even from its very scent.”

 

Let’s awake, Dear Christians…

… Purify our World and live in Sanctity and Holiness…

 

 

Let us free ourselves from the “imprisonment of our appetites” and experience the “glorious liberty” of the Children of God!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

It is said that there are two extremely fatal phrases in the English language. 

>> They are

1. “What is the use?”

2. “Why should I?”

 

 

“What is the use?” is the fatal tendency…

… that causes people to look at the world from a purely pragmatic perspective

 

>> Such a tendency…

… causes people to lose interest in things and people, if they don’t seem useful and beneficial

 … causes people to manipulate people, things and situations in a way that suits their self-interests

 

 

“Why should I?” is the fatal tendency…

… that causes people to look at the world from a resigned and indifferent perspective

 

>> Such a tendency…

… causes people to rot in lethargy and tepidity and lose the spice of life

… causes people to push the responsibility to other, and themselves slacken in comfort and ease

 

 

These two phrases were very much reflected in the “Pharisaic and the Scribal lifestyle” which Jesus, in today’s Gospel invites each us to surpass and overcome.

 

>> The “What is the use” lifestyle…

… which made them to only flaunt their external piety and lose sight of the unglamorous aspect of devotion

 

>> The “Why should I” lifestyle…

… which made them to reject any offer calling them to repentance or amend their ways and instead made them to be stuck to their own prejudices and adamant patterns of thought.

 

 

Jesus always keeps challenging us!

The Lord loathes laziness and lukewarmness…

>> He loves to keep raising the standard of our holiness and faith!

 

This challenge is reflected in today’s Gospel Reading.

 

Jesus says, ” Unless your righteousness exceeds that of Scribes & Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20)

 

 

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees would consist…

… in a lifestyle which insisted only on the exact following of the ‘letter’ of the Law neglecting its spirit

… in a tendency to neglect the fundamental aspects of the Law and focus only on the peripheries

 

 

What could be some of the negative aspects of the Righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees, which Jesus condemns…and which perhaps, we need to overcome?

 

 

1. They liked to preach…but not practise

 

We live in a world where there are many people who are good in preaching, writing reflections and advising on spiritual matters.

>> But very often, a massive chasm appears between their preaching and their way of life.

 

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

 

 

2. They liked to do things to “show-off”

 

A tragedy of religious practices can be, when things are done not to please God, but to win the approval and endorsement of people.

>> Religious piety and devotions very often become means to have self-gratification of one’s senses, and sadly, even platforms to boast and brag about one’s capacities and capabilities.

 

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

 

 

3. They liked to make the Word of God, user-friendly, at the cost of God’s Will:

 

One of the trends in the modern world, is to have all products and gadgets “user-friendly”.

 

Sadly, this trend is also often applied to the Word of God.

>> The Word of God, its commandments and laws are twisted and condensed and expanded and interpreted and quoted and explained and elucidated – all to suit one’s own comfortable and pleasurable way of life!

 

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

 

 

Am I in any of these category of peoples??

 

The Lord challenges us today.. to exceed this sort of a righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

 

We need to be people…

… “who walk the talk”!

… “who practice our Faith to Please God and Him alone

… “who live a Gospel-oriented life”

 

The Gospel ought to mould and shape us – and not we changing the Word of God to suit and justify our secured and comfortable lives!

>> Gal 1:10, says,” If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”

 

 

Our modern world strongly advocates the two fatal phrases of…

… “What is the use?” and “Why should I?”

 

 

As followers of Christ, it is our duty and task to go beyond such a “Pharisaic and Scribal Lifestyle”…

… and live as Jesus would want us to!

 

We need to counter these two fatal phrases, with inspirational mantras…

>> “What is the use?” is to be countered by “All to Thy Glory!”

>> “Why should I?” is to be countered by “To let Thy Will be done!”

 

 

Let all our actions and thoughts be directed only to God.

Let our Lives truly be a Good News!

>> As St Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel always…use words, if necessary!“

 

 

God Bless us! Live Jesus!

A university student was seen with a large “K” printed on his T- shirt.

 

When someone asked him what the “K” stood for, he said, “Confused.”

“But,” the questioner replied, “you don’t spell “confused” with a “K”!

 

The student answered, “Well, you don’t know how confused I am!”

 

The confused state of mind led to be boy to display a totally confused and puzzled look!

 

How often is this true in our own lives as a Christian…

• We fail to have certain convictions in our faith… and the resultant life that is displayed outside, is one of confusion or uncertainty.

• We fail to be sure of what our life of faith is…and as a result, we fail to bring people to experience God’s love and instead, sometimes even lead others astray.

 

The Gospel of the Day is a peek into the conviction that Jesus had in His life of preaching and mission and a challenge for us to become persons who become fervent and convinced in teaching the commandments of the Kingdom of God.

 

The Gospel is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount.

 

Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil” (Mt 5: 17)

 

One of the distinguishing features in the preaching and teaching ministry of Jesus was His deep conviction and certainty.

 

• Jesus did not speak as if He was blabbering on some unknown topic.

• Jesus did not mutter words as if He was whiling away time to talk on a strange issue.
Instead, Jesus was thoroughly convinced of what He spoke and taught.

 

It was this deep-seated conviction that made Him to say that He had “come not to abolish the law or the prophets”.

 

The message of Jesus contained newness and freshness.

• However, it was not a preaching that was entirely new
It was a teaching that was born in deep certainty and delivered with utmost conviction.

 

• He was the fullness of the teachings of all the Law.

• He was the fulfilment of the prophecies of all the Prophets.

 

This gave it a fresh crispiness.

>> This gave it a refreshing perspective.

 

Do we also possess a similar conviction and certainty in our Life of Faith, just as Jesus displayed?

