“Creating ‘beautiful paintings’ of God’s Love and Mercy in this world by the power of the Master!”

(Based on Ezek 47:1-9, 12 and Jn 5:1-16 – Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent)

After the death of a great painter in a particular place, a young boy went to the painting studio and asked for the great artist’s brush.

The boy tried the brush (thinking that with this great painter’s brush, he could also create great masterpiece!)…
… but found he could not paint any better with it than with his own.

It was then he realized…
… the power of painting, was not in the brush

It was in the Master!

The boy lacked the master’s power.

It was the power of the Master that created the beautiful paintings.

Jesus, displayed immense strength and courage…
… as a result of His Powerful Union with His Father!

This Power led Him to create “beautiful paintings” of Mercy and Love in the world.

The Gospel of the Day is an amazing revelation by Jesus on His relationship with the Father.

This passage has its background in the healing that Jesus performed on a Sabbath day, of a man who had been ill for a very long time – thirty-eight years (Jn 5: 1-16).

When the Jews found out from the healed person, that it was Jesus who had done this work, they were extremely furious.

Their objection was that…
… Jesus had done this miracle on a Sabbath
… Jesus had made the person to perform a work – of carrying the mat – on the Sabbath day.

They, therefore, began to persecute Jesus (Jn 5: 16).

But Jesus brought out a fair logic in defending Himself, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work” (Jn 5:17)

Jesus equates Himself to the Father….
Jesus establishes Himself as the Son of God…

And He draws the point, that just as, on the Sabbath Day, His Father….
… creates and sustains, so is He renewing and bringing life to the world!
… supplies life and maintains, so is He nourishing and refreshing the world!

Jesus, as the Son has every right and privilege to engage in life-saving works, just as His Father

Jesus, as the Son has every justification and claim to do life-redeeming works, just as His Father

As followers of Jesus, we are to be the extension of His life-saving and redeeming works in the world…
… Am I willing to become a person, filled the power of the Lord, in order to bring healing to the world, by my deeds of kindness and goodness?
… Am I willing to become an extension of the Lord, imbued with His spirit, in order to spread His love and mercy to our broken and struggling world?

As followers of Jesus, we need to have the proper and true understanding of the Sabbath…

The Sabbath is a day of solemn rest, holy to the Lord…
… Do I give it to the Lord, entirely, engaging only in deeds that help me come closer to Him?

The Sabbath is a memorial of Israel’s liberation from bondage in Egypt
… Do I remind myself of being a person to be liberated from the bondage of sin, and seeking to grow in holiness?

The Sabbath is sign of the irrevocable covenant between God and human beings…
… Do I renew the spirit of this pledge and promise to the Lord with salvific deeds of love?

Let us deepen our relationship and grow in our efforts to be more in union with the Lord…
… the One who guides the world, the One who sustains each of us and the One who fills life in all!

Jesus, displayed immense strength and courage…
… as a result of His Powerful Union with His Father!

This Power led Him to create “beautiful paintings” of Mercy and Love in the world.

As we enter into the new month of April…
… let us have a greater realisation that it is only by “the Power of the Master that we can create the ‘beautiful paintings’ of God’s Love and Mercy in this world”

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 Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

The conjugal community is established upon the consent of the spouses.

Marriage and the family are ordered to the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of children. (CCC # 2201)

“Staying calm and happy by having a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

(Based on Isa 65:17-21 and Jn 4:43-54 – Monday of the 4th Week of Lent)

There was once a good woman who was well-known among her circle for her simple faith and her great calmness in the midst of many trials.

Another woman, living across the street, hearing of her, said, “I must go and see that woman, and learn the secret of her calm, happy life.”

She went, and, enquired the woman: “Are you the woman with the great faith?”

“No,” was the answer!

“I am not the woman with the great faith…
… but I am the woman with a little faith in the great God,” came the rest of the answer!

Yes, the secret of “staying calm and happy” is about having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

The Gospel of the Day presents an incident of a “person who stayed calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

Jesus is in the land of Galilee… away from his hometown. (Jn 4:43)

In this Gentile land, a royal official whose son was ill – nearing death – approached Jesus, seeking for a healing.

