“Realising that a genuine search for the Truth would always lead to Christianity… and to the Catholic Church!”

(Based on Jer 11:18-20 and Jn 7:40-53 – Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent)

Christianity and the teachings of the Catholic Church have baffled and amazed many people.

Some have even tried – even violently – to find alternatives for the same…
… only to realise, that a genuine search for the Truth would lead them to Christianity and the Catholic Church!

One such person who rejected Christianity for the sake of “finding the truth” was G.K. Chesterton.

Chesterton sought to formulate the one blanket philosophy that could explain everything as everything is…
… because he did not believe Christianity or any other modern worldview to be completely it.

He was after the “master key of philosophies,” for he was certain no one had yet found it.

Eventually he knitted together a philosophy that appeared to be wholly true and sane and sensible…
… only to discover that his ‘discovered philosophy of sanity’ was, in fact, not his – it was the Truth already taught by the Church!

In his own words, “I tried to be some ten minutes in advance of the truth.

And I found that I was eighteen hundred years behind it!”

G.K. Chesterton would later say, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”

The Christian Ideal indeed demands living with convictions…
… in the midst of opposing views and interpretations.

Jesus, the Master – the Truth Incarnate – lived this life of conviction…
… and in the face of oppositions and worldly thought-patterns, He became a sign of “contradictions and paradox!”

And therefore Christ had to undergo varied responses from those who encountered Him…
… very few understood Him, a little
… many of them failed to understand Him
… many of them even badly misunderstood Him

He remains The Truth – yet, the sign of contradiction.

The Gospel of the Day presents this deep contradiction that was experienced by the people of His time – including the religious leaders.

The passage records two conversations:

The first one among the crowd
The second one among the chief priests and the Pharisees

Both have a similar subject: Jesus.
Both have a similar dilemma: Confusion about Jesus.

The people in the crowd were confused in recognizing who really Jesus was.

The words of the Lord were so authoritative and astonishing that some considered Him as a prophet revisited, and some even seeing Him as the Messiah (Jn 7:41).

However, others were not convinced and they began to debate on the origin of the Messiah.

The second conversation, between the chief priests and Pharisees, was not just about some personal opinions, but involved the proper following of the Law as well.

Nicodemus, the one who had met Jesus, one night, however, began to defend Jesus.

It was to him, that Jesus, on that night, had told, one of the most loved verses, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16)

After his encounter with the Truth-Incarnate, Nicodemus….
… the genuine seeker of truth, had the spark in his heart, kindled by the Lord of Love.
… the honest searcher of reality, had the longing within, nourished by the Lord of Holiness.

And so he stood firm and bold, to defend the One whom he perceived as the Truth!

But here, one also gets to see the deep hatred that was grooming in the minds of the leaders…

Nicodemus told that, in judging Jesus, it was necessary to follow the Law properly: “Does our law condemn a person, before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” (Jn 7:51)

He did not say that he agreed with Jesus…
He did not say that he denied Jesus could be a criminal…

All he said was to follow the law – to be just and fair!

But that statement provoked the anger of the other blinded-and-obstinate religious leaders!

The forces of confusion and dilemma watered him down, and contradictions reigned galore!

Where truth is proclaimed…
… many false voices seek to drown it hard!

Where truth is defended…
… many evil forces defiantly try to do away with it!

Jeremiah, the Prophet foretold this “opposition to the Truth” that Jesus would encounter:
“But I was like a gentle lamb, led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me, they devised schemes, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more!’” (Jer 11:18)

Jesus is a sign of contractions.

He is The Truth.
In His presence, no lie can stand.
In His presence, no evil can withstand.

But it is this confusion, that can lead a person to understand the reality…
… if one is open and honest!

Yes, it’s pretty strange that sometimes contradictions that can actually help us to recognize The Truth!

Georges Bataille, a French intellectual and literary figure writes, “I believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction”

The Lord – the Truth Incarnate is ready to reveal Himself to those open at heart and honest in seeking Him.

Are we ready…
… to learn more from Him and to know Him more?
… to draw the waters of Holiness from the Fountain of Truth?

Let us not be…
… confused by the Lord who was the sign of contradiction.
… puzzled by the Lord who was the sign of paradoxes.

Instead, let us be…
… convinced in the Lord of Truth!
… passionate for the Lord of Truth!

Let us reminded of the fact that a genuine search for the Truth would always lead to Christianity…
… and the Catholic Church!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic 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 Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion…
… and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church.”

It is a community of faith, hope, and charity; it assumes singular importance in the Church, as is evident in the New Testament. (CCC # 2204)

“Living ‘convinced Christian lives’ to attract many more to the Love of Christ and to His Holy Church!”

(Based on Wisd 2:1a, 12-22 and Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 – Friday of the 4th Week of Lent)

There is an incident about David Hume, 18th century British philosopher.

He was a person who had rejected historic Christianity.

Once his friend met him, hurrying along the streets of London.

