Greatness of St Peter & St Paul

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Jn 21:15-19*

*First Reading : Acts 3:1-10*

*SECOND READING - Gal 1:11-20*

*Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul*

*Greatness of St Peter & St Paul*

*1) Two Pillars of the Church*

Christian tradition calls and honors them as two great pillars of the Church 

We know the importance of the Pillars. Pillars have deep foundation and on which the entire building is constructed

This image tells us the power of pillars and the need of it 

Church as a huge building built on these two great pillars which are very strong. 

No power on earth can destroy these pillars. Because these pillars are errected on Christ, who is the founder of Christianity

*2) Two Lanterns Burning for Christ*

We can't live in darkness. Darkness leads to many evil things 

St Peter and St Paul being the lanterns, burning for Christ, show us the right way as we move forward

The light from these lanterns not only show us the way, but also help us to know the reality, to differentiate good from bad 

The light from these lanterns have a divine quality, which help us to know Jesus better and to grow in our spiritual life 

*3) Apostle of Jews & Apostle of Gentiles*

Both these are great apostles 

One is the apostle of Jews and the other one of Gentiles 

Church is the mixture of Jews and Gentiles. So these two apostles play a very important role in the body of Jesus 

As a apostle of Jews, Peter strengthened the faith of His own people 

As the Apostle of Gentiles, Paul spread the Good news of Jesus to the entire world and to every one

*4) Two great Martyrs*

Both these become great martyrs 

Both sacrificed their life for Jesus and for the Church

The blood of these great martyrs, became the seed of Christianity

Blood symbolizes the Life. Their blood is the Vibrant life of the Church, which continues and grows even today  

*5) Peter is Rock, Paul is the Builder*

Peter was a name which was given by Jesus to Simon 

Peter means *Rock* on which Jesus built His church

Paul is the modern builder of the Church because of His two missionary journies and spreading and building the Church beyond Jerusalem, especially among the Gentiles 

So Paul is a great beginner and founder of the church in the Gentile land. Therefore he is a great builder

*6) Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul*

We see here the change of Name 

Peter was a name given by Jesus 

Paul was a name which he adopted after the encounter of Jesus on the way to Damascus

The Change of Name also indicates the Great Change in the Person 

Such a great change we see in Peter and Paul 

By changing the name, the mission, the vocation of the person also changes 

New name reflects the new personality

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The initiative of the Leper in the Healing Process

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 8:1-4*

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 25:1-12*

*The initiative of the Leper in the Healing Process*

*1) Jesus Healing the Leper*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the healing of a leper 

In this healing process there are few things which the leper did, which have deep relevance to our life. 

*A) The initiative of the Leper*

We see, first of all the initiative taken by the leper to approach Jesus 

It shows that He needed a healing from Jesus and at the same time he believed that Jesus will heal his leprosy

*B) The homage by the Leper*

Homage means special honour or respect shown publicly.

It is public acknowledgement of Jesus' healing power

By this the leper is acknowledging the divine and healing power of Jesus, the divinity of Jesus and greatness of Jesus 

*C) A humble request by the leper*

The leper who approached Jesus shows a great amount of humility 

He does not demand anything from Jesus, but humbly begs for healing 

He says *Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean*

He we see that the leper surrenders totally to the will of God

*2) The Leper is healed*

The Gospel makes it very clear that the leper who took the initiative and who approached Jesus with great humility was healed by Jesus 

Jesus blessed him with good health and His leprosy was healed 

This is a great lesson for us to reflect about the attitude of leper and the healing power of Jesus 

*3) When we take one step God takes Ten Steps*

*Take one step towards Him – He takes two towards you, even when all else fails, God supports you*

*Take one step towards God, HE will help you take the next*

*When we take one step toward to God, he takes seven steps toward us.* - Indian Proverb

These few sayings tell us, how important that we take initiative in our life, especially in changing our life 

*4) We are all Lepers*

In one way or the other we are all lepers 

We are all affected with the leprosy of sin, greed, revenge, selfishness, weakness, self glory, ego and other things as well 

We need a healing from Jesus which can help us in changing our life. 

But the first step we need to take 

Initiative must come from us. Then it becomes easy and changing of life becomes a reality 

*5) Am I ready to Follow the Leper?*

The leper is a great model for us to change our life 

The attitude, humility, simplicity, total dependence on God and accepting the will of God are the major things in the healing process

Am I ready to follow these steps in changing my life

*May Jesus our Lord and Master help us to change our life*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Foundation of the House and Foundation of Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 7:21-29*

*First Reading : 2 Kings 24:8-17*

*Foundation of the House and Foundation of Life*

*1) The Story of Two Houses*

The Gospel of the day presents to us the story of the two houses 

Both the houses were built with good material 

Both houses were built with the purpose of using it for long years 

Both the builders worked hard to complete the work 

Yet the house on the rock remained and the house of the sand collapsed

*2) House on the Rock*

Jesus calls this person as wise because he built his house on the rock 

The house remained intact and was able to face rain, flood, wind.

These things could not do any harm to that house 

Because the foundation of the house was laid on the rock which protected the entire house 

*3) House on the Sand*

Jesus calls this person as fool because he built his house of the sand. 

First of all sand does not have the power to stand in a particular place 

Sand can be easily moved by rain, wind and flood 

So the house built on the sand was simply collapsed because the sand could not remain in one place 

The sand which was under the house didn't protect it. That's why it collapsed

*4) Life on Rock and Sand*

Both these houses are the reflection of our life 

There is no middle ground. Either we are wise or fools 

Depending on where we lay foundation for our Christian life 

So this is a serious invitation to all of us to think about the foundation of our life 

*5) Life's Foundation on Rock*

There are many things which help us to lay the foundation of our life on rock 

The following things are compared to the rock in Christian life 

Life built on 

The Gospel values 

Sacrifice 

Humility

Forgiveness

Simplicity

Generosity

Love

Truthfulness 

Justice

Sharing 

Unity 

Coomon Good

Prayer 

*6) Life's foundation on Sand*

Life is built on sand when we lay our foundation on the following things 

Foundation laid on 

Worldly things 

Money

Power

Greed

Anger

Revenge

Cheating

Jealousy

Gossip

Selfishness

Laziness

Pleasure

Addiction to drinks, drugs and bodily pleasures

Such a life is collapsed within no time 

Where I have laid my foundation of life? 

Is it strong or shallow?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

From the Tree to the Personal Spiritual Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 7:15-20*

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3*

*From the Tree to the Personal Spiritual Life*

*1) Lesson from the Nature*

*Nature is the Revelation of God* Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

*My profession is to always find God in nature.* - Henry David Thoreau

*I've always regarded nature as the clothing of God.* - Alan Hovhaness

These few quotes tell us that nature is one of the beautiful creations of God, from which we can learn lots of lessons for our spiritual life 

*2) Jesus on Tree*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about two types of trees from the Nature 

A good tree and the bad tree. 

Good tree always bears good fruit and bad tree always produces bad fruit 

Good tree can't bear bad fruit and bad tree can't produce good fruit. 

