Biblical stories are interesting and motivating.

One of the Biblical story which is not just interesting & motivating, but also greatly popular is of the little man – Zacchaeus.

The Gospel of the Day takes us through this life-changing incident of this Little Man.
>> Thought little, this person teaches us big things…. Though small, the story tells many great lessons.

The story begins with Jesus coming to Jericho and intending to pass through the town (Lk 19:1)

Jericho has a long history, especially seen in the Old Testament.
>> Jericho was the first city to be conquered by the Israelites under Joshua. (Josh 6:1-27)

It was surrounded by a huge wall. However, with directives from God & under the leadership of Joshua, the city was laid siege.

On the appointed day, Joshua ordered the people to shout & the walls of the city collapsed and the Israelites destroyed it.

Joshua laid a curse on the one who would rebuild this city.
>> Thus, Jericho bore the brunt of a curse.

It is to this ‘place of curse’ that Jesus makes his entry.

As Jesus makes his entry to this cursed place, a little man named Zacchaeus climbs & hides himself behind the leaves of a tree.

Now this incident of Jesus entering an accursed city and a man hiding behind the leaves of a tree, has quite striking similarities with another incident, seen at the start of the Bible – the incident in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3)

In the book of Genesis, when Adam and Eve sinned, God moved about in the garden.
>> But they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden (Gen 3: 8)

God comes to a place, which has been now cursed because of sin.
But two persons hide themselves in the trees of the garden.

Interesting similarity, isn’t it?

God comes to a place of curse… the Garden… and two persons (Adam and Eve) hide in the trees.
>> Jesus comes to a place of curse… the city of Jericho… and one person (Zacchaeus) hides in the trees.

But with the similarity, there are also striking differences…

Adam and Eve hid from God, in order to stay away from God, because of the guilt of sin.
>> Zacchaeus hid from Jesus, in order to see him better, because of his own complexes.

Adam and Eve were fearful to hear the words of God addressing them.
>> Zacchaeus was surprised and joyful to hear the words of Jesus addressed to him.

Adam and Eve wanted to remain hiding even after God sought for them in the garden.
>> Zacchaeus jumped down from the tree after Jesus sought to come to his home.

Is there some similarity of these incidents to my life too?

Am I, like Adam & Eve, hiding from God, because I am scared of Him due to some of the sins which I am unwilling to give up?
>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus, seeking refuge in the leaves of trees like money, pleasure, evil habits and yet have a desire to see the Lord?

The Lord is gazing at us… like He gazed at Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

Am I, like Adam & Eve, fearful to hear the words of God, in the Bible or through the teachings of the Church or the words of other people, because of the pain to get rid of my sinful tendencies and evil practices?
>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus, joyful to hear God’s words addressed to me, & also ready to make changes for a better spiritual life?

The Lord is addressing each one of us…like He addressed Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

Am I, like Adam & Eve, wanting to remain in my sinful and lethargic state of life even though I experience that God’s mercy and compassion is readily available?
>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus willing to jump down with joy, from the tree of pride, complexes, sin and fear, and welcome the Lord into the home of my life?

The Lord is seeking for us…as He sought Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

The Lord is gazing, addressing and seeking for us.
>>  Am I ready to encounter, to listen and to be found by Him?
 

A Yes to the question, will also mean taking some radical decisions in our life, just like Zacchaeus did…
>> Giving up of possessions…
>> Letting go of my undue desire for money, cheap popularity, the riches in my life etc.
>> Repaying those whom I have cheated…
>> Forgiving and accepting those whom I hurt, whom I don’t like, whom I am not in good terms etc.

Zacchaeus was a despised man.
>> He was despised because of his short stature.
>> He was despised because as a tax collector, he worked for the enemy-government and would cheat and defraud people.
>> He was despised because Jesus came to his house – a house of a sinner.

But the encounter with Jesus made him a transformed person
>> The encounter with Jesus made him to go beyond all complexes and filled him with deep joy!

This same transformation is at hand for us…

Let, us, learn from the Little Man and make significant changes in our life, in order to experience the magnanimous wonders and graces from our Big God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is an incident from the American Revolution which beautifully illustrates the tragedy that can follow from procrastination – the habit of postponing or delaying something.

