The Bible is the Real Word of God… 

… describing Real Situations of Human Beings and the World. 
>> The Bible does not shy away from presenting the weaknesses & vulnerability of people. 
In fact, the Bible has a special concern and a likeness for persons who are…

… feeble & fragile

… weak & worn-out

… helpless and hopeless

… unprotected & unarmed

… demoralized & defenseless

The Bible presents an “Anawim God”! 
The term “Anawim” in Hebrew means “The Poor who seek the Lord for deliverance.” 
Literally, “Anawim” means “those who are bowed down”

>> They are the  “poor ones” who remained faithful to God in times of difficulty.

>> They are a “faithful remnant ” even in times of struggles and hardships
God has always taken the ones in the position of powerlessness…

… and placed them in the position of strength. 
The idea of God’s people being poor and delivered by Him is found throughout the Scripture.

Jesus is the Face of this Anawim God. 

>> Though He was God, He emptied Himself and became..

… poor & powerless, frail &feeble

…. like any of us!

Today’s Gospel presents two images quoting Isaiah, on how this “Anawim” Jesus cares for His people: “The bruised reed He will not crush…nor snuff out the smouldering wick”! (Mt 12:20)

What are Bruised Reeds and Smouldering Wicks?
1. The Bruised Reed 

A reed was a tall hollow blade of grass along the river bank. 

>> But sometimes, a strong wind would blow, or people would stamp them down and they would become bowed and bent over…
Battered and shattered lives of people are Bruised Reeds…

… But Jesus does not crush them!

Is my Life like a Bruised Reed?
>> Suppressed by lack of spiritual solace…

>> Devastated by human calamites… 

>> Crushed by a financial crisis… 

>> Disappointed by a death…

>> Hurt by a harsh word…

>> Struck by an illness… 

 

The world may want to cast these bruised reeds aside. 

>> But Jesus reaches out in love and mercy! 
The world did not see their pain and misery. 

>> But Jesus gets in touch to comfort and relieve!

There are lot of Bruised Reeds in the Bible:

>> Martha… 

>> Zacchaeus…

>> The Samaritan woman… 

>> The woman caught in adultery… 

>> The man with a withered hand… 

>> The widow who offered a mite etc…
Is my Life like a Bruised Reed?

2. The Smouldering Wick: 

Jesus’ image here was based on wicks used in oil lamps. 
When the oil supply became less, the flame begins to flicker.
As the wick burned out, smoke was emitted that smelled bad…

… the normal tendency is the put off this smouldering wick…

>> But Jesus does not snuff them out!

Is my life like a Smouldering Wick? 
>> Saddened by trials and troubles, our flame of life flickers… 

>> Encountered by constant failures, our light of faith dies out… 

>> Blown by winds of catastrophes, our glow of hope fades away… 

>> Stumbled upon darkness of consolations, our flare of charity wanes away…
The world wants to snuff out these wicks. 

>> But Jesus intervenes to renew the fire and the blaze! 
The world feels it’s the end. 

>> But Jesus jumpstarts and rejuvenates our lives!
There are a lot of Smouldering Wicks in the Bible…

>> Peter…

>> Mathew… 

>> Bartimaeus… 

>> Mary Magdalene… 

>> The Crook on the Cross etc…
Is my life like a Smouldering Wick? 

Am I an Anawim…a NObody?…. 

>> God wants to make me a SOMEbody!

The Bible tells stories after stories about nobodies; about those who never do well! 

>> But God chose them.

God’s eyes search throughout the world, looking for ones whose stories ended before it began.

>> He looks for those who have no hope in this world…

…The Anawims

… The ones who are “bowed down”

…  The Bruised Reeds and the Smouldering Wicks

 
Let’s be prepared to Rise Up in Hope and to Burn On in Love! 

>> The Anawim are God’s Beloved!

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Let us seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother in our struggles and hardships of life. 
She is the model Anawim – She “bowed Her Head” in total submission to the Lord

>> She depended totally on the Will of God and faith

>> She was faithful to doing what God wanted in Her life

Mamma Mary, the bearer of the Divine Child… 

…is the Model of Total Trust in God 

…is the Emblem of Immense Enthusiasm in life 

…is the Image of Tenderness and Affection!
Let us hold Her Hands, as she inspires, helps, challenges and intercedes for us!

Happy Feast of our Blessed Mamma of Carmel!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India

Most of us, at some point or the other, have given gifts to our loved ones, our friends or our relations. 
Imagine, if the one who received the Gift, were to neatly…unwrap the Gift Wrapper…

>> And to your horror….throws the Gift inside the Dustbin, and keeps to oneself, only the Gift Wrapper? 
That would too be sad and painful …right? 