This is the law of the nature 

By fruit one can know the nature of the tree

*3) Examples from nature easy to understand*

Jesus gives us many examples from the nature while explaining the Kingdom of God

These examples are very easy to understand since we can see these things in practical way in and around us 

So we understand the message from the nature clearly

*4) Comparison between tree and Our life*

Jesus draws a beautiful analogy between our life and the tree which produces the Fruit in the nature 

Jesus compares the false prophets to bad trees which produces the bad  fruit 

Jesus compares the good prophets to the good trees which produces the good fruit 

By the fruits the tree is known. Likewise by the fruits a prophet is known 

*5) Appearances are deceptive*

This is the strong message which Jesus is giving us today 

We need to make a difference between the appearance of the tree and the fruit 

Most important is the fruit and not the appearance. 

A tree may or may not look beautiful but if the fruit is good, such trees are called good trees. So fruit is very important 

Likewise one can't judge a person from his/her appearance, but only from the fruits one needs to be judged. 

*6) Good prophet with Good Fruit*

There is no duplicity

There is no hidden motives 

There is no selfish interests

There is no craving for money, publicity, name, fame, position, power, authority, wealth and material things 

The fruits of the good prophets are 

Service

Love

Generosity

Simplicity

Forgiveness

Gentleness

Humility

Sacrifice

Sharing 

Wishing good for others 

Working for peace and justice 

What are my fruits?

How is I known to the others? 

What are the fruits people see 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*

Accidents on the Broad Road

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Tuesday*

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

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36*

*Accidents on the Broad Road*

*1) Reality of life - broad road and accidents*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about the broad road and the accidents 

It is our experience that highest amount of accidents are taking place in the broad highways and not on the narrow roads 

So what Jesus says in today's Gospel is hundred percent true *the road broad that leads to destruction*

*2) Reasons for the Accidents*

First of all there are many vehicles on the highway. Jesus says *those who enter through it (broad road) are many*. So there are many chances of accidents 

Secondly the temptation to go fast, leads to accidents 

Thirdly, the wrong perception that, 

*Nothing happens in the broad road,

*One can easily manage on the broad road 

*Everything is visible. So one need not worry. Even at the last moment one can manage 

*Temptation to reach fast 

*The feeling of easy and comfortable journey

*An attitude of carelessness, because of the good roads 

All these things finally lead to cause accidents on the highway 

*3) Advantage of Narrow Road*

Less traffic, since only few people travel

Things are not very clear. Always there is a suspense. So one is very careful and attentive while driving 

There are many deep curves. One has to pay a special attention while driving on the narrow road and especially on these curves 

Journey is slow on the narrow road, but there is a better guarantee to reach the destination

Narrow roads are not very smooth. Often they are rough roads. One needs lots of patience and concentration while driving on the narrow road. Otherwise one can't drive 

Needs a special expertise to drive on the narrow road 

*4) Spiritual travel on the broad and Narrow roads*

Jesus compares the ordinary experience of life to our spiritual journey 

Jesus speaks about the spiritual journey on the broad road and on the narrow road 

The above mentioned points are very well applicable to the spiritual journey 

Spiritual journey on the broad road is not successful. Rather the broad road does not support the spiritual journey in it 

On the other hand, narrow road is the proper way for spiritual journey 

A journey which is undertaken in the narrow road will lead to the destination 

*5) The examples of Broad and Narrow road*

Exaples of Broad road

Journey accompanied by 

Material things 

Power and money 

Position 

Ego and arrogance

Bodily pleasures 

Wealth 

Greed and selfishness

Revengeful attitude

Examples of Narrow Road

Journey accompanied by 

Prayers, service, generosity, simplicity, faithfulness, forgiveness, sharing, moral values, Gospel values, hardwork, sincerity 

*6) Road of my life's Journey*

Which road do I follow in my life? 

Narrow road leads to, eternal life 

Broad road, leads to destruction of ones life 

Broad road is easy and comfortable but very risky and dangerous

Broad road is difficult and challenging, but safe, which leads to destiny

If so, which is my road,in life's Journey? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

John's Birth and the Great Changes

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Monday*

*Solemnity : The Nativity of St John the Baptist*

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

*First Reading : Is 49:1-6*

*SECOND READING - Acts 13:22-26*

*John's Birth and the Great Changes*

Johns birth brought about great Changes, which can be reflected as we celebrate that Nativity of St John the Baptist

*1) John's birth and Zachariah's Speech impediment*

First of all the birth of John, brought about a great change in Zachariah. 

Zachariah who was not able to speak, was able to speak immediately after the birth of John 

John's Birth is a great occasion to speak, to praise, to glorify God

Let the birth of John help us to praise, thank and glorify through our mouth 

*2) John's Birth and Motherhood of Elizabeth*

John's birth hails the motherhood of Elizabeth 

Elizabeth was not able to conceive for long years 

God heard the prayers of the couple and finally she was able to conceive and give birth to John

John's Birth took away the pains of barrenness of Elizabeth and she was blessed with the Motherhood. She became a mother of great prophet

*3) John's Birth and Grace of God*

The Word meaning of John is *God is gracious*

God's grace was revealed through the birth of John 

The Grace of God is reflected in the life and mission of John 

The grace of God is needed for a holy life and for our salvation

Through the preaching of John and the mission, God's grace is imparted to all the children of God 

*4) John's birth and the Messiah*

The primary purpose of  John's birth was to prepare a way for Messiah 

John had a great mission of preparing the way of Messiah

John's birth was like a new beginning for the arrival and mission  of Messiah 

So we need to pay attention to the nativity of John the Baptist and the preparation for the arrival of Messiah

*5) John's Birth and the Prophetic Mission*

The birth and life of mission once again highlights the importance of the prophetic mission in our life 

The prophetic mission of John consisted in fighting against the injustice, condemning the falsehood, upholding the truth, fighting against the corrupt system and living a simple, upright and a Holy life 

Such a prophetic mission acquired a new significance with the Birth of John 

*6) John birth and Mission*

John's birth also indicates the importance of Mission in our life 

Mission is one of the important things in our life 

Mission which consists the practice of Gospel values and the proclamation the Gospel values 

John's birth gave a new significance for this mission and proclamation

Life has a mission, which we can learn from the birth and life of John

*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 Us

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 4:35-41*

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

*SECOND READING - 2 Cor 5:14-17*

*Importance of leaving the Crowd and taking Jesus along with Us*

*1) Disciples Taking Jesus with them*

The Gospel of the day has a beautiful gesture by the disciples 

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

This is a very powerful gesture which communicates a powerful message to all of us 

This gesture of disciples should really help us to reflect about our relationship with Jesus 

*2) Disciples left the Crowd*

The Gospel says that the disciples left the Crowd and took Jesus along with them 

Since they left the crowd they were able to take Jesus with them 

If they were to take others, they had to leave Jesus. Without Jesus they had to go 

The crowd here represtns the people who came to listen to Jesus 

So there was a huge crowd along with Jesus and the disciples 

*3) Deeper meaning of the Crowd*

At the deeper level, crowd not only represents the people but also many other things 

Crowd represtns a big number either in terms of persons or things 

So we can list so many other realities, under the concept of Crowd

The Crowd of material things 

The crowd of bodily pleasures 

The crowd of greed for things 

The crowd of power 

The crowd of authority

The crowd of wealth 

The crowd of position

The crowd of Ego 

The crowd of self glorification

The crowd of cheap popularity

The crowd of duplicity

The crowd of hypocrisy

The crowd of all vices

The crowd of bad friendships

Unless we leave these crowd behind we can't take Jesus with us 

*4) Boat has a limited place*

The disciples had a boat which had limited place 

The boat would not contain the entire crowd.

