There is a joke among those who preach or give sermons:

There are two Gospels:
> The first being the “Gospel of the familiar”
> The second being the “Gospel of the unfamiliar”:

The  “Gospel of the Familiar” are those texts which are
…  fairly easy to preach
… fairly easy to communicate
>> They are simple to understand and easy-to-digest passages.

The  “Gospel of the Unfamiliar” are those texts which are
…  fairly difficult to discern
… fairly tricky to explicate
>> They are complicated to explain and “better to be avoided”!

The Gospel of the Day probably is of the second type: The “Gospel of the Unfamiliar”

We have the Genealogy of Jesus Christ (Mt 1: 1-17) for our reflection.

The Genealogy of Christ is perhaps one of the “most avoided” texts in the Gospel.
>> The Genealogy with its too complex length and its tongue-twisting names is most of the time, “avoided” and “skipped”.

But those sixteen verses of the Genealogy in the Gospel of St Mathew contains a treasure and mystery of the legacy of our faith!

The Genealogy is like Archaeology.
>>> We look for ancient treasures and we find dust…
>>> We look for buried cities and we find crumbled walls…
>>> We look for timeless art and instead find broken pottery…!

>> We look for holy people but we find cracked sinners
>> We look for valiant persons but we find ordinary folk
>> We look for the precious plan of God and instead find often the non co-operation of people…!

And our lives are similar too…
> We look for peaceful lives but we encounter constant troubles…
> We seek for happiness and success but we meet failures
> We expect the miraculous interventions of God but often find life hitting hard at us!

But in the history of salvation…
… and in our own history….
The Lord of History guides with His Mighty Hand!

In all the ordinariness that is seen…
… the Mighty God steers and pilots our lives through the thickets & valleys & plains & deserts!

One of the finest things that we learn from the  Genealogy is the message of Hope!

St Matthew’s version of the Genealogy contains a number of “controversial”, “disputable”, “doubtful”, “notorious” and “tarnished” personalities…

>> There is a person who had to face a lot of doubts and struggled with the promises of God…
…  Abraham

>> There is a person who was known to be a cheater…
… Jacob

>> There is a person who disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced her father-in-law…
… Tamar

>> There was Gentile prostitute, who had given refuge to the fleeing Jews…
… Rahab

>> There is a Gentile woman whose tribe had its origin in incest…
… Ruth

>> There is a woman who was abused by the Great King of Israel…
… The wife of Uriah

>> There is a king who was stuck with leprosy for disobeying God…
… Uzziah

>> There is a king who was cursed that none of his descendants would ever sit on the throne…
… Jeconiah

Well.. the list is large…

But this long list of “controversial” people, ought not to discourage us…

As Cardinal Van Thuan says in his book, ‘The Testimony of Hope’ :
“The river of history, full of sinners and criminals, becomes a source of pure water, as we approach the fullness of time.
With Mary, the Mother and Jesus, the Messiah, all generations will be renewed again”

The more one gets closer to Mother Mary and Jesus, the greater will be our purity and holiness!

The Genealogy of Jesus, thus, gives us the great message of hope

>> We may have a past that is hurting us – either due to our biological family  or due to our own experiences of life…
… a past that is painful or abused
… a past that is sinful and we wish to forget
… a past that has experienced humiliations and rejection

But if we go closer to Jesus, with our Blessed Mamma beside us…
… we are sure to be healed
… we are sure to be blessed in grace
… we are sure to be given hope for life

>> Yet, the Genealogy teaches us the big lesson that all our past can be cleansed and healed, by the mighty presence of Jesus.

Jesus, in Mt 12:50 says:
“Whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven, is my brother and sister and mother”

This then is the simple, yet challenging criteria to be part of the Family of Jesus: Doing the Will of the Father.

The Gospel of the Day may surely seem to be “a Gospel of the Unfamiliar”.

>> But let us take time, hereafter…
…  to read the Genealogy more
… to understand the Providential ways of God
… to realise that God has a way to bring out the best, even from the darkest spots

And above all, let us seek to be a part of the Family of Christ, by doing the Will of the Father – at all times, in all situations!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Two twins who looked very similar in appearance, lived in a village…
They grew up & took one’s choice of profession:
> One a preacher of the Word, the other a Medical practitioner.

Years later, they both came to their village on holidays.

On seeing one of them, a neighbour asked, “Are you the one who preaches?”

Coolly, the person replied:
“Nope! I’m not the one who preaches!
I am the one who practices!!”

