“Endurance” is the name of an American reality television program.

The contestants of Endurance live in a remote location and participate in various mental and physical challenges.
>> The outcome of the competitions determines which players are eliminated.

The winners receive an all-expenses paid vacation package to an exotic location as the prize.

Christian Life is also a test of Endurance!
Unlike a reality show, it is real life….
… There are various mental, spiritual, emotional and physical challenges

Unlike an-all expenses paid vacation package as a prize…
… the Christian test of Endurance rewards Eternal Life.

Are we ready to rise to the challenge of this Christian Life of Endurance?

In this life of bravery and dare, we have the strength of an Enduring Factor – God’s Word!
“Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will endure forever” (Lk 21: 33)

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation to being committed to the Christian Life of Endurance by trusting always in the Enduring Word of God!

Words have immense power and potential.
>> They can cut.
>> They can hurt.
>> They can heal.
>> They can build.
>> They can make.
>> They can break.
>> They can crush.

And God’s Word has ultimate control and infinite power.
>> God’s promises through His Words are forever.

This is clearly manifested when we travel through the pages of the Bible.

>>> Abraham was called to a distant and unknown land.

He was promised descendants as many as the stars of the sky and the sand on the shore.

But nothing worthwhile seemed to be happening…
… God’s word seemed barren and infertile.

Yet, the enduring faith and the enduring trust of Abraham prevailed at the opportune time…
> God’s Word came to fulfillment and great completion

Yes, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will endure forever”

>>> Moses was called to become the liberator of a nation.

He was promised complete guidance and absolute direction from God.

But often during the journey of liberation, Moses had to face the ire of the people…
… God’s word seemed empty and betraying.

Yet, the enduring conviction and the enduring confidence of Moses got him through…
> God’s Word displayed great glory and a mighty witness.

Yes, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will endure forever”

Job was blessed with immense comforts and vast riches.
He was however permitted to be tested by Satan and lost much of his security and wellbeing.

Hopelessness and wrenching despair seemed to be his best companion.

God’s Word seemed to be abandoning and deserting him…
… Yet, the enduring tenacity and the enduring perseverance of Job prevailed to the end…

God’s Word showered him with great and marvellous riches.

Yes, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will endure forever”

What is my faith and trust and hope in God’s Word?

In moments of life-crushing events and soul-hurting situations…
>> Do I endure and trust in the enduring and eternal power of God’s Word?

In times when the asteroids of bad luck crash against the surface of my life…
>> Do I endure and remain firm in the enduring and everlasting strength of God’s Word?

In times when my family, community and my world gets reduced to total splinters…
>> Do I endure and be positive in the enduring and emphatic might of God’s Word?

The Lord has promised each one of us, immense blessings and graces through His Word.

>> At times there are delays in the fulfillment of God’s Word, as in the case of Abraham
>> At times there are frustrations in the following of God’s Word, as in the case of Moses
>> At times there are misunderstandings in the listening of God’s Word, as in the case of Job
But the Lord invites us to remain Faithful, Trusting and Patient!
 

Let us seek to win the Christian test of Endurance by throwing ourselves into the Enduring power of God’s Word!

Yes, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will endure forever”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Different creatures display different mentalities.

Some of these mentalities are unique.
>> Some can be imitated.
>> Some are to be shunned.

One such mentality is called as the ‘Pig Mentality’! (No offenses in that word please!!)

Thus goes an anecdote of a pig, in a farmhouse, which would feed on the leftovers of food that was supplied to it.

The pig remained content to feed on that which was smelly, dirty and stinking.

The day came when it had to be slaughtered.
>> As the people tied its legs to a pole to be taken to the slaughter-house and the pig was carried horizontally upside down, for the first time in its life, it gazed on the skies above.

All through its life, the pig always looked downward, satisfied on its feed and food.
>> But now, for the first time, the pig looked upward, and saw the beauty of nature.

It wondered:
“All through, I thought, life was always stinky and nasty.
But it’s only now, when I look above, that I see that life is much beautiful and brilliant!
Too late am I! 
I have missed the real beauty of life, looking always only downward!”

