“Opening the door of our lives, to allow God’s Mercy and Goodness to come into us!”

(Based on Isa 5:1-7, Phil 4:6-9 and Mt 21:33-43 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

There is an interesting observation that can be made from the movie, “Passion of Christ” directed by Mel Gibson.

The movie tries to give a possible explanation as to why the Good Thief, hanging beside Jesus on the Cross, repented.

The Gospels remain silent though

The Good Thief had been watching Jesus for a long time…

He was taken up by the serene patience and silent determination of Jesus.

With this build up, when he heard that Jesus, in the midst of his horrible agony, forgave His persecutors – “Father, forgive them! They know not, what they are doing” – his heart opened up to God’s grace

That heroic, unimaginable act of forgiveness – after all that Jesus had suffered – powdered all his doubts about God’s Goodness, Wisdom, and Power.

He realized that God loves and forgives to the very end, without limits.

And so, without waiting or doubting or needlessly wrestling with his own unworthiness, he confidently entrusted his eternal salvation into Christ’s hands, “Remember me, Lord when you come into your Kingdom!”

It’s fascinating to note that in the film, Jesus actually says the line that converts the Good Thief (“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do…”) twice: once from the cross, and once while they were nailing Him to the Cross.

When the director of the movie was asked, why he had Jesus saying it twice when the Gospels mention it only once, he answered…
… “I thought that Jesus was probably saying it…
… the whole time!”

Yes, God’s mercy and goodness is ready to come into our lives, always…
… we just have to open the door!

The Gospel of the Day – the parable of the tenants in the vineyard – is a strong invitation to repentance, turning back to God’s mercy and reviving our commitment to responsibilities!

This parable of the tenants in the Vineyard has its resonant tunes with another parable told centuries ago…
… the Parable of the Vineyard Song… found in Chapter 5 of the Book of Isaiah (First Reading)

Both these readings have many things strikingly similar – one among them being that…
… God never gives up on His people!
… God constantly informs, invites and inspires people towards His Love!

The Patience of God is amazing!
The Mercy of God is fathomless!
The Love of God is incomparable!

God never gives up, on His people!

In the Gospel, when the tenants failed to send the produce, the owner of the Vineyard (God Himself) sends umpteen opportunities to make room for repentance.

The Owner could have destroyed the tenants in the first instance…

The Owner could have forcibly got his produce after the first incident…

But the Owner has a kind and a merciful heart!

He forgives… and forgives… and forgives…
… inviting constantly for a renewal and revival!

Today, let us examine the vineyard of our lives…

Do I guard, nurture and cultivate the various gifts and graces that God has showered in the vineyard of my life?

Do I repent and repair my faults and actions, and seek to be a person who can produce worthy fruits, as per the graces showered on me?

Do I oppose, resist, denounce, detest or even terrorize people who work and spread the Gospel of God?

Let us also never forget that it’s not enough to receive mercy…
… we also have a duty and obligation, once we receive the mercy of the Lord

This duty is a life of holiness!

Yes, “the duty of receiving mercy, is living in holiness!”

Failing to respond to this duty of mercy puts also in danger of the judgment of the Lord, as we are told by Prophet Isaiah:
“What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?

And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured;
I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.
I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it!” (Is 5:4-6)

St Paul reminds us of the nobility of life – graced in mercy – that each of us are called to: “Have no anxiety about anything…
… but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus!” (Phil 4:6-7)

We are called to respond positively to the strong invitation by the Lord…
… to repentance
… to turn back to His mercy
… to revive our commitment to responsibilities!

The Lord is a fountain of mercy, and He awaits the return of each one of us.

The Good Thief on the Cross experienced this torrent of Love and Grace.
The Lord today calls us too…!

Let us be inspired by the life and words of St Francis of Assisi as he reminds us to “be an instrument of peace” and…
… that “it is in pardoning that we are pardoned!”

Yes, God’s mercy and goodness is ready to come into our lives, always…
… we just have to open the door!

Shall we open the door?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Letting go our ‘balloons of sorrow and worry’ in order to display Christian joy and happiness in life!”