Well, something similar is the case, when we look into the Salvation History.

God Yahweh had presented a Gift to the People of Israelites: The Gift of the Law…

… so that He could be their Only God and they could always be His People ( Jer 7:23)
But as time passed, this Gift of the Law was interpreted into several external practices…

>> So much so that the purpose of the law was forgotten…

… and only the external regulations were prevailing. 

The Gospel of the Day is an exposition of how the Gift that God had given was being squandered…

… and just the externals – the wrapper of the gift – was being glorified…

>> and how, Jesus the Source of the Law seeks to restore the original spirit of the Law!
 

The Gospel passage begins with the Pharisees accusing the disciples of having transgressed the Sabbath Laws by plucking and eating on the Sabbath Day (Cf. Matthew 12:2). 
>> The External actions were accorded primacy…

.. the actual Law was slowly discarded!
>> The Body of the Commandment was insisted…

.. the Spirit of the Law was diluted!

The Gift wrapper gained more importance than the Gift Itself!

>> The Law of Moses was glorified, but there was a failure to see the Glorious God of the Law!!

And so today, the Majestic Lord of the Sabbath seeks to capture our attention to see the Most Important Aspect of Law: Inner Disposition rather than External Practices!
True Righteousness and Holiness stems from the with’in’…

… and not from the with’outs’!!

The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word sabat..which means repose or rest. 

Just a few verses before this Reading… Jesus invited us  “to take REST in Him” (Mt 11:28) 

>> The Real Rest is in Him! 

>> The Real Sabbath is in Him! 

 

  
And Jesus, the True Rest and the Lord of the Sabbath is also a Might Defender of His Chosen Ones…
The Lord refutes the charges of the Pharisees, on three levels:
a. As a King

Jesus quotes the example of how King David had consumed holy bread, which was reserved only for the priests. 

>> And yet, King David is never condemned and neither is his action worthy of being guilty
b. As a Priest

Jesus quotes the temple priests who perform work on a Sabbath.

>> And yet, it is not considered a religious violation, but is acceptable as a Sacred Duty. 
c. As a Prophet

Jesus quotes Prophet Hosea and spells out God’s mind of Mercy being of greater value and importance than sacrifice! 

Yes, Jesus, the True King, the Holy Priest and the Mighty Prophet…

… quotes the example of a King, a Priest & a Prophet to Defend His Chosen Ones & to declare that 
He is the Lord of the Sabbath!

>>  Jesus Himself is the Real Rest and the Real Sabbath!

We need to examine…

>> Do I tend to become more legalistic in my mentality and fail to see the Spirit of the Law? 

>> Do I become rigid in my external practices and rituals, but fail to relish the Heart of Worship? 

The Lord has gifted us His Commandments and Laws… 

…so that HE can be our Only God and we can always be His Beloved People. 
Do I cherish the inner dimensions of the Law and treasure this Gift? 

>> Or am I giving more importance only to external factors, like the Gift Wrapper?

Let us scrape off the rust of legalism and ritualism… 

>> Let us, instead, polish our lives with the virtues of mercy, empathy and compassion!

God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India

 

A story is told of a shabby old man who would go to the Church at noon every day.

>> He would just be inside the Church for a few minutes.

 

The sacristan of the Church was disturbed with this man’s daily presence..

… “What could he be doing?”

… “Why is the motive of this shabby man?”

>> After all, the Church also contained valuable furnishings.

 

“I go to pray,” the old man said in reply to the sacristan’s questioning.

 

“Oh, come on! Don’t lie”, the sacristan refuted, “you are never long enough in the church to pray.”

 

“Well, you see,’ the old man went on…

“I cannot make a long prayer.

But every day at twelve o’clock I just come and say, “Jesus, it’s Jim.”

I wait for a minute and then come away.

>> It’s just a little prayer, but I guess He hears me.”

 

Some months back, Jim was injured and was taken to the hospital.

 

He had a wonderful influence in the hospital ward

>> Grumbling patients became cheerful and often the ward would ring with laughter.

 

“Well, Jim,” said the nurse to him one day, “It’s so wonderful to see you happy always!”

 

“Hmm.. yes, Sister, I can’t help being happy.

You see, it’s my Visitor. Every day He makes me happy!”

 

“Your visitor?” asked the puzzled sister, for he was a lonely old man, with no relations, “Your visitor? But when does he come?’

 

 

“Every day,” Jim replied, with the twinkle in his eyes growing brighter.

“Every day at twelve o’clock He comes and stands at the foot of my bed.

 I see Him and He smiles and says, “Jim, it’s Jesus!”

 

When we lean on to the Lord, He gives us His rest and consolation

>> When we are faithful to our relationship with Him, He strengthens us and comforts us!

