“Making clear-cut and distinct choices in our Christian life!”

(Based on Phil 4:10-19 and Lk 16:9-15 – Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Picture this scene.

It’s a bright morning at Niagara Falls, 1859.

The mist is rising, the roar of the waters is deafening…
… and thousands of people are holding their breath.
A rope – just two inches thick – stretches across the mighty falls.

And then he appears: Charles Blondin, the greatest tightrope walker of his time.

He steps onto that rope…
… one careful step at a time.
The crowd gasps – some turn their faces away.
Step after step…inch after inch…
… and finally, he reaches the other side!
The people explode in cheers and applause.

Blondin turns around and shouts,

“Do you believe I can walk back again?”
“Yes!” they roar.
He smiles. “Do you believe I can do it pushing a wheelbarrow?”
“Yes!”

Then he points to the crowd and asks,
“Who will get into the wheelbarrow?”
Silence.

No one moved!

Everyone believed…
… but no one committed!

Everyone cheered…
… but no one chose!

In our Christian life, it’s time to stop cheering from the sidelines…
… and start choosing!

Faith is not a feeling to admire…
.. it is a choice to commit.

The Gospel of the Day presents this Call of the Lord to make a clear-cut and distinct choice.

Jesus says: “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other or, be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Lk 16:13)

Probably, more than any time before, the world faces this deep-rooted problem of a “divided heart”

There is a constant dialectic (tension) between serving God and serving mammon!

We say we obey God…
… but we fail to abide by His commandments and teachings in the Church!

We say we love God…
… but we fail to express this love in a faithful lifestyle of prayers and devotions.

We say we serve God…
… but we fail to extend His love and compassion to our people in need.

We say we honour God…
… but we fail to witness to His Gospel values and dilute them to serve our petty interests.

Let’s not be afraid to look at the naked face of reality staring at us today…

Most people today seem to be serving something besides God…
… sin?
… music?
… sports?
… money?
… themselves?
… my own will?
… power and positions?
… cravings of their bodies ?

Am I also serving something else instead of God?

In the Old Testament, one of the greatest accusations made against the people of Israel was: the sin of idolatry…
… abandoning the Living and True God and rendering worship and honour to some non-living thing as a god.

Though, as Christians, we may not be explicitly worshipping some idol or running after some gods or crazy over some magical mantras…
… it is not a bad idea to examine our conscience and check whether we really have formed some gods in our lives and thus entering into “practical” idolatry….

Maybe I am too much attached to my electronic gadgets like the phones, TV, music players, cameras…and use them way beyond my “need!”

The idol of gadgets?

Maybe I am too much obsessed with my looks, my styles, my clothing and food habits, my make-up styles… and “over-conscious” than the minimal requirements!

The idol of the self?

Maybe I am crazy about gaining over-popularity through an “n” number of picture displays and posts on many social networking sites… and “get totally upset” when I fail to receive the expected appreciations and “likes!”

The idol of attention-seeking?

Maybe I am too much occupied with my work, business and other undertakings, that I fail to give attention to my family, my community, the needs of my own spiritual self etc… and lose out on the little joys and happiness of life!

The idol of money and work?

There could be many more idols in our life..
The idol of laziness…
The idol of bad habits…
The idol of procrastination…
The idol of power-obsession…
The idol of immoral lifestyles…
The idol of losing a sense of sin…
The idol of criticizing and judging…

In the Gospel, when Jesus said, “Make friends with dishonest wealth”… (Lk 16:9)
… The Greek word is “mamōnas” meaning wealth or possessions
… but already carrying a moral warning: “it is that, which can easily enslave you.”

In the Greco-Roman world, wealth was used to buy patronage and status.

Jesus now flips it…
… wealth should now “gain you” mercy and solidarity.

It’s saying: “Take that very thing which the world misuses – wealth – and redeem its purpose.

Use it to build relationships of mercy and generosity…
… so that your giving becomes your gateway to eternal dwellings.

This is the choice we are called to make!

It’s a rejection of worldly temptations…
… it’s an acceptance of Divine Intention!

The Gospel of the day places a great choice before us…

Choose to be with God or to follow other idols?
Choose to obey His laws and commandments or to stray away from His paths?

We cannot serve both God and other things…

One leads to life… the other to death.

Which side are we on?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being ready to be Christians with an ‘excellent spine!'”

(Based on Phil 3:17-4:1 and Lk 16:1-8 – Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

It was a Bible study class.