(Based on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 and Lk 10:17-24 – Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

It was a one-day convention on inner-healing.

The people who were participating were given helium-filled balloons, and told to release them, at some point during the prayer service…
… when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts.

Through the day, there were some balloons that ascended.

But by the end of the day, it was found that more than forty percent of the balloons were unreleased.

The reason: Those people were unable to let go off their inner bitterness and sorrows.

What about us…
… Are we willing to let go of our balloons, in order to witness our joy in the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day invites us to reflect on the theme of “Joy in the Lord”…
… with two instances of rejoicing:

The Disciples rejoicing after their successful mission experience
Jesus rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and thanking His Father for His Infinite Wisdom

One of the essential hallmarks of a Christian is a ‘Life of Joy’.

This was the experience of the Disciples, when they returned back from the mission.

They had enjoyed success in their ministry…
They had a sense of satisfaction in the works that they had done…

They realized that it was the Power of the Lord that enabled them to taste success and relish triumph.

So they rejoiced greatly, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of Your Name” (Lk 10: 17)

Do we also rejoice, by seeing the hand of the Lord in the success and achievements of our lives…?
… knowing that whatever we achieve, is ultimately not just due to our hard-work and efforts; rather, was the result of our co-operation to the grace of God!
… recognizing that all our talents and opportunities are gifted by God to exhibit His Glory and Honour!

Our Blessed Lord, however also tells the Disciples to go beyond the peripheral joys and happiness in life; instead to rejoice in the Spirit.

St Luke would testify this in the words: “At that very moment, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…'” (Lk 10: 21)

This then is what we too are expected to imitate from the Lord: Rejoicing in the Spirit.

St Paul would beautifully explicate this, when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4: 4)

Our life is to be an inspiring exhibition of the Joy in the Lord and Rejoicing in the Spirit.

Do we radiate joy…
… in our encounter with one another, and spread the cheer of life?
… even in the midst of hardships, knowing that we have a God who is deeply caring for us?
… thanking the Lord for His blessing, above all, for the gift of Himself in the Word and the Sacraments?

There is, without doubt, many reasons for us to be grumpy, to complain and to feel resentment in life.

But can we allow the Power of the Lord to enamour us, and realise that beyond all these, we have a reason to celebrate and to rejoice…
… knowing that ‘God is with us’, to ensure success in our journey of life, with our wholehearted co-operation
… knowing that the Lord is the greatest reason to be happy and the treasure of life Who deserves every glory

Can we let go our ‘balloons of sorrow and worry’ in order to display Christian joy and happiness in life?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Holding on to our spiritual friend, the Guardian Angel, who walks with us, always, and in turn, be a true friend to one another!”

(Based on Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5 and Mt 18:1-5, 10 – Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels)

The shadow once said to the body:
“Who is a friend like me?

I follow you wherever you go.
In sunlight or in moonlight, I never forsake you.”

“True,” answered the Body, “you go with me in sunlight and in moonlight.

[But where are you when neither sun nor moon shines upon me?”

This simple anecdote is a beautiful insight on true friendship.

As it is beautifully said, “a real friend is one who walks in, when the rest of the world walks out!”

Everyone loves to have friends who make life more interesting and joyful by their presence.

The journey of life gets more easy and exciting with the presence of friends.

Our spiritual journey too follows this concept…

God, the author of life, in His all-powerful Wisdom, has blessed each of us with a friend.
A friend who accompanies us
A friend who strengthens us

This friend is “The Guardian Angel”

This friend walks with us, in sunlight and moonlight…
… and even when neither sun nor moon shines!

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of “The Guardian Angel“

The Church in her teachings affirms and assures that “from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by watchful care and intercession of the angels.

Beside each believer, stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 336)

From the first moments of our existence, the Guardian Angel has been with us…

At our birth, the Guardian Angel was elated at the dawn of a new life…
At our Baptism, the Guardian Angel was pleased to have us join God’s Family…
At our Confession, the Guardian Angel was delighted to have us back to God’s holiness…
At our Holy Communion, the Guardian Angel rejoiced in us, receiving the Loving Lord…
At our Confirmation, the Guardian Angel was joyful in us, being strengthened in the Spirit…
At our Marriage, Profession/Ordination, the Guardian Angel was happy with our way of life..
At our final moments, the Guardian Angel will be with us to strengthen and console us…

At every stage and step of our life, God has blessed us with this beautiful companion to…
… “to guide and protect us through life and to lead us safely to our Eternal Home”

St Francis de Sales says, “Make yourself familiar with the Angels, and behold them frequently in spirit. Without being seen…
… they are present with you!”

