The danger of having dirt/poison inside

 GOSPEL THOUGHTS

21^st Week – Tuesday

Gospel – Matthew 23: 23-26

 

The danger of having dirt/poison inside

1) The dirt/poison which is inside is more dangerous

Poisonous snakes have poison in his mouths. This poison is not seen from outside. At times we find it difficult to identify which are poisonous snakes. But the poison which is inside their mouth/body is very dangerous

Poison/dirt which is inside is not able to see. From outside it appears normal and beautiful. So one is easily trapped into the problem

So since it is hidden it is dangerous

Secondly poison/dirt is always stands for something bad and not for good. That is why it is dangerous

Thirdly as long as this dirt it will affect him. That is why it is dangerous

2) Dirt or poison which is inside first affects the person who has it

First of all dirt or poison has not place inside our body

It is a foreign body which works