Great incidents and heroic stories can inspire and challenge us greatly.

The Bible is most certainly a power-filled storehouse of such great incidents and heroic stories…
… which inspire us to be more zealous in serving the Lord
… which challenge us to be more enthusiastic in our following of the Lord

One of the most powerful incidents, which has this dual dimension of “inspiring and challenging” is the one found in the First Book of the Kings, Chapter 18, verses 20-39.

This incident is known by many titles …
>>The Challenge of Elijah, the Prophet
>> Elijah v/s Baal
>> Elijah and the prophets of Baal
… and many more.

The incident is familiar to most of us…

After a drought of three years, the prophet Elijah presented himself to Ahab, the king of Israel, with the promise that the Lord would provide rain.

Elijah, then went on to challenged 450 prophets of the pagan god named Baal and 400 prophets of another pagan god, Asherah to a contest on Mount Carmel.

His words of challenge to them were powerful:
“How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21).

The game of challenge began:
>> Each side (The numerous prophets of Baal v/s Elijah, the solitary prophet) made sacrifices to their God without building a fire…
… and the lighting of the fire was to be performed by the strongest god (God!)!

Baal was silent.
>> The confident prophet Elijah began to even mock the prophets of Baal:
“Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27).

The time then can for Elijah to intercede for the revealing of the Glory of God…

He poured a large amount of water over his sacrifice and asked Jehovah to reveal Himself by consuming the sacrifice.
>> “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench” (1 Kings 18:38)

When the people saw the clear victory of Jehovah, they fell on their faces and said:
“The Lord, He is God!
The Lord, He is God!”

Elijah then commanded the people to seize the prophets of Baal and to not let one of them escape.
>> God then sent the rain he had promised and the drought ended (1 Kings 18:41-46).

One of the most powerful messages derived from this incident is that…
…” When we stand for God, God stands by us!”
… “When we seek to uphold the Lord, the Lord reveals His Glory through us!”

The Prophet Elijah, who stood for the Lord and was bold to proclaim His Power…
… became the mighty instrument through whom God would reveal His glory!

Elijah, the prophet , through whom God manifested His Glory…
… would foreshadow the Great Prophet, Jesus, Who would be the fullness of God’s Glory! (Col 1: 19)

>> Jesus is not just the Great Prophet, Who is the Voice and Word of God
>> Jesus is not just the Supreme Law-Giver, through Whom everything came into being
… Jesus would be the fulfilment and the completion of the Law and the Prophets (Mt 5: 17)!

This Jesus goes on to present a mighty challenge to His followers:
“Whoever relaxes one of the least of the commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven;
But he who does them, and teaches them shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:18-19)

This is a powerful invitation that the Lord presents before us:
>> “Are you willing to stand up for me?”
>> “Are you willing to uphold my virtues and the Kingdom values by your life?”

Just as Prophet Elijah, in his days, found challenged by paganism, our world today is faced with innumerable challenges…
>> A spirit of materialism, that seeks to devour all people into a life of comfort and cosiness…
… at the loss of dependence on God and faithfulness to Divine Providence

>> A spirit of relativism, that does away with even fundamental truths and basic institutions…
… by seeking to dilute the virtues for which the Church champions and makes void Christ’s teachings

>> A spirit of division, that slays communities and societies on peripheral grounds like colour, language, caste, region etc…
… and causes people to even divert from essential elements like faith, worship, communion etc

>> A spirit of indifference, that makes people to behave as strangers to one another…
…  and making one to be insensitive to the needy and hurting the Triune Image of God within oneself

As Christians, more than ever before, the challenge is before us…
>> To stand up for God…
… and know for sure, that He will stand by us!

>> To uphold the Lord…
… and experience truly the Glory of God revealed through us!

May the great incidents and the heroic stories of the Bible continue to always “inspire and challenge” us…
>> And may we be bold and daring… to rise up to the occasion…
.. and Stand up for God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

Let’s do a short-visualization based on today’s Gospel Reading….

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…
…  through today’s Gospel reading tells YOU…
.. Yes, YOU, His beloved creation, and the one whom He loves deeply….
… ” You are the salt of the earth!“

Now hearing this, you look up in surprise to God!

You look up to His face and tell Him bluntly:
” 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?!

I am just nothing, in this vast ocean of people!
Do you expect Me, a puny little thing, to really be the Salt to the Earth?
I am just a Nobody!”

But the Lord thunders back and says:
“Do not say, you are a nobody!

But 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!”

But I, with a long face, again highlighted my 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!”

But the Lord, was unwilling to budge and said:
“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.

Some of you might perhaps think that as in the modern days, salt may never lose its taste.
>> But the salt that I spoke of in the Gospel, 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, you, as the Salt of the Earth, need to be highly careful.

