CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE 01 – WHY DO WE SAY THE ANGELUS THREE TIMES A DAY?

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS3 Comments

To learn, revive, love and be faithful… to our Catholic Faith!

THE HISTORY
1. It is considered that in the 11th Century, the Franciscan monks had the custom of saying Three Hail Marys, along with the bell that was rung, at their Evening Prayer.

The Three Hail Marys was to honour “the immaculate Virgin Mother and to preserve a perfect purity of mind, heart and body, in the midst of the dangers that are encountered in the world”

This practise was also encouraged among the lay people, especially by St Bonaventure.

2. Another tradition also says that in the time when England was occupied by the Normans…
>> In order to control the people, the Normans rang a curfew bell at the end of each day. This was to remind the people  to put off all fires, get out of the streets and go back and retire to their homes.

While this was not aimed for prayer, nevertheless this bell got associated with the evening prayer time, which included saying the Hail Mary.
>> This practise of the bell to be rung at the close of the day, continued, even after the end of the invasion.

>> The Bishop had encouraged the people:  “We exhort you every day, when you hear three short interrupted peals of the bell, at the beginning of the curfew (or, in places where you do not hear it, at vesper time or nightfall) you say with all possible devotion, kneeling wherever you may be, the Angelic Salutation three times at each peal, so as to say it nine times in all”

3. In 1318 in Italy, there began the practise of saying the Hail Mary, on rising in the morning.
>> This habit probably came from the monks, who included the Hail Mary in the prayers they said before their workday began.

4. In 1456, Pope Calisstus III directed the ringing of church bells every day at noon and that Catholics pray three Hail Marys.
>> The Pope exhorted the faithful to use the noonday prayers to pray for peace in the context of the 15th-century invasion of Europe by the Turks.
>>The bell rung at noontime became known as the “Peace” bell

5. The Angelus became a prayer as we know today, towards the end of the 16th century…
…with three Hail Marys, and short verses in between (called versicles), ending with a prayer.
>>  It was first published in modern form in a catechism around 1560 in Venice.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS DEVOTION?
The Angelus reminds us of the Angel Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary, Mary’s Fiat, the Incarnation and Our Lord’s passion and resurrection.
>> It is repeated as a holy invitation, calling us to prayer and meditation.

image
The Annunciation, Fra Angelico, 1446, Convent of San Marco, Florence

The Angelus is said kneeling
(in symbolic of our humbleness “to welcome and accept the Will of God to take flesh in us”)
>> Pope Benedict XIV directed that the Angelus should be recited while standing on Saturday evening and all day on Sunday ( to honour and commemorate the Triumphant Resurrection of the Lord)
>> He also exhorted that, during the Easter Season, the Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven) be said instead of the Angelus.

There is also the practise of focussing…
… the Angelus in the morning : On the Resurrection
… the Angelus at noon time: On the Passion
… the Angelus at evening:  On the Incarnation.

The Three-times recitation of the Angelus calls Christians…
… to interrupt the daily, earthly routines
… to turn to thoughts of God, of the Blessed Mother, and of eternity
… and to respond to the call of the Lord to “pray unceasingly and at all times” (Lk 18: 1, 1 Thess 5:17)

The Angelus is a meditation on the Bible – to recall the Salvation History
>> We meditate on the words of Mother Mary who called herself the “handmaid of the Lord”
>> We tell God that we are willing to do His Will, just as Mother Mary did
>> We invite the Lord “to take flesh” in all our actions and thoughts

PRACTICAL APPLICATION
(1) Seek to daily recite three times the Angelus – morning, noon and night (especially, if possible, as a family or a community)

(2) Thank the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – for the Salvation History and especially recall the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord and the

(3) Make an examination of the conscience – reviewing the activities done up to that moment…
(a) Thanking Him for His Graces
(b) Asking pardon for faults
(c) Resolving to do better

(4) Seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother to always say “Yes” to God’s Will

May we grow in our devotion and love for the Lord, by the faithful and prayerful recitation of the Angelus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – To learn, revive, love and be faithful… to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS1 Comment

Our Catholic Faith is a beautiful gift that is given by God.

The Church is our Mother…
… Who gives us life, in Baptism
… Who gives us acceptance and healing, in Reconciliation
… Who feeds us and nourishes us, in the Eucharist
… Who empowers us and strengthens us, in Confirmation
… Who unites us in love, in Marriage
… Who anoints us and leads us, through the Sacred Orders
… Who comforts us and heals us, in the Anointing

But…
… so often, we fail to realise the treasure and value of our Catholic Church
… so often we only criticise the Church because of her failures and scandals

So many times, we fail to love the Church or sometimes even abandon the Church
>> because of our ignorance…
>> because of our disinterest to learn and know more

So, here is a SERIES to learn and know more about the Catholic Church… CATHOLIC CARTRDIGE
>> An attempt to learn and understand some of the practices, beliefs and teachings of the Church
>> An attempt to revive our passion and fervour for the Church and be zealous to be Her Missionaries

As Archbishop Fulton Sheen says:
” The Church is like Noah’s ark that was full of both clean and unclean animals.
>> It must have had an unholy smell, and yet it was carrying eight persons to salvation.

