“Having our conscience always pure and always giving heed to the voice of the Lord!”

(Based on Jer 26:11-16, 24 and Mt 14:1-12 – Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An incident is narrated of a man who brought a package of supplies from a trading shop.

On reaching home, to his surprise, he found a silver coin inside the package.

Something troubled him.
He came back the next morning to the trader and handed him back the silver coin.

The trader was amused and surprised and asked him: “That’s interesting to see that you have returned back the silver coin!”

The customer replied: “Well, I got a good man and a bad man in my heart!

The good man said, It is not yours’; the bad man said, ‘Nobody will know’. The good man said, ‘Take it back’; the bad man said, Never mind’.”
And so thinking, I went to bed…
… but the good man and the bad man talked the whole night and troubled me.”

The conscience of the man caused him disturbance because of the fault that he was supposedly in…
… and made him to yield to its goodness!

Each of us, at every moment, have our conscience speaking to us…

Do we listen and give heed?
Or do we silence the voice of the conscience and allow our guilt to rotten up our minds and dirty our actions?

The Gospel of the Day presents the intense ordeal faced by King Herod who failed to give consideration to the voice of conscience…

And instead had his mind rottened and his actions dirtied…
… by falling into the trap of guilt and shame.

King Herod had exercised his authority and sinfulness by beheading John the Baptist. (Mt 14:1-12).

The demon of guilt and shame of that inhuman murder kept bothering him.

In this scattered state of mind, King Herod hears about the deeds and wonders of another man, Jesus.

His guilt-filled and confused mind is unable to grasp the identity of this new man who works marvels and so he told:
“This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him!” (Mt 14:2).

The king harassed by sin and shame failed to grapple the mystery of the Son of God, the King of kings!

The persona of Jesus surpasses great minds and cannot be arrested by hardened hearts!

The character of Jesus baffles proud mentalities and cannot be captured by cynical spirits!

King Herod was greatly disturbed with a guilty conscience and a sinful heart.

He felt greatly challenged and threatened by Jesus, Who was being considered as a King.

The sinful and corrupt Kingdom of Herod was faced with an opposition from…
… the pure and holy Kingdom of God!

The increasing popularity of Jesus caused Herod the Tetrarch, the ruler of the land, to come face-to-face with his guilty conscience.

Truth is always very powerful!

It can, silently, yet very authoritatively…
… challenge faulty lives
… prick guilty consciences
… confront culpable actions

Herod bore the guilt of having killed John the Baptist, who was the voice of the Truth.

He knew that he had done something extremely wicked and merciless
He knew that he had acted in opposition to truth, to honesty and to sincerity.

Therefore, the rising fame of the Lord – whom he misunderstood as John the Baptist – drove him to despair over that brutal act of the killing of the Baptist.

Constant exposition to wicked thoughts and evil inclinations had caused his life to become a pillar of guilt-filled feelings!

Think wicked, and our character will decay into being evil…!

On the other hand, was the righteous life of John the Baptist.

He was born with a sense of purpose – of being a voice to the Truth.
He maintained this goal by always living in sincerity – fearless and courageous.
To this end, he even valiantly shed his blood!

Constant nurturing of holy purposes and sacred acts had caused his life to become a pillar of a purpose-filled existence!

Think nobler, and our character will mould into being noble…!

We need to examine our lives and conscience and check…

Am I, like King Herod, filled with fear and doubts because of my sinful conscience and guilty mind?
OR…
Can I be like John the Baptist, filled with a sense of purpose and clarity in life?

Is my life a chest-box of guilt-filled feelings – formed by deposits of wickedness, evil and sin?
OR…
Can my life be a treasure of a purpose-filled existence – formed by deposits of holy determination and sanctified lives?

Yes, each of us, at every moment, have our conscience speaking to us…

Do we listen and give heed?
… or do we silence the voice of the conscience and allow our guilt to rotten up our minds and dirty our actions?

Purified by the Sacraments…
Strengthened by God’s Word…
Empowered in prayer…
… let us become persons who have our conscience always pure and always give heed to the voice of the Lord, “Be Holy, as I am Holy!”

Today we celebrate the Feast of a Great Saintly Doctor of the Church – St Alphonsus Liguori, the Patron Saint of Theologians – the Founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists)

Let us give heed to his words:
“The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him.

