“Hearing, knowing and discovering Jesus!”

(Based on Exod 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b and Mt 13:10-17- Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Let’s begin our reflection today with one verse prior..

Jesus in Mt 13:9 says, “He who has ears, let him hear!”

Two ones are two
Two twos are four
Two threes are six
Two fours are eight
Two fives are ten….

Remember having learnt the multiplication table by constant, loud repeating until you knew them by heart?

When we hear what we say, it gets into our heart….

It’s vital to hear well, so that it gets drilled into our heart!

It is interesting to notice how the Bible often uses some part of the human body to make an important spiritual observation or illustrate an principal Biblical truth…
… as does this verse: “He who has ears, let him hear!”

“God has given us two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we talk.”

The Bible talks in many places about this very practical and crucial habit of listening.

Jesus, the teacher-par-excellence, reminds His listeners to become aware of the Importance of hearing…
… and hearing it fully and well!

Jesus lived in times when technological advancements were still a distant reality.

Memory Chips, Recording Devices, Video Capturing Units were nowhere in use.

To communicate a message and instill it in the memory of the people was not an easy task….

But Jesus is the great illustrator – the Master Story Teller!

He loved to use common and practical examples to get His point through…

He would see the field…
… and proclaim the Parable of the Sower and related parables….

He would see the sheep…
… and enlighten with the Parable of the Good Shepherd…

He would see the vineyard…
… and impart the Parable of the Vineyard…

He would see the many day-to-day items…
… and convey the Parables of the Mustard Seed, the Salt, the Light, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Lost Coin….etc….

Jesus painted pictures in the minds of His listeners – a classical artist indeed!

But why Parables?

Jesus says, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven has been granted to you, but not to them!” (Mt 13:11)…
… and quotes Isaiah, “they look but they do not see and hear but do not listen or understand!” (Mt 13:14)

Is Jesus wanting to keep the people away from believing?

Certainly No!

Let us look to Prophet Isaiah to get clarity on this verse…

Prophet Isaiah was ridiculed and mocked by his listeners for being too plain and simple in his message!

His critics in fact, even accuses him of talking childish language.. “Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast??” ( Is 28:9)

And despite this simple and plain talk, his listeners failed to listen…
… they became hard-hearted!

And it is in answer to this cold response, that He encountered from people, especially the Pharisees, that Jesus quotes prophet Isaiah, “You shall indeed hear but not understand.. you shall indeed look, but never see!”

What a pity…
… when we hear, and yet pretend not to have heard!
What a tragedy…
… when we see, and act as if we are blind!

It happens all too often in our lives too…

Smoking is dangerous to health…
… but people still puff up their lives in smoke!
Drinking is harmful to good living…
… but people melt away their lives down the drain!
Seat belts and helmets save lives…
… but people don’t use and risk their lives in accidents & disasters!

We know…
… yet we fail to act

We see…
… yet we are blind

We hear…
… yet we are deaf!

Our conscience acts similar….

The first time we do something we know is wrong, we feel a stab, warning us…
The next time we do the same wrong thing, the stab becomes a little less intense….
But if we continue in this way, our conscience becomes deadened and we no longer feel any guilt at all…

As Jesus spoke Parables to unbelievers, they resisted His message and their hearts became more hardened!

To those who are open to the truth and those who are spiritually eager
… the Parables are a great teaching.
To those closed in their minds and inflated in pride
… the Parables are mere kids stories to be discarded!

Jesus wants us to hear…and know..and discover Him!

Am I really hearing?
Am I really seeing?

Am I really open to discover the Divine Truths?

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

The acceptance by human society of murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them…
… is a scandalous injustice and a grave offense.
Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death of their brethren in the human family…

… indirectly commit homicide, which is imputable to them. (CCC # 2269)

“Simply sowing, with the Divine Sower, in his mad generosity!”

(Based on Exod 16:1-5, 9-15 and Mt 13:1-9 – Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

If variety is the spice of life…
… simplicity is the essence of life.

If humour is the flavour of life…
… simplicity is the base of life.

If cheerfulness is the seasoning in life…
… simplicity is the spirit of life!

Simple things, always go a long way in life…
… isn’t it?

Our God is the God of simplicity

He is the God of small things!

The Lord of Simplicity and Smallness loves to expound His beautiful and profound teaching of the Kingdom of God…
… through the simple and small objects of life.

In today’s Gospel, a Mighty Teaching is delivered through the medium of…
… the Tiny seed
… the insignificant soil
… and the unnoticed Sower!