Therefore they had to make choice between Jesus and the crowd

Finally the disciples made the right choice by taking Jesus 

The boat of life has limited place 

It can not contain all the crowd, which is mentioned above 

We need to make a choice 

Choice between crowd and Jesus 

*5) The casualties on the Journey*

The Gospel also makes it clear the casualty that happened on the way 

There was a huge storm which were breaking the boat 

All were frightened about the boat because they all thought they would perish

But Jesus was with them. Jesus controlled everything and they were saved 

Imagine if Jesus was not there - they all would have died 

Here we see the importance of Jesus being with us, especially when there are problems 

*6) The violent storms in life*

Life is like a boat, which moves in the sea of this world, towords the other side of the sea, which is Heaven 

There is no sea, which don't have waves and storms 

There is no boat, which can sail in the sea without facing waves and Strom

Life is just like that. The voyage of life can't be from the violent waves and storm

If so, we need to take Jesus along with us in order to reach to the other side of the sea 

*7) The Violent storms of Life*

The violent storm of deadly sickness

The violent storm of heavy failures 

The violent storm of heavy loss 

The violent storm of anxiety and worry 

The violent storm of loneliness

The violent storm of poverty 

The violent storm of guilt feelings 

The violent storm of family breakups

The violent storm of insults, humiliations through social media 

*8) Taking Jesus along with us*

One of the important turning point of the entire episode 

How we can take Jesus along with our journey

Through prayers 

Through service

Through generosity

Through sacramental life 

Through Christian faith 

Through love 

Through good relationship

Through unity 

Through genuine life 

Through practice of moral values 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Why are you anxious about clothes?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eleventh Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 6:24-34*

*First Reading : 2 Chr 24:17-25*

*Why are you anxious about clothes?*

*1) Market for clothes*

Clothes are one of the basic needs of Human life 

The present day world runs on few things. Among thrm food and clothes take the primary place 

The economy is also partially controlled by food and clothing. 

So there is heavy market for clothes

*2) From need to the Greed*

Clothes are one of the basic needs of human life

When the need becomes greed it becomes a problem 

Today for many the need of clothes has become a greed 

This also creates a kind of anxiety abd worry in life 

*3) The amount of time we spend in clothes*

Some people spend lots of time in selecting the clothes

Some are never satisfied with choice they have 

Some spend time in wearing clothes. 

We need to pay attention on how much time we spend on selecting, safeguarding and wearing the various dresses in our life

*4) Clothes and Style*

One of the intentions to wearing the clothes is to respect human body 

Decent dress always speaks about the character of the person. Dress shows us what type of personality we have in life 

Today style has become the rule of life. Without which world does not move forward

The various styles of clothes have sold the dignity of human body 

*5) Anxious about clothes*

One of real issues of human life 

People have become anxious about dress

Anxious about what type of dress to wear 

Anxious about, how do I look in this  particular dress? 

Anxious about, possessing variety of dress

Anxious about outdated  style

Anxious about the colour combinations of the dress 

Anxious about wearing full dress?

*6)Baptism, Holy Garment and wedding garment*

During the time of Baptism, white clothe was placed on us to highlight the purity of life 

Jesus' parable on the wedding garment also calls us to look at put wedding garment 

So, am I anxious about  the clothes? 

Anxiety arises when we spend too much of time and energy, in clothes. 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Eye is the Lamp of the Body

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eleventh Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 6:19-23*

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20*

*Eye is the Lamp of the Body*

*1) Eye one of the beautiful gifts of God*

Among the many wonders in human body, eye could be considered as one of the great wonders of God and great gift of God to us 

There is nothing in the World which eye can replace. 

The beautiful creation of God can be seen only though these eyes

Only those who have no eyesight can understand the importance of the eye 

*2) Eye is the Lamp of the Body*

This is what Jesus says in today's Gospel

Lamp gives the light, which is very important for us 

Light is needed to go forward

Light is needed to see and verify the things 

Light is needed to dispel the darkness 

When eye becomes the lamp of the body, we can see the things, we can verify the things, we can know the value of the things and can do lots of Good work 

*3) Material eye and the Spiritual Eye*

All of us have material eye, which we use for various activities 

Likewise we also have a spiritual eye which helps us to see the greater realities 

*Conscience* First of all the conscience is the spiritual eye which we should use in our life 

As a spiritual eye, our conscience functions as the tool of knowing what is right and wrong and what is good and bad 

The spiritual eye helps us to see the spiritual realities in a deeper level 

The spiritual eye helps us to see the presence of God, the good in others, the moral  values, the image and likeness of God in others, the greatness of God in the nature and many other holy things 

*4) Eyesight and the Spectacles*

There are situation where our eyesight becomes blur and we need the spectacles to see properly

Likewise, when our spiritual eye sight becomes blur we need some spectacles which can improve our spiritual eyesight

The spectacles of prayer

The spectacles of devotion

The spectacles of word of God

The spectacles of Rosary

The spectacles of service

The spectacles of sincerity

The spectacles of love 

The spectacles of generosity

All these spectacles will improve our spiritual eyesight, which is important for our spiritual growth 

*5) How Sharp is my Spiritual eye sight*

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which needs a spiritual lamp, 

If conscience is the spiritual lamp of our body, how sharp is my spiritual eyesight? 

Is my spiritual eyesight, able to see, 

What is good and what is bad?, 

What is worldly and what is eternal?

What is momentary and what is permanent? 

What is holy and what is profane?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Seven aspects of Lord's prayer

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eleventh Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 6:7-15*

*First Reading : Sir 48:1-14*

*Seven aspects of Lord's prayer*

*1) Biblical Understanding of 7*

There are 7 important aspects in the Lord's prayer 

Number 7 has a special significance in the Bible 

It communicates a sense of completeness and Fullness 

Accordingly the Lord's prayer is complete and full prayer, which misses nothing 

There are 7 sacraments

There are 7 days for a week 

Peter asks about 7 times forgiving

All these show the significance of number 7 

*2) 7 Aspects of Lord's Prayer*

The 7 aspects of the Lord's prayer are the following

*I) Greatness of His Holy Name*

Hallowed be thy name, speaks about the Holiness of God's name 

God's name is precious and very Holy, which can't be taken in vain 

The second commandment tells us not to take the name of God in vain 

Due respect for God's name is necessary

*II) Greatness of His Kingdom*

Thy kingdom come - speaks about the greatness of God's kingdom

In God's kingdom, justice, peace, love, joy, happiness are always found. 