It is reported that a Colonel who was the commander of the British troops in Trenton, New Jersey, was playing cards when a courier brought an urgent message stating that General George Washington was crossing the Delaware River.

The Colonel put the letter in his pocket and didn’t bother to read it until the game was finished.

Later, realizing the seriousness of the situation, he hurriedly tried to rally his men to meet the coming attack, but his procrastination was his undoing.

>> He and many of his men were killed and the rest of the regiment were captured.

Just a “few minutes of delay” cost him his life, his honour, and the liberty of his soldiers!

Any profession…any activity…to achieve its goal in the best manner possible…requires a tough preparation, unabated determination, a constant movement and an unwavering vigilance!

The Gospel of the Day, speaking of the Second Coming of the Son of Man, is a strong exhortation to be “constantly on the watch”, being vigilant and ready, to receive the Lord in His glory.

Our Blessed Lord draws the illustration of the Fig Tree to point to the fact that “one must become aware of the signs of the times” and be constantly “on the watch”.

Jesus says, “From the fig tree, learn the lesson…”  (Mk 13:28)

When we look into our lives, we find that we are highly disciplined and “well-prepared with respect to professional disciplines and careers…

> Sportspersons sweat it out and slog their bodies through a strict routine…to achieve the best!
> Army personnel undergo a hard grilling and a grinding through tough situations…to achieve the best!
> Musicians train their voices and are extremely cautious in avoiding bad food habits..to achieve the Best!
> Scientists meticulously chalk out their experiments and are very careful in minute aspects…to achieve the Best!

But very often, it is seen, that such an attitude & such a principle is not  applied to Spirituality or our Christian Life?!

>> There seems to be a tendency to take our Christian Life as a routine and for granted….
>> There seems to be a feeling to live our Spiritual Lives in relaxation and lethargy and sluggishness…
>> There seems to be a trend to give least botheration to the aspects of God, Soul, Sin, Grace, Salvation etc…..

>>> Why does Spirituality most often find the least place in our lives?
>>> Why do thoughts of Holiness be entertained least in our minds?
>> Why do talks of God, figure so little in our daily chats?

It’s time to wake up from our sleep…

“… know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. 
For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand.”– Romans 13: 11-12a

These words from the Letter to the Romans, which had awakened St Augustine from his slumber of paganism, sexual immorality and loose living into the freedom of Holiness and Sanctity… is addressed also to each one of us….

>> In Mt 24: 42-44, Jesus says, “Stay Awake……and Be Alert!”

With respect to the coming of the Son of Man…
… No one knows the time or the hour
… No one knows the context or situation

Therefore….we need to be alert and watchful at all times – Any time, Any Context!

>> When Abraham was prepared to give up his Beloved Isaac… he encountered the glory of God!

>> When Moses was ready to follow God and trust Him completely… he encountered the power of God!

>> When Israelites were ready to cleanse themselves and prepare…they encountered the Majesty of God!

>> When the Prophets were willing to let go and abandon fully to God’s hands…..they encountered the Voice of God!

>> When Mother Mary was consenting to God’s Will in Her life…she encountered the ‘Grace’fulness of God!

>> When  the Apostles were eager to wait in humility and prayer….they encountered the Spirit of God!

Yes, when we are willing to be prepared and be ready… we will experience the mighty touch and presence of God!

One of the biggest reasons why a Christian fails to take one’s faith seriously is because of Procrastination…

>> We mould ourselves to thinking that there is time for all this later…
… we still have years ahead to repent and atone!

And this certainly is one of Satan’s most successful strategies in today’s world: To show there is still time!

>> Satan doesn’t prevent us from having thoughts of prayer…
… but he says: not now, do it a little later.

>> Satan doesn’t prevent us from having aspirations of fasting and other pious devotions…
… but he says: not now, do it later

>> Satan doesn’t prevent us from engaging in works of charity….
… but he says: not now, do it later

And we, busy with our daily schedules……like ignorant fools… find that suggestion, practical and feasible!

>> Today the Lord gets  serious in His tone…and warns us ,”Watch! Be alert!”

As someone said, “those who hope to repent and amend at the eleventh hour, may perhaps, die at ten-thirty!”

