“Returning to the Lord, in humility, and growing in holiness, in this Season of Lent!”

(Based on Joel 2:12-18, 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 and Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 – Ash Wednesday)

A legendary story goes is told of a holy person who lived an extremely virtuous life.

The goodness in him diffused, as a flower would spread its fragrance.

So impressed were the angels, that they came down to enquire on his secrets…
… and even to offer him special gifts of miracles and thus he could gain more popularity and fame.

They offered him the gift of the “touch of his hand” – so that he would be able to heal the sick or raise the dead…
… But he refused, saying that “God alone could heal”

Then, they offered him the “power of conversion” – so that people could turn to God in repentance…
… But he refused, saying that “the Holy Spirit alone could work repentance in souls”

Then they offered the power to be a “model of goodness” so that many more would be drawn to him by the virtue of his life…
… But he refused, again, saying that “if all are drawn to him, people would be away from God”

Puzzled, the angels asked him what gift he desired!

The holy person replied:
“Grant me the gift of humility…
… so that I might do good to all, without me even knowing it!”

And so the angels interceded to God…
… and he was blessed:
Wherever his shadow would fall, where he himself could not see it…
… the shadow would cure sicknesses, heal broken hearts and bring back people to God in repentance!

Humility was the virtue that was sought by the virtuous person…
… and it was this simplicity – to allow the Lord to take complete possession of all his goodness – that exalted him to climb the ladder of sanctity higher!

Yes, humility is the prime virtue that needs to embellish the life of every Christian.

Today we begin the Season of Lent.

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on the prime importance of doing away with pride and instead, beautifying one’s life with sincere humility.

Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount continues to target the key areas of one’s Christian living.

Today He speaks on the three core practices that were essential pious practices of His time: almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

Jesus condemns exercises of devotion becoming instruments to show-case one’s pride and exhibit pomp and self-glory.

With respect to almsgiving, Jesus says…
… “sound no trumpet” (Mt 6:2)

With respect to prayer, Jesus says…
… “shut the door and pray to your Father” (Mt 6:6)

With respect to fasting, Jesus says…
…”anoint your head and wash your face” (Mt 6:17)

Prophet Joel expresses the fervent desire of the Lord to return back to Him with sincerity of heart:
“Yet even now,” says the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning…
… and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13)

One of the fundamental aspects in the Spirituality of Jesus is His emphasis on the object and intention of the heart.

Sin is…
… when the heart rejects the working of the Spirit.

Holiness is…
… when the heart accepts the grace of the Spirit.

When the heart consents to evil, sin occurs

When the heart consents to grace, goodness is affirmed.

An act of almsgiving happens…
… when the heart willingly gives – in generosity and with wholeheartedness

An act of prayer happens…
… when the heart seeks communion with the Lord – in openness and with faithfulness

An act of fasting happens…
… when the heart self-sacrifices and renounces – in sincerity and with willingness

When the object and intention of the heart is genuine and sincere, then one remains least bothered of external attractions and publicity…
… there is no desire to seek for attention and appreciation for one’s devout actions
… there is no inclination to want acknowledgement and recognition for one’s pious deeds

This is the ideal to which Jesus invites us:

A religion that spreads not simply on the basis of external shows…
… but on the basis of genuine spirituality
A faith that grows not merely on the strength of pompous deeds…
… but on the foundation of true dependence and trust in the Lord

Is my practice of religion very often a flaunting of my pride and vain glory?

It is also interesting to note that these 3 practices also refers to the 3 dimensions of Love: towards God, towards others, towards oneself

Prayer: Reminding ourselves to grow in the Immensity of God’s Love
Almsgiving: Reviving our basic duty of caring and being responsible to one another
Fasting (Penance): Rediscovering the worthiness of our lives and commit to grow in holiness

Let us give heed to the wisdom from the book “Imitation of Christ” and seek to grow in humility and dependence on the Lord:
“Do not think yourself better than others lest, perhaps, you be accounted worse before God who knows what is in man.

Do not take pride in your good deeds, for God’s judgments differ from those of men and what pleases them often displeases Him”

A few practical tips could help us to make this Season of Lent, more meaningful:

It is said that habits – to make a new one or to break an old one – generally take around 21 days

These 40+ days of Lent are a chance for us to “double” our efforts towards…
… positively growing in a “good virtuous habit”
… negatively rooting out a “not-so-good vicious habit”

(A few examples:
… Reading a portion of the Bible daily
… Learn by heart, some verses of the Bible and make it a personal prayer
… Identify the “root vice” of life, and practice the opposite – “the root virtue”
… Try to frequent Holy Mass / spend time with the Eucharistic Lord, as much as possible
… 40 simple acts of kindness
… Abstain from something that is “dear” and offer it is a sacrifice for someone in need
… Revive personal/family prayer
… Reduce time spent on the internet/social media
… Visit a home of charity or those in our vicinity who needs a help
… Abstain from gossiping/back biting/ irritable words
… Bring a person(s) closer to Christ/Church)

Can we choose, on this day, a habit in our personal life, which we need to “make or break”…
… for these days of Lent?