The group was doing a study on the Book of Prophet Daniel.

As was the custom, one of the members would start the Bible study by reading the passage of the day, to the group, aloud.

The selected passage for the day was Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel.

An elderly person, stood up to read.

He, however had some struggle with his sight and was finding it a bit difficult to read.

When he came to verse 3 (which actually says: “an excellent spirit was in Daniel”)…
… adjusting his thick glasses, the man read: “… an excellent spine was in Daniel!”

(The word ‘spirit’ was mistakenly read as ‘spine’!)

Well… that was bad reading…
… but nevertheless, it was wonderful theology, because Prophet Daniel was indeed a man of excellent spine – a backbone that made him strong and courageous!

Are we Christians with an “excellent spine?”

The Gospel of the Day, with a worldly example placed before us – the Parable of the Unjust Steward – is a mighty challenge to us to examine whether we as Christians, are people…
… who really are bold and courageous to stand for the Gospel principles
… who really are zealous and prudent to preserve our holiness and sanctity!

The story of the unjust steward is an interesting as well as an eye-opener for us, in our spiritual and Christian life

This is also a parable that could be classified under the “controversial” or “what-was-He-really-meaning” category!

The summary of the parable would go thus…

A steward has been reported to the Master for squandering the property (Lk 16:1)
Dismissal is on the cards for the steward (Lk 16:2)
Taking stock of the possibilities for the future, he decides and acts on the principle:
Manipulation is the best policy for a safer future (Lk 16:3-7)
The Master commends this unjust, yet prudent and craft act of the steward! (Lk 16: 8a)

The parable could cause some strange questions to crop up…

Why is Jesus – the Honest-Man-par-excellance – presenting this strangely negative example to His followers?
Does Jesus mean that we should follow the bad ways of the world, in order to win our salvation?
“Hook or Crook” – is that the policy that Jesus says for us Christians, to live in this world?

Well…

Without going deep into the theological debates of such questions…
… we shall look into the answer that Jesus Himself proposed for saying this parable:
“For the children of the world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation, than are the children of light” (Lk 16: 8b)

The purpose of Jesus to say this parable is put forth: Children of the this world are often more shrewd to make sure a good future…
… whereas, the children of the light, tend to be extremely relaxed concerning their salvation!

People of this worldly kingdom are willing to go to any extent to secure themselves…
… whereas those who supposedly wish to belong to God’s Kingdom, leisure themselves in lethargy!

This is a technique of a “rhetoric of contrast” that is proposed by Jesus…
… by emphasising on the opposite, a challenge is put forth!
… by highlighting a negative dimension, the positive aspect is enforced!

Such a “rhetoric of contrast” can easily be observed in our lives…

We would make every effort to be in time to catch a bus/train/flight, so as not to miss it…
… but don’t mind, being late for our prayers or spiritual activities, including the Holy Mass!

We would ensure every day we have our food and get a good rest, so that our bodies don’t get weak…
… but give no regard to feed and give rest to our souls, by spending time with the Lord in personal prayer and growing in relationship with Him!

We would feel a dreadful sense of disgust if we do not have our daily bath (shower) and cleanse our bodies…
… but have sometimes no awareness to realise our souls are dirty and we need to cleanse them through a daily examination of conscience, and regularly through the Sacramental Confession.

We don’t mind wagging our tongues to say a bad word or a dirty joke or nasty words of criticism and condemnation..
… but think often twice, when we need to say something positive or appreciate someone or to say an occasional prayer to recall the presence of the Lord!

This “rhetoric of contrast” proposed by the Lord in this parable makes us to reflect deeper:

Am I more enthusiastic about the affairs of this world, which gives only transient joy…
… at the cost of avoiding my spiritual life, which alone can ensure me eternal happiness?

Am I only concerned more about my materialistic concerns and my temporal duties…
… and end up neglecting the solemn duties of our Christian life and being more spiritually rooted?

Our Blessed Lord is extremely serious…
… that we take our Christian lives and faith, on a more serious note!

Salvation is at stake!
Eternal Life is at question!

The Lord is perhaps addressing us, and telling:
“For those who are working…
… you would try to make any sincere efforts to make sure you get a better salary, isn’t it?

For those who are studying…
… you would try to put in extra hard work to ensure you get the extra marks, isn’t it?

For those who are at home…
… you would spare no efforts, to ensure peace and harmony and a happy time, isn’t it?

For those in institutes or companies or in-charge of some establishment…
… you would take the extra mile to be the best and co-ordinate to the maximum, to give better performances, isn’t it?