We are looking forward to such kingdom. Therefore we pray for God's kingdom to take place here on earth 

*III) Greatness of His will*

Thy will be done - shows the greatness of God's will 

To do God's will, one needs a great amount of Humility 

Jesus completely surrendered to the will of God, dying on the cross 

*IV) God as Sustainer*

Give us this day our daily bread - shows the sustaining aspect of the heavenly Father

Creator God is also the sustainer God. Everything comes from God. We need to ask from God for our daily sustenance

*V) God as Merciful Father*

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us

These lines highlight the merciful aspect of God the Father

God is ready to forgive our sins, as we forgive others 

Unless we forgive others, it doesn't work in our life 

*VI) God as Redeemer*

Lead us not into temptation

Temptations are the part of our life

Temptations can't be avoided any one in their life 

It is impossible to live our life without temptations

Only God has to protect us. In fact God redeems us from our wretched to a new life 

This is wonderful aspect of Lord's Prayer 

*VII) God who delivers from Evil power*

deliver us from evil.

God is the deliver in our life.

He delivers us from Satan and evil power

Only God can deliver us from evil one 

That's why we need to pray constantly 

*3) The Spirit of Lord's prayer in my life*

How do I see the Lord's prayer?

Am I able to practice these 7 aspect of the Prayer? 

Which is the most touching aspect of the Lord's prayer 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*

Publicity Vs Spiritual benefits

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eleventh Week : Wednesday*

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

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14*

*Publicity Vs Spiritual benefits*

*1) Three Pillars of Christian Spirituality*

The Gospel of the day calls us to reflect about the three important pillars of Christian spirituality and its importance and significance in our life 

The three important pillars are 

*Prayer* Which connects a human being to God and it works as a channel of  God's blessings and graces 

*Fasting* This is also very important to gain self control of our body, which helps a person to direct the whole self towards what is spiritual, enduring and eternal. It also helps a person to fight against the bodily temptations and the greed for material things 

*Almsgiving* This helps us to cultivate the virtue of generosity and to help the needy ones 

All these three spiritual activities have tremendous influence in our life and changing, shaping and moulding our life. 

Therefore they are called the three strong pillars of Christian spirituality

*2) The Syndrome of Publicity*

The modern world suffers from the syndrome of publicity 

Anything that is done today needs to be published for various reasons 

In this fever of publicity, the spiritual activities are also sold for the personal gains 

Such an attitude is condemned by Jesus in today's Gospel

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving which is done only for the sake of publicity and personal selfish gains like name and fame, become useless 

When the spiritual things are done for the sake of publicity, loses its spiritual benefits and it becomes an useless exercise

Jesus warns us about such an useless and futile spiritual  exercise and not to become the victim of such useless things 

*3) The Spiritual benefits*

When these things are done with a real and genuine intentions they have tremendous spiritual benefits 

In this regard Jesus tells us to aviod, first of all, the sickness of publicity. Instead we need to do these things in secret,  with out any publicity

*4) Reward from God and from Human beings*

There are two ways of getting the rewards for the above things 

We can receive rewards from God or from others 

If we want to get rewards from others, then we will not be eligible for the rewards from God 

If we are not rewarded for our genuine work by others, its reward certainly will come from God. 

Reward from God is enduring and eternal. Reward from other remain only for few moments and nothing remains

We need to choose between these two and act accordingly 

*5) Where do I stand*

What is my stand? 

What is the intention of doing the above things? Is it for cheap popularity, publicity or to attain the selfish hidden goals? 

Am I doing these things to have more and deeper experience of God?

Am I observing these things to practice the Gospel values with the intention to inspire others and to serve them?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Shop of Love in the Market of hatred

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eleventh Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:43-48*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 21:17-29*

*The Shop of Love in the Market of hatred*

*1) The Market of Hatred*

The present day world witnesses the Market for hatred than for Love 

Hatred is being sold, used for business and for many other things 

The market of hatred is growing rapidly, because it serves the selfish motives of human beings 

*2) Jesus' response to the market of Hatred*

There are two things which can destroy this market 

A) The spirit of reconciliation 

B) The Grace of God

In this context Jesus tells is to Love ones enemies and pray for them. This will reduce the business for hatred and increase the business for Love 

*3) Loving ones enemies*

It is a radical teaching of Jesus 

So far the audience of Jesus was familiar with the culture of loving ones friends, love those who love, help those who help etc

Beyond this teaching, loving ones enemies and praying for them is unthinkable

Jesus is challenging His audience to change this perspective and to have the divine approach, which includes the love of enemies

*4) The Love Shop of Jesus*

The Love shop of Jesus has brought a new revolution in the society today 

The love shop of Jesus is becoming most powerful shop than any other shop in the market of hatred

The Love shop of Jesus calls us to empty ourselves  to destroy the Market of hatred 

Jesus destroyed the Market of hatred, which was established by scribes and Pharisees, king Herod, Pilot the Governor, and the high priest Kaipas

*5) Mission of Building the shop of Love in the market of Hatred*

Tremendous amount of patience is needed 

Ready to face any kind of humiliations

Ready to sacrifice ones life for others 

Ready to wash the feet on one another 

Ready to serve one another 

Ready to work hard 

Am I ready for this mission?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Only Love can defeat the violence

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eleventh Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:38-42*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 21:1-16*

*Only Love can defeat the violence*

*1) Violence for Violence*

This is one of the methods, which the world follows very rigorously

The world is very quick to repay, not only the same amount of violence, but at times two times or three times more violence than the actual violence

The result of this particular principle would be the following

More violence

More loss of life 

More loss of property 

More loss of resources 

More unrest and hostility

More division than peace

Wounded society than a peaceful 

More sufferings to the innocent people 

Continuation of violence to an unexpected time  

*2) Love to Violence*

This is the another principle which is practiced by few enlightened people in the World 

This is the principle of Jesus and He followed it to its spirit

This is the core of Christian a spirituality, without which no Christian spirituality will exist

The Results of Love for violence

The violence stops immediately 

The violence loses its power 

The violence automatically stops, without the help of anything else 

Creates peaceful atmosphere

Creates a friendly relations

Resources are saved 

No waste of time 

We lose nothing, but gain many things 

Creates a new society

*3) The principle of non violence*

We are very familiar with this principle. This principle we read in the philosophy of Gandhi 

Jesus goes into deeper level to return only love, forgiveness and generosity in any situation, and especially in the violent situation

That's why Jesus says to show the other cheek as well, to take the cloak as well and to walk one extra mile 

*4) Break the pattern of violence*

Jesus broke the pattern of violence through the instrument of Love and Forgiveness 

He asked not only love ones enemies, He loved his  enemies and forgave them from the cross. 