This hope produces in the Saints an unutterable peace, which they preserve even in adversity, because as they love God…
… and know how beautiful He is to those who love Him, they place all their confidence and find all their repose in Him alone”

May the intercession of this great Moral Theologian Saint inspire and impel us to also live holy lives – and thus our lives may become a “marvel edifice” and an “enormous pillar” of God’s graces…
… as we offer and consecrate the new month of August to the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

“Not being depressed and discouraged by the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life; instead, like St Ignatius of Loyola, being hopeful, and knowing that ‘every rejection is one more step closer to true success!’”

(Based on Jer 26:1-9 and Mt 13:54-58 – Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A young salesman became discouraged because he had been rejected by many of the customers that he approached.

He asked a more experienced salesman for some advice.

“Why is it that every time I make a call on someone I get rejected?”

“I just don’t understand that,” answered the older salesman…
… “I’ve been hit on the head, called dirty names, and thrown out the door, but I’ve never been rejected!
Remember, my son… Rejection isn’t what happens to us…
… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

How do we interpret the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life?

Do we get depressed and discouraged…
… or can we still be hopeful and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!?”

Rejection and dejection, are sure companions in the life of a Christian, who is uncompromising and unwavering in one’s faith.

Despite these aspects, are we ready to hold on to doing the Will of God, and be His Faithful Followers?

Our Blessed Lord Himself underwent rejection and dejection in life.

Yet He would cling on to doing the Will of God!

The Gospel of the Day narrates this painful incident of “rejection and dejection” that our Blessed Lord encountered in His life, at the hands of His own country people (Mt 13: 54-58)

It is interesting to note, how the people of the hometown seek to justify their rejection of Jesus, by rationalizing their attitude…

Using 6 questions ( 6= A Biblical symbolic number which often stands for imperfection!)…
… the people of the hometown, reveal their blocked minds and closed hearts.

When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…
… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!

And so the Lord would declare: “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country or his own house!” (Mt 13: 57)

Thus, Jesus becomes the “Sign of Contradiction!”
… the Prince of Peace, begins to be seen as a cause of division and despise
… the Healer of Souls, begins to be seen as a cause of disagreement and discord!
… the Comforter of Hearts, begins to be seen as a cause of disturbance and distress

Anyone who seeks to follow Jesus – the “Sign of Contradiction” – the Epitome of Truth and Honesty…
… is sure to face the same experience!

Every true Christian, because of one’s convictions in the Eternal Values of Uncompromising Truth and Desire to do the Will of God, is sure to face…
… rejection from the people, because one’s ways challenge the lethargic lifestyle of others!
… dejection from the society, because one’s way of living poses a threat the corruption around!

But despite this “rejection and dejection,” can we still continue to hold on the Lord, the “Sign of Contradiction!”?

Life often hurls the “bricks of rejection” at us…

We can either be hurt by them…
… or be strengthened and buckle ourselves up with greater courage

We can either blame all those situations and curse life…
… or we can be thankful for those moments, which provides us a chance for “more blessings!”

Yes, we need to remember always:

Rejection isn’t what happens to us…
… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

Let us not get depressed and discouraged by the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life…
… instead let us be hopeful, and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!”

Let us today seek the intercession of St Ignatius of Loyola, the Founder of the “Society of Jesus” (Jesuits), on his Feast Day.

He was a man with a lot of worldly ambitions and gripped with seeking vain glory.

But an incident, wherein, he was bed-ridden, as a result of a leg injury, brought a transformation in his life.

Not finding any other books to read, he was handed over the “Life of Saints”, which made him to prompt himself to ask a question: “Why am I using my life just for myself? These people did so much good during their time on earth. Why can’t I?”

St Ignatius was probably at a “dejected and disappointed” phase of his life…
… yet the Lord would use “that” situation, to bring a transformation in his life.

His motto: Ad maiorem Dei gloriam (“for the greater glory of God”) – is a great challenge and an inspiration for all of us.

May the prayer of this great Saint, echo in our hearts as well:
“O my God, teach me to be generous, teach me to serve you as I should…
… to give without counting the cost,
… to fight without fear of being wounded,
… to work without seeking rest,
… to labour without expecting any reward,
but the knowledge that I am doing your most holy will.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Trusting our Lord, Who is the Potter of our lives… and like clay, allowing ourselves to be moulded at His Mighty Hands!”

(Based on Jer 18:1-6 and Mt 13:47-53 – Thursday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

One morning, the husband was at breakfast…
… his face hidden behind the morning paper.

The frightened maid tiptoed into the room and whispered something to the wife’s ears.

The wife – paled slightly – then squared her shoulders resolutely and said:
“Dear, for the last seventeen years, you have been eating oats porridge in the morning.