The Season of Lent covers a period of 7 weeks

Seven – a number of fullness and completeness is a call for us to grow in the Virtue of Charity.

We could identify 7 people – corresponding to the 7 weeks of Lent, who need our help.

This help may be any of the following:
… spiritual help
… social acceptance
… materialistic needs
… emotional assistance

May this Season of Lent – “the acceptable time given by the Lord” (Cf. 2 Cor 6:2) – help us to take concrete and practical decisions to practise the three pillars of Christian Piety – Fasting, Almsgiving and Praying…
… in its truest sense.

As St Paul reminds us: “…we entreat you on behalf of Christ, BE RECONCILED TO GOD…!” (2 Cor 5:20)

And may this be our prayer to enshrine all our activities:
“Grant me the gift of humility…
… so that I might do good to all, without me even knowing it!”

Wish you all a Very Happy and Blessed Season of Lent.

May this season of lent, be a time – to revive and renew – and thus grow in Holiness!

May our Blessed Mother of Sorrows intercede for us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Translating our ‘faith into living actions of trust!’”

(Based on Jas 1:12-18 and Mk 8:14-21 – Tuesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time)

This familiar story is known to many of us, in various forms.

A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents had beside him a man…
… who was a professor in a prestigious university.

The boy was reading the Bible and the professor – who was not a very ardent believer in God – thought he would have some fun with the lad.

“Young man,” said the professor, “if you can tell me something God can do, I will give you a big, shiny apple.”

The boy thought for a moment and then replied, “Well Sir! I have a better proposal for you!

If you can tell me something God cannot do…
… I’ll give you a whole barrel of apples!”

So often, it happens in our life, that we fail to understand the Power and Presence of God!

Even though theoretically we know that God is with us…
… we often, fail to translate that “faith into living actions of trust!”

The Gospel of the Day presents an experience of the disciples…
… an experience of not “feeling the closeness of the Power of Jesus,” despite the fact that He was with them
… an experience of “feeling lost and uncomfortable” on facing an unfamiliar situation.

The disciples had embarked on a journey with the Lord.

They had forgotten to take bread and had only one loaf.

During the journey, the Lord cautioned them on the “yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod…” (Mk 8:15)

This was in reference to the “insincere and phoney” attitude that the Pharisees and Herodians were exhibiting to Jesus and His ministry.

The disciples, however totally misunderstood these words of the Lord.

They thought that the Lord was scolding them for taking less bread on the way.

The reference to the “yeast” in the context of the “lack of bread during the journey”…
… made the disciples to conclude this way: “They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’” (Mk 8:16)

But the Lord strongly reminds them to become aware of “His Presence” with them!

He chided the disciples – asking them to make a shift from temporal aspects to the eternal dimensions of life!

He strongly urged them to recognise His Divine Presence – especially through the manifestations of glory that He had displayed in the many great works!

The Gospel passage ends with a very pertinent question: “Do you not yet understand?” (Mk 8:21)

The disciples…
… had heard a good number of Divine exhortations and sermons
… had seen many people having a transformative experience
… had witnessed a great number of miraculous deeds

Yet, their eyes were closed… and they failed to recognise the Mighty Presence of the Lord with them..
… being occupied only by the “lack of bread”

All of us, like the disciples, travelling in the boat of our lives are put forth this question: “Are you only focussing yourselves on the lack of earthly bread…
… or do you recognize and understand that the Bread of Life Himself – the Source of all Goodness – is with you in the boat of your life?”

Do I seek JESUS ABOVE ALL?

Is my life of faith only dependant on “familiar situations” and “moments of comfort”…
… to feel that God is near me?

Do I feel very uncomfortable and lost spiritually, when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar?

Let us realise and understand that even when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar…
… God with His Power, is close to me!

Theoretically, of course, we do know that God is with us…
… Let us seek to translate this “faith into living actions of trust!”

Let us fill…
… the apparent emptiness of our lives with the Love and Spirit of the Lord.
… the seeming vacuum within us, with the Peace and Passion for the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Living with a courageous faith, that refuses to be dimmed by the darkest nights!”

(Based on Jas 1:1-11 and Mk 8:11-13 – Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

In the dark days of World War II, Corrie ten Boom stood strong as a shining example of faith and bravery.

