28/12/2015

Goodbye 2015 - Welcome 2016...

Goodbye 2015 - Welcome 2016...

Curiosity...2016 a leap year....?
A leap year has 366 days, as opposed to a common year, which has 365. Nearly every 4 years is a Leap Year, and we add a Leap Day, an extra – or intercalary – day on February 29. According to an old legend, or possibly history, St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men on leap year!...

A story - evaluate yourself...
A woman accustomed to luxury dies and goes to heaven. An angel is sent to accompany her to the house that will be hers for all eternity. They pass by some huge houses and beautiful mansions. The woman is elated; surely one of these will be her home. To her surprise, the angel leads her past the mansions ‘til they end up in a narrow side street. The houses are small and old. As they stop before a small hut, the angel tells her, “That is your house.” The woman protests, “There must be a mistake. That cannot be for me. I cannot live in a small hut.” The angel replies, “I am sorry. That is the only house we could build for you with the materials you sent up here.”
 

11/12/2015

Wisdom is vindicated by her works (Mt. 11, 19)


Wisdom is vindicated by her works (Mt. 11, 19)

After twenty centuries perhaps, we can hazard a guess at what the wisdom is; it is possibly that all of us could learn to be more tolerant of varying approaches...it's like decision, despite years of trying, that we simply do not like Brussels sprouts. Certain likes may be part of wisdom that age and experience bring, but it may still not be valid for everyone else. Given the diversity of human personalities and upbringing, we could use more tolerance for various methods of operating. The real wisdom may be to see more room for diversity.

 

22/11/2015

The cow urine: cures cancer and gives long life...

The price of cow urine purified exceeded six times that of milk. It is the result of a campaign launched by a number of Hindu holy men that guarantee the miraculous powers of the liquid. According to them the urine is good for "Long life and cure many diseases, including cancer and diabetes."

Rosan Gaudel, breeder and producer (so far) of milk, says that: "It's hard to believe but true. The price is six times greater than the traditional product. Many Hindus of the area have started to drink it, and not only the sick even healthy ones, convinced that it can protect them from future diseases. "

Yogi Naraharinath, Hindu leader, confirms: "purify urine removing all forms of waste, so that we can sell in the market. The demand for salt is an effective remedy. My followers are happy to be able to drink, and for respect for the sacred cows and for the healing powers. "

The octogenarian Nanimaya Poudel said: "I drink a glass of urine each day. In our religion the cow is a symbol of the goddess Laxmi, which brings well-being and wealth".

 

By: AsiaNews

20/11/2015

Communication styles in a love relationship...(By Lori Gordon)

Communication styles in a love relationship...

According to Dr. Lori Gordon's "Art of relationships and Knots of Love", - Love is a momentary up welling of three tightly interwoven events: first, a sharing of one or more positive emotions between you and another; second, a synchrony between your and the other person’s biochemistry and behaviours; and third, a reflected motive to invest in each other’s well-being that brings mutual care.  However to communicate all this, certain styles emerge commonly; here are four main communication styles which negatively and at the same time, five styles which positively affect relationships. Here is the summary:

  1. PLACATING. The placater is ingratiating, eager to please, apologetic, and a "yes" man or woman. The placater says things like "whatever you want" or "never mind about me, it's okay." It's a case of peace at any price. The price, for the placater is worthlessness. Because the placater has difficulty expressing anger and holds so many feelings inside, he or she tends toward depression and, as studies show, may be prone to illness. Placaters need to know it is okay to express
    anger.
  2. BLAMING. The blamer is a fault-finder who criticizes relentlessly and speaks in generalizations: "You never do anything right." "You're just like your mother/father." Inside, the blamer feels unworthy or unlovable, angry at the anticipation he or she will not be getting what is wanted. Given a problem, the best defense is a good offense. The blamer is unable to deal with or express pain or fear. Blamers need to be able to speak on their own behalf without indicting others in the process.
  3. COMPUTING. The computer is super reasonable, calm and collected, never admits mistakes, and expects people to conform and perform. The computer says things like, "Upset? I'm not upset. Why do you say I'm upset?" Afraid of emotion, he or she prefers facts and statistics. "I don't reveal my emotions and I'm not interested in anyone else's." Computers need someone to ask how they feel about specific things.
  4. DISTRACTING. The distractor resorts to irrelevancies under stress, avoids direct eye contact and direct answers. Quick to change the subject, he or she will say, "What problem? Let's have Sam and Bridget over." Confronting the problem might lead to a fight, which could be dangerous. Distractors need to know that they are safe, not helpless, that problems can be solved and conflicts resolved.
            Each style is a unique response to pain, anger, or fear, which keeps us from understanding each other. Knowing that, the next time you find yourself resorting to blame, you can conclude there is something painful or scary bothering you and try to figure out what it is. If it's your partner who is blaming, you can conclude he or she is possibly not intending to be aggressive or mean but probably afraid of some development. What's needed is to find a way to make it safe to talk about the worry; find out what is bothering him or her.