The world today is tearing up the photographs of a good society, a good family, a happy, individual personal life.
>> But the Church is keeping the negatives.

And when the moment comes when the world wants a reprint, we will have them.”

Yes, let CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE  be a series…
… to learn, revive, love and be faithful… to our Catholic Faith!

Let us be proud and thankful for our Catholic Faith!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Jun 26 (Lk 9:51-62)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS1 Comment

Saints inspire us greatly.
>> Their example of bold courage and resolute faith, becomes a catalyst in our life of faith, too.

One such example is in the life of St Jane de Chantal.
>> She is the foundress of the Congregation of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary.

St Jane Francis de Chantal, had an extremely distressing difficulty to overcome, when she discovered that God was asking her to start a new religious congregation, together with St Francis de Sales.

Jane, a young French noble woman, had married the Baron of Chantal when she was 20 years old.
>> Deeply in love, they established an estate that was the envy of many people
>> Their enthusiastic marital joy was a product of their love for each other and their love for Christ.

However, she was widowed when she was only 28…
… losing her husband in a hunting accident.

From then on, she dedicated herself more and more to following Christ.
>>  She had become indispensable to her elderly father and father-in-law.

But God was calling her to a different mission.

When she announced her departure, a storm broke.
>> Her friends and family wept and pleaded with her not to go.
>> Villagers lined the streets in tears.

When her last goodbye had been said, her fifteen-year-old son, whom she had provided for and was leaving in the care of his grandfather…
… threw himself around her neck and begged her to stay!

By her tears, Jane reminded him that it was God who was calling her…
… and she stepped towards the door.

Her son, however, rushed ahead and threw his body on the ground in the doorway, still begging her not to leave.
>> In fact, he told her: “Since I am too weak to stop you, you will have to step over your only son to abandon him!”

But Jane knew what God was asking of her.
>> The bishop had approved her plans
>> Her son was also well-provided for (she would also be visiting him regularly)

So, although with a deep pain, shedding tears, the courageous mother…
… stepped over her son and went out the door…
.. and went out of the threshold!

>> She would go on to found 65 new convents…
… and spark a spiritual revival all throughout Europe!

She made a bold decision, filled with conviction and faith!

A bold decision that has the elements of conviction and faith, is a necessity for a renewal and a revolution!

The Gospel of Day takes pride in presenting a determined Jesus, who has made a choice-for-life in moving towards the mission of His life.

“When the days for His being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51)

The Gospel of St Luke presents the whole ministry of Jesus as a linear journey…
… a movement from Galilee to Jerusalem.
>> All the events and actions of Jesus are oriented towards Jerusalem.

The verse – Luke 9:51 – signifies a mega shift in the earthly ministry of Jesus.

Jesus leaves the northern area of Israel called as Galilee and moves ahead to the southern area of Israel called as Judea.

Just as the Israelites had the Exodus Event, which marked the beginning of their salvation as a nation…
… Jesus too will have the Exodus Event which culminates in Jerusalem, which will mark the beginning of the salvation of the whole world!

This verse – Luke 9:51 – marks the beginning of the Exodus Event in the life of Jesus.

The verse reads, “… He RESOLUTELY determined to journey to Jerusalem”

The Greek word used for “resolutely” is Sterizo.

“Sterizo” is a strong word…
… which means to strengthen and to establish
… which means to stand firm with one’s decision.

Jesus makes this strong resolution  – “Sterizo”…
… to embrace the vision and plan of God.
… to be obedient to the Will of His Father.

Jerusalem was the place where Jesus was to suffer and die.
>> He was fully determined to go and would not be dissuaded
>> He went cheerfully and courageously though He knew the things that would befall Him.

The Road to Jerusalem was to be marched “resolutely” by Jesus!

All of us walk the Road to Jerusalem…
>> Life with its hard challenges and unexpected troubles is a Road to Jerusalem
>> Life with its spiritual difficulties and luring temptations is a Road to Jerusalem
>> Life with its doses of unforgiveness and bad temperaments is a Road to Jerusalem
>> Life with its continual showers of unpleasantness and irritations is a Road to Jerusalem
>> Life with its allurements to bad habits and hard-to-give up pleasures is a Road to Jerusalem

But unless we make a strong resolute decision to walk through this “Road to Jerusalem”, salvation and victory and happiness can never be ours!

When Jesus decided to go ahead with resoluteness in His decision, He met with rejection!
“…they would not welcome Him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem” (Lk9:53)

The Jews and the Samaritans were much at loggerheads with each other.
>> As we see in Jn 4:20, the great controversy between the Jews and the Samaritans was about the place of worship – whether it was Jerusalem or whether it was Mount Gerizim.

So bitter was the altercation between them that the Jews would have no dealings with the Samaritans, nor they with them (Jn. 4:9).

