To go to our Home town we need a boat, to Cross to the other Side

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week -  Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 9:1-8*

*First Reading - Gn 22:1b-19*

*To go to our Home town we need a boat, to Cross to the other Side*

*1)  Jesus uses the boat to cross and come to His own town*

The Gospel of the day makes it very clear that, Jesus was on the other side the river

He uses a boat to cross to the river and comes to His own town 

We need to pay attention to the event of crossing, using of the Boat and coming to His Own town 

This event has very powerful message in our lives, and a deep spiritual insight.

*2) Our Home town - Earth or Heaven?*

St Paul says *"our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ"*

This earth and earthly dwelling is only a temporary place to dwell 

Only for few years we live here. But we don't have the permanent citizenship here on this earth

Since we belong to heaven and our permanent citizenship belongs there, heaven is our Home Town 

So to this Home town we are suppose to reach, that is the real mission and goal of our life.

*3) We need to Cross from this side to the other*

As we know our life is a pilgrimage from this world to the heavenly abode 

This world is like a great river, and we are on this side of the river, need to cross to the other side 

So our life is meant for crossing from this side to the other side 

*4) We need a boat to cross the river*

As Jesus used boat to cross the other side of the river, we to need some boat to cross from this world to the other side, that is the heaven 

As Christians, Jesus has given us many boats to get into and to cross the other side 

Some of the following things can be considered as boats 

The boat of Christian Faith 

The boat of Eucharist

The boat of confession

The boat of the Word of God

The boat of Sacraments

The boat of commandments

The boat of forgiveness

The boat of sacrifice

The boat of love 

The boat of sincerity

The boat of generosity

The boat of humility

The boat of Truth and Justice 

Apart from these there are also other powerful boats which are to be used by Christians

One who gets into these boats, definitely will be able to cross to the other side, by facing all the challenges and will reach to his/her own home town without any problem

*5) What about my life?*

Is my boat of my life sailing in the right direction?

Have I started my journey or yet to start, to my destiny? 

What are the boats which I am using right Now in order to cross to the other side, so as to reach my home town? 

Do I need to change my boats? If so how can I do it? 

*Check your journey, direction, and also the boat*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The tragedy of asking some one to leave because of His/Her good deeds

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week -  Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 8:28-34*

*First Reading - Gn 21:5, 8-20a*

*The tragedy of asking some one to leave because of His/Her good deeds*

*They begged him to leave their district*

*1) Jesus was asked to leave the District - Why?*

The last sentence of the Gospel, clearly states that the people of the district came to Jesus and asked him to Leave 

There are two things happened

First of all : Herd of swine died, after the demons entered into them 

Secondly : Those two person who were possessed with the demons were set free and now they were normal people 

So Jesus did something good. He set free those who were possessed with the demons 

For doing such a great deed people came and asked Him to leave the district 

*2) People were immersed in their pig business and not the wellbeing of the person*

People saw only profit and their gain 

Here some people lost their business in terms of those pigs. So they saw only their selfish motives and not the wellbeing of the other 

Once one is immered in money and only making profit, he/she does not care about the others or their wellbeing. Only money rules and that becomes everything 

*3) Wellbeing of the others always demands some sacrifice*

One can't think of the  wellbeing of the other without any sacrifice 

Even in the Gospel it is very clear; the casting out demons from those two persons, resulted the death of some pigs. 

Unless people are ready to make that sacrifice, one can't expect the wellbeing of the other 

So *sacrifice* is at the centre of the wellbeing of the other 

*4) The tragedy continues even Today*

When we our society today, this is one of the most tragedies of our time 

Those people who try to do some good work, who try to put some order or bring some discipline, either they are targeted or they are silenced or they are transferred

There are few hands behind these such kinds of nasty things, because their selfish interests are challenged, and their immoral and illegal activities are challenged 

So the people who are doing good, are asked to leave the place 

*5) As Christians, we are witnnesing this fact today, more than ever*

Christianity is known for its good deeds, in terms of service to the marginalized people, health care, and educating the most deprived of the society

For doing such a good and noble tasks, Christian missionaries are targeted, beaten up, asked to vacate the place or to stop the good work 

This is happening all over the world today and in our own surroundings 

So what has happened to Jesus, the same things are happening to their followers too 

*6) What happens when the good work is stopped?*

Stopping the good work is the biggest tragedy of the world today 

As a result, many of the people who could benefit are deprived of the benefits 

As a result the society still remains in the pig business, which ultimately sickens every one 

Even those people who are interested only in selfish motives and try to stop the good work, will not benefit in any way 

Ultimately every one will lose the benefit of the good work, which could have enjoyed by every one 

*7) What about me?*

How do I see the good works by some one else? Do I consider them as threat for my selfish motives? 

Am I ready to sacrifice something for the sake of the wellbeing of the other? 

Have I become responsible any time for stopping the good work in my surroundings? 

How do I cooperate with those who try to do something good in our society? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What are the Keys of the Kingdom Heaven, Which are given to me?🗝️

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week -  Tuesday*

*🌹Solemnity of St Peter & St Paul, Apostles 🌹*

*GOSPEL - Mt 16:13-19*

*First Reading - Acts 12:1-11*

*SECOND READING - 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18*

*🗝️What are the Keys of the Kingdom Heaven, Which are given to me?🗝️*

*1)🔑 Importance of the Key🔑*

We know what is key and its importance.

Key is first of all necessary to open something which is closed and to enter into something

Keys will help us to keep the things in a secure place, so that the thieves or robbers may not be able to steal 

Keys will keep the things in a hidden place and it always creates a suspense in the things which are inside 

One who has the key is considered to a king/superior/leader/head/in charge /Responsible person 

One who does not have a key is powerless, inferior, slave, etc 

*2) Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven*🗝️🔑

Jesus is not speaking of the earthly keys. He is speaking about the heavenly keys. 

When we reflect about the Life of Jesus, we come to know the different aspects of the heavenly keys, which could be understood in the following way 

The Key of Prayer

The key of  Christian Faith 

The key of  Forgiveness

The Key of Courage 

The Key of Love 

The Key of Sacrifice

The Key of Healing 

The Key of generosity

The Key of Humility

The key of the power of prayer

The key of working miracles

The Key of Holiness 

The Key of the Holy Spirit

The Key of speaking in Tongues 

The key of bearing witness to Christ 

The Key of Martyrdom

*3) St Peter and St Paul and the keys of the Kingdom*🔑🗝️

As we celebrate the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul, it is very important to know what are the keys, which were given to these Apostles 

The Key of proclaiming Christ 

The key of Courage 

The key of giving witness to Christ

The key of working miracles

The key of speaking in Tongues 

The key of martyrdom

The key of the main pillars of the Church 

The key of burning lamps 

The key of making disciples to Jesus 

The key of facing any type of persecution

The key of tremendous Knowledge

The key of humility

The key of strong determination

The key of truth 

The key of sainthood 

*4) 🗝️The need of the Key of kingdom of heaven🗝️🔑*

As we know that even in our daily life, unless we have a key, we can't open something and take the things out or we can't enter into our houses 

Likewise unless we have above spiritual keys we can't open the doors of heaven in order to enter 

So God has already given varieties of keys as we live here, to practice how to use these keys to open the doors of the kingdom of Heaven 

We need to posses these keys and when our times comes we need to use these keys to enter into heaven 

*5) What are the Keys, I have in my life?*🔑🔑

When we reflect about the various spiritual keys from the life of Jesus, it is very important to know which are the keys I possess

The more the keys I posses richer I become. The less keys I have, lesser the chances of getting into heaven 

So reflect about your own life to find out which are the keys you have in your Life? 