The whole life of the pig, was spent downcast, with images of filth and dirt and foul matter.
>> Only the last moments were spent looking upward, enjoying the wonderful & pleasant nature.

This is the pig-mentality…
… Consciously or unconsciously, being content, looking downward & descending into the realms of gloom & pessimism!

Is my life cast downward? Filled with images of gloom, darkness and dirt?

The Lord, through the Gospel of the Day invites us, with strong vibes of positive feelings, “…Stand erect and raise your heads, because your redemption is at hand” (Lk 21: 28)

The Gospel of the day is a continuation of  the talks on the coming of the Son of Man.

Jesus reminds his disciples of the many signs and terrors that will be manifest in the world and persecutions that will befall on His followers.
>> He invites His disciples to remain firm in perseverance and faithful commitment.

The Gospel brings out a clear contradiction in the stance and approach of the “people of the world” and “people who trust in Him”…

>> Lk 21: 26, “…people will die of fright…” (“people of the world”)
>> Lk 21: 28,”…stand erect and raise your heads…” (“people who trust in Him”)

Dying of fright and collapsing is a sign of absolute despair and hopelessness.

When someone is in great tension,  his/her physical structure reflects it…
>> One tends to stoop low…
>> One tends to put down one’s head…

> The worry in the mind makes the face a sorry affair!
> The tension in one’s life robs the spirit of joy in living!

Faces turn pale…smiles go wry… body starts sagging!

But the Lord of the Universe today strongly exhorts us to not remain stooped-down
>> He challenges us to “stand erect and raise our heads…”

The Lord makes people to stand on their feet as a sign of feeling protected and strong…
>> The boy possessed by a demon was “held by the hand, raised up and made to stand” by Jesus (Mk 9:27)

>> Jesus held the hand of the daughter of Jairus and “helped her to stand” (Mk 5:41)

>> Peter and John took up the crippled beggar at the Temple gate “by the hand and raised him up…and he leaped up, stood and walk around…walking and jumping” and praising God (Acts 3: 7-8)

The Lord loves to help people to stand erect and hold heads high in firm faith and trust in Him.

> Is my life today shattered and collapsed? 
> Am I unable to stand firmly in faith and in trust?

When difficulties and problems arise in life…
>> Do I stoop down and get fixated on the worries… or do I “stand erect and raise up my head” in confidence of the Providence of God?

When calamities and unsolvable crises hits my family or community life…
>> Do we stoop down and get lost in despair….or do We “stand erect and raise up our heads” in hope of the Power the Lord?

When hopes get shattered and the future appears very blurred…
>> Do I stoop down and get stuck in hopelessness and desolation… or do I “stand erect and raise up my head” in deep faith in the Guiding Hand of the Lord?

Some of us live our lives with much negativity and pessimism…
>> Life most of the time appears to be dark and depressing and dismal!

But the Lord today asks us to live our lives with more positivity and optimism
>> Life is in fact much more bright and beautiful and brilliant!

Are we going to continue to have a mentality of “looking downward” and losing the precious moments of life?
>> Or shall we, “Stand erect and Raise up our head” in trust, optimism and hope in the Lord ?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Every joy is accompanied by the companionship of some pain and suffering.
>> This is the reality of life.

Christian life is an affirmation of this reality.
>> The joy of being a Christian is accompanied by the cross of pain and suffering.
>> The delight in sharing Christ’s peace is escorted by the reality of some trials and tribulations.

The Gospel of the Day reminds us of this factor:
>> Experiencing the mighty power of God in the midst of weaknesses of life.
>> Experiencing the splendid joy of God in the thick of persecutions of life.
>> Experiencing the serene peace of God in the middle of terrors of life.

The Lord continues His discourse on the signs of the end times and the forthcoming persecutions that will be the lot of those who believe and follow Him.

Jesus doesn’t tone down in any measure in warning of the future calamities that will befall on His followers:
“They will seize and persecute you… They will hand you over to synagogues and prison…
They will lead you before kings and governors…
You will be handed over by your parents, brothers, relatives and friends…
You will be put to death… You will be hated by all…” (Lk 21: 12-18)

The list of persecutions is too long, right?