This is the reality of the world.
>> When one makes a determined decision for life, one is faced with many challenges.
>> When one makes a strong resolution for life, one is faced with many oppositions.

Like the disciples James and John, very often, the answer to this rejection is sought in the form of vengeance and violence and wrath.
>> It is the easier way.
>> It is the more simpler way.
… But it is a destructive way!

Jesus answers this rejection with a better and a powerful weapon: self-sacrifice.
>> “The Son of Man came not to destroy, but to save”…
… through a call to repentance.

>> It is the hard way.
>> It is a the more tough way.
… But it is a saving way!

The answer to life’s problems is not in reacting, but in being pro-active!

Jesus in the Gospel today invites each one of us to have a resolute determination in walking the Road to Jerusalem.

Its easy to pick up shortcuts and easy roads to find success in life.
>> But it takes a resolute decision to walk the hard way…

A bold decision that has the elements of conviction and faith, is a necessity for a renewal and a revolution!
>> The grace of God will strengthen and boost us in this hard path…

>> The Holy Bible is a witness to this great saga of great people who have walked this hard path…including Jesus.
>> Many of the saints have also strongly marched the hard and harsh way of the Cross…including St Jane de Chantal.
… May we seek to imitate them!
… May we be inspired by them!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

Jun 25 (Mt 8:5-17)

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Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 -1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer.
>> He was a literary celebrity during his lifetime.
>> He ranks among the 26 most translated authors in the world!

He was also a great optimist and had a very strong positive outlook towards life.

But he was also often sick and would not keep well.

Once he was bedridden with tuberculosis.

His wife, sick of his extreme positivity, made fun of him and said: “I expect you still believe that it is a wonderful day!”

Lying on the bed, with a series of medicine bottles on his table, Stevenson looked out of the window, with the sunshine blazing down, and said:
“Oh yes, I do!
I will never let a row of medicine bottles block my horizon!”

What about us?
>> Do the problems of life block the horizon of our faith?

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful exhibition of a powerful faith, which refused to get limited by the problems of life.

The passage begins with a centurion approaching Jesus with a request:
” Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress” (Mt 8:6)

Here is a beautiful example worth admiring and imitating….
>> A high placed military officer approaches Jesus for a healing of his servant
>> A wonderful illustration of humility, a striking example of concern for people in the lower position.

We need to ask ourselves…
…  What is my attitude to those who are inferior to me?
… How do I treat and behave with those who work for us, in our houses, institutions etc – our servants, our cooks, our drivers, our watchmen etc…?

>> All of them deserve…
… an act of concern!
… a word of appreciation
… a push of encouragement

When Jesus expresses His willingness to come to his house, the Centurion manifests yet another admiring act…
… a Faith that dares the challenges all problems
… A Faith that defies the shocks of troubles!

He responds to Jesus saying: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; only say the Word and my servant will be healed” (Mt 8:8)

Who is a centurion?
>> A centurion was a professional officer of the powerful army of the Roman Empire.

Although, theoretically, this word has its roots in the Latin word ‘centum’ which means one hundred…
… a Centurion in the Roman Army was one who commanded 80 men.

What was the position of the Centurion in the Roman Army?
>> Above the centurion was a senior centurion… (a total of 80 men for a Centurion)
>> Above this senior centurion were sixty centurions… ( a total of 4800 men)
>> Above the sixty centurions were six tribunes… (each tribune had 3000 men.. so total 18, 000)
>> Above the six tribunes were the two consuls.
>> Above the consuls was the Emperor!

It was such a “man of immense authority” who stood before Jesus…
… and requested for a healing for his servant.

This mighty centurion looked at Jesus the Commanding Emperor of a mighty army!
>> In Jesus, he saw a man…
… of immense authority!
… of mighty strength!
… of great power!

And so He tells Jesus, “… only say a word, and my servant will be healed” (Mt 8: 8b)

The man had a deep concern for his servant
>> He had a tenderness that caused him to identify with the sufferings of his slave

But he also had a deep faith that refused to be limited by problems and difficulties
>> His faith was strong and refused the challenges of life to hamper his belief in Jesus!

The centurion did not allow the problems of life to block the “horizon of his faith”!

What about us?
>> Do our hardships in life, sometimes cause a mist in the horizon of our faith?
>> Do the concerns of our family and community, sometimes  hinder our horizon of our faith?
>> Do the problems of our future, our plans and our works, cause blocks in the horizon of our faith?

May we respond positively to the challenge and invitation of the Centurion in today’s Gospel …
… to have a deeper humility that causes us to reach out to others in concern and care
… to have a stronger faith that refuses to prevent any blocks in the “horizon of our faith”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

Jun 24 (Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Lk 1:57-66,80)

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image
Birth of Saint John the Baptist, Artemisia Gentileschi, 1635, Prado Museum, Madrid

We all are familiar with the ‘remote control’ of a television.

In the remote control, there is the button named “MUTE”.
>> It is used to put off the sound, momentarily.