*6) Have I lost any of the keys of the Kingdom?*🔑🔑

What about the keys of forgiveness, peace, love, humility, generosity, faithfulness, sacrifice, service, concern for others, sharing, prayer, holiness, discipline etc.

Have I lost any of these? 🗝️🔑🗝️🔑

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

How to understand "Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week -  Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 8:18-22*

*First Reading - Gn 18:16-33*

*How to understand "Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”*

*1) It is not that his Father is already dead*

When he speaks about the burial of his father, it is not that his father is dead and he has to do the necessary things for funeral 

He is speaking about the death of his father in the future. So once that is done he will come and follow Jesus 

So Jesus is not against the burial of the dead, if he has to do it immediately

*2) He may live for some more years*

Since his father is living now, no one knows how many years he will live 

It may be 10 years or 20 years or may be more 

So this person is indirectly saying, now he can't follow Jesus. Once his father dies he will follow Jesus 

Accordingly he may have to wait for 10 or 20 or more years 

So this is issues involved here when he says *Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”*

*3) The aspect of inheritance and financial security*

The person is also thinking about his father's inheritance and his share which will come from his father 

So he is more interested in the material things like property, wealth and money which he will get it from his father after his death 

So behind the death of his father there lies the greed for material things 

*4) This appears as an excuse to escape from the responsibility*

The burial of his father, appears as a simple excuse to Jesus' call for following him 

It is very clear from his gesture that he is not interested in following Jesus. Since he could not say it, he gives the excuse of the  burial of his father and tries to escape from the responsibility

*5) Misplaced priorities*

The attitude of the person clearly shows the misplaced priorities in his life 

More than the spiritual things he was after the material things, which he wanted to possess. 

This shows that his priorities  for material things and not for spiritual things 

*6) The concept of death/dead*

Let the dead bury their own dead 

Here the *dead* is applicable to those 

who are dead to the spiritual things 

Who are dead to the simplicity of life 

Who are dead to giving up everything in order to follow Jesus 

Who are dead to the sacrifice, love, commitment, service, desire for greater and heavenly things etc 

Once a person is dead to the above things, he becomes useless or like a dead person 

When a person is still alive but dead to the good things he is almost like a dead person, that is the greatest tragedy of ones life 

*7) What about my life?*

What answers do I have when Jesus tells me *Come and follow me?*

What is my attitude when the situation comes to give up everything and follow Jesus?

Do I have excuse like *Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”?*

What is my attachment to the worldly things?

As a living person have I already dead to spiritual things and kingdom values?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Woman's Deep Faith, Courage, determination and Humility were responsible for the Miracle

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week -  Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43*

*First Reading - Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24*

*SECOND READING - 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15*

*Woman's Deep Faith, Courage, determination and Humility were responsible for the Miracle* 

*1) The Condition of the Woman*

The woman was afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.

For Twelve years, She had suffered a lot under many doctor, spending all her earnings, but in vain 

Instead of getting better her condition was worse. 

So her health condition was terrible and which bothered her a lot 

*2) The beautiful side of this suffering Woman*

In spite of all these sufferings, she had not lost hope. She was confident that one day she will be cured of her sickness 

That is one of the reasons why she tried for 12 years the treatment 

Apart from the medical treatment, she also believed in the power of prayer. This is one of the reasons why she approached Jesus 

She had only heard about Jesus, but then it was enough for her to approach Jesus 

*3) The depth of her Faith*

She does not come and explain about her sickness to Jesus 

She didn't explain that she suffered for 12 years and now she has nothing to spend for further treatment 

She didn't come in front of Jesus to capture his attention and to ask for the healing 

With deep faith she only follows in the crowd 

It was enough for her to touch the clothes of Jesus to get well 

Nothing else was needed. This shows the depth of her faith.

*4) The Courage of the Woman*

The woman's courage was great, because

- In spite of her ill health she came to meet Jesus 

- In the public place, touching a well known person, that to a meal was unthinkable 

- To make her way through the crowd needed a lot of courage to protect herself from the crowd 

- Finally we can say that only her courage made her possible to come and touch the clothes of Jesus

*5) The great determination of the Woman*

The determination of the woman made her to convert the impossible ways to possible ways 

Before her determination nothing appeared as impossible to her 

She got the courage to approach Jesus 

She was able to face the crowd

She was able to make her way through the crowd. 

All this was possible because of her great determination

*6) The Humility of the Woman*

The humble nature of the woman is seen in her sincerity

When Jesus asked *who touched me?* she was sincere enough to acknowledge the truth, without knowing the consequences

This shows her humility as well her sincerity

*7) My life and miracles*

Evey day miracles happen in our day, only we need to acknowledge it 

Over and above there certain requirements which are necessary for the miracles to happen

A) Strong Faith like that of woman 

B) Strong determination, which should make us to face any challenging situation

C) Courage : which should motivate us to do something in our lives 

D) Humility : which makes all things possible in our lives 

These things will help us to happen great miracles in our lives 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Limitation of the Human Power and Authority

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week -  Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 8:5-17*

*First Reading - Gn 18:1-15*

*Limitation of the Human Power and Authority*

*1) The Centurion was a powerful Man*

The centurion who come across in today's Gospel was a powerful man 

He was able to exercise his authority over the Soldiers. 

With one command, he was capable of doing  any work 

He had the authority and power to command, to his soldiers to do any work 

*2) Limitation of his authority in case of sickness*

Such a powerful centurion was unable to cure his servant who was suffering from paralysis 

In fact the centurion was very well aware of this fact, that had no authority over the sickness and he was unable to heal his sick servant.

This shows that human authority is very much limited and at times we become helpless before sickness 

*3) The beautiful side of his authority*

There is a beautiful side of centurions authority

He uses his power and authority to humble himself before the Lord and pleads for his help 

The centurion could have sent some servants to call Jesus, because after all the suffering person was a servant and not his son. But the centurion makes no difference between the servant and human being. 

For him the suffering servant was a another human being, just like him. 

So use of the authority to humble himself before God, worked a great miracle 

*4) The present covid pandemic and the Human Authority*

Human intelligence has become so powerful in the 21st century, and at times human being is in the opinion that he can't control everything and anything

Even some scients claim that the need of God is no more necessary, science can answer everything

But the fact is with covid virus we have realised that how human power is limited and helpless before a tiny covid virus 

This is the present reality to reflect todays gospel in the practical level 

*5) Need of centurions faith and attitude*

The present crisis of covid can be answered only by the attitude and faith of the centurion

In spite of his authority, he humbled himself before Jesus, expressing his inability. On the other hand we also see a powerful gesture of faith in his approach and attitude 

The very fact that he approached Jesus shows that he had tremendous faith in Jesus. Moreover one word of Jesus was enough for him, not expecting Jesus to come to his house. This also shows the height of his faith 

*6) My life and centurions life*

First of all the centurion was not a Jew. He didn't know about Jesus, but might have heard about Jesus 

Mere hearing about Jesus was sufficient for the centurion

What about me. 

