“Being united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord – renewing our consecration this day to Him and persevering to live love – in purity, faithfulness and truth!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

There was an elderly Christian lady who was extremely popular with the kids, due to her kind and simple way of talking.

Once, while interacting with them, she asked: “Do you know, kids, that there is a big difference between the Divine attitude and the human attitude!”

And she went on to say: “The Divine attitude is to ‘give give, give and forgive!

The human attitude is usually ‘get, get, get and forget!”

This is indeed so true!

God always loves to give and forgive

We, however, often tend to only get, and then finally, we forget!

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

Are we ready to make a journey towards having this Divine attitude of self-giving?

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

Love is one of the most used words in any language.

There is much literature available in any language on Love – poetry, novels, short stories, dramas, epics…

But Love is also one of the most misinterpreted, misunderstood & misused words.

The word ‘love” in our modern world, is highly commercialized & sensationalized, and very often, ends up losing its real meaning.

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

The Sacred Heart of Jesus shows us what is True Love!

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

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

1. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – a Merciful Heart

The Lord condemns sins, but loves the sinner!

There is hope for the worst sinner and acceptance for the fallen saint!

Love is indeed merciful!

2. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – a Sacrificial Heart

The Heart of the Divine Lord was pierced for love of us.

Though He knows we are sinners and we are betrayers…… yet, the Love of the Lord knows no bounds.
He sacrifices Himself, for us.
He died, that we may live.
He wounded Himself, that we may be healed!

Love is indeed sacrificial!

3. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – an all-embracing Heart

The world indulges in the categorization of people based on class, status, caste, language etc…

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, destroys all such pitiable discriminations and inhuman inequity, by expressing love to all!

There is light and love and joy and peace to ALL people!

Love is indeed all-embracing!

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a reminder and a challenge to each one of us to possess this Heart – His Heart – The Sacred Heart!

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

We live in times when heart diseases and ailments are on the rise…

Physically: Heart attacks, holes in the heart, congestive heart failures, narrowing of the arteries…
Emotionally: Broken hearts, fearful hearts, anxious hearts, discouraged hearts, lonely hearts, rejected hearts…
Spiritually: Unforgiving hearts, sinful hearts, unrepentant hearts, lukewarm hearts, lustful hearts, unfaithful hearts…

We all, possess one or more aspects of these hearts.

Perhaps, we need a ‘spiritual heart surgery’… a change of heart – to be more like the Heart of Jesus!

In Ezekiel 36:26, the Lord says, “A new heart I will give you…”

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

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

The Sacred Heart is burning with love for each of us!

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

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

Love is, indeed, a powerful word…
… but it is our duty to preserve its purity!

Let us be united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord
… renew our consecration this day to Him
… and persevere to live love – in purity, faithfulness and truth!

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

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

In the account of Abel’s murder by his brother Cain…

… Scripture reveals the presence of anger and envy in man, consequences of original sin, from the beginning of human history. (CCC # 2259)

“Being a ‘committed and convinced’ Christian!”

(Based on Gen 16:1-12, 15-16 and Mt 7:21-29 – Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A chameleon is a tree-dwelling lizard with long thin legs, a strong curled tail and a long sticky tongue.

One of the special characteristic of the chameleon is the ability to change its colour.

The chameleon takes the colour of its background and environment – tree, bush, or grass etc.

Chameleons have two superimposed layers within their skin that control their colour and thermoregulation.

The top layer contains a lattice of guanine nano-crystals.
In a relaxed state, the crystals reflect blue and green…
… but in an excited state the longer wavelengths such as yellow, orange, and red are reflected.

Is this not a similar case with many Christian lives as well?

Many Christians are like the chameleon – they can take on the colour of the world about them.

Just as it is difficult to distinguish the chameleon from the background…
… so it is very difficult to distinguish many Christians from the background of the world in which they live!

And the reason for this seems to be similar as well, just as the chameleons.