He travelled a far distance – nearly 25 miles, from Capernaum to Galilee – and coming to Jesus, he asked, “Sir, come down, before my child dies” (Jn 4: 49)

This royal official had a mixed bag of faith:
He had faith in Jesus, which made him to come a long distance to meet Jesus.
… his faith was however, mostly prompted only because of a need for a healing.

Often our faith resembles this royal official…
… turning to the Lord only in times of afflictions and troubles
… having our own doubts on whether the Lord can really work miracle in the way I want

But we must also remember…
… hard and difficult situations, are willed by God, to allow for miracles and healings, which ought to become the springboard for a deeper and committed life of faith!
… the Lord has His own ways and means of working powerfully in our lives, and we need to have the openness and humility to receive them in His way and in His time!

When the Lord gave His word, “You may go; your son will live” (Jn 4:50), this royal official, with a mixed bag of faith…
… began to understand the secret of “staying calm and happy”
… by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

The Gospel says, “… the man believed what Jesus said to him and left” (Jn 4: 50b)

Moments of immense difficulties and crisis often cripple us.

But, the Lord constantly invites us “to stay calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

It’s His grace that strengthens us.
It’s His mercy that empowers us.

Life often feels overwhelming…
… but God reminds us that He is making everything new.

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” (Cf. Isa 65:17-18)

Our Big God calls us not to dwell on the past…
… but to rejoice in what He is doing now
… and what He has planned ahead.

Faith isn’t about having all the answers…
… it’s about trusting the One who does!

Let us adopt and personalize this great secret…
… of “staying calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big 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 Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment

Observing the fourth commandment brings its reward:

“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” (CCC # 2200)

“Remembering that the ‘Lantern is always lit for us’ as a sign that ‘You are always welcome Home!'”

(Based on Josh 5:9a, 10-12, 2 Cor 5:17-21 and Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 – 4th Sunday of Lent, Cycle C)

There is an old tradition in some villages where a family would leave a lantern lit in the window…
… for a loved one who had gone away.

Whether it was a son who had left home in rebellion

Or a daughter who had wandered off in search of something more
… the lantern was a silent message: “You are always welcome home.”

One such story is told of a mother whose son had left the house.

Without fail, the old mother would light a lantern and place it in the window.

Neighbors whispered, “He’s gone. He’s not coming back.”

But she never listened.
She just kept the light burning.

Storms raged.
Years passed.
The lantern never wavered.

Then, one night – when hope itself seemed tired – a shadow appeared at the gate. >> Ragged, broken, trembling.

It was him.

He collapsed at the doorstep, tears mixing with the rain.

And as she rushed to embrace him, he choked out the words: “I saw the light…
… and I knew I could come home.”

Isn’t this the story of the ‘prodigal’ our own story?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful rendition of this classic: “The Prodigal Son(s)!”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son(s) is perhaps one of…
… the most popular
… the most loved
… the most sentimental….
… and the most meaningful of all the parables in the Gospel.

One of the lasting images that this beautiful parable impresses upon the readers is that of the Loving Father in patient waiting for the return of the son(s).

The son(s) had abandoned the love and protection of the Father.

It could have been because of some misunderstanding
It could have been because of some pride and arrogance
It could have been because of some selfishness and egoism
It could have been because of some immaturity or peer pressure

Whatever be the reason, a rupture had occurred in the beautiful relationship.

The younger son sought to find enjoyment in many worldly pleasures…
… while the Father was left with a seemingly never-ending wait for his beloved!

He drowned himself in the pleasurable waters of enjoyment and gratification…
… while the Father sought to keep floating on the waters of hope and optimism!

The Father kept waiting… and waiting…

Every evening as the sun set… and as the darkness would engulf the land…
… the hopes of the Father would have diminished and a gloom darkened in his mind!
Every morning as the sun arose… and as the bright rays enraptured the land…
… the expectations of the Father would have intensified and a glow lit his heart!
And thus the Father kept waiting and waiting for the son to return.

Finally, when the son returned, the long wait of the outstretched arms of the Father, waiting to embrace his beloved was over…
“… while he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him…”( Lk 15: 20)

The Father’s joys knew no bounds!

The son was considered lost…
… the son was considered dead…

But now here he is found…and alive!

What a beautiful picture!

A son who comes back in repentance, clasped in a deep affectionate hug with his father who longed for the return of his beloved!
Our heavenly Father wishes to have this same picture, with each of us!