First of all I am a born catholic 

Secondly - I  am familiar with Jesus and His divine power 

Thirdly - I can approach Jesus at any time 

If so what is the depth of my faith? 

Mere one word of Jesus sufficient for me? 

What is the level of my humility in front of my own authority, ego, power, pride, when it comes to me and my God??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Unless we come down in our lives, we are unable to serve people

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week - Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 8:1-4*

*First Reading - Gn 17:1, 9-10, 15-22*

*Unless we come down in our lives, we are unable to serve people*

*Jesus comes down from the mountain and cures a leper*

*1) Jesus' coming Down from the mountain*

Matthew's Gospel chapter 5-7 is considered as the sermon on the Mount, which is very important part of the Gospel

On the mount Jesus taught many things to his disciples and made them to realise how to build the Kingdom of God 

Today we begin the 8th Chapter, that is immediately after the sermon on the mount 

So the need of coming down from the mountain and what follows afterwords is very important

*2) Healing of the Leper*

Soon after Jesus came down from the mountain, Jesus cured a leper from his leprosy. 

This happens not on the mountain, but some where down among the people 

So Jesus' coming down from the mountain and healing of the leper has a lot of symbolic meaning to our life 

This can be seen at two levels 

*3) Meaning of Being in the Mountain*

*A) First level of understanding*

*I) For prayer, teaching and meditation*

When we see the life of Jesus, its very clear that Jesus went to the mountain for a specific purpose 

The purpose is either to *Teach, or Preach or to Pray to the Father*

These above things have special significance in the life of Jesus 

Before this episode, Jesus was on the mountain to teach many things (Sermon on the Mount)

So Jesus coming down from the mountain healed a leper

*II) Mountain in our lives*

Like Jesus' life, mountains have very important role in our lives too

We need to go to mountain to learn, to pray and to meditate

The following are the mountains in our lives : 

The Church, The tabernacle, The pilgrim centres, the Holy places, The altar in our houses, the prayer meetings in our wards

We need to come down from these mountains, in order to serve the people. We can't remain continuously on these mountains 

*The best example is Mother Theresa : She spent one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening, before the Blessed Sacrament, which helped her to serve*

So going to the mountain of Blessed Sacrament and coming down from it was a necessary activity to serve the people 

*B) Second Level of Understanding*

Coming down from many of the things in our lives, in oder to serve people 

*I) Jesus' Life*

Jesus came down from His divinity to humanity to serve people, *Coming down shows here the aspect of Humility*

Jesus obyed to the Father, until the death on the Cross: coming down shows the hieght of Jesus' obedience 

Jesus allowed himself to be suffered under human beings: coming down shows Jesus' willingness to suffer 

Jesus burial in some ones tomb : coming down shows the simplicity of Jesus 

Jesus' rejection at Nazareth : coming down shows Jesus' willingness to accept his own people who rejected Him 

Forgiveness from the Cross : coming down shows, not to take revenge, but to save and pray even for enemies 

Jesus' cry at the tomb of Lazar: coming down shows Jesus' wliingness to feel one with the pain and sufferings of human beings 

Jesus at the cana: coming down shows Jesus willingness to share with joy and Happiness

*My Life*

Coming down from mountain in this level applies to many of the things in our lives, in order to serve others 

We need to come down from our pride, ego, highfigh life, luxurious and self centred life 

We need to come down from our, anger, revenge, jealousy, selfishness and self-righteousness

We need to come down from our attachments to the worldly things, money, power, position, false influence, falsehood and cheating 

Unless we come down from these things we will never be able to achieve anything in life

Am I ready to come down in my life?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Learn to rejoice with neighbors, when something special happens in the neighborhood

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week -  Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 1:57-66, 80*

*First Reading - Is 49:1-6*

*SECOND READING - Acts 13:22-26*

*Solemnity of The Nativity of St John the Baptist*

*Learn to rejoice with neighbors, when something special happens in the neighborhood*

*1) The great Event - The Birth of John*

When we think about the birth of John, it is not only a great event but more than that it is great miracle

He was born, when Elizabeth was biologically unable to conceive

His birth was announced by an angel, in the temple in a vision 

His conception made Zachariah, unable to speak, but was able to bless God with a loud voice when John was born 

His name was another mystery, in the birth of John 

All these events make, John's birth an extraordinary, miraculous and a great event 

*2) The response of the Neighbors*

When these events happened in the life of Zachariah and Elizabeth, the neighbors were really surprised, amazed and began to think about it 

The reaction of the neighbors were very much positive and encouraging

The Gospel says that *Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her*

*3) A great lesson in the above passage*

Here is a very important point to note 

The coming of the neighbors and rejoicing with Elizabeth

It may appear very simple, but we need to pause for a while and need to reflect about it 

It all happenes in the neighborhood. That is why we need to reflect about it 

There a great lesson here, that we are called upon to rejoice at the great events in our neighborhood

*4) The challenge to rejoice with the neighbors, when there are great things in their life*

At times we fail to appreciate the great things which happen in our neighborhood

The main reason would be jealousy and unhealthy competition between the neighbors

At times our ego, rivalry, disputes, anger, and other issues, become the hurdles to rejoice with the neighbors

So there are great challenges, in our neighborhood, to rejoice with them when there are great things 

*5) Am I able to rejoice with my neighbors?*

How do I see my neighbors? 

Do I see them as challenges to my life and achievements? 

How many times I have rejoiced with my neighbors, because of their growth and some improvements in their house? 

What are the main hurdles in my life to rejoice with my neighbors? 

*6) Where is my Neighbor and neighborhood?*

This is an interesting question. The answer to this question depends on where I live 

If I live in a religious community, each member of the community becomes a neighbor to me 

If I live in a family, every member of the family is a neighbor to me 

If I am living in the society, then every family in the society is a neighbor to me 

In other words, every other human being is a neighbor to me. Am I able to rejoice with them in their greatness? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Who are the false prophets in my life?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week -  Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 7:15-20*

*First Reading - Gn 15:1-12, 17-18*

*Who are the false prophets in my life?*

*Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,*

*1) Concept of False prophet*

Usually when we think about the false prophets, we always think in terms of persons, who deceive us in the name of religion or in the name of God

This is the one type of understanding, where we see false prophets outside of us, in terms of persons 

But at the deeper level we can apply the concept of the false prophets to the following area in today's context

*A) Advertisements*

It is proper to say that almost all the modern commercial  advertisements are like false prophets 

They project a result about a commodity, which is far from the reality 

They are just like coming in the sheep's clothing, to deceive many people 

*B) Glamorous and Colourful world*

The world which appears today in a glamours and colourful way, attracts all of us. 