We give the best in our workplaces… in areas of sports and music… army people & scientists slog to be the best…
>> But why are we slackening when it comes to our Faith and our Christian Life?

We invest our time and money and energy, often only for materialistic and passing things of the world!
>> But today, let us seek to invest of ourselves in service of the Kingdom and to prepare for the Lord’s coming

> Our souls are searching…
> Our bodies are agitated and distressed…
>>> Money, positions, power, sex, drugs, alcohol, pleasures, films, criticism….. none of these will satisfy or gratify us!

Let us seek and thirst for the the One whom our souls are searching….
.. and be constantly on the “watch and vigilance” preparing for the Coming of our Blessed Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the common technique of understanding and personalizing a Biblical text is by, what could be called as the Method of Assuming a Character.
One puts oneself in the shoes of one of the characters in the Biblical passage and draws reflections and thoughts for one’s spiritual growth.

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son…
>> One could assume the character of the Younger Son…and identify as one having gone away from God.
>> One could assume the character of the Father….and identify as one who longs for the return of those lost and those gone away from us.       
>> One could assume the character of the Elder Son….and identify as one who gets irritated and even angry at the apparently “unjust” side of God’s love of being overly merciful!

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan…
>>One could assume the character of the injured man….and identify as one who is beaten up and lying helpless, seeking for assistance
>> One could assume the character of the thieves….and identify as one who engages in wicked activities and harming the lives of others
>> One could assume the character of the Levite or the Priest….and identify as one who fails to set right the priorities in life.
>> One could assume the character of the Good Samaritan….and identify as one who reaches out to people in their dire need.
>> One could assume the character of the inn-keeper….and identify as one who remains generous in allowing the injured man in the inn, despite a possible loss of money.

The Gospel of the Day is the Parable of the Persistent Widow.
>> For our reflection, we shall use the similar Method of assuming a Character.

The Parable speaks of a judge and a widow.

The judge is characterised by some features:
> He did not fear God.
>> He did not fear humans.
>>> He was initially adamant in his refusal.

The Widow is characterised by some features:
> She had a genuine need.
>> She was denied justice.
>>> She remained persistent till the end.

In our usual understanding, we assume the character of the Widow and God as the Judge and draw some of the following conclusions:
> We are often in many and true needs.

But we often, find ourselves, a bit depressed at the delays in receiving the answers to our prayers.
The parable encourages and exhorts us to remain persistent in our prayer life and not to get discouraged by God’s delays, which apparently appears as God’s denials.

Yes, God’s delays are certainly not His denials!
>> God’s pauses are certainly not His refusals!

But for a change, for our reflection, we shall try to reverse our roles…

Let US assume the role of the JUDGE…and GOD as the WIDOW!

Sounds strange?
Me as the Judge? God as the Widow?

Widows in the first century found themselves at a very sad state.
They were quite literally unprotected. Many became homeless and destitute after the death of their husbands.

Often they were at mercy of cunning men, including some religious leaders who would “devour widows houses” (Mark 12:40)
> A widow couldn’t count on anyone to come to her aid.

She represents the hopeless….the unaided…the oppressed.

In Mt 25:35, Jesus identifies Himself with the one who was hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger and the imprisoned.
>> Jesus in the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger and the imprisoned…. is the hopeless one…the unaided one..the oppressed one.

Jesus, like the widow in the Parable…comes knocking at our door: Behold I stand at the door, and knock… (Rev 3:20)

As the oppressed and justice-deprived widow, Jesus, knocks at our door – we the Judges.

What is our reaction and response?

The cry of the one in pain and suffering reaches our hears…
>> Do I reach out my heart to them and seek to ease their troubles and hardships?

The moaning of a broken family or a lost teenager or a spoilt child comes to us…
>> Do I pray for them and help them, in ways possible for me?

The sad tear of the abused or oppressed people with whom we work is seen by us…
>> Do I get out of my comfort-shell to make them feel comforted and consoled?

The disturbing reports of violence, corruption,  injustice in the society falls on our senses…
>> Do I remain indifferent to them and become saturated with such atrocities?

Yes…the widow – the hopeless, the unaided and the oppressed one… keeps knocking at our doors…
>> As a Judge…do I keep refusing?…do I keep getting irritated?…do I feel life as a botheration?