Certain simple things of life remain in the background, until a strong gaze is fixed on them…
… to realize its worth and importance.

Is this not true even in our day to day lives?

The simple acts of sacrifice and love done by the members of the family
The unseen efforts of a number of workers ensuring cleanliness and safety in society
The quiet acts of service rendered by those working in our institutions and places of work
… all these simple aspects of life often remain forgotten and unrecognized, unless we consciously make an effort to remember and thank them!

And so today’s Gospel begins with the verse… “A Sower went out to sow and as he sowed….”

Full Stop!

We don’t hear of this Sower anymore in the Parable.

There is much written on the type of soil…
There in enough written on seeds that are broadcasted…
There is a fair mention also of the produce…
… But what about the Sower?

So, today, let’s focus the camera of our reflection today….on the generally unnoticed Sower…

This Sower has a stand out quality:

He is…
… lavish in His generosity
… extravagant in His big-heartedness
… and sumptuous in His Kindness!

Though seasoned in His profession of sowing the Seeds, the Sower, bountifully, broadcasts the Seeds on all sorts of soil…

Look closer….

He doesn’t make an account of the number of seeds lost…
He doesn’t tally the wastage that will be incurred…
He doesn’t bill the produce that will result…

He just does one thing… HE SOWS!

Is HE mad??

Seems so!

A Mad Sower….!
… A Sower Who is mad in being extremely generous, lavish and extravagant!

Who is this Sower?

GOD

The Sower is God, Who is Mad …
… mad for His children, by sowing the seeds of Mercy and Love, generously!
… mad for His people, by sowing the seeds of Forgiveness and Acceptance, lavishly!
… mad for His loved ones, by sowing the seeds of His Grace and His Spirit, extravagantly!

Now, how many of us can be like that?

Do we sow…
… when a loss is bound to happen as per human calculations?

Do we sow honesty and truthfulness…
… even if birds of injustice devour all our good intentions?

Do we sow good initiatives…
… even if there is no reward and all our endeavours are being choked?

Do we sow a kind word…
… even if we know that bad words will scorch our pure purpose?

Do we sow a loving action…
… even though the reaction is always tepid and cold and even adverse?

Do we sow help and co-operation…
… in spite of the fact that no one will appreciate our good works?

Do we sow a forgiving smile & a reconciling gesture…
… though we are deeply hurt & even wounded?

Do we sow an attitude of deep trust & confidence…
… although things are totally topsy-turvy in life?

The Sower, in the Parable, however, continued to Sow…..

He knows… “As the rains and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return, till they have watered the earth…
… the Seed will not return idle, but will accomplish the purpose for which it has been sown!” (Cf. Is 55:10-11)

Truly…
… sowing is not a very easy task
… sowing is not a rewarding enterprise!

But today, the Divine Sower, who is “madly generous,” dares us to join Him in Sowing!

Yes, it’s a simple spirituality: “Simply Sow, so as to serve the society, with satisfaction and serenity!”

Are we willing to Simply Sow, with the Divine Sower, in his Mad Generosity?

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

The moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without grave reason…

… as well as refusing assistance to a person in danger. (CCC # 2269)

“May St Mary Magdalene help us to understand that ‘Love transforms everything!’ and thus do everything with greater passion!”

(Based on the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene)

A Dutch diamond collector was seeking for a very rare diamond.

A diamond dealer in New York heard of this inquiry and contacted him…
… letting him know that he believed he possessed the diamond he was looking for.

The diamond collector arrived…
… and the dealer had his salesman present the diamond.

The salesman described all the technical aspects of the diamond.

However within minutes, the diamond collector rose his hand and said: “I am sorry! >> This is not the diamond I am looking for”…
… and began to walk away.

Watching from a distance, the diamond dealer hurriedly intercepted him…
… and he asked him if he could present the diamond again.

Since he had travelled a long distance, the collector agreed to listen once again.

The dealer pulled out the same diamond and started describing his admiration for this particular diamond.

Within minutes they were signing papers, and the diamond was purchased.

As the gentleman was walking out, he asked, what just happened?

Why was it so easy for me to say no to your salesman a little while ago, while with you I purchased the diamond?

The dealer replied: “That salesman is the best in the business.

He knows more about diamonds than anyone, including myself, and I pay him a large salary for his knowledge and expertise.

But I would gladly pay him twice as much if I could put into him something I have, which he lacks.