Perhaps such Christians have two superimposed-layers…

The top layer with the tag of “Christian” – but containing a lattice of “personal agenda” and “sinful inclinations”
When the external surroundings get conducive and favourable, this “lattice” of sin and duplicity expands – the colour changes – from “holiness” to “worldliness!”

The Gospel of the Day is a bold reminder and warning to us Christians from possessing such kind of a “colour-changing attitude”…
… professing one thing and living something else to suit the surroundings!

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

This Gospel passage is the conclusion of the spectacular Sermon on the Mount which began from Chapter 5 of the Gospel of St Matthew.

This great discourse and the brilliant exposition of the Christian teaching is concluded with two fundamental exhortations by Christ:

1. Be a doer of the Word, not just a listener
2. Have a strong foundation built on Him, rather than on the world!

Christianity, for some, becomes a soothing philosophy and a relaxing religion.

The mercy of the Lord… the love of the Father… the providence of God
… they become easy escape routes to avoid duties and responsibilities
The pious practices…the devout rituals… the spiritual exercises
… they sometimes get reduced to mere ‘relaxing’ techniques or ‘lifeless’ customs

It gets easy to merely say ‘Lord, Lord’ – but to live a life in witness to the Lord becomes a pain in the neck

It feels good to say, “Jesus, Jesus” – but to orient our actions and deeds, worthy of our vocation becomes a hard reality.

But this is the challenge that the Lord invites us to rise up to…

Being a person who seriously lives ones profession of faith and makes life a truly witnessing one!
Being a person who consciously makes efforts to be holy and saintly in order to give glory to the salvific act of the Lord, who shed His blood for us!

Towards this end, Jesus says that we need to have our faith and life built on the strong foundation of the Lord Himself!

To all who place their entire hope on worldly treasures or self-capabilities – like the house build on sand – are sure to collapse!
To all who build their entire trust on Jesus and His grace and goodness – like the house built on rock – are sure to remain firm!

Being a Christian is an exciting adventure.

There is lot of contentment… loads of peace… bundles of joy!

But there is also the danger of being snared by the pleasures or riches or temptations in the world…
… which constantly entices us to move away from the Lord and identify ourselves with the world.

St Peter says, “Your enemy, the Devil, is prowling round, like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith…” (1 Pt 5: 8-9)
Jesus says, “They do not belong to the world anymore… ” (Jn 17: 16)

Let us examine our Christian lives and check…

Am I a “committed and convinced” Christian?
… am I a “chameleon” Christian?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment

God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end…

… no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.” (CCC # 2258)

“Giving heed to the Cry of the Lord: BEWARE!”

(Based on Gen 15:1-12, 17-18 and Mt 7:15-20 – Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Joseph Grimaldi was an English actor, comedian and dancer, who became a very popular English entertainer in the 18th century.

This celebrated clown, used to go through phases of depression.

Once he went to a physician to obtain a cure for his depressed spirit.

The physician however, did not know who the patient was…
… and thought, he only needed a little amusement
He failed to realise that this man was a comedian himself.

So the physician said to him, “I think one of the best solutions for you is…
… go down the town, and there is a person named Grimaldi.

Hear his amusements… and am sure, you will be out of your depression!”

“But, doctor,” was the grim answer that came back, “I am Grimaldi!”

Even though he was a person who was able to make all others happy…
… within himself, Grimaldi failed to experience inner joy and peace of mind.

Does it happen with us as well…?

Externally things seem to be good and fine…
… but perhaps, internally we are experiencing pain and brokenness!

Exteriorly, maybe we have fair amount of money, luxuries and comfort…
… but perhaps, interiorly, we fail to have a sense of true joy and peace of mind

We are invited today to shun off every external “mask or façade” and truly bear fruits of peace, joy and love!

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

The world is fraught with a lot of dangers.

There are physical, social, emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational dangers etc.

Most of the time, we are aware of these dangers…

And we take means and measures…
… to be protected from them
… and to keep ourselves free from harm.