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful invitation by the Lord…

…. to come to His Presence

… and to rest in His Heart!

 

Jesus says, “Come to me all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11: 28)

 

Our lives are characterised by innumerable occasions when we feel tired and exhausted and just to give up….

… Those doing their studies often feel the burden of their academics and say, “Oh, I am fed up of this!”

… Those doing household chores at times feel unrewarded and unrecognised and say, “Oh, it’s a daily burden!”

… Those into works of livelihood sometimes struggle with pressures and deadlines and say, “Oh, I am really tired of all this!”

… Those in positions of caretaking others, often strain against temperaments and characters and say, “Oh, I feel so tired”

… Those who are surrounded by evil tendencies, bad habits and sinful cravings say, “Oh, I am I feel so weary!”

 

Each of us, at some time or the other…in some situation or the other…

… do feel the burden of being tired, weary and exhausted.

 

 

Perhaps….

>> You feel life sometimes is a great struggle, isn’t it?

>> You often have thoughts like, “Why is my life so pitiable,” isn’t it?

>> You tend to think that “I wish all this was not there in my life,” isn’t it?

>> You have feelings that you are unlucky in life and “I have nothing to look forward,” isn’t it?

 

To each of us then, Our Gentle Lord invites: “Come my Child…. and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28)

 

Jesus says: “Take My yoke upon you…” (Mt 10: 29)

 

The instant reaction to this sentence, to us who are already overburdened, might be…

… “Oh No! Why another yoke?”

… “I already have a yoke; why should I carry the Lord’s yoke?”

 

We need to understand the concept of a “yoke”, especially from the Jewish society.

 

 ‘Yoke’ is a bar of wood, so made as to unite two animals (usually oxen)…

… enabling them to work in the fields, drawing heavy loads and pulling instruments used for farming.

 

 

 

Farmers would ‘yoke’ the young ox with the old experienced ox to train them.

>>  The old ox would take the major load and the young one would be walking along and learning.

… The burden of the young one is reduced and the older one takes over the weight of the work!

 

The Yoke, helps the young one…

… to reduce its burden

… to feel that it is in perfect control of the elder one

… to feel urged to do more, as its efforts are doubled by the elder one

 

 

This is the picture of the ‘yoke’ that Jesus presents…

… Yoke as a symbol of partnership

… Yoke as a symbol of control

… Yoke as a symbol of relief

… Yoke as a symbol of hope

 

When we take the “yoke” of Christ…

… He Strengthens us

… Our burdens are no longer ours; He takes over

… We find a meaning for  our lives and we feel refreshed

… We feel urged to do more in life as the Lord blesses our efforts

 

Are we ready to take the “Yoke” of Christ?

 

It means that we ought to build a relationship with the Lord…

>> It means that as disciples, we are willing to accept the “yoke” of our Rabbi and Master Jesus

Life might be harsh on us….

But the Lord invites us, “Come to me, and I will give you rest… Take my yoke”

 

We need to be in the presence of the Lord – growing more in prayer and trust in Him.

 

 

Often we run to other sources for comfort and pleasure, to relieve ourselves from our burdens…

… sinful addictions

… unpleasant habits

… unholy sources of pleasure

 

But the Lord says, to instead present ourselves to Him, at every moment…

>> Especially in our moments of burden and hardships

… and receive strength and rest from Him!

 

When we lean on to the Lord, He gives us His rest and consolation

>> When we are faithful to our relationship with Him, He strengthens us and comforts us!

 

 

 

>> Let us read the Word of God daily to find strength

>> Let us spend time with the Lord in prayer everyday without fail

>> Let us worthily receive the Sacraments to experience His Living Presence

 

 

Yes, Life may be playing a “joke” on us by straining us with burdens and hardships…

>> But let the “Yoke” of Christ give us rest, hope, strength and joy

… and let us hear the Good Shepherd telling us in our moments of struggle, “My Child, it’s Jesus!”

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!
–  Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India

Eight-year-old Charles was affected with brain cancer. 
As part of his treatment, following a surgery, he underwent chemotherapy. 
(Chemotherapy affects all cells – healthy as well as cancer cells.

>> As a result, hair fall is one of the commonly affecting side-effects) 
When Charles’ hair began to fall out in large clumps, it was decided to shave his head completely. 
A few days later, Charles went to school. 
The class teacher explained to her little students about the situation of Charles and why his hairs had to be shaved off.
The following day, the teacher was in for a surprise…
>> She saw all the 38 boys of her class with bald heads!
 On enquiring, the leader of the class stood up and said:

“We shaved off our heads, so that Charles doesn’t feel lonely!

