Before passover people came to purify themselves - What about me?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Saturday*

*Gospel :  Jn 11:45-56*

*First Reading : Ez 37:21-28*

*Before passover people came to purify themselves - What about me?*

*1) Great Feast of the Passover*

For Jews Passover was a great feast and which was celebrated in Jerusalem temple

So people were very conscious of this feast and the preparations needed for the same 

So all people came to Jerusalem before the passover feast to purify themselves so they could prepare well for the same 

*2) Easter is a great Passover for Christians*

Among all feasts Easter takes the first place in the celebration. Its a great feast 

Its a feast of Passover from death to life, from darkness to light and worldly life to heavenly life 

Such a great  feast needs a lot of preparation. That's why we have 40 days of Lent 

As the Passover or the Holy week is at hand what must be pur response? 

*3) Confess your sins at least once a year*

This is the 2nd important precept of the Catholic Church 

This is one of the best ways of purifying oneself and this is the best time for purifying oneself 

Confessing ones sins one a month is a good practice or confessing ones sins during the important feast like, Nativity of Mary, Christmas and Easter is very necessary

But if I am thinking of confessing of making my confession only once a year this is the best time and confession is the best way to purify oneself

*4) Holy Week to become Holy*

Holy week becomes Holy to me only if am able to purify myself 

Holy week is not a mechanical thing which makes me Holy 

By purifying ourselves we become Holy, and in this context the Holy Week becomes very meaningful to our life 

*5) Conscious of Purification*

Jews were very conscious about the self purification before the passover feast 

What about my consciousness about my own sinfulness and the purification? 

Holy week is the best time to make my confession and to purify myself and to begin a new Holy Life 

Without our purification and Holy Life, Holy week liturgy the passion, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus has no meaning for our life 

*6) Am I ready to purity myself? 

By purifying myself I lose nothing and nothing at all. But on the contrary I will many things 

By not purifying myself I will lose everything and nothing I will gain 

So it is beneficial for us to purify ourselves and trying to gain some spiritual favours from the Lord 

So what is my response?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Good Works are the Greatest Signs that we are United with God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 10:31-42*

*First Reading : Jer 20:10-13*

*Good Works are the Greatest Signs that we are United with God*

*1) Jesus Speaks about the Good Works*

In today's Gospel we see that Jesus is speaking about the Good Works done by Him in the context of Jews trying to stone Him 

He asks them *For which of these are you trying to stone me?”*

*2) The Source of Good Works*

Jesus says that the Heavenly Father is the Source of all Good Works 

Each of the Good works come from God Himself and there is no other source for Good Works 

*3) The Indication of the Good Works*

Jesus says that all the Good Works which we do, show to the world in a powerful way that we are united with God 

That's Why Jesus says *even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand  that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”*

So Good works are the ones through which Jesus is closely united with the Father 

*4) Good Works manifests the Father*

Jesus also says that Good works ultimately, Shows the Goodness of the Father 

It is the Heavenly Father, who is made known to the others through the Good Works 

So Good Works are the Reflection of the Father in and through us 

*5) Jesus Shows us the Father through Good Works*

Jesus showed us the nature of the Father through His good Works 

By forgiving others He showed the merciful nature of the Father 

By dying on the Cross, He showed us the sanctifying love of the Father 

By washing of the feet of the Discipline Jesus showed us the Humility of our Heavenly Father

*6) We are called for Good Works*

The primary mission of our life is to perform good works 

That is the primary mission of a disciple of Jesus 

*7) Good Works and My Union with God*

No good works good union with God 

Good works are the only ways to unite with God

Every single good work in our life shows that we are deeply united with God 

A person who is deeply rooted in the Worldly things, does only worldly things, which are far from good works 

*8) Various Good Works*

Serving the poor 

Scarifying for the sake of the other

Being generous towards others 

Teaching others about God

Speaking good about others 

Forgiving others 

Trying to build unity among ourselves

Working for peace, harmony, justice and equality 

What are my Good works which show to the World that I am deeply united with God? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

On Your Part, you must keep my covenant throughout the ages

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:51-59*

*First Reading : Gn 17:3-9*

*On Your Part, you must keep my covenant throughout the ages*

*1) The Covenant*

Covenant is an agreement, between two persons or between two parties

This agreement gives rise to a new relationship, new way of life, new responsibility, new duties and new outlook 

Covenant always helps the persons grow with one another and it fosters the growth of the  community 

*2) God entered a new covenant with Human beings*

God chose Abraham and entered with him a new covenant

This covenant is not only for Abraham, but to the entire humanity, which will help the human beings to get into a deeper relationship with God 

The Covenant which God made, with Abraham, makes us the Children of God and we can relate with God as our Father 

*3) God never breaks His covenant*

God who entered a new covenant with Abraham, remains faithful for ever and ever and He never breaks His covenant

In this context God asks Abraham to remain faithful to the covenant. 

God also said to Abraham: *“On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”*

*4) Lent is a time to reflect about our faithfulness to the Covenant*

Lent is a time to reflect about our faithfulness to God's Covenant

How faithful I am in keeping the covenant of the Lord? 

Usually breaking of the covenant happens from our side and not from God's side. If so what is my role in remaining faithful to the covenant? 

*5)  Need of renewing our faithfulness to the Covenant*

Since we are weak many times we find it difficult to remain faithful to the covenant

So that is why we need to renew our commitment to the covenant of the Lord, on every day basis 

Only then we will be able to remain faithful to the covenant of the Lord 

*6) Benefits of remaining faithful to the covenant of the Lord*

Like Abraham He will make us great 

Like Abraham He will give us all that is necessary

Like Abraham He will make our name great, which will remain forever 

Like Abraham He will bless our descendants for ever and ever 

Like Abraham He will make us a great blessing to our family and to the people around us 

So, God expects only our faithfulness to His covenant

*Are you ready?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

We are called to remain in His Word

GOSPEL THOUGHTS*

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:31-42*

*First Reading : Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95*

*We are called to remain in His Word*

*1) Bible is God's Word*

The entire bible is nothing but the Word of God

We have 73 books which contain the Word of God 

The Word of God is such a inspiring Word, which can change the life of the people. 

It is relevant to all the time, and in every situation

*2) Jesus calls us to remain in His Word*

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus specially calls us to remain in His Word

Remaining in His Word means, remaining with Jesus

By remaining with the Word, we are able to know Jesus in a better way and thus we can know the Truth 

*3) Why we have to remain in His Word*

By remaining in His Word, we get deeper knowledge and divine experience

By remaining in His Words, we are enlightened to know the Truth 

By remaining in His Word, we become free and we are freed from the slavery of Sin 

By remaining in His Word, we become the Children of the Heavenly Father 

*4) Various ways of Remaining in His Word*

By reading the scriptures every day 

By meditating His Words 

By studying His Word 

By Praying His Word 

By Teaching His Word

By Practicing His Word, through the Gospel values like, Forgiveness, simplicity, humility, sacrifice, love, service, generosity etc 

*5) How do I try to remain in His Word*

It is a very important question

Breaking away from the Word means breaking away from the relationship of God 

Those who don't remain in His Word, they become the slaves of Sin, slaves of this World to its pomp and Glory, slaves of bodily pleasures etc 

So what are the ways through which I try to remain in His Word? 