>> If you expose yourself, too much to the worldly and material affairs, you will lose your saltiness!
>> If you pollute yourself by the many vain pleasures in the world, you will end up being ineffective!
And then you will be useless…only to be trampled upon!

Your life is like… as my servant St Paul had once written in his Second Letter to the Corinthians… ‘Treasure in Clay’!

When preserved and careful utilized, you will remain precious
>> If not handled carefully, you will end up spoiling a wonderful fortune!

You are to be the Salt of the Earth…
… in whichever state of life you are
… to whichever vocation you are called to
… in whichever works or activities you engage in

You 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)

Remember…
You 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.
>> Yes, You are Precious!

Never let yourself, be diluted with the waters of worldly pleasures and thus become insipid!

Do not be contaminated by the World… rather, preserve your saltiness, by being in Communion with Me!

So, my Child…
… Are You ready to be the Salt of the Earth…?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

An owner’s manual is an instructional booklet that is supplied with almost all technologically advanced products such as vehicles, home appliances, computer peripherals etc.
>> It is also called as an instruction manual or a user guide

Information contained in the owner’s manual typically includes:
1. Usage instructions,
2. Safety instructions
3. Assembly and Installation instructions
4.  Maintenance instructions.
5. Troubleshooting instructions
6. Service locations
7. Product technical specifications.
8. Warranty information

These 8 instructions helps the user to make the best use of the product and get the maximum out of it.

Instructional Manuals become guidelines for better usage, greater effectiveness and higher appreciation.

Our Christian spiritual life also needs an Instructional Manual…
… for better fruitfulness
… for greater effectiveness
… for the higher glory of God

The B.I.B.L.E. is sometimes expanded as being “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”!

The Gospel of the Day – The Eight Beatitudes: one of the most beautiful passages of the B.I.B.L.E. – presents to us a ready reference Instruction Manual with 8 instructions, on how to live as a True Follower of Christ.

The passage begins with the sentence, “Jesus went up to the mountain and SAT DOWN…and HE BEGAN TO TEACH them” (Mt 5:1)

In the Jewish Tradition, the Rabbi (teacher) would sit and teach.
>> The Hebrew word ‘Rabbi’ is derived from “rav”, which means ‘Great One’.

When St Matthew specifically mentions that “Jesus sat down and taught”, Jesus is presented as the Rabbi: The Great One – The Teacher –  who speaks with great authority.

Jesus is the New Moses, who presents the “New Law- the law of Absolute Love!“

What is this teaching of such great authority?
>> It’s a teaching which calls for a reversal of the worldly values!
>> It’s a teaching that turns the worldly standards of greatness upside down!

The world holds in high esteem the aspects of power, prestige, richness and prosperity.
>> The yardstick of greatness of people is very often measured in terms of these external achievements.

But Jesus, the teacher-par-excellence, reverses this false notion of the world…
… And pronounces BLESSEDNESS to the poor, the mourning, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers and the persecuted ones!

High jumpers while competing with each other, keep raising the bar higher and higher, to achieve victory.
>> Similarly, the Beatitudes that are pronounced by Jesus raises the bar – the standards of Christian life are raised to a great proportion.

All the beatitudes, focus on one aspect: The need to lower oneself and instead to understand that “God alone suffices”!

Very often many questions pop up in our minds…
…. ” Why is my life full of suffering, though I seek to live a genuine life?”,
… ” Why do the unjust prosper, and the people who pursue for justice fail to receive rewards?“
… “Why does success elude me whereas those who adopt wrong means bask in achievements?”

It’s hard to give a downright answer to such questions…
… but the Beatitudes gives us a glimpse into the mind of Jesus: That in all such occasions, our attitude ought to be, ” God alone suffices!”.

“God alone suffices” ought to be our mantra…
… when we find ourselves at the receiving end, even though after having worked hard, we don’t find the expected success
… when we are still subject to persecutions and hardships even though we live in honesty and truthfulness

Of course, this teaching is hard to follow..may even seem impractical…!
>> Yet, we are not alone..
.. Jesus the teacher, Himself is our Model and Example.. He walked the talk!

Hanging on the Cross, Jesus became the epitome of the Beatitudes that He Proclaimed…
… He was the One Who was Poor, Mourning, Meek, Hungry and Thirsty, Merciful, Clean of Heart, Peacemaker and the Persecuted One!

Today let us look to Jesus, the Teacher and the One who lived out the Beatitudes, and make our Christian life more meaningful!

In the words of Fulton Sheen, ” It’s hard to be a Christian… but it’s harder not to be one!”

May the Divine Instructional Manual given by Jesus on the Mount became the pattern for us to lead a Committed Christian Life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

“Alice in Wonderland” is a popular 1865 novel.