>> Life judges us, on the basis of how well does our preaching and practising co-ordinate & complement each other.
>> Life presents different moments when there seems to be a dichotomy between one’s words and deeds…
>> Life challenges us to bridge the gap between the two essentials of life – one’s talking and one’s walking the talk!

The Gospel of the Day presents to us an interesting parable of two Sons who are asked to work by their Father.

One SAYS YES…but DOES NOT!
>> The other SAYS NO…BUT DOES!

One preaches…but does not practise!
>> The other does not preach…but practises!

One consents initially…but refuses finally!
>> The other refuses initially…but consents finally!

How often does this situation arise in our own lives and situations too…

We pledge ourselves at trendy events, for the cause of the poor…but we fail to help…
>> Many others remain quite unnoticed…but become forerunners for the cause of the poor!

We make a big show and be popular as a helpful person…but we fail in some genuine needs..
>> Many others remain quite unnoticed…but are present with their full force to render help!

We make many resolutions on new year days or birthdays..but fail to materialize them…
>> Many others remain quite unnoticed…but are able to make many amendments and changes!

We make many promises to the Lord during feast days or novena times…but fail to live up…
>> Many others remain quite unnoticed..but render much love to the Lord through the year!

We all experience this “I will do”… but “I did not do” experiences in life.

On the personal Faith Level, this trend is seen more distinctly and vividly…

>> People claim themselves to be Catholics…but appear in church only on grand feast days!
>> People appreciate the Catholic teaching…but support moral laws which go directly against!
>> People assert having dedicated their lives to God…but fail to find time for God and prayer!
>> People declare loving God above all…but fail to reject pleasures which hurts and pains Him!
>> People profess and make vows to God…but neglect to even try to keep up those promises!

Like the second son, who said Yes…very often, we too become people who nod our heads in consent for anything and everything…but fail to live up to that YES!

The Lord says in Mt 7:21, “Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he does the will of my Father”

Therefore, the proposition is clear:
>> It is not pompous words that will grant life, but carrying out the Will of the Father!
>> It is not fancy talk that will confer true happiness, but practising the Will of the Father!
>> It is not flowery language that will accord blessings, but fulfilling the Will of the Father!

How are we to observe the Will of the Father?

St. Paul in the second reading explains how we should set about trying to do the Father’s will:
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:5)

> Like Christ, when we dare to be merciful and compassionate, we can do the Father’s Will
> Like Christ, when we prioritize other’s interests over selfish ones, we can do the Father’s Will
> Like Christ, when we empty ourselves and became obedient, we can do the Father’s Will

It is not only good news “proclaimed” but good news “practised”…
… that will win others  to the glorious freedom of forgiveness of sins! 

Let us examine…and if needed, amend our lives….
>> Are we the one who only preaches?….or…Can we become the one who also practises?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation, rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.
>> He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said:
“By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.

My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.
But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.

How is it with you?”

Well, we don’t know how did the fussy gentleman react to this bold and true reply of the preacher.
(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…
>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude of the chief priests and scribes and elders towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus:
“By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?” (Mk 11: 28)

The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter 21 of St Mathew’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…
1. The entry into Jerusalem (Mt 23: 1-11)
2. The ‘re-storation’ in the Temple at Jerusalem and indignant behaviour of authorities(Mt 23:12-16)
3. The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mt 23: 17-22)
4. The ‘re-entry’ to the Temple at Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus by the authorities (Mt 23: 23-27)

>>     The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…
… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

>>      The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…
… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple

These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.

>>      In Jesus, they perceived a threat.
… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke than to service of God

>>      In Jesus, they sensed a danger.
… a danger to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

>>      In Jesus, they identified a menace.
… a menace to their comfort-rendering style of spirituality and way of life.

And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – sought to put Jesus to the task and questioned His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

•      Their eyes were closed to see the goodness of the Lord
•      Their hearts had become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience
•      Their lives were rendered blocked to be willing to make necessary changes for the good.

Instead…
… they only found fault with the Lord
… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…
>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

Is such an attitude prevalent among us also?
>> A mentality of harshly criticising…
>> A tendency to inhumanly  condemn…
… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.

May we be able to root out all such pessimistic mind-sets and focus instead of self-growth in holiness and humility.

Let us seek the intercession of St John of the Cross, whose feast we celebrate today.

To his words, let us give heed:
>> “A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble, and patient soul

>> “We must dig deeply in Christ.

He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures: however deep we dig we will never find their end or their limit.

Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It was December in the year 1903.

After several attempts, the Wright brothers – achieved success in getting their “flying machine” off the land.