There is no Way to God, without the way through His Word

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Worldly standards only lead us to die in Sin

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:21-30*

*First Reading : Nm 21:4-9*

*Worldly standards only lead us to die in Sin* 

*1) Difference between Above and Below*

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus makes a difference between what is from above and what is from Below 

All those things which belong to the spiritual realm or to the Heavenly kingdom are called things from above 

All those things which belong to the World and all the Worldly standard things, they are called what is below or things from below 

*2) Jesus says I am from Above*

Jesus is very clear about His identity. He has come from above and he is full of Spiritual things or holy things 

Only Jesus can say that I am from above, because He has come from above and He lived His life according to the above standards 

The Above standards give us life and eternal life 

*3) Things from Below*

All the things which are filled with worldly standards are called things from below 

According Jesus things from below, finally lead us into sin and death 

Destruction and death is the target of worldly things 

Therefore, we need to be very careful about the Worldly things  

*4) Various things from Below*

These are some of the examples of things from below

Pride 

Arrogance

Ego

Greed 

Power 

Authority

Wealth 

Revenge

Selfishness

Money and muscle power 

Injustice

All these things finally lead us into sin and death

*5) Which things Influence me?*

Towards which side my inclination is? 

Things from above or things from below? 

If I am filled with spiritual things I will be leaning towards those things which are from above 

If I am filled with worldly things, I will be leaning towards things from below 

*6) Lent is a time to think and live according to the standards of "above" things*

Lent has a special spirit to draw us towards the things from above 

It makes us to think about the above things which give us new life 

It makes us to live our life according to the standards to heavenly things, which will help to experience the Gospel values in our life 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS*

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:12-20*

*First Reading : Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62*

*You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.*

*1) The Question of Judgement*

First of all Jesus says *Do not judge others and you will not be judged*

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12

So judgement is purely belong to God and not the Human beings 

*2) Judgment based on appearances*

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus speaks about the nature of Human judgment

Most f our judgements are based on  appearances. 

In fact a judgement can't be based on the appearance, but it should be based on the Truth 

Since our judgments are based on appearances and not on truth we are committing a great blunder in our life 

*3) Problem with the Judgement by appearance*

First of all it will be a wrong judgement

Secondly, mere appearance will not reveal the truth in it 

Appearance is purely based on the emotions and not on the reason 

Appearance is based on the individual perception and not in the truth 

*4) Judgement should based on two witnesses*

Jesus says it is very important to have two people agree on the same matter 

God's judgment is always based on two people's testimony, that is by the Father and the Son

Their judgement is not based on the appearance but based on the truth 

So the Judgement of God is always based on  truth

*5) Examples of Judgement based on appearances*

The judgement based on external beauty. If some one is beautiful can't considered as good 

All that is white is not Milk. But milk is always white 

All those who are intelligent need not be good people 

All those who are rich, need not be corrupt people 

All those who speak good things, need not be genuine people 

*6) Judgements based on appearances are unable to know the Truth*

Since they can't see the deeper reality, truth is  always hidden from the appearance

Appearance looks only what is beautiful and what is appealing to the senses 

Truth can't be based on the senses and appearances

Whatever appears beautiful may not be truth but truth always appears beautiful

*6) How do I Judge?*

Mother Theresa said, *If you are busy in Judging people where is the time to Love them?*

Do I judge people on external appearances or based on their real worth ? 

Does my judgement based on emotions or on reason? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Untie him and let him go.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 11:1-45*

*First Reading : Ez 37:12-14*

*SECOND READING - Rom 8:8-11*

*“Untie him and let him go.”*

*1) The Raised Lazarus was with White Clothes*

When Jesus raised Lazarus, He came out of the Tomb. But he was wrapped with white clothes. 

That's why Jesus told those who were around, untie Him, let Him Go

*2) Was Jesus unable to untie the white cloth?*

It appears that after raising Lazarus, Jesus would used one word, about the cloth, and it would have disappeared

It was not that Jesus was unable to untie Lazarus from the white cloth, but He purposely, told those who were around Him. 

Why? What are the reasons? 

*3) Various Reasons*

*A) To strengthen their Faith*

To see a person who was raised from the dead itself is a unusual thing

There is a lot of fear about death and people also were not sure whether Lazarus was really raised or not 

Was he a ghost? Was he a spirit? Or was he a real human being? Were  some of the questions

No body would easily touch the dead man, because of the fear 

In this context Jesus tells them to touch the raised man, to experience that he is real Lazarus who was living before his death and now he is living 

So death has no control over Lazarus now, and he is like one among us - to prove this Jesus asked them to untie him 

There is also another reason to strengthen their faith by experiencing the real things in life 

*B) Human Cooperation*

This incident also shows that God needs our cooperation in the resurrection 

In other words, God involves the Human beings in the mighty and powerful works. 

God alone can do. But with His generosity he gives us a plenty of opportunities to participate in the Redemptive work of the Lord 

So Gods needs our cooperation. God's work is not one sided 

*4) Lent is a time to untie the Wrapped things*

All of us are tied with so many things. As a result we are not able to move forward 

Lazarus was not able to move until he was untied by the others 

Lent is a time to allow ourselves to be untied by others, so that we are freed to move forward

*5) Who are others or who are they?*

In the Gospel we see that Jesus says to *them*, untie him let him go 

During this Lenten season, the particular word *them* has special reference to our life 

So this word *them* could mean the following

The sacrament of *Reconciliation* which can untie us from the clothes of Sin

*The Eucharist* Eucharist can untie our hearts and minds to experience the Love of Jesus for us 

*Prayer* prayer can untie the blindness and darkness from our life, and bring the divine light to walk in the right path 

*Service, Sacrifice, Generosity, Humility, simplicity* are the other important values which can untie us from our selfishness and greed, which will help us to move forward and grow in the love of Jesus 

*6) Am I ready to allow myself to be untied by others?*

There are many of *them* around me to untie me from the obstacles which hinder my growth

But the question is am I ready to allow myself to be untied by others? 

Am I ready to grow in the values of Christ? 