It tells of a girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar creatures  which are also anthropomorphic (having human characteristics).

One of the conversations, in this book, between Alice and a cat goes thus…

Alice: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here”?
Cat: “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to”

Alice: “I don’t much care where”….”So long as I get somewhere.”
Cat: “Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go!”

Many times, like Alice we are such…
… we don’t really know where are going
… we are not aware of the destination towards which are we moving
>> As a result, we fail to realise the importance of the “Journey” that we make.

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to examine our “life as a journey”…
… and to come to a greater awareness, of how the Lord, Who is “The Way”, needs to become “our Road, our Direction as well as our Destination!” 

Life is a constant journey.

Our lives are filled with all sorts of journeys…
>> Short and long journeys…
>> Journeys in our minds and hearts…
>> Journeys towards God and away from God..

… Journeys that are as trivial as a trip to a shop..
… or as life-changing, as a trip to the hospital to witness the miracle of birth!

Our lives are made up of many such journeys: journeys that shape and mould us into who we are today.

Our earthly life, too, is a journey that begins at birth and ends with death.
>> With each passing day, one moves a step closer to the eventual-reality of one’s earthly life: death!

The Gospel of the Day – the incident of the raising of the dead son of the widow in the city of Nain – presents several journeys in an atmosphere of death and life:

1. The Journey of Jesus
Jesus the Preacher and Healer was on mission journey.
> His words influenced and inspired many people – the sinful, the broken and the hopeless!
> His deeds healed and touched many people – the sick, the ailing and the bedridden.

>>> Do I make a journey similar to the Lord in being a messenger of mercy and hope to the suffering world?
>>> Do I make a journey in the ministry of the Lord by reaching out the Gospel of Joy to a depressed humanity?

2. The Journey of the people accompanying Jesus
There were many followers and people (Lk 7:11) who were attracted to the magnetic personality of the Lord and who after seeing the amazing miracle of the dead man raised, begin to glorify God with loud acclaims.
> Many people were touched by the charm and miracles of the Lord.
> Many people were overwhelmed by the grand deeds and mighty works of the Lord.

They make a journey, with Jesus – From a “Curious Following” to realizing the “Divine Presence” in their midst!

>> Do I make a journey to move from a ‘peripheral following’ of Jesus to a ‘deeper seeking of His Presence’?
>> Do I make a journey from mere ‘external praises’ to a ‘heart-involved acclamation’ of the Lord?

3. The Journey of the crowd accompanying the dead man’s bier
It was a time of sadness and grief for the people who accompanied the dead man’s bier. (Lk 7: 11b)

Some of them would have been his relatives, some his friends, some his neighbours and some just unknown people.
>> But the reality of death, especially of a young man, hit all of them hard.

Death had cast its pale gloom on the minds of them all!
> They however, make a journey with Jesus – from a ‘sad mourning’ over a death to ‘joyful applauses’ over a life!

>> Am I able to make a journey from dead and lifeless situations to lively and enthusiastic moments with the Lord?
>> Am I able to make a journey from gloom and sadness to splendid joy and happiness in the Lord?

4. The Journey of the Widow
The grieving mother is a widow (Lk 7: 12a) and since it is her only son who has died, she finds herself in dire straits:
> She has no male to protect or provide for her.
>> To add injury to sorrow, she is faced with the reality that her family line has ended with the death of her son.

She too makes a journey with Jesus: From absolute hopelessness and despondency to a fresh lease of hope and life!

>> Do I journey with Jesus to have my situations of total despair be changed to thrilling moments?
>> Do I journey with Jesus to allow my life-threatening instants to be converted to blessed occasions?

5. The Journey of the Dead Man
Death is no respecter of persons – their status or age.

The dead man had to undergo this tragic reality at a younger stage of his life.
> He would have been the only strong support of his family, after the death of his father. And now, the bread winner was reduced to absolute starvation!

He too, however makes a journey with Jesus: From the dungeons of death to the glorious castles of life!

>> Can I make a journey from a “quit-easily” style of life to a “committed” style of life?
>> Can I make a journey from “luck-dependant” lifestyle to a “God’s Providence-aware” lifestyle?

Life itself is a journey where each day is a step closer to the eventual-reality of one’s earthly life: death!
>> Let us beautify this journey by constantly travelling with Jesus and undergoing many transformations!

In this life, we have the Church which supports and replenishes us with her life-enriching and life-giving Sacraments – especially the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
>> Let us adorn this journey with the jewels of the Holy Sacraments that our Church provides us with!

May we not remain ignorant regarding the purpose or destination of our life journey…
… Let us come to a greater realisation that “The Lord is our Road, Our Direction and Our Destination”!