They were very much thrilled!

They telegraphed this message Katherine, their sister, informing her of the great invention:
“We have actually flown 120 feet! Will be home for Christmas”

The sister was also super-excited.

She rushed to the editor of the local newspaper, to share the great news and showed him the telegraph message.

The editor glanced at the message and said:
“How nice! So the boys will be home for Christmas!”

Oh! The Editor had completely missed the big news – that man had flown for the first time in history!!

How often is this our experience too in life – Missing the Important Points and settling for lower ones!

We fail to give attention to the most important things of life…
>> Instead, we get carried away by some other less priorities of life!

This is so true, especially with respect to the Word of God…
>> The Lord promises so many wonderful things in His Holy Word..
… but often, we miss the point.

Something similar had happened to the  people of Israel as well…

>> God had promised them of the coming of the Messiah…
… but they missed the point..
… and thus, failed to recognise the Saviour He came!

God had promised that Prophet Elijah of old would return…
… but they missed the point…
… and thus, failed to recognize the Prophet when he came!

This is what Jesus points out to His disciples in today’s Gospel, when He says:
“… I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognise him; but did to him, whatever they pleased” (Mt 17: 12)

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, had come, preaching the message of repentance and conversion of heart (Mt 3:1)

The Gospel says that John the Baptist…
… wore a clothing made of camel’s hair
… had a leather belt around his waist
… had food of locusts and wild honey (Mt 4: 4)

This appearance was very similar to that of Elijah, the Prophet  (2 Kings 1:8)

But in their encounter with John the Baptist, the people failed to recognise him as the “Elijah who was to come”

And thus John the Baptist came to be …
… rejected
… derided
… finally killed!

Many times in our life, we too “miss the point” in our encounter with the Lord…
>> He gives His Beautiful Word to us…
… but we fail to be encouraged by It and live by It

>> He makes many wonderful promises of assurance and guidance…
…  but we fail to live a life of trust and confidence

>> He offers Himself wonderfully in the Sacraments, especially Confession and Holy Eucharist…
… but we fail to derive the necessary fruits from Them

Today, the Gospel invites us, to look at God’s Promises, God’s Word’s and God’s Will…
… and discover the true purpose of it in our lives.

This is more true as we prepare for Christmas….
Jesus is the BIG POINT of the Christmas
>> Let us dare not “miss Him”!

May we prepare our hearts to receive His Word as He wishes, in our life…
… and seek to live, in total accord with Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Children are an interesting lot!

They love to play, to quarrel, to engage in arguments, to tease, to show love and affection etc…

Children indeed amaze us…with their simplicity, innocence, curiosity and their power of wonder.

Jesus in the Gospels time and again invites us to grow in our spirit and spirituality of being like a Child!

The famous artist, Picasso, once said:
“All children are artists.
The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

>> Many of us, as we age in years, tend to lose many of the good qualities and merits of a child.
>> Many of us, as we mature, tend to fritter away the precious pearls of simplicity and openness of a child
>> Many of us, as we advance in life, tend to paint our inner innocence with many external shades of duplicity.

But the Gospel of the Day shows us another dimension or rather, warns of a distortion in this striving to be a child…

One can easily stray away from the path of being child-like and transgress into the danger of being Childish!

Child-likeness is a beautiful virtue which is to be cultivated and nurtured to grow in our love of God!
>> Childishness is an ugly vice which is to be weeded and cast away to grow in our relationship with God!

What is child-likeness?

>> To be like a child is to possess a kitty of trust, faith, innocence and straightforwardness.
>> To be like a child is living in the present moment with a deep sense of wonder and admiration over life.
>> To be like a child is to have a faith which is matchless and a great amount of dependence on the One who cares!

But what is childishness?

>> Childishness is a child-like behaviour which has grown sore and strays away from honest qualities of life.

>> Childishness is having selfishness at its core: a vice that wants the world around to always dance to its tune!

>> Childishness is sticking on to ignorance and unwillingness to learn from people and situations!

>> Childishness is being glued to being stubborn and adamant at all aspects to suit one’s desires and comforts!

>> Childishness is being unmindful of the value and preciousness of people, things, feelings and situations.

This danger of Childishness can sometimes creep into our spiritual life and can hamper and cause havoc in many areas of our Christian life.

How can childishness in spirituality become a dangerous ploy?

Childishness in spirituality…
…  can make people to suit teachings for one’s own desire, at the cost of the Truth.

… can prevent people from being open to receive new insights from the Divine.

… can cause people to remain obstinate and block the moving of the Spirit.

