Jesus is not the property of a small group. We do not possess Jesus; we belong to Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Sixth Week:  Monday*

*Gospel :  Luke : 9:46-50*

*First Reading : Job 1: 6-22*

*Responsorial Psalm : 17: 1-7*

*Jesus is not the property of a small group. We do not possess Jesus; we belong to Jesus*

*1) The disciples wanted to control Jesus' name*

The man was not one of the Twelve. The disciples apparently thought: “He is not one of us, so he should not be doing this.”

Their mistake was to confuse belonging to their group with belonging to God’s work.

Jesus corrects them. The work of God is greater than our group, our parish, our community, our movement, our denomination or our ministry.

A very good sentence for reflection is: “God’s grace is never the private property of a particular group.”

*2) “Good can be done by anyone” — what is the logic?*

There is a very important logic here. Goodness does not become good only because “our person” does it.

Suppose someone who is not a Catholic helps a poor family, saves a child from danger, feeds a hungry person, forgives an enemy or cares for an abandoned elderly person. Can we say: “It is not valuable because he is not one of us”? Certainly not.

The good action remains good. The disciples were looking at the identity of the person: “He does not follow with us.”

Jesus looks at the fruit of the action. This gives us a wonderful principle: Do not reject the good simply because it comes from someone outside your circle.

Goodness is not made sacred by the identity of the person who performs it.

*3) The Bible itself shows that God works beyond “our group”*

There are many examples.

*The Good Samaritan* — Luke 10:25–37 : The Samaritan was an outsider in the eyes of the Jews. Yet Jesus presents the Samaritan, not the religious leaders, as the example of mercy.

The question was not: “Which group does he belong to?”

The question was: “Who showed mercy?”

*Cornelius* — Acts 10 : Cornelius was a Gentile. Yet Peter discovers: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality.” (Acts 10:34) And Peter recognizes that God is already at work in him.

*The Magi* — Matthew 2:1–12 : The first people who come to worship the newborn King are not Jewish religious leaders but Gentile seekers from the East. God can lead people toward Christ in ways that surprise the religious community.

*“God so loved the world…”* -  John 3:16 : Not merely one group. Not one nation. Not one parish. Not one community. But the The world.

*4) “Jesus does not belong to the few”*

The Gospel gives us a deeper truth: Jesus belongs to no exclusive group because Jesus came for everyone.

The disciples seem to think: “Jesus is with us.”

But Jesus gradually teaches them: “I am not only for you. I am for everyone.”

This is also seen in John 10:16: “I have other sheep that are not of this fold.”

Jesus' mission always moves beyond boundaries.

He crosses boundaries of: 

Jew and Gentile

clean and unclean

rich and poor

sinner and respectable person

insider and outsider

*5) There is a connection between the child and the outsider*

This is one of the most beautiful aspects of Luke 9.

First the disciples ask: “Who is the greatest?” Jesus places a child beside him.

Then John says: “We tried to stop him because he does not follow with us.”

These two incidents are connected.

The disciples want: greatness + recognition + belonging + control.

Jesus teaches: humility + welcome + openness + service.

In other words: The disciple of Jesus must not ask, “How important am I?” but “How can I welcome and serve?”

*6) A wonderful paradox: “Jesus does not belong Only to us”*

We often say: “Our Jesus.”

But spiritually the deeper truth is: Jesus is not ours to possess. We are his to follow.

We cannot say:

“Only our group can do good.”

“Only our ministry is important.”

“Only our people can serve.”

“If they are not with us, they are against us.”

Jesus reverses this mentality. 

The Church is not a club protecting its membership.

It is meant to be a community that recognizes and cooperates with goodness.

*7) Application to our life*

*A) Do not be jealous of another person's goodness* : Sometimes someone outside our group does something wonderful. Instead of saying: “Why is he getting appreciation?” we should say: “Thank God that good has been done.” The good is more important than our recognition.

*B) Do not monopolize God's work* : A parish may have its own ministries. Another parish may do something differently. A young person may begin an initiative that was not started by the older generation. Our response should not immediately be: “Who gave them permission?” Sometimes the better question is: “How can we support the good that is already happening?”

*C) Learn to appreciate goodness in non-Christians too* : A Catholic may encounter tremendous generosity from the members of other communities. We should be able to say: “That is a good act. I thank God for it.” Recognition of goodness in another person does not diminish our own faith.

*D) Parents can apply this to children* : Sometimes parents compare: “Our child is better than their child.” Jesus teaches us not to turn even goodness into a competition. A child from another family may show greater generosity, discipline or kindness. Instead of jealousy: “Let us learn from that goodness.”

*E) In parish life, avoid “our group” mentality* There can easily be: 

Choir vs choir, 

Youth vs elders, 

Old members vs new members

One association vs another association

Parishioners vs outsiders

Luke 9 says: The Kingdom of God is bigger than our group. A person who contributes something beautiful should not be rejected because he or she is not part of “our circle.”

*F) In society, recognize the good wherever it appears* 

A doctor saves a life.

A police officer protects someone.

A teacher changes a child's future.

A neighbour helps a poor family.

A stranger returns a lost purse.

A person of another faith feeds the hungry.

We should have the humility to say: “There is goodness here.”

We do not lose anything by recognizing it.

*8) Good or Who did it? 