You see, he knows diamonds…
… but I love them!”

Love transforms everything!

Love adds passion to any activity we do.

Today we celebrate the Feast of one such person who deeply loved the Lord – St Mary Magdalene.

The Bible presents St Mary Magdalene as a woman who loved Jesus intensely and passionately.

She teaches us remarkable things for each one of us to Love the Lord deeper:

1. She Followed Him

Luke 8:2 presents Mary Magdalene as having been cured of seven demons.

Her experience of the Healing of the Lord, made her to Follow Jesus, in His ministry of preaching and healing.

Am I following the Lord?

All of us, in our life, have experienced the power of the Lord.

But do I truly follow the Lord?

2. She was Persistent to seek Him

The Death of her Lord had rocked Mary Magdalene…
… and she seeks persistently, in the tomb where Jesus was laid.

Even though she witnessed an empty tomb, her heart longed to see the Saviour…. “so she stayed outside the tomb weeping” (Jn 20:11).

Am I persistent to seek the Lord?

I have often had setbacks in my prayer life, work situations & aspirations.

But do I still persevere in looking for the Lord?

3. She was Single-hearted in her search for Him

In her search for Jesus, whom she misunderstood as a gardener, Mary Magdalene expresses her sincerity and frankness and single-mindedness – “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” (Jn 20:15)

She sought no empty phrases or consolations
… but the Lord alone!

Nothing and none else could suffice her
… but the Lord alone!

Am I single-hearted in my search for the Lord?

I am sometimes content with fleeting pleasures, transitory consolation and momentary comforts in my spiritual life.

Am I single-hearted in my longing for the Lord?

4. She was enthusiastic about Him

Once she recognized the ordinary gardener as her Precious Master, Mary Magdalene is enthusiastic and fervent about Him.

Nothing could stop her from proclaiming Him.

In the words of St Bernard, “she became an apostle to the Apostles”.

Am I enthusiastic in my life?

As a Christian, I have in me the influencing, the powerful and the salvific good news of the Lord.

Am I enthusiastic in sharing about the Lord to others?

Let us learn from St Mary Magdalene…
… her commitment in following of Jesus
… her persistence in waiting for Jesus
… her single-heartedness in searching for Jesus
… and her enthusiasm in telling others about Jesus.

St Mary Magdalene…
… is a beautiful model of being a Disciple
… is a wonderful example of being a Divine-Seeker
… is a classic illustration of being a Dispenser of the Good News

St. Mary Magdalene holds a unique place in the history of Jesus.

The One who rose from the grave of death, appeared first to her, who herself experienced a rising from the grave of sin!
She was the first (as per the Gospel accounts) to see Him alive and the first to hear His voice.

She became the first evangelist in Christian history.

She is the mourner who turned into a missionary!

Let us passionately love the Lord, like St Mary Magdalene,
… ‘cos there isn’t an ocean too deep, a mountain so high it can keep…
… keep us away, away from His love!

As Christians it is not enough that we “know about Christ”…
… it is more important “to know Christ” and to love Him!

Love adds passion to any activity we do.

May St Mary Magdalene help us to understand that “Love transforms everything!”

Happy Feast of St Mary Magdalene – the Disciple, the Divine-Seeker, the Dispenser of the Good News!

Happy Feast of Tender Love and Mercy to all!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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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

The fifth commandment forbids doing anything with the intention of indirectly bringing about a person’s death. (CCC # 2269)

“Being closer to Jesus, the Great ‘Sun’ and living our Christian lives in ‘sincerity’, in zealousness and with deeper passion for the ‘Son’ of God!”

(Based on Exod 14:5-18 and Mt 12:38-42 – Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

The English word (according to a popular legend) ‘sincere’ comes from two Latin words : ‘sin-e’ and ‘cere’.

‘Sin-e’ means: without
‘Cere’ means: wax

So ‘sin’e’ + ‘cere’ means “without wax”

Sincere, therefore, literally means, being “without wax”

In ancient times, when art flourished, it was a common practice to repair with “invisible wax”, any vase or statue that had, as a result of carelessness, been damaged.

Sometimes while chiseling the bust in marble, if the chisel slipped out the Sculptor’s hand, some edge of the statue would be chipped off.
Rather than taking the trouble of making a new bust…
… the sculptor would repair the features with “wax” so that the flaw could not be detected, unless by very close scrutiny.

