“Amending our lives in a way that we not only preach, but much more, practise in life!”

(Based on Ezek 18:25-28, Phil 2:1-11 and Mt 21:28-32 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

In a certain village, a parishioner – a Catholic for many years – was having a conversation with his parish priest.

He said: “Father, if I had fifty acres of land, I would have gladly donated half of it – twenty-five acres – to the Lord and His church”

The priest replied: “Ah! That’s so nice and generous of you. And what if you had only 20 acres?”

The man replied: “Oh! Yes, I would have given 10 of it!”

“And”, continued the priest, “what if you had only 10 acres?” Will you spare five for the Lord?”

“Sure, I would”, said the man.

Finally, the priest said, “And what if you had only two acres? Would you give one to the Lord?”

“Oh!”, snapped the man, “Now don’t ask me that!
You know, that I have only two acres!”

Well…
… that’s how it is often in our lives as well, isn’t it?

We promise many big things to the Lord…
… but when it comes to “actually doing something for the Lord”, we tend to back out!

Are we just preachers?
… or can we also be people who practise?

Life judges us, on the basis of how well does our preaching and practising co-ordinate and complement each other.

Life presents different moments when there seems to be a dichotomy between one’s words and deeds…

The Gospel of the Day presents to us an interesting parable of two Sons who are asked to work by their Father.

One SAYS NO…but DOES!
The other SAYS YES…BUT DOES NOT!

One does not preach… but practises!

The other preaches… but does not practise!

One refuses initially, but consents finally!

The other consents initially, but refuses finally!

How often does this situation arise in our own lives and situations too…

We pledge ourselves at trendy events, for the cause of the poor…
… but we fail to help

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but become forerunners for the cause of the poor!

We make a big show and be popular as a helpful person…
… but we fail in some genuine needs

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are present with their full force to render help!

We make many resolutions on New Year days or birthdays…
… but fail to materialize them

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are able to make many amendments and changes!

We make many promises to the Lord during feast days or novena times…
… but fail to live up

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but render much love to the Lord through the year!

We all experience this “I will do”…
… but “I did not do” experiences in life.

On the personal Faith Level, this trend is seen more distinctly and vividly…

People claim themselves to be Catholics…
… but appear in church only on grand feast days!

People appreciate the Catholic teaching…
… but support moral laws and practise morality which go directly against!

People assert having dedicated their lives to God…
… but fail to find time for God and prayer!

People declare loving God above all…
… but fail to reject pleasures which hurts and pains Him!

People profess and make vows to God…
… but neglect to even try to keep up those promises!

Like the second son, who said Yes…
… very often, we too become people who nod our heads in consent for anything and everything…
… but fail to live up to that YES!

The Lord says in Mt 7:21, “Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he does the Will of My Father”

Therefore, the proposition is clear: It is not pompous words that will grant life, but carrying out the Will of the Father!

It is not only good news “proclaimed” but good news “practised“…
… that will win others to the glorious freedom of forgiveness of sins!

Yes, let us examine…
… and accordingly amend our lives:
Are we the one who only preaches?
… or can we also be the one who practises?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Asking the Grace to remain ever faithful to the Lord and be loyal to His Love and His Kingdom!”

(Based on Eccles 11:9-12:8 and Lk 9:43b-45 – Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

“Julius Caesar” is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare.

It is one of several plays written by Shakespeare based on true events from Roman history.

The life of Julius Caesar engrossingly proceeds with placing a great trust in his best friend Brutus.

Brutus, though his closest and most trusted friend, was albeit a misled man.
Therefore, among the conspirators who finally assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 was Brutus as well.

Caesar had not only trusted him, but also favoured Brutus as his own son.

Roman history tells that Caesar had first resisted the onslaught of his assassins.

But when he saw his beloved Brutus among them, with his dagger draw, the Roman Emperor ceased to struggle and withdraw every attempt of resistance.

He pulled the top part of his robe over the face and asked the infamous question, “Et tu, Brute?”(You too, Brutus?)

“YOU TOO, BRUTUS?”
… A question which cuts across the marrows of the bones and the pierces the depths of the heart, to express disgust and contempt of the deadly human vice of betrayal!
… A question which cuts across civilizations and generations, to show forth the abhorrence and the detestation of the wicked trait of disloyalty!

The Gospel of the Day presents a mighty warning by Jesus on the danger of we becoming disciples who betray Him and His Love!

Jesus tells His disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands!” (Lk 9: 44)

Jesus gives a forewarning to His disciples on the sword of betrayal that would be his painful lot.