>> For those who consider Christianity as an easy stroll in the part, this is a shocker!
>> For those who consider following Christ as comfort on a bed of roses, this is a stunner!

Sometimes our faith in Christ remains merely a statement on paper.

As Baptized people – whether as infants or as adults – we’ve the duty to grow in the grace bestowed on us.

>> To follow Christ is a privilege granted to us.
>> To become His Disciples is a special opportunity conferred on us.

But we often squander away the blessings that the Lord gives us without realizing its worth.

As a Christian and a follower of Christ…
>> We love His blessings….
… but get depressed when pains or sufferings come our way.

>> We crave for joy…
… but get irritated when things don’t go in the way we wish.

>> We seek for a comfortable life…
… but get wild with Him when we lose some luxuries.

The Lord however, invites us to a life of deeper perseverance and courage: “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives” (Lk 21: 19)

For one who believes in Christ…
>> Every sickness, can be a moment to experience the Lord as a Healer.
>> Every financial crisis, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Provider.
>> Every spiritual struggle, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Saviour.
>> Every break in relationship, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Unifier.
>> Every encounter in failure, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Sovereign Lord
>> Every doubt of the future, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Supreme Master

All these affirmations will remain peripheral and theoretical, unless we trust in the Lord.
>> Many might say….I don’t believe in a God who allows calamities and persecutions.
>> Many might complain… I don’t want a relation with a God who permits suffering and pains.

But this is where challenge of our Baptismal Consecration comes to fruition…
> To be with the Lord, in total commitment, when the going gets tough.
> To remain united with the Lord, in complete faithfulness, when the road gets bumpy.
> To fix one’s eyes on the Lord, in absolute trust, when the skies are darkened.

In the words of Kahlil Gibran, the writer, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars”

>> Jesus has shown us the path in the Way of the Cross.
>> Jesus has broken Himself for us in the Holy Eucharist.

> In Him is True Life.
> In Him is Genuine Peace.
> In Him is Everlasting Happiness.

Let us hold firm to our Crucified Lord and persevere in faithfulness to our Persecuted Master.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

>> “God himself cannot sink this ship!”

>> “The captain can, by simply moving an electric switch, instantly close all the doors, practically making the vessel unsinkable”

>> “We believe that the ship is unsinkable.”

These were some of the comments and claims that were made about Titanic – the largest ship in the first half of the 1900’s

But all these proud & arrogant assertions found a watery grave, with the sinking of the Titanic on the morning of 15th April, 1912 killing over one thousand five hundred people.

It was a massive tragedy of the loss of many lives.
>> But it was also a horrific lesson to humankind on the need to be aware of her limitations.
>> It was also a torrid warning to generations on the need to be on the guard, always.

Being on the watch is a necessity and a basic requirement in every sphere of human life!

The Gospel of the Day presents this message of being vigilant and alert in our lives.

Jesus is on the courtyard of the Jerusalem Temple and He hears “some people speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings” (Lk 21:5)

The Jerusalem Temple was a magnificent building and one of the wonders of those days.

The Temple had just been marvelously rebuilt by Herod the Great. In all its beauty, the Jerusalem Temple was a vast glittering mass of white marble, touched here & there with gold &  colour and precious stones. 

“Whosoever had not gazed on it”, said the old rabbis, “had not seen the perfection of beauty.”

The historian Tacitus, called this spectacular edifice as “a temple of vast wealth“

Precious gifts such as crowns, shields, vessels of gold and silver were presented by princes and others who visited the holy house.  The Jerusalem Temple was indeed rich in these votive offerings.

With such a grand spectacle and gorgeous building in the background, Jesus makes a prophetic saying, ” All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down” (Lk 21:6)

These words would  have come as a big shocker and a tantalizing scandal to His listeners.

>> Who would have thought that the Titanic would ever sink?
>> Who would have thought that the great Twin Towers in America would be in rubble?
>> Who would have thought the British Empire where “the sun never sets” would wane down?