The Parable of the Persistent Widow is certainly a big lesson to remain firm and perseverant in our prayer life.
>> But this parable, when looked from another perspective, is also a big challenge to become a people who reach out in justice and give comfort and consolation to the needy.

Knock….knock…
Do we hear the knock, seeking for help?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Spending time along little streams can be a fascinating pastime.

When along these streams, one can observe tiny flies that come and bathe in it.

If one notices carefully, it can be seen that while they plunge their bodies, they keep their wings high out of the water and fly away, with their wings unwet!

The wings are kept safe from getting wet, so that there is no hindrance in flying again!

How beautiful a lesson is this for us Christians…
…. who live in the world, yet are called to be out of the world.
… who live amidst possibilities of wealth, yet are called to be detached from them.
… who live with the prospect of gaining immense power, yet are exhorted to not be attached

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus highlighting this essential element of Christian living : Being in the world, but living out of the world, with eyes firmly set on heavenly realms.

Jesus says, “Whoever seeks to gain his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life, will preserve it” (Lk 17:33)

Very often our lives get too attached to material riches and attachments.

•      We fall prey to seeking great honour and fame in being a Christian…
… but are unable to grasp the fact that ‘to be a Christian is to be living a life of simplicity’.

•      We yield to temptations of being obsessed to seek power and positions of futile vanity…
… and fail time and again to live up to the Christian virtues of humility and modesty

•      We often become victims of engaging in dirty politics and authority-grabbing games…
… and become an anti-witness to the Lord who ‘came to serve, rather than be served’

We need to give heed to the words of the Lord who prayed that “we are in the world, but do not belong to this world” (Jn 17: 15)

A Christian life…. ought to be hallmarked by detachment and separation…
… detachment from too much of worldly distractions and vain glory
… separation from sinful ways and evil tendencies

Instead, a Christian life… ought to be radiated with total focus and complete dedication…
… total focus on the Lord who ‘walked the talk’ by giving up His life in service
… complete dedication to the Kingdom of God which calls for a humble way of life

The world today is being ‘gripped in sin’, “as it was in the days of Noah” (Lk 17:26)
>> We need to open our eyes to realise the warning given by the Lord and be ‘on the watch’ after the example of the destruction of the sinful city of Sodom.

Perhaps our own life… or our family… or our community… our society…
…  is resembling the city of Sodom

>> There is much drunkenness in worldly pleasures…

>> There is much ‘eating and consumption’ of corrupt practices…
>> There is much neglect of honest ways and of truthful conduct…
>> There is much enjoyment of bad, inhuman and cruel behaviours…

May we seek the intercession of St Frances Xavier Cabrini, whose feast we celebrate today, in order to be bold and firm in following the ways of the Lord.
She was the first American citizen to be canonized a saint.

Let us deepen…
… our faith in the Lord
… our love for the Kingdom
… and our detachment from riches
… echoing her words: We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

In the 1990s, there came an advertisement in promotion of the fizzy drink: Coca-cola… especially during the thick of some cricketing action.

>> The promotion lines went thus: Eat cricket, sleep cricket, drink only Coca-cola.

The ad was to infuse a greater mood of the game and to promote the use and consumption of the cola drink.

The Gospels, with Jesus as the greatest promoter, would have a promotion line, with a similar phrasing: Eat Kingdom, Sleep Kingdom, Drink Kingdom, Work Kingdom, Live Kingdom!

Are we ready to collaborate with Jesus, to infuse a greater spirit of the Kingdom in the world and to promote the reach and spread of the Kingdom of God?

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching on the Kingdom of God.

The Pharisees ask “when” the kingdom will come  (Lk 17:20)…
>> Jesus however explains “how” the Kingdom will come (17:22-35)

Jesus does not give an answer to the question of the Pharisees.
>> Rather, He makes to realize what should be the proper question.

It’s the style and technique of the Lord to get right the priorities and focus in life!