Am I ready to cooperate with God and others in the process of untying??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Jesus needs reception and conception to grow and to build the Kingdom of God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Saturday*

*March 25 : The Annunciation of the Lord*

*Gospel : Lk 1:26-38*

*First Reading : Is 7:10-14; 8:10*

*SECOND READING - Heb 10:4-10*

*Jesus needs reception and conception to grow and to build the Kingdom of God*

*1) Mary as an instrument in the Hands of God*

The story of Annunciation tells us that God wanted a woman, to receive and conceive His Son, so that He may take birth in this world to build the Kingdom of Heaven 

So God chose Mary as an instrument in this process and she received and Conceived Jesus in Her womb, gave birth to Him

Jesus grew as the saviour of the World and He built the Kingdom of God, here on this earth

*2) Annunciation is an reminder for all of us*

The feast of the Annunciation tells the story of Jesus' life, but at the same time, it calls us to play the role of Mother Mary, in building the Kingdom of God 

Playing the Role of Mary means, first of all receiving Jesus in our Heart and life, allowing Him to grow in our life, and finally listening to Him in building the kingdom of God 

So it is a great divine call with a special responsibility to build His Kingdom 

*3) The Various ways of Receiving, Conceiving and allowing Him to Grow in our Life*

Today we are called to play role of Mary did, which she played 2000 years ago

*Cross:* By receiving, conceiving and allowing it to grow in our life 

*Humility:* We need to receive, conceive and allow it to grow 

*Service* Receive, conceive and allow it to grow 

*Forgiveness* Receive from God, conceive it and allow it to grow 

*Love* We need a people who can conceive and give birth to Love, in and through our life 

*Sacrifice, Truthfulness, Love for the Poor, Helping the Needy* : All these we need to receive, conceive and allow it to grow in our Life 

*4) Giving Birth is an important Mission*

Mary Gave birth to Jesus 

We need to give birth to Jesus by giving birth to the following areas 

Give birth to Humility

Give birth to simplicity

Give birth to care and concern 

Give birth to love

Give birth to sacrifice

Give birth to forgiveness

Give birth to service

Give birth to prayer 

Give birth to truthfulness

Give birth to faithfulness

Give birth to taking care of the needy 

Give birth to divine experience

Give birth to generosity

*5) Am I ready to receive, conceive, and give birth?*

The identity of the Disciples consists in receiving, Jesus, conceiving Jesus, allowing Jesus to grow in life and giving birth to Jesus 

Christian spirituality and the goal consists in the above things 

If so, am I ready for this mission 

If I am ready I need to pay attention for the following things 

Like Mary we need to be full of Grace

Like Mary, we need listen to the voice of the Lord

Like Mary we need the purity of the heart and mind 

Like Mary we need to surrender ourselves completely to God 

Like Mary we need to say *Thy Will be done*

Like Mary we need to face all the challenges of Life for God's sake 

*So am I ready??"*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Various ways of Knowing and Experiencing Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30*

*First Reading : Wis 2:1a, 12-22*

*The Various ways of Knowing and Experiencing Jesus*

*1) Jesus Says that He Knows the Father*

Since Jesus is with the Father, He knows the Father 

Since Jesus has come from the Father, He knows the Father

Since Jesus is in touch with the Father, He Knows the Father

So being with the Father one can know the Father and can experience the Father 

*2) The Question of Knowing Jesus*

The Gospel calls us to reflect about knowing of Jesus in our life 

The only way to know Jesus is to be with Jesus, and remain with Him

*3) Various ways of remaining with Jesus, knowing and experiencing Him*

From the Gospels we know the following things which help us to remain with Jesus

Forgiveness

Humility

Simplicity 

Sacrifice

Love

Care and concern for others 

 

*4) Gospel Values are the Ways to remain with Jesus*

One who does not practice the Gospel values, can't remain with Jesus 

 One who is able to practice the Gospel values, is able to remain with Jesus, and experience Jesus 

Remaining with Jesus will help us to know Jesus more and also the Father 

*5) Am I ready to remain with Jesus*

All of us would like to remain with Jesus 

We also feel very proud to reflect about the Gospel values from the life of Jesus 

But when it comes to practice the values of Jesus we have many lame excuses, which may not help us to remain with Jesus 

With the the Gospel values, one can't know Jesus. So it is very important to practice the Gospel values 

Which are the Gospel values I practice to remain with Jesus? 

What are the challenges I face to practice the Gospel values? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

God's Praise or Human Praise?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Jn 5:31-47*

*First Reading : Ex 32:7-14*

*God's Praise or Human Praise?*

*1) Jesus on God's praise and Human Praise*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about Two types of Praise 

One is about God's praise and the other one is Human praise 

The reading of the day calls us to reflect about to which praise we long for? human praise or God's praise 

*2) Natural Tendency to carve for Human praise*

All of us have the natural tendency to crave for humam praise 

Generally we have an opinion that when we get  Human praise we become hero's

We have an opinion that, human praise is the yardstick for our success and popularity

We think that human praise is all about our success and becoming great persons

So that is why, we crave for human praise 

*3) I don't accept Human prise*

In today's Gospel Jesus clearly says that He doesn't accept human praise 

Because human praise is not genuine. Human praise  always depends on the personal interest

If some one likes the other praise comes automatically. If some one doesn't like the other, then even if the good work is done, praise doesn't come 

So human praise purely based on selfish interest and one sided approach. So such praise is not genuine. So Jesus says he doesn't accept human praise 

*4) Who crave for Human praise?*

Jesus gives the following reasons 

Those who don't hear the voice of the Lord 

Those who don't wish to retain the word of the Lord with them 

Those who don't to wish to believe in the one who was sent by the Father - Jesus 

Those who don't wish to come to Jesus 

Those who don't have love for God 

Those who seek praise from one another

*5) The difference between Human praise and God's praise*

Human praise only for a moment. God's praise for eternity 

Human praise is based on the whims and fancies. But God's praise is based on faithfulness and truth 

God's praise is based on good and holy things. Human praise is based on worldly things and worldly pomp and glory 

Human praise is based on the success. God's praise is based on faithfulness and truth 

Human praise is based on the popularity. God's praise is based on the sincerity and faithfulness

Human praise can be bought. God's praise based only on good merit 

With Human praise we achieve only worldly things. With God's praise we achieve the eternal life 

*6) What is my tendency?*

There is no doubt that some times all of us lean towards human praise. But the question is How often do I crave for human praise? 

Is my life only depends on Human praise? 

Do I work only for human praise? 

In what area of my life, God will praise me? 

Will God praise me in the area of forgiveness, prayer, commitment, truthfulness, sincerity, love, sacrifice, humility, sharing, faithfulness, etc??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Hour, The Tomb and the Voice of the Lord

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Jn 5:17-30*

*First Reading : Is 49:8-15*

*The Hour, The Tomb and the Voice of the Lord*

*1) Three important things in today's Gospel*

*A) The Hour*

In the Gospel the Hour has a special significance.

It speaks about the hour of Jesus when he was handed over to the powers of this world for the trial and crucifixion

The Hour in our life refers to the time of renewal, time of change and time of spiritual strength

*B) The Tomb*

The tomb refers to the lifelessness, death and decay. 

It is a place where the rotten things are found and it is a place of the dead 

*C) Voice of the Lord*

It speaks about the hope and new direction. By listening to the voice we can come out of the Tomb and live a life of hope 

*2) The Hour and Lent*

The lent is a special hour which comes into our life 

It is a hour of grace

It is a hour of change 

It is a hour of divine experience

It is a hour of revival

It is a hour of forgiveness

It is a hour of repairing our relationship

It is a hour of becoming close to God 

It is an hour to achieve our goal 

*3) The need of coming out of the Tomb*

Lent is a time to come out of the Tomb

The tomb of sin 

The tomb of pride 

The tomb of gossip 

The tomb of anger 

The tomb of easy life 

The tomb of immoral life 

The tomb of revenge

The tomb of lies 

The tomb of injustice

The tomb of selfishness

*4) The voice of the Lord*

Every day we are hearing the voice of the Lord from the Holy Scriptures

Only we need to pay attention to listen to the Voice of the Lord 

By listening to the voice we are able to understand our situation and we are able to come out of our various tombs 

*5) Am I ready to come out of the Tomb*

Now the time is fulfilled. Time tk come out of the tomb? 