There is a danger even in religion: We can become more interested in defending our group than advancing God's Kingdom.

The disciples were not angry because the man was doing evil.

They were angry because: “He does not follow with us.”

That phrase can become a spiritual warning.

Sometimes our real problem is not: “Is this good?” but: “Who did it?”

Jesus says: Look first at the good being done, not merely at the identity of the person doing it.

“The disciples wanted to protect Jesus from outsiders; Jesus wanted to protect his disciples from exclusiveness.”

“Jesus is too big for our circle, God's goodness is too great for our group, and the Kingdom is too wide for our boundaries.”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Sinners in Heaven

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Sixth Week:  Sunday*

*Gospel :  Mt 21:28-32*

*First Reading : Ez 18:25-28*

*Responsorial Psalm : 25: 4-9*

*Second Reading : 2:1-11*

*Sinners in Heaven*

*1) The first son said “No,” but later said “Yes”*

The father said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” The son answered, “I will not.” But later he changed his mind and went.

This is the story of many sinners.

They may have said “No” to God through their lifestyle, choices or mistakes. But one day they experience conversion and say, “Yes, Lord.”

A delayed Yes is still a Yes. The door of God's Kingdom is not closed because our first answer was wrong.

*2) The second son said “Yes,” but never went*

The second son said, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go.

This represents people whose words are religious but whose lives are not.

They say: “I believe in God.” “I go to church.” “I pray.” “I know the Bible.” “I am a good Christian.”

But the real question is: Does my life say “Yes” to God?

Jesus is warning us against a Christianity that exists only in words.

*3) Why tax collectors and prostitutes?*

In Jesus' time, tax collectors were often despised because they were associated with exploitation and collaboration with the Roman system. Prostitutes were publicly regarded as immoral. Yet Jesus says that many of them believed John's message and repented.

The important word is “repented.”

Jesus is not saying: “Sin is acceptable.”

He is saying: “No sinner is beyond conversion.”

A person who has fallen badly but sincerely turns toward God may be spiritually closer to the Kingdom than someone who looks religious but refuses to change.

*4) The shocking logic: God looks at the direction of the person*

Imagine two people walking. 

One has walked 10 kilometres in the wrong direction but suddenly turns around and begins walking toward home.

The other has walked only one kilometre but continues confidently in the wrong direction.

Who is moving toward home? The first.

Similarly, God does not look only at where we have been. He also looks at where we are turning.

A sinner who turns toward God is on the road to the Kingdom.

*5) “First” does not necessarily mean “better”*

Jesus says they will enter “ahead of you.”  This is important. 

He is not creating a new hierarchy: “Prostitutes are better than religious people.”

Rather, He is confronting the religious leaders because they had received God's invitation but refused to respond.

The tragedy is not that the sinner has fallen.

The greater tragedy is: The sinner refuses to get up.

And another tragedy is: The righteous person thinks he has no need to change.

*6) The greatest danger: being a “respectable sinner”*

There are obvious sins that everybody can see.

But there are also hidden sins: pride, jealousy, resentment, unforgiveness, gossip, hypocrisy, superiority, judgmental attitudes, lack of compassion, spiritual pride.

A person may have a respectable appearance while carrying a wounded heart.

So Jesus turns the question toward us: “Am I the sinner who is changing, or the righteous person who refuses to change?”

*7) A beautiful paradox: Heaven is full of people who changed*

We sometimes imagine that the Kingdom of God is for people who never made mistakes.

The Gospel gives us another picture.

The Kingdom is filled with people who can say: 

“I was lost, but I came back.”

“I fell, but God's grace lifted me.”

“I said No, but eventually I said Yes.”

Peter denied Jesus—but returned.

Paul persecuted Christians—but became an apostle.

Matthew was a tax collector—but became a disciple.

The thief on the cross had a criminal past—but turned toward Jesus and received mercy.

The Gospel is therefore not: “Only good people can enter Heaven.” It is: “People who allow God's grace to transform them can enter the Kingdom.”

*8) Points to Ponder*

*A) God does not ask, “What was your first answer?”* : He asks: “What is your answer now?” Your past may say No. Your present can say Yes. Therefore, never say: “I have gone too far from God.” As long as you can turn back, the road home is open.

*B) The Church is not a museum of saints; it is a hospital for sinners* : We don't come to church because we are perfect. We come because we need healing. The person sitting beside us may have a difficult past—but may be sincerely changing. Therefore: Don't judge a person's past when God is working on his or her present.

*C) The danger of saying “Yes” too easily* : The second son teaches us that religious words are not enough. 

It is easy to say: “Yes, Father.” But God asks:  “Where are your feet?”

It is easy to say: “I forgive.” But have I actually forgiven?

It is easy to say: “I love God.” But how do I treat the person whom I dislike?

It is easy to say: “Thy will be done.” But what happens when God's will is different from mine?

*D) God can write a beautiful last chapter* : Perhaps someone has wasted many years. Perhaps a person has made serious mistakes. Perhaps a family has broken down.Perhaps someone has lived far from God.

But the last chapter has not yet been written. Conversion can happen even late in life.

Therefore: Never write a person's final story while God is still writing it.

*E) “Sinners in Heaven” begins with “sinners who repent”* 

The title can be provocative: “Sinners in Heaven!”

