“Realising that it is not just what we preach, but what we practice, that makes us witness as Christians!”

(Based on Ezek 18:21-28 and Mt 5:20-26 – Friday of the 1st Week of Lent)

An eloquent priest was explaining to a group of youngsters, on who is a Christian.

He said:
“It is not what people eat, but what they digest…
… that makes them strong

It is not what we earn, but what we save…
… that makes us rich
It is not what we read, but what we remember…
… that makes us learned

And finally, it is not just what we preach, but what we practise…
… that makes us Christians!”

So true, isn’t it?

Very often, we associate our Christian way of life, only with external practices of prayer and devotion

But we need to realise…
…. every prayer needs to be accompanied with works of charity!
… every act of devotion needs to be complemented with deeds of mercy!

Jesus always keeps challenging us!

He loathes laziness and lukewarmness!
He loves to keep raising the standard of our holiness and faith!

This challenge is reflected in today’s Gospel reading.

Jesus says, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of Scribes & Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20)

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees consisted…
… in a lifestyle which insisted only on the exact following of the ‘letter’ of the Law neglecting its spirit
… in a tendency to neglect the fundamental aspects of the Law and focus only on the peripheries

What could be some of the negative aspects of the righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees, which Jesus condemns…
… and which, perhaps, we need to overcome?

1) Sin had only to do with “external actions” and not concerned with “internal intention!”

Sin was considered as ‘the external violation of the Mosaic Law and oral traditions…
… while completely neglecting the inner disposition of the heart.’

Ritual purity, Sabbath observances, and legalistic practices were glorified….
… but greater sins like pride, greed, and hypocrisy were conveniently sidelined!

A sinner was someone who openly broke the Law, such as tax collectors and prostitutes…
…. anyone breaking ‘the law of love in their hearts’ was never considered as doing wrong!

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people…
… and Jesus condemned this “superficial righteousness!”

2) They liked to preach, but not practise

We live in a world where there are many people who are good in preaching, writing reflections and advising on spiritual matters.

But very often, a massive chasm appears between their preaching and their way of life.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people…
… and Jesus condemned this “‘only-talk, no-walk’ righteousness!”

3) They liked to do things to “show-off”

A tragedy of religious practices can be, when things are done not to please God, but to win the approval and endorsement of people.

Religious piety and devotions very often become means to have self-gratification of one’s senses…
… and sadly, even platforms to boast and brag about one’s capacities and capabilities.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people…
… and Jesus condemned this “showy and puffed-up righteousness!”

4) They liked to make the Word of God, user-friendly, at the cost of God’s Will

One of the trends in the modern world, is to have all products and gadgets “user-friendly”.

Sadly, this trend is also often applied to the Word of God.

The Word of God, its commandments and laws are twisted and condensed and expanded and interpreted and quoted and explained and elucidated – all to suit one’s own comfortable and pleasurable way of life!

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people…
… and Jesus condemned this “‘trending & tempting’ righteousness!”

Am I in any of these category of peoples?

The Lord challenges us today…
… to exceed this sort of a righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

We need to be people…
… “who walk the talk!”
… “who practice our Faith to please God and Him alone
… “who live a Gospel-oriented life”

The Gospel ought to mould and shape us – and not we changing the Word of God to suit and justify our secured and comfortable lives!

Gal 1:10, says,” If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”

As followers of Christ, it is our duty and task to go beyond a “Pharisaic and Scribal Lifestyle”…
… and live as Jesus would want us to!

We are reminded today that “God looks at our heart today, not just our history!”

Prophet Ezekiel tells us that ‘man is not righteous because of his past, nor condemned forever by his failures.’

‘If the wicked turns from his sins… he shall surely live’ (Ezek 18:21)

True righteousness is in a heart that turns back to the Lord…
… seeking refuge at all times in His Holy Will and His Holy Mercy.

Let’s realise that it is not just what we preach, but what we practice…
… that makes us witness as Christians!

Let our every prayer, be accompanied with works of charity…
… and our every act of devotion, be complemented with deeds of mercy!