A Dutch Christian, she bravely stood against the Nazis…
… hiding Jews in her home.
But when their secret refuge was discovered, Corrie ended up in a harsh concentration camp.

Amidst the relentless torment, Corrie’s faith burned brilliantly!

Confronted by a former tormentor, a Nazi guard who once embodied cruelty, Corrie did the unthinkable…
… she extended a hand of forgiveness.
Corrie embodied the Divine Grace she fiercely believed in…
… transforming a place of hatred into a sanctuary of redemption.

We are being reminded, that…
… even in the darkest times, our faith can be a bright light!
… even in the bleakest moments, we need to live with a courageous faith, that refuses to be dimmed by the darkest nights!

The readings of the Day call for a greater persistence of faith…
… and the need to stand firm in faith, even amid life’s trials!

St James begins his letter with a bold proclamation of his personal faith:
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Jas 1:1)

We learn about the great encounter of St James with the Risen Lord, as St Paul recounts in 1 Cor 15:7…
… and this encounter with the Risen Lord, would have been a pivotal moment, for James to deepen his faith in Christ!

It is this deep and fervent faith that makes St James – with solid conviction – to exhort the people, to have faith with three important dimensions:

1. Having Faith, even in moments of trials

“Whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy…
… because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance!” (Jas 1:2-3)

Life often crushes us with pains and sufferings.

But a person of faith, allows “the ‘boat’ of his trust in God, to ‘float over’ the waters of troubles!”

2. Having a Faith that is firm and single-minded

“Ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind…” (Jas 1:6)

We often say that we have faith…
… yet we tend to easily get carried away, in moments of trials – with doubts and discouragement!

We are being reminded that “when you trust in God – you trust Him, not just when you feel it, but also when all feelings are dried!”
In the words of St Therese of Child Jesus – the Little Flower – “Knowing that beyond the dark clouds my Sun is shining…!”

3. Having a Faith that is rooted in humility

“Let the believer who is lowly, boast in being raised up…
… and the rich in being brought low
… because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field!” (Jas 1:9-10)

True faith always leads one to live in humility

We are made to realize that even amid accomplishments of life, it is purely the Mercy of God that lifts us up

The Gospel presents Jesus clearly declaring the need to “go beyond external signs”… (Mk 8:12)
…. instead, to ‘have a faith that reads the signs of times, and cherishes deeper trust in the Providence of God.’

St Mark, in fact, presents the lamenting expression of Jesus, when He encounters people who choose to associate their faith with external signs

“And Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit…” (Mk 8:12)

We are called to have Faith…
… in moments of a trials
… that is firm and single-minded
… that is rooted in humility
… and that which goes beyond external signs!

Life may often take us through dark days

But let us “live with a courageous faith, that refuses to be dimmed by the darkest nights!”

Let us remember that “our faith is not just a shield; it is a conquering force that transforms even the bleakest moments into stories of triumph!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Living a Spirit-filled life by making a firm and faithful choice for the Lord, and being obedient to His commandments!”

(Based on Sir 15:15-20, 1 Cor 2:6-10 and Mt 5:17-37 – 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

It is said that there are two extremely fatal phrases in the English language.

They are
“What is the use?”
“Why should I?”

“What is the use?” is the fatal tendency…
… that causes people to look at the world from a purely pragmatic perspective

Such a tendency…
… causes people to lose interest in things and people, if they don’t seem useful and beneficial
… causes people to manipulate people, things and situations in a way that suits their self-interests

“Why should I?” is the fatal tendency…
… that causes people to look at the world from a resigned and indifferent perspective

Such a tendency…
… causes people to rot in lethargy and tepidity and lose the spice of life
… causes people to push the responsibility to other, and themselves slacken in comfort and ease

These two phrases were very much reflected in the “Pharisaic and the Scribal lifestyle” which Jesus, in today’s Gospel invites each us to surpass and overcome.

The “What is the use” lifestyle…
… which made them to only flaunt their external piety and lose sight of the unglamorous aspect of devotion.

The “Why should I” lifestyle…
… which made them to reject any offer calling them to repentance or amend their ways and instead made them to be stuck to their own prejudices and adamant patterns of thought.

Jesus always keeps challenging us!

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 and Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20).

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees would consist…
… 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) 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.

2) 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.

3) They liked to compromise the Word of God, to be “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.

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.”

Our modern world strongly advocates the two fatal phrases of…
… “What is the use?” and “Why should I?”

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

We need to counter these two fatal phrases, with inspirational mottos…

“What is the use?” is to be countered…
… by “All to Thy Glory!”
“Why should I?” is to be countered…
… by “To let Thy Will be done!

Let all our actions and thoughts be directed only to God.

The words of the Book of Sirach are powerfully directed to each one of us: “If you choose, you can keep the commandments…
… and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.