This is our way to support and encourage him – being bald, so that he can be bold!”
The teacher had tears in her eyes…

… and with a great sense of honour for her kids, she wrote on the blackboard:

“Bald heads and Bold Hearts!”

Children have wonderful characteristics, isn’t it?

>> They sympathize and share

>> They are loving and loyal

>> They accept and admire

>> They forgive and forget

>>They try and trust
Is it any surprise that Jesus used children as an example to be imitated?
>> What is it that prevents us becoming child-like?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus thanking the Father for His gracious wisdom…

… and for His revelations to Little Children (to babes)! (Mt 10:25)

BIG things often come in small packages! 

>> BIG innovations are made by those who lower themselves, to seek higher!! 

>> BIG mysteries are experienced by those who make themselves little, to be in awe of them!!!
“It is only by being little that we ever discover anything big”!

The Lord today His raises heart to the Father in praise:

“I give praise to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to the childlike” (Mt 11:25)

 

It is an unfortunate truth that those who THINK THEY KNOW, often FAIL TO LEARN 

… those who assume to be Learned, often fall short of being taught 

… those who presuppose to be Wise, mostly are unsuccessful in discovering newer truths.
Many of the Pharisees and the Scribes, during Jesus’ time, belonged to this category. 

Jesus, the teacher-par-excellence came explaining the Truth and the Mystery of the Law.. 

The Wise and Learned of the Society failed to assimilate Him. 

>> The simple and the open-hearted…the disciples and others…were able to accept Him!
“It is only by being little that we ever discover anything big”!
For our Spiritual Life…

… Kids can teach us much

…. Little children can educate us to a great extent
1. A Sense of Total Dependence

>>  Little children depend on the elders for their sustenance. 
We need to Depend on God, who is our Father and who loves to lavish His goodness on us. 
This does not, of course mean, a lazy attitude to life…rather, a Holy Disposition, of realizing, that “Whatever Happens in my Life, I know, God will take care of Me!” 
>> Have I lost my Sense of Total Dependence on God? 
It is only by being little that we ever discover anything big! 
2. An attitude of Immense Enthusiasm

>>  Little children are full of life, vigour and enthusiasm. 
The story of many of our lives could be sadly declared as, “Died at 30, buried at 70″! 
The modern day tension and worries of life take away the zing and  dynamism from our lives…

>>  We tend to become…

… “a people of routine”

… “an individual of listlessness”

…. “a society of apathy” 

… and “an order of sluggishness”! 
Life becomes boring

>>  Life turns out to be lacklustre. 

>> Have I lost an attitude of Immense Enthusiasm? 
“It is only by being little that we ever discover anything big”!
3. A Touch of Tenderness

>> Little children symbolize tenderness and warmth. 
Our hustle-bustle lives, often, tend to be wrapped with…

… rude words

… tough looks

… angry gestures

… and impolite manners. 
Our hearts lose tenderness. 

>> Our eyes remain shut in callousness. 
>> Have I lost a touch of Tenderness?  

 
“It is only by being little that we ever discover anything big”! 

  
> Do we want to climb the ladder of sanctity?

>> Do we want to possess God? 

>>> Do we want to penetrate into the deeper mysteries of the kingdom of God? 
There is one sure way: By being a Child in our heavenly Father’s arms. 

… The more little we become, the more elevated we will be!

>> “The attitude of our life determines our altitude in life”!

Let us seek the intercession and be inspired by St Henry, whose feast we celebrate today.

>> He was one of the best rulers of the Roman Empire of the 10th century.

>> He showed his love for Jesus and the Church with sincerity and love and was a man of prayer 

>> He promoted Church reforms, encouraged growth of new monasteries, built beautiful churches 
St Henry is the patron saint of the childless, the handicapped and those rejected by religious orders. 

Jesus invites and challenges us to be child-like: with BALD HEADS (shaven of our pride!) and BOLD HEARTS (total dependence on the Father!)
>> Are we ready… to have Bald Heads and Bold Hearts?

God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India

(Statutory Warning: The dangerous Jesus is on the prowl…..Beware as you read….)
Many of us have heard of the tagline of a company which announces: 

“We are better than the best…” 
Lovely phrase, right?
The Gospel of the Day, however presents shocking and saddening words from the Mouth of the Most Prolific and Influential Prophet ever….Jesus…

….  with an even stronger tagline: “They are worse than worst!”
 

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida!” (Mt 11:21)

The Context of this Deadly utterance by the Lord is when he reproaches the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, where mighty deeds and miracles had been done, but they had still not repented. 
These three towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were called as the “Orthodox Triangle” 

>> Close to the Galilee Lake, these towns were filled with devout Jews, who took the Law of Moses very seriously. 
Adding to this traditional Jewish Faith, these towns also had the great privilege of being witnesses to many miracles, events, preaching and deeds of the Lord Jesus. 
The Gospel says, ” If the MIRACLES performed in you…..”