The people searched for Jesus after the miracle of the multiplication of loaves…
> Jesus sets right their intentions by speaking of the need to hunger for the bread of life (Jn 6)

The disciples of John came to clarify whether Jesus was indeed the Messiah to come…
> Jesus sets right their focus by turning their attention to all His signs and deeds (Lk 7:19ff)

The two disciples, James and John, sought for privileged places in Jesus’ future reign…
> Jesus sets right their priorities by exhorting them to grow rather in humility and service (Mk 10: 35-45)

Nicodemus, in his encounter with Jesus, remained on peripheral questions and doubts…
> Jesus sets right his doubts by calling his attention on living a life in the Spirit and being born anew spiritually (Jn 3: 1-21)

The Lord loves to challenge our doubts, theories & even convictions…in order to be in harmony with the priorities of the Kingdom.

>> Am I willing to allow the Lord to work in me to change some of my thinking patterns, that would be in accord to His Will?

>> Am I flexible to let the Lord to mould and shape my lifestyle and thus be in tune with the focus of His Kingdom?

The “Kingdom of God” is an oft-repeated phrase in the New Testament and especially in the Gospels.

What is the Kingdom of God?

A kingdom normally brings to picture a geographical territory, with its clear-cut boundaries and its rulers and citizens.

The Kingdom of God, is however, quite different!
>> The Kingdom of God is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms!

The Kingdom of God is a spiritual reality where God’s Will is done.

It is a person; it is He – Jesus!

“Jesus leads people to realize the overwhelming fact that in Him, God is present among them and that He is God’s presence.” (from the book, “Jesus of Nazareth – Part I” by Pope Benedict XVI)

The Pharisees who asked Jesus on “when” the Kingdom would come, were probably expecting an external sort of a Kingdom.

>> They probably expected a Kingdom which would overturn and overthrow the Roman Government.

>> They probably expected a Kingdom where perfect peace and harmony would reign all over the world.

But Jesus clarifies the nature of this Kingdom…

He speaks of a Kingdom which is much more internal & spiritual, and whose impact would be felt and experienced in the external world.

One experiences the Kingdom of Heaven first in one’s inner life…and this is manifested in one’s external lifestyles…

The Samaritan Woman experienced the power of the Kingdom of God within herself, when she spoke to Jesus, the fountain of life…
>> And this experience of the Kingdom led her to proclaim the name of Jesus to all her villagers & bring many to the saving fold of the Lord.

The Disciples experienced the power of the Kingdom of God within them, when the Holy Spirit descended on them…
>> And this experience of the Kingdom was manifested in their bold and powerful witnessing life!

St Paul experienced the force of the Kingdom of God within him, when he encountered the Risen Lord on the way to Damascus…
>> And this experience of the Kingdom was displayed by him through his passionate life of preaching and missionary works.

In the Prayer, the Our Father, we pray:
“Thy Kingdom Come,
Thy Will be Done…”

>> The Kingdom of God is, where the Will of God is fulfilled.
>> The Kingdom of God reigns, where the Will of God is in control.

The whole ministry of Jesus was centered around this “Kingdom of God” concept.
>> He began His ministry preaching that the Kingdom of God is near.

>> He spoke parables and spoke many teachings of the presence of the Kingdom of God.

>> He performed great signs and wonders to tell that the Kingdom of God is in our midst.

The question arises before us:
Is the Kingdom of God here?
>> Or is the Kingdom yet to come?

This is where we speak of the concept of “Already and not yet”

The Kingdom of God is already here, but not yet!
>> The Kingdom of God already reigns now, but not yet, in its fullness!

As St Paul says in 1 Cor 13: 12, “At present, we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present, I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known”.

Do I experience the Kingdom of God in my life?

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17)

>> I need to experience the joy and the peace of the Lord in my life…
>> I need to place the priorities of God over all else in my life…
>> I need to radiate the precious love of the Lord to all in my life…
That’s the Kingdom of God.
>> That’s the Reign of God.

We are invited today “to radiate heaven on our faces”!

Yes, let us Eat Kingdom, Sleep Kingdom, Drink Kingdom, Work Kingdom, Live Kingdom!

May we become a “Kingdom People!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Shopping malls and Super markets have gained a lot of popularity over the last few years.

One of the attractions in most of these places is the decorative tag-board displaying the word: “FREE”!