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

They are “Spiritual Dangers”

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

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

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

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

This is a strong word that is used in Greek – “prosecho”

“pros” means ‘before’
“echo” means ‘hold’
Thus, “prosecho” means “hold before!”

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

Jesus in the previous verses had given an invitation to walk along the narrow gate…

“Enter through the narrow gate…” (Mt 7:13)

In this striving to “enter through” to the gate of life…
… Jesus issues a strict warning to be aware of the false prophets who would misguide and lead astray

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing…” (Mt 7: 15)

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

It was a natural enemy, roaming the hills…

It would wait for a flock of sheep

At the precise moment, it would come out of its place of hiding
And snatch the sheep and rip it to shreds!

The sheep would be totally defenceless against such prowling wolves!

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

We have in the world, today…

Many obscuring philosophies
A number of attractive theological views
… which present religion in a very alluring, charming and pleasant way!
… which presents Christianity as a bed of roses – cosy, comfy and casual!

But let us give heed to the Cry of the Lord: BEWARE!

Let us not bleed away our precious spiritual life and our Christian Faith!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes, we need to Beware!!

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

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

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

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

The world will often take recourse to “deception and pretence” to rob spiritual resources…
But, as Christians, we need to be aware, as well as be on our guard, constantly…
… preserving our innocence
… and keeping alight our light of faith!

It’s only when we allow the Presence of the Lord to heal us…
… that we can experience true peace and joy!

Let’s pray therefore: “O Lord, you know that there are so many moments when I externally need to make others happy and put up a smiling face…
… even though I am broken and depressed within

I pray, at this moment…
… that Your Tender Mercy may heal, strengthen and renew me
… so that I truly become an Icon of Love and Peace in the world

I believe that by the Power of Your Love, I can truly become a joyful person, Amen!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment

Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God…

… and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. (CCC # 2258)

“Reinforcing hope and courage to everyone!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist)

There was a school system in a large city that had a program, to help children keep up with their school assignments…
… during the time when the children were admitted for sicknesses.

One day a teacher who was assigned to this program, received a call asking her to visit a particular child.

She took the child’s name and room number and had a short talk with the child’s regular class teacher.
“We’re studying about words in his class now – nouns and adverbs,” the class teacher said, “and I’d be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn’t fall too far behind.”

The hospital-program teacher went to see the boy that afternoon.

The boy had met with a bad accident, been badly burnt and was in great pain.

Upset at the sight of the boy, she stammered as she told him, “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.”

When she left after teaching, she felt she hadn’t accomplished much.

But the next day, a nurse asked her, “What did you do to that boy?”

The teacher felt she must have done something wrong and began to apologize.

“No, no,” said the nurse. “You don’t know what I mean. We’ve been worried about that little boy, but ever since yesterday, you met him, his whole attitude has changed.

He’s fighting back, responding to treatment…
It’s as though he’s decided to live!”

Two weeks later, the boy explained that he had completely given up hope until the teacher arrived.

Everything changed when he came to a simple realization which he expressed it this way:
“They wouldn’t send a teacher to teach about words, and work on ‘nouns and adverbs’ with a dying boy, would they?”

The gesture of teaching about “words” reinforced hope and courage to that dying boy!

Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear.

If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today!

The Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist comes with this great message of “hope!”

The Gospel presents the beautiful incident of the birth and naming of St John the Baptist.

The birth of John the Baptist is the pivot around which the history of our faith turns.

He was the last prophet of the Old Covenant…
… and the first of the New Covenant.

One of the highlighting aspects of the birth of John the Baptist is the message that “hope is not to be lost, even in the midst of extreme barrenness!”

The Gospel of St Luke says that “Elizabeth and Zechariah, both were advanced in years”, but they had no child; Elizabeth was barren” (Lk 1: 7)

Elizabeth’s barrenness was also symbolic of the barrenness of the land, of the world and of the entire humanity…

Wickedness had caused creation to be incapable of nurturing and sustaining life
Sin had rendered human beings infertile, to bear God’s grace and live in holiness

But God…
… is the God of hope
… the God of fulfilling every promise
… and the God of surprises!