… can prohibit people from recognizing the providential care of God.  

And this is what we come across in today’s Gospel Passage: the exposition of the Childishness of the people!

Our Blessed Lord says:
“To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children…” (Mt 11:16)

Two persons who had committed themselves totally to the cause of the Kingdom are under the scanner today – John the Baptist and Jesus.

>> John the Baptist lived in the wilderness and in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah.
>> John did not drink wine, and he and his followers fasted regularly.  He baptized people in the Jordan River.

But John also preached repentance and gave a clarion call to turn away from one sins!
> And this irked the people…

The elders of the Jewish community dreaded him because he recognized the corruption of the priests, and publicly called them to repent and be baptized.

They refused, because they wanted to keep their power, their wealth, their full stomachs and their fine clothing!

>> Jesus went around the cities and towns healing the sick and curing the lepers and doing many mighty works.
>> Jesus shared in the table-fellowship of many people regularly. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God.

But Jesus also challenged people to let go off their sinful and corrupt lives and turn to God in penitence!
> And this annoyed the leaders…

The Pharisees hated him because he preached with much authority and his new understanding of the law was highly challenging!

They rejected Him, because they wanted to stick to their traditions, empty hearts and their inhuman practices!

Jesus and John both would have hit high on the popularity charts if they had “lightened up” or “played nice” or “would have allowed things to be little more easy”!

But both of Them did not budge…

This is what Jesus says:
“We played the flute for you, you did not dance;
We mourned to you, you did not weep.” (Mt 11: 17)

This reaction by the people to Them was a song of derision… a tune of mockery…a melody of ridicule!

>> John the Baptist and Jesus, both, failed to let this Spiritual Childishness to overpower Them and to give in to silly demands!

We all can fall victims to spiritual childishness or we ourselves can fall into the trap of being spiritually childish!

Let us beware of the dangers of this ‘subtle and sly’ vice – CHILDISHNESS …
… and seek the grace of God to make efforts to rather be CHILD-LIKE in the Presence of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is an interesting legend of how a mother was cleaning the house in preparation for Christmas.

Not a speck of dust was left and even all the spiders were banished from their cozy homes in the ceiling.

It was Christmas eve and the Christmas Tree and the Crib was also decorated.

But, at the farthest end of the attic, the spiders, after having been chased away and taken refuge in that corner, were feeling miserable.
>> They too wished to see the Christmas Tree and especially have an encounter with Baby Jesus.
>> But they were afraid, since the mother of the house would chase them away.

The oldest spider among them, however came up with a proposal, that they could perhaps peep across the side door and have a glimpse of Baby Jesus.

So, the spiders, silently crept out of the attic, down the stairs, across the floor and waited in the crack in the side door.

But suddenly the door opened was opened by someone, and the spiders, in fear, ran to the room.

But all them still desired to see the Christmas Tree from close.

>> So they decided to make a bold attempt…
… They quietly crept over the whole Christmas tree.. over every branch and twig, till their desire to see its beauty was fulfilled.

But to their dismay, each of them had left their webs behind.

When Child Jesus saw the Christmas Tree marred by the spider webs, He was in a dilemma.

On one side, he was impressed by the simple desire of the spiders..
… on the other side, he did not want the mother of the house to be offended.

So He touched the spider webs, and they all turned to sparkling and shimmering, silver and gold!

(This is probably the origin of hanging colourful tinsels on our Christmas Trees, and sometimes even including a spider!)

One of the important dimension seen in this legendary story is the intense desire of the spiders and their willingness to take the chance, be bold in their attempts and even be ready to risk their lives to have their Divine longing fulfilled.

Such is to be the readiness of every Christian…
>> Having an intense desire
>> Being willing to take chances
>> Being bold
>> Ready to even risk their lives
…  in defence of faith and in growing to be a Disciple – in the likeness of Christ.

This is reflected in the words that Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent are taking it by force” (Mt 11: 12)

This verse is one of the most mysterious and thought-provoking in the entire Bible.

What was this violence that Jesus was referring to?

The Greek word for the word “violence” is “biazo”.

This word “biazo” is described as “using power to forcibly seize” i.e. “laying hold of something with a positive aggressiveness”.

In the context of the Kingdom of God, it refers to the fact that ” share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for, with the most ardent zeal and the most intent exertion”.

>> Historically, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the Kingdom was rejected by the Jews – the chosen race, and the Gentiles gained access.

>> In our own times, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the entry to the Kingdom causes the people to suffer, undergo hardships and even bear hostility.