Sometimes, in our spiritual lives, too, we undergo the experience of being in the “MUTE” mode with God.
>> There is a total silence, that pervades our relation with God.

Have we undergone this experience of the “silence” of God?
>> Do we sometimes feel why is God “absent” in my life?

The Couple of Day – Zechariah and Elizabeth – underwent, this “mute” experience with God.
>> Though advanced in age, living a life of prayer, service and faithfulness, they were not blessed with the Gift of a Child.

Barrenness, in the Jewish Society was one of the greatest misfortunes for a family.
>> Being barren was thus a harsh experience for this Devout Couple!

But then came the precious and joyous moment…
>>The “His Name is John” Moment!
…..when, new life and fresh joy radiated their lives!

The names of John, and his parents – Elizabeth and Zechariah are very significant.

Their names are very significant; it tells  that God’s delays are not His denials!
… The name Zechariah means “The Lord remembers”
… The name Elizabeth means, “the oath of God”
>> Thus, the name of the couple stands for: The Lord remembers His oath!

However, the long years of barrenness would have seemed as a contradiction to them – it seemed God had totally forgotten about them.
>> But this is where we learn, that God’s delays are certainly not His denials!
>> He has a better plan (Jer 29:11) – always, without fail!

And they were indeed blessed with a Son – named “John” whose name means “God is Gracious!”

True to this name, after a prolonged period of silence and hush…
… Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced the “Graciousness of God”.
>>  The long agony had been finally rewarded….with the Graciousness of God – John!

The “muteness” that this Couple experienced, also reflected the Silence that the people of Israel experienced…
… in their waiting of the Messiah!
>> But the Birth of John, was the breaking of this silence.

The World, which waited eagerly for the Messiah, had now heard a Voice!
>> It was time to put off the “Mute”…
… the Voice had been Born!
John 1:23, ” I am the Voice of one, crying out in the desert!”

John the Baptist, the Voice, had  been born, to announce the coming of Jesus, the Word!
 
We all undergo “Mute” moments in our lives!
>> They are painful and agonizing moments…
… when all seems dry, answerless, silent

…when there is only dreadful calm, a total brokenness, painful agonies and miseries

… when there is sometimes even no hope ahead!

Sometimes, in unbelief, we may begin to even question or interrogate God…
… like Zechariah questioned the Angel
… and may even get affected with some physical muteness of health or wealth or prestige or disbelief or  misunderstanding or persecution etc…!

But nothing of our Unbelief will spoil God’s plan for us…

>> God says in Jer 29:11, “I know well the plans I have in mind for you….plans for your welfare, not for woe; plans to give you a future, full of hope!”

>> Our “mute” moments will be transformed, into, “His name is John” moments…!

>> Our “unspoken miseries” will be transfigured into ” gracious and gifted” moments…!

Let’s strengthen our lives with the oft-heard truth about three ways of God answering our prayers…

>> YES…. I will fulfill your desire in the way you want

>> or WAIT…. in my own time, I will grant your wishes

>> or NO…I have something much better for you!!

Let us be patient in faith, hope and love in our MUTE moments…
… so that we may experience the gracious & gifted “HIS NAME IS JOHN” moments in our lives!

Happy Birthday to John the Baptist, The Voice & Happy Feast Day to all, The Listeners!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

Jun 23 (Mt 7:21-29)

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In 1174, an Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on a bell tower for the Cathedral of the city of Pisa.
>> The tower was to be around 185 feet tall.

There was just one “little” problem:
The builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated…
>> And soon the whole structure had begun to tilt…
… and it continued to tilt…
… until finally the realized that nothing could be done to make the Leaning Tower of Pisa straight again!

(Quite interestingly, the word “Pisa” means “Marshy Land,” which gives some clue as to why the tower began to lean even before it was completed!)

The tower has stood for over 800 years but there are still problems!

What was the problem?
>> Was it bad design?
>> Poor workmanship?
>> An inferior grade of materials?
… No!!

The problem was what was underneath.
>> The sandy soil on which the city of Pisa was built was must not stable enough to support a monument of this size.

The problems all stem from a faulty foundation!
>> And the same holds good for our lives too!

Many problems in life emerge because of a very poor and shaky foundation…
>> One fails to do well in academic studies…
… if one has a poor foundation in the fundamentals of the subject.

>> One fails to be emotionally stable…
… if one has a poor foundation of not having received affection in the early years.

>> One fails to achieve expertise in a skill or an art…
…  if one has a poor foundation in the essentials and the basics.

The higher the aims and achievements, the greater must be the basics!
>> The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid!

This is a message and an exhortation that is delivered by Jesus in today’s Gospel reading.

We have been with the Lord, over the last few days, listening to His teaching named as the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, which is a call to perfect discipleship.

St Matthew’s Gospel, today, concludes this amazing teaching with the fundamental requirement of a True Disciple: “Listening & Obeying God’s Will in One’s life”.