The Lord wants each one of us to be walking in His presence and be safe from the snares of the Evil.

And for this purpose, He has blessed us with a Guardian Angel

An Angel is a being, a person – one who has an intelligence and a free will.

An Angel thinks…
… but clearer than we do!
An Angel loves…
… but dearly than we do!

How does a Guardian Angel guard us?

By gentle inspirations…

In the hard moments of doubts and confusion…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with words of clarity and understanding.

In dark situations of hopelessness and resignations…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with the light of God’s hope and strength.

In the narrow tunnels of losing faith and giving up…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with comforting words and counsels.

In unfaithful times of going away from doing God’s will through sin…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with strong urges to come back to God’s ways.

In daily moments of facing a choice of doing good or bad…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with showing what is more beneficial and valuable.

Guardian Angels do not force us.

They respect our free wills.
But they do long for us to always walk in God’s power and presence.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is an opportunity for us to increase in our devotion and fondness for this “friend” whom God has blessed each one of us with.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is also an opportunity for us to increase in our duty and responsibility…
… of becoming a guardian, a friend and a guide to one another.

There are many whom we know who struggle
… with difficulties and problems
… with faith-issues and financial difficulties
… with mental problems and emotional breakdowns

Jesus, through the Gospel says… “See that YOU DO NOT DESPISE one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Mt 18:10).

“Not despising” someone not only includes avoiding putting down or humiliating or causing scandal to others etc…
… but on a positive sense, means to encourage, promote and strengthen one another.

God has blessed each one of us, with a true friend, in our Guardian Angel.

Let us grow in reverence and love for our dear spiritual friend.
Let us invoke the assistance of this friend in our works, while meeting people, while going to different places etc.

As St John Vianney would say:
“When we are walking in the streets…
… let us fix our eyes on Our Lord bearing his Cross before us
… on the Blessed Virgin who is looking at us
… on our Guardian Angel who is by our side.“

Yes, let us hold on to our spiritual friend who walks with us, in sunlight and moonlight…
… and even when neither sun nor moon shines!

And in turn, be a true friend – a ‘guardian angel’ – to one another!

Happy Feast to our Dear Friend, the Guardian Angel…
… and to each one of us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being inspired by St Thérèse of the Child Jesus – the Li’l Big Saint – to love deeper the Big Big God of Love!”

(Based on Job 19:21-27 and Lk 10:1-12 – Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2 – Feast of St Therese of Child Jesus)

“Yes, I have discovered my vocation! In the heart of the Church, I will be love”

• From the “Story of a Soul,” the Autobiography of the Little Flower

These words of great joy and exhilaration exhibit the essence of a Grand Discovery.
A Young Person had discovered her grand vocation!

The Church had discovered a grand saint!

Grand was the life that was lived.
Grand still more were the graces that followed…

A grand saint enshrined in a quiet life but adorned with much love and affection…
A saint who inspires many…
A saint who is loved by many…
A saint who induces much joy…
… St Thérèse of the Child Jesus- popularly known as the Little Flower of Lisieux.

We live in an age that relishes and appreciates insights related to growth, maturity, accountability and responsibility.

There is a love to hear “high” theology….
There is a craze to talk “systematic” thoughts and to discuss “complex” spiritualities…

Not that these are bad or not to be promoted…
… but these “mature” talks ought not to take one away from the basic aim of true spirituality: Love God and Loving Neighbour!

There is a tendency that these “advanced” talks often get jammed with only peripheral talks…
… and fail to translate into true action and deeds.

It is here, that our Little Saint of the Day – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (popularly known as the “Little Flower’) invites us to find a new freshness and sparkle in Spirituality.

She is the Little Saint who dared to love the Big God!
She is the Big Saint who presents to us the Little Way!
… and thus radiate joy and peace by our lives!

This Little Way of the Big Li’l Saint resonates with the Gospel of the Day, which is the incident of Jesus sending His Disciples on a mission journey…
… with an expectation that they “be messengers of peace”

“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house’” (Lk 10:5)

Being a ‘messenger of peace’ called the disciples to be joyful and cheerful people…

They were to preach the Good News primarily by their life…
… And this life ought to have been a reflection of joy and peace!

The Lord also warns that there could be a possibility of being rejected (Cf. Lk 10:10)

However, the disciples were not to get discouraged or be bogged down by those experiences

We too are invited to be “messengers of peace”

And preach the Good News primarily by our life…
… making our life a reflection of joy and peace!

However, very often, we lose our sense of joy and plunge into disturbances, when encountered by the troubles of life.

Queries on why there is no joy or happiness may perhaps evoke some of the following replies:

“You don’t know the struggles what I’m going through.”
“How can you expect me to be cheerful when my marriage and family is falling apart?”
“God seems miles away from me, and you want me to cheer up?”
“My kids drive me nuts.”
“I’ve got cancer. How can I rejoice?”
“People have mistreated me and I’m not going to be happy until I get even.”
“If I had more money, I’d be happy.”

Do I identify myself with some of the above replies…..?

If yes, then we are challenged to rise above these our concerns…
… and to find the Treasure of True Joy
… and the Wealth of Genuine happiness in God!

The answer to life’s problems is not in reacting, but in being pro-active!

The Saint of the Day – St Therese of Child Jesus – invites us to be strong in our resolution for the Lord…
… and to be “childlike” – with immense trust in the Power and Providence of the Lord.

Her child-likeness had God as the Centre of her world…

God meant everything for this Little Saint.

She saw herself as ‘a child’ but energized by God who directed her journey in faith.

This is the spirituality of ‘childlikeness’: To have at the Centre and as the Ultimate, the One who can provide everything – God!

Is God the centre of my world…?

Little Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the Little Saint is also the Big Saint of Love!

All her actions were laced with love.
All her words were filled with love.

The Little lover of God invites us…
… to adorn all our words with love
… to embrace all our actions with love
… to beautify all our thoughts with love…

It could be…
… speaking with friends
… interacting with fellow workers
… discussing some business matters
… enjoying with family members..

It could be…
… doing household works
… handling massive finances
… studying various subjects
… performing some spiritual activities

It could be…
… thinking some philosophical views
… reflecting about some people
… considering about some situations
… imagining some circumstances
… dreaming some visions

Whatever… whatever!

Whatever be our words..or actions…or thoughts….let them be embellished in LOVE!

The Little Way…
… Sounds simple, but not so simple in practise, right?

Yet, there is much simplicity…
… ‘cos God remains at the centre of every effort and attempt!

Love demands a fidelity in the countless mundane ‘little’ things of daily life

The Little Flower dares to throw “petals” at the Loving Lord…

These petals are even considered “worthless petals” by the world – a little sacrifice, a gentle smile, a kind word, an appreciative action!

Sometimes, these “worthless petals” are nothing more than a faithful effort.

But this fact of “having tried”, a good will “to do good”…. all these petals please the Lord!

Let us join the Little Saint to tread the Little Way.

As we enter into the new month of October – the month of the Holy Rosary – as a child, let us hold the hands of Mamma Mary…
… and be inspired by St Thérèse – the Li’l Big Saint – to love deeper the Big Big God of Love!

Let us “live Love to give Love!”
Let us “live Jesus to give Jesus!”

Happy Feast of the Beautiful Little Flower!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Allowing the Grace of God to strengthen us with joy, in our response to the call of ‘I want missions!'”

(Based on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 and Lk 10:17-24 – Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2 – Founder’s Day of the MSFS Congregation)

The year 1821.

The Parish of Le Chatelard, in the Archdiocese of Chambery, France.

Two fervent and austere priests, spent a week in praying, preaching and inviting people for a Mission Service.

But the parishioners remained indifferent.
There was an air of unwelcome apathy.

The two priests, however, had to make a choice: of either continuing preaching joyfully or of returning back in dejection!

The priests – who were hopeful, zealous and committed – set out, in imitation of Jesus, their Master…
… to the foot of the mountains to pray for the conversion of people.

“They have gone to pray & fast for your conversion”
… was the reply the curious parishioners received on enquiry of their whereabouts.

Grace worked…
Intercession proved powerful!

The two saintly priests were called back by the people…
… and the mission in the Parish resumed with much deep fervour and enthusiasm!

One of the two missionaries was Fr Peter Marie Mermier.

(The other was his companion, Fr Joseph Favre)

Servant of God, Fr Peter Marie Mermier is the founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS)…
… known as the Fransalians!

This daring founder – a dynamic missionary, who gave the clarion call of “I want missions” – had many incidents in his life, which made him to experience the power and presence of the Spirit in the missions.

As it is said, “When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time!’”

Yes, a Missionary who is firmly grounded on Jesus, the Rock and has his eyes fixed on Jesus, the Crucified…
… is able to rejoice in peace and proclaim the joy of the Lord to all!

The Gospel of the Day invites us to reflect on the theme of “Joy in the Lord”…
… with two instances of rejoicing:

The Disciples rejoicing after their successful mission experience
Jesus rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and thanking His Father for His Infinite Wisdom

One of the essential hallmarks of a Christian is a ‘Life of Joy!’

This was the experience of the Disciples, when they returned back from the mission.

They realized that it was the Power of the Lord that enabled them to taste success and relish triumph.
So they rejoiced greatly, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of Your Name” (Lk 10:17)

Do we also rejoice, by seeing the hand of the Lord in the success and achievements of our lives…?
… knowing that whatever we achieve, is ultimately not just due to our hard-work and efforts; rather, was the result of our co-operation to the grace of God!
… recognizing that all our talents and opportunities are gifted by God to exhibit His Glory and Honour!

Our Blessed Lord, however also tells the disciples to go beyond the peripheral joys and happiness in life; instead to rejoice in the Spirit.

St Luke would testify this in the words: “At that very moment, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…'” (Lk 10:21)

This then is what we too are expected to imitate from the Lord: Rejoicing in the Spirit.

St Paul would beautifully explicate this, when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4)

. Our life is to be an inspiring exhibition of the joy in the Lord and rejoicing in the Spirit.

Do we radiate joy in our encounter with one another, and spread the cheer of life?
… knowing that we have a God Who deeply cares for us
… and thanking the Lord for His blessing, above all, for the gift of Himself in the Word and the Sacraments!

There is, without doubt, many reasons for us to be grumpy, to complain and to feel resentful in life.

But can we allow the Power of the Lord to enamour us, and realise that beyond all these, we have a reason to celebrate and to rejoice…
… knowing that ‘God is with us’, to ensure success in our journey of life, with our wholehearted co-operation

Today we specially seek the intercession of St Jerome

(St Jerome who was very well-versed in Scripture, is best known for his translation and revision of the Bible into Latin…
… the translation that became known as the Vulgate – and his extensive commentaries on the Scriptures.

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ” are the famous words of exhortation of St Jerome, the doctor of the Church)

May his words, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best”
… be an inspiration for all of us!”

Let us also be inspired by the words of Venerable Fr Peter Marie Mermier
“It is not enough to avoid evil but it is necessary to do good
… The love of God is efficacious.
There is nothing as strong and as active as love. It is a devouring fire!”

And with respect to prayer…
“The ministry of a priest without prayer, is a barren ministry, without any effect, even harmful; it is a ministry of death!
… instead of enlightening, it blinds;
… instead of healing, it kills!

But the ministry of the one who prays, is a ministry of life!”

Jesus, today, invites each one of us to “be a missionary of joy!”

History is a witness to this great saga of great people who have walked this hard path, with joy…
… including Jesus
… including St Jerome
… including Fr Peter Marie Mermier

Let us allow the Grace of God to strengthen us with joy, in our response to the call of ‘I want missions!'”

Happy Founder’s Day to all the FRANSALIANS – the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS)

God Bless! Live Jesus!