In a way it takes us away from our spiritual life and makes us to follow the standards of this world

In a way it is nothing but one of false prophets, which very often tempts us to live our life according to the standards of this world. So we need to be very careful about this false prophet 

*C) Short cuts and Easy ways*

This is another false prophet, which has spoiled our disciplined way of life 

This false prophet has destroyed the values of sincerity, patience and hard work

Today this false prophet is giving false promises and leads human beings to give up the kingdom values 

*D) Quick Results*

The modern world runs after this false prophet

Anything we do today we expect quick results, as a result, people use all illigal and immoral ways to get quick result. Examples: Adulterated and chemicalised food, which is injurious to health 

*E) Desire for rich and highfigh life*

The world today exposes people for rich and highfigh life, through short cuts and easy ways 

This desire for rich and highfigh life comes in the form of a false prophet, which makes a person to make lots of compromises about the values to achieve the goals 

We need to be very careful about this false prophet

*F) Principle of enjoy life in this world*

The concept of having only one life, need to enjoy this to the maximum with all aspects 

In this context, crossing all the limits of morality to enjoy bodily pleasures, and having no issues with that has become the fashion of today 

This is another false prophet which destroys our life 

*2) What about my Life?*

Who are the false prophets in my life? 

Have I become the slave to the false prophets?

How do I find that I am not deceived by the false prophets in my life? 

What are the values I need to practice in order to safeguard myself from the modern  false prophets??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Why we should not give holy things to dogs?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week -  Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 7:6, 12-14*

*First Reading - Gn 13:2, 5-18*

*Why we should not give holy things to dogs?*

*Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs*

*1)  The symbolic meaning of the word 'dog'*

Dog is an animal, and dog has only animal nature 

Almost all animals move according to their instincts. They do not follow reason and the concept of morality is not found in animals 

So the dog is not able to understand the value of holy things and in this context giving to them holy things is a useless exercise

That's why Jesus says Do not give what is holy to dogs 

*2) Dog inside our life*

Human beings have two natures. Basically we are animals, but in us there is human nature and also divine nature 

Since we have the animal nature, we have all instincts like that of animals, only with the difference, of reason and concept of morality

Animals do not have reason and morality, but we have reason and morality along with animal nature 

The concept of dog represents the animal nature in us 

*3) How far dog has grown in my life?*

This is one of the questions of our life 

The following things represent *dog* in our life 

The instinct for bodily pleasure

The instinct for for, food drink, pleasure

The instinct for protecting oneself than others 

The instinct for the survival at the cost of others life 

Apart from this we can also include these things, brutality, greed, selfishness, etc 

*4) The danger of dog becoming strong in our life*

The moment the above elements, which represent dog, become strong, we become week in our human nature and in divine nature 

When the animal nature in us is very powerful, we crave for things just like animals in our life, forgetting the aspect of morality and reason 

So this is very dangerous in our life 

*5) We can't give holy things to dogs*

The moment the animal nature is very strong in us, all our holy things become powerless

They fail to yeild desired results in our life, because the strong animal nature in us either will ignore the holy things or they will not allow to act in our lives 

*6) The need of removing the dogs from our life*

First of all we need to control dogs or so called animal nature in our life 

For this we need to realise the importance of the human and divine nature and the purpose of our life 

We are not called upon to live like animals but like human beings. For this we need the following things 

-Right use of the reason 

-Importance of the Morality 

-Disciplined way of life 

-Value based life 

-Upholding the truth and justice 

-Service and sacrifice 

The moment we practice these above things, the human/divine nature in us becomes strong and we are able to live a holy life 

*7) Am I giving holy things to dog in my life?*

Which nature is strong in me 

Animal, or human/divine nature?

Do I fail to see any growth in my spiritual life, in spite of many spiritual things? If so the animal nature or various dogs are very powerful in me 

Check whether I am giving the Holy things to dogs in my life? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Stop judging - Why Jesus says this?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 7:1-5*

*First Reading - Gn 12:1-9*

*Stop judging - Why Jesus says this?*

*Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged*

*1) Judging work only belongs to God*

The work Judging, belongs only to God, and not to any human beings 

The moment a person tries to judge another person He/she is trying to take the place of God 

Being the creature, one can't act like God or one can't take the place of God, by judging some one

*2) Judging is very difficult work*

As we think judging is not a easy work. This is one of the most difficult tasks to do 

Look at some court cases, they take years together to give judgement about something, and that judgement no body can say is 100% right and perfect 

So judging becomes a very herculean task, if we think about it seriously

*3) No one judge perfectly*

If some one can judge another person perfectly, that's fine. There is no issues 

But the reality of human life is that, life is a mastery. No one can understand human life fully. So how one can judge another person in any way? 

Since no one can judge another person perfectly, it is necessary that we stop judging, and only God can judge perfectly

*4) The consequences of Wrong judgement*

Since our judgement is only one sided, any of our judgements will be imperfect or it will be wrong

If suppose our judgement is wrong, then the person will suffer terribly, and I will be responsible for his/her suffering 

Finally our judgement only makes the person to suffer and make the life's situations still worse 

So wrong judgements create a lots of problems for everyone

*5) The more you judge, less you become compassionate*

The one who judges, becomes less compassionate and more critical about everything

We have been called to become compassionate and not to become merciless people 

Christian life and values can't be lived by a person who always tries to judge another person 

*6) One who judges always will face hard judgement of God*

Since our judgments are always imperfect, we will have to face a hrad judgement from God 

The Gospel makes it very clear that the measure we use to judge others will be used to judge us 

So being compassionate people will make God to become compassionate towards us

*7) What about my life?*

How do I see others? In judging attitude or with an compassionate heart 

It is always with judging mind and compassionate heart 

Be a person of heart and not only of the mind 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Importance of Leaving the Crowd and Taking Jesus along with them

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week -  Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 4:35-41*

*First Reading - Jb 38:1, 8-11*

*SECOND READING 2  5:14-17*

*Importance of Leaving the Crowd and Taking Jesus along with them*

*Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.*

*1) One of the best decisions of the Disciples*

Since they wanted to go to the other side, the disciples left the crowd behind and took Jesus along with them while crossing 

In the entire episode, I feel this is one of the beautiful gestures of the disciples to take Jesus along with them while they were travelling to the other side 

Taking Jesus with them was very much important since their journey was bit risky. 

*2) Journey was not very good*

As they travelled, soon they had to face the trouble

The river became violent and the waves became very rough and dangerous 

They were about to get into deep trouble because of the waves. But nothing happened, because Jesus was them them 

Here we understand, that how important that Jesus was with them while they were travelling to the other side 

*3) Being with Jesus does not mean that no troubles at all*

Jesus was along with Jesus and He too was travelling along with them 

But this does not mean that there are no troubles at all. In spite of having with Jesus they faced the troubles while they were travelling 

So one important truth of life to realise that, even when we enjoy the company of Jesus we are still prone to face dangerous situations in the journey of our life 

Are you ready to accept this fact 

*4) Journey of crossing to the other side*

This is very much applicable to our life 

Our life is nothing but crossing from this earthly journey to heavenly abode 

This is just like crossing to the other side, just like the disciples were crossing to the other side 

This journey is always difficult and challenging. But the presence of Jesus with us will change the entire situations and we will be able to cross the river without any trouble 

*5) The need of leaving the Crowd and taking Jesus with us*

Our life is nothing but leaving many things behind in order to take Jesus along with us 

Without leaving many things we may not be able to take Jesus with us 

The following are some of the things which symbolises the Crowd

Our attachment to things, material things, wealth, position, power, our attachment to our bodily emotions, etc 

At times our attachment to certain places, certain people, certain food, certain ministry, and certain habits 

Unless we leave these crowds in our lives we may not be able take Jesus along with us. 