>> Buy one shirt, get one FREE…
>> Pick up two items of your choice, and get a gift hamper FREE…
>> Choose any one item in the following, and receive a kitchen set absolutely FREE…

People flock where there are FREE things to be offered.

Sometimes, even in our religion and our spirituality, we look for such FREE offers!

Though, there’s nothing wrong in this concept of FREE offers…
… in the spiritual realm, such FREE gifts also places a demand on the receivers to have a spirit of gratefulness and gratitude.

Every FREE gift in the spiritual world, is a call to cultivate greater, the spirit of Thankfulness!

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder to  grow in this dimension of appreciating & acknowledging the great FREE gifts of God in our lives.

The story of the Healing of the Ten Lepers is a very familiar and popular incident.

In the Biblical days, leprosy, was one of the most dreaded diseases. Leprosy finds its mention in the Bible in over 40 places.

One of the reason why leprosy is talked about so much in the Bible is that it is a graphic illustration of sin’s destructive power.
>>  Incurable by man, many believed that God inflicted the curse of leprosy upon people for the sins they committed.

Leprosy became a disease that was so despised and loathed that those afflicted were not allowed to live in any community with their own people (Numbers 5:2).

A leper wasn’t allowed to come within six feet of any other human, including his own family.
>> The disease was considered so revolting that the leper wasn’t permitted to come within 150 feet of anyone when the wind was blowing.

Lepers lived in a community with other lepers until they either got better or died.
This was the only way the people knew to contain the spread of the contagious forms of this dreaded sickness.

When the Lord travelled through the region of Samaria and Galilee, He encountered the group of ten lepers.

>> In churches, we’ve seen lovely choirs of men & women, who raise their voices to the heavens, with their beautiful & melodious voices.

>> At Christmas, the splendid choir of angels, raised their voice , to announce to the world, of the Birth of the Glorious Saviour of Humanity.

But here is another choir…A dreadful-appearing choir….Of Ten Lepers…

Their patches of skin were discoloured…
… with pink or white shades appearing on their brow, nose, ear, cheeks or chin….
… with spongy tumourous appearances on various parts of the body…
… and deformed hands and feet!

An unsightly and ugly choir….singing their melodious chorus in loud exaltation, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” (Lk 17:13)

The chorus reached the ears of the Divine Choir-Master, Jesus!
>> Their pitiful cry…their hopeless wail…their pleading voice, echoed in the ears of the Divine Healer!

“Go, show yourselves to the Priest” (Lk 17: 14) were the words of the Divine Lord.

Lev 14:1-9 states that the priest must authenticate any cure from leprosy.
>> This was to allow the afflicted person to re-enter the society.

But as the lepers are on their way to show to the priest, they are cured!

>> Miracles occur, when one chooses to put one’s trust in God!
>> Wonders happen, when one obeys the words of the Lord, in faith and hope!

But one of them realizes that He had been healed.

And so he returned and glorified God in a loud voice and fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him (Lk 17: 15)

Here is a big lesson for us all…
> All the ten lepers sought for a FREE blessing from the Lord.
> All the ten lepers expected a FREE miracle from the Healer.

>> Jesus, in His graciousness, did bless all of them with a FREE miracle.
>> Jesus, in His compassion, did shower all of them with a FREE blessing.

But just one among them, acknowledged the worth and value of that FREE gift
>> The rest of the nine, probably completely forgot the source of that FREE blessing.

Every FREE gift in the spiritual world, is a call to cultivate greater, the spirit of Thankfulness!

But perhaps, this is a reality that we very often forget in our lives.

We take for granted the many many FREE gifts and blessings that are showered upon us.

Like the FREE offers, available at shopping malls and super markets, we gladly receive God’s blessings…
… but unfortunately, often, fail to acknowledge them and be grateful for it.

The one who returned back to thank the Lord, received not just physical healing, but also was doubly blessed with the gift of being saved!

The Lord showers His FREE gifts on us…

>> Do I return back to thank God for His marvelous blessings?

>> Do I reduce my life to being a clatter of complaints or do I adorn my life with a litany of praises and thanksgiving?

>> Do I take all my blessings for granted and merely groan about my duties?

We love to flock where there are FREE things.
>> We also love to receive the FREE blessings from God.

But, in this process, let’s not fail to also acknowledge and thank Him for His FREE offers.