To think of the Jerusalem Temple being totally destroyed was a case next to impossible.
>> The Jerusalem Temple was the holiest shrine of the Jews.
>> The Jerusalem Temple was the pulse and the heartbeat of the Jewish Faith.
>> The Jerusalem Temple was the greatest source of joy and pride for the Jews.

Any attack or any destruction of this Great Edifice of Faith was unimaginable and intolerable.

Yet, Jesus makes this powerful and daring prophecy.

What is the structure and edifice of joy and pride in our lives?

> Is it just a structure of fat bank-balances and transient fame and popularity?
> Is it just a structure of remarkable public positions and  offices of high ranking?
> Is it just a structure of enjoying life with temporary pleasures and passing addictions?

All too often we have heard people saying:
>> “I am enough money & I am happy with my life!
Just enjoy today to the max. Who knows what happens tomorrow?”

>> “The status that I am in today, is a result of my hard-work and labour. Why should anyone interfere in my private life to prevent me from enjoying it in my own style?”

History teaches us that structures built without the power and grace of God is bound to fall.

The Tower of Babel is a classic example from the Bible. (Gen 11: 4-9)
>> Built on human pride and aspiration, it had a catastrophic collapse

The lives of many people are also a lesson for us…. Samson… King Saul… King Solomon… Judas.

They had their moments of great glory and splendour.
>> But when pride and self-interest crept into their lives, they lost the touch of God’s hand!

We may glory and shine in beauty for some time by just banking on our capabilities.
>> But unless, we remain in firm obedience and faithful commitment to the Lord, we are bound to fail!

None of us are, and can be unsinkable!

>> An obstinate stand that I can manage my life by myself is hazardous.
>> A proud feeling that no power in the world can shake me is dangerous.
>> An arrogant outlook that I am the sole master of my future and destiny is perilous.

Yes, let God be God in our lives!
>>  Let Him enthrone the highest place and the privileged position in our lives.

May Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords adorn the Temple of our lives.

>> With Him we can shine forever. 
>> With Him we can stand forever. 
>> With Him we can glory forever.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A rich business man and his assistant were travelling around a village on a tour.

As they walked along, they saw a boy pulling a plough (= a large farming implement with blades fixed in a frame, drawn over soil to turn it over and cut furrows in preparation for the planting of seeds) which was steered by an old man.

It amused the assistant so much that he insisted on taking a picture of the scene with his little pocket camera. Later he showed the picture to a priest in the next village, remarking about the peculiar spectacle.

“Yes,” said the Priest, “it seems a very strange way to plough a field that way.
But I happen to know the boy and old man well.

They are very poor. However, when the little church was built here in the village, they wanted to contribute something.
>> They had no money.
They had no grain to spare and winter was coming on, so they sold their ox and gave the money to the church building fund, and now, minus the valuable animal, they have to pull the plough themselves.”

The men looked at each other for a moment, then the assistant said, “But what a magnanimous sacrifice! Why did you allow it?”

“They did not feel that way about it” said the priest, “They regarded it as a great joy that they had an ox to give to the Lord’s work!”

Do we have the joy and the generosity to give ourselves, to the Lord and for His works?

Yes,  a true charity happens when there is an involvement of sacrifice and surrender.

The Gospel of the Day demonstrates the powerful message of True Giving, through the incident of the Offering of the Poor Widow.

The passage begins with the verse, “When Jesus looked up and saw…” (Lk 21: 1)

Jesus has sharp eyes…
>> He sees what most people miss to see…
>> He perceives what most people ignore…
>> He observes what most people pass on as ordinary…

While all others saw only the corrupt mind of Zacchaeus, Jesus saw deeper… (Lk 19:7)
>> He observed the flame of genuine repentance and earnest desire in him.

While all others saw only the filth in the woman caught in adultery, Jesus saw deeper…(Jn 8:3)
>> He observed the spark of pleading for mercy and compassion in her.