Jesus says: “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father in heaven” (Mt 7:21)

Too often in life, we are surrounded by people, who misuse and abuse the forum of Religion, for their own selfish desires and gains…
>> Religion, in oft ways, is today, the platform for gaining cheap popularity and loathsome recognition and fame and fulfilling one’s personal agenda and goals!!

But the Lord, the powerful-challenger, comes down heavily on such an attitude : A liking to be Spiritual just on the External…
… but unwilling to perform deeds in accord with God’s Will…!

It’s all too easy…
… to just listen to the teachings of Jesus
… be in awe of them
… get mesmerized by them
… and proclaiming oneself to be a Servant and Follower of Jesus!
(There is a great crowd of people in this category!)

But when it comes to actual situations of fulfilling the Will of Jesus, in our lives…
… it’s a real pain and suffering!
( And no wonder, the number of people in this category, very often, is too little!)

The Lord, today….. invites us to examine the Foundation of our lives…
… Have we built our Lives on Shaky Sand?
… Or on The Resolute Rock?

Jesus speaks of the Parable of the Two Foundations: One on sand; the other on the rock.

>> The one who has built one’s life on a sandy foundation fails to stand firm in the storms of life
>> The one who has built one’s life on a rock foundation remains strong and stable in the storms of life.

The laying of every foundation requires a process of Excavation….a Digging!

Do we want to build a strong foundation?
…then we need to undergo the Procedure of Digging!

>> Can we dig deeper into our lives…
… and see what are the areas in which I need a healing and a touch of the Lord?

>> Can we dig deeper into our minds…
… and see what really are my motivations in life and what I really want in life?

>> Can we dig deeper into our hearts…
… and examine what are my desires and to what things I get attracted?

>> Can we dig deeper into our relationships…
… and check whether there is authenticity or are they just hollow?

This process of digging into the various areas of our life can be an experience of varied sorts…

>> We could have pain to dig out some of our evil tendencies and abandon them.
>> We could have uneasiness to dig out some of our luxurious likings and let go off them.
>> We could have agitation to dig out some of our unhealthy tendencies and discard them.
>> We could have discomfort to dig out some of our lazy inclinations in spiritual life and dispose them.

Perhaps some of us may we feel that we have already built up fine structures and can be proud to have a good career, a stable family life, a flourishing bank balance, an enjoyable lifestyle etc…
… but the Lord invites us to check the Strength of each of these structures…

>> Is my Family Life able to withstand the storms of misunderstandings, constant quarrels and breakdowns?

>> Is my Spiritual Life able to withstand the storms of doubts, fears, discouragements and persecutions?

>> Is my Professional Life able to withstand the storms of failures, disappointments and collapses?

>> Is my Social Life able to withstand the storms of rejection, humiliation and indifferences?

Fame, Money, Prestige, Pleasures, doing things just for the sake of it or out of force,…these are SANDS, on which the Structure of Life, will be instable & shaky!
>> Honesty, Truthfulness, Seeking to do God’s will at all times, suffering patiently for the sake of the good..these constitute THE ROCK, on which the Edifice of Life, will be stable and firm!

We need the Lord Himself as the Firm Foundation of all the structures in our life!
>> With Him, all storms can be withstood and all winds and gales can be endured!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, is famous as a wonder of the world.

But, if not for the repair & renovation works, that was undertaken later…
…it would have long back, collapsed to the ground!

Let our lives not “lean” like this tower with a “Faulty Foundation”…
>> Rather, let it be secure and stable with “Jesus, the Firm Foundation”!

Let Jesus alone be the Firm Rock and the Grand Forte of our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

Jun 22 (Mt 7:15-20)

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An interesting story is told of man who was looking for a job.

He was a man with bulging muscles.
>> However, he was somehow, unable to obtain a job for himself.

One day he saw an ad on the gate of a zoo for a man to play the part of a monkey!
>> He found this job quite strange…
… but his helpless situation forced him to take it up.

He was to put on an outfit of a monkey in the morning…
>> Get into the cage
>> Pensively walk up and down
>> Eat peanuts and bananas all through the day
>> And to jump from one tree to the other in the cage.

One day he was very exhausted and lost his balance as he was jumping from one tree to the other in the far corner of the cage.
>> He accidently fell into the cage of a lion which came charging on him.

With immense fear and trepidation, he cried aloud: “Help, help!”

The lion, however, in a calm voice, looking at him in his face, uttered:
“If you don’t shut up, we will both lose our jobs!!”

Both – the monkey and the lion – were actually real men…
… but disguise and pretence made them to appear and be perceived differently!

This humorous story, however, does cause us to  reflect on an important trend that is often seen in our society…
… putting on a deceptive appearance, to achieve one’s aims and agenda
… donning a mask, to realise one’s goals – good or bad

The Gospel of the Day is a stern admonition by Jesus on the need “to become aware of spiritual deception and pretence” that can ruin our Christian Faith.

The world is fraught with a lot of dangers.
>> There are physical, social, emotional, environmental, intellectual , occupational dangers etc.

Most of the time, we are aware of these dangers…
And we take means and measures…
… to be protected from them
… and to keep ourselves free from harm.