Note the word, “miracles”… Plural !! 

>> Not just a single miracle…..but many miracles.
>> Perhaps not just a single word…

… but many words and sermons and preaching! 

>> Perhaps not just a single healing…

… but many healings and cures and restorations! 
>> Perhaps not just a single warning…

… but many warnings and exhortations and appeals to repentance! 
And Yet… yet, they DID NOT REPENT! 
They KNEW TOO MUCH…but BELIEVED TOO LITTLE!

And Jesus condemns these towns…. “They are worse than the Worst!”
Lets consider the state of these “Worst” Towns…to which the Lord compares this “Orthodox Triangle”? 

>> Tyre and Sidon….Sodom
1. Tyre and Sidon

These were condemned cities (Cf. Ezek 26 – 28) and were embodiments of the Pagan Canaanite Culture, Pride and an Evil Arrogance 

 
2. Sodom: This was a damned city (Cf. Gen 18:16-33) and was an epitome of gross immorality, sexual perversion, widespread corruption and a complete rejection of God.
But Jesus says.. the Orthodox Triangle – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum….”are worse than these worst”!
These people had plenty of knowledge… 

>> They went to the synagogue faithfully… 

>> They knew the Torah of God…
But when Jesus came to them, they wouldn’t repent. 

>> When Jesus worked miracles, they wouldn’t believe him.
Miracles only amazed them…startled them…shocked them…..but they did not lead them to God!
Hold on!!
Is there any resemblance between My Life and these cities of the Orthodox Triangle?

>> Do I boast of my knowledge of God? 

>> Do I be satisfied with a mere Church-going Spirituality? 

>> Do I remain an ineffective witness to the many miracles worked and the blessings showered in my life?

  

Lets stop taking blessings for granted! 

>> Lets stop thinking mere external rituals are a guarantee for salvation!
>> It’s Better not to have a miracle…

… than to have a miracle and not repent. 
>> It’s Better to be sick and not cured… 

… than to be cured and not give the glory to God. 
>> It’s Better not to experience God… 

… than to experience God and stay the same as you were.
Let’s stop fooling ourselves, saying: “Things are fine and All is well”!
Our conscience needs a real-time check… 

>> Our hearts deserve an honest examination…

>> Our lives warrant a thorough review!
There is sure Hope…in the Lord. 

>> But only if we are repentant 
There is sure mercy…in the Lord. 

>> But only if we are willing to change 
There is sure Blessing…in the Lord. 

>> But only if we are penitent

The Orthodox Triangle is a stark reminder to us: Never to bypass opportunities & graces that come our way!
Let the cry of the Lord, “You are worse than the Worst”….never ever be addressed to us…
We Pray

>> We make Efforts. 

>> We seek for Grace!

God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India

Every society or organization or a way of life draws up rules and regulations…

… to which its members have to promise obedience.
A faithful commitment to these guidelines will help for the true growth of the society and help the members to genuinely enjoy all the rights and privileges. 
 

Christianity as a Life Style, also has its Rules and Regulations and it demands Commitment!

>> The Cross forms part of this Basic Rule of Christianity.
 

The ‘modern’ Christian however, is often afraid and oppose this dimension of Christianity: The Cross!
 

Bishop Fulton Sheen presents before us this mentality which is fast catching up in our world…
>> It is termed as Staurophobia… The Fear of the Cross!

The Gospel of the Day is  a presentation of the Message of the Cross…

… an invitation to follow the Crucified Christ
… a challenge to faithfully carry the crosses of our life.
 

Jesus says, “He who does not take his cross and follow me, is not worthy of Me” (Mt 10: 38)

Our Blessed Lord constantly jolts static minds and the inert mentalities..
>> He doesn’t promise cushy comforts…

… He demands Commitment to the Cross!

Those who choose Christianity as a Life Style, ought to be…

>> Losers of oneself

>> Be carriers of the Cross

>> And then Follow Him!

Christianity, as a Life Style, has the Cross as its Basic Rule and it demands Commitment!

But the very mention of the word “Cross”, sometimes puts people off…

>> “Not again the Cross”
>> “Enough of pain and suffering”
>> “We go to Church to relax and be comforted; not simply to hear of the Passion &Anguish of the Suffering Jesus on the Cross; we only prefer the Glorious & Victorious Christ”
>> “Stop being pessimistic with Sin & Repentance…. Just be optimistic with Joy & Salvation!”

 

These are often, the “happening” buzz phrases and popular opinions…even in our religious environs.
 