May we make the journey from a “dead lifeless existence” to a “dynamically passionate living”!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

A little boy was on stage, reciting a poem, as part of the Sunday School (catechism) competition.

However, mid-way, he forgot the lines of the poem.

His mother was, seated in the front row, to prompt him.
>> She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help.

Her son’s memory was blank.
>> Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, “I am the light of the world.”

The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud clear voice said: “My mother is the light of the world!”

For the child, the mother was the shining light!
>> Godly mothers are indeed, the reflection of God, to their children

Mothers (of course, Fathers are not excluded!) are indeed very special!

Today we celebrate the Heart of a Blessed Mother… the Immaculate Heart of Mary
… the Mother of the Most Perfect Child in the world
… the Mother, Who herself was Immaculate and Stainless!

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, follows immediately after the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Love seeks unity…
… and Jesus and Mary – Son and Mother – were deeply united in love!

>> The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary…
… in their lives, they were One
… in their sorrow, they were One
… and in their love, they were One!

In celebrating the Immaculate (a word which means “unstained) Heart of Mother Mary, we focus our meditation on Her Single-heartedness.

In Mt 6:24, we read, “No one can serve two masters!”.

Sin divides our heart…we no longer remain immaculate….
>> But Mamma Mary, remained focused all through Her life, in doing God’s Will…and remained Immaculate!

The Fiat that she pronounced was lived all through Her life…from the womb to the tomb.

In today’s Gospel reading (Lk 2: 41-51), we read that, “Mary kept all these things in her heart…” ( Lk 2: 51)

When we ponder over the life of our Blessed Mother, we realize, that there were many events and occasions, which our Blessed Mother was probably unable to grasp and understand…
>> The Angel’s dramatic visit
>> The invitation to be the Mother of God
>> The coming of the Three Kings
>> The travel to Egypt on the cold night of the delivery
>> The visit of the Shepherds
>> The prophecy of Simeon
>> The loss of Her Beloved Child at the age of twelve in the Temple
>> The public ministry of Jesus
>> The horrific crucifixion and death of Her tender Child!

Most of these events were probably minimally understood by our Blessed Mother…
… And yet, at every moment, a word pressed upon her precious lips… always:
“Fiat Lord! – Let Thy Will be done, Lord!”

As the Letter to the Hebrews says, “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11: 1)
>> Mother Mary, by Her immense trust and acceptance to God’s Will…
… even when things were not understood fully…
… even when events would generate confusion, doubts and uncertainty…
.. Is the Mother of Faith!

We go through the chores and grinds of daily life…
… and innumerable events and occasions stare at our face.
>> Some are joyful…
… but many are also painful and soul-crushing.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary today invites us to have our minds and hearts, focused on God… “The One who has called you, is faithful”! (1 Thess 5:24)

Like our Immaculate Mother, let us also seek to proclaim:
“Fiat Lord- Let Thy will be done, Lord”…
…. in all moments and situations of our lives!

The last recorded words of Mamma Mary in the Bible are..”Do whatever He tells You!” (Jn 2: 5)
>> Our loving Mother, she teaches us the Gospel of God in these 5 words…

Let us give heed to Her… just as she pondered His Word and lived a Perfect Christian Life
>> Let us also strive to be Immaculate and Holy.

She is the Immaculate Light Who will lead us to greater illumination of Jesus, the Great Light!
>> Let’s  obey Her words, “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU!”

A  Blessed Feast of the Beautifully Immaculate Heart of our Precious Mamma, united to the Sacred Heart of Her Divine Child….
… and to all of us, Her Little Children and Followers of Her Son!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

A young couple were travelling on the bike…a jolly ride.

Fast they went…thru the narrow streets, wide highways, lush-green meadows and fruit-laden fields.

As they moved across a rather long highway, at a high speed…
… the rider – the young husband – realized that the brakes of the bike had failed.

But he didn’t allow his knife to know the impending danger.

Instead as they were conversing,  he asked her, “Do you really love and trust me?”
The wife answered, “Of course I do! And am so happy to love and be loved by you!”

Then the husband said, as he was riding, “Then take off my helmet and put it on for yourself! Let’s see whether you trust in my riding skills!”

The girl- innocent and unsuspecting –  felt it as a challenge, and went on the take the helmet and put it for herself.

In a few moments, the bike, whose brakes had failed, would soon crash onto a tree…!

The young husband suffered from serious head injuries…
… but the girl, with the helmet on her head, remained safe…
All because, the boy, in his deep love for her, had sacrificed his life, for the safety of his love!

True love, by its nature, moves out of oneself…
… and gives in total self-giving to the other… to the one who is loved!

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – in Which is displayed the greatest expression of Love…
… a God who madly loves humanity and gave Himself up, in entirety for us, Whom He loves!