That’s why Jesus would say in the Sermon of the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Mt 5: 10)

St Ambrose beautifully describes the meaning of this violence:
“We do violence to the Lord…
> not by compelling Him but by weeping before Him
> not by provoking by injuries, but by entreating with tears
> not by blaspheming through pride, but by sorrowing through humility.

We attack him, not with swords, nor staves, nor stones…
…  but with meekness, good works, chastity.

These are the weapons of our faith, by which we strive in our contest.

But in order that we may be able to make use of these arms in doing violence…
>> let us first use a certain violence to our own bodies
>> let us carry by storm the vices of our members
… that we may obtain the rewards of valour.

For to seize the Saviour’s kingdom we must first reign in ourselves”

St Francis de Sales speaks of a similar “violence” when, filled with a deep zeal to conquer back Geneva from the clutches of Protestantism, he says:
“We will breach the walls of Geneva with our ardent prayers and storm the city with mutual charity” 

This then is the zeal and the passion – the fire – that we need to carry in our hearts…
>> A powerful zeal that makes no compromise in the values of the Kingdom…
… and makes it willing to suffer any hardship or difficulty for the sake of the Lord!

>> An aggressive passion that is willing to let go of any attachment or sinful desire…
… that comes in the way of being worthy of the Kingdom!

>> A blazing fire that rages across every wicked and evil action…
… and seeks to restore holiness and sanctity of life!

Yes, Christian Life is a warfare…
… against the forces of evil
… against our own worldly desires

That is why the Church on earth who are living – who struggle against sin and devil and…”the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12) is called as the “Church Militant” (“Ecclesia Militans”)

May our Blessed Lord ignite our “often tired, dreary and weary” lives with a blazing passion and a fiery enthusiasm, so that we may energetically prepare for His coming into our lives!

The Lord will surely bless our every attempt and every desire to seek Him
We will have to leave behind…
… our webs of vain desires
… our webs of sinful pleasures
… our webs of undue attachments

But our Master will touch all those webs and turn them to sparkling and shimmering blessings and graces!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Many of us would have come across the acronym “RSVP” in Invitations for marriage, baptism, birthdays, wedding anniversaries or some other social events.

>> RSVP stands for  Répondez S’il Vous Plaît ( in French) which is translated as
Reply, If you please!

The purpose of this RSVP is that the person sending the invitation, wo¬uld like you to tell him or her, whether you accept or decline the invitation.

Today, Jesus, the King of all Hearts, presents a thrilling  and a pleasant invitation…”Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden…”(Mt 11:28)

Every invitation is to contain “By Whom”, “To Whom”, “What” and a “When”!

Lets analyse these aspects in the Invitation of the Lord

By Whom is the invitation:
Jesus came into the world, primarily as a Saviour!

>> He’s in deep love with us!
“…You are precious in my eyes…and I love You!” (Is 43:4).

As a Beloved Lover, it is He who tugs at the strings of our hearts & beckons us to Himself.

To Whom is the invitation:
He extends His cordial and warmest invitation to each one of us who is weary and heavy-burdened….personally!

The Greek word for Weary is Kopiao…which means to toil & become weary to the point of exhaustion! .

>> Weary could refer to the internal exhaustion caused by seeking Divine Truth through mere Human Wisdom.
>> Heavy Laden could be the external burdens caused by futile peripheral efforts & works to seek the Divinity. 

Many of us certainly, reach the point of exhaustion and fatigue in our everyday works and life and in our search for salvation.

Yes, You and I, each one of us, is today, an honoured and a privileged Invitee!
“Behold, I stand at the door and Knock!” (Rev 3:20).

What is the invitation:
To rest in His Sacred Heart & to Learn from Him Gentleness and Humility.

A haughty heart robs the person of spiritual insights…
Pride renders a person to look only to oneself; the gaze on the Lord is considered meaningless.

This is where the Pharisaic Mentality went wrong. They saw legalism as the vehicle to heaven. They lost sight of God’s desire for the heart.

>>They glorified the Law of Moses, but failed to see the Glorious God of the Law!

The Kingdom belongs to the Gentle and Humble…and that’s what Jesus invites us to learn!

When is the invitation:

“Why delay good things in life?”
The Yoke of the Lord is easy.. because it is HE who takes up the burden…
… we are only sharers in His Divine Yoke!

He gives us a yoke which is made to fit our needs and abilities perfectly well!

And the Time is NOW!

The Invitation is already posted and the Master is waiting!
What is our Response….
RSVP…. Répondez S’il Vous Plaît?

God Bless! Live Jesus!