Staurophobia – the Fear of the Cross …is creeping stealthily but mightily in our lives…
>> We like to be Saved…

… but we Fear the Cross of repentance of our Sins
>> We like to receive Blessings…

… but we Fear the Cross of living an honest life
>> We like to live a peaceful life…

… but we Fear the Cross of trusting in God’s Providence
We like to be prosperous…

… but we Fear the Cross of being generous and compassionate
>> We like to be called good..

… but we Fear the Cross of being Faithful to the teachings of Christ
>> We like to have joy…

… but we Fear the Cross of giving up attachments & belong totally to God

Yes, We often, Fear the Cross…
But Christ – Crucified on the Cross – promises His Choicest Rewards to the ones, who dare to take up the Cross…

>> They will find Life…

>> They will be rewarded…

>> They will find true joy and peace…

 …says the Lord.
 

Have we really accepted Christianity as our Life Style?

>> Then Let us Embrace the Cross..

>> Let us drive away the Fear of the Cross
 

Let Staurophobia ( Fear of the Cross) be willfully banished

>> Let Staurophilia (Love of the Cross) be willingly accepted!
 

St Camillus says, “Commitment is doing what you said you would do, after the feeling you said it in, has passed”.

 
Let us remain committed to the Cross of Christ and celebrate Christianity with conviction!

God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India

The Mirror is one of the most used objects in our day-to-day life. 
We use the mirror to adorn and beautify ourselves and to make ourselves presentable in the society. 

>> The Mirror reflects the features and descriptions of the person. 
We also make use of chances to look at a mirror occasionally to make sure that we look okay or our hairstyle is fine or our faces or dressing styles are all well. 

The Gospel of the day presents before us a person comes with a query on how to obtain eternal life…

… and to make sure that he is fine and ok in his life…

>> But ends up with an exhortation to look into himself and make alterations that will make his life look better! 
Jesus becomes the Mirror of his life…

…. by which he is made to look into himself and obtain a clearer and a cleaner image of his interior life!

  

The person who came to ask Jesus, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Lk 10:25), is not merely “a common man” or a “passerby on the street” or just “a curios seeker”. 
He is a Scholar of the Law…

… a learned person. 

… one who knows the books. 

>> But life and religion and spirituality for him, was perhaps reduced to mere papers and theories. 
He knew the Law to love God with one’s heart…

>> But he perhaps fell short in expressing tenderness and affections to God with his whole heart! 
He knew the law to love God with one’s being… 

>> But he perhaps fell short in committing his works and deeds to God with his whole being! 

 
He knew the law to love God with one’s strength… 

>> But he perhaps fell short in dedicating his talents and abilities to God with his whole strength!
He knew the law to love God with one’s mind… 

>> But he perhaps fell short in offering his knowledge and wisdom to God with his whole mind! 
He also knew the law to love his neighbour as himself… 

>> But he perhaps fell short in rendering service and giving help to the people who were in need! 
He failed to translate his knowledge and his awareness into actual practices of life! 
Does this not happen to us also…?

… we know many things “about” God, but often don’t “know” Him!

… we theoretically say that we have faith, but in actual life situations often fail to trust!

Jesus, the Mirror therefore prompts the Scholar of the Law (and us also) to introspect and examine life further, with a Parable: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. 

The Parable of the Good Samaritan describes the man who was travelling from Jordan to Jericho and attacked by a set of robbers and discarded on the wayside (Lk 10:30)
Possible helps came in the form of the Priest and the Levite…

… but none was actually obtained. 

>> They saw, but did not see!

>> They felt, but did not act!
“Seeing, feeling and acting” are the three essential and mandatory aspects of giving mercy.
And then, an unexpected help was offered in the person of the Good Samaritan. 
Jesus, the Mirror was slowly making that scholar of the Law to look and probe deeper into himself. 
As he heard this Parable of the Good Samaritan, and as he looked into himself through the Mirror in Jesus..

… .the scholar of the Law perhaps identified himself with the Man abandoned on the wayside. 

>> (Is my life also identifiable with the man who was abandoned on the wayside?) 
Just as the man was making a difficult journey, the scholar of the Law was also making a journey…

… Life was hard and arduous for them! 

>> (Am I also not making a difficult journey through the rocks and valleys of life…?) 

 
Just as the man was beaten up by some , the scholar of the Law had perhaps been affected by many situations and problems of life…

… Life was harsh and  unfair to them! 

>> (Am I also not beaten up and bruised by many unknown crisis and uncertainties of life?) 
Just as the man failed to receive any help from the religious leaders of his time, the scholar of the Law perhaps had failed to obtain consolation and strength by knowledge of the law and his erudition of religion….