Love is one of the most used words in any language.
>> There is much literature available in any language on Love – poetry, novels, short stories, dramas, epics….

But Love, is also one the most  misinterpreted, misunderstood & abused word.
>> The word ‘Love, in our modern world, is highly commercialized & sensationalized …and very often, ends up losing its real meaning..

It’s in this context, that today we celebrate the Feast of Love…symbolized in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, shows to us…what is True Love…

Love is not just a passing and fleeting dimension of feelings or words or emotion or sentiments…
>> Love, affects our core…

Love, as expressed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is Merciful, Sacrificial &All-embracing.

1. A Merciful Heart:
>> The Lord condemns sins, but loves the Sinner! There is hope for the worst sinner and encouragement for the fallen saint! Love is merciful…

2. A Sacrificial Heart:
>> Love gives and gives…without any measure.

The Heart of the Divine Lord, was pierced in Pure Love of us.
Though He knew we are sinners and we are betrayers…
… yet, the Love of the Lord knows no bounds.

He sacrifices Himself, for us.
> He died, that I may Live.
>> He wounded Himself, that I may be healed!
Love is sacrificial…

3. An All-embracing Heart:
The world indulges in categorization of peoples based on class, status, caste, language etc…

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, destroys all pitiable discriminations and inhuman inequity, by expressing love to all…
There is Light and Love and Joy and Peace to ALL peoples!

Love is all-embracing…

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a reminder and a challenge to each one of us
… to possess THIS HEART… HIS HEART…THE SACRED HEART! 

Is my Heart…
… Merciful?
… Sacrificial?
… All-embracing?

We live in times when heart diseases and ailments are on the rise…
>> Physically: Heart Attacks, Hole in the heart, Congestive Heart failures, Narrowing of the arteries…

>> Emotionally: A Broken Heart,  A Fearful Heart, An Anxious Heart, A Discouraged Heart, A Lonely Heart, A Rejected Heart…

>> Spiritually: An Angry Heart, A Sinful Heart, An Unrepentant Heart, A Lukewarm Heart, A Lustful Heart, An Unfaithful Heart…

We all, possess one or more aspects of these hearts….
Perhaps, , we need a Spiritual Heart Surgery…
… a change of heart…to be more like the Heart of Jesus!

In Ezekiel 36:26, the Lord says, “I will give you a New Heart….”

Jesus, the Lover of our hearts, today, invites us, to look into His Sacred Heart…and find rest and consolation: “Come to me, all you who labour, and I will give you rest!”

Let us seek to unite our hearts…in whichever state it be…
… to the Sacred Heart of our Lord!

The Sacred Heart is burning with love for each of us!
The Love of Jesus ever gives, forgives, outlives;
And ever stands with open hands;
And while it lives, it gives,
For this His love’s prerogative
To give, and give, and give!

>> Let us cast ourselves, into this Burning Furnace of Love, and be filled with a Deeper Passion and Zeal for the Lord!

LOVE is a powerful word… but it is our duty to preserve its purity!

Let us be united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord…
… renew our consecration this day to Him…
… and pray and persevere, to Live Love, in its purity, in its faithfulness and in its truth!

LET’S LIVE LOVE, TO GIVE LOVE ——— LET’S LIVE JESUS, TO GIVE JESUS!

Happy Feast to Jesus, our Beloved…and Happy Feast to all of us, His Lovers!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

“Papa, do you love Jesus?” asked a little child to her father.

The father was an extremely irreligious man – even hating and condemning all religious practises.

So, with a sense of irritation, the father replied, “Jesus is dead, my dear, long, long ago. He was crucified, and that was the end of Him.”

“But Jesus rose again, and did what no other man could do”, continued the innocent child, “and if Jesus was not living now, we could not be living either, as He gives us life and everything else, Papa.”

But the father questioned back, “But how can I love whom I have never seen, my child? Tell me that, my dear!”

The child, at first didn’t know what to reply.
>> The father was extremely happy that his question had puzzled the daughter and hoped that now she would stop the topic.

But the little girl put forth another question, “Papa, how old was I when Mamma died?”

“Hmm…six months, my child”, replied the father.

“Then I can say”, said the child, “that I never saw her, for I don’t remember her at all.
But you have always tried to make me love Mummy, by telling me how good and kind she was; and I do love her!”,

And then with a deeper sense of affection, she continued, “Even though I don’t remember having seen her, I still do love her, Papa!”

By this time the tears were running down the father’s cheeks.

He kissed his beloved child and said, “God has spoken to me by you, my dear! I realise I do need to love God, even though I have not seen Him!
And now you must pray for me, and ask God to give me a new heart, with which I shall love Jesus.”

(Undoubtedly, the prayer of the innocent child was soon answered!)