He has placed before you, fire and water; stretch out your hand for whatever you choose.
Before each person are life and death and whichever one chooses will be given!” (Sir 15:15-17).

We are invited to share the depths of God’s Wisdom as St Paul says, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, not the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him…
… these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit!” (1 Cor 2:9-10)

Let us make a choice for the Lord and delve into the depths of His Wisdom by living a Spirit filled life….
… and going beyond the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Let our lives truly be the Good News!

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Daring to move out of the ‘zone of limitation’ and knowing that God is always with us – caring, loving and providing!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34 and Mk 8:1-10 – Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Two Christian friends were talking about their life experiences.

One of them said: “It is so very hard to trust God and to realize that His Hand is still leading us in the dark phases of our life!”

“Well”, said the other, “if you cannot trust a person out of sight, then he/she is not worth much!

And if you cannot trust God in the dark, it simply shows… you don’t trust Him at all!”

That’s quite a point, isn’t it?

We find our Christian Faith often on an easy course, when things go on well.

But when difficulties come our way, our “trust” level is questioned.

It is in these “questionable moments of trust” that we tend to enter into a “zone of limitation”

We tend to think in a limited and restricted manner.
But God loves to challenge us to move beyond such boundaries and borders!

Yes, human beings tend to think in a limited fashion, but God loves to expand our possibilities.

Human beings tend to get bogged down by boundaries, but God loves to throw open our horizons.

The Gospel of the day is a clear illustration of this expansion of human horizons and possibilities, through the miracle of the feeding of loaves…
… and thus trusting Him deeper!

Jesus is with His disciples and huge crowd.

They are once again in a situation of having a want of feeding this huge multitude.

It’s interesting to highlight the patterns in the attitudes of Jesus and the disciples.

Jesus sees the hungry crowd and His heart moved in compassion…

The disciples saw the hungry crowd and probably their minds were moved in tension!

Jesus foresaw the possibility of immense fulfilment and satisfaction in the deserted area…

The disciples got stuck with seeing only barrenness and emptiness in the deserted area!

The disciples concluded impossibility by their mathematical calculations…

Jesus concluded possibility by His Divine calculations!

The disciples saw only the desert…

Jesus looked beyond – to find an oasis in the desert!

How often are we too like the disciples…
… limited in our thinking and restricted by our inabilities.

But Jesus invites us, like He did to His disciples…to look beyond…
… to look to Him who can expand every horizon and possibility!
… to look to Him who can turn deserts into pools and hills into highways!

Yes, we will have moments in our life which makes us to complain:
“It is so very hard to trust God and to realize that His Hand is still leading us in the dark phases of our life!”

But we are reminded by the Gospel of the Day: “If you cannot trust a person out of sight, then he/she is not worth much!

And if you cannot trust God in the dark, it simply shows… you don’t trust Him at all!”

Let us dare to move out of the “zone of limitation” and trust the Lord…
… knowing He is always with us – caring, loving and providing!

14th February is popularly celebrated as Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is, of course, a day when a there is a “sudden” wave of expression of love and care and affections to the ones whom we love.

When taken in the right spirit and when celebrated in a meaningful way, this Day becomes a Day…
… of “specially” recognizing the worth of the one(s) we love
… of showing our love and affection to the one(s) dear to the our heart

But our modern society unfortunately and tragically, sometimes tends to “rob” this day to be celebrated in a meaningful.

“Love” is highly commercialized and “sold”
External affections are unduly given greater importance, forgetting the prime duties – of commitment and faithfulness – involved with love

Advertisers and commercialists rake in massive profits with a number of external objects portraying “love!”

Whether this day truly becomes a day of “expressing genuine love and care”

Or whether it is more, a day of “externalities of ‘love-feelings’ taking the upper-hand…
… is a matter of debate, as well as a matter of one’s own personal choice and view.

But as a Christian, this day – Feb 14…
… is a day for us to remind ourselves to grow in the immensity of God’s Love
… is a day for us to revive our basic duty of caring and being responsible to one another
… is a day for us to rediscover the worthiness of our lives and commit to grow in holiness

Jesus, the True Lover illustrates the real meaning of love…
… by leading us out of ignorance to true knowledge
… by inviting us to move from earthly riches to truly heavenly treasures

This is real and true love…
… a heart that makes one to move out of ignorance
…a heart that prompts in action to reach out to those in need of God’s true Word

Jesus, our True Lover… invites and challenges us to grow in this love!

Holding our hand, and with deep love and affection, He asks us: “Will you be My valentine forever?”

Let’s not blush….let’s not be shy…

Instead in deep faith and true commitment, pledge forever, our love to the Lover of all Hearts!

God Bless! Live Jesus!