But the Gospel gives us the qualification: Not sinners who continue proudly in sin, but sinners who hear God's voice, repent and change.

The Kingdom is not a reward for perfect people.

It is the home of people who have allowed God's mercy to transform them.

*F) The question Jesus leaves us* : At the end of the Gospel, Jesus is not really asking us: “Are you the first son or the second son?”

He is asking something deeper: “What are you doing with the Father's invitation today?”

Because every morning God says: “My child, go and work in my vineyard.”

Perhaps yesterday we said No. Today we can still say: “Yes, Father.”

And the most important thing is not how loudly we say it, but whether we go.

The key is that Jesus is not praising sin. He is praising repentance, conversion and obedience.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What things were “cancelled” from the disciples?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Fifth Week:  Saturday*

*Gospel :  Luke 9:43-45*

*First Reading : Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8*

*Responsorial Psalm : 90: 3-6, 12-13, 17*

*What things were “cancelled” from the disciples?*

*1) What was “concealed” from the disciples?*

The disciples could not understand the mystery of the Cross. Just before this passage, they had witnessed Jesus' power in the healing of the boy possessed by an evil spirit. The crowd was amazed at the greatness of God (Lk 9:43). 

At precisely that moment of glory, Jesus tells them: “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”

They could not reconcile two things:

Jesus is powerful, yet He will allow Himself to be handed over.

Jesus is the Messiah, yet He will suffer.

Jesus brings victory, yet His victory will come through the Cross.

Jesus is Lord, yet He will become vulnerable in the hands of human beings.

The disciples were looking for glory; Jesus was preparing them for the Cross.

*2) Why was it concealed from them?*

The Gospel does not suggest that God wanted to keep the disciples ignorant forever. Rather, they were not yet ready to grasp the full meaning of Jesus' Passion.

Luke 9:45 says: “They did not understand this saying.”

Their problem was not merely lack of intelligence. Their expectations about the Messiah were different. They were still thinking in terms of power, success, honour and victory. In the following verses, they even argue about which of them was the greatest (Lk 9:46).

This is significant. Jesus is speaking about His suffering, while the disciples are thinking about their greatness.

*3) What is the purpose of this concealment?*

There is a spiritual lesson here: some truths can be understood only gradually.

God does not always reveal everything at once.

The disciples would understand the Cross more deeply after the Resurrection. What appeared to be defeat would later be understood as the way to salvation.

Therefore, faith sometimes means saying: “Lord, I do not understand now, but I trust You.” Understanding may come later.

*4) What does “the Son of Man will be delivered” mean?*

The word “delivered” is important.

Jesus will be: betrayed by one of His own, handed over to the authorities, rejected, mocked, condemned, crucified.

But there is a deeper mystery: Jesus freely accepts this path for our salvation.

The Cross is not simply something that happens to Jesus. It becomes something He accepts and offers in love.

This gives us an important distinction:

The Cross is not the celebration of suffering for its own sake.

The Cross is the revelation of love in the midst of suffering.

*5) Application to Life*

*A) We do not understand everything immediately*

There are moments when we ask: “Why is this happening to me?”

A sickness, failure, rejection, transfer, misunderstanding, loss, disappointment or unexpected change may make no sense at the moment.

Like the disciples, we may say: “Lord, I don't understand.”

Faith does not always give us an immediate explanation. Sometimes it gives us the strength to continue without one.

Can I trust God even when I cannot understand what He is doing?

*B) Behind apparent defeat, God may be working*

The disciples saw the Cross as something incompatible with Jesus' greatness.

But the Cross became the path to Resurrection.

We often measure life by immediate results: success, money, recognition, position, popularity, achievement.

God may see something deeper. What looks like defeat today may become an instrument of grace tomorrow.

*C) We want glory without the Cross*

This is perhaps one of the strongest messages of Luke 9.

The disciples wanted greatness, but Jesus was speaking about suffering.

We too may want: Resurrection without Good Friday, success without sacrifice,  victory without struggle, recognition without service, harvest without sowing.

But Christian discipleship follows the pattern of Christ: Cross → surrender → faithfulness → Resurrection.

*D) God's silence does not mean God's absence*

Sometimes God seems silent.

We pray, but there is no immediate answer.

We ask for direction, but the way remains unclear.

The disciples themselves did not understand what Jesus was telling them.

Yet Jesus continued walking with them.

When we do not understand God, we must not conclude that God has abandoned us.

The disciples did not understand the plan, but they were still walking with Jesus.

*E) Some truths are understood only through experience*

There are things we can explain intellectually, but there are other things we understand only by living them.

For example:

We understand forgiveness more deeply after being hurt.

We understand compassion after experiencing suffering.

We understand sacrifice after giving something up for another.

We understand God's faithfulness after passing through a difficult period.

We understand the Cross more deeply after carrying our own cross.

Experience can open the meaning that words alone cannot reveal.

*F) Do not judge the story before it is finished*

The disciples might have thought: “Jesus is going to suffer. Therefore, everything is going wrong.”

But they did not yet know the end of the story.

This is also true in our lives.

We often judge a chapter while God is still writing the book.

A difficult chapter is not necessarily the conclusion.

Do not make a permanent judgment about your life based on a temporary struggle.

*G) We need humility before God's mystery*

The disciples were unable to understand Jesus' words.