You will be very upset, isn’t it, if you don’t get it this morning?”

Expecting the worst reaction, the wife began to turn away.

The husband, hiding his naughty smile, however said: “Oh how sad!

Yes, I will miss my daily meal!
But hey! It’s also a nice chance to get something interesting to eat, without having to tell explicitly…
… how bored I am with my daily meal!”

The husband, without wanting to express that he wanted a change in his meal,
… hid behind a casual attitude of “saying yes” without really intending!

Well… such is the case with many of us as well, probably.

There are many things that we don’t really enjoy…
… yet, pretend that everything is fine.
There are many things not going on fine with us…
… but we still behave as if we are okay with everything.

We sometimes are people who affirm and consent…
… without really understanding or grasping the whole reality

There is a “lip” yes…
… but not a consent with the mind.

There is an external nodding…
… without a true affirmation from the heart.

The Gospel of the Day presents such a classic case in the context of the disciples of Jesus saying a “Yes” to having understood the teachings of Jesus…
… and invites us to examine our lives and check whether:

We say only a “lip” yes, without the consonance of the mind!
We give an external nodding, without the affirmation of the heart!

The first 50 verses of the 13th Chapter from St Matthew is a quick montage of several parables…
… Seven in all…
1) Parable of the Sower (vv. 1-9)
2) Parable of the Weeds among wheat (vv. 24-30)
3) Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv. 31-32)
4) Parable of the Yeast (v. 33)
5) Parable of the man finding the treasure (v. 44)
6) Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (v. 45)
7) Parable of the Net thrown in the sea (vv. 47-50)

These 7 parables teach several great truths and virtues….
1) Preparing our hearts to receive the Generous Word of God….
2) Accepting the reality of evil in the world and being firm to be good…
3) Realizing the Divine Grace that blossoms our littleness into a shelter for many…
4) Recognizing the transforming effect of a committed faith…
5) Experiencing the joy of discovering the Lord as the Treasure of our lives….
6) The Willingness to give up everything to prioritize the Lord as the Pearl of Great Prize….
7) Living a life with the awareness of the judgment of good and evil at the end of our lives!

At the end of this quick, power-packed narration of the 7 parables, Jesus puts forward a question to His Disciples:
“Do you understand all these things?”(Mt 13:51)

The Lord wished to know if His disciples were grasping these great truths of Christian Life…

He wanted to know from His chosen ones, the level of their understanding.

The Gospel says the disciples “answered, ‘Yes'”(Mt 13:51b).

Well, we are not fully sure whether the disciples really understood and grasped everything….

We really can’t say for certain whether their “Yes”…
… was only a “lip” yes or one with the consonance of the mind
… was an external nodding or one with the affirmation of the heart

There are many occasions in the Gospels…
… when we see the disciples “said something” but did not actually follow it or live it
… Or they really did not fully understand and grasp the person of Jesus and His teachings

At the Transfiguration, when Peter said, “Let us make three tents”, the Gospel says, “he did not know what he was saying!”(Lk 9:33b)
After the multiplication of the loaves, the Gospel says “they had not understood the incident of the loaves”(Mk 6:52)
After the calming of the storm at the sea, they said to one another “Who then is this Whom even wind and sea obey?”(Mk 4:41)
They failed to recognize and see the Father in Jesus and so Jesus chided them, saying, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me?” (Jn 14:10)

We therefore do not really know the depth of the “Yes” of the Disciples…
… Was it only an instinctual reply?
… Was it just a spontaneous answer?

We cannot fully trace the intention of the Disciples.

But this incident is certainly a reminder and an invitation for us to examine…
… Do we seek to understand the Lord and His Teachings?
… Are we aware of the greatness and the worth of the many devout practices of our faith?

Let us examine…

Do we realize the Power of the Most Holy Mass and prepare ourselves accordingly for a worthy celebration…
… or has it become a regular routine of life, without the due preparation and a sense of reverence?

Do we read the Living Word of God daily, and seek to live in accordance with His Teachings…
… or has the Bible merely become another “object” of the house, only to be kept in a place of seclusion, with an occasional glance?

Do our prayers and the reception of the other Sacraments become a God-experience and have a life-touching effect…
… or have they been rendered as casual or even compelled actions, with little effect on one’s life and activities?

Yes, as Christians, we are sometimes people who affirm and consent…
… without really understanding or grasping the whole reality.

Let us trust our Lord Who is the Potter of our lives…
… and like clay, allow ourselves to be moulded at His Mighty Hands! (Cf. Jer 18:1-6)

Let us give heed to the Lord, who invited His followers to be like the “instructed scribe, who is like the house holder who brings from his storeroom, both the new and the old.” (Mt 13:52).