He was enquired, “Where are you off to, in such a hurry, Mr Hume?”

The philosopher answered, “To hear George Whitfield preach”
(George Whitfield was an Anglican Cleric, famous for his preaching and especially in the revival movement termed as the “Great awakening”.

He would draw great crowds and was known as one of the best-known preachers in Great Britain and North America.)

This friend was surprised to hear that, since David Hume was a non-believer and queried back, “But surely you don’t believe what Whitfield preaches do you?”

With a playful smile, he replied “No, I don’t!

But he does believe!”

The philosopher did not believe…
… but the convictions of the preacher made him to listen!

The philosopher rejected what was spoken…
… but the ‘certainty’ of the preacher made him to give heed!

Life is like a roller coaster.

There are mountains to climb and hills to coast
It is convictions in life that will help to experience true serenity and happiness.
It is convictions in life that will help to tide across the various storms encountered.

We need to ask ourselves…
… Am I living a life of deep convictions in faith, which makes people to take notice of the Lord and help them come closer to Him?
… Am I filled with a deep passion for the Lord, which makes others to be attracted and fascinated to the Kingdom of the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, boldly facing and withstanding the various storms of difficulties…
… and thus emerging as an Epitome of passion and conviction.

Jesus is progressing in His ministry.

On one side, there has been an increase in His popularity ratings…
… many sick being healed, many oppressed finding solace, many rejected finding consolation.

On the other side, however, there has also been an augmentation in opposition to Him…
… many being offended by His radical call of transformation, many finding Him blaspheming, many snubbed at His uncompromising authority.

But Jesus remains unperturbed!

He continues to preach the Word of God
He continues to openly declare His relation with the Father
He continues to publicly affirm His mission and purpose on the earth

Jesus is the Epitome of convictions and passion!

Nothing could make Him to compromise His convictions…
Nothing could make Him to lay down His principles of life…

Neither threats, nor adulations…
… neither opposition, nor exaltation!

Can I also…
… seek to grow in my life of conviction in my faith?
… try to deepen my passion for the Lord and His Kingdom?

One of the very popular and yet, good-to-remind quote is:
“My life may be the only Gospel…
… that people may ever encounter
… that people may ever read
… that people may ever experience”
Will it truly be an “Evangelion – The Good News?”

Yes, let our lives radiate convincingly the message of the Gospel…
… and thus attract many more to the Love of Christ and to His Holy Church!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic 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

In creating man and woman, God instituted the human family and endowed it with its fundamental constitution.
Its members are persons equal in dignity.

For the common good of its members and of society, the family necessarily has manifold responsibilities, rights, and duties. (CCC # 2203)

“Being true and faithful, rather than trying to be popular!”

(Based on Exod 32:7-14 and Jn 5:31-47 – Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent)

On a winter’s evening in 1955, a 42-year-old African-American woman named Rosa Parks…
… tired after a long day of work as a seamstress
… boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama to get home.

She paid her fare and took an empty seat in the area of the bus

A law existed to segregate bus passengers by race…
… the front of the bus was reserved for white citizens
… the seats at the back for black citizens.

But it had also become a custom that bus drivers would instruct a black passenger to give up their seat…
… if there were no “white-only” seats.

As the bus filled up, the bus driver demanded that she give up her seat.

Rosa Parks could have stood up and walked away quietly.

She could have ‘chosen comfort over conflict.’
But instead, she gripped the seat, looked straight ahead, and simply said, “No.”

That one word cost her everything…
… her job, her safety, her peace.

But it also sparked a movement that changed history – The Civil Rights Movement

Later, she said, “I was just tired of giving in.”

Life often pressurises us ‘to conform – to give in” – to what is convenient rather than what is true.

Do we have the courage to remain steadfast in our convictions, even when the world pushes back?

Christian life is a constant challenge between two aspects: Being Popular or being Right!

Can we be Christians…
… who value one’s integrity for Christ’s sake, than to compromise one’s principles and turn popular?
… who give priority to being honest for the Lord’s honour, than to dilute one’s ethics and gain cheap fame?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who stood firm and rock-solid, in his mission commitment, even in the face of opposition, indifference and apathy from the Jews.

The context of today’s Gospel Passage – Jn 5:31-47 – is the aftermath of the Healing of the Crippled Man by the pool of Bethesda, on the Sabbath Day (Jn 5:1-18)

This incident had sparked a rage of opposition against Jesus…

He was persecuted because the act of healing was done on the Sabbath (Jn 5: 16)
His defense caused the Jews to kill Him, because Jesus equated Himself with God (Jn 5:18)

There was a strong wave of antagonism and hostility, against Jesus…
… that was pressurizing Him to compromise His teachings
….that was coercing Him to dilute His principles

But Jesus stood firm and rock-solid, in his mission commitment, even in the face of opposition, indifference and apathy from the Jews.

Jesus therefore presents before the Jews, witnesses which would testify to Him, to His Divinity.