This attitude of Jesus surely shows us how he broke the pattern of violence 

Today it is the need of the hour to break the pattern of violence 

*5) How can I fight against the violence*

Need the spirit of forgiveness

Need the spirit of humility

Need the spirit of genuine love 

Need the spirit of hope 

Need to focus on Jesus' values 

Need the aspect of courage and patience

Am I ready to fight against the violence, by adopting the values of Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Power of Small Things

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eleventh Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 4:26-35*

*First Reading : Ez 17:22-24*

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

*The Power of Small Things*

*1) Kingdom of God and the Small things*

Kingdom of God is a great reality. It canbe compared to a mighty building

But in fact in that mighty building, there are only small things which are put together to make it a great building 

In the Kingdom of God there numerous small things which are involved, which ultimately make the Kingdom of God  

This shows the importance of small things 

*2) There are only Small things in the World*

In fact there are only small things which are existing in the world 

There are no great things at all. Only small things are present assembled together and in appearance, a great thing seen. But it is the unity of the small things in reality 

*3) Jesus on Small things*

Jesus speaks very much on Small things. We have few examples in the Gospel

Giving One cup of cold water

Two copper coins 

Small children/Small child

Two or three gathered together

Lillies of the Field

Birds of the air 

Salt of the Earth 

Yeast 

Hairs of head 

All these are little things which have great significance, since they are referred in connection with Kingdom of God and Christian Spirituality 

*4) The Power of Mustard seed*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the mustard seed. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to the mustard Seed 

In size mustard seed is smallest of all seeds but when it grows it becomes a tall tree, which can accommodate the birds of the air 

So Jesus compares how the Kingdom of God grows from a small beginning and then it grows 

This parable also highlights the importance of the small things and its power 

*5) Patience with Small things*

We are living in a instant and fast world

Everything has to happen very fast. So also we need to get the returns quickly 

The logic of *instant things* does not work for spiritual and morally good and great things 

Moral values and spiritual things grow gradually and they become powerful 

Patience is the foundation for the growth in spiritual areas, moral values and great things 

*6) Small things in our Life*

The life message is very clear 

Small things which we perform in our life have a great significance in building the Kingdom of God, first of all in our own life and in our surrounding

Some of the small things could be the following 

A smile 

A small act of charity 

Helping someone in need 

Visiting the sick 

Spending little time for the service of others 

Speaking good about others 

A small act of generosity

A word of encouragement

Belief in the power of prayer 

Start your day with a small prayer

A small prayer for others 

Practicing patience in our daily work 

Stealing little time for prayer 

All these small things can build a strong kingdom of God in our family and in our surrounding

*Let our life be like a mustard seed*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Importance of Being Truthful in Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Tenth Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:33-37*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 19:19-21*

*Importance of Being Truthful in Life*

*1) Truth Comes from God*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the Truth and Falsehood 

It is very clear that Truth Comes from God, because God is Truth 

Gandhi said *God is Truth and Truth is God*

This Shows that there is no difference between Truth and God. God and Truth one and the same 

*2) Lies come from Satan*

All lies come from Satan. Satan is called Father of Lies

With Truth one can stop immediately. But with lie one can't stop at all 

To hide one lie, one has to invent another ten lies. Likewise the lies grow rule ones life 

*3) The difference between Truth and Lie*

Truth is always bitter in the beginning but sweet at the end. Truth will never become bitter in any situation 

Lie is like a pain killer, which gives instant relief, but then it creates lots of side effects which destroys the entire health of the person 

One lie generates another ten lies. For ten lies one has to take ten pain killers. Imagine the side effect of 10 pain killers and the fate of ones health. 

This is how the Satan works 

*4) Truth Never Changes and dies*

It is Said *The truth is still the truth even if no one believes it. A lie is still a lie, even if everyone believes it.*

*If you tell the Truth, you don't have to remember anything* - Mark Twain

Truth can never Change. If it changes it is not truth. Truth remains as Truth 

*5) Being with God or Being with Satan*

One who is Truthful, is always finds place with God, because God is Truth. When some one tells the Truth,  God is automatically found there 

One who chooses lies, chooses Satan in ones life 

Because Lies come from Satan, and  with Lies Satan takes control of the situation

Choice is ours to be with God or Satan

*6) I am the Truth*

This is what Jesus said. Jesus was completely truthful and He was the embodiment of Truth itself 

We have been given the great mission of Truth, to Show, to live, to proclaim, and to Spread the Kingdom of Truth, Whose head is Jesus himself 

If Jesus is the Truth, a follower of Jesus should represent his life for truth iself 

*Being Truthful is always Graceful*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Uprooting the root causes of Sin

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Tenth Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:27-32*

*First Reading : 1 Kg 19:9a, 11-16*

*Uprooting the root causes of Sin*

*1) Sin and root causes of Sin*

In the Gospel of the day Jesus highlights two important things 

Sin and the root causes of Sin

Sin is the wrong act which is done wilfully and with full knowledge

Root causes are the ones which makes the person to commit sins 

Cutting the tree and uprooting the tree has different consequences

Tree which is cut can come up again 

A tree which is urtooted can not come again 

Uprooting the causes of sin will result in destroying the sin completely

*2) Adultery and the Adultery of the Heart*

Adultery is a physical act which is done ouside the marriage relationship 

Adultery of the heart, is a sin which is committed through ones heart and mind. It can be committed by anyone 

It is the adultery of the heart ultimately gives rise to the act of adultery 

That's why one needs to uproot the causes of adultery of the heart which will help a person to come out of all kinds of adulterous action

*3) Eyes, Hands and Mobile*

In today's Gospel Jesus says *If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.*

Again Jesus says *if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.*

Today Mobile, eyes, and hands have close connection 

The eyes which sees the mobile, and the hands which operate the Mobile and the mind and heart which is very much involved in every action of the eyes, hands and mobile can cause serious sins 

Therefore we need to cut those actions from the mobile which causes us to sin 

We need to cut those desires from the heart and mind which causes us to sin 

We need to cut those apps and functions from the mobile which causes us to sin 

This is the spirit of Jesus' words in today's Gospel 

*4) Uprooting the causes of Sin - A Herculean Task*

A tree has many roots. A simple grass in the garden has many roots 

A small piece of roots which remains in the ground can give rise to new plant. Usually it happens with the grass 

A small piece of root which is left out in the mud, gives rise to new grass 

This simple example of our life shows, uprooting the grass totally along with all the roots takes long time 

One has to work continuously, keeping a close watch about the growth of new grass 

This shows the complexities of uprooting of anything in the nature and in our life 

*5) The process of uprooting the causes of sin in my life*

This mission has already begun at the time of Baptism

How far have I made progress in this area? 

Since it needs continuous efforts how far I am committed to this mission? 