… Life was intensifying and aggravating their pain! 

>> (Am I also not a victim of not receiving help and encouragements from the ones whom I expect and instead encounter more often scandals and pains and discouragements?) 
Just as the man finally received attention and care from an unexpected quarter, the scholar of the Law perhaps also was finding true salvation and the genuine source of life from an unexpected quarter in Jesus…

… Life finds hope and real freedom only in God 

>> (Am I also not experiencing true help and salvation very often from people unexpected, from people who we least expect and from people who perhaps never appear in our list of “helping-people”?) 

The Scholar of the Law was probably able to identify himself as the one who fell in the hands of oppression…

… and was able to recognize Jesus as the Good Samaritan. 
The Good Samaritan, Jesus…

… wants to help & save & give life…

…. to each one of us too, who are bruised & broken in the journey of life!
Like the Scholar of the Law who looked into Jesus, the Mirror and was able to see himself clearer…

… We too are invited today, to look into Jesus, the Mirror, and evaluate our interior lives. 
>> I may be making a hard journey. 

>> I may be beaten up on the way. 

>> I may be oppressed by the unknown. 

>> I may be denied justice from the authorities. 

>> I may be rejected help from the expected. 

… But the Good Samaritan, Jesus is there to strengthen and soothe us! 
This Jubilee Year of Mercy especially calls us to experience Jesus, the Good Samaritan, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation!

Let us examine…

… When was the last time I made my confession? 

>> The Good Samaritan is ready to help and heal us!
… Do I prepare well, make a sincere repentance and live the resolutions of my confession?

>> The Good Samaritan consoles us and helps us to complete our journey of life
… Do I make a daily examination of my conscience?

>> The Good Samaritan cares for us in the Inn – The Church – and the many  inspirations in His Holy Word
This Jubilee Year of Mercy is also a call to understand and live the virtue of Mercy 

>> The Good Samaritan challenges us to understand the true meaning of Mercy and practise all its three dimensions:

1. Seeing

2. Feeling

3. Doing
Yes, let us not be afraid to look into Jesus, the Mirror and obtain healing & consolation from Jesus, the Good Samaritan. 

>> And in turn, let us become a Good Samaritan to the other!

God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India

Teilhard de Chardin, a French Priest, Theologian and Philosopher describes three categories of people who climb a difficult mountain peak…. 

1. The Pessimists – (the ones who give up easily):

>> They regret having ventured to undertake the arduous task of climbing the huge mountain.
2. The Hedonists – (the ones who remain passive and just enjoy) 

>> They are satisfied with just some scenic views on the way and cease the journey, with simple trifles, unwilling to take the risk to go ahead…
3. The Enthusiasts – (the ones who seek to conquer the mountains)

>> They are the real mountaineers, who keep their eyes fixed on the peaks and never give up, till they reach their goal!
The road to being a Disciple of Christ, is indeed climbing a Mountain peak….

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation of the challenges that are to be encountered by every follower of Christ…

… the one who wishes to walk with Jesus on the way of the Cross

… the one who wishes to scale the mountain of holiness and sanctity

When we read through the Gospels, we observe that our Lord Jesus and His teachings remained unfazed, in the midst of glamour and sensations…

>> They are simple and yet deeply challenging and radical!
The Lord does not offer a Comfortable Carpet of Roses to stroll….

>> He presents a  Challenging Pathway of Thorns to tread!
“Everyone will hate you, because of ME!” (Mt 10:22a)

>> These are the fierce & fervent words of the Lord.
Yes, the Master, Himself was persecuted and hated!
He was the Epitome of Love…

… and yet He was badly hated, persecuted and tortured…

What had He ever done to be hated? 

>> Being Meek and Humble of Heart…

…  touching lives with Healing and Forgiveness…? 
>> Being a Gospel of Love to all…

… even to the Enemies…? 
>> Being a Symbol of Pardon and Forgiveness…

… even to those who persecuted and killed Him…? 
>> Being an Emblem of Truth…

… in the midst of diluted ideologies & hypocritical ritualism…? 

 
>> Being an Ornament of Joy and Hope…

… to the broken-hearted, the sinful and the rejected…?

Did he deserve to be hated??? 
Yet, He was!

>> He was hated… mocked at… rejected… finally even arrested, scourged and killed!
And this our Blessed Master says…Even You too!

>> Even you too, My Followers, will be hated and will be persecuted!

The path ahead sounds dangerous, right?

>> The mountain climbing seems to be not as easy as thought, right?
But relax…!