Then why…
… Why sometimes, lethargy only for spiritual life?
… Why sometimes, indifference, only with respect to a life of faith?”

Are we ready to be Christians with an “excellent spine?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Experiencing the Loving Heart of the Good Shepherd, which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion!”

(Based on Phil 3:3-8a and Lk 15:1-10 – Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A youngster who was very desperate in life – contemplating even of terminating his life – exasperated and lost, was passing along the streets, when he heard the Church bells ringing for the Angelus at noontime.

Something in him, made him go inside the Church.

As he went in, he saw a large statue of Jesus…
… with the Sacred Heart of Jesus prominently displayed

And underneath the statue were written words…
… beautiful words that would bring him much consolation, hope and joy
So much so, that he would take a resolution to amend his life and to live with greater hope and joy!

The words were as follows:
“As you look into My Heart… remember always, these words…

There is an Eye that never sleeps, even beneath the wing of night
… just for you!
There is a Ear that never shuts, even when sink the beams of light
… just for you!
There is an Arm that never tires, even when human strength gives way
… just for you!
There is a Love that never fails, even when earthly loves decay
… just for you!

And… there is a Heart that never stops beating, even when trials of life lash you hard
… just for you!

This Heart of Mine… is just for you!
Can you also give me your life…?
… and tell me, “LORD, JUST FOR YOU!”

Love, by its nature, gives away…

And the Sacred Heart of our Lord – the Good Shepherd – which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion – tells us, “This Heart of Mine… is just for you!”

The Gospel of the Day displays the beautiful Heart of the Good Shepherd, Who goes in search of the lost one!

Chapter 15 of St Luke is an amazing revelation of God’s tremendous love, mercy and longing for each one of us.

We have the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son.
In all the three parables, lost ones are found
In all the three parables, there is great celebration at the end.
In all the three parables, an emphasis is laid on hope for the lost.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd teaches the immense Love that He possesses for each one of us, personally.

The shepherd had a hundred sheep.

During the count as he gathers the sheep at day’s end, the shepherd notices that one is missing.
The sheep needs to be found; otherwise, it may be permanently lost or attacked by hungry predators.
The Shepherd, therefore, takes the risk of leaving the rest behind, and goes out in search of the lost one.

This is the personal Love of the Lord for every sheep!

All are important!
Even the lost one is given great importance!

Have I personally experienced the tremendous Love of the Lord?

I may feel low.

I may consider myself to be not very good.
I may think that my life is just not worth living or that my past has ruined my life very badly.
Even with all these things, am I convinced that “Jesus, my Good Shepherd still loves me”, and that He will take me through, by the Power of His Love?

Am I similar to a Lost Sheep?
Lost in the thickets of materialistic living…?
Lost in the valleys of doubts and rejections and failures…?
Lost in the bushes of excessive pride, prestige and power….?
Lost in the wilderness of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life…?

There is still hope!

The Heart of the Good Shepherd is longing for us!
Let us go back to the Lord!
Let us experience His caring love and affection!

Yes…
… the Sacred Heart of our Lord – the Good Shepherd – which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion – tells us: “This Heart of Mine… is just for you!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ!”

(Based on Phil 2:12-18 and Lk 14:25-33 – Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Filtration is a process by which any material is passed through a certain device to remove unwanted elements in it.

Filtration happens every day around the world.

It occurs both in nature and in engineered systems.

For example…
… in many living bodies (including humans), renal filtration removes wastes from the blood
… in water treatment and sewage treatment, undesirable elements are removed by absorption into a filter medium

Every filtration has three basic components:
1) The Feed: The original material with the presence on unwanted elements
2) The Filter: The mechanism/device that does the cleansing
3) The Filtrate: The matter that comes after the process

Our Life as a Christian is also a “process of filtration”

And has three components as well
1) The Feed: Our lives – with our own weaknesses and sinful tendencies
2) The Filter: Jesus, the Crucfied Lord – Who Cleanses us
3) The Filtrate: Our life as a Disciple of Christ – lived in holiness and with a sense of mission

Are we willing to allow the “FEED” of our lives to encounter the “FILTER”…
… so that we can emerge as pure and holy “FILTRATE?”

The Gospel of the Day is this exhortation of the Lord to all who seek to follow Him:
“If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters…
… yes, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple!