While all others saw only a disturbance in the blind beggar Bartimaeus, Jesus saw deeper… (Lk 18:39)
>> He observed the flash of true longing and expectant hope in him…

There are many times in our life, when we think or do little things and we would feel them as insignificant.

But the Lord sees deeper…
>> A tiny word of thanks and appreciation…The Lord sees our goodness.
>> A small gesture of timely help and assistance… The Lord sees our nobility.
>> A genuine smile of encouragement and support… The Lord sees our benevolence.

The palace of goodness is built by the tiny bricks of genuine actions and loving thoughts.

And the Lord sees it all – “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3)

He doesn’t miss a single gift, small or large. 
>> He knows every giver, rich and poor. 

This is the significance of being engaged in little and small acts of charity.
>> None of them go down the drain.
Rather, all of them are recorded by God and translates into a fountain of blessings!

The Lord keenly observed the insignificant action of the Poor Widow dropping in two copper coins into the Temple Treasury.

The Temple Treasury was in the Court of the Women, which was on the easternmost part of the Temple.
>> The Court of the Women obtained its name, not from its appropriation to the exclusive use of women, but because they were not allowed to proceed farther, except for sacrificial purposes.

Against the walls of this temple area were the thirteen chests, or ‘trumpets,’ for charitable contributions.

These thirteen chests were shaped like trumpets, narrow at the mouth and wide at the bottom.
>> Each one had a different Hebrew letter designating separate offerings and causes.

Into this Temple Treasury, “the poor widow just drops in two small copper coins”  (Lk 21:2)

What difference did her two coins make toward meeting the temple budget? 
Probably nothing!!

Perhaps the treasurer muttered under his breath as he saw it being dropped:
“Why do people throw such small coins into the treasury?  They’re more a nuisance to count than they’re worth!”

But the Lord has a totally different yardstick of measuring and of judging.

People count worth of  money by what is given.
>> God counts worth of  money by what is left over.

People say “wow” over thicker and fatter amounts given, irrespective of the means and intention.
>> God says “wow” over any amount given, but only when given with the proper means and true intention.

While most people would have sidelined this meager act of giving, the Lord lavishes praise on the poor widow who “gave it all”.

The gifts of the rich would have not cost them much…
…  But the widow may have gone hungry that night because she gave all what she had.

She gave it all, not for any praise or to show-off, but out of love of God and her religion.

What is our attitude in “giving” to God?

Often we give only “leftovers” to God.
>> If we have some food left, after we have relished nicely, we give it off to some hungry
>> If we have anything left, after we’ve spent for all our needs, then we drop a bit for charity. 
>> If we have something left, after we have used and its now old, we donate it to the church. 
>> If we have some “time” left, after engaging in all leisure, then we give the time to God.
>> If we have some goodwill left, after busying with many works, we offer our thanks to the Lord.

The Lord, seriously, is in no need of the offering of our money.
>> But the Lord, very seriously, is on the lookout for an offering of our hearts!

Let us make not just peripheral contribution of our lives, but rather engage in sacrificial offerings of our self.

As Blessed Mother Teresa would say:
“Give, but give until it hurts…
… It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”

The Lord has given everything for us.
As His disciples, we too are expected to be similar: to give everything to Him.

An “all-giving” Master deserves “all-giving” disciples… Doesn’t He?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

All of us would have played or atleast have seen the Playing Cards.

A traditional set of playing cards consists of 52 cards.
>> This deck of 52 cards is divided into 4 suits – Spades, Clubs, Diamonds and Hearts.

Each of the suits have a King – the King of Spades, the King of Clubs, the King of Diamonds and the King of Hearts.

These 52 cards could be compared to the 52 Sundays of a Liturgical year.

Each of these Sundays have been dealt out, and today we are on the Last Sunday.

>> And on this Last Sunday, the last card of the deck is held up – the King of Hearts!

Yes, we are on the Last Sunday of the Liturgical year- the Feast of Christ the King.

This feast is a relatively new feast.
>> It was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 through an encyclical letter called “Quas Primas” (In the First) .