God Bless! Live Jesus

“Being inspired by the life of Sts Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and being faithful companions and witnesses of the Lord!”

(Based on Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus)

Luciano Pavarotti was an Italian operatic Tenor.

(A tenor is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is one of the highest of the male voice types)

He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, gaining worldwide fame for the brilliance and beauty of his tone…
… and eventually established himself as one of the finest tenors of the 20th century.

Luciano relates:
“When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of singing.

He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice.

Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil.

I also enrolled in a teachers college.

On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’

“Luciano,” my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them.
For life, you must choose one chair.’

I chose one.

It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance.

It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera.

And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book – whatever we choose – we should give ourselves to it.

Commitment, that’s the key.
CHOOSE ONE CHAIR!”

Often we try to find joy and satisfaction in life, by trying to adjust and fit into many “chairs”.

We end up in frustrations and irritation and bitterness.

Our life gets entangled into a lot of annoyance and resentment
The Result: We feel life is totally unfair to us… We complain… We argue!

The Feast of the Day invites us to reflect on this common trend of our lives through the incident of Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38-42)

During his journey of ministry, Jesus came to a village and was welcomed in the house of Martha and Mary.

Martha demonstrates great hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home.

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

Mary, on the other side, displays great devotion and love, by sitting at the feet of Jesus

She gets immersed into spending time, with the revered Rabbi.

This incident invites us to appreciate the courage and devotion of Mary

The role adopted by Mary was something contrary to the fixed norms for a Jewish woman.

She sat at the feet of Jesus, just as a student would, while learning at the feet of a Rabbi.

This was, however, a role reserved for men.

Yet, Mary “chose the better part” (Lk 10: 42)

This incident also invites us to reflect on the words of Christ to Martha.

Jesus tells Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her?” (10:41-42).

The Lord extends an invitation to Martha to examine her approach…

Jesus is not against her actions of service and of providing a comfortable hospitality.
But He is concerned that Martha is too “worried and distracted”

Very often…
… our best intentions in life can get spoilt due to our tendency to over-worry or be over-anxious.
… our noblest deeds of works can be marred due to our unnecessary outbursts of irritation and distractions

The Greek word used for “distracted” is “periespato”

“Periespato” means to be pulled or dragged in different directions

As a result of this high degree of distraction….

Martha fails to maintain an important and basic dimension of hospitality – giving due attention to the guest
Martha also seeks to cause a humiliation for her sister, Mary, in public
Martha even goes on to accuse Jesus of “not caring about her”

We live in a world where we are prone to get easily “distracted” – to be pulled or dragged in different directions – like Martha.

But can we seek to overcome this crippling tendency by “choosing the better part” of giving whole attention to the Lord and to His Kingdom.

The incident also teaches us lessons from Lazarus – who is not seen actively in the entire narrative.

Lazarus reminds us that it is okay, to be in the background, supporting others in their journey with Jesus.
His silence speaks of the importance of listening and being present with others.
He also teaches us about the value of family and community in our faith journey.

Life offers us many “chairs” – choices – which can distract us, cause us irritation and take away our focus from what is most basic and most important.

Let us ask the grace to choose the “one thing that is needed” – the one “chair” – of being committed to the Lord and His Kingdom…
… so that we can enjoy true peace and joy in life!

Let us be inspired by…
… St Martha – in realising our “lack of focus” and in being willing to be passionately committed in the service of the Lord.
… St Mary – in “choosing the better part”
… St Lazarus – in being content to be in the background, and doing our works in silence and tranquility, and thus experiencing the spectacular glory and power of the Lord!

Happy Feast of St Martha, St Mary and St Lazarus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being loyal to the Gospel by remaining firm in faith and hope, trusting in the Providence and Power of the Lord!”

(Based on Jer 14:17-22 and Mt 13:36-43 – Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

One of the very famous hymns in Malayalam, composed by Sadhu Kochukunju Upadesi (1883 –1945 – preacher, poet and composer) goes thus:

“Dukhathinde paana paathram
Karthav yende kayyil thannal
Sandoshathodh adhu vaangi
Hallelujah paadidunne….”

Translated as…
“If my Lord offers a chalice
Full of worries into my hands,
I will accept it with pleasure
And sing ‘Hallelujah’ with thanks.

The hymn pays glorious tribute to the Immense Love of the Lord…
… despite the seemingly tough and troublesome moments that we go through in life.