To add insult to injury, when one partner is upset, the other often compounds it unintentionally. At the heart of intimacy, then, is empathy, understanding, and compassion; these are the humanizing feelings yet need to be communicated positively:

  1. APPRECIATION. Take turns expressing appreciation for something your partner has done--and thanking each other.
  2. NEW INFORMATION. In the absence of information, assumptions--often false ones--rush in. Tell your partner something ("I'm not looking forward to the monthly planning meeting this morning") to keep contact alive and let your partner in on your mood, your experiences - your life. And then listen to your partner.
  3. PUZZLES. Take turns asking each other something you don't understand and your partner can explain: "Why were you so down last night?" Or voice a question about yourself: "I don't know why I got so angry while we were figuring out expenses." You might not find answers, but you will be giving your partner some insight about yourself. Besides, your partner may have insights about your experiences.
  4. COMPLAINT WITH REQUEST FOR CHANGE. Without placing blame or
    being judgemental, cite a specific behaviour that bothers you and state the behaviour you are asking for instead. "If you're going to be late for dinner, please call me. That way I can make plans and won't be waiting for you."
  5. HOPES. Sharing hopes and dreams is integral to a relationship. Hopes can range from the mundane ("I hope you don't have to work this weekend") to the grandiose ("I'd really love to spend a month in tour with you"). But the more the two of you bring dreams into immediate awareness, the more likely you'll find a way to realize them.
Conclusion.
Love is all about choices. We choose to see the good, ignore the petty, look for what we could do for our partner, and remember why we love our partner. Choosing to put in the effort to do these things is what love looks like, and with that work comes the wonderful reward of staying in love.

12/11/2015

Unprofitable Servants...

We are unprofitable servants
 
And so let us all continue what we have been 
doing for God, the church, others and say:
“We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.”

Initially I found this Gospel (Luke 17:7-10) to be somewhat difficult to understand. I would tend to interpret that the master is harsh and lacking in gratitude for what his servant has done for him. But this is not the case. Jesus wants to teach us about the basic attitude of a servant or a worker like us. A servant is simply there to work and to accomplish the household duties that are expected of him/her. His purpose is to correct the way the scribes and Pharisees relate with God. They thought of religion as a contract between master and servant. They performed their religious duties in the hope of getting special reward and better treatment in His kingdom.
            The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church … a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.”

06/11/2015

Initiative, ingenuity and inventiveness


Think of all the gadgets and conveniences that have been devised to meet our needs, no matter how trivial; machines which buff our shoes before we leave the house; ways of turning on the lights with a sound; devices acting at a distance to save us steps and movement. The inventiveness, initiative and ingenuity of human beings with respect to matters that are not life and death, testify to truth of human poverty! We show a great deal of ingenuity when it comes to our comfort and security. But our world lacks inventiveness in dealing with acts and deeds of human love - we should be creative in listening, understanding, caring, patience and ability to respond practically to the problems in our own environment, family, home, neighbourhood, friends, and life.

small deeds done are better than great ones planned!
 

04/11/2015

Let go and enjoy....

Mahatma Gandhi once summarized the Hindu religion in some words taken from one of its sacred books: "All is filled with God. Renounce it and enjoy it." To simply: all we have comes from God; we are caretakers of what is God's. Our response is to use it in love; above all, we are to take lightly property and possessions, not grasping them as if they were our true security. God knows we and all people need possessions, but there should be some looseness in our grasp of them, coupled with a readiness to let go of them, to share them, and use them well.  We live once on earth....!

29/10/2015

Good fight in journey of life...

Good fight in journey of life...

            In the journey of life we need first, to know our enemy. Some of our most dangerous enemies we carry within are our: laziness, fear of discomfort, pride, oversensitivity to what others think of us and so on and so forth. But Satan is our greatest enemy and therefore, we “should not be ignorant of his designs,” St. Paul advices us to be well acquainted with his character and never ignore his active and destructive work. Jesus advises us to watch and pray against temptation and pray to God to “deliver us from the Evil One.”

            In the journey of life, don't fight alone; ask the help of the Holy Spirit. Pride easily dominates our thinking. We are shocked by the sins of others and yet we are blind to our own weaknesses. So we need the gifts of the Holy Spirit to equip ourselves against anything that is evil, to depend on Him to overcome the Evil One and make the right decisions.

            In the journey of life, been short as it is, we need to be quick to put right a wrong relationship. Hurting others and feeling hurt ourselves cannot be avoided. That is why Jesus teaches us that there is a need to forgive others not only seven times but seventy times seven. It is because, like for example our anger, if we let our anger to continue even if the sun goes down already, we may be sleepless; depressed and irritable in the following morning; and will give the devil an opportunity to exploit our anger. So let us be quick to put it right.

            Wishing you a day full of peace in spirit, busy but not rushed and alert but not tense.

22/10/2015

God keeps on pursuit....

30th Ord. Sunday - Yr B.