How do I work in my daily life to uproot the causes of Sin?? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The ugly Face of Anger

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Tenth Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:20-26*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 18:41-46*

*The ugly Face of Anger*

*1) Anger breaks the relationship with God*

First of all a angery person is not able to listen, able to think, able to understand and able to reason out a particular situation 

Angry person also not able to God and take His message. Therefore it finally breaks the relationship with God

*2) Anger takes Person to God's judgement*

The Gospel of the day makes it very clear that anger ultimately takes a person to God's judgment

Jesus says *whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment,*

Since judgement belongs only to God, one is liable for God's judgement

*3) Anger breaks the relationship with the neighbor*

Anger does not allow a person to be in peace snd in good relationship with the other 

Anger is always with other other. When a person gets angry, He/she abuses the other and finally relationship is broken

*4) Anger takes away the Human respect*

Anger does not allow a person to respect another person 

The Gospel makes it very clear that angry person, calls the other *fool* or *Raqa*, which means empty headed 

Such an abusive language degrades the human respect and results in breaking the relationship

*5) Anger makes us to lose everything*

A person loses everything because of the anger 

He loses, peace, respect, reputation, image, relationship, time, energy, resources, and everything

Anger in no way benefits in any way to any person 

*6) Anger is the Way of Satan*

Satan uses this particular emotion to destroy the person, the relationship and the family 

Anger finally turns into revenge. When anger becomes revenge, its really the Satan starts working and does a lot of harm to the person and in the surroundings 

Anger which turns into revenge is very dangerous, because it becomes a powerful tool of Satan

How about my anger? 

Has it done any harm 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*

Benefits of Fulfilling the Law

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Tenth Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:17-19*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 18:20-39*

*Benefits of Fulfilling the Law*

*1) One is not Punished*

One who breaks the law is punished. In the Old Testament we see that the people of Israel broke the law of the Lord. Finally they were punished by the Lord

Abraham followed the law of the Lord. He was rewarded. He became the Father of Faith

*2) Time is not Wasted*

By breaking the law we invite unnecessary trouble on ourselves. To set right those troubles one needs to spend lots of time, energy, resources and personnel

At the end we gain nothing, but lose in every way 

Follow the law, it will save you, save your time and can do lot of good work 

*3) Can Easily Achieve the Goal*

All those who follow the law achieve their golas sooner or later 

Law gives clear way to achieve the goal. It never deceives anyone 

All those who have achieved great goals they are the people who are faithful to the laws

*4) Integrity of the person is respected*

A person who follows the law, is always integrated person in his thinking, feelings and in works 

His/her integrity is reflected through respecting the laws and following them in life 

Only an integrated person can respect the laws and observe them in its true spirit

*5) Can inspire others*

A person who is faithful to the law, can inspire others because, he/she is able command respect from others 

Such a person is able to influence others because of the high moral standards

His life becomes an open book which is able to inspire many people 

*6) Considered to be great in the Kingdom of God*

The Gospel of the day tells us that all those who follow the Law of the Lord, will be considered great in the Kingdom of God

Becoming great in the Kingdom of is a great achievement of ones life 

Such a great thing can be achieved only by observing the Law, which helps us to live a upright life 

*7) Things needed to follow the Law*

*Humility* Humility is very much necessary to follow the Law 

Only the proud break the law and also make others to break the law 

*True Spirit* One should understand the true spirit if the Lord. Only such people will be able to follow the Law 

*Patience* Very much needed to follow the law. Inpatient people normally can't keep up the law 

*Am I a person who respects the Law of the Lord?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Wonderful and Great things which I have received without any Cost

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Tenth Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 10:7-13*

*First Reading : Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3*

*Wonderful and Great things which I have received without any Cost*

*1) Without cost I have received Life*

Life is a pure gift from God, received through the parents. We can do lots of good and great things in life. Since life is received without any cost, need to spend it without any cost 

*2) Without cost I have received Intelligence*

All of us are able to reason out. Intelligence is a gift of God. With intelligence we can achieve many things. 

If not full, is it possible for me to use my intelligence at least for few good works without any expectations?

*3) Without cost I have received Heart*

With out heart there is no life, there is no feelings and emotions. Such a heart is a free gift of God

Until our heart functions, be a heart oriented person without any expectations. 

*4) Without cost I have received a beautiful face to smile*

Face is the identity of the person. A smiling face attracts millions. It costs nothing. Smile is a free gift of God. 

Is it so difficult for me to smile? 

*5) Without cost I have received my Tongue*

Tongue one of the wonders of the human body. Received without any cost. 

Have I used this tongue free of cost, for good and great things? 

*6) Without cost I have received Eyes and Ears*

Eyes and Ears are God's wonderful gifts, received without any cost. 

What free service I am doing with my eyes and ears? 

*7) Without Cost I have received the Blood*

Blood is a symbol of life. Free of cost I have received this blood from God. 

Donate blood without any cost. Freely received need to be freely given without any expectations

*8) Without cost I have received my Family*

No one has paid for the family. Parents are the gift of God. Family members are gift of God. Family property is gift of God. Freely received

Life should be like a family which gives everything freely without any cost 

*9) Without cost I have received this Nature*

Nature is a great gift of God. The Sun who gives light, the Air, the beauty of the Nature everything is free. 

My life should be like, light, life saving air and beautiful to create a peaceful atmosphere. All these should be free of cost 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Golden Rules for Blessed/Happy Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Tenth Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:1-12*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 17:1-6*

*Golden Rules for Bleesed/Happy Life*

*1) Simplicity of Life*

Simple life makes us happy. Here we are able to share our earnings with others. Spending excessively on useless things will not bring us happiness. 

The happiness we get by sharing with others, will not get in anything in this world

*2) Being in touch with ones weaknesses*

All of are weak and fragile. We commit mistakes. Being in touch with our own weakness will help us to correct ourselves and also to understand others in a better way. 

The happiness we get from such an attitude will not get in anything

*3) Service oriented Life*

Without service human life has no meaning. The happiness and joy a person gets through the service will not get in anything in this world 

*4) Hunger and thirst of Good things*

Beyond physical hunger and thirst people thirst and hunger for Money, power, pleasure, position, authority and wealth. Happiness from these things last for few years 

But hunger and thirst for good things will attain happiness and joy for eternity

*5) Be kind towards Others*

Kindness is a great virtue. No one wants us to be called as rude, arrogant and cruel person. Such an attitude not only diminishes our image but also makes our life miserable

Kindness always brings happiness and great rewards to our life 

*6) Always try to see good things*

This needs great integrity in our life

Its not that good things are not found. At times we lack the good heart and mind to see the good things 

A person who is able to see good things in others and around will never be sad. Great happiness it creates in our life 

*7) Cultivate the habit of Reconciliation*

A person loses nothing by reconciliation but gains a lot 

A person gets nothing by revenge, but gradually loses everything

The joy and happiness we get from reconciliation is incomparable to anything in this world 

*8) Facing Challenges without blaming others*

Life can't be without challenges. Some times great pain, suffering, sorrow we have a undergo in life 

Accepting these things in a positive way, irrespective of from where and from whom they come, will make our life happy and joyful 

One fact is 100% true. No one will be sad for doing these things in life at any time 

No one will lose happiness and joy for following the above principles

*This is the secret of Beatitudes.*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Important questions to answer in my Fight against the Satan

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Tenth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 3:20-35*

*First Reading : Gen 3:9-15*

*SECOND READING : 2 Cor 4:13-5:1*

*Important questions to answer in my Fight against the Satan*

*1) The Presence of the Satan*

The first reading and the Gospel reading speaks about the Satan and it's power

It is the Satan who trapped Adam and a Eve

The same Satan tried to tempt Jesus but could not succeed. The Satan lost the battle 

The same devil is fighting against us, tempting us, and using modern ways to tempt and trap us. 