In the history of the Church, liturgical feasts have been instituted in answer to particular needs that arise in the life of the world & Church.

This Feast of Christ the King was in response to the grave and disturbing situation of the world:

The world in 1925, was still recovering from the devastation effects of the First World War.
>> Nations had been devastated.
>> New weapons and armoury had been introduced.

> A wave of terror and danger was still vivid.
> Modernity had crept into the human mind.

Human reason was considered to have enough power and capability for unlimited progress.
>> Human societies were abandoning Christian values and sought to do away with divine and spiritual dimensions of life.

It’s at a height of this secularization of the world, that we are presented with this great Feast of Christ the King.

> Human progress gives a feeling that humans have absolute power over all forces in the universe.
> Scientific technology makes us think that any discoveries and inventions are humanly possible.
> Human mind is considered to be having capabilities that can overcome and defy any limitation..

But this feast reminds us, that Christ still reigns above all.
>> He is the source of every intelligence and intellect.
>> He is the powerhouse of every discovery and invention.
>> He is the ultimate in conquering any problems or difficulties.

The Kingdom of Christ the King is under several threats today…
>> The forces of materialism and consumerism have clouded the minds of several with riches and pleasures.

>> The forces of sensualism and sensationalism has corrupted many innocent hearts and destroyed many simple minds.

>> The forces of authoritarianism and individualism has shattered many families and community lives.

>> The forces of relativism and atheism are strongly raging against the practise of faith and the teachings of the Church.

As Christians, we are soldiers belonging to the Kingdom of God, with Christ as our King.

A soldier ought to be one who is deeply convinced and highly passionate of one’s King and Kingdom

>> As a Christian, am I deeply convinced of my faith and love for Christ and His Kingdom?
>> As a Christian, am I passionately enthusiastic to live my Christian virtues in this world?

There are many who say that they are willing to give up their lives and die for Christ.
>> But today, the Lord also demands, “Are you willing to LIVE for Christ?”

There is an urgent need to become Christ the King’s living witnesses in this world.

Kings are often identified with a lot of pomp and grandeur and power and triumphalism.
>> But Christ our King is not bothered about any such external pageantry or vain flashiness.

Then what is the identification of this Christ the King?

In Mt 2:2, we read a question, “Where is the (newborn) King of the Jews?”

>> The answer to this question will be found at the end of the Gospel, with Jesus hanging on the Cross and a statement which reads in Mt 27:37, “This is the King of the Jews”!

Where the Cross is, there is Christ the King!

>> Where the lost, the sinful, the abandoned and the lonely are, there is Christ the King.
>> Where the poor, the suffering, the miserable and the abused are, there is Christ the King.

The Cross is the identity and symbol of Christ the King!

As this Crucified King’s soldiers, we too are invited to be sharers in the Cross of Christ.

It is said that people who are crucified with Christ will have three distinct marks:

Since they are crucified…
1. They can only look in one direction….
2. They can never turn back…
3. They no longer have plans of their own.

And these three characteristics ought to reflect in our Christian lives…
>> Being totally focused on Jesus and His kingdom… (looking in one direction)
>> Never to turn back from our commitment and get attracted to the ways of the world… (never turning back)
>> Giving up any of our personal goals and agenda which can deter us from God’s will… (no plans of their own)

Yes, let us Hearken to His voice…Christ, the King – The Great King.
> No land to reign, but our hearts…
>> No majestic throne, but the cross…
>>> No mighty army, but a few people to spread His word…
>>>> No grand fiesta, but the sacrifice of the Calvary in the Eucharist
>>>> No royal treats all the time but pain and suffering often

This king invites us today to renew our commitment to Him

>> Royalty is less, but faithfulness is assured….
>> Popularity is rare, but blessings are plenty.

Shall we say Yes to this King of Hearts – Christ the Crucified King?

Happy Feast to all the Valiant and Faithful Soldiers of Christ, the Awesome King!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Aicha Moussaoui had been up all night, weeping and pacing inside her house… “I am wounded,” she said.

Moussaoui was enduring a hard time.