God keeps on pursuit....
Today’s gospel is about a man by the name of Bartimaeus who had a handicap of not seeing. He was blind. He is one of the dregs of Jewish society whose blindness is considered as a punishment from God because of his sinfulness he committed. He was hurt not only physically but also above all, spiritually and emotionally. He is spiritually and emotionally hurt because people rejected him and isolated him from the community and Jesus knew how painful this was. He shouted at Jesus to help him in his sickness. Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here...what do you want me to do for you?" In this way, God cares for us no matter who we are or what we have done. God never abandons anyone even those who abandon him. God loves us all and will continue to pursue us whenever we stray. God will never ever give up. This is cause for great rejoicing.

15/10/2015

Progress in Love....

Sometimes, we need not a brilliant mind that speaks but a patient heart that listens, not a keen eye that sees faults but an open arm that accepts and not a finger that points mistakes but a gentle hand that leads. Sometimes being understanding is more important than being right.



(ProphecyApr 11, 2015 Feast Milton



29/09/2015

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - Archangels.... (Sept. 29)

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - Archangels.... (Sept. 29)
 
            Today we celebrate three archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The term archangel occurs only in one book of the bible and seems to be an honorary term given to angels whose names appeared in scripture. Michael means - who is like God. He is understood as the one who marshals heavenly power against evil. He is often depicted in warrior mode. He is the universal patron for the church and against evils and Satan battles. Gabriel means - God is strong and he is the one who carried important messages to Mary, Joseph and Zachariah; he is the patron saint of communication. Raphael means - God has healed. He is the promoter of healthy and the patron saint of medicine.

            The word angel means messenger in the original Greek. Angels, as stated in the scripture, serve many other functions: companions, guardians, guides, overseers,, members of the heavenly court.

            All this suggests that we should think of them as personifications of the loving presence of God among us and in us. in any case, we understand angels best if we think of them as doing what all of us should be doing for each other, that is, serving as the means by which God heals, comforts, strengthens, helps fellow human beings, touches to soothe, accompanies, welcomes, supports, defends....etc. Our angels are our fellow humans in acting the grace of God in LOVE....

 

PRAYER TO: SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The blood supermoon lunar eclipse - did you see?

Did you see the blood supermoon lunar eclipse?

Many people in many parts of the world have had their smart phones and cameras out for a rare supermoon eclipse, the first of its kind since 1982, and the last we'll see until 2033. I was also not left out of this historical event in our planet - and I took my phone too to record the eclipse straight from Philadelphia, USA.

Clear skies in some parts of the world (and where I was in deed) allowed those who stayed up or woke up at around 3 a.m. to enjoy spectacular views of the 'Blood Moon', which takes its name from the reddish hue the moon takes as Earth's shadow passes over it.

Pope's words of encouragement....

Pope's words in Philadelphia, USA.
 
"...America, the land of the free and the home of the brave - just like happiness, holiness is "tied to little gestures. These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different; They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, friends and all who get concerned of us...Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home...

 


23/09/2015

Grace is everywhere...

Grace is everywhere...

            When we read the book of Ezra (Ezra 6,7-8), we see how Ezra's conviction that Jews in exile were able to return to their own land because of the support of a well disposed, non Jewish ruler- king Darius. Although the Jews did not even favour contact with such people; in fact they refereed to them as dogs...and uncircumcised.
            As humans beings, many a times we have acted as if only some people could possibly do good to us and others not! But experience tells us that w all depend upon each other in many ways and that dependence crosses religious and family boundaries.
           Jesus points to something similar in Luke 8, 19-21 - when told his mother and brothers are trying to get in, he says that there is a deeper relation to him than that of blood. Happily for many, family members do provide support and encouragement to faith. Others, unfortunately, have experience of finding more sympathy and understanding outside the family.
            We discover in the course of growing up that compatibility and congeniality are not predictable in terms of family and background. We all need support and encouragement. We obstruct it by requiring that it come in a particular color or shape or from a particular source.
            Noting in our created world is incapable of being the channel for God's grace, illumination and support.

First Day of Fall...


Wednesday, September 23 - The First Day of Autumn (Autumnal Equinox) 2015

The garden of love is green without limit and yields many fruits other than sorrow or joy. Love is beyond either condition: without spring, without autumn, it is always fresh.

14/09/2015

The Cross +

The Cross +

   Today we celebrate the Triumph of the Cross. There are two aspects of the cross: sorrow and glory – a sign of contradiction and the source of our salvation.

"A housewife was busy doing the house chores when suddenly her husband came from behind embracing her tightly and carried her around the house lovingly. The woman surprisingly blurted out: “Hey sweetheart why the sudden affection?” To which the husband retorted: “Well, the priest today in his homily said that we have to carry our crosses daily with love.”

            What a wonderful application of Jesus’ words about loving our crosses. Wouldn’t it be nice if you embrace your husband/wife/friends/relatives/teachers/children instead of cursing them as your crosses in life? You can practically apply these to people you consider crosses in your lives. And you will see the transformation it will make in any of your relationships.

            What could possibly be our crosses? Uncharitable criticisms, insults, indifference, ingratitude, illness, disability, infidelity, endless tasks, unrewarding work, abandonment, etc.? Heed Jesus’ call about the cross as a blessing and life will be more bearable and meaningful. God bless.

Saint Gianna - Patron Saint of Mothers, Unborn Children...