Am I ready to leave the crowds and take Jesus with me? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Live in the Present, not in the Past and also not in the Future

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 6:24-34*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 12:1-10*

*Live in the Present, not in the Past and also not in the Future*

*Matthew 6:34 is “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its .”*

*1) The Focus on the Day*

In today's Gospel one of the important things that we notice is about to have focus on the present situation

Neither to worry about past or future, but to have focus on today and the issues of the day 

This is because, to have right approach  to life and  to the issues of life 

*2) The Difficulties in the Living the Past*

When some one lives in the past, either he/she will have bad memories, or he/she will boast about past things 

As a result, the person will forget to live in the present situation.

*3) The Trouble in living in the Future*

When the person lives only in the Future, he/she will live only in the dreams and will forget to live in the present 

To have dreams, which can be achieved is good. But to live only in the dreamland is useless. 

*4) Neither Past nor Future can be changed*

Neither of the things can be changed. 

Past can never be changed. Even future is not in our hands. So we need to live in the present not in the future nor in the past, since they can not be changed by us 

*5) Present can be changed and can be managed*

The present is in our hands, which can be changed because we are living in the present 

Many a times we forget that we are in the present and we don't dare to challenge the present either to manage or to change it 

*6) How we fail in Living in the present*

Since we worry too much about the future and past we fail to live the present 

Failing to live in the present causes a lots of problems, which take away our normal and peaceful living

By not attending the problems of the day, it only increases the worry and tension 

So by paying attention to the present issues we really build up our life 

So there is a lots of truth in Jesus words *Each day has enough trouble of its own*

*Just think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Treasures of Heaven - What are they?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 6:19-23*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 11:18, 21-30*

*Treasures of Heaven - What are they?*

*Store up treasures in heaven*

*1) Treasures of the World*

We are very familiar with the treasures of the World 

Worldly wealth, power, position, authority, money, things which provide the bodily pleasures are some of the wordly treasures which we carve for 

Apart from this, anger, revenge, muscle power, pride, arrogance, lies, cheating also belong to this wordls treasure 

*2) Heavenly Treasures*

Jesus speaks about the heavenly treasures or storing up treasures in heaven

From the life of Jesus we can clearly understand what these heavenly treasures are. These are some of the followings 

Forgiveness

Peace

Humility

Sincerity

Commitment

Sacrifice

Love

Courage

Sharing

Generosity

Appreciation

Conversion of heart and mind 

Change of ones life 

Service

Helping the needy 

Working for the greater Glory of God 

All these are heavenly treasures or when we practice these things, we store up treasures in heaven 

*3) The effect of a good deed reaches to heaven and gets stored up there*

From the teaching of Jesus it is very clear that the moment we do a good things the effect of this deed reaches to heaven and it gets stored up there

That's why Jesus says, store up your treasures in heaven 

None of the worldly things are capable of producing any effect, which can reach Heaven and get stored up there 

*4) Heavenly treasures can't be stolen by any one*

Something very special and spectacular

None of the heavenly treasures can be stolen by any power on this earth. This is the fact 

For example : humility in ones life can never be stolen by another 

Like wise, generosity, peace, love, sacrifice, sharing, faithfulness, and other heavenly treasures can never be stolen by any one 

*5) One who has heavenly treasures is really a rich person*

Heavenly treasures are like priceless treasures in ones life 

One can't buy them with the worldly treasures. 

For example, one can't buy humility, simplicity, peace, love, sacrifice, forgiveness. 

All these are priceless treasures in ones life. One who has these treasures, is really a rich person 

*6) Need continuous efforts to store up treasures in heaven*

Heavenly treasures can't be stored up in heaven by one day or with worldly things 

In needs the purity of life and faithfulness to the Lord 

Such a life needs continuous efforts, with lots of commitments. Only then we are able to store up treasures in heaven 

*7) What treasures have I already stored up in Heaven?*

Important question to ponder in our life 

If I were to check my heavenly treasures account, what assets will I find there? 

Will be it empty or will it be full or at least something?

Try to see this account very often and see what treasures are found in it. If not try to add some more treasures to this account, which will help you to live a meaningful life on this earth and eternal life in the next 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Inclusive nature of the Lords Prayer

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 6:7-15*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 11:1-11*

*Inclusive nature of the Lords Prayer*

*There is no "I", "My" and "Mine" in Lords Prayer*

*1) Focus of Our Prayer*

The moment we start praying, generally first comes, *I* *My* and *Mine* in our prayer 

For example : my family, my life, my children, my business, my achievements, my dreams, my plans, my health etc

It is a natural tendency to pray for our own self and those who are closely related to us 

This is more of self centred prayer, which makes us to think about our own problems, needs and intentions.

But the Lords prayer is quite different from this type of prayer. It could be called as I

Inclusive prayer

*2) Inclusive nature of the Prayer*

Inclusive means, including everyone or not excluding any one. So in Lords prayer all are included and no one is excluded 

This inclusive nature of the Lord's prayer makes this prayer very popular and very powerful 

This inclusive nature has made this prayer, part of our life. Our day begins with the prayer, ends with this prayer, any activity, work, function and anything else for that matter has this prayer. 

So this prayer has become not only popular but also very powerful 

*3) Inclusive aspects in the Lord's Prayer*

There is no *I* *My* or *Mine* in Lord's prayer 

Instead the Lord's prayer has the following words - *Our* *Us* and *Your* 

These above words show us clearly that that Lord's prayer includes everyone and excludes no one 

So when we pray this prayer, in fact we pray for all and not only for our needs 

*4) Selfish prayer and inclusive prayer*

Selfish prayer is the one which always concentrates on the self and needs of the self 

Inclusive prayer is the one which always highlights the needs of the community and helps us to pray for others 

Jesus prayer was always a inclusive prayer. Best example would be His prayer for the Disciples 

*5) How do I pray?*

All of us spend lots of time in prayer, which is something good and marvelous

But we need to ask one question - *How much time do I spend in my prayer, for praying for others?*

Is my prayer only centred around the self and my own people or family? 

*6) God hears our prayer when we pray for others*

God bless us when we pray for others 

The moment we are concerned about others automatically God answers our needs and bless us abundantly.

The moment we realise the power of praying for others, we will change our approach in praying 

*So when we pray for others, we pray for ourselves and when we pray only for our needs, our prayer has no much value*

Let our prayer be inclusive like the Lords prayer and not like the Pharisee, who was boasting about his own self

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Prayer in the Inner Room with closed Doors

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 6:1-6, 16-18*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 9:6-11*

*Prayer in the Inner Room with closed Doors*

*When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret*

*1) Jesus teaching on the place of prayer*

In the sermon on the mount Jesus says, how to pray and where to pray. 

He says that we need to go to inner room and need to close the doors, and then we need to pray secretly with our heavenly Father. 

So the question is where is this room and what are the doors which we need to close 

*2) Inner room and closed doors - may be a physical place*

The moment we hear about inner room and closed doors, we get the idea of the room and a door which we have in our houses 

So it is a practical or physical place where we can enter into a room, where everything empty, and then we can close the door in order to avoid all the disturbances, so that we can concentrate better in prayer 

This is the ordinary and fist level of understanding of the inner room and closing of the door. 