That teaches us something important: Faith is not having an answer to every question.

Sometimes faith means accepting: “I don't understand, but I believe that God is with me.”

There is humility in saying, “I don't know.”

*G) The Cross changes the meaning of suffering*

Christianity does not teach us to seek suffering.

Rather, when suffering comes, Christ teaches us how to transform it through love, faith and surrender.

A person may suffer because of illness, old age, loneliness, persecution, family problems or life's unexpected circumstances.

The question becomes: “Can I unite my suffering with Christ and allow it to become an offering of love?”

This gives suffering a different meaning.

The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying, but Jesus did not abandon them. He continued to walk with them until they were ready to understand.

“I may not understand what God is doing in my life today, but I can still trust that God is walking with me. The Cross may be a mystery now, but with God, the story does not end at the Cross.”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Raised on the third day

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Fifth Week:  Friday*

*Gospel :  Luke 9:18-22*

*First Reading : Ecclesiastes 3:1-11*

*Responsorial Psalm : 144: 1-4*

*Raised on the third day*

*1) Why the “third day”?*

*The third day is the day of God's intervention* : Throughout the Bible, the third day often becomes a moment when something decisive happens. For example:

Abraham sees the place where he will offer Isaac “on the third day” (Genesis 22:4).

Israel encounters God at Sinai on the third day (Exodus 19:16).

Jonah is delivered after three days (Jonah 1:17).

Esther approaches the king after fasting for three days (Esther 4:16–5:1).

Hosea speaks of God raising his people up “on the third day” (Hosea 6:2).

These passages should not all be treated as direct predictions of the resurrection. But together they establish a biblical pattern: The third day can be associated with waiting, crisis, and then God's decisive action. There is darkness, but God acts.

*2) The third day means that death is real—but not ultimate*

This is perhaps the most important point.

Jesus did not say: “I will suffer, but nothing serious will happen.”

He says that he will be rejected, suffer, be killed—and then be raised.

The resurrection doesn't make the suffering unreal. Rather: Suffering is real. Death is real. But neither has the final word.

That is the logic of the Gospel.

Christian hope is therefore not simply positive thinking. It is not: “Everything will be fine.” It is: “Even when something passes through death, God can bring forth new life.”

*3) Why not immediately?*

There is something spiritually profound about the waiting.

Jesus dies, and there is an interval before resurrection.

The disciples have to experience the apparent defeat.

This resembles many experiences in our own lives. We often want God to move immediately: 

“Lord, fix this now.”

“Give me an answer now.”

“Remove this suffering now.”

But the biblical pattern sometimes includes a third-day experience: a period in which we cannot yet see what God is doing.

The third day teaches us that God's silence is not necessarily God's absence.

There can be a time between: “It is finished” and “He is risen.”

*4) The “third day” and transformation*

Notice that resurrection is not simply Jesus returning to his previous life.

Lazarus, for example, was raised and eventually died again.

Jesus' resurrection is different. It is new, transformed life.

This gives us another spiritual principle: God does not always restore the old form; sometimes he brings forth something new.

That is important in our personal lives.

We may pray: “God, give me back exactly what I had.”

But sometimes God's work is not about restoring the past. It is about creating something new from what has been broken.

*5)  A “third day” experience in our lives*

We can use the phrase “third day” as a spiritual metaphor, while remembering that our experiences are not equivalent to Christ's resurrection.

There may be moments when: *First day*— something dies, A dream fails, A relationship changes, A plan collapses, A familiar identity disappears, Something we depended upon is taken away.

We may say: “This is the end.” 

*Second day* — we wait. Nothing seems to happen. We don't understand. Prayer feels unanswered. We cannot see the future. This can be the hardest period.

*Third day*— new possibility appears. 

Eventually, something begins to emerge: a new understanding, a new direction, reconciliation, greater freedom, a new vocation, deeper faith, or simply the ability to live again with hope.

The “third day” is therefore a reminder: Don't interpret the whole story from the middle of the story.

*6) But we should be careful*

We should not use the “third day” idea to tell suffering people: “Don't worry; everything will definitely work out exactly as you want.”

The resurrection does not mean every earthly problem receives the ending we desire.

Sometimes people pray for healing and do not receive physical healing.

Sometimes relationships are not restored.

Sometimes a dream genuinely dies.

Christian hope is deeper than the promise that every earthly situation will have a happy ending.

The resurrection promises that God's life is stronger than death, and that ultimately death itself does not have the final word.

*7) Third day - Cross → waiting → resurrection life*

The disciples hear Jesus predict his suffering immediately after Peter says: “You are the Christ of God.”

This means we have to allow Jesus to define what Messiahship means.

Peter seems to understand: Messiah = power, victory, glory.

Jesus teaches: Messiah = suffering, self-giving, death, resurrection.

And then, in the verses immediately following Luke 9:22, Jesus says that those who follow him must also deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow him (Luke 9:23).

So the “third day” cannot be separated from the cross.

Christian discipleship has the shape: Cross → waiting → resurrection life. Or: surrender → death to self → new life.

*8) What might this mean for daily life?*

*A) Don't call something “the end” too quickly* : Sometimes we experience a painful event and immediately conclude: “My life is finished.” The resurrection challenges that conclusion. Ask: “Is this really the end, or am I still somewhere between Friday and Sunday?” 