Saint Gianna

Patron Saint of Mothers, Unborn Children and the World Meeting of Families

            Saint Gianna Beretta Molla (October 4, 1922 – April 28, 1962) was an Italian pediatrician, wife and mother who is best known for refusing both an abortion and a hysterectomy when she was pregnant with her fourth child, despite knowing that continuing with the pregnancy could result in her death. She was canonized as a Saint of the Catholic Church in 2004.

            Gianna Beretta Molla was born in Magenta, Italy as the tenth of thirteen children in her family, only nine of whom reached adulthood. When she was three, her family moved to Bergamo, and she grew up in the Lombardy region of Italy. In 1942, Gianna began her study of medicine in Milan. She received a medical diploma in 1949, and opened an office in Mesero, where she specialized in pediatrics.

In December 1954, Gianna met Pietro Molla, an engineer who worked in her office. They were officially engaged the following April, and they married in September 1955. They welcomed the births of their children Pierluigi, in 1956, Mariolina, in 1957, and Laura in 1959.

            In 1961, Gianna was pregnant again. During the second month, Gianna developed a fibroma on her uterus. After examination, the doctors gave her three choices: an abortion, a complete hysterectomy, or removal of only the fibroma. Gianna opted for the removal of the fibroma, wanting to preserve her child’s life.

            Gianna clearly expressed her wishes to her family saying, “This time it will be a difficult delivery, and they may have to save one or the other – I want them to save my baby.” On April 21, 1962, Holy Saturday of that year, Gianna went to the hospital, where her fourth child, Gianna Emanuela, was successfully delivered by Caesarean section. However, Gianna continued to have severe pain, and died of septic peritonitis 7 days after the birth.

            Gianna was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1994, and canonized on May 16, 2004. Gianna’s husband Pietro, and their children Laura, Pierluigi & Gianna, were present at the canonization ceremony, the first time in the history of the Church that a husband witnessed his wife’s canonization. In his homily at her canonization Mass, Pope John Paul II called Gianna “a simple, but more than ever, significant messenger of divine love.”

Fun Facts
            The miracle recognized by the Catholic Church to canonize Gianna Molla involved a mother, Elizabeth Comparini, who had complications around her 16th week of pregnancy. She prayed to Gianna Molla, asker for her intercession in the life of her child, who was healthy when delivered despite the premature date.

            Saint Gianna is the inspiration behind the Gianna Center in New York City. It is the first pro-life, Catholic healthcare center for women in New York. The Gianna Center provides primary care with specialized gynecologic care.

Prayers

            God our Father we praise You and we bless you because in Saint Gianna Beretta Molla you have given us one who witnessed to the Gospel as a young women, as a wife, as a mother, and as a doctor. We thank you because through the gift of her life we can learn to welcome and honour every human person. Holy Spirit, Source of every perfection, give us wisdom, intelligence, and courage so that, following the example of Saint Gianna and through her intercession, we may know how to place ourselves at the service of each person we meet in our personal, family and professional lives, and thus grow in love and holiness. Amen.

Quote

Love and sacrifice are closely linked, like the sun and the light. We cannot love without suffering and we cannot suffer without love – Saint Gianna.

24/08/2015

Never trust an untested Person...

Never trust an untested Person...
            The Eagle tests before it trusts. When a female eagle meets a male and they want to mate, she flies down to earth with the male pursuing her and she picks a twig. She flies back into the air with the male pursuing her. Once she has reached a height high enough for her, she lets the twig fall to the ground and watches it as it falls. The male chases after the twig. The faster it falls, the faster he chases it. He has to catch it before it falls to the ground. He then brings it back to the female eagle. The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a higher altitude and then drops the twig for the male to chase. This goes on for hours, with the height increasing until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of catching the twig which shows commitment. Then and only then, will she allow him to mate with her.
           Leaving the animal kingdom for human, commitment is too expressed better in this passage of the bible: Naomi said, “See now! Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god. Go back after your sister-in-law!" But Ruth said, “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge,
your people shall be my people, and your God my God
.” 1 Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22.
          Whether in private life or in business, one should test commitment of people intended for partnership.

20/08/2015

The Power of Ideas and Words...Advice to men/women!

The Power of Ideas and Words...Advice to men/women!
            Words are the easiest and most common form of communication. Great preachers have inspired saints. Great words when written, last and can be read and reread. Words are wonderful things that please the ear and the mind. More important, good and kind words, when spoken at the right time, can heal a wounded heart. As somebody had said that, words are also the first and easiest means of communication with God. This week I was reading a book by Myles Munroe, "The Purpose and Power of Love & Marriage", of which I came across these words and ideas he puts across. I could not go without sharing them:

  1. “God did not create woman from man’s head, that he should command her, nor from his feet, that she should be his slave, but rather from his side that she should be near his heart.”
  2. "A woman may be beautiful but have poor character. A man may be a business genius, making money left and right, but lack common courtesy, sensitivity, and compassion.”
  3. “The first basic need of a male is sexual fulfillment; for a female, affection. The second most basic need of a male is recreational companionship; for a female, communication and conversation. The third basic need of a male in a relationship is an attractive woman; for a woman, honesty and openness. The fourth basic need of a male is domestic support; for a female, financial support. The fifth basic need of a male is admiration and respect; for a woman, family commitment.”
  4. “Here are a few important principles to remember with regard to the giving and receiving between males and females. When a male demands, a female reacts; she doesn’t respond. When a male gives, a female responds. When a male commits, a female submits. Nothing is more precious to a female than a committed male. Nothing is no more depressing to a female than an uncommitted male. Here’s the secret, guys: If you want a submitted female, be a committed male. It’s that simple. When a male abuses, a female refuses. Whenever a man abuses a woman, she refuses to respond. When a male shares, a female cares. If you find a man who is willing to share with the woman in his life, you will find a woman who is willing to care for her man. When a male leads, a female follows. When a man carries out his God-given responsibility for leadership, a woman responds by following his lead. Leadership does not mean being bossy, always telling others what to do. No, leadership means going ahead, not putting others in the front. Good leaders lead by example, not by decree. Jesus led by example, and so did Moses, Peter, Paul, and all the other great leaders in the Bible. Leading by example means doing ourselves the things we wish others to do.”

Understanding Envy and Jealousy...

Understanding Envy and Jealousy...

Are you envious because I am generous? Mt 20:1-16:

            Generosity means that we rejoice in the success and good fortune of others. And what is envy? “Envy,” somebody said, “is a kind of spiritual sickness that restricts the heart so that it cannot rejoice in the good of others, much less, gives to them. Envy is a two-person situation whereas jealousy is a three-person situation. Envy is a reaction to lacking something. Jealousy is a reaction to the threat of losing something (usually someone). Envy occurs when we lack a desired attribute enjoyed by another. Jealousy occurs when something we already possess (usually a special relationship) is threatened by a third person.
            So why the confusion? One problem is an unfortunate sematic ambiguity with the word “jealousy” (but NOT with the word “envy”). If you ask people to describe a situation in which they felt jealous, they are as likely to describe an experience of envy (e.g., "I wished I had my friend's good looks") as of jealousy (e.g., "my girlfriend danced with an attractive guy"). Naturally, this creates a sense that jealousy and envy are very similar—even though they are actually quite different.

God is Jealous
God is also jealous but it’s not exactly the same as human jealousy because God is jealous for the right reasons as we read about in Deuteronomy 4:23-24 “Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you.  For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”  The Hebrew word for jealous in this verse is “qanna’” which means “jealous only for God” so God’s jealous is for our own good.  He is jealous when we make an idol that competes or takes the place of where God should be in our lives…that is first and foremost.  Money, family, work, friends, sports, and even Whatsapp or Facebook can become an idol in our lives.  The saying that our hearts are idol factories have been attributed to John Calvin, although I was unable to document this, it’s still true.  The human heart is bent to perpetually forge idols of numerous things and people. God wants us to put Him first and when we do, God promises to provide for all of our needs (Matt 6:33). Jesus said that we should “love the Lord God with all the heart, mind, soul and strength” (Mark 12:30).
            However if you have the predisposition of jealousy or envy, you are not alone.  The human heart is bent toward material things and lusts of the heart.  God is the only one Who can change the human heart (Prov 21:1). 
 
The Sins of the Heart:
H – Hatred
E – Envy
A – Anger
R – Resentment
T – Timidity

Enjoy been what you are....

Enjoy been what you are....
            Fear of social judgment wears many masks: shame, shyness, etiquette, prudence, perfectionism. Whatever form it comes in, its impact is to limit, to constrain, to constrict.

People who fear social judgment miss out on much of life. Across the room they see what could be the person of their dreams, but they don’t approach because of what a roomful of strangers might think if they’re rejected. By caring what these strangers think, they’re allowing people they’ll never see again to control their behaviour.

As I was reading my bible this week, I came across this passage from the Book of Judges; it gives us an opportunity to meditate about living and enjoying ourselves rather than dreaming to live on other's lives and opinions:

            (1 Jgs 9:6-15) "....Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ But the olive tree answered them, ‘Must I give up my rich oil, whereby men and gods are honoured, and go to wave over the trees?’ Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come; you reign over us!’ But the fig tree answered them,
‘Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’ Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come you, and reign over us.’ But the vine answered them,
‘Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men, and go to wave over the trees?’ Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, ‘Come; you reign over us!’ But the buckthorn replied to the trees, ‘If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith,
come and take refuge in my shadow. Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”

            As says my old friend in motivation, Myles Munroe, “When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable”; know your purpose in life - be the olive tree, the fig and the vine; don't be the buckthorn!

13/08/2015

Don't cry for Moses, be Joshua...

Don't cry for Moses, be Joshua...