Is there any other deeper meaning in this particular verse? 

*3) Inner Room can be our own inner self*

Going to the inner room means going inside of ourselves 

In other words it is a inward journey of the self to know what we are 

The best example for this is the tax collecter who went to the temple to pray. 

The tax collector standing far, not even raising his head, beat his breast and said *Lord have mercy on me*

The Gospel says, his prayer was heard by God, and he went home blessed by God. 

This is exactly going inside the room to pray. 

Going inside the room means - seeing what we are, how we are in our spiritual journey, being sincere in our  commitments, and so on 

Going inside the room means seeing our own unworthiness, and accepting it before God with humility. 

Such an attitude definitely, puts us in the right posture to make a sincere prayer and such prayers are heard by God 

*4) Closing of the Doors - How to understand it?*

In the first level we understand as we close the doors of our private rooms in our houses. 

More than this, there is a deeper meaning which is found in this phrase 

The moment we get into the inner room, that is our own inner self, we need to close the doors of our external senses 

We have five senses, through which we come into outside world. Unless we disconnect ourselves from this external world we can't pray 

So the doors of our external senses we need to close. So that is the real meaning of closing the doors of our life's room 

*5) Closed inside the Room of our life we experience God*

Look at any sainsts, whose life show us that they experienced God as they went inside of themselves. 

Conscience, which is the core of our being, and the place of God's dwelling can be reached only with the inward journey. 

The voice of the conscience, can be heard only by those who are ready to go to the inner room of the life, by closing the external doors of our senses. 

*6) Am I ready to go to inner room by closing the external doors of my life?*

Unless we go to inner room we can't find God

Unless we close the doors of our senses we can't remain in the inner room

If so Am I ready to do this? 

Going to the inner room and closing of the doors of our senses is not an easy task. Its a challenging and continuous work 

It is not one time work. Continuous efforts, real dedication and self discipline is very much necessary

*7) Where I am in my life?*

Have I tried to go to the inner room of my life? 

How often I go to my inner room? 

What methods I use to close the external doors of my senses? 

Is it so difficult for me to close the doors of my external senses?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

God did unusual things. We are called upon to do the same

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 5:38-42*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 8:1-9*

*God did unusual things. We are called upon to do the same*

*And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that?*

*1) God's unusual things for the sake of Human Beings*

First of all He emptied Himself and became human being like us, sacrifying His divine Glory - such a great unusual things from the part of God 

Secondly, Being a God Himself, he offered himself to be suffer and die in the Hands of the creatures 

He forgave His persecutors from the Cross

He allowed himself to be rejected by his own people, mocked by the soldiers, allowed himself to face the humiliation

All the above unusual things God did for the sake of Human beings. 

*2) We are called to do such unusual things. Why?*

The path of Christ Himself is unusual, which leads to victory and salvation

The so called unusual things, for our reason are the usual and proper things for God 

What we consider as unusual are usual things for God, and what we consider as usual are unusual things for God 

That why God says *My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways* Is 55:8-9

By doing this so called unusual things we become the genuine disciples of Jesus 

*3) We are called upon to do the following unusual things to become the children of our heavenly Father*

*A) Loving ones enemies*

 Looks impossible, but it is possible, because Jesus has done it and many others have it. If so why can't I do it? 

*B) Praying for the persecutors*

Once again appears to be very difficult. That's why we are challenged to do the unual things to become the children of our heavenly Father

*C) Treating every one equally*

Jesus gives the example of Sun which God makes it to give sunshine to everyone, good as well as bad ones too

Secondly the rains which is showered upon everyone. 

Like wise we are called upon to treat equally everyone. No partiality and favouritism between rich and poor 

*D) Love everyone, hate none*

Love is the foundation and oxygen of Christian Spirituality. 

By not loving some, we fail to fail supply the oxygen of Love, which causes death of Christian virtues in both

*E) Greet everyone, curse no one*

Greeting is the simple gesture of caring the the other 

By greeting we say *I care for you*

Christian spirituality calls upon to greet every one and to care every one. 

These are the above unusual things we are called upon to do, in order to become the genuine disciples of our Lord

*4) What unusual things I have in my life?*

This is one of the important things to reflect 

To become perfect like heavenly Father, we need to do these unusual things in our life, everyday. Am I ready for it? 

If I were to list the unusual things which are found in my life, how many I would find? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What will happen if I show the cheek

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  Monday*

*GOSPEL - 2 Cor 6:1-10*

*First Reading - Mt 5:38-42*

*What will happen if I show the cheek*

*When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well*

*1) Jesus' teaching to show the other cheek as well*

In today's Gospel Jesus tell us to show the other cheek to those who, strike at the right cheek 

At times we find it hard to follow this teaching of Jesus and at times we ask the question, that will he/she not take the advantage of the situation? 

So the question is what will happen if the show the other cheek?

*2) Two possibilities will take place*

Either He/She will strike you on the lest cheek as well 

Or the person may not harm you at all.

If the person doesn't harm you, then its clear that you have already won the opponent. 

When the opponent does not see the reaction, he/she will not proceed with violence, on the contrary the person will realise his/her mistake

This realisation of the mistake may help him to change his life. That is how the conversion takes place 

*3) If he strike you to the left cheek as well what will happen?*

If the person does not show any kind of reaction then it is clear, after striking the left cheek, he will stop further striking you. 

Secondly, such an calm an open minded attitude will confuse the opponent. This may lead him to think about his own acts 

Thirdly, there is no question of situation becoming worse or fearful. Since no resistance from your part, immediately situation becomes calm. This may lead to stop fearful situation

Fourthly the person has no reason to keep anger or revenage against you. Since there is no resistance, no question of any anger or hatred. 

Fithly, since the situation gets cool, no further fights will take place. At least you will be in peace 

Sixly, since you have not shown any kind of resistance, you will have no remorse, guilt feeling, but you will feel that you have done right thing according to the teaching of Jesus. This will give you more peace of mind 

Seven : since you have show you left cheek as well, finally it may lead to the conversion of the person as well. 

In all the above things, it is very clear that you little pain or at times what we call as humiliation, ultimately leads to live you in peace and helps the other persons conversion 

*4) Cheek is a place to express love and not hatred or revenge*

Cheek is one among the most important places in our body, which is used to express deep love 

People those who are close to us, exchange the feeling of love by kissing on the cheek 

So it is very clear that cheek is a place of love and not of expressing anger, hatred and revenge

So never try to turn the place of love into hatred 

*5) What will I do, if the other person shows the left cheek as well?*

We need to reflect this question very seriously 

If there is a situation, where my opponent shows the left cheek as well,

Will I take the advantage of the situation? But question is how long? 

Will such an attitude help me to live a peaceful life? 

What am I going to gain ultimately at the end of the day? Lose my peace of ming? 

*6)  Am I ready to show my left cheek as well?*

We know its very hard and difficult teaching of Jesus

But if the situation comes in my life, am I ready to show my left cheek? 