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple!” (Lk 14: 26-27)

The Gospel begins with the statement that “Great multitudes accompanied Jesus…” (Lk 14:25)

The multitude – crowds of people – probably had various intentions of following Jesus

Some to receive healing and be touched by Him (Lk 6:19)
Some to hear the Good News and to follow Him (Lk 5:11)
Some to simply eat the bread (food) that the Lord provided (Lk 9:17)
Some to satisfy their curiosity and fascination (Lk 4:22)
Some to question Who He was and What was His motive (Lk 7:18-19)

Whatever be the intention of the crowds, the Lord was clear in whom He wanted as His followers:

Those who give the highest priority in life to the Lord
Those who would take up their cross
Those who are willing to give up everything, for the sake of the Lord

Towards this end, Jesus cites two parables which would make every disciple of Jesus question their authenticity of following Him

a. The Parable of the one desiring to build the tower (Lk 14:28-30)

Are you willing to count how much it will cost you, to follow Jesus?

b. The Parable of the king who wanted to wage war (Lk 14:31-32)

Are you willing to calculate the risks that are involved, to follow Jesus?

This is a serious challenge that is placed before all Christians, who profess to follow Christ…
… and also to all those, who in in ministry, seek to attract disciples for Christ!

Have I “counted the cost” and “calculated the risks” to know, that following Jesus means…
… not to simply run behind miracles and wonders; rather also involves living as Jesus did – in poverty, obedience and purity of heart!

… not just having a Christian name and fulfiling basic duties; but also implies to give the highest priority to the Lord and His Kingdom values, in all what we do!

… not merely reciting prayers and raising hymns of praise; but also infers at reaching out to the poor and needy in self-giving and doing everything for the Glory of God!

A Filtration Process is a must for every follower of Christ.

All of us, surely have our weaknesses and tendencies to be attracted to worldly ways

We very often, even have the goodwill to truly follow Jesus…
However, because of…
… lack of strong motivation
… ignorance and lack of people who can guide us
… various discouraging and deterring incidents and scandals
We fail to truly Follow Jesus.

We, the FEED, need to offer our lives to Jesus…
… and allow ourselves to pass through Our Crucified Lord – Who is our FILTER!

He will cleanse us to make us pure
He will strengthen us with proper motivation
He will nourish us with courage and passion to be bold and faithful
And thus, we will be able to live as the proper FILTRATE – a disciple of Christ…
… living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ.

Are we willing to be “Filtered?”

Let us seek the intercession and give heed to the words of St Charles Borromeo, the saint of the Day: “If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you…
… do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out… !”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Using all the opportunities given by the Lord to grow in holiness and grace!”

(Based on Phil 2:5-11 and Lk 14:15-24 – Tuesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Portraits, pictures or statues of people, in general, depict and reveal their character and personality.

Usually, if people are asked to have…
… a photograph taken
… or a picture drawn
… or a statue created

They would prefer posing with some expensive artefacts/costly goods.

What if there is a person in history who preferred instead to pose with a broom!

And has most of his images/statues holding a broom…
… along with also a cat and dog around him!

So much is his association with the “broom” that he is called as the “Saint of the broom!”

This person is St Martin de Porres.

Born in Lima, Peru, in the 16th century, this saint – being of a mixed race and cast lower as belonging to an inferior social caste – was able to raise his life with the Great Virtue of Humility!

So much was his zeal to dedicate his life for the Lord, that he would willingly accept to be a “donado” – a volunteer who performed menial tasks in the monastery – in return for the privilege of wearing the religious habit in the community.

He devoted his life to penance, charity and humility…
… spending nights in prayer and penitential practices
… dedicated days in nursing for the sick and caring for the poor – regardless of their colour, race, or status
… and reflecting extraordinary gifts: ecstasies that lifted him into the air, light filling the room where he prayed, bi-location, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, and a remarkable rapport with animals!

This Saint – St Martin de Porres – whose feast we celebrate today, beautifully teaches us by his life example that “every opportunity in life provided by the Lord – small or big, great or insignificant – are to be accorded highest importance…
… and making excuses to avoid those opportunities can lead to disaster and calamity!”

We are strongly warned that “excuses are the nails that are used to build the house of failure!”

The Gospel of the Day brings our attention to this grave and urgent issue that we need to tackle: The Issue of making Excuses for Escapism…
… and asking us to reflect: “Are we becoming a Generation of Excuse-givers?”

We have the Parable of the Great Wedding Feast in today’s Gospel.
“A man once gave a great feast and invited many guests” (Lk 14:16)

Here was a big and great feast being organized and invitations were sent out to many guests.
This was no simple feast.
This was no ordinary event.