            Ex. 3: 9 - The Lord said to Moses, "I have indeed heard the cry of my people, and I see how the Egyptians are oppressing them. Now I am sending you to the king of Egypt so that you can lead my people out of his country.” As many of us do, Moses had many excuses before God on why he could not fulfill his calling. Finally he accepted; but it is interesting to note that Moses never set foot in the Promised Land during his lifetime. Moses brought Israel to the borders of Canaan, and then died and left them. This signifies that our 'Moses' mean nothing perfect; they only bring men/women into a wilderness of conviction, but not into the Canaan of rest and settled peace.
            Num. 11: 10-15: Moses, “Lord, why have you brought me this trouble? How have I displeased you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Am I their mother? Did I give birth to them? Are you really asking me to carry them in my arms - as a nurse carries a baby - all the way to the land you promised their ancestors with an oath? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep crying for me to give them meat to eat. I can’t take care of all these people by myself. This is too much work for me! If this is how you’re going to treat me, why don’t you just kill me? I can’t face this trouble anymore.”
            Dt 31:1-8 - Moses said to them, “I am now one hundred and twenty years old and am no longer able to move about freely; besides, the LORD has told me that I shall not cross this Jordan...It is Joshua who will cross before you, as the LORD promised. Dt 34:1-12 - The LORD said to Moses, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that I would give to their descendants. I have let you feast your eyes upon it, but you shall not cross over.” So there, in the land of Moab, Moses, the servant of the LORD, died as the LORD had said; and he was buried in the ravine; Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17 - The Lord said to Joshua, ‘This very day I will begin to make you a great man in the eyes of all Israel, to let them be sure that I am going to be with you even as I was with Moses". The honour to see Canaan was reserved for Joshua, our Lord Jesus, of whom Joshua was a type, (and the name is the same). Be the Joshua, and let Moses remain at the borders! Live Without Excuses and Love without Regret.

 

11/08/2015

Giving Gifts: Faith vs. Superstition

Giving Gifts: Faith vs. Superstition
 
       First let's define, "What is a superstition?" A superstition is a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like. It is the belief in supernatural causality - that one event causes another without any natural process linking the two events—such as astrology, religion, omens, witchcraft, prophecies, etc., that contradicts natural science. It is based on or lack of true knowledge of God and His ways. It is also based on the fear of the unknown.
            On the other hand, faith is based on God. Faith is based on the knowledge of who God is and how and why He does things. Faith is also something that God gives to us and not something that we can generate. We can, at best, respond in faith to what He speaks to us. It is based on trust and confidence in God and His revealed word. We are willing to leave the unknown in the faithful hands of our God who knows and plans our future.   Therefore, superstition, unlike faith, has no substantial basis; nor is its conclusions reached by logical deductions. There are many different superstitions about gift giving. Here are some...
 

10/08/2015

“Let my body be turned...!”

“Let my body be turned...!”  - St. Lawrence
            Jesus in today’s gospel (John 12:24-26) presents to us an analogy of living and dying. In dying to oneself especially of our being conceited, self-centered and individualistic, a new life develops. Every human person is like a grain of wheat that falls to the earth and dies. It is in dying that life produces much fruit. Take the example of Jesus.
            The analogy of living and dying is also exemplified by St. Lawrence, the saint we honor today. Saint Lawrence was Chief of the seven deacons of Rome, a Spaniard by birth and was in charge of diocesan properties and charities.
            In the year 258 Pope Sixtus II was led out to die by the Romans. We are told, in the first place, that when the pope was seized, Lawrence accompanied him and asked, with tears in his eyes, “Father, where are you going without your deacon?” The pope answered, “You shall follow me in three days.”

            Inspired by this prophecy, the deacon prepared for death by distributing among the poor all the church funds he had on hand, even adding to that welfare fund by selling some of the sacred vessels. When the prefect of Rome learned of this distribution, he concluded that the Christians were very wealthy. So he summoned Lawrence and ordered him to turn over the church’s treasures, to be added to the fund supporting the Roman army. Lawrence asked only for a few days (three days) to make an “inventory” of church possessions before he presented them. When three days were up, the deacon returned to the prefect accompanied by a large crowd of his poor: the blind, the orphaned, the aged, the lepers, the crippled, the widows and the maidens. “These,” he said to the prefect “are the treasures of the church." The prefect was furious with Lawrence’s answer. At once he arrested him and condemned him to death by roasting alive on a grill (gridiron).
            The story goes on to say that the deacon did not hesitate at one point in his torture to tell his executioners, “Let my body be turned; one side is broiled enough!” what a saint! His death and example led the conversion of Rome that signaled the end of paganism in the city. For us there is no need that we have to follow literally what St. Lawrence did, died a martyr’s death. Each one of us has the capacity to do good and to show kindness to one another. Our acts of kindness might be insignificant but at least we have contributed in making our world a better place to live in.

 


"Me and my Big Mouth!"

19th Ordinary Sunday - Yr B.

Complain and Remain...Praise and be Raised!

            It seems such natural that we are people who love to complain. We are a people who love to murmur. This Sunday's gospel starts by saying that as soon as the Lord said to the Jews: “I am the Bread that came down from heaven,” the Jews murmured to one another. They started to say: “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven?" What a difference our attitude towards life makes to our enjoyment of life. This is the positive approach of one woman I knew: "Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes, we have plenty of food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry, we have plenty of nice clothes to wear." Such a beautiful positive attitude is what you would expect of a disciple of Jesus. This is not the attitude we see in the Jews who were complaining about Jesus in the Gospel today (John 6:41).