He uses the language of a courtroom – “witnesses” – to prove His credibility as the Divine Person

Our Christian Life is a constant challenge…
… to let go of our values and principles
… to compromise on our efforts and mission works

We find in the Book of Exodus, how the people of Israel abandoned the ways of the Lord…
… and “made for themselves a molten calf… worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” (Cf. Exod 32:8)

So often, we also create “molten calves” of money, power, position, sinfulness…
… and worship and give our priority to them!

We are quick in forgetting the many blessings and mercies of God…
… and turn away from the commandments of God!

We need to imitate our Blessed Lord…
… Who was unwilling to let go of His Commitment and Dedication to the Mission

Let us seek the Grace to remain ever uncompromising in our Christian Life.
… to stand for God and His Kingdom
… to live to share His Love and Mercy

Written on the stone pavements of a street in a remote village are the following words:
“One of the evils of this modern day, is the scarcity of men and women in places of leadership who are willing to speak their convictions…
… at the risk of popularity!”

Yes… let us dare to show this “spirit of leadership” like Jesus our Master…
… by seeking to be true and faithful, rather than just be popular!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic 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

A man and a woman united in marriage, together with their children, form a family.
This institution is prior to any recognition by public authority, which has an obligation to recognize it.

It should be considered the normal reference point by which the different forms of family relationship are to be evaluated. (CCC # 2202)

“Imitating Christ and confidently facing the questions of the Kingdom of God!”

(Based on Isa 49:8-15 and Jn 5:17-30 – Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent)

This unconfirmed incident is told about Albert Einstein.

He was frequently asked to deliver lectures on physics to the leading universities…
… and did so obligingly

Harry, his dedicated driver would faithfully attend each lecture of Einstein’s, while seated in the back row.

One day, after Einstein had finished a lecture, Harry requested him, ‘Professor Einstein, I’ve heard your lecture so many times now, that if you ever needed me to…
… I would be able to deliver it to perfection myself!’

And so, a few weeks later as they approached Brown University for a lecture, Einstein began to feel ill and asked, ‘Harry, I’m not feeling too well today. Since no one knows me at Brown…
… perhaps you could deliver the lecture as Einstein
.. and I could sit in the back row as Harry,’

‘Certainly, Professor,’ Harry eagerly replied.

Later that afternoon, Harry delivered the lecture to perfection…
… not a single word out of place,
… while Einstein sat in the back row playing the ‘driver’

At the conclusion of the lecture, a graduate student, however, intercepted him and began to ask a question…
… one that involved plenty of complex calculations and equations.

Ever quick on his feet, Harry replied:
‘The answer to that question is actually quite simple!

In fact, it’s so simple…
… that I am going to let my driver answer it!’

Truly… In the company of greatness, one can get influenced and imitiate greatness!

As a follower of Christ, we are expected to learn from our Master…
… be influenced by Him
… and imitiate His Life and Love

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful message of Jesus Who reflects the life and works of His Father…
… as each one of us are also called to do the same.

In this profound passage, Jesus sends across a powerful message about His close union with the Father.

He boldly asserts, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work” (John 5:17)

The amazing union of the Son with the Father highlighting the depth of their connection…
… prompts us to reflect on the nature of our own union with God in our daily lives.

Elsewhere, Jesus says, “The Father and I are one!” (Jn 10:30)

We are called to assess if our deeds are in unison…
… with the mission of bringing life, healing, and redemption to others
… just like Jesus, our Master

How can we deepen our bond with the Lord…
… making it the guiding force and strengthening factor in our actions and decisions?

Jesus very categorically makes His claim as the Son of God…
… drawing a parallel with the continuous work of the Father.

Our attitudes and actions need to authentically reflect our Divine heritage.

As followers of Christ, how do we assert our identity as children of God in our daily lives?

Jesus also challenges the conventional views on the Sabbath…
… asserting the Father’s ongoing work.

The Sabbath is a memorial of Israel’s liberation from Egypt.
It’s a reminder of our own liberation from sin.
It’s a reminder to pursue holiness

The Sabbath is to be a day of genuine rest and engaging in life-giving activities.

We are made to reconsider the importance of the Sabbath in our life…
… and our approach to it.

As we go through these reflections, the call is clear: Imitate Christ as He reflects the life and works of His Father.

Let us embark on a journey of faith that mirrors the Divine love and redemption exemplified by Jesus!

Let us give our time to our God!
Let us spend time with the Eucharistic Lord
Let us spend time with the Divine Word of God

Yes… in the company of greatness, one can get influenced and imitiate greatness!

As a follower of Christ, we are expected to learn from our Master…
… be influenced by Him
… and imitiate His Life and Love

When the Kingdom of God faces questions, let our Master look at us confidently, and tell:
“The answer to that question is actually quite simple!

In fact, it’s so simple…
… that I am going to let my follower answer it!”

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 love of the spouses and the begetting of children create among members of the same family personal relationships and primordial responsibilities. (CCC # 2201)

“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)