All our spiritual exercises will help us to come out of the tomb of Sin 

When we come out of the tomb, we will come to the light and we will be able to see clearly 

Christian life consists in coming out of the tomb and to begin a new life

Am I ready!!?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Significance of the Sheep Gate

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel :  Jn 5:1-16*

*First Reading : Ez 47:1-9, 12*

*The Significance of the Sheep Gate*

*1) The concept of Sheep gate*

The Gospel reading of the day speaks about the Sheep gate 

It was called the Sheep Gate because it was the entrance for sheep entering into the Temple compound from the sheep markets (where lambs were sold for sacrifice in the Temple)

Then the sheep was led to the sheep pool (later known as Pool of Bethesda), where sheep were washed for sacrificing.

*2) The Holiness of the Sheep gate*

The Sheep Gate was the first gate to be restored 

It was rebuilt by the High Priest and his fellow priests.

This was the only gate that was consecrated (set apart as holy), as it was used for bringing in sacrifices for the temple.

*3) Jesus the Sheep Gate*

In John 10:7 Jesus says, *Very truly I tell you, I am the Gate for the Sheep*

One who enters through this gate will be safe and he/she will be saved for eternity. He/she will be led to eternal life through this gate 

So Sheep gate is not an ordinary concept in the bible, but it is a salvation door, it is a narrow door which leads to light and eternity 

*4) Jesus and the Sheep Gate*

When Jesus was on earth, He always entered Jerusalem via the Sheep Gate (except for the Triumphal Entry).

The Sheep Gate also led to Golgotha, the path Jesus took to the crucifixion.

So the Sheep gate is the part and parcel of Jesus' life 

Finally Jesus Himself became the sheep gate to save the entire humanity 

*5) The Spiritual meaning of the Sheep gate*

Spiritual meaning of Sheep Gate is death and offering the Lamb (the Lord Jesus), which death, blood and resurrection bring us forgiveness of sins and redemption. 

The high priest was setting up the doors of the Sheep Gate, which means that He is the Door of the sheep.

Through the Lord Jesus a man will be saved from the power of death-, sin and eternal damnation to eternal life.

*6) Lent is a time to enter through the Sheep Gate*

For us, Jesus is the Sheep gate. We are supposed to enter through this gate in order to have a deeper spiritual experience in our life 

A person can be saved only through the sheep gate 

Sheep gate always represents the sacrifice and death 

So if we are ready to sacrifice our life and die ourselves to the worldly things we can enter through the sheep gate 

Am I ready to sacrifice and to die for the Worldly things, bodily pleasures, greed, anger, jealousy, revenge, division, ego, etc? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Joseph - A man of Quick action

GOSPEL THOUGHTS*

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Monday*

*Solemnity of St Joseph*

*Gospel : Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a*

*First Reading : 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16*

*SECOND READING - Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22*

*Joseph - A man of Quick action*

*1) No words from Joseph*

In the Gospel we hardly hear about any words from Joseph

There are no spoken words from Joseph, which are recorded in the Gospel

So it is very clear that Joseph is not the man of Words.

Instead Joseph can be called as a Man of Action

*2) Joseph - A man of Actions*

There are plenty of actions which are done by Joseph

*He was unwilling to expose Mary to Shame at the same time Joseph protected Mary from all Harm 

*Joseph Listened to the voice of the Lord, and brought Mary to His house as the Angel told him to do so 

He took Her to Bethlehem, during the time taking the census. It was very difficult task, but Joseph did it 

*He also tried his best to find a place for Mary to give the birth to Jesus 

He also listened the Angel in protecting the Child and escaped to Egypt 

He was also was anxious when Jesus was lost in the temple. But He searched Jesus until he got him 

All these above actions show us that Joseph was of a man of quick actions 

*3) He acted according to God's will*

The quick actions were always according to the will of God 

Quick actions never came from Joseph for his own benefits. He acted always for God, and for the mission of the Lord 

*4) Am I a Person of Action?*

Today we need persons like Joseph who are quick to do the Will of God

There are many occasions where the angel of the Lord speaks to us

It all depends on us, how quick we are to listen to the voice of the Lord 

*5) Only a righteous person can hear the voice of the Lord*

Since Joseph was the righteous man, he was able to listen to the voice of the Lord, and act quickly according it 

So righteousness is necessary to listen to the voice of the Lord, and for the quick actions 

Am I ready to act like Joseph - quickly and according to the Will of God??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Jesus is Sending me to Siloam pool. What is my response?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : GOSPEL - Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38*

*First Reading : 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a*

*SECOND READING :Eph 5:8-14*

*Jesus is Sending me to Siloam pool. What is my response?*

*1) The Siloam Pool*

In the Gospel of the day, we come across the Siloam pool 

It is the pool where Jesus healed the Blind man

The Gospel gives the meaning of Siloam as *Sent*. So Siloam means Sent 

*2) Jesus is "Sent" by the Father*

Jesus is the Son of God, who was *sent* by the Father

Jesus who was *Sent* by  the Father into this world in order to  save the World, now in tern *sends* the Blind to the Pool which is called the *Sent*

So there is a close connection between Jesus who was *Sent* by  the Father and the Siloam pool which is Called *Sent*

*3) Jesus is the Healer and the Pool is also heals*

Jesus who was *Sent* by the Father came into this World and healed many people

The Siloam pool which is called *Sent* healed the Blind man and gave him the sight  

So ultimately the Siloam Pool Represents Jesus Himself

So going to the Siloam Pool means going to Jesus Himself

*4) Today Jesus is sending us to Siloam Pool*

All of us like the man who was born blind. All of us suffer from one or the other kind of darkness

So only Jesus can remove this darkness from our life 

So we need to go to Jesus. In turn Jesus sends us to the Siloam Pool. We need to go and immerse ourselves into the Pool

*5) Various Siloam Pools*

*A) The Siloam pool of Eucharist*

One of the powerful pools which represents the Christ. Jesus tells us that we need to immerse in the pool of Eucharist to get rid of our spiritual darkness

*B)The Siloam pool of Reconciliation*

Today during this Lenten season sends us to the pool of Reconciliation to wash ourselves from the stains of sin 

*C) The Siloam pool of Prayer*

To have the Divine experience

*D) The Pool of Service*

Jesus sends us to this pool. By washing ourselves in the pool of service we are justified by the Lord

*E) The Other Siloam Pools*

The pool of humility

The pool of forgiveness

The pool of almsgiving

The pool of truthfulness

The pool of generosity

The pool of Love 

The pool of Fasting 

*6)  Am I ready to wash myself in the Pool?*

We understand the need of washing ourselves in various pools 

But the question is am I ready to wash myself in these pools during this Lenten season? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

God comes to us Like the Rain

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 3rd Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 18:9-14*

*First Reading : Hos 6:1-6*

*God comes to us Like the Rain*

*1) Coming of God*

The first reading of the day speaks about the coming of God to His people 

The coming of God, always results in the renewal of the relationship and a new beginning