            He said to them, “Stop complaining to each other.” (John 6:43) Why were they complaining? If they had known Jesus properly they would not have complained. We would all do well to pay heed to these words of Jesus, “Stop complaining to each other” because sometimes we complain like the Jews of his time. You have the power to be happy and stop complaining. It is a question of attitude. Be grateful for what you have. See the presence of God with you. Count your blessings. The attitude in the first verse of our Psalm today is an example to us. “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise always on my lips” (Ps 34:1) Jesus is the bread of life to strengthen us to overcome all our problems. I strongly recommend reading a book called "Me and my Big Mouth!" by Joyce Meyer.  The title of chapter 6 is Complain and Remain, Praise and Be Raised

06/08/2015

DON'T fear...DON'T lose the focus...

DON'T fear...DON'T lose the focus...
      Fear cripples us. In the gospel the disciples are terrified of the storm even if they are seasoned fishermen. They are more terrified when they see a ghost! The worse of all they even consider Jesus, a ghost. Mt. 14, v. 25: “During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.”
      But when Jesus tells them that it is He, Peter wants to walk on the water with Jesus. He is already taking a few steps when suddenly he notices that he starts to sink. He starts to sink because when instead of focusing himself to Jesus, he focuses on the wind. He starts to sink when his attention is not on Jesus but on the strong wind. He looks down instead of looking up on God. This is also what happens to us when we lose focus of life and of Jesus and give more focus on our problems and difficulties.
     Don’t look down; look up to God and to life. Don’t look at storms of problems and difficulties but let your focus be on what give life and on Jesus. Fix your eyes on life and on Jesus. Somebody said: “The natural temptation is to focus on the difficulties, on the wind and the waves, on the sense of not being in control. Fix your heart and your will on Christ. Trust in the strength and power of his saving hand. He will not let you down. If he has called you to a certain work, to a certain way of being, to a greater level of faith, he will give you the graces necessary.”
     At the time we don’t expect, in moments of distress and darkness, Jesus comes to us. He walks in our sea of doubt and fear. Nothing can stop him to care for us. Recognize him. Hear him say: “it is I.”

22/07/2015

A great lesson from Mary Magdalene....

A great lesson from Mary Magdalene....
 
            Many a times we hear sayings like:" Where there is a woman there is magic", “Behind every successful Man is a great Woman” and so on and so forth. Today I want to believe that Jesus too understood the same and much clearer than we do, and that is why he chose and gave Mary Magdalene the opportunity she got in life: been forgiven, been an apostle of the apostles and been first to see the resurrected Lord.
            As we celebrate the feast of Mary Magdalene today (July 22), and I would say, one of the most important feasts in Christian life, we don't want to focus on so many accounts as: she was a sinner, prostitute, but really on how come she could not recognize Jesus at the tomb! In today’s account of the gospel (John 20:1-2, 11-18) we see that Mary Magdalene failed to recognize the Lord. Why did she fail to see that the man talking to her was already the Lord?
            I see at least two reasons why she missed the presence of the Risen Christ initially. First is because of her tears. She was weeping and therefore she could not see very well because all her energy, all her attention was focused on her weeping. Her eyes had blurred from the tears, had swollen and so when the Lord came, she could no longer open them wide. Isn’t that the same with us, my dear friends? If we carry lingering doubts it may be because we still do not enjoy the Easter peace. We are not enjoying the Easter joy because we still live in tears of complains and doubts.  Let us not live in the past. Let us not miss the presence of the Lord because of our excessive sorrow, because of our excessive sadness. Mary missed the Lord because of those tears.
            The second reason why Mary missed the presence of the Risen Lord was that she was looking in the wrong direction. She was talking to the Lord but she was looking at the tomb. That is why she missed the Lord. Well, again, in a sense, that is the same with us. We miss the presence of the Lord because we choose to look at the tombs of our past rather than look at the Lord in the events of the moment. We may be focusing our attention on the trauma of the past, of what we did in the past. Our gaze maybe fixed on our failures, our abuses, and our sins of the past. We need to be roused from our fixation on the tomb. The Lord was buried there but the Lord is already risen. We are still looking at the past. We are still looking at the tomb. And if we continue to do so, chances are, when the Lord comes, just like Mary, we will not be able to see Him. The Lord is not in the past. The Lord is in your present. The Lord is beside you, in front of you, behind you, on top of you, under you, inside you. The Lord is there and we must look where the Lord is. And then enjoy His presence.
            Talk to Mary during the moments of silence today and tell her, “Mary, you missed the presence of the Lord because you wept too much. You missed the presence of the Lord because you were looking in the wrong direction. You have taught me a lesson. I want to enjoy the Lord’s presence. I will stop crying. I will be happy again. I want to enjoy the presence of the Lord. I will not look at the tombs of the past. I will look at the Lord now." The past is history, the future is unknown, and the present is a gift. Live the present life with total joy, happiness, emotion, feelings, pleasure, dedication, service, etc...And remember as Eric Fromm said: ''Mature love says, ‘I need you because I love you.’ Immature love says, ‘'Love you because I need you.''

17/07/2015

Love that insists on loving...