But there is also another very important area to which, many of us…
… either remain ignorant
… or don’t pay much attention
… or take it very lightly
>> They are “Spiritual Dangers”

Today, the Gospel discusses one of the most powerful Spiritual Dangers: DECEPTION!

The power of this danger lies in the fact that it is…
… very “subtle”
… very “tricky”
… and apparently appears to be highly “good”!

Jesus cautions: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Mt 7:15)

The Lord begins today’s Gospel with the word, “BEWARE”!

This is a strong word that is used in Greek – “prosecho”
>> “pros” means ‘before’
>> “echo” means ‘hold’
Thus, “prosecho” means “hold before”!

>> BEWARE – Prosecho – means…
… to hold one’s mind back from
… never to expose one’s mind

Jesus in the previous verses had given an invitation to walk along the narrow gate…
>> “Enter through the narrow gate…” (Mt 7:13)

In this striving to “enter through” to the gate of life…
… Jesus issues a strict warning to be aware of the false prophets who would misguide and lead astray
>> “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing…” ( Mt 7: 15)

In Palestine, the most dangerous enemy of the sheep was the wolf!

It was a natural enemy, roaming the hills…
>> It would wait for a flock of sheep
>> At the precise moment, it would come out of its place of hiding
>> And snatch the sheep and rip it to shreds!

The sheep would be totally defenceless against such prowling wolves!

The Lord presents this imagery to His followers – His sheep: Of being aware of such “sheep-clothed” wolves!

We have in the world, today…
>> Many religious philosophies
>> Varied spiritual methods
>> A number of attractive theological views
… which present Religion in a very alluring, charming and pleasant way!
… which make Christianity as a bed of roses – cosy, comfy and casual!

But let us give heed to the Cry of the Lord: BEWARE!
>> Let us not bleed away our precious spiritual life and our Christian Faith!

>> Are we a seeking a Life…
… without the Cross and the Crucified Lord?

>> Are we fascinated to a Prosperity Gospel which glorifies richness & success & good social life…
… but nothing on repentance, virtuous life & inner holiness?

>> Are we attracted to “fiery preachers” and “awesome praise and worship” which appears good…
… but are deprived of the Real Sacramental Presence found only in the Catholic Church?

Let us also BEWARE and examine…
>> The books we read…
>> The talks we engage in…
>> The jokes we indulge in…
>> The habits we occupy ourselves with…
>> The music and the songs we delight in…

Are they all worthy of being “Christian”…
… or are they deceptively and subtly leading us away from the innocence and honesty of Christian Life?

Are they in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves?

Yes, we need to Beware!!

We need to examine:
>> Am I really on the watch, with respect to my spiritual life…
… or I am, exposing myself to the Deceptive techniques of Satan?

Jesus said: ” By their fruits, you will know them..”! (Mt 7:16)

Gal 5:22, “The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!”

In all our actions… and with respect to all peoples…
… let us weigh their truthfulness in the light of these “Fruits of the Holy Spirit”
… let us check their reliability by the yardstick of these “Fruits of the Holy Spirit”

>> The world will often resort to  “deception and pretence” to suit its needs and wants…
>> The world will often take recourse to “deception and pretence” to rob spiritual resources…

… But, as Christians, we need to be aware, as well as be on our guard, constantly…
… preserving our innocence
… and keeping alight our light of faith!

God bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

Jun 21 (Mt 7:6, 12-14)

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Eight-year old Jack, along with his parents were watching a Passion Play.
( Passion Play is the dramatic presentation of the Passion of Jesus Christ – His suffering, death and resurrection)

Jack was very much emotionally involved watching the play.
>> The sufferings that Jesus was undergoing was having a deep emotional impact on li’l Jack.

The drama progressed to the scene, where Jesus is stood before the people…
… and Pilate asks the crowd for their choice of persons: Barabbas or Jesus

So the one who was acting as Pilate,  stood before the audience, with Jesus and Barabbas on his two sides.
>> And with a loud voice, he asked:
” So whom do you want? Jesus or Barabbas?”

When li’l Jack heard this question, he felt a deep push within himself…
… he was getting very emotional… he was feeling a sense of urge to defend Jesus…

The Pilate on stage, went on shouting “Jesus or Barabbas….Jesus or Barabbas”…

Finally, being unable to control his emotions, Jack got up from his seat, and shouted aloud: ” I am for Jesus!”

His parents did not realise how to react to this emotional outburst of their li’l son…
… so too the others who were sitting around them.

But Jack went on shouting, with more boldness: “I am for Jesus… I am for Jesus!”

The play had to have an abrupt break…
… but in the meanwhile, many other people also joined the enthusiastic cry of li’l Jack and blended with his chorus: “I am for Jesus!”

Are you for Jesus?

Christian life is a warfare…
… with a constant question posing us…”Are you for Jesus?”