It’s similar to someone today, being invited to a lavish and a grand party by the President of the Nation or some highly dignified person.

It was kind of a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.
People waited with eagerness to get such a chance.

In those days, it was the custom to send two invitations.

The first invitation was to tell everyone that the event was being planned.

Those were the days when time was a lavish commodity. Clocks were scarce and time management techniques were still unheard of.

The actual day and the actual time of the event were left open.
It would depend a lot on the preparation time for the killing of animals, their cleaning and cooking…
… getting all the vegetables and everything needed to get the meal ready.

And so there was a need for a second invitation…

The second invitation was to tell everyone that everything was ready and about to begin.
This second reminder was for to those who had been given the first invitation and had indicated that they would attend.

But the Gospel says, that when the second invitation was sent to the pre-invited guests, they began to make excuses!

Making excuses is nothing new!

It has existed right from the first days…

Adam and Eve made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of disobedience.
Cain made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of killing his brother Abel.
Moses gave excuses before God in trying to escape from the task being entrusted to him.
Jeremiah gave excuses before God that he was only a small boy to take up the responsibility

Those who were able to overcome the excuses, found true meaning and joy.

But those who got stuck with their excuses, lost out on discovering greatness!

The guests who had been invited for the grand feast, gave “silly” excuses….
One said, “I have purchased a field and must go and examine it”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone enter into land dealings without having seen it in prior?
And even if one has not, was it so urgent, so as to miss the grand feast?

Another said, “I have purchased five oxen and am on my way to evaluate them”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone purchase land animals, without having examined them?
And even if one has not, was it so immediate a need, so as to skip the great feast?

Another said, “I have just married a woman, and I cannot come”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Couldn’t the husband take along his wife to the feast, to have a joyful time together?
Or was this couple so much exclusive, that they failed to have any social contacts, so as to avoid the fine feast?

Here was an invitation so grand.

Here was a generosity so lavish.
But unfortunately, it was responded with excuses which were baseless, childish, illogical and quite ridiculous!

We might sometimes laugh at those excuses made by the people.

But perhaps, we are also no different…
… or if not, worse.

Are we in a trend of being a ‘Generation of Excuse-givers’….?

We make excuses of physical tiredness, to avoid saying our personal prayers, our family prayers and being faithful to our spiritual activities.
We make excuses of saying that “it’s impossible to live an honest life” and give into many corrupt malpractices, which go against the Gospel values.
We make excuses of being too busy to find time to participate in the Holy Eucharist with greater devotion and preparedness.
We make excuses to reach out to the needy ones in their necessities by citing our own hardships to get out of our comfort areas.

We have a strong exhortation from the Lord today, to get rid of our “Excuse-giving Tendency”.

It’s easy to escape from responsibilities by giving excuses.
But by doing so, we end up missing out on many graces from God…
… causing much pain to God Who expects much from us…
… and also disturb the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

We have a duty to overcome this tendency of making Excuses for Escapism.

The Lord gives us many opportunities to grow in holiness and grace.
Let us not make silly and baseless excuses and throw them away.

Through the example of the Saint of the Day – St Martin de Porres – who chose to use every opportunity in life, let us also be inspired, and not miss out…
… opportunities for selfless service and altruistic assistance!
… opportunities to practise humility and lowering oneself in self-effacement!
… opportunities for of being ready to accept our weaknesses and depend totally on the Lord and His Power!

Let the exhorting words of the St Paul be deeply ingrained in us: “Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 2:5)

May the life and example of St Martin de Porres be an inspiration to all of us…
… and may his words, spur us on

“Compassion is preferable to cleanliness: with a little bit of soap I can clean my bed…
… but think of the flood of tears I would require to clean from my soul the stain that harshness against this unfortunate would leave!”
“Everything – even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden and waiting on the sick, could be a prayer – if it were offered to God!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Looking to the Lord on the Cross, and finding greater meaning and hope in life!”

(Based on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed [All Souls Day])

“No…..don’t leave me!”…
A cry of a helpless one!

A set of twins were growing inside the womb of the mother.

For around nine months, these little ones have known each other.

They have eaten together, played together, sometimes even fought with each other…
… and above all, shared a lot of love and happy moments.

But now it is the time of delivery.

Little do these infants know the concept of delivery!

As the first one is ready to be delivered, the second twin holds on to it tight… crying:
“No… don’t leave me…!”
”No… don’t leave me…!”