What about me….
Do I love God?
>> Do I really love God?

Even though sometimes I am am not able to experience His presence…
Even though at times, I go through the hardships and grinds of life…
>> DO I LOVE GOD?

The Gospel of the Day is a mighty invitation and reminder by the Lord, to Love God with our “ALL”…
… All our heart
… All our soul
… All our mind
… All our strength

The passage begins with a member of the scribe, approaching Jesus with a question:
“Which is the greatest of all commandments?”(Mk 12: 28)

This man, who questioned Jesus was no ordinary man or any ignorant person.

He was a scribe
>> Some translations would put it as “a Lawyer”
>> The Gospel of St Matthew describes him as a “Scholar of the Law” (Mt 22: 35)

He was an expert in the Mosaic Law.
…someone who studied the law, interpreted the law and taught the law!

Just prior to the questioning by this scribe, Jesus had silenced six groups of people…
1. The Chief Priests 2. The Scribes    3. The Elders
“As Jesus was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders approached Him, and said….” (Mk 11:27)

4. The Pharisees       5. The Herodians
“They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech” (Mk 12:13)

6. The Sadducees
“Some Sadducees who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus….” (Mk 12: 18)

Most of them had approached and questioned Jesus…
… not to know or learn more about the Law, but to question Him and trap Him!
… not with genuineness in their heart, but with malice and viciousness!

However, Jesus, aware of all this background…
>>> the wicked conspiracy that was brewing against Him
>>> the plot of testing that was hanging in the air

… responds with something immensely marvellous and spectacular:
“The Lord our God, is Lord alone. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength”(Mk 12:29- 30) and
“Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)   

Here was a classic answer…

>> The background in which the question was put forth quite “hateful” and “repulsive”
… but Jesus dares to answer with the sublime answer of “Love”!

>> The Lord was being targeted badly with stones of “hatred, jealousy, aversion and hostility”
… but He gently, but firmly showers back the flowers of “Love, Tenderness and Commitment”!

Love, as Jesus defines, is not simply about feelings and emotions, as is the popular and the ‘commercial’ understanding.

Undoubtedly, Love  has the dimensions of being a tender feeling and an expressive emotion.

But beyond that, Love is…
>> A Commitment
>> A Dedication
>> A Decision
….  that one makes to be faithful – to a person or a duty or a situation!

“Agape” is the Love to which we are called…
… a self-giving love
… a self-sacrificing love
… an other-centered love

>> Life sometimes can be quite harsh to us – making us feel totally lost out, abandoned even by God and even causing us to question the presence and existence of a Just and Loving God…
… But, can we still dare to “love God”?

>>  Life sometimes hits very hard at us – in the form of others not accepting us, others ridiculing, criticizing us and we finding ourselves as the subject of hatred and injustice.
… But, can we still dare to “love our neighbours”?

>> Life sometimes is very unfair to us, we feel – by not rewarding us with rewards, that we consider, we deserve, in answer to the hard-work we put in.. or by not allowing us to enjoy the joys of life and instead bombards us with tensions and worries
… Can we still go out of the way and live a life “In Love and For Love”?

When one’s life is truly centred on love for God, one also begins to express this love to one’s neighbours , in concrete and certain acts of love
>> When one’s life is drawn into real service for humankind, one slowly but surely has to realise that the source of these charitable deeds is God and thereby one is to draw closer to the Lord.

May our life be a constant check to see if we are living under the banner of these two fundamental commands of Christian life – Love of God and Love of neighbour!

And thus, in the depths of our hearts…
>> even with all the troubles, problems and uncertainties clouding our lives
>> even if we are unable to see the power of God leading us
…  we can still whisper and even shout: “I REALLY LOVE YOU, MY GOD!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

An old man and his wife, who had spent their life, in the villages, were taken to the railway station by their son, who had a job in the city.

It was for the first time in their life that this old couple was seeing a train!

The husband was highly d at the sight of that large locomotive.
>> He looked the engine over very carefully, and shook his head.

“Well, what do you think of it, father?” asked the son with eagerness

“She’ll never start,” was the firm answer by the disbelieving father: “she’ll never start.”

However, in a few minutes, the conductor waved, the bell rang, the locomotive puffed, the train moved slowly at first, then faster.

It was disappearing in the distance when the son inquired slyly: “”Well…what do you think of it now?”

The old man shook his head more violently than before and blurted out with greater assertion:
“She’ll never stop,” he affirmed; “she’ll never stop!!”

How often is this true of many people…
… Pre-Conceptions often close the mind; and one is unwilling to open anything new
… Prejudices often  shut one’s understanding; and one becomes adamant in refusing to learn!

Truth is received and understood only by the one who is open and willing to accept it!
>> Truth can never be forced upon..
>> Truth can never be thrust on anyone…
Rather, Truth with the freedom it allows, is taken in only by the one docile to it!