*B) Learn to live through the waiting* : The second day is uncomfortable because nothing seems to be happening. We want answers. But spiritual maturity includes learning to say: “I don't understand what God is doing, but I don't have to understand everything today.” Faith sometimes means remaining faithful before seeing the outcome.

*C) Let some things die* : There are things in us that may need to die: pride, resentment, the need to control everything, an unhealthy attachment, an old image of ourselves, fear of what others think, the demand that life happen according to our plan. 

We can pray: “Lord, what needs to die in me so that something new can live?”

That is a very deep way of understanding the Paschal mystery.

*D) Resurrection begins with surrender* : Jesus does not avoid the cross by trying to control the outcome. He entrusts himself to the Father. This challenges us: Can I surrender what I cannot control? Sometimes resurrection begins not when we find an answer, but when we finally say: “Father, I place this in your hands.”

*E) Don't confuse God's silence with God's absence* : The disciples on Holy Saturday had no idea what Sunday would bring. From their perspective, everything had collapsed. But God was not absent. This can become a powerful prayer during difficult periods: “Lord, I cannot see the third day yet, but help me trust that you are still at work.”

*9) A deeper way to see the “third day”*

Perhaps we can summarize the Christian meaning this way:

The first day: Something happens that we cannot accept.

The second day: We live through the darkness without understanding.

The third day: God reveals that death was not the final reality.

And this becomes a pattern of Christian existence: We die to something, we wait, and God brings forth life.

Not necessarily the life we imagined.

Not necessarily according to our timetable. But new life.

“I may not yet see the third day, but I can remain faithful in the second day.”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Perplexed Powerful Herod

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Fifth Week:  Thursday*

*Gospel :  Luke 9: 7-9*

*First Reading : Ecclesiastes 1:2-11*

*Responsorial Psalm : 90: 3-17*

*The Perplexed Powerful Herod*

*1) Power could not give Herod peace*

Herod had authority over Galilee. People had to listen to him. He had soldiers, a palace and political influence.

But when he heard about Jesus, he became perplexed.

This shows us something important: Power can control people, but it cannot always control the conscience.

A person may have:

money, but no peace;

position, but no security;

authority, but no inner freedom;

people around him, but still be afraid inside.

We often think, “If I become powerful, I will have no fear.” Herod teaches us that external power does not automatically produce internal peace.

*2) What really shook Herod? — The return of John*

Herod heard different opinions:

Some said, “John has been raised from the dead.”

Others said, “Elijah has appeared.”

Others said, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

But why did these possibilities trouble him so much?

Because John was already dead—and Herod knew his own connection with John's death.

John had confronted Herod about his immoral relationship with Herodias. Herod had imprisoned John and eventually had him executed.

Now Herod hears about Jesus and wonders:

“Who is this? Could John have returned?”

The past suddenly came alive in the present.

*3) Herod was not merely confused; he was disturbed*

There is a difference between curiosity and conscience.

Herod was curious about Jesus, but he was also disturbed by what Jesus represented.

Jesus' presence reminded him of John's voice.

The voice he had tried to silence had not really disappeared.

This is a powerful spiritual truth:

You can silence a person, but you cannot always silence the truth.

You can close someone's mouth, but the truth may continue speaking through your conscience.

*4) The dead John was still speaking*

This is perhaps the strongest point.

John was physically dead. But his message was alive.

Herod may have thought: “I got rid of John.”

But suddenly the ministry of Jesus brought John's message back before him.

There are truths we try to bury: 

an apology we know we should make;

a sin we refuse to correct;

a relationship we have damaged;

an injustice we have committed;

a responsibility we have avoided;

a voice that once challenged us.

We may push these things away, but sometimes one event brings everything back.

The conscience has a long memory.

*5) Herod was powerful outside but powerless inside*

This is the great irony of the passage.

Herod could imprison John, but he could not imprison his own conscience.

He could command soldiers, but he could not command his thoughts.

He could sit on a throne, but he could not escape the question: “Who is Jesus?”

That is why Luke's picture is so striking.

The king is perplexed.

The preacher is dead.

Jesus is alive and at work.

The apparent power belongs to Herod, but the real spiritual power is with Jesus.

*6) Herod had questions, but he did not surrender*

Luke 9:9 says: “But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he sought to see him.”

Notice something interesting.

Herod wanted to see Jesus, but wanting to see Jesus is not the same as wanting to follow Jesus.

Later, in Luke 23:8, Herod is delighted to see Jesus because he hopes Jesus will perform some sign.

So Herod's curiosity does not automatically become conversion.

A person can be fascinated by Jesus without surrendering to Jesus.

This is very relevant today.

We can: listen to homilies, watch religious videos, read the Bible, attend religious programmes, discuss Jesus, and still refuse to change our lives.

Curiosity about Jesus is not yet discipleship.

*7) Why was Herod especially perplexed?*

We can see at least five things that shook him:

*His past* : John's death was connected with his own actions.

*The power of Jesus* : Jesus was doing things that Herod could not explain.

*The people's response* : People were talking about Jesus everywhere.

*The question of identity* : “Who is this?”

*The possibility that truth cannot be killed* : John's voice seemed to have returned through the ministry surrounding Jesus.