Ten people were healed that day, but only one came back to give thanks.
> The one who returned to give thanks chose not to forget what Jesus had done for him.

Are we living as this grateful one or as the other nine?

Praise is a choice.
> A thankful heart is a choice.

None is forced.
>> None is compelled.

The secret of a thankful heart is a conscious choice not to forget what God has done for us.

Shall we also possess this Secret?

(Psst…once again…this too is a FREE offer…. )

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Shopping malls and Super markets have gained a lot of popularity over the last few years.

One of the attractions in most of these places is the decorative tag-board displaying the word: “FREE”!

>> Buy one shirt, get one FREE…
>> Pick up two items of your choice, and get a gift hamper FREE…
>> Choose any one item in the following, and receive a kitchen set absolutely FREE…

People flock where there are FREE things to be offered.

Sometimes, even in our religion and our spirituality, we look for such FREE offers!

Though, there’s nothing wrong in this concept of FREE offers…
… in the spiritual realm, such FREE gifts also places a demand on the receivers to have a spirit of gratefulness and gratitude.

Every FREE gift in the spiritual world, is a call to cultivate greater, the spirit of Thankfulness!

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder to  grow in this dimension of appreciating & acknowledging the great FREE gifts of God in our lives.

The story of the Healing of the Ten Lepers is a very familiar and popular incident.

In the Biblical days, leprosy, was one of the most dreaded diseases. Leprosy finds its mention in the Bible in over 40 places.

One of the reason why leprosy is talked about so much in the Bible is that it is a graphic illustration of sin’s destructive power.
>>  Incurable by man, many believed that God inflicted the curse of leprosy upon people for the sins they committed.

Leprosy became a disease that was so despised and loathed that those afflicted were not allowed to live in any community with their own people (Numbers 5:2).

A leper wasn’t allowed to come within six feet of any other human, including his own family.
>> The disease was considered so revolting that the leper wasn’t permitted to come within 150 feet of anyone when the wind was blowing.

Lepers lived in a community with other lepers until they either got better or died.
This was the only way the people knew to contain the spread of the contagious forms of this dreaded sickness.

When the Lord travelled through the region of Samaria and Galilee, He encountered the group of ten lepers.

>> In churches, we’ve seen lovely choirs of men & women, who raise their voices to the heavens, with their beautiful & melodious voices.

>> At Christmas, the splendid choir of angels, raised their voice , to announce to the world, of the Birth of the Glorious Saviour of Humanity.

But here is another choir…A dreadful-appearing choir….Of Ten Lepers…

Their patches of skin were discoloured…
… with pink or white shades appearing on their brow, nose, ear, cheeks or chin….
… with spongy tumourous appearances on various parts of the body…
… and deformed hands and feet!

An unsightly and ugly choir….singing their melodious chorus in loud exaltation, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” (Lk 17:13)

The chorus reached the ears of the Divine Choir-Master, Jesus!
>> Their pitiful cry…their hopeless wail…their pleading voice, echoed in the ears of the Divine Healer!

“Go, show yourselves to the Priest” (Lk 17: 14) were the words of the Divine Lord.

Lev 14:1-9 states that the priest must authenticate any cure from leprosy.
>> This was to allow the afflicted person to re-enter the society.

But as the lepers are on their way to show to the priest, they are cured!

>> Miracles occur, when one chooses to put one’s trust in God!
>> Wonders happen, when one obeys the words of the Lord, in faith and hope!

But one of them realizes that He had been healed.

And so he returned and glorified God in a loud voice and fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him (Lk 17: 15)

Here is a big lesson for us all…
> All the ten lepers sought for a FREE blessing from the Lord.
> All the ten lepers expected a FREE miracle from the Healer.

>> Jesus, in His graciousness, did bless all of them with a FREE miracle.
>> Jesus, in His compassion, did shower all of them with a FREE blessing.

But just one among them, acknowledged the worth and value of that FREE gift
>> The rest of the nine, probably completely forgot the source of that FREE blessing.

Every FREE gift in the spiritual world, is a call to cultivate greater, the spirit of Thankfulness!

But perhaps, this is a reality that we very often forget in our lives.