In the season of Lent, all the prepations are geared towards renewing of the Relationship and to have a new beginning in life 

*2) God will come to us like the Rain*

The first reading also tells us about the way in which God is coming 

It is like the rain, God is coming to us. So what is the significance of the Rain 

*A) Rain, Makes the soil Fruitful*

Rain water has the quality of changing the ordinary dry soil into fruitful soil. Likewise God who comes into our life like the rain, will make our dry life into a fruitful one 

*A)  Rain water, brings about new Life*

After some days of rain, we can see greenery everywhere. It is the sign of new life. God also brings new life to us 

*C) Rain brings a Change everywhere*

The whole places changes when the rain comes. We can see this change at various levels 

So also the coming of God, brings about a change in our life and around us 

*D) Rain cleans the surroundings*

When the rain comes our surroundings, become clean from dust and from other dirty things 

Like wise our God, cleanses from all the dirt in our life 

*E) Rain makes us Happy*

The moment the rain comes it brings about a kind of Happiness in our life 

Likewise, the coming of God in our life is always a joyful thing 

*F) Rain Sustains our Life*

It is only the rain which sustains life. There is nothing substitute for rain. Like wise Only God can sustain our life. There is no substitute for God

*G) Rain has pure water*

The purity and fruitfulness of rain water is very high. Likewise our God is pure and Fruitful who makes us pure and fruitful 

*H) Rain has no partiality*

Rain falls every where and where ever it falls, it brings out a new life and new fruit 

Like wise our God has no partiality and preference. All are equal to God

*3) Rain - God - My life*

Its a very meaningful and beautiful concept, the Coming of God like the Rain 

Am I ready to accept the God who comes like a rain 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*

The Significane of Oilve tree in the Bible

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 3rd Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mk 12:28-34*

*First Reading :  Hos 14:2-10*

*The Significane of Oilve tree in the Bible*

*1) Olive Tree in Today's Liturgy*

The first reading of the day, from the book of Hosea speaks about the Splender of Israel like the Olive tree

In fact in Bible, Olive tree is mentioned many times. 

As one of the most highly valued and useful trees known to the ancient Jews, the olive tree is significant for several reasons in the Bible.

*2) It's a symbol of Peace and Reconciliation*

The olive tree and olive branch have been symbols of peace and reconciliation ever since the account of Noah’s flood. When the dove brought Noah “a plucked olive leaf in its beak,” the olive branch represented new life sprouting on the earth (Genesis 8:11).

*3) The Symbol of beauty and abundance*

The flowering olive tree is a symbol of beauty and abundance in the Bible. The tree’s fruitfulness and ability to thrive suggests the model of a righteous person (Psalm 52:8; Hosea 14:6), whose children are described as “vigorous young olive trees” (Psalm 128:3, NLT). 

*4) Olive oil is the Symbol of Holy Spirit*

Olive tree oil is symbolic of the anointing of the Holy Spirit

Olive oil was also used in the anointing and coronation of kings, making it an emblem of sovereignty.

*5) It is a symbol of Covenant Relationship*

God uses the imagery of an olive tree in Jeremiah 11:16–17 to remind His people of the covenant relationship He has with them. God’s people (the nation of Israel) are depicted as an olive tree and God as the farmer. 

*6) Olive Tree and the Gentiles*

The Gentiles, represented by the wild olive tree in Romans 11, have been grafted into the cultivated olive root. As a wild olive tree, their root was weak. Their branches were incapable of bearing fruit until they were grafted into the nourishing, life-sustaining root of the cultivated olive tree.

*7) The usefulness of Olive Tree*

olive trees were an essential source of food (Nehemiah 9:25), 

Used for lamp oil (Exodus 27:20), 

Used for medicine (Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34), 

Used for anointing oil (1 Samuel 10:1; 2 Kings 9:3)

Used for  sacrificial oil (Leviticus 2:4; Genesis 28:18), 

Wood for furniture (1 Kings 6:23, 31–33).

Our life should become like a olive tree

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Danger of the Mute Demon

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 3rd Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 11:14-23*

*First Reading : Jer 7:23-28*

*The Danger of the Mute Demon*

*1) The Man with Mute Demon*

The Gospel of the day, presents us a man with a demon which is mute 

A mute demon is not able to speak. Likewise a man who is affected with the mute demon is not able to speak 

So this demon makes a person completely helpless and takes away from God

So we need to understand the danger of this mute demon

*2) The Effect of mute Demon*

When this demon controls ones life, He/she becomes helpless in the following things 

Mute demon will not allow the person to talk the truth 

Mute demon will not allow the person to thank and praise God 

Mute demon will not allow the person to appreciate others 

Mute demon will not allow to speak good about others 

Mute demon will not allow the person to proclaim the Word of God

Mute demon will not allow the person to communicate the message of Love and service 

The mute demon will not allow the person to express ones opinions 

*3) Mute demons in our Life*

The demon of Pride makes us mute about simplicity

The demon of anger makes us mute above patience and love 

The demon of arrogance makes us mute about adjustments

The demon of greed makes us mute about sharing and generosity

The demon of selfishness makes us mute about wellbeing of the other 

The demon of domination makes us mute about concern for others 

The demon of cruelty makes us mute about the pity 

The demon of revenge makes us mute about the forgiveness

*4) Demon aims at division and destruction*

The only work of the demon is to divide one from another and make him/her helpless and to destroy them 

By making a person helpless, by not allowing him/her to speak, it takes full control of our life and finally ends up in destruction

*5) Which are the Mute demons affecting my Life*

If something is curtailing my freedom to speak the truth, proclaim the good news, appreciate others and speaking good about others then I am controlled by a demon who is enslaving me to its power

So it is very important to note that we need to carefully analyse its influence and power 

*6)Only Jesus can Control the Mute Demon*

Even in the Gospel it is very clear that Jesus is the one who controls this mute Demon

So we need to deepen our relationship with Jesus through Reading of the Word of God, Celebration of the Sacraments and the personal prayer life 

May Jesus cast out all the mute demons from our life 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Do not forget the things which your own eyes have seen

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 3rd Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:17-19*

*First Reading : Dt 4:1, 5-9*

*Do not forget the things which your own eyes have seen*

*1) Memory is a great thing in our Life*

It is said, knowledge is nothing but memory

Those people who have very good memory, they become very knowledgeable

Memory is one of the greatest gifts of God. At times it is a miraculous power of God in Human Life 

So we are supposed to remember many good things from our Life 

*2) What all things we have seen in our life?*

We have seen that we have been created in the image and likeness of God. So need to see God in one another 

We have seen that human beings are superior beings among all living beings. So respect one another 

We have seen that human being is a wonderful creation of God 

We have seen the beautiful creation of this world 

We have seen the intelligence in human beings 

We have seen that there is a conscience in human beings 

We have seen blood of the Human being is always red

We have seen all of commit mistakes 

We have seen, all are equal before God 

We have seen all believe in God 

We have seen that our life is a gift from God 

*3) Danger of forgetting these above things*

Today many have forgotten the things which their own eyes have seen. As a result we have the following issues 

Division in everything. Today we have more than 40000 denominations 

Fights among the religions to prove whose religion is best 

 Persecutions everywhere

Eliminating the other for the sake of power, authority and wealth 

*4) The refusal to see good things*

The present day trend is making one another not to see the goodness present around us 

Today goodness is seen from the perspective of who is doing? Which religion is doing, which group is doing. This is the sad part of our existence

*5) Are my eyes able to recognize the great things in my own life?*

How sharp is my eyesight to recognise the goodness around me? 