The Gospel of Day is an invitation by Jesus to follow Him – by the “narrow gate”
>> Jesus says, “Enter by the narrow gate… for the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Mt 7: 13-14)

The Sermon on the Mount continues with Jesus presenting the wonderful message of the Kingdom of God and its radical requirements.

One of the key aspects in the Sermon on the Mount is the demand made on the part of the disciple to “make a choice”
• One has to radically “make a choice” for the Kingdom of God.
• One has to stay committed to this “choice” that is taken and live it to the fullness.

The discipleship to which Jesus calls is radical…
… it requires an honest and wholehearted surrender of oneself to God’s Will
… it demands a complete and undivided focus on Him and His Mission

A Christian either walks on the road to life…
… or walks on the road to destruction!
>> There is no third alternative!

It is this “choice” that will determine whether our entry to eternity…
>> Eternal condemnation  – is through the “wide gate” or
>> Eternal life – is through the “narrow gate”.

Jesus says that it is easy to pass through the wide gate…
• All those who take life very casually and without any responsibility
• All those who are content to make life “merry” and just “live life to the max”
• All those who fail to respond to God’s Grace and deny having a life in Him
>> But this will lead to doom and condemnation!

To pass through the narrow gate is hard…
• All those who make a choice to live according to the teachings of the Lord
• All those who boldly seek to proclaim the Kingdom by their faithful and holy lives
• All those who constantly hold on to the Lord despite hardships and difficulties in life
>> But this will lead to joy and eternal life!

Christian life is indeed a warfare…
… and we are constantly posed this question: “Are you for Jesus?”

What is our answer?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

Jun 20 (Mt 7:1-5)

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>> Blessed Mother Mary.
>> Zechariah and Elizabeth.
>> Bartimaeus.
>> Martha.
>> Mary Magdalene.
>> Levi.
>> Peter.
>> Thomas.
>> Zacchaeus.
>> The man crippled for 38 years.
>> The Samaritan Woman.
>> The woman caught in adultery. 
>> The widow who offered the two mites.
>> The thief alongside Jesus on the cross…

Relax…
… This  is not a reference list of all the main persons of the New Testament for some research purpose or study.

But for a moment, let’s once again have a look at that long list of names…
>> Recall to our minds the lives of these persons….

All of them had to face some sort of trouble in their lives…
>> Some hitches and dilemmas, were a part of all their lives.

Now, if each of them, were to be placed on trial, as in a court…
… and judged according to our standards and our human yardsticks…
… perhaps, most of them would be been condemned and convicted.

>> Some of them would have been humiliated in public
>> Some abused with insults and foul language
>> Some perhaps would be stoned or even put to death!

This is Human Judgment.
>> But in the Light of God’s mercy and by God’s way of judging….we know the story of all their lives!

Human Beings are least equipped to judge, but their judgments are miserable & condemnable…. >> God is fully equipped to judge, but His judgment is praiseworthy & encouraging!

That’s the difference in Judgment between Human Beings and God!

In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus says, “Do not judge!” (Mt 7:1)

We need to clarify what does the word JUDGE mean…

>> The Jury makes judgements.
>> The schools make judgements on students.
>> The company people make judgements on candidates in an interview or in cases of promotion/demotion.

All these may not constitute the judgement that Jesus means.

Judging, in the sense that Jesus meant…
… is condemning!
>> It is to have a negative and pessimistic attitude to human beings and condemning and rejecting them outright and absolutely!!

We could consider “Judge not” from three aspects:
1. We are unworthy to pass a final judgment on any person or situation:
>> Let God be God and let us, as human beings know our status and our limitations.

2. We are not to judge the motives of other people:
>> Human beings see only the external…
… God sees the heart of the person!

3. We are not to be petty faultfinders:
We need to cease having a “microscopic vision”, in order to scan and scrutinize the faults and weaknesses of others.

We need to make an honest examination of our lives…
… Am I being culpable of the fault of rashly “judging” others…

>> Do I…
… blow small things out of proportion…?
… maximize the sins and faults of others and minimize mine?
… come to quick, hasty and negative conclusions?
… pass critical stories to other?
… have a strong bias to find others guilty?
… be too harsh even when speaking the truth?
… dilute an unkind remark by saying, “I was only joking.”
… say something critical and then trying to cover it up?

Even after this examination, if there is a tendency to judge…
… then there is one person we can be critical of… yes, Our Own Selves!

Yes, let us be correcting…
… our actions
… our thoughts
..  our behaviours
… and seek to purify our lives, rather than indulging in mud-slinging on others!

St Francis de Sales, the Gentleman Saint, speaks on rash judgments:
“Bees seeing mist or cloudy weather, go back to their hives to prepare honey.
So too… the thoughts of good persons, do not judge about confused objects or hazy actions of neighbours.

Rather to avoid falling into such occasions, they withdraw themselves into their hearts…
… to prepare there, good resolutions for their own improvement!

It is the occupation of an idle person, to be busy with scrutinizing the life of another!”