It’s a heart-breaking cry…
… a soul-wrenching wail!

To see its partner, being taken away, seems the end of the world for this second twin.
To realize that they can no longer play or live together in the same place, is indeed too sad a moment for this second twin.

Is it all over for this second twin?

Will it see its partner no more?
Why is such a cruelty being inflicted on this second twin?

Well… to those on the other side of the delivery…who are awaiting the delivery…
… these are precious and highly joyful moments.

What seemed death for the second twin…
… was life for those outside.

What seemed the end of the world for the second twin…
… was the start of life for those outside.

In a few moments, even the second twin will be taken out, and will be reunited to the first…

The wail of tears will be transformed to a well of joy!

The cry of sadness will be changed to a stream of happiness!

This could be a reasonable analogy for our life here on this world.

We are like this second twin…

We fall in love with our close ones…we live with them, share our life, sometimes even fight…
… yet we love them much.

And finally, one day, mostly unexpectedly, they are taken away from us.
… They die!

We cry, “No…..don’t leave me!”
… but nothing brings them back!

Death seems to be an end for us!

But look up…

The Lord who was crucified and was dead for three days and rose to life, with an assuring smile tells us, “No! All is not over.

What seems death for you, is the beginning of life in me.
What seems immense sadness for you, is the start of a real joy in me.

Fear not… cry not…
… I am the Life and the Resurrection”

This is what St Paul echoed in his First Letter to the Corinthians 15:5, “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”

Today is the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed…
… the All Souls Day.

In the Apostles Creed, we recite, “I believe…
… in the Communion of Saints”.

The term “communion of saints” has two closely-linked meanings: communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.

The Communion of Saints unites Christ’s members across three distinct states of the One Church:
… The Church Militant
(the pilgrim Church on earth)
… The Church Suffering
(the faithful departed)
… The Church Triumphant
(the saints in glory)
“… at the present time, some of His disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified…
… while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as He is'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #954)

On this day, we (the Church Militant), in union with the prayers of the saints in glory (the Church Triumphant)…
… reach out our prayers, intercessions and love in a very special manner for our suffering brothers and sisters (the Church Suffering).

What makes us to pray for the dead…
… the faithful departed?

It is necessarily in the co-relationship that all human beings share with each other.

We do pray for the people who are in need, when they live on this earth.

We do seek intercessions on their behalf to God, when they are with us.

But when a person dies, his/her existence ceases only in our sight.
They still continue to live in God’s sight.
The dead are not dead for God.

This is what Jesus says in Luke 20:38, “… He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive”

Therefore, it is logical and reasonable that we pray for the faithful departed.

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification…
… so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1030)

Therefore, it is a duty on our part that we pray for the purification of these Faithful Departed.

This Commemoration is also a reminder of the need to have Hope with respect to our own Death and the death of our loved ones.

True, that as frail humans, we may have a natural fear and even a sort of phobia of death.

But our Christian Love, Faith and Hope must gain the upper-hand in us.

Death is frightening for the faithless…
… but for the faithful, it is the doorway to the Fountain of Faith!

Death is horrifying for the loveless…
… but for those who love, it is the passage to the Fullness of Love!

Death is devastating for the hopeless..
… but for those who hope, it is the entry to the Spring of Hope!

Today, we honour the faithful departed…
… gaining plenary indulgences by visiting cemeteries or churches
… praying for the deceased
… and fulfilling the conditions (confession, communion, prayer for the Pope’s intentions, detachment from sin).

We can pray the “Eternal Rest” prayer for partial indulgence.

Today is also a day when Priests are called to intercede for the departed…
… celebrating up to three Requiem Masses.

Death is a reality.

No amount of reflection or sermons can substitute the pain of this reality.

Sometimes, in such grieving and heartfelt situations, silence is the only answer that we can provide.

But this silence ought to be a silence of hope, a silence of trust and a silence of faith.

When we love God deeper, the fear of death decreases.

When we have a stronger faith in God, the pain of death reduces.

Death is hard.

And our lips may only cry, “No… don’t leave me….”

But, the Lord has conquered this death!

Let us look on to Him, on the Cross, and find greater meaning and hope in life.

May our Blessed Mother Mary who bore the pain of the death of Her Beloved Child be our refuge and strength.

May the prayers and example of the Church Triumphant be our inspiration and courage.

Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord!

And let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
May the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.

God Bless! Live Jesus!