This betrayal had to be faced on different levels..
… an act of betrayal through a kiss by Judas Iscariot
… acts of denial by Peter, His close disciple
… acts of abandonment by His other disciples
… acts of rejection by the chief priests and elders
… acts of passivity by the people for whom He had served

Today our Lord poses the same question: Am I betraying Him by my acts and deeds?

Is the Lord, calling us by name, asking us, “Et tu,? “You too, ?”

Do I betray the Lord…
… by failing to avoid occasions of sin and constantly moving away from doing His Will?
… with my words of unpleasantness, judgmental nature and destructively critical?
… by being unkind, unforgiving and harbouring grudge by my actions?
… by causing harm to others and being insincere in my works?

Let us ask the Grace to remain ever faithful to the Lord and be loyal to His Love and His Kingdom.

As St Philip Neri, let us also pray:
“Watch me, O Lord, this day; for, abandoned to myself, I shall surely betray thee.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Reviving and reinvigorating our prayer lives!”

(Based on Eccles 3:1-11 and Lk 9:18-22 – Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

There is an interesting incident that is reported from the land of Africa.

When the early Africans converted to Christianity, they were extremely earnest and regular, especially in their personal devotions.

Each one of them, would choose a separate spot in the midst of a thicket.

In that personal spot, the person would pour out one’s heart to God.

It was a moment of deepening one’s relationship with the Lord
It was a place of personally strengthening one’s bond with the Saviour

As time passed by, these spots would become well-worn out.

The paths had been smoothed

As a result, if any of the converts failed to be regular in personal prayer, it was easily noticeable and clearly evident to the others!

Therefore, they would gently remind the one who was negligent, “Brother/Sister, the grass is growing on your path!!”

“The grass is growing on your path” – became a reminder for the one who was slipping down the path of devotion and prayer, to revive one’s spiritual fervour and zeal.

“Is there grass growing on our paths?”
… is a question that we need to constantly ask ourselves and execute the necessary steps in order to reinforce or to strengthen our personal prayer lives!

The Gospel of the Day present a wonderful depiction of our Blessed Lord – Jesus praying in solitude.

St Luke paints an inspiring image of our Lord when he says, “And it came to pass, as Jesus was praying alone…” (Lk 9: 18)

During His earthly ministry, Jesus had a very strong priority and choice: Finding time to be alone with His Beloved Father, in prayer.

This was especially pointed out by St Luke whose Gospel is called as the “Gospel of Prayer”

At the Baptism: “After all people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying…” (Lk 3: 21)
After many healings: ” … He would withdraw to deserted places to pray” (Lk 5:16)
Before choosing the Twelve: “In those days, He departed to the mountains to pray…” (Lk 6: 12)
At Transfiguration: “… Jesus took Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray…” (Lk 9: 28)

Many are such occasions that St Luke points to drive home the message that Jesus cherished, loved and made time for Personal Prayer.

Is my life rooted in Prayer?

This is a fundamental question that we need to constantly pose to ourselves and be moved by the answers that we get to it.

We complain very often that we don’t find time for prayer..
… being busy with a number of assignments, duty demands, work schedules!

We tend to say that prayer doesn’t interest us…
… unable to enjoy sometime alone and to be quiet and recollected in the Awesome and Still Presence of the Lord!

We find ample number of excuses to cancel out “prayer” from our timetable of life…
… giving a reason that “God will anyway wait for us” whereas our moments of enjoyment and fun may not come too often!

But our Blessed Lord today invites to seek and cherish “prayer” in our lives.

We are called to have a “taste for prayer!”

Spending time with a person whom one loves is certainly not a painful task or an unnecessary task or deed required an extra effort.

One loves to be with the person who is loved…
… to spend quiet moments
… to speak out one’s heart
… to expose one’s inner emotions

And this “being with” our Blessed Lord is “Prayer!”

Let us make efforts to reserve and preserve, at least a few minutes, in personal prayer, to grow in our union with the Lord.

It is only these precious moments of prayer…
… that will help us to deepen our conviction to say that Jesus is the “Messiah of God” (Lk 9: 20)
… that will take us through, with our Crucified Lord (Lk 9:22), in our moments of struggles and hardships.

“Is there grass growing on our paths…?”
… the grass of laziness and lethargy
… the grass of disinterest and indifference
… the grass of meaninglessness and hopelessness

Then we need to make smooth these paths by reviving and reinvigorating our prayer lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Radiating the Mighty Presence of Jesus in our lives!”

(Based on Eccles 1:2-11 and Lk 9:7-9 – Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

On October 3, 1979, Pope Saint John Paul II was making his first papal visit to the United States.

He came to New York City and was met by Cardinal Cooke, the Archbishop of New York, who escorted the Pope into St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

When the Holy Father reached the sanctuary, he paused and looked around.