*8) Application to Our Life*

*A) What is making me perplexed?* 

Sometimes our anxiety is not caused only by circumstances.

Sometimes something inside us is unsettled.

When we become unusually disturbed by a particular person, word, Gospel passage or situation, we can ask:

“What is this revealing about me?”

*B) Don't silence the voice that challenges you* 

Some people avoid anyone who corrects them.

They want only people who say: “You are right.”

But John was valuable precisely because he told Herod what Herod did not want to hear.

A person who corrects us honestly may be more valuable than a person who constantly praises us.

*C) The past can become a teacher—or a prison* 

Herod's past haunted him.

Our past can also do one of two things: 

Repentance can turn the past into a lesson.

Refusal to repent can turn the past into a prison.

The Christian response is not to run away from the past, but to bring it honestly before God.

*D) Power does not remove vulnerability* 

Sometimes we admire powerful people and imagine that they have no problems.

Luke shows us otherwise.

The powerful can be perplexed.

The rich can be anxious.

The successful can be empty.

The respected can be afraid.

Therefore, our security cannot ultimately come from position, money or influence.

*E) Jesus can disturb us for a good reason*

Sometimes we say: “This Gospel is disturbing me.”

Perhaps that is precisely what it is supposed to do.

The Gospel does not always come to make us comfortable.

Sometimes it comes to ask: “What must change in your life?”

A disturbed conscience can become the beginning of conversion—if we listen.

“Herod could silence John’s voice, but he could not silence John’s message.”

“Lord Jesus, when Your Word disturbs me, do not let me run away. Give me the courage to listen, repent, change and follow You.”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Journey Without a Staff, Bag, Bread, Money and Extra Tunic

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Fifth Week:  Wednesday*

*Gospel :  Luke 9:1-6*

*First Reading : Proverbs 30:5-9*

*Responsorial Psalm : 119: 29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163*

*Journey Without a Staff, Bag, Bread, Money and Extra Tunic*

*1) No Staff — Do not depend on your own strength*

A staff was useful for walking, protection and support.

Jesus seems to say: “Your mission cannot depend only on what you carry in your hand.”

The staff can represent our own strength, experience, influence and security.

“I know how to handle this.”

“I have enough experience.”

“I have contacts.”

“I can manage everything.”

Jesus sends the disciples without their usual support.

Sometimes God deliberately takes away our “staff” so that we discover that God Himself is our support.

The missionary may walk without a staff because he knows who walks with him.

*2) No Bag — Do not carry unnecessary burdens*

A bag carries things we think we may need.

Spiritually, our bags can become very heavy:

past failures,

resentments,

unnecessary possessions,

fear about tomorrow,

desire for recognition,

excessive planning,

“What will people say?”

Jesus says: Travel light. A person carrying too much cannot move freely.

Mission requires freedom. The more attached we become to possessions, reputation and comfort, the more difficult it becomes to move where God sends us.

A heavy bag can become a heavy heart.

*3) No Bread — Learn to receive*

Bread represents basic nourishment and daily needs.

Jesus is not saying that bread is bad. He is teaching the disciples: “You are not self-sufficient.”

The missionary must sometimes become a receiver as well as a giver.

This is very important. A priest, religious, teacher, social worker or pastoral worker may spend much of life giving—giving time, advice, prayer, money, energy and service.

But mission also requires the humility to receive hospitality, kindness and help from others.

Sometimes we want to be so independent that we never allow another person to help us.

The Gospel worker must know not only how to give bread, but also how to receive bread with gratitude.

*4) No Money — Mission is not a business*

Money provides security.

Jesus sends the disciples without it because the mission should not begin with the question: “What will I get?” but with:“What can I give?”

This does not mean that the Church does not need financial resources. Churches, schools, hospitals and charitable institutions obviously require money to function.

The deeper lesson is that money must remain a means, not become the foundation of mission.

When money becomes the measure of success, the Gospel can slowly become secondary.

Money can support mission, but money cannot become the reason for mission.

*5) No Extra Tunic — Be satisfied with enough*

The extra tunic represents excess. One tunic is enough for the journey.

This challenges today's culture of: “One is not enough; I need one more.”

One phone → another phone.

One dress → another dress.

One vehicle → another vehicle.

One house → another house.

One position → another position.

Jesus teaches the disciples the spirituality of “enough.”

The question is not: “How much can I carry?” but: “How little do I need in order to serve freely?”

*6) Why Did Jesus Ask for Such Simplicity?*

*A) To teach dependence on God* : The disciples cannot say: “We succeeded because we had enough resources.” They must learn: “We succeeded because God sent us.”

*B) To make them dependent on relationships* : If they have no food, money or extra clothing, they must receive hospitality. Therefore, mission becomes relational. They cannot simply enter a village, complete a task and leave. They must meet people, trust people, listen to people and live among people. This is important for today's pastoral ministry.

*C) To prevent mission from becoming comfortable* : Comfort is not sinful. But excessive comfort can weaken missionary urgency. Jesus does not send them as tourists. He sends them as missionaries. A missionary carries the Gospel more than luggage.

*D) To teach urgency* : The disciples have been sent. There is work to do. They should not spend too much time preparing themselves for every possible difficulty. Sometimes our preparation becomes a substitute for mission. We keep saying: “When I have enough money…” “When I have better facilities…” “When I have more people…” “When everything is ready…” Jesus says, in effect: “Go.”