In this context the Liturgy asks us a very important question to answer

 

*2) Where are You?*

This is the first question asked by God to Adam 

When He committed sin, God asked him 

It is not that Adam didn't know where he was, but he avoided answering the question

Instead of accepting the fault he started to blame the woman 

God asks us the same question

Where are you? 

Where am I?

Where I am in my spirituality? 

Where I am in my integrity? 

Where I am in my faithfulness? 

Where I am in telling the truth, serving the Lord, forgiving, loving, generosity?  

Like this there are many questions to one little question.  So where I am?

*3)  “Who told you that you were naked?*

The second question to Adam

So far Adam never realised that he was naked

The moment he committed sin, he was ashemed of Himself and lost the courage of facing God

Am I anxious about my nakedness of evil things? 

One thing is very clear, we cant hide anything from God. God knows everything as when can be fully when he is naked

*4 )  “Why did you do such a thing?”?*

God's third question comes to Woman 

The question itself  indicates that something wrong was done by the person to whom the question was asked 

Something forbidden had been done by Eve

How often do I hear this question from my parents, teachers, neighbors, leaders,  and from my own conscience? 

*5) “How can Satan drive out Satan?*

This is a question which was asked by Jesus to scribes

Evil can't be destroyed by evil 

Evil can be destroyed only by Good 

Fighting between the same group will see the deadly end of the group 

Am I using the bad power to come out from the influence of  bad power? 

What is my answer? 

*6)    “Who are my mother and my brothers?”*

The second important question to all of us 

Adam and eve lost the chance of becoming the members of God's family 

Today the same devil is very active to destroy us

If the devil succeeds in breaking the bond of family ties then he can destroy anything 

The moment we fail to become the members of God's family we are controlled by Satan 

The question of Jesus challenges us to reflect on the family relationship

So am I a brother of Jesus?

Am I a sister of Jesus? 

Am I mother of Jesus? 

Where is the Satan in my life? Close or very far? 

Finds difficult to get into 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 Speciality and greatness of Immaculate Heart

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Ninth Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Luke 2:41-51*

*First Reading : Is 61:9-11*

*Feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary*

*The Speciality and greatness of Immaculate Heart*

*1) Immaculate Heart of Mary*

Jesus' Heart is called Sacred 

Mary's Heart is called Immaculate 

After the Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus we have Immaculate heart of Mary 

Immaculate means, Perfectly clean, neat and tidy 

The immaculate heart of Mary is perfectly clean, Holy, spiritual and without any spot of sin 

Such a heart is called immaculate heart of Mary

*2) The proofs for the immaculate Heart of Mary*

*A) Mary's Yes to the Lord* : one of the best proofs for the immaculate heart of Mary. Only an immaculate heart is able to say *Yes* to God's plan 

*B) Mary's Enduring capacity*

Mary went through a hard time from the time she said *Yes* to the Lord, Till the last moment of her life 

But no where in her life she questioned God for anything. She simply bowed her entire self to the Lord. 

Only a person with immaculate heart can endure such things 

*C) Mary's Service mindedness*

Mary is best known for her service 

Her service to Elizabeth when she was pregnant. Even Mary was carrying Jesus in her womb. Yet she went to serve 

Mary's service at the wedding at Cana 

Likewise Mary's timely help to different people in their need shows the quality of immaculate heart of Mary 

*D) Immaculate Heart without sin*

Mary was born without the stain of Sin 

Mary lived her life without the stain of sin 

Mary's influence on her children to live their life without the stain of Sin 

Once again shows the power of immaculate heart 

*E) Immaculate Heart Never Gives-Up*

Mary went on doing the will of God in everything

With all the challenges she never gave up doing the will of God. she remained firm in every challenge

 *E) Refldcion of Immaculate Heart*

Mary is always seen in white immaculate garments

In her apparitions also she appears in white dress 

White cloths also the reflection of the immaculate Heart of Mary 

*3) Immaculate Heart: A model Heart*

The immaculate heart of Mary is a great model for us to follow 

*“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?* - Jeremiah 17:9

Mary's immaculate heart is a great inspiration to all of us in making our hearts like immaculate heart of Mary 

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*

Sacred Heart of Jesus Reminder of God's Love to Humanity

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Ninth Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 19:31-37*

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

*Feast : Sacred Heart of Jesus*

*1) Sacred Heart is the reminder of God's Love*

Heart is the symbol of Love. The sacred heart of Jesus reminds us the depth of God's love for the Human being 

*God Loved the World so much that he gave his only Son* This is the foundation of God's love 

Sacred Heart reflects, God's Mercy, care, concern, affection, sympathy and relationship

*2) Sacred Heart Reflects the sacrifice of Jesus*

This feast is the reflection of Jesus' Life and Sacrifice for the entire humanity 

The Gospel of the day speaks about the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the opening of His heart for the salvation of the mankind 

The Water and blood which came from the Heart of Jesus is the streams of salvation to wipe away the sin and pain 

*3) Sacred Heart is the reminder to Follow Jesus*

This feast invites all of us to imbibe the qualities of the scared heart 

We have a popular prayer *Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like yours*

This shows the heart of Jesus is the model for all of us to follow. It is the heart of Jesus that we need to put on 

*4) Sacred Heart is the reminder of New Life*

Heart is also the symbol of life 

If heart stops functioning then life can't sustain. 

Life hinges on Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus gives us new life 

Our spiritual Life is sustained by the sacred heart of Jesus 

Heart is life and Jesus' Sacred Heart is New life for us to love God and one another  

 *5) The Qualities of the Sacred Heart*

Sacred heart is the Symbol of 

Compassion

Care

Concern 

God's Love

Forgiveness

Sympathy

Sharing the pain 

God's Mercy 

Humility 

Relationship 

Sacrifice

We need to cultivate these qualities in our life 

*6) Sacred Heart and My Life*

How do I see the sacred heart of Jesus in my life? 

Does the sacred heart of Jesus makes me to grow as the person of Heart? 

Jesus is the Person of Heart. What about me? Am I a person of heart or not? 

Does the qualities of the sacred Heart reflect in my life? 