The forgetfulness comes, when I am not able to recognize the importance of the great things in my life 

Not to become blind to the wonderful realities and not to slip from our memories the great things 

Meaning of life consists in seeing the great and wonderful things and retaining it in our memory

When we are able to do that our life becomes holy and meaningful

Who things do I see and retain in my memory??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Why we have to forgive Seventy Seven times or Seventy times Seven?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 3rd Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 18:21-35*

*First Reading : Dn 3:25, 34-43*

*Why we have to forgive Seventy Seven times or Seventy times Seven?*

*1) The meaning of Seventy times Seven or Seventy Seven times*

The seventy seven times symbolises, unlimited times 

It is not 77 times or seventy times Seven, which would come around 490 times 

This number simply stands for unlimited times and in forgiving there is no number is applied 

*2) Forgiveness can't be counted and Given*

There are many things in the world which can be counted and given. For example money, material things, etc 

But forgiveness is something which comes in the spiritual realm, which go beyond counting

In counting there is a beginning and there is a end point. It can't go on indefinitely

But in forgiveness there can't be limits and it can't be measured in terms of numbers 

*3) Why Seventy times Seven?*

None of are able to count our weaknesses

Even taken as single day, to count our weaknesses from morning till evening, it becomes a herculean task to remember all our weaknesses and to count them 

There is no human being who has succeeded in counting his own or others weakness

If one can't find out the number of ones weaknesses, then How one can even think of forgiving only few times?

*4) Confessional have no expiry dates and limited time*

Confessional is a place where we experience the forgiveness of God

Such place has no limited time and expiry date

One can go at any time and at any moment to experience the forgiveness of the Lord 

*5) Benefits of Forgiving*

There are unlimited  benefits and advantages in forgiving the other and experiencing the God's mercy  

Peace of mind

Divine experience

One feels happy 

One is able to inspire others 

One is able to understand others 

Renewed relationship

Disputes is solved 

Resources are saved 

Time is saved 

Stepping stone for success in other fields 

We become good persons 

God forgives us 

*6) Am I ready to Forgive seventy times Seven*

How does it sound in my life?

What are my difficulties in practicing this formula in life?*

Seventy times Seven is a very practical principle in life

Use Seventy times Seven formula to experience the divine mercy and Love 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Logic Behind dipping into the River by Naman

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 3rd Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:24-30*

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab*

*The Logic Behind dipping into the River by Naman*

*1) Seven Symbolizes Perfection*

In the biblical understanding 7 stands for perfection

That's why we have 7 sacraments, 7 days for a week, 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit

In Leviticus 4:6 we read about a very solemn ceremony that took place in the temple, “And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, before the veil of the sanctuary.”

So by dipping 7 times, the Leper Naman will be healed completely

He will be completely and perfectly healed 

So 7 symbolises the Perfection in the life of Naman  

*2) Salvation through a process of 7 Steps*

Our salvation is not something simple, but a process that has seven stages, namely:

1) Acknowledgement of our sins

2) Repentance - sorrow for the sin under the influence of the Holy Spirit

3) Confession

4) Justification – Forgiveness

5) Reconciliation – restoration of the relationship between man and God

6) Sanctification- the process of being cleansed from sin

7) Redemption – glorification- when the image of God will be restored in us and we shall be in His holy presence

Naaman’s skin was as clean as that of a child. He was a new creature, he now knew the true living God personally and started a new life under His guidance.

*3) 7 Capital Sins*

the Seven Deadly Sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a list of the worst vices that cut a person off from God's grace. 

They are the following 

Pride

Greed

Extravagance, later lust

Envy

Gluttony

Wrath

Sloth

Naman was under the influence of these sins. So asking him to dip 7 times will enable him to get rid of all deadly sins 

*4) The River Jordan in our Life*

Like Naman, all of need the dipping into the river. So to our context the following could be considered as the River Jordan

*The Holy Scriptures

*The celebration of the Sacraments

*The practice of the Lenten Spirit

*Prayer Life 

*Service to the humanity 

*Generosity towards others 

*Discipline in ones life 

We need to dip ourselves into these river in order to experience the Healing from the Lord 

*5) Am I ready to Dip?*

Dipping is very necessary

Dipping symbolises the complete involvement oneself into something

The more we dip ourselves the more we become good and clean 

If so, am I ready to dip myself into the Holy things? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Water Jar of Samaritan Woman

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 3rd Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : GOSPEL - Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42*

*First Reading : Ex 17:3-7*

*Second Reading: Rom 5:1-2, 5-8*

*The Water Jar of Samaritan Woman*

*1) Water Jar*

Water Jar is an important thing our life 

It is used to draw water, carry water, and to store water 

Water is the Symbol of life and water has the capacity to give life 

So water jar becomes very important thing in the context, since water gives life 

*2) The Empty Water Jar*

The woman comes with a empty jar to fetch water from the well 

The empty jar symbolises the life of Samaritan Woman 

Like that empty jar, the Samaritan woman was empty within herself 

She felt the emptiness of many things 

People didn't accept her. So she was feeling empty with regard to the acceptance

The emptiness of relationship

The emptiness of good reputation

The emptiness of genuine love 

The emptiness of real family 

The emptiness of good friends 

In other words she felt and faced emptiness in everything in her life 

*3) The Return of the Woman without the Jar*

After the encounter with Jesus, the Gospel clearly says, that the woman left the water jar and went back to the city or to her town 

Once she encountered Jesus, she was not feeling the need of  the jar 

The empty jar was completely forgotten because, Jesus gave her better jar with life giving water 

Once she experienced the Living Eternal water, there was no need of worldly jar with ordinary water to the Samaritan woman 

*4) The need of Leaving something*

In all the Gospels we see,  when some one follows Jesus he/she has to leave behind something or the other 

The fishermen left the nets and boat 

Matthew left his tax office with all the money 

Jesus asked the rich man to sell the property and to follow him 

Many who wanted to follow, left many things and followed Jesus 

The Samaritan woman left the jar and followed Jesus 

Leaving something is very essential thing to follow Jesus 

*5) My Life and the Water Jar?*

What does it symbolises in my life?

Jar, water and thirst, they go together. So what type of thirst I have 

Spiritual thirst? 

Material thirst ? 

Sensual thirst? 

Power thirst? 

Authority thirst

Position thirst? 

Thirst for people? 

Thirst for things? 

Thirst for God? 

My Jar will change according to the thirst I have? 

Is my jar filled with worldly things or eternal things? 