May we shun all rash judgments and leave all to the Mercy of God…
>> May we cultivate a spirit of humility and gentleness and imitate our Merciful Father! (Lk 6:36)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

Jun 19 (Lk 9:18-24)

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Schools seek to achieve a great deal of perfection and quality…
>> Excellence in Education…..
>> Superiority in Sports…
>> Class in Character…
>> Eminence in Everything!

In this process…the School also conducts various examinations & tests & exercises….
… to filter the quality, to achieve higher results & to bring out the best….
>> Some fail…
>> Some just manage to pass…
>> Some succeed with flying colours.

We have all gone through this schooling process in our childhood days.

But Life…especially Christian Life, makes us students of a ‘particular’ school…whose term lasts for life-long!!
>> This school… is the School of Suffering!

Wait a minute….

Do we already see some people telling in their minds and whispering a thought on their lips…
>> “Oh, come on.. not again a reflection on pain and suffering”..
>> “Give us something pleasant on a Sunday morning”…
>> “We know God likes to be with us in suffering, but we are tired of listening to the same old groans and tales of pain!”

It’s a tough school, right?
>> It’s an avoided school, right?
>> It’s a “wish-it-was-not-there” school, right?

But it’s a reality….
>> As Christians… we are all enrolled in this Grace-filled “School of Suffering”!

The Gospel of the Day is a gentle reminder by the Lord that as His Followers, we need to be willing to be trained in the “school of suffering” and be committed to Jesus, Who is our model on the Way of the Cross. 

The Gospel passage begins with Jesus enquiring what people felt about Him:
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Lk 9: 18)

The world declared its opinion..
>> Jesus was a great person like one of the prophets and was acclaimed as a Wonderful Man!

image

Then, Jesus sought an opinion to know how His disciples felt about Him:
“Who do you say that I am?” (Lk 9:20)

The Heavens declared its opinion…
Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God and was acclaimed as an Awesome God!

Many times, most of us are just satisfied and contented with these two understandings of Jesus….
>> Jesus as a Wonderful Person…..and Jesus as an Awesome God!

But the Gospel of the Day goes on to present the opinion and the understanding of Jesus Himself…
>> He declares Himself as the Lord and Saviour, who would suffer many things and be killed and raised on the third day!

>> Jesus is not just a wonderful person…an exemplary human…a compassionate individual…a good personality…
>> Jesus is not just a marvelous God…an astounding Lord… a Merciful Saviour…. a benevolent Master…

But He is also the Suffering Servant… …the Persecuted Preacher…the Crucified Consoler…the Rejected Redeemer!

Many times, we are unable to digest this “dimension” of the Life of Jesus…
… A suffering Jesus!
… A Crucified Jesus!

In the Gospel of St Matthew, we see Peter who was unable to accept this suffering dimension of Jesus…
.. and he would react: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you!” (Mt 16: 22)

The mentioning of Suffering, Cross and Death became a great scandal for Peter…
… He never expected nor wanted nor accepted that His Beloved Master would go through the School of Suffering!

But Jesus was clear and crisp in His convictions:
” You are not thinking as God does, but as humans do!” (Mt 16: 23b)

Jesus wanted Peter and the other disciples and each one of us to know and digest this seemingly “bitter” truth…
>> Lukewarmness and Slackness may help you slid through, to win you certificates in the School of Comforts..
.. but, Patient Endurance and Unreserved Commitment alone win will laurels in the School of Suffering!

>> Cheating and Short Cuts will ease you through to gain many trophies in the School of Comforts…
.. but, Authentic Dedication and Staunch Loyalty only will succeed in the School of Suffering!

>> Reputation and Popularity will win you many successes in the School of Comforts….
… but, Faithfulness to God will be ultimately tested only in the School of Suffering!

The true Follower of Christ…will have to deny oneself and take up the Cross. (Lk 9: 23)

Every School seeks to achieve a great deal of perfection and quality…

The School of Suffering too, which is the Christian Way of Life…
… also seeks to make us perfect and valuable…
>> Holy in Deeds….
>> Pleasing to God…
>> Eminent in Purity!
>> Sanctified in Words…
>> Worthy of Eternal Life…

>> The School of Suffering…is a tough school…but there is much joy and satisfaction!
>> The School of Suffering…is an avoided school…but there is immense value and treasure stored!
>> The School of Suffering…is a “wish-it-was-not-there” school… but there is plenty of grace and blessings within!

Let us win the Greatest Prizes of Holiness, Saintliness, Happiness and Eternal Life…
… by becoming the wonderful students of this School of Suffering!

Our Great Mentor and Master and Teacher and Tutor – Jesus – is in perfect charge of this School of Suffering..

Let’s not be afraid… let’s not be dismayed.!
>> Instead, let us be encouraged… let us be enthusiastic!

>> The rationalist says:
“Give me Christ without the cross.”

>> The ritualist says:
“Give me the cross without the Christ.”

>> But the Redeemed says:
“A Cross-less Christ, my Savior could not be;
A Christ-less Cross, no refuge is for me
But Oh, Christ crucified, I rest on Thee”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India