Love that insists on loving...
            On my blog, I have written various articles about love; many would wonder why do I have to speak of love many a times; well, partly because we’re such love obsessed people, but mainly because it’s a philosophically inexhaustible topic.  And secondly because of an experience I have gone through in recent times - do we really love to change people or to be changed?  Why do people in love have knowledge of what can irritate their partners and still go on and do them; do that mean they are not loving?  Is knowledge enough for love? What then is the condition of love? So and so many other questions can click on into our minds...Rules, laws and regulations and traditions, all these are good for they are meant to provide peace and order, social order to give direction to one’s life and to promote life. They are beneficial to us. But the moment we forget the person, for whom the laws were made and become too legalistic, too formalistic and structured, the laws cease to be life-giving. They stifle life. Instant judgments and counting the mistakes of others become then so natural that mercy, forgiveness and compassion are easily forgotten; love starts to condition...
           
Our focus this time will be less on romantic love, than on unconditional love, in all its manifestations – whether between romantic partners, between parents and their children, or between humanitarians and all humankind. I should start out by admitting that unconditional love is rare and difficult thing.  Parents may profess to love their children unconditionally.  But how often do children test the limits of parental love? Couples in the first blush of new love may make dewy-eyed promises to love each other for better or for worse.  But how often do such promises give way to betrayal and recrimination?   Still, it’s an amazing gift when it does happen.   And it’s one that we all want.  We all want someone who will love us forever, through thick and thin, no matter what we do or become. Part of me thinks that unconditional love is the highest form of love.  Most religions certainly seem to believe that.  That’s why they attribute unconditional love for all mankind to God.  It’s why Christ commands Christians to love thy neighbour as thyself. But, of course, unconditional love is easy for God - with his infinite patience and boundless capacity to forgive.   You can’t hurt God – not really.  But humans are vulnerable.  In us, too much hurt, betrayal or disappointment kills even the deepest, most enduring love.
            Of course, its one thing to focus on the work it takes for us to give or sustain unconditional love. That’s hard, I admit.  But think about what it’s like to be the recipient of such love.  That seems, at first blush, to be a really good thing to the recipient of.  Who wouldn’t want to be loved unconditionally, despite all your flaws and failings? On the other hand, part of me thinks that maybe unconditional love isn’t all its cracked up to be. Don’t people want to be loved and appreciated for who and what they are?  When somebody loves me unconditionally, doesn’t that mean they don’t care who I am or what I do and they are blind to my particularity? But isn’t love about delighting in the particularity of the other? But maybe that’s being too quick to dismiss. I mean just because you love somebody unconditionally, doesn’t mean you don’t care about what they are or what they do. Presumably, if you love them, you want them to be their best self.   You might even hope and believe that your love will help them become that. The “unconditional” part of unconditional love just means that - you won’t withdraw love when things go badly.

16/07/2015

God must be Surprised....

God must be Surprised....

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest... (Not take away problems...) Mt. 11, 28

            Scott Peck begins his great book, “The Road Less Travelled” with the simplest statement possible: “Life is difficult.” I think all of us agree with this. People complain a lot about problems in life, forgetting that complaining will never solve them. Some feel burdened by their job (or by not having a job), by damaged relationships and so on. And at times they are burden to themselves. To deal with such burdens, some pretend that everything is fine, others cover up, again others drown their heavy feelings in the hustle and bustle of a mall, the noise of a disco, or in the taste of alcohol. Some complain to God, “Why did you give to me all these crosses? One is more than enough.”

            It’s true, God allows suffering in our lives but He did not create us to suffer. The many burdens and problems which we generalize as “crosses” in our life might be self-created. Did God give us the cross of a damaged relationship when it was us who in our pride hurt a person and are not ready to make the first step to reconciliation? Is it God who gave the cross of anger which causes high blood pressure, when we are the ones who expect too much from ourselves or from others?

            God must be surprised sometimes when we blame Him for self-inflicted crosses. Jesus wants us to be happy as he was happy – in spite of the cross. We may pray, of course, that God takes a cross away from us; Jesus did the same in Gethsemane. But He trusted God and accepted what the Father had designed for Him. Jesus invites us to follow Him, to come to Him (not to mega mall or a disco) and find rest and learn from Him how to carry life’s burden. It is in his merciful presence that we find peace. Then we will stop complaining and begin to solve our problems and unburden ourselves from self-fabricated crosses.

            Always remember, this famous passage from St. Augustine's Confessions in which he states "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you", and still, Joyce Meyer said something that can be easy to remember: “Complain and remain. Praise and be raised.” Basically, that means that if you complain, then you’ll stay wherever you are emotionally and nothing will get better. If you give praise and stay positive about things, then you will find yourself happier, content, and, amazingly, with less problems. The problems won’t disappear, but they’ll become smaller or even nothing at all in your perspective. This is exactly what we get when we are with Jesus (Mt. 11, 28), "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...more energy, refreshment, vigour, to continue fighting in this tiresome world...

“On Death and Dying“

The idea of death makes one aware of one's life, one's vital being – that which is impermanent and will one day end.   When ...