The spirit of this hymn was beautifully lived and celebrated by St Alphonsa, the first woman of Indian origin to be canonised…
… whose feast is celebrated today, on July 28

Life often takes us through…
… trials of struggle and pain
… situations of agony and abandonment
… occasions of evil encounters and malicious moments!

Yet, in all such moments, the call of the Gospel is to remain firm in faith and hope – trusting in the Providence and Power of the Lord.

The Gospel of the Day is an exposition by the Lord on this crucial Reality of our lives, by the explanation of the Parable of the Weeds.

It’s noteworthy to know some interesting facts about this parable…

Sowing weeds in someone else’s field, was a way take revenge on the other and to express one’s hatred and anger!

Something similar to today, people…
… breaking the glass of the houses of those whom they don’t like
… disfiguring the walls of the house of the people whom they hate

The weeds that Jesus speaks of in the parable, were highly similar to the wheat that was sown.

It was almost impossible to distinguish the two, in their initial stages.

Seeking to pull up the weeds would definitely destroy the wheat plant
This was because, their roots would get inter-twined.
Any attempt to pull up the weeds, would also cause harm to the good plant.

It is in the light of these points, that our “doubt and perplexity” about the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds grows:
“Why does evil exist in a world that was created good?”

This is where the Lord challenges every Christian to understand…
… that some mysteries in life cannot be fully understood, but are to be boldly lived!
… that some struggles in life cannot be totally eliminated, but are to be bravely challenged!
…. that some problems in life cannot be completely solved, but are to be fearlessly encountered!

As we take time to digest this fact, let us also spare a thought for the seed of wheat that was sown by the Sower.

For the Sower, the Seed of Wheat was priceless… special…!

He had sown it with a lot of love, care and affection.

And so, He would do everything in His power, to make sure, that He loses nothing of it, in the attempt to get rid of the weeds.

The Sower is God.

And the Bible, throughout, speaks about how the seed that is sown – the wheat – is precious to God…
… the lost sheep is passionately sought until it is found (Lk 15: 1-7)
… the lost coin is ardently searched till it is found (Lk 15: 8-10)
… the leftover pieces of loaves are devoutly gathered up (Mt 14:20)
… the rejected short man, hiding on the tree, is assigned a new chapter in life (Lk 19: 1-10)
… the nearly-stoned woman, caught in the act of adultery, is given new life (Jn 8: 1-11)
… the impulsive fisherman, called as the rock, and who denied three times, is accepted back (Jn 21: 15-19)

We are the precious Wheat.

Jesus opens our hearts and minds to have a “realistic understanding” of life.

We need to be patient with ourselves and with others…
… in dealing with sin and with evil tendencies

Of course, as humans, we do many times…
… bite our teeth in anger, glaring at the inhumanness in our society and the world
… lose our cool, in finding ourselves to be imperfect and sinful even after years of trying
… go mad, in encountering silly disputes and indifferences in our families & communities
… have our blood boiling, seeing the various scandals and shameful incidents in the Church

But the Lord says… “Hold On”….

Surely, we have our emotions and feelings when we come across unjust situations..

But the Lord says:
“Do your best…and leave the rest to Me!
Aim for perfection… but give not into despair because of devastations!”

This certainly is no excuse for us to deny our duty and responsibility…
… and even the obligation to seek to avoid wickedness and dissuade evil practices.

But we may never find ourselves in PERFECT elimination of evil and sinful behaviours…
… either in our personal life, or societal life or even in the life of the church.

The Lord, the Final and the Supreme Judge, will make sure, that “Good finally triumphs over the evil!”

“The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will collect out of His Kingdom, all who cause others to sin and evildoers…
… the Righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of Their Father!” (Mt 13: 41, 43).

As the national motto of India says: “Satyam eva jayate” (Truth alone triumphs!”)

Let us have recourse to the Awesome and Ultimate Power of God, and be strengthened in our lives…
… knowing and trusting that He will ultimately cause “Everything for our good” (Rom 8:28)

In all moments of trials and struggles, let us be loyal to the Gospel by remaining firm in faith and hope – trusting in the Providence and Power of the Lord.

Let us seek the intercession and be inspired by St Alphonsa, as we too sing:
“Dukhathinde paana paathram, Karthav yende kayyil thannaal…”

“If my Lord offers a chalice, full of worries into my hands,
I will accept it with pleasure, and sing ‘Hallelujah’ with thanks.

My father will never offer, anything that is harmful I’m sure.
He may give me moments of pain, still He loves me beyond measure!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!