Have I lost, what God has given Me?*

Gospel Thoughts*

*Easter Season : 3rd Week - Saturday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 6:60-69*

*First Reading - Acts 9:31-42*

*Have I lost, what God has given Me?*

*Am I returning very often to the former ways of Life?*

*Many of his disciples returned to their former way of life*

*1) Many of the disciples returned to their former ways of life*

The Gospel of the day makes it very clear that many of the disciples returned back to their former ways of Life. The reasons are the following 

A) They felt that the teaching of Jesus is very hard. So who can accept it. So they left Jesus and returned to their former ways of life 

B) No one can come to Jesus unless it is granted him by my Father. So they found very difficult to understand these things 

C) Their disbelief. They didn't have belief in what Jesus was speaking. They were looking everything from the worldly standards, but Jesus was speaking to them from the spiritual point of view, which they didn't believe and felt it is very vague

*2) The disciples followed Jesus with great vigour*

All those who returned to their former ways of life, initially followed Jesus with great vigour and enthusiasm

But gradually they lost their vigour and enthusiasm, because of the challenges which they had to face inorder to follow Jesus 

When there were hardships they simply left, without making any  efforts to follow Jesus 

So their vigour and enthusiasm was based only on immediate benefits and favours. 

When they realised that they had to make sacrifices and face challenges they backed off.

*3) Following Jesus with New vigour and enthusiasm*

This particular attitude is seen many times in our life 

Specially when we have special liturgical seasons. For examples the season of Lent, the season of Advent, New year and other various important events in our lives 

These above seasons or events motivate us to take diffident challenges to change our life and to follow Jesus very closely

When we decide we do it with great vigour and enthusiasm, but gradually we lose interest because of lack of conviction or because of the challenges 

So once again we go back the the former ways of life and we forget the new way of life 

*4) Returning to the former ways of life - A constant struggle*

All of us go through this struggle 

We make lots of resolutions, decisions and we find difficult and go back to our old way of life 

So coming back to new way of life and returning to the old way of life is a constant struggle in our life 

No one can deny this struggle in ones life 

*5) How do I face this struggle?*

First of all we need to become aware of the situation that we have gone back to the old way of life 

Unless we realise it we can't come back to the new way of life 

If so, do I realise some times that my return to the former ways of life? 

When I realise what is my response? Do I try to come back or do I ignore this realisation? 

*6) What about After Lenten season?*

Lenten season makes all of us to adapt a new way of life and we take lots of care to follow the spirit of lent 

But what about after lent? Have I already returned to the former ways of my life, because I find it so difficult to follow these resolutions in my day today life? 

During this season of Easter how far I am able to practice the new way of life in my life? 

*Think about it*

*Returning to the former ways of life is one of the important aspects of our life, which we can't ignore* It needs more attention to live our life in the new way of life.

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*