As St Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel always… use words, if necessary!“

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Trusting and always keeping in mind that God ‘sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!’”

(Based on Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 and Mt 7:7-12 – Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent)

A story is told of a group of tourists who were visiting a large sheep farm.

The guide of the tourists was explaining how the little lambs are taken care by the mother sheep.

To demonstrate this, he took one little lamb from the farm…
… and placed it in a large enclosure with thousands of sheep.

The noise of all the bleating sheep was deafening.
The little lamb, who seemed lost in the midst of that crowd…
… after a moment of silence, began crying loudly.

As it bleated, the mother lamb, who was at the end of the enclosure, heard the cry…
… and rushed towards her little lamb.

As the tourists were wonder-struck at this sight, the guide – who was a Christian – made a statement:
“This is how it is with God also!

We should never imagine that we are beyond the reach of God!
He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”

The Gospel of the day presents this assurance given by Jesus, of how every cry of prayer is heard and answered by the Lord, in His Holy Will…
… and His teaching on having a proper attitude and disposition in prayer.

The Lord makes a comparison in His teaching on prayer:

The “good” attitude that is displayed by human beings, even though they are imperfect and limited…
… and the “Good” approach that is always exhibited by our God, Who is Perfect and Generous!

Jesus tells: “Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake?” (Mt 7:9-10)

The Lord contrasts something that is good, with something that is quite hard to imagine or even dangerous…

Asking for bread… can a stone be given?
Asking for fish… can a snake be given?

Using this practical approach, the Lord drives home a very important point:

A human father – with all limitations, weaknesses and struggles – will always strive to give the best for his child
A human mother – with all the shortcomings, hardships and labours – will always ensure to provide the finest for her child
… Then how much more is it not understood, that God, Who is all-good and caring, will DO THE BEST ALWAYS for all of us, His Beloved Children!

Therefore, we are asked to cultivate this very vital virtue: Trust in the Lord!

When we trust in God…
… our prayers become meaningful!
… our struggles become salvific!
… our lives become joyful!

The beautiful prayer of Queen Esther is a wonderful inspiration for all of us, to totally trust in the Lord…
… especially in times of struggles, difficulties and problems of life:
“O my Lord, you only are our king; help me, who am alone and have no helper but You…
Save us by Your hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but You, O Lord” (Esth C:3, 14)

In life, we will have moments when we feel lost out…
… and we keep crying to God in prayer.

But let us always know, that our Loving God, hearing our cry…
… will always rush towards us!

Let us grow in our trust and always keep in mind: “We should never imagine that we are beyond the reach of God!

He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Having the openness and the willingness to ‘seek, see and surrender to the Truth!'”

(Based on Jon 3:1-10 and Lk 11:29-32 – Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent)

Lee Strobel, an atheist, had one mission: Disprove Christianity….
… once and for all.

His wife had become a Christian.

He was furious.
“This is absurd,” he thought. “I deal with facts, not fairy tales.”
So, he did what he did best – investigate.

As an award-winning journalist for The Chicago Tribune, he had exposed corrupt politicians, uncovered scandals, and shattered lies.

Now, he would do the same to Christianity.
He tracked down experts.

Historians. Scientists. Archaeologists.

“Give me the evidence” he demanded.

They did.

The Bible?
… historically reliable.

The resurrection?
… more documented than most ancient events.

Science?
… not against God; instead, pointing to Him.

Lee Strobel’s skepticism cracked.
The walls of doubt shook.

Finally, he sat at his desk, exhausted.

The facts were clear.
The truth undeniable.

He began to realise: “It would take more faith to stay an atheist than to believe in Jesus.”

He knew.

The investigator, who set out to destroy faith…
… had found it instead.

Because the greatest signs aren’t always in the sky.

They stand before us.
Waiting to be seen.
Waiting to change everything.

(Source: Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ)

Are we still demanding signs…
… while ignoring the One already given?

Faith isn’t about demanding proof.

It’s about recognizing the truth that’s been there all along!

The Gospel of the day is a call to have an openness and a willingness
… to ‘seek, see and surrender to the Truth!’