We take for granted the many many FREE gifts and blessings that are showered upon us.

Like the FREE offers, available at shopping malls and super markets, we gladly receive God’s blessings…
… but unfortunately, often, fail to acknowledge them and be grateful for it.

The one who returned back to thank the Lord, received not just physical healing, but also was doubly blessed with the gift of being saved!

The Lord showers His FREE gifts on us…

>> Do I return back to thank God for His marvelous blessings?

>> Do I reduce my life to being a clatter of complaints or do I adorn my life with a litany of praises and thanksgiving?

>> Do I take all my blessings for granted and merely groan about my duties?

We love to flock where there are FREE things.
>> We also love to receive the FREE blessings from God.

But, in this process, let’s not fail to also acknowledge and thank Him for His FREE offers.

Ten people were healed that day, but only one came back to give thanks.
> The one who returned to give thanks chose not to forget what Jesus had done for him.

Are we living as this grateful one or as the other nine?

Praise is a choice.
> A thankful heart is a choice.

None is forced.
>> None is compelled.

The secret of a thankful heart is a conscious choice not to forget what God has done for us.

Shall we also possess this Secret?

(Psst…once again…this too is a FREE offer…. )

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Pope is the Head of the Universal Church.

He is recognized by many titles… Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles,  Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church etc.

Another prominent title among these is: the Servant of the servants of God.

Servanthood is an important dimension in being a follower of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation and reminder to this great aspect of our Christian Lives: Being a Servant.

The Lord narrates the Parable of the Unprofitable Servant.

In this parable, Jesus tells about a servant who works all day long out in the field, or out taking care of the flock.
And after he works all day long, he comes into the house…

Is he expected to sit down and rest and eat his own meal?
>> No

Rather, he is required to serve his master by providing him the meal first.

And after doing all that work – all day long – there’s no word of thanks, no gratitude.

Jesus closes out this parable by saying that the servant was unprofitable because he only did what he was told to do.

>> Is it something practical?
>> Is it something easy?

Our modern-day psychology would speak of the concept of a “positive stroke” that is to be given to those working or those who undertake some labour.

>> It’s important that the employers in a company are given a “positive stroke” by appreciating their good works…

>> It’s important that the servants in a house are given a “positive stroke” by encouraging with good words and a cheerful countenance…

>> It’s important that the workers in a firm or factory are given a “positive stroke” by acknowledging their worth and constantly boosting their confidence level…

But the Gospel of the Day seems to be demanding much more from a Servant…

>> A servant who works whole day long ploughing in the field or tending the sheep…
>> A servant who delays his needs and instead prepares and serves meals for his master…
>> A servant, who after all his works, doesn’t expect words of gratitude…

The Parable is surely a tough one!

But, we need to remember, and take into account an important aspect:
The One who preached this Parable was not a mere preacher, but was a ‘practicer’!

Jesus, the one who preached this Parable, practised perfectly, this life of being a servant.

>> He is the Servant,  who works in the field ploughing…
…sowing the seed of the Word of God, ploughing the Gospel in the hearts of people and toiling in the hot sun of oppositions and mockery

>> He is the Servant, who tends the sheep in the field…
…providing pasture for His people, protecting them from the wolves of the evil and going after any of the sheep which are lost in the wilderness

>> He is the Servant, who prepares a meal and serves at table…
…nourishing those at table with His own body, strengthening them with His own blood and constantly reinforcing in the journey of life

How are we to be such a Servant of the Lord?

•         Having a mind of being a Servant of God:
The world of a servant centers not around himself, but around the Master.
Whatever pleases the Master, the servant does.

If we truly acknowledge God as our Master, then we too…
…will do the works which please Him
…will think and seek to do His Will
…will speak the words which are worthy of His grace

•        Being Committed in this task of being His servant
The world of a servant centers around total availability and openness to the needs of the Master.
If we truly accept God as our Master, then we too…

…will give ourselves to Him totally at all times
…will place His priorities over ours
…will avoid anything that blocks my complete service of Him

The Call is to be a Servant…who is dedicated and selfless.
>> Jesus is our model and example in being a Servant.

It’s a demand placed on us.
>> Servanthood is an important dimension in being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Let us seek for this grace of growing in the Service of the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!