However, if the client happened to be a knowledgeable person…
… he would carry the finished statue into the open before paying for it
… and examine it carefully in the sunlight!

If the statue was “sincere” i.e. “without wax” – it would remain firm; else some parts of it would drop down!

“Sincerity” of the statue was thus examined in the presence of sunlight!

Am I a “sincere” person? – “Without the wax” of deceit, malice, corruption or guile

I need to come into the presence of the Sunlight – Jesus – to be examined!

The Gospel of the day presents an incident where the “insincerity” of a certain group of people was exposed in the warming and bright presence of Jesus, the Light of the world.

Some of the Scribes and the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you” (Mt 12: 38)

Through St Paul, we get to know that it was, probably, a characteristic of the Jews to ‘demand signs’.

“For Jews demand signs, and Greeks look for wisdom” (1 Cor 1: 22)

When we scan through the pages of the Bible, we also see God Himself giving many signs to His people…

God put a mark on Cain, after he had killed Abel, so that no one should kill him at sight (Gen 4: 15)
God gave the sign of the ‘rainbow’, as a sign of the covenant, so that the waters would never become a flood, to destroy all mortal beings (Gen 9: 13-15)
God empowered Moses with many signs, when Moses had to present himself before Pharaoh, in a bid to ask him “to let go” of the Israelites ( Ex 3: 12)
Two hundred and fifty men were consumed, by a fire from the Lord, after they had unworthily offered incense to God (Num 16: 35)
God gave a sign to Gideon, when he asked for it, humbly, as a confirmation in his entrusted task (Judg 6: 17)
God gave a sign at King Saul’s anointing (1 Sam 10: 1-13)

However, in today’s Gospel, we find that when the Pharisees and the Scribes, demand a sign, Jesus doesn’t yield to it!

What was the reason?

The demand of the Pharisees and Scribes was a demand for a sign “not in humility” or “to really cast off any doubt”

Rather, this was a demand for a sign that exposed their obstinacy to remain in unbelief!

In fact, Jesus sees through their “insincerity”

He sees through the fact, that they were “with wax” – the wax of deceit, falsity and deception!

And this “wax” of trickery, began to melt in the presence of Jesus, the Powerful Light!

Therefore Jesus comes down heavily on them and says, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign…” (Mt 12: 39)

Note the two strong words that Jesus uses…

Evil: pointing to a wicked heart that sought destruction and spoiling the lives of others
Adulterous: pointing to an unfaithful heart that reduced relations to a mere pragmatic nature, and was characterised by cheating and disloyalty.

Is my life also characterised by constantly wanting “only” signs from God…

I expect immediate answers to all my prayers, in the way I want
I always want some miracles, as I choose, to keep the light of my faith burning
I get depressed and feel totally lost when I do not get the signs that I expected in life
I witness a lot of wondrous deeds around me, but still I remain obstinate in my unbelief

Is my Christian life only a sign-seeking one…
… or is my Christian life, rather, a Saviour-seeking one?

Am I adamant with wanting only miracles…
… or am I, rather, passionate and zealous about the Master?

Jesus invites us to be “sincere” – “without wax”.

In His bright presence, all “wax” of duplicity and hypocrisy will melt
In His glowing light, all “wax” of dishonesty and deception will dissolve

Let us be closer to Jesus, the Great ‘Sun’ and live our Christian lives in “sincerity”
… in zealousness and with deeper passion for the ‘Son’ of God!

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

Infanticide, fratricide, parricide, and the murder of a spouse are especially grave crimes by reason of the natural bonds which they break.

Concern for eugenics or public health cannot justify any murder, even if commanded by public authority. (CCC # 2268)

“Sorting out our priorities properly, by giving the highest priority to the Lord!”

(Based on Genesis 18:1-10a, Col 1:24-28 and Lk 10:38-42 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

Nine year old Bobby arrived late for the football match.

The game had already started.

The coach, obviously upset as Bobby was a key player, shouted at him: “Why are you so late?”

“I had to decide”, replied Bobby, “Today is a Sunday. And I had to decide between going to Church and going for this football game”

“Then what did you do” asked the coach curiously

“I tossed a coin to decide” said Bobby.

“Tossed a coin?” asked the surprised coach, “But that shouldn’t have taken too long.”

“Hmmm…” continued Bobby, “Well… I had to toss the coin 35 times!”

(Little Bobby kept on tossing the coin…till he got what he wanted – i.e. to go for the football match!!)