The Gospel of the Day presents another group of  opponents -characterised by rigidity to accept the truth and blocked in mentality to be docile –  who try to put down and prod our Blessed Lord in His teachings.

Yet, Jesus, who is source and perfection of all wisdom, fails to get bogged down – instead traps them in their own arguments and leaves them faced with a mighty challenge to change!

The Sadducees came to Jesus to put forward a hypothetical riddle regarding the question of the Resurrection.

The Sadducees were the top people in the nation, the elite group of aristocrats who owned a lot of land, wealth and rank.

They were the power brokers in Israel’s supreme court, the Sanhedrin.
Even the high priests came from the families of the Sadducees.

They were selective in what they accepted from the Scriptures.
>> They rejected all the historical books.
>> They also rejected all the psalms and the other ‘writings’ like Job and Ecclesiastes.
>> Not one of the books of the prophets would they accept.
They were left with just the first five books of Moses.

Moses was their person of authority.
That is why when they come to Jesus, they characteristically begin, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us…” ( Mk 12:19)

They also rejected the resurrection of the dead.
>>  “Men stay dead,” they said; human beings only have this life here and now.
That is what they believed; no judgment; with death, the soul perishes with the body.

We live in a world where we also encounter many of the “modern” Sadducees.
>> People who live as though there is no Resurrection..
>> People who deny giving any significance for life after this life
>> People who fail to uphold any teachings or thoughts that support a life after death

For such “modern” Sadducees,
… Life consists in basically enjoying the pleasures of this present life to the maximum!
… Life is not to be drowned in “boring” piety and “dull” devotions with a hope for the future!

Perhaps, some of us, may also share such thought-patterns  of the Sadducees.

Yet, the Lord addresses us, just as He did to the Sadducees, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mk 12: 24)

>> The Scriptures clearly testify to the various references that are made to the fact of the “dead” not really being dead… rather, alive in the Lord
>> The power of God clearly testifies that God as the one who created creation out of nothing, also has the power to grant new life to those who are dead

The Gospel passage ends with the statement by Jesus, “You are greatly misled” (Mk 12: 27b).
>> Another translation would read, “You are quite wrong”

The Lord was not afraid to clearly and bluntly tell the Sadducees that they were wrong and misled in their understandings.

And perhaps, if we are in the category of being a “modern” Sadducee, the Lord uncompromisingly tells us also, “You are greatly misled”

We need to be open to the voice of the Lord, calling us to trust deeper, in the presence of a life after this life.
>> Let not our prejudices shut our understanding; and we becomes adamant in refusing to learn!

Truth is received and understood only by the one who is open and willing to accept it!

May we grow to be more docile to the voice of the Lord, so that we may mould our present lives in perfect tune to God’s Will, and thus be able to enjoy a life of Resurrection – true happiness in eternity!

Let us seek the intercession of the Saint of the Day, St Justin – the Martyr and give heed to his words: ” Sound doctrine does not enter into a hard and disobedient heart”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

One of the greatest violinists of all time was Niccolo Paganini.

He had his first performance at the age of 11.
>> It is said that his great technical ability revolutionised violin techniques across Europe.

When he died in 1840, he had willed his violin to Genoa, Italy – the place of his birth.

But he had it done on a condition: that no artist ever plays his instrument again.

Glad to have the violin come into their possession, the people in the city of Genoa agreed to the request, and they put it in a beautiful case for everyone to see.

But, unfortunately, wooden violins  have a certain peculiarity:
>> As long as they are handled, they show no wear…
…  But if it remains unused, it begins to decay!

This is what happened to Paganini’s violin.
>>  His once-exquisite instrument became worm-eaten and useless.

Wooden violins of other artists have been handed down from one gifted musician to another…
…. and they continue to bring great music to audiences.
>> But Paganini’s violin is a crumbling relic of what it once was!

Such will also be the case with a Christian…
… If one does not spend one’s life in service!

A Christian’s “unwillingness to serve” may soon destroy one’s capacity for usefulness!

Today, is the  Feast of the Visitation…
…  A beautiful incident of how Blessed Mother Mary became a person, who rendered Her life “in service” to God and others – and thus gave full bloom to the graces of God within Her!

This Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother has its origin in the medieval times.
>>It was observed by the Franciscan Order before 1263, and soon its practise spread throughout the entire Church.
>> Previously it was celebrated on July 2….
… now it is celebrated on 31st May – between the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord ( Mar 25) and the Birth of St. John the Baptist (Jun 24) , in conformity with the Gospel accounts.