From the barrenness of Elizabeth emerged the forerunner of the One who is Life!

From the barrenness of the world, God gave rise to the Fountain of hope and trust!

The entire life of St John – through the key events – is a spectacular reminder of this great virtue of “hope”

A. The conception of John
Even when there is barrenness all around, we need to “hope” in God who is able to work miracles and give us life and joy!

B. The naming of John
Even when there are many worldly voices that seek to distract us from the ways that God wishes for us, we need to “hope” in God and follow whatever He wills, so as to find glory and joy in Him!

C. The life of John in the desert
Even when life takes us through the deserts of emptiness, dangers, hardships and misery, we need to “hope” in God who has a definite plan and purpose for our life!

D. The beheading of John
Even when we become victims of cruelty, exploitation, wickedness and inhumanness, we need to “hope” in God by living a life of truth, courage, convictions and valour!

The Church celebrates the Nativity of only three persons, in her liturgical calendar…

Jesus -“Hope” Himself
Mother Mary – the Mother of “Hope”
John the Baptist – the symbol of “Hope”

We are invited to have our lives truly rooted in “hope” and become beacons of spreading this “hope and trust” to others.

There are many who are sick in our world.

There are many who are burnt by the fires of afflictions and at the point of death
There are many who have lost all faith in life and give themselves up to despair and dejection.

Our gestures of teaching about “The Word – Jesus” can reinforce hope and courage to those dying…
… in sin, in affliction, in depression, in loneliness.

Wish you a Happy Feast of the Nativity of the “symbol of Hope” – St John the Baptist.

May Jesus our “Hope” and Blessed Mamma, our “Mother of Hope” strengthen us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fourth Commandment – The authorities in civil society

The political rights attached to citizenship can and should be granted according to the requirements of the common good.
They cannot be suspended by public authorities without legitimate and proportionate reasons.

Political rights are meant to be exercised for the common good of the nation and the human community. (CCC # 2237)

“Purifying our lives, rather than indulging in mud-slinging on others!”

(Based on Gen 12:1-9 and Mt 7:1-5 – Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

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

Relax…

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

But for a moment, let’s look at the lives of these persons….

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

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

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

This is human judgment.

But in the Light of God’s mercy and by God’s way of judging…
… we know the story of all their lives!

Human beings are least equipped to judge, but their judgments are miserable & condemnable

God is fully equipped to judge, but His judgment is praiseworthy & encouraging!

That’s the difference in judgment between human beings and God!

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

We need to clarify what does the word JUDGE mean…

Jury makes judgments.
Schools make judgments on students.
Companies make judgments on candidates in an interview or in cases of promotion/demotion.

All these may not constitute the judgment that Jesus means.

Judging, in the sense of Jesus, is condemning!

It is to have a negative and pessimistic attitude to human beings and condemning and rejecting them outright and absolutely!!

We could consider “Judge not” from three aspects:

1. We are unworthy to pass a final judgment on any person or situation:

We need to let God be God and as human beings, we need to know our limitations.

2. We are not to judge the motives of other people:

Human beings see only the external…
… God sees the heart of the person!

3. We are not to be petty faultfinders:

We need to cease having a “microscopic vision,” in order to scan and scrutinize the faults and weaknesses of others.

In the light of today’s Gospel, we need to examine certain aspects of our life…

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

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

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

It’s high time we give up the “vulture-culture!”

Vultures, as we know, are birds, which fly across landscapes and terrains, and with their sharp eyes, swoop down on rotting, dead flesh…
… any flesh that is decayed, becomes a great feast for them!

The “vulture-culture” is very much in our society too…

We tend to relish on the decay, the weaknesses, the faults, the miseries and dark areas of others lives!

Am I, in anyway, contributing to this foul-practice?

Let’s examine!
Let’s improve!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Political authorities are obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person. >> They will dispense justice humanely by respecting the rights of everyone, especially of families and the disadvantaged. (CCC # 2237)