Or will I take the revenge by giving him two more strikes?  If so what will you get? What will be the further results? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

A Farmer who sows the Seeds and Sleeps Vs a man who does not sow the seeds and sleeps

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week -  11th Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 4:26-35*

*First Reading - Ez 17:22-24*

*SECOND READING - 2 Cor 5:6-10*

*A Farmer who sows the Seeds and Sleeps Vs a man who does not sow the seeds and sleeps*

*1) The Kingdom of God, sowing of Seeds and sleeping*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about the growth of the Kingdom of Heaven 

While explaining it, He uses the parable to sowing of the seeds. This parable has very important points to note

First of all, growth of the plant can happen only if it is sown in the mud. Unless he does that neither the plant nor the growth will happen 

Sowing is the process of planting. This process is very important in work. 

Once it is sown or planted, then the things will begin to happen. 

Even the farmer sleeps after the sowing or planting, things will begin to happen. 

That's the power of sowing or planting 

*2)A man sleeps without sowing*

One who does not do any work, nothing can happen in ones life. 

One who looks for some fruit, needs to sow the seeds. 

*3) Seeds were not created by Human beings*

None of the seeds in the world were created by human beings 

All the seeds which we have, were given by God himself. There is no doubt about it 

These seeds are freely given by God, through the nature. 

But these seeds don't grow by themselves. One needs to plant them in somewhere, only then the growth begins

*4) Sowing and Sleeping*

This has lots of implications in our life, in the modern world. 

The world runs after, quick, fast, shortcut, instant, short term results. 

This view is quite contrary to the views of Jesus 

In building the Kingdom of God, or in sowing the seeds one can't have shortcuts, instant results, quick and fast ways. 

One needs to wait patiently for the result. 

*5) Meaning of the Sleep*

Its a sign of Patience

Its a sign of depending on God

Its a sign of, I have done my part, and rest God will do it for me 

It is a sign of re-energizing, oneself for the further mission 

It is a sign of complete dependence on God 

It is a total surrender to God 

*6) Sowing in my life*

My life is exactly life a furtile field, which is a greatest gift of God

There are plenty of seeds available in the Christian life, which is once again a free gift of God.

My mission is the sow these seeds in my life and wait patiently for its growth. 

*7) What are the seeds which are available for me?*

The seeds of Christian faith, love and charity, 

The seeds of forgiveness, sacrifice, humility, sharing, generosity, belongingness, service 

The seeds of holiness, truthfulness, sincerity, accountability, justice 

Unless I sow these seeds in my life, nothing will grow in my life 

*8) What seeds have I sown so far?*

This is a very important question in my life 

Looking at my own life, I can evaluate, what types of seeds I have sown in my life 

If I have good values, it is very clear that I have sown all good things in my life 

If I have bad things, and  evil habits in my life, its very clear that I have sown only bad things in life 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

As long as one is in the Temple, one is not lost

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 10th Week -   Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Luke 2:41-51*

*First Reading - Is 61:9-11*

*As long as one is in the Temple, one is not lost*

*1) Jesus was missed on the Way*

Along with Joseph and Mary, Jesus had come to the temple of Jerusalem

During the feast of the Passover, they spent their time in the temple, participating in the the Passover celebration

Jesus was there along with them through the celebration and they had no issues in the temple

Only after days journey they felt that they had missed Jesus from them 

So missing of Jesus happens on the way and not in the Temple 

*2) Jesus was Found in the Temple*

As soon as Joseph and Mary realised that they had missed Jesus from them, they searched everywhere

They searched him throughout the way, and finally they came to the temple 

They found Jesus in the temple and not on the way 

So temple becomes a place of finding Jesus and not the place of losing Jesus 

*3) As long as Jesus was there in the temple, no question of missing*

Since temple was a holy and important place, all would come there and spend time there

So temple becomes the place of meeting many people and it is very easy to meet other people 

So as long as one is in the temple there is no question of missing from any one. One is always can be found in the temple 

*4) Temple is the place of the presence of God*

Temple is the place of God. Its a holy place. 

It is a place of meeting God and experiencing Him in our lives 

One who is in the temple, will be protected by God and he/she will experience the love of God

*5) Being in the Temple means, being in the presence of God*

This has lot to do in our life. 

Temple need not be only a building. Apart from building, one can very well be in the temple, means one can be in the presence of God 

So being with God, or bring in the presence of God, is equal to bring in the temple 

So all of us have many chances to be in the temple, in our daily lives

*6) Various moments in our lives to be in the Temple*

The moment we become good and holy persons, we are in the temple

The moment we pray, read the word of God and spend time in various spiritual activities, we are in the temple, in the presence of God

When we practice the kingdom values like, forgiveness, humility, love, simplicity, generosity, we are in the temple, in the presenceof God.

*7) Am I in the temple?*

When we reflect these above points, what do I conclude about my life? 

Am I in the Temple or somewhere else. 

In the temple means, being with God, being in the presence of God. 

*As long as I am in the temple, I am safe. No fear of losing.*

So we need to try to remain in the temple as far as possible. 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Speciality of the Heart

❤️Gospel Thoughts❤️

*Ordinary Season : 10th Week -  Friday*

*❤️Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus❤️*

*GOSPEL - Jn 19:31-37*

*First Reading - Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9*

*SECOND READING - Eph 3:8-12, 14-19*

*❤️Speciality of the Heart❤️*

*1) Among the Human body part only heart❤️ is celebrated*

Human body has many parts. But except Heart we don't celebrate the feast of any other part of the Body 

We have only the feast of the  *sacred heart* ❤️of Jesus. In other words we don't celebrate the feast of the sacred eyes, ears, hands, legs, or any other part of the body 

So this tells us that heart has a  some special relevance to our life

*2) Heart ❤️ works from the beginning till the end*

Heart is one among the parts of body which works continuously without any rest 

From the moment we are born, till we die heart is the one which sustains our life 

The moment our heart stops working we no more exist. So heart is life itself 

*3) ❤️Hearts work is to purify*

One of the great works of the heart. 

It receives the contaminated blood and purrifies it and then sends it back to the entire system. 

The function purifying the blood by the heart is very important because without that we can't survive. 

It also tells us that how purification of various things (mind, thoughts, deeds) are important in our life.

*4) Hearts colour is red❤️*

Heart symbolises the red color because it contains the blood 

Once again blood is the symbol of life. Blood has life. 

So once again how heart is important in our life is highlighted*

*5) Heart is the symbol of Love❤️*

The moment we see this ❤️ symbol, we identify with heart and love 

One can't separate ❤️ this symbol from heart and love 

So ultimately heart is the symbol of Love. Whoever has heart has love and whereever there is love there is heart 

*6) It is the heart ❤️that gets affected and cries many times*

It is said that "my heart cries," "my heart was pained," "I could not bear this pain in my heart", - all these expressions will tell us that there is special feelings in the heart and thr heart responds to these feelings 

When the hearts gets disturbed or when heart gets troubled, person can't be at peace and he/she can't work 

So heart is closely connected with our emotional life 

*7) ❤️Heart is used to evaluate ones personality*

Many times we ca persons either having a  gentle heart or a cruel person 

When we say this person is cruel, one who does not have blood in the eyes, very rough and tough, no sympathy or mercy  - it directly speaks about their heart 

A person with gentle heart always becomes a loving, forgiving, humble, adjustable, person to everyone 

So heart speaks about the nature of the personality 

*8) Jesus' Heart❤️*

Jesus' Heart had All the above mentioned qualities 

It was a heart with speciality - full of love, mecry, forgiveness, sacrifice, sharing, sympathy, etc. 