*F) To make God's providence visible* : If the disciples arrive with everything they need, people may never discover their responsibility to participate. But when the disciples accept hospitality, the people themselves become part of the mission. The missionary brings the Gospel; the community provides hospitality; God provides the fruit. 

*7) How Practical Is This Today?*

We should not interpret Luke 9:1–6 as a literal rule that every missionary must own no money, no bag or no extra clothing.

The principle is more important than the physical objects.

Today a missionary may need: a mobile phone, transportation,   medicine, money, documents, books, clothes, technology, accommodation.

These things are not automatically contrary to the Gospel.

The question is: Do I possess these things, or do these things possess me?That is the contemporary challenge.

*For priests and pastoral workers* : A priest can ask: “How much of what I carry is really necessary for my mission?” 

Not only in a suitcase, but also in the heart: Do I carry unnecessary ego? Do I carry old conflicts? Do I carry the need to be appreciated? Do I carry fear of criticism? Do I carry excessive attachment to comfort? Do I carry the desire for control?

*For families* : The Gospel challenges consumerism. Children can learn: “We don't need everything we want.” There is a difference between need and want.

*For young people* : The message is particularly relevant in a world of constant upgrading. Jesus asks: “Can you be happy with enough?” Freedom is not having everything. Freedom is not needing everything.

Jesus did not send the Twelve empty because He wanted them to suffer. He sent them light because He wanted them to depend on God, trust people and concentrate on the mission.

“The less they carried in their hands, the more they had to carry in their hearts: faith, trust, courage and the Gospel.”

“Jesus did not ask them to carry nothing; He asked them to carry what matters.”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Mother and Brothers Outside — Mother and Brothers Inside

GOSPEL THOUGHTS*

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Fifth Week:  Tuesday*

*Gospel :  Luke 8:19-21*

*First Reading : Proverbs 21:1-6; 10-13*

*Responsorial Psalm : 119: 1, 27, 30, 34-35, 44*

*Mother and Brothers Outside — Mother and Brothers Inside*

*1) The Contrast*

Luke says: “His mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. Your Mother and your Brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you”

Then Jesus says: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

*2) “Outside” does not mean “unloved”*

Mary and the relatives are physically outside the crowd. Jesus does not say they are spiritually outside.

This is important : Physical distance is not always spiritual distance. Physical closeness is not always spiritual closeness.

A person may sit very close to Jesus in church and still be far from His Word. Another person may be physically far away but live faithfully according to His Word.

The real question is not, “How close am I to the church?” The deeper question is, “How close is my life to the Word of God?”

*3) The “outside” people can become “inside” people*

Jesus gives the way to move from outside to inside: “Hear the Word of God and do it.”

The door into Jesus' family is not locked. It is opened by hearing and doing.

A person who listens to God's Word but does not act remains at the level of the crowd.

A person who hears and puts it into practice becomes part of Jesus' family.

Hearing → Accepting → Doing → Belonging

*4) Jesus changes the meaning of “family”*

Normally, family is determined by blood relationship.

Jesus introduces a deeper family: Family according to the flesh → Family according to faith

The question becomes:

Do you hear what Jesus says?

Do you forgive because He asks you to forgive?

Do you love because He asks you to love?

Do you serve because He asks you to serve?

Do you remain faithful when it is difficult?

This is the family resemblance Jesus wants.

The members of Jesus' family are recognized not by their surname, but by their obedience to God's Word.

*5) Mary herself is the perfect example*

There is a beautiful irony here.

Mary is physically outside the house, but she is spiritually one of the closest people to Jesus. Why?

Because Mary had already lived the principle Jesus describes: “Let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Mary did not merely hear God's Word. She accepted it and lived it.

Therefore, when Jesus says, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it,” Mary is actually one of the greatest examples of what He means.

Mary is not excluded by Jesus' words; she is confirmed by them.

*6) There are two kinds of “outside”*

We can be outside in place, or outside in heart.

Someone may be: Outside the church but inside God's will.

And someone may be: Inside the church but outside God's will.

This is a challenging examination of conscience.

Coming to Mass is important.

Receiving the sacraments is important.

Being active in parish life is important.

But Jesus asks something deeper: “What are you doing with the Word you hear?”

*7) The crowd can become a barrier*

There is another interesting detail: “They could not reach him because of the crowd.”

The crowd was physically preventing Jesus' family from reaching Him.

This can become a powerful symbol for our lives.

What are the crowds that prevent us from coming closer to Jesus?

Too much busyness

Mobile phones

Social media

Entertainment

Money

Anxiety

Anger

Ego

Unforgiveness

Worldly priorities

Sometimes Jesus is near, but our crowd is too large.

The greatest obstacle between us and Jesus may not be distance; it may be the crowd we carry within us.

*8) “Hearing” alone is not enough*

Luke deliberately uses two actions: 

Hear + Do. 

Not merely: Hear + Discuss

Not: Hear + Admire

Not: Hear + Preach

But: Hear + Do.

We can hear hundreds of Gospel passages and still remain unchanged.

A person can know the Bible very well but fail to forgive.

A person can speak beautifully about charity but ignore a person in need.

A person can preach humility but seek praise.

A person can speak about prayer but never pray.