A big crowd had gathered around Jesus and He began to speak and teach them.
“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign…” (Lk 11:29)

This verse has its background in a previous verse – Lk 11:16 – where it says, “Others to test Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven”

The motive for asking the sign was to “test” Jesus.

There was clear hypocrisy in this demand.

Jesus had already performed a lot of miracles…..
“… the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead raised up” (Mt 11:3-5)

Yet, a sign was demanded!

True, that God gave signs to people in the Old Testament.

For example… to Gideon… to Abraham… to Moses… to the people of Israel etc

But the difference was that…
… those signs were given in request for a confirmation.
… those signs were given to strengthen the faith and belief.

As it is commented, “Signs were granted to those who desired them for the confirmation of their faith, as to Abraham and Gideon…
… but were denied to those who demanded them for the excuse of their unbelief!”

Some in the crowds… some of the Pharisees and the Scribe, demanded a sign from Jesus…
… just to remain obstinate and adamant in their unbelief!

For the Jews, the time of the coming of Messiah was expected to be a time of great warfare upon the Gentiles and great material prosperity.

The pseudographical work – The Apocalypse of Baruch – mentioned that ‘the time of the Messiah would bring in an inexhaustible supply of manna to feed the Jews until the end of time.’
Another pseudographical work – The Psalms of Solomon – says ‘the Messiah will “purge Jerusalem of the heathen . . . break the pride of sinners like so many pots . . . and gather the holy nation and lead it with justice, in peace and equality”‘

Jesus was not showing such “external” signs of being a Messiah

Therefore, the demand for a ‘sign from heaven’’ was a result of the hostility for Jesus’ failure to meet their materialistic expectations.

But Jesus exhorts to look at the higher and heavenly signs and symbols that He was providing!

Jesus challenges to adopt an attitude…
… of seeking to go beyond in finding the beautiful and higher realities
… of nurturing oneself on symbols that are deeper and much more precious

Is my life reduced to looking only for lowly and materialistic gains and desires?
… or is my life raised up in longing for higher and spiritual treasures and gifts?

The greatest signs stand before us…
… waiting to be seen.
… waiting to change everything.

We are called to recognise the truth that’s been there all along

Let us have the openness and the willingness
… to ‘seek, see and surrender to the Truth!’

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Asking the Grace from ‘Our Father’ to help us make inroads into forgiving others!”

(Based on Isa 55:10-11 and Mt 6:7-15 – Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent)

There was a king who had suffered much from his rebellious subjects.

But one day they surrendered their arms…
… threw themselves at his feet
… and begged for mercy.

The king pardoned them all.

One of the king’s friends said to him: “We are surprised at your act!

Did you not say that every rebel should die?
Did you not give us a command that every enemy should be killed?”

“Yes,” replied the king, calmly…
… and added, “but I see no rebels here!”

True forgiveness flows from the heart…
… and eliminates every bitterness
… so as to render every enemy as null and void!

We are today called to have a special focus on the aspect of forgiveness…
… as we give heed to the beautiful rendition of the pattern of all prayers – “The Our Father” – as recounted by St Mathew

The Gospel of the Day is part of the Sermons on the Mount in the Gospel of St Matthew.

Jesus presents His teaching on various Christian themes.

In His teaching on prayer, Jesus teaches the beautiful prayer – The Our Father.

The Our Father has seven petitions:
1) Hallowed be Thy Name
2) Thy Kingdom come
3) Thy Will be done
4) Give us today our Daily Bread
5) Forgive us our sins
6) Lead us not into temptation
7) Deliver us from evil.

The fifth petition – for forgiveness – is also accompanied with a clause – “…as we forgive”..
“…and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12)
… forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us!
… forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us!

Well, does this mean God’s forgiveness is conditional?

Certainly NO!

It needs to be understood, that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness, has always the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!

But to receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

God’s Mercy and Forgiveness is unconditional…
… but our reception of the same, is conditional!

It means that…

If we harbour a wrong against other…
If we continue to nurture hatred against other…
If we wilfully fail to extend absolution to the other…
If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…
… then we are telling God to not forgive me either!
… then we are telling God to not shower His blessing on me!
… then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!
… then we are telling God to stop extending His unconditional compassion!

We are called therefore, to “forgive from our heart”…
… and thus to reconcile with everyone in our life.

It is when we truly forgive, that we become recipients of the Great Mercy and Forgiveness of God!

The book of Isaiah 55: 11 says, “… My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Let us allow the Merciful Word of the Lord…
… to work it’s forgiving effects in us!

The prayer – “Our Father” is indeed one of the most easily learnt and widely used prayers.

But this clause of the prayer, which is often overlooked, also makes this prayer dangerous!

Let us ask the Grace from ‘Our Father’ to help us make inroads into forgiving others!

We are called to realize that true forgiveness flows from the heart…
… eliminates every bitterness
… and thus, renders every enemy as null and void!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Making right choices, that will help us to preserve and enhance, the greatness of ‘the film of our life!'”

(Based on Lev 19:1-2, 11-18 and Mt 25:31-46 – Monday of the 1st Week of Lent)

Ward Kimball was an animator for the Walt Disney Studios in the 1930’s.

He was on the team for the first full-length animated feature by the Disney studio, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” (Year: 1937)

He spent 240 days…
… working on a single four-and-a-half-minute scene.
In that scene, the dwarfs were cooking a meal for Snow White, and he covered every detail.

When the time came, to review the film, Walt Disney personally reviewed the scene…
… and commented: “That scene is hilarious. It’s terrific.”

Then, he added, “But, I think it interrupts the flow of the movie…
… so we need to cut it out!”

So off went that scene – 240 days of immense work, scrapped…
… in order to preserve and enhance, the greatness of the film!

A hard choice indeed…
… but a choice that would be proved right, later, when the film was released and became a runaway success!

When “the film of our lives” is shown…
… will it be as great as it ought to be?

A lot will depend on the multitude of “choices” that we make!

The choices that we make, make or break our life!

The Gospel of the Day presents the Son of Man seated in His majestic and awesome glory…
… and all the nations awaiting His judgement, based on the choices that they have made in life!

The sheep, placed on the right side, are the chosen ones to enjoy the bliss of the Kingdom.

The goats, placed on the left side, are the condemned ones to suffer the fire of punishment.

An important aspect to be observed in this passage of the scene of the Last Judgement is the manner in which the Lord looks at human actions…

The Bible says, “Humans look on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7)

One of the common question that was posed to both the groups – the sheep and the goats – was: “When did we know…”

The sheep were taken by surprise, at the occasions which the Lord found them doing good…

They remained unaware of those situations, though they did the good in God’s sight.

The goats are taken by surprise, at the occasions, which the Lord found them missing to do good…

They remained unaware of those situations, where they failed to do the good in God’s sight.

We may not realise the occasions of doing good…

We may not realise the occasions of having missed doing good…
We may externally engage in many good works…
… but it may fail to find approval in the Lord’s sight.

This calls for cultivation of an inner disposition to do good

From the abundance of goodness within, good actions flow!

It’s this inner disposition to do good, that will prompt us to make the right choices in life…
… choices that will help us to preserve goodness
… choices that will help us to nurture greatness

Let this season of Lent be a time of forming a character of goodness and kindness.

The Book of Leviticus exhorts: “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy”(Lev 19:2)

Our life’s film is not meant to be merely successful…
… it is meant to be sacred!

Sacredness is not primarily about grand miracles, but concerns simple daily choices

Give God the highest priority in your life
Render love and mercy to your neighbour
… because holiness is edited into the small, unseen scenes of everyday life!

God who commands, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”…
… is the same Judge of Matthew 25

The holiness He asks for in life…
… will be verified by the love which we show to the least and the lost, in eternity!

The “film of our life” is continually being recorded!

We are called to make it great, as it ought to be

Let’s therefore make right choices (even if they are tough!)…
… that will help us to preserve and enhance, the greatness of “the film of our life!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!