The Heart of Jesus Speaks about His mission for the entire world  

The Heart of Jesus is the life and salvation of the entire human kind

*9) What about my Heart❤️?*

Which are the qualities I  have?

What can I do to have a heart like Jesus? 

*❤️Jesus meek and humble of Heart make my Heart like yours❤️*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Offering gift to God and Reconciliation

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 10th Week -  Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 5:20-26*

*First Reading - 1 Cor 3:15-4:1, 3-6*

*Offering gift to God and Reconciliation*

*1) Offering gift to God at the Altar*

Many of us like to offer many things at the Altar, with the belief that we are offering it to God, as a sign of gratitude

We simply believe that whatever we offer at the altar is accepted by God and we are blessed for this gesture 

The Gospel of the day gives us a clear cut understanding of our offering at the altar and the effect of it

*2) Reconciliation is greater than offering gift at the Altar*

At times we find it very hard to believe this. But this is the fact 

If two things are kept in front of God, they are reconciliation and offering gift at the altar, God chooses the reconciliation and not the our offering 

So without reconciliation all gifts which are offered at the altar are waste 

*3) Purity of mind and Heart*

While offering anything on the altar, the purity of mind and heart is necessary. 

A person who goes with the  anger, jealousy, revengeful attitude and with pride against another, and then goes to the altar to offer something to God, is useless. None of his offerings will be accepted by God. 

More than offering something to God, purity of heart and mind is very important than anything else.

*4) Gifts offered to God from wealth, through unjust means*

Some times people donate a big amount, or things to the Holy places from the wealth they accumulated

At times this wealth comes from unlawful ways, by not paying just wages to the workers, and from other immoral ways 

Such a impure wealth or money when it comes to the altar, how can God accept it? 

So one can't fool God by offering the unjust wealth to God

*5) Mere reconciliation is the greatest gift, which can be offered to God*

Among all gifts, the aspect of reconciliation could be considered as the greatest gift, which we can offer to God.

No one calculate the value of reconciliation in terms of money. Therefore its value is much higher than any amount of money value

Like wise, the values like sincerity, humility, truthfulness, holiness, service, generosity, are some of the greatest gifts which we need to offer to God at the altar, instead of unlawful money and wealth 

*6) What gifts do I have to be offered on the altar to God?*

When I reflect my own life, what are the gifts available in my life, to be offered to God

Gifts of sincerity, acceptability, simplicity, service, truthfulness, charity, love, humility, 

Or am I taking the following things to offer to God

My own anger, jealousy, pride, glory of worldly things,  power, authority, influence, etc 

Such things are not accepted by God at any cost 

*Think about it and calculate what acceptable things by God are found in my life?*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The danger of breaking the commandments of God

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 10th Week -  Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 5:17-19*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 3:4-11*

*The danger of breaking the commandments of God*

*1) All commandments were given by God Himself*

First of all it is very clear that all the commandments were given by God 

In the book of Exodus, it is clearly mentioned that all the commandments were given to Mosses by God Himself 

So breaking of the commandments results in going against the will of God

*2) All the commandments have their own purpose*

Every commandment of God, its own purpose and that purpose is directly related to our life 

The purpose of all the commandments, is only to facilitate our life to live a meaningful and holy life 

None of the commandments go against the holiness of human life and they do lead us into the wrong path 

So once again breaking of the commandments of God means, we fail to fulfill the purpose of the commandments and we do not grow into holiness 

*3) Commandments are the foundations of relationship*

First of all the commandments, give birth to the relationship between God and human beings 

Secondly the commandments facilitate the relationship between human beings 

With out relationship, life is impossible.

So breaking of the commandments means breaking the relationship itself. In such a situation one can't live his/her life in any way 

*4) commandments means Love*

According to Jesus Commandments are nothing but the reality of Love itself 

Loving God, Loving the Neighbor, and Loving oneself. This is the greatest commandment and the foundation of all the commandments

Without love, no life is possible. *God is Love*

So once again breaking of the commandments is nothing but rejecting love itself, or running away from Love. Such a life can't survive 

*5) One who breaks the commandments and Teaches others to do the same is least in the Kingdom of God*

This particular thought of Jesus shows us that there is a different honor in the kingdom of God 

Those who follow the commandments and teach others will be great in the kingdom of Heaven

Those who break it and teach others to do the same will be considered as least in the Kingdom of Heaven 

Those who are considered least, may not get into heaven. They may not have the privilege of eternal life. They will not have any divine experience. 

So those people who are considered least in the kingdom of heaven will be lost 

*6) Commandments in my Life*

How do I see the commandments of God in my life? 

Do I see them as they are burden in my life? 

Do I grumble at it? 

Do I try my level best to keep up the commandments or easily I give up?

How does the CV commandments have influenced my Christian life? 

Do I believe that with the CV commandments of God I can change my life? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Salt which had lost its taste

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 10th Week -  Tuesday*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 5:13-16*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 1:18-22*

*The Salt which had lost its taste*

*If the salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.*

*1) Salt with its taste*

We know how important the salt is. In every house, in every dish, and every function, the salt has its role to play 

If there is no salt, there is no taste for anything. The salt which adds a special taste to any item, is wonderful and it can't be explained easily 

There is no person who has grumbled about the taste of the salt. At times people may say that the salt is more for this or that item. But no one will complain about the taste of the salt. That is something special about the taste of the salt

*2) Does salt loses its saltiness?*

Salt itself, sodium chloride (NaCl), is extremely stable and cannot lose its flavour. 

Usually it is believed that Salt can't lose its saltines. 

We hardly see the salt, which had lost its taste. Salt may be diluted in the water, but it does not lose its taste 

*3) What is the meaning of losing of the saltines of the Salt?*

The most common explanation may be that the salt in that era was quite impure, containing a wide array (an impressive display) of other compounds. 

Secondly the salt diluted with water, if it is exposed to moisture the Sodium Chloride would disappear leaving a white powder looking just like salt, but not having its flavour or its preservative abilities.

For some purposes gypsum (Some white material)  was added to salt, but this would erase its flavour and make it unfit for consumption.

In simple words, a salt which is contaminated with, dirty water, poisonous chemical, and other harmful things for life can not be used. So such salt loses its saltiness for us, since we can't use it for our purpose

*4) God has created us like salt*

When Jesus says that *you are the salt of the Earth* simply means, our life is like salt. 

Like salt, we have tremendous capacity. Easily we can't lose our saltiness of life. 

Since salt is useful for everything, we are useful for everything. 

Since salt adds taste to everything, we are created to add taste to every aspect of our life and also to our neighbors life. 

*5) Have I lost the saltiness of my life*

A SALT which has lost its saltiness can't be used. It is only thrown out 

Like wise a life which has lost its life's saltiness becomes useless. It is only used for throwing out and not for anything else

So the question is have I lost the saltiness of my life? 

*6) Things which causes to lose the saltiness of my life*

My ego and pride 

My anger and selfishness 

My hidden motives and self centred attitude

My revengeful thoughts, lack of commitment and faithfulness, jealousy, greed for things and worldly pleasure, desire for power, Money, wealth and possessions etc 

All the above mentioned things result in losing the saltiness of my life

*What is the taste of my life?*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*