We have often gone away from the Love of our Heavenly Father…
…. by our sins and disobedience
… by our selfishness and egoism
… by our pride and worldly pleasures
… by our immaturity and misunderstanding

But He now waits in eager expectation and hope for our return to Him…

Shall we not run to the open and outstretched arms of our Blessed Father?

In turn, we are also invited, exhorted and challenged to become “an instrument of forgiveness and reconciliation”

May the forgiving love that we have received from our Heavenly Father be extended and widened to all the people in our life too.

Our Beloved Heavenly Father encourages all of us:
” All is forgiven. I accept you, as you are.

I love you!
Your Father!”
… and thus encourages us “to script the beautiful story of God’s Love and Mercy in our lives!”

Let us always remember, that the “Lantern is always lit for us” as a sign that “You are always welcome Home.”

The world may write you off…
… but Heaven still waits with open arms.

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 Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment

The Fourth Commandment includes and presupposes the duties of parents, instructors, teachers, leaders, magistrates….

…. those who govern, all who exercise authority over others or over a community of persons. (CCC # 2199)

“Casting away pride and embracing humility and dependence on God!”

(Based on Hos 6:1-6 and Lk 18:9-14 – Saturday of the 3rd Week of Lent)

In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia.

Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below.

This news of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the real cause of the accident.
… it wasn’t a technology problem like radar malfunction
… it wasn’t a climate-related issue like thick fog.

The real cause was human stubbornness and pride!

Each captain was well aware of the other ship’s presence nearby.

Both could have steered clear…
… but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other.

Each was too proud to yield first.

By the time they came to their senses, it was too late!

This is what stubbornness and pride can do…
… harm lives
… break hearts
… destroy reputations

The Gospel of the Day exhorts a strong message on this deadly vice of “being full of ourselves”
… in a single word – “Pride”.

Chapter 18 of the Gospel of St Luke begins with two parables, that teach on the aspect of Prayer.

The parable of the Widow who was persistent (Lk 18: 1-8)

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18: 9-14)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector have interesting comparisons…
… with respect to the various gestures and actions that they take:

Both go up to the Temple area to pray…

The Pharisee took up his position…
… the tax collector stood off at a distance
The Pharisee spoke the prayer to himself…
… the tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven
The Pharisee spoke of his personal glories…
… the tax collector acknowledged being a sinner, in need of mercy.

Though the Gospel doesn’t speak of it, it seems that both, the Pharisee and the tax collector…
… had taken a mirror with themselves, when they went to pray!

A mirror… yeah!

But, the strange fact is that, both of them used the mirror in contrasting manners!

The Pharisee used the mirror and saw his many achievements and accomplishments…
… being unlike the rest of the sinful humanity like the greedy, dishonest or adulterous
… fasting twice a week
… pay tithes on his whole income

The tax collector, also used a mirror, but saw in it, his many failures and shortcomings…
… the moments when he had cheated others to have greater financial gains
… the times he had subjected himself to be a traitor by working against his own people
… the need to seek for God’s mercy acknowledging his sinfulness

Prayer is like a mirror…
… but it depends on one’s attitude and disposition what one sees

If one is filled with pride and self-conceit, one sees only one’s accomplishments…
… and thus pushes out God and replaces oneself as the source of all good works!

If one is truly humble and modest, one sees one’s weaknesses and limitations…
… and thus acknowledge the dependence on God and on His grace in life!

Prayer could be made into a time of reciting the litany of one’s great achievements…
…or prayer could be made into a moment of seeking God’s mercy and compassion.

Prayer could be made into an occasion to boast of oneself and put down others…
… or prayer could be made into a moment to see the glittering light of God guiding us.

What is our attitude and disposition?

Am I afflicted with the sickness of pride…
… which makes me to flaunt myself, at the expense of the other?
… which makes me to see myself as the greatest person in the world, casting aside all people and even God?

There is something of “this” Pharisee, perhaps, in all of us which needs to be shun…

There is something of “this” tax collector, which needs to be cultivated…

This “this”…
… is the need to cast away pride and the need to embrace humility and dependence on God!

Let us be willing to “give way to the other”
… so that we can avoid collision of lives
… and thus prevent harming lives, breaking hearts and destroying reputations!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email ID: 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 Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment

The Fourth Commandment likewise concerns the ties of kinship between members of the extended family.
It requires honour, affection, and gratitude toward elders and ancestors.