>> The road does not end with persecutions… 
The verse of Jesus does not end in calamity…

>>  He goes on to say: “… but whoever endures to the end will be saved!” (Mt 10: 22b)
Yeah.. That’s great good news! 
The Way of Jesus is surely laden with persecutions…

….but it is also filled with much joy, satisfaction, true peace

…and finally rewarded with Eternal Life! 
We only need to persevere……till the end!
The Mountain Peak of Salvation is High…. 

>> But the Lord beckons to each one of us!
He also reminds us through Prophet Hosea, “Return to Your God Yahweh, O Israel!” (Hos 14:2)

Which category of mountain climbers are we going to be? 
1. The Pessimists (the ones who give up easily)? 

>> Regretting to being a Christian and thus living a life of sin and indifference
2. The Hedonists (the ones who remain passive and just enjoy)?

>> Resigning to the fact that somehow I need to be a Christian, due to societal pressures, and thus live in casualness, negligence and lethargy.
 Or…

3. The Enthusiasts (the ones who seek to conquer the mountains)? 

>> Real Christians who keep their eyes fixed on the Crucified Saviour and never give up, marching forward towards the goal of salvation! 

Let us give heed to the words of St Benedict:

“Prefer nothing whatever to Christ….and he will bring us all together to everlasting life!”

May we bold in facing humiliations, in suffering persecutions, in undergoing pain…

… all for the Sake of Christ, who showed us the Way to Glory through the Path of Persecution!
Let’s keep on moving… let’s keep climbing… let’s keep the Faith!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India

 A little boy was walking towards the Church for the Sunday Mass.
His mother had given him two coins: 

>> A 5-rupee coin to be dropped in the offering box in Church

>> The other to buy a sweet for himself
On the way, however, the boy was careless and playful.
Accidently, one of the coins fell from his hand…

… down went one of the 5-rupee coins into the open drain!

Seeing the coin sliding down the drain, the boy muttered to himself: 

“Oh! There goes the Lord’s coin!”

… and kept clinging stronger to his own coin!

What the little boy uttered regarding the loss of the coin…

… is perhaps a reflection of the mind of many grown-ups:

>> It is always the Lord’s money that is lost; while ours is always treasured and kept safe!

This is also a pointer to an important & noteworthy inclination in our modern generation..

…the Tendency to grab & hold on everything to oneself but avoid giving to others, especially to God! 

We are sadly…

>> Lavish in Receiving & Accepting…

… but Stingy in Giving & Offering!! 

The Gospel of the Day is a fresh challenge to this contemporary trend, when Jesus reminds:

“You have received without pay…give without pay!”… (Matthew 10:8) 

The context of the Gospel is the sending out of the Twelve Apostles to the missions. 

>> To be an Apostle and to be Sent on a Mission… is a pure Gift!

Every gift is a reminder, that we need to be Grateful to the One Who has given us! 

>> And the Lord, the Great Gift-Giver, invites the Apostles, to give freely of what they have received! 

In this process of giving, the Lord also assures that they will be provided what they need! 

So here we see a “double-edge” effect when we receive a gift from the Lord:

1. We need to, in turn, become Gift-Givers 

2. We need to Depend on the Lord, that He will provide for us! 

 

Are we ready to embrace this “Double-Edge Effect” in our lives, when we seek for blessings and gifts from the Lord? 

Every Gift from God is a Responsibility to Give…

… and a Challenge to Depend on Him!

The Book of Hosea presents God as a Loving Father, who cares for His people with much tenderness and love. 

>> The Heart of God melts with deep love and affection for His people… 
We, His Children, are just too precious to God, who is our Father…. 

>> And this Father, will surely provide for us… 
Yes, He is Jehovah Jairah – the Lord, our Provider! 

The Lord invites us, to become His Missionaries, like the Twelve Apostles…

>> Let us become gift-givers…Let us become dependants on God, our Provider!

We sometimes have reduced to becoming a generation, who give gifts, only on some special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, feast days, etc … 

>> Can we revitalize ourselves so that we can become Gift-Givers, each day of our lives…

There are many waiting for our gifts…. 

>> A sad soul, a rejected person, a broken family …

>> A sick patient, a helpless child, a frustrated office-goer…

>> A poor individual, unwanted elderly couples, confused young people…

>> An exasperated religious folk, a corrupt society, a suffering humanity …etc… 

The list is endless….

Can we become a Gift-Giving Generation? 
Let us give heed to the words of St Gregory Nazianzen: 

“Give something, however small, to the one in need. 

For its not small to one who has nothing. 

Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could.”  

As Christians, let us be a “people of contradiction” against the trends of the modern society…

…the Tendency to grab & hold on everything to oneself but avoid giving to others, especially to God! 

>> And instead, let us be a “people of conviction”, showing the right attitude to the society…

… Having an attitude to give & share to all and depending on the Providence and Care of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS

  Bengaluru, India