Jesus moves us from information to transformation.

*9) The Gospel creates a new family*

The Church is not simply a gathering of people who occupy the same building.

It is a family formed around the Word of God.

Therefore, when we come to Mass, we are not merely attending a programme.

We are coming as brothers and sisters around Jesus.

The person sitting beside me may belong to a different family, language, caste, age group, profession or background—but through Christ, we become one family.

Blood creates one kind of family. The Gospel creates another.

*10) Application to Life*

Every day God gives us opportunities to hear His Word.

Someone hurts us → “Forgive.”

Someone needs help → “Serve.”

Someone insults us → “Do not repay evil with evil.”

Someone is lonely → “Reach out.”

We are tempted → “Choose what is right.”

Someone needs encouragement → “Speak a word of life.”

The moment we obey the Word, we move from being merely listeners of Jesus to becoming members of His family.

“The distance from Jesus is not measured in metres; it is measured by our response to His Word.”

“Jesus does not ask, ‘Who is sitting near Me?’ He asks, ‘Who is living My Word?’”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

*1) The Contrast*

Luke says: “His mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. Your Mother and your Brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you”

Then Jesus says: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

*2) “Outside” does not mean “unloved”*

Mary and the relatives are physically outside the crowd. Jesus does not say they are spiritually outside.

This is important : Physical distance is not always spiritual distance. Physical closeness is not always spiritual closeness.

A person may sit very close to Jesus in church and still be far from His Word. Another person may be physically far away but live faithfully according to His Word.

The real question is not, “How close am I to the church?” The deeper question is, “How close is my life to the Word of God?”

*3) The “outside” people can become “inside” people*

Jesus gives the way to move from outside to inside: “Hear the Word of God and do it.”

The door into Jesus' family is not locked. It is opened by hearing and doing.

A person who listens to God's Word but does not act remains at the level of the crowd.

A person who hears and puts it into practice becomes part of Jesus' family.

Hearing → Accepting → Doing → Belonging

*4) Jesus changes the meaning of “family”*

Normally, family is determined by blood relationship.

Jesus introduces a deeper family: Family according to the flesh → Family according to faith

The question becomes:

Do you hear what Jesus says?

Do you forgive because He asks you to forgive?

Do you love because He asks you to love?

Do you serve because He asks you to serve?

Do you remain faithful when it is difficult?

This is the family resemblance Jesus wants.

The members of Jesus' family are recognized not by their surname, but by their obedience to God's Word.

*5) Mary herself is the perfect example*

There is a beautiful irony here.

Mary is physically outside the house, but she is spiritually one of the closest people to Jesus. Why?

Because Mary had already lived the principle Jesus describes: “Let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Mary did not merely hear God's Word. She accepted it and lived it.

Therefore, when Jesus says, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it,” Mary is actually one of the greatest examples of what He means.

Mary is not excluded by Jesus' words; she is confirmed by them.

*6) There are two kinds of “outside”*

We can be outside in place, or outside in heart.

Someone may be: Outside the church but inside God's will.

And someone may be: Inside the church but outside God's will.

This is a challenging examination of conscience.

Coming to Mass is important.

Receiving the sacraments is important.

Being active in parish life is important.

But Jesus asks something deeper: “What are you doing with the Word you hear?”

*7) The crowd can become a barrier*

There is another interesting detail: “They could not reach him because of the crowd.”

The crowd was physically preventing Jesus' family from reaching Him.

This can become a powerful symbol for our lives.

What are the crowds that prevent us from coming closer to Jesus?

Too much busyness

Mobile phones

Social media

Entertainment

Money

Anxiety

Anger

Ego

Unforgiveness

Worldly priorities

Sometimes Jesus is near, but our crowd is too large.

The greatest obstacle between us and Jesus may not be distance; it may be the crowd we carry within us.

*8) “Hearing” alone is not enough*

Luke deliberately uses two actions: 

Hear + Do. 

Not merely: Hear + Discuss

Not: Hear + Admire

Not: Hear + Preach

But: Hear + Do.

We can hear hundreds of Gospel passages and still remain unchanged.

A person can know the Bible very well but fail to forgive.

A person can speak beautifully about charity but ignore a person in need.

A person can preach humility but seek praise.

A person can speak about prayer but never pray.

Jesus moves us from information to transformation.

*9) The Gospel creates a new family*

The Church is not simply a gathering of people who occupy the same building.

It is a family formed around the Word of God.

Therefore, when we come to Mass, we are not merely attending a programme.

We are coming as brothers and sisters around Jesus.

The person sitting beside me may belong to a different family, language, caste, age group, profession or background—but through Christ, we become one family.

Blood creates one kind of family. The Gospel creates another.

*10) Application to Life*

Every day God gives us opportunities to hear His Word.

Someone hurts us → “Forgive.”

Someone needs help → “Serve.”

Someone insults us → “Do not repay evil with evil.”

Someone is lonely → “Reach out.”

We are tempted → “Choose what is right.”

Someone needs encouragement → “Speak a word of life.”

The moment we obey the Word, we move from being merely listeners of Jesus to becoming members of His family.

“The distance from Jesus is not measured in metres; it is measured by our response to His Word.”

“Jesus does not ask, ‘Who is sitting near Me?’ He asks, ‘Who is living My Word?’”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*