How often are we too like Li’l Bobby, when it comes to making choices and priorities, especially in our spiritual life…
We get confused in choosing the correct choices

We get puzzled in preferring the proper priorities

We sometimes even seek to justify our choices and argue to validate our priorities
We insist on having our way… modify situations to suit our needs!

As a result, we often end up….
… in complaining and cribbing
… in back biting and bickering
… in criticism and calumny

The Gospel of the Day is a lesson in making the proper priorities and the correct choices in life.

We have the familiar incident of Jesus as a guest in the house of Martha and Mary.

Jesus came to a village and was welcomed in the house of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38)

Martha demonstrated great hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home (Lk 10:40)

She got busy with the tasks of serving their honoured Guest.

Mary, on the other side, displayed great devotion and love, by sitting at the feet of Jesus (Lk 10:39)

She got immersed in spending time, with the revered Rabbi.

The character of Martha is vividly seen in this incident

Here is a lady…
… hospitable and welcoming
… engaging in works to make the stay of her Guest comfortable
… ready to struggle and do whatever she can, to bring happiness to the Other

Many of us could probably identify ourselves with Martha.

We are willing to let go of our self so that others may enjoy and feel contented
We engage ourselves into works so that the life of our loved ones are taken care
We are ready to struggle and do whatever we can, to bring joy and comfort to others

But despite doing all these hard works, like Martha, we often end up on the wrong side

When Martha complained to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?” (Lk 10: 40)
… she was expressing her feelings of being over burdened
… she was giving vent to her emotions of not being acknowledged

But Jesus calms her, and chides her mildly, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and anxious about many things…” (Lk 10: 41)

Something interesting is to be noted here…. “Martha, Martha!”

A double calling of the name!

The Scripture records only very few instances when such an occurrence took place – the name being called twice…

Abraham: (Gen 22:11): “But the angel of the Lord called to him out of heaven: ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”

Jacob (Gen 46:2): “In a vision at night God called to Israel, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”

Moses (Ex 3:4): “When the Lord saw that he had gone over to see, God called him from the middle of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”

Samuel (1 Sam 3:10): “The Lord came and stood and spoke as at the other times: ‘Samuel, Samuel.’ and Samuel said, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.'”

Simon Peter (Lk 22:31) “Simon, Simon! Behold, Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail.

Saul (Acts 9:4) “Falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

We also find another important instance: Jesus calling on God (Mt 27:46): “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani – My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

What does the twice calling of the name in the Bible refer to?

Repeating a person’s name was a Hebrew expression of intimacy

In all the instances of the name being called twice, a major event/occasion/teaching was being referred to

Taking a cue from this…
… When Jesus calls “Martha, Martha” – the name being called twice:

Jesus is expressing a filial tenderness and love for Martha
Jesus is also referring to an important teaching: “Giving importance to Jesus above all”

To each of us then, who find ourselves, struggling and complaining like Martha…

The Lord calls our name – “probably twice ” – and tells us:
“With much tenderness and love, I invite you my child, to give heed to an important teaching:
… Give priority to ME above all!”

Like Martha, maybe we are often distracted
Perhaps…

We tell the Lord that we wish to follow Him wholeheartedly…
… but are sometimes unwilling to let go of our sinful behaviours

We promise God that we would spend more time in prayer…
… but often excuses like lack of time prevent us from fulfilling our promises

We resolve that we will let go our sinful habits and tendencies…
… but often we cling on to those pleasures and fail to be more determined in rooting them out

Today, let us give heed to this invitation of the Lord: “To give priority to HIM above all!”

Surely, all of us do have…
… our own works and responsibilities
… our own cares and concerns of life
… our own distractions and troubles

But in the midst of all this…. beyond all these aspects: Let us give priority to the Lord!

Let His presence reign…
… in our work and responsibilities
Let His Providence be trusted…
… in our cares and concerns of life
Let His Power prevail… in our distractions and troubles

Let the incident of Martha and Mary inspire us, to make personal resolutions…
… of daily spending time with the Lord in personal prayer
… of daily reading the Word of God and listening to His Voice
… of daily making an examination of conscience and amending our lives

The Lord loves us much….
… let us love Him too
… let Him reign over our homes and our lives
… let us give Him full attention as The Guest of our hearts

Situations in life will often put to us dilemma in making a choice… in picking out our priorities
“Let us always give priority to the Lord!”

Are we going to toss a coin for this?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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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

The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as gravely sinful.

The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance. (CCC # 2268)