Finally, it extends to the duties of pupils to teachers, employees to employers, subordinates to leaders, citizens to their country, and to those who administer or govern it. (CCC # 2199)

‘Choosing to respond in ‘holiness and faithfulness’ – with much love of God and neighbour – even in ‘harsh and fiery’ situations of life!”

(Based on Hos 14:2-10 and Mk 12:28-34 – Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent)

A missionary in a particular place came across a man who had bandaged and scarred hands.

When asked what had happened, he said, “My neighbour’s straw roof was on fire.

I helped him to put it out and that’s how my hands were burned.”

It was only later that the whole story was known.

The neighbour hated him and had in anger, set his roof on fire…
… while his wife and children were asleep in the hut.

They were in great danger.

Providentially, the Christian was able to put out the fire in his house on time.

But sparks flew over to the roof of the man who had set the house on fire…
… and his house started to burn.

There was no hate in the heart of this Christian!

There was only love for his enemy
And so, he did everything he could to put out the fire in his neighbour’s house.

That is how his own hands were burned!

Life was being pretty ‘harsh and fiery’ to him…
… but he chose to respond in ‘holiness and faithfulness!’

Am I ready to live a “life of love?”
… love that reaches out to the other in selflessness
… love that stems forth from a passionate love for God

The Gospel of the Day, is a challenging invitation to reflect on this fundamental aspect of our Christian Life.

The incident mentions a scribe, who had been watching his fellow-scribes in an argument with the Lord…
… and feeling impressed with Jesus, comes up to Him with a question:
“Which commandment is the first of all” (Mk 12:28)

We are not too sure of the motive of this scribe.

As per the versions of the same incident, in St Matthew (Mt 22:35) and St Luke (Lk 10:25), the person posed this question to Jesus, in order to “test him.”

The Markan version is however, silent on this aspect.

Whatever be the intention, the scribe most certainly was reflecting a common query…
… that was widespread among the teachers and scholars of the Law: Which is the first of all the commandments?

God had issued the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel.

These laws were intended for the people of Israel to be “distinguished” as the chosen nation of the Lord – chosen from among all others in the world.
These laws – simple and direct in nature – were aimed towards demanding a total loyalty from the people, to the Lord.

However, over time, these uncomplicated laws by which the people of Israel were to live…
… began to be expanded and extended and expounded.

It resulted in 613 commandments or stipulations:

365 of them (corresponding to the number of days in a year) were negative commandments, as in ” You shall not…”
And 248 of them (corresponding to the number of bones and major organs in the body, as per the Jewish understanding) were positive commandments, as in “You shall…”

When the Lord was asked to mention the First of all these Commandments…
… He puts forward the basis and the foundation of all these various laws, stipulations and commandments:
“You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mk 12: 30)

And “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)

Note the insistence on the word “all”….
… “all” your heart… feelings, emotions, desires
… “all” your soul… will, choices, decisions
… “all” your mind… reason, knowledge, memory
… “all” your strength… talents, abilities, capacities

The Lord commands a “total” and “complete” loving!

He does not permit compromises to let our wishes to slide through…
He demands an “absolute” and “unadulterated” love!

As Christians, we often…
… seek to find “loopholes” in laws of loving the Lord and our neighbour
Our selfishness often creeps in…
Our personal desires often spoil it…
Our sinful tendencies often gain an upper hand…

But the insistence of the Lord is clear:
“Love Fully”
“Love Totally”
“Love Completely”

This is the ideal to which we, as Christians are called!

If not for this loftiest ideal, our life as a Christian would fail to be different from others!

Each of us as Christians are called…
… “to be holy”
… “to be set apart”
… “to be different”

This holiness comes when we seek for the highest ideal…
… loving God totally and expressing this love wholly to our neighbour.

Life will often be ‘harsh and fiery’…

Let us choose to respond in ‘holiness and faithfulness!’

The call is indeed great and very lofty!

The Lord is knocking at the door of our hearts.

Let us, at this moment, place our hands on our heart, and answer Him:
“I LOVE YOU, LORD!”…
… and reach out this passionate love in service to one another!

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 Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment

The fourth commandment is addressed expressly to children in their relationship to their father and mother…

… because this relationship is the most universal. (CCC # 2199)