One of the interesting term used by St Luke in his description of this incident (Lk 1: 39-56) is the word “HASTE”.
St Luke says: “In those days, Mary arose and went with HASTE…..” (Lk 1: 39)

The Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary and announced the Good News that She was to be the Mother of the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1: 31)
>> Mary was “overshadowed by the Power of the Most High” (Lk 1: 35)
>> The Angel had also pointed to the mighty work that was done in the life of her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1: 36)

The Annunciation became the turning point in the life of Mary!

She was no longer the same…
… The simple girl had been exalted and chosen to be the Mother of the Most High God!
… She would no longer be seeking to do her desires; She would seek to God’s Will at all times!
… Her life would no longer be carried by her plans; Her life would be impelled by what God wanted!

The Child in Her, would now make Her to be “always in haste”!
… In haste: to serve others
… In haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God
… In haste: to have Jesus as the centre of Her life

The Holy Spirit completely possessed the Virgin Daughter of Nazareth and impelled her to act.

The beautiful incident of the Visitation of Mother Mary teaches us this beautiful lesson:
When Christ grows inside of us, we will be in HASTE….
… to reach out to others in service
… to spare no efforts to get out of our own comfort zones of pleasure, relaxing and lethargy
… to forget one’s own needs and be totally other-centred and radiate joy and hope to others

Mother Mary becomes the “Woman on the move” –  on a continual and constant journey:
… She would embark on an hard trip to Bethlehem, while pregnant (Lk 2:4)
… She would again move – after the birth of the Child – along with Joseph, and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:14)
… She would return back to Nazareth, under the instruction of the Angel of God (Mt 2:23)
… She would further travel to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and there would go in search of Her Beloved Child, when He was lost (Lk 2: 45)
.. She would be travelling with Jesus in His ministry – may not be physically, but Her Heart and Soul completely accompanying Her Son
… She would, finally, even accompany physically, with Her Innocent Child on the Way of the Cross (Jn 19: 25)

Mother Mary lived the words of the poem which centuries later would be formulated by another great Saint – St Francis of Assisi:
“It is in giving that we receive…
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life…”

The Feast of the Visitation is a reminder for us examine some of the important aspects of our life…
… Am I a person allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and take complete possession of me – my words, my thoughts, my actions?

… Am I a person, having Jesus in me, impelled to reach out to the other in service? As St Paul says: “The love of Christ impels me” (2 Cor 5:14)

… Am I a person, who is daring to be a “person on the move” – moving out of my safe comfortable zones, moving out of conditioned and prejudiced mindsets, moving out to make my life of praise and honour to God?

St Ambrose says: “Delayed efforts are foreign to the grace of the Holy Spirit”

Charity is never idle!
>> Charity is always on the move …
… Sensitive to the needy
… Seeking to do good

May the graces of God in us, not  get stagnant, or decayed or rusted …
… instead may they be extended in loving service to God and His people…

And thus our life be a beautiful Magnificat: “My Soul magnifies the Lord my God, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!”

Happy Feast of our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother Who moves us, constantly…towards Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

We have come to the end of our Preparation of the Feast, and today we have celebrated this Great and Wonderful Feast – the Lord has blessed us with His wonderful gift – His Body and His Blood!

Feast Days often, get celebrated with much show and pomp…or sometimes, its significance can get lost in external celebrations and festivities…But, let this not happen to this Sacred Feast Day….

The Feast that we have celebrated 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 we have celebrated help us to make some practical resolutions and simple ways, so that we can love the Lord, 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.”

To reflect
 Can I make extra efforts to prepare for the Holy Mass and also be aware of the Presence of the Lord, after Holy Mass?

 Is it possible for me to spend daily some time, with the Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament? For those of us, where physically, it is not possible to be with the Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament, can I spare sometime to be with the Lord, in prayer and devotion, in which ever place possible…?
 Can I show an extra devotion to the Lord, especially when we pass before some Chapels or Churches, and become a living witness to God’s infinite love in the Eucharist?
 Can I see the Broken Body and the Blood of the Lord, in the broken lives of the people in my life – my family, my work place, my community, my church, my society, my nation, my world?
 Can I spread the Devotion of the Blessed Eucharist to other peoples…especially to lukewarm and tepid Catholics, that all may know and realize, the Presence of the mighty Treasure of Grace, Power and Love, in this Beloved Sacrament?

Prayer
Most Holy Jesus, who bless our lives this precious and most-valued gift of the Eucharist, bid us we pray, that we grow in our devotion and love to You! As St Francis de Sales says, “We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day”, help us to raise our hearts to you, that we may continually be blessed with Your presence.

Make me Your bread to nourish the hungry, make me your wine to quench your thirst and make me Your comfort to all those who cry. Blessed Mamma, the Mother of the Holy Eucharist, help us to radiate, the Love of Christ to all People…Amen!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India