What can I do to reflect the sacred Heart of Jesus 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*

Love and the First Commandment

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Ninth Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mk 12:28-34*

*First Reading : 2 Tim 2:8-15*

*Love and the First Commandment*

*1) The First and Great Commandment*

The Gospel of the day has the description of the first and great commandment

Interestingly we see that the first commandment which speaks about God, is closely linked with the aspect of Love 

In other words, the first commandment can't exist without the aspect of Love. Love and first commandment is closely related 

*2) How to Love God?*

Jesus beautifully explains how to love God. There are multiple aspects which are involved in the aspect of love 

*Love God with all Your heart*

Heart is everything for a person. Its a place of emotions and feelings 

All our emotions and feelings should be guided to love God

*Love God with all your Soul*

Soul is the Divine Seat in human life. It is the place where God dewlls. It is a place where God and human beings are connected to each other 

Need to love God fully from the Soul 

*Love God with all Mind/Understanding*

Loving God is not a blindly following something

Mind helps us to understand the reality in its true sense 

So understanding plays a very important role in Loving God 

*Love God with all your Strength*

One can do nothing without Strength 

Strength makes us to achieve anything that we wish in good faith 

One need to love God with all our strength

*Love God as you love your neighbor* 

Neighbor is the visible immediate human being 

Human being can't live in an island. He/she has to relate for which the aspect of Love is needed 

Love God as one loves his/her neighbor in Good faith 

So Love has multiple aspects to be fulfilled, if one wishes to Love God in totality 

*3) Am I ready to Love God?*

The first commandment has  multiple aspects of Love 

To become our Love effective, one needs to follow the above things 

These are very challenging but not impossible

If So, How do I love God? 

How will I observe the first and great commandment?

With all these am I really willing to Love God? 

What are the hurdles to observe the first and great commandment 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*

You are greatly misled.

"Gospel Thoughts*

Ordinary Season: Ninth Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mk 12:18-27*

*First Reading : 2 Tm 1:1-3, 6-12*

*You are greatly misled.*

*1) The danger of being misled*

The Gospel of the day speaks about being misled by someone in our life 

In the Gospel of the day Jesus tells the Sadducees that they are misled by their own over confidence or wrong understanding of the doctrine

In a way it is very important to note here the danger of being misled in our life 

*2) Reasons for misleading*

The Sadducees were misled because of their ignorance about Scriptures 

Jesus says *Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?*

Two reasons are highlighted 

A) Ignorance of the scriptures

B) Ignorance about the power of God

Such an ignorance causes misleading in our life 

*3) The vulnerability of today's World*

The world is today very vulnerable, because it is easily misled by many factors 

The Social Media, Internet, WhatsApp, YouTube, are some of the powerful means which mislead our life's goal 

If we are not careful one can be easily misled by these things, which can cause heavy damage to our moral and social life 

*4) Scriptures Never mislead*

Scriptures contain a vast wisdom 

They tell us about the morality, about eternal life and many other great and good things 

They also show us a way through which we can achieve these things in our life 

One who follows these things is never misled. He/She becomes always victorious

*5) The misled Sadducees*

The misled Sadducees try to trap Jesus 

The misled Sadducees, ask illogical question, which they themselves don't believe (Resurrection of the dead) 

The misled Sadducees depicts their own ignorance before Jesus and others 

The misled Sadducees, were not ready to accept the truth and realities 

The misled Sadducees were not ready to see the reality beyond this life 

The misled Sadducees were finally humiliated because of their own pride and ignorance

*6) Am I misled by someone or Something?*

This is a very serious question, which we need to ask every day 

At times we are misled by the greed for money, power, authority, position and pleasure 

At times we are misled by the social media and the popular opinions 

Some times we are misled by the cheap popularity 

Some times we are misled because of our arrogance, anger, pride, selfishness, over confidence etc 

In this context a simple question to ponder 

*In which area I am being misled?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

God's image and Likeness - Caesar's image and Inscription

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Ninth Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mk 12:13-17*

*First Reading : 2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18*

*God's image and Likeness - Caesar's image and Inscription*

*1) Coin with Image and Inscription*

The Gospel of the day, presents to us the controversy of paying the temple taxes 

The Pharisees and Herodians come and ask Jesus about paying of the taxes 

*Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?”*

To solve this problem Jesus asks for a coin to check the image and inscription on the coin.

*2) Pharisees and Herodians identify the image and inscription*

When they brought a coin for Jesus Jesus checked the image and inscription 

Then he asked about it *“Whose image and inscription is this?”*

To this they said Caesar's. This shows that they were able to identify the image and inscription of Caesar

*3) God's image and Likeness in man*

Like that coin, which has the image and inscription of Caesar, Our life bears the image and likenesses of God

Book of Genesis says *God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.*

So there is a image and likeness of God in every human person 

*4) Identification of the Image and Inscription*

The Pharisees and Herodians identified the image and inscription on the coin

We are the image and likeness of God. Like the coin, does my life reflects the image and likeness of God? 

Can others identify from my life the image and likeness of God?

*5) Coin and the Life*

There is a close connection between coin and life 

Coin has the image and inscription of Caesar

Life has the image and likeness of God

In fact life has more value than the coin 

In the coin, it is easy to identify the image and inscription of Caesar

In life, is it easy to identify the image and likeness of God? 

*6) Hurdles for poor identification*

Life is like a Coin which has the image and inscription of God 

At times, we are not able to identify this image and inscription in others life. 

Some times we ourselves fail to reflect this image and inscription of God, in our life 

Pride, arrogance, greed, selfishness, anger, revenge, addiction for power, authority, money, pleasure, wealth and for worldly things blur the image and inscription of God in our life. Then no one can recognize the image inscription of God

How about my life? Am I able to recognize the image and inscription of God in others life? 

Does my life reflects the image and inscription of God? 

*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 Leaving and Going away from Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Ninth Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mk 12:1-12*

*First Reading : 2 Pt 1:2-7*

*The tragedy of Leaving and Going away from Jesus*

*1) They left him and went away*

The last part of the Gospel has the above mentu words 

Thses words refer to the Scribes and Pharisees, who had come to Jesus either to find fault with him or to question him 

The attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees clearly shows that they didn't agree with Jesus, which is clearly seen  in today's Gospel 

*2) Reasons to go away from Jesus*

First of all Jesus challenged them about their own behavior 

The parable was a direct reference to their life. Jesus was trying to convey a powerful message to them through this parable 

The scribes and Pharisees also understood that the parable was addressed to them, to reflect their own hypocrisy

*3) They could not challenge Jesus*

When Jesus showed them their hypocrisy, they had no arguments to prove that they are innocent and just 

They had no arguments to challenge Jesus about their own behavior 

The scribes and Pharisees understood that Jesus was referring to their hypocrisy. So they had no face to deal with the situation. So they went away from Jesus 

*4) Lack of Humility*

The scribes and Pharisees were very proud about their attitude 

They lacked humility. That's why they were unable to accept their faults 

With such an attitude of hypocrisy and pride one can't stand before Jesus. So they went away from Jesus 

*5) Repercussions of going away from Jesus*

The scribes and Pharisees went away from Jesus 

Instead of choosing the light they chose darkness

Finally the vineyard was taken back from them and they were thrown out 

They were disqualified from the award for which they were originally chosen 

They lost the eternal treasure, which they could have easily attained

Finally it is a loss in every aspect by going away from Jesus  

*6) Am I able to stand/Stay with Jesus?*

How do I stay with Jesus? 

Is it by free will or by force?

Am I able to follow the demands of Jesus in order to stay with Jesus? 

How often I go away from Jesus? 

What are the ways which I use to come back to Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*