Then he turned to Cardinal Cooke and asked, “Where is Archbishop Sheen?”

[Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was one of the most influential Catholic evangelists of the 20th century – a powerful preacher, writer and a man of strong prayer and deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and our Blessed Mother – renowned for bringing the Gospel to millions through his preaching, writing and pioneering use of television.]

The Cardinal had to send his secretary to find the Archbishop, who was toward the back of the cathedral in the Mary Chapel
[Archbishop Fulton Sheen was making his daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel]

The Holy Father waited motionlessly!

The people were wondering what was happening to cause this apparent delay.

Finally, Archbishop Sheen (now 84 years old) emerged from the chapel.

When the people realized that the Pope had been waiting for the Archbishop…
… they stood up and gave Archbishop Sheen a seven-minute standing ovation.
[After all, he had been the voice of the Catholic Church in America for nearly thirty years]

Then Pope Saint John Paul II went over and embraced the Archbishop, now quite frail with age and sickness.

The Holy Father said to him: “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus! You have been a loyal son of the Church.”

Here was Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

A man who had spent his life speaking about Jesus Christ.

And here is what is striking: The crowd had gathered to see the Pope…
… but the Pope himself was looking for a man whose entire life had been spent making Jesus known.

Perhaps that is the real measure of a Christian life.

Not how many people know our name…
… but whether we know Him well and whether our life has made His Name known well – JESUS OF NAZARETH!

Do we know Him?
Do we REALLY know Him?
… or do we, like King Herod, in the Gospel of the Day, end up asking, “Who then is this about Whom I hear such things?” (Lk 9:9)

When we scan through the pages of the Gospel of St Luke from Chapters 4-9, we find that Jesus was acquiring new heights of fame, popularity and public acclaim.

His words and teachings were…
… ringing in the bells of transformation
… challenging the integrity of the religious leaders and civil authorities
… providing a cushion of hope and encouragement to the lost and the marginalised

His acts of wonders and powers were…
… instilling excitement in the lives of people
… causing the people to have reminiscences of the great prophets of old

As a result the people began to discuss and to say, “John has been raised from the dead; Elijah has appeared; one of the ancient prophets has arisen” (Lk 9:8)

Such rumours, reports and recounts caused a lot of worry for King Herod.
The flames of anxiety were scorching his mind…
The waves of guilt were drowning his heart…

And therefore, with a highly guilty conscience, in fear and trembling, King Herod puts forward his theory on the Dilemma of this Mysterious Divine Person, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about Whom I hear such things?” (Lk 9:9)

The enigmatic personality of Jesus was casting clouds of fear and guilt over King Herod!

The charismatic work of our Blessed Lord was plunging King Herod into the ocean of haunting and forgettable memories!

Yet, King Herod failed to establish a relationship with our Blessed Lord.

His mind failed to move beyond the realms of wonder and amazement, to wanting a bonding with the Messiah!

Is our life also sadly moving along the same lines, as that of King Herod…?

Is our life of sin and our life of not wanting to take the risk of trusting Him, just like King Herod, causing us to miss out on cherishing a relationship with our Blessed Lord?

To King Herod….
… Jesus only remained a mysterious and stupefying character

King Herod was unable to accept Jesus as His Saviour

We also have surely heard a lot about this wonderful Divine Person named Jesus.
… but has He been able to capture our minds and hearts and do we co-operate with Him to be possessed by His love?

We also have had ample opportunities to grow in our spiritual life and to be receiving a number of teachings on His Divine Word
… but has the Word of God truly become the rule and the guiding principle of our life?

It’s nice to be attracted to the power of God…
… to praise His wonders
… to be amazed at His awesome deeds.

But it’s just not enough to remain at this peripheral level.

Our Blessed Lord came…
… not to simply amaze, but to attend to our sins and failures

He wishes that we truly embrace Him…
… as the Lord of our lives and as our Personal Saviour and Master

Jesus, Who lived a “Solitary Life” has made a great impact on the world
May our personal life also give testimony to this fact…
… and let us truly radiate the Mighty Presence of Jesus in our lives!

On the eve of the Beatification of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, let us thank the Lord for this faithful servant of the Church, who has infuenced so many, and brought millions to Catholic Faith by his preaching, his writings and his life!

Let us seek to follow his example of spending time with the Eucharistic Lord (especially, if possible, everyday [or as often as possible] ‘An Hour with the Blessed Sacrament’)

May the powerful words of Venerable Fulton Sheen, help us to take to heart the message of the Gospel today:
“The wicked fear the good, because the good are a constant reproach to their consciences.

The ungodly like religion in the same way that they like lions, either dead or behind bars…
… they fear religion when it breaks loose and begins to challenge their consciences!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!