 

The Lord demands such a requirement.

 

Hence, He would say, that “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 5: 19)

 

Our Christian lives are sometimes marked by an unwanted uncertainty and confusing convictions.

• We know a little bit about our faith…but not deep enough.

• We know a little bit concerning our teachings…but not in its depth.

• We know a little bit about the virtues we are to live…but not fully convinced of it.
 

As a result of this ‘unsure’ attitude and ‘confused’ mentality, we are unable to

… (1) live a true and honest Christian lives

… (2) witness and teach others our genuine faith

 
May we not remain confused Christians; rather experience the love and mercy of the Lord, and make efforts to grow into being Convinced and Certain and Confident Christians!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A commonly known story (found in different versions) is told of a king who once asked his daughter how dear he was to her.
“As dear, as dear – as salt!” said the daughter, in all her innocence.

The king thought that this was very little and a “cheap” way of expressing her love to him.

>> And so, being unhappy, remained extremely disappointed with his daughter.

A few months, later, the King sponsored a great feast for the people of his land.
The daughter, made sure, that every dish that was brought to the King, remained unsalted

>> And thus nothing tasted good to the King.
It was then that the King realized his mistake!

The absence of the salt – which rendered the food tasteless – made him realize the value of salt…

… and the intelligence, in the answer of his daughter!

And thus, the King loved his daughter recognizing the importance of salt – and happy to being loved “As dear, as dear – as salt!”

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful reminder by the Lord, to recognize the importance of “being the salt of the earth,” and to be on the guard, that our Christian lives don’t become tasteless or bland..

… by “not losing the saltiness!”

As Jesus proceeds with the Sermon on the Mount, He declares…

… “You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5: 13)

It is fascinating to recognize the greatness of this statement of Jesus, in our present day context…

Imagine this…

>> There are over six billion people in the world…

… spread over seven continents and around 195 countries…
>> There are people belonging to thousands of tribes, ethnicity, languages etc…

… and again hundreds of temperaments, personalities, outlooks and characters.

 

Among all these various people, the Lord – the Creator of the whole universe – declares to each one of us…

… YOU…

… Yes, YOU, His beloved creation, and the one whom He loves deeply:

>> “You are the salt of the earth” 

Perhaps, this statement of the Lord may cause us surprise and trigger us to ask Him:

” You must be kidding, Lord!

>> I mean…. Look at the vast expanse of the world – millions of people in here, variety of languages, behaviors, temperaments, personalities…

… and amidst, all this, You expect, Me…

>> Me? To be the Salt of the Earth?!
We might even pose a question: 

“Do you expect Me, a puny little thing, to really be the Salt to the Earth?

>> I am just a Nobody!”

But the Lord – who knows us through and through – would thunder back and tell us:

 “Do not say, you are a nobody!

 

I am precise in calling You…!

>> You have been Baptized in Me, and you have My Spirit dwelling in You.

 

Long back, some of my servants also expressed their inability in a similar fashion…

… Abraham

… Jeremiah

… Peter

 

But they were raised… by My Grace and their co-operation.

 

 

You too, have a responsibility towards Me and My Kingdom…

… and You will do much in doing little, when and as I wish!”

 

 

Perhaps, these magnanimous words of the Lord would overwhelm us..

… but still, filled with unworthiness, we may cry out, expressing our helplessness: 

“But Lord, the challenge is just too great!

I do have some talents and capabilities, that You have bestowed on me.

>> But will those be enough?

 

I just feel that I am too small and insignificant, to be making a real difference in the world!”

 

This is where the Lord will remind us…

“Of course, I don’t deny that it is going to be easy for you to be the Salt of the Earth!

 

You will struggle…

… You will have to walk the hard path, as did even my Beloved Son on His Way of the Cross.”

The Lord will also remind us that “the salt that He spoke of”…

…was not the pure, refined type that is available today.

 

The salt of the olden days, when exposed to moisture, could easily become insipid.

>> It could become tasteless and useless… good only to be thrown and trampled down!

 

In the same way, we, as the ‘Salt of the Earth’, need to be highly careful.

 

>> If we expose ourselves, too much to the worldly and material affairs, we will lose your saltiness!

>> If we pollute ourselves by the many vain pleasures in the world, we will end up being ineffective!

And then we will be useless…only to be trampled upon! (Mt 5:13b)

 

Our life is like… as St Paul writes in the Second Letter to the Corinthians is a… ‘Treasure in Clay’! (2 Cor 4:7)

 

 When preserved and careful utilized, we will remain precious

>> If not handled carefully, we will end up spoiling a wonderful fortune!

 

We are to be the Salt of the Earth…

… in whichever state of life we are

… to whichever vocation we are called to

… in whichever works or activities we engage in

 

We are to be the salt…

… that gives taste, to those who have lost meaning and hope in life

… that preserves the virtues of the Gospel and teachings of the Church in a world of decay

… that symbolizes purity even though the world around you plunges into immorality and sin

… that makes you part of the Sacrifice that is offered to God as described in the Law (Lev 2:13)

 
Yes, we need to remember, that we have a great calling.. to be the Salt…

… to give taste to the world… to preserve the Gospel values..to be a symbol of purity…to offer your life as a sacrifice.

>> We are indeed Precious!

 

Let us never let ourselves be diluted with the waters of worldly pleasures and thus become insipid!

 

Perhaps, like the King in the story, we sometimes, don’t recognize the importance of salt…

… the importance and immense responsibility in being “the salt of the earth”!  
The Lord, today, reminds us:

“Your Christian vocation has to become dear to you….

… “As dear, as dear – as salt!”

Are we ready to be the ‘Salt of the Earth’…?”

 

 

 God Bless! Live Jesus!