Am I ready to leave behind the worldly jars??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Strategy of the Younger Son : Taking decision and implementation of the decision

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 15:1-3, 11-32*

*First Reading : Mi 7:14-15, 18-20*

*The Strategy of the Younger Son : Taking decision and implementation of the decision*

*1) The position of the Younger Son*

As long as he was with the Father, he enjoyed everything. He lacked nothing 

Soon after he claimed his inheritance from the father, for a short period of time, he enjoyed the worldly things, squandering the entire inheritance

But the time came, when he lost everything, and he became a beggar, and no one gave him anything

Here we see the two extremes of the Life of Younger Son 

*2) Coming to His senses and making a decision*

When he lost everything, he realised that he has made a great mistake

Coming to His senses made him to see the reality as it is 

This made him to make a decision. Decision either for good or for bad 

But the good part of the younger son is that, he made a good decision, which would help him to come back to his Father

*3) Implementation of the Decision*

Two things are quickly done by the younger Son 

First making a right decision and secondly, immediately implementing the decision

Both things are necessary to bring about a great change 

Mere decision, which does not see any implementation is useless 

*4) Younger Son, Lent and my Life*

All of us represent the younger son

We also at times go away from our heavenly father and lose everything in life 

Then we come to our senses. In fact lent is a time to realise our mistakes. It is a time to come to our senses and to see the reality as it is 

*5) Lent is a time to take decision and to implement them*

Like the Younger Son, Lent is a time for us to take quick decisions and to implement them 

All the spiritual exercises, like prayer, fasting and almsgiving help us in this regard 

Most of us take very good decisions during this Lenten season. The question is what happens after words?  

*6) What is my strategy for implementation?*

All of take lots of decisions during this lent

How quick I am in implementing them? 

Do I forget them? Do I take long time to implement them? 

Am I frightened to implement the decisions, which I myself take in my life, about my life? 

What is the strategy I have to implement the decisions? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

After all, he/she is our brother/sister our own flesh

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 21:33-43, 45-46*

*First Reading : Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a*

*After all, he/she is our brother/sister our own flesh*

*1) Joseph and His brothers*

The first reading of the day gives us an account of Joseph and His brothers 

Since Joseph's brothers were jealous about Him, they wanted to kill him 

Accordingly they made all the plans. But one of His brothers named Judah, was not for killing their own brother 

So in this context Judah says *After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.*

*2) The great Change in the Brothers*

In the beginning, the brothers saw Joseph as if, he is an enemy of them

That's why they were ready to kill Him 

But the moment they realised that Joseph is their own brother, their own flesh, the entire plan changes 

Instead of Killing their brother they sell their brother to the Ishamalite 

So we see a great change here 

*3) The concept of Brother and Sister*

Brother of sister are closely related with each other

When we are Small, the ties of brothers and sisters is very strong 

They always wish well, to each other 

So the concept of brother or sister avoids any kinds of disputes and issues 

*4) A call to consider every one as brother/sister*

The moment they realised and accepted Joseph as their brother, the whole plan gets changed 

All the changes happen because they accepted Joseph as their own brother 

Since the concept of Brother / Sister can change the situation, we are called upon to consider every one as brothers and Sisters 

*5) Am I ready to consider others as brothers and Sisters?*

From the Gospel it is very clear, considering others as brother or sister, will change the entire situation

If So, am I ready to say like this *After all He/She is my own brother or sister?*

So am I ready?

*6) Whom should I call my own bothers and sisters?*

All those people whom we consider as our enemies

All those who are jealous about us

All those who criticize us 

All those who angry with us

All those who challenge us in one or other

*All those who seek our downfall*

All those who hate us in one way or other 

All those who spoil our name in one way or the other 

*7) Benefits of Considering everyone as brothers and sisters*

*Reconciliation takes place 

*Fights do not take place 

*We are able to treat with respect 

*No discrimination between rich and poor 

*Possibility of better relationship

*At times we can also save one precious life 

*We can share our resources 

*We will be in a better position share our belongings

*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 the Person who seeks his strength in Flesh

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 16:19-31*

*First Reading : Jer 17:5-10*

*The tragedy of the Person who seeks his strength in Flesh*

*1) The Biblical meaning of Flesh*

From a biblical perspective, the flesh is "that which is contrary to the spirit" (see Galatians 5:17). The flesh and the Spirit are two opposing forces that exist within a believer. The Spirit is just that—the Holy Spirit. The flesh is the part of a believer that disagrees with the Spirit.

The contents of flesh are all dirty and evil things such as hatred, envy, anger, desire, pride, adultery, seeking one's own, rudeness, speaking ill  about others 

So flesh stands for something evil and sensual pleasure

*2) The fate of those who keep their trust in Flesh*

Cursed is the person who seeks strength in the flesh 

His heart turns away from the Lord 

He is like a barren bush in the desert

He sees or seeks any change in his/her life 

His life becomes a counter witness and waste like a barren land 

*3) The strength of the Flesh*

First of all the strength of the flesh is very limited. It has no enduring power 

Secondly the flesh has a destructive power and not the constructive power 

The strength of the flesh always in contrary to the strength of the Spirit. It always in fight with the Spirit

The strength of the flesh has no satisfaction. It leads to greed and slavery 

That's why one should be careful about the strength of the Flesh 

*4) Various faces of the Strength of flesh*

Anything that goes against the good values, comes under the category of flesh

Sensual pleasures

Anger 

Greed 

Selfishness

Revenge

Hatred 

Pride 

Ego 

Too much attachments to worldly things

Power 

Position

Wealth

Authority

These are various faces of the flesh 

*5) Where is my Strength?*

Is it coming from the Lord or from the worldly things? 

The psalmist says *My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth* Ps 121:1

One who believes in the strength of the flesh is destroyed

One who believes in the strength of the Lord, is like a tree planted in the River side, which is always green  and fresh and gives fruits on time 

Where is my Strength??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Mother's Role in initiating her Children into Service

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel :  Mt 20:17-28*

*First Reading : Jer 18:18-20*

*Mother's Role in initiating her Children into Service*

*1) The mother of the sons of Zebedee*

In today's Gospel we see a mother who comes with two of her sons to Jesus 

She comes with a specific request. A request to give her sons important places among the disciples

The Right and Left side indicates first two important places in the Kingdom of Jesus and this particular mother wanted these places to her Sons 

*2) The Concept of Jesus' Kingdom*

The understanding of the Mother of the Sons of Zebedee, about the Kingdom of Jesus is quite opposite what it exactly means 

The Kingdom of Jesus purely depends on the service, humility, love, sacrifice, generosity, forgiveness and the philosophy of the Cross 

The Mother understood, in terms of power, position, wealth, influence, authority, which are purely based on worldly philosophy

*3) Jesus' Kingdom and Service*

The eligibility to become the member of Jesus' Kingdom is service 

There is no problem in aspiring to become first in God's kingdom. But one has to follow the philosophy of this Kingdom 

The philosophy is very simple *whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.*

The concept of servent and slave should be seen in the context of *service, humility, sacrifice and simplicity*

*4) Mother is an important Person*

A Mother plays a very important role in the life of a person 

First few years of the life of a person is spent with the mother. So whatever a mother does and teaches her children will be learnt by the Children

In todays Gospel episode Jesus powerfully instructs, the mother to reach her children the conceptsof service, simplicity and humility. 