She was the mother of an alleged conspirator in terrorist crimes.

Her youngest son, Zacarias Moussaoui, 33, had been accused of plotting with the 9/11 hijackers which killed thousands of Americans at the World Trade Centre.

“For me, it’s as if he had died,” she said of her son…
“I want to see him so I could ask my son: Why? How? Is it true?”

Moussaoui said she “felt like the roof fell on me”

These are painful and heart-wrenching words of a mother who was shattered by the alleged misdeeds of her son.

She expected him to respect and honour her care.
>> She had brought him up, with much love and affection.
>> She wanted him to become a responsible person of the society.

But…
….her affection bruised with pain
… her love was answered with disgrace
… her expectation shattered with humiliation

The heart of a mother is broken when her child strays away from the ways of truth and honesty.

If this is the experience of an earthly mother, how much more will be the pain and suffering of our God, if we stray away from Him, who loves each one of us deeply with a motherly affection?

>> If a human mother has so much pain, how much more will God, with a motherly heart suffer!
It is this sorrow and grief that is strongly expressed by Jesus in the Gospel of the day.

Jesus laments over the City of Jerusalem.

St Luke records this lamentation of the Lord with a powerfully sentimental verse:
“As Jesus drew near, he saw the city and wept over it” (Lk 19: 41)

Jesus is usually an epitome of great joy and rejoicing.
>> But this joyful Jesus being made to shed tears shows the gravity of situation.

What made Jesus to shed tears?
The pain and the hurt He experienced because of the ill-response and harsh reaction of His  chosen people, Israel, represented by the city of Jerusalem.

God had chosen Israel as His people. 
>> Out of all the civilizations on the earth, He chose them as His beloved.

Through them He promised that the Saviour of the human race would come. 

This promise ignited the hearts of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
>> God wiped out their enemies even in the most extreme of circumstances! 

Time and again, God blessed them with judges, kings and prophets. He even provided them a place to worship. 

But as the quote goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt!”

Israel, God’s own people no longer delighted in being His distinctive people. 
>> For them, He became routine.
>> They began to consider Him of little value. 

They allowed their hearts to grow hard, over and over, again and again.

Finally, Jesus, the long-promised Messiah came, the One whom God the Father had sent.
>> But most of the Jews by then, had grown stubborn and complacent in their ways.  
>> They had no room for One who came to fulfill their Law and the Prophets.  

>> They maltreated the Saviour of the World.
>> They rejected the Chosen One of God.
>> They abused the Anointed One of the Lord.

And this led, Jesus to shed tears.
…like a mother, whose heart is broken in seeing her child choose wrong ways.
…like a mother, whose soul is crushed in witnessing her child engaged in misdeeds.
…like a mother, who cries in agony when her child strays away from the path of goodness.

This story of Jerusalem could well be our own life-story.

We have been specially chosen and loved by the Lord. 
>> He has taken us through many dangers, sicknesses and accidents.

> In times when everything seem lost, He has been our refuge.
> In moments when all seemed totally blank and dark, He has been the glowing light.
> In occasions we felt like quitting life and escaping from realities, He held us in good stead.

But we tend to easily forget all these good deeds and wonders of the Lord.

Yes, it’s a sad thing, but a sure reality…. “For us, He often becomes a routine!!”

We fail to be grateful and thankful to the Lord….
…by living a holy and virtuous life.
…by deepening our bond of love and affection with Him
…by translating His graces into deeds of charity and concern for our people.

We instead persecute and torture Him…
…by living a lethargic or unholy or even scandalous life
…by abandoning many of His commandments and the teachings of the Church
…by harming our brothers and sisters and being highly indifferent in situations.

God’s heart, like that of a broken mother weeping for her child, is crying out for us…
Perhaps, He is telling us, “I am wounded!”

>> We have strayed much….it’s time to come back to Him

>>> He calls us.
>>> He longs to have us with Him always.
>>> He wants us back in His loving embrace.

As little children, let us run, in sincere repentance and honest contrition, to the welcoming motherly heart of our Beloved God.

God Bless! Live Jesus!