On the contrary a Mother should not initiate  her children to only the worldly values, where one sees only power, position, money, wealth, authority, influence etc 

*5) A Mother in Every responsible person*

The Mother concept in today's reading does not refer to one person or only to mothers. It refers to every one

Every responsible person has a certain amount of motherly role to play in bringing up the children

So all of us are responsible to teach our children the service aspect, the sacrifice aspect, the humility aspect and other Gospel values 

*6) Am I ready to play the Mother's Role?*

What is my role in the family? 

Am I able to motivate others in Gospel values especially the service and humility aspects? 

Am I concerned only with the Worldly things? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Wash Yourselves Clean

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week: Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt  23:1:12*

*First Reading : Is 1: 10; 16-20*

*Wash Yourselves Clean*

*1) Washing - an important activity*

In our daily life, we know the importance of Washing 

When our clothes are dirty, we wash it 

When the cooking vessels are not clean we clean it 

When our surroundings are not clean, we try to clean it 

When our House is dirty we clean it 

When the food material is dirty, we wash it and we clean it 

When our body is dirty we wash it and we clean it 

*2) Washing can't be postponed to indefinite time*

All the above mentioned things, call for immediate attention

Some of the things can be postponed for one or two days or maximum one week 

So cleaning becomes very important in our life  

*3) Washing and Cleaning from morning till Evening*

From the moment we rise and till we retire to our bed, the activity of washing passes through our life in different phases

Including our body, there are many things which we pay attention to washing and cleaning  

In other words the amout of time we spend in washing and cleaning need to pay attention

*4) Washing and cleaning prevents us from sickness*

During Covid pandemic, one of the slogans which was very famous *Wash*

Wash your hands, wash your face, wash your body etc 

This is precisely because, washing would prevent us from getting affected with Sickness

*5) Washing from the Spiritual point*

The First reading speaks about Washing and becoming clean 

Prophet Isaiah says, 

Wash yourselves from the misdeeds 

Wash yourselves from the evil things 

Wash yourselves from bad things 

Wash yourselves from injustice

Wash yourselves from wrong things 

Wash yourselves from arrogance

So these things speak about the Spiritual washing and not of bodily or external washing 

*6) Reconciliation : A Washing Sacrament*

We have a special sacrament for Washing which is called Confession or Reconciliation

This sacrament is so powerful, it has all the chemical, to clean any types of stains, and make ur pure and immaculate

That's why Prophet Isaiah says *Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow, Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.*

This is the Power of the sacrament of Reconciliation

*7) Am I ready to be Washed by Jesus?*

Lent is a special time for spiritual washing 

The spiritual wash is very important, which can't be postponed. 

When we postpone cleaning of something, it starts to stink. Likewise the postponing of Spiritual wash, results in stinking our image, our behavior, our life, our soul and our value system

So am I ready for a wash? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Whatever we give, it comes back to us in Hundred Fold

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 6:36-38*

*First Reading : Dn 9:4b-10*

*Whatever we give, it comes back to us in Hundred Fold*

*1) The Law of the Nature*

Naturec has a beautiful law, according which, whatever seed we sow, the same fruit we get in return 

When we sow the paddy, we get paddy. When we sow wheat we get the wheat, when we put the seeds of particular vegetables we get the same vegetables. 

This is the law of the nature. We can't expect paddy from wheat and mangos from jackfruit tree

*2) Good is Given, good will be returned*

The Gospel has this powerful message. 

All those who give good things, in return good things will be given to us 

The return will be in multiple forms. That's why Jesus says, *Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.*

This is how God returns to us for the good we do 

*3) Various examples in Today's Gospel*

*Stop Judging* : When we do this deed, we will not be judged 

*Stop condemning others* When we do this in return no one will condem us. If we condemn others, we will be condemned by others

*Forgive others* When we forgive others in return we are forgiven. This experience of forgiveness is very powerful which changes our life 

*Give to others* Here Jesus says you will be returned in 100 fold back, a overflowing measure 

*4) For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.*

This is the final message of today's Gospel

This is the clear and rewarding principle for our life. When we follow this we are good things in life 

*5) What do I give in my daily Life?*

If I give forgiveness, I receive forgiveness

If I humble myself I experience the same humility from others 

If I am generous, people become geverrous towards us 

If I serve others, others come to my aid

If I smile, others give a beautiful smile to me 

If I give hatred, same thing I experience from others 

If I gossip, others gossip about me 

If I cheat others, I will be cheated by others 

If I show selfishness in my life, I will experience the same from others 

*6) What do I give in my daily Life?*

Bad judgements

Gossip about others 

Negativity about everything

Taking advantage from evey situation

Dividing people for my selfish motives 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

You will be a Blessing

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 2nd Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 17:1-9*

*First Reading : Gn 12:1-4a*

*SECOND READING - 2 Tm 1:8b-10*

*You will be a Blessing*

*1) Abraham became a Blessing*

The First reading of today speaks about Abraham becoming a blessing 

He became blessing to everyone, by doing the following

*He went away from His own land at the Command of the Lord 

*He went away from His own kinsfolk

*He went away from His own fathers house 

*Finally he went to a place which the Lord Showed him 

Since Abraham followed the command of the Lord, fully trusting the Lord, He became a blessing to everyone

In other words, God made Him blessing to Everyone 

*2) People were blessed through Abraham*

The first reading of the day clearly states this fact 

*God says to Abraham*

*I will make of you a great nation

*I will bless you;

*I will make your name great

 *You will be a blessing to every one 

*I will bless those who bless you

*curse those who curse you.

*All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you

*3) How nice to become a blessing*

When some one becomes a blessing there is a change

-Life becomes meaningful 

-Lots of growth in and around the person 

-People always look forward to remain with such person 

-There is a concept of happiness and joy around the person 

-Others also influenced to become blessings for others 

-There is absolutely no loss by becoming a blessing but always gain 

*4) Challenges to become a blessing*

Need to live so many things 

Land, 

Once own people, Fathers house

These three things have lots of relevance to our life 

First indicates Attachment to external things 

Second one indicates own own bodily passions and weaknesses

Thirdly, Our own thinking, attitude of ego, pride, arrogance, etc 

Only when we are ready to leave these things and ready to move we can become a blessing

*5) Go to a place which I show you*

God Showed a beautiful place to Abraham. But he didn't know about it. Trusting God he went and became a blessing 

God shows a beautiful place for us 

Place of Tabor for transfiguration

Place of reconciliation to forgive one another 

Place the foot of the Cross to learn the  humility

Place of service to build the kingdom of God and to become another Christ

Holy Places to experience His presence 

Place of our Home to take care of the children and elders

*6) Various ways of Becoming a blessing*

By being good parents - blessing to the Children

By becoming Good children - Blessing to the patents

Taking care of the Elderly - Blessing to the elderly

Forgiving the other - blessing to the enemy

Giving a smile to others - blessing to the neighbor

Avoid Gossiping - blessing to the other

Be a generous person - blessing to the needy 

Be a prayerful person - Blessing to everyone

There are hundreds of ways to become a blessing to other in and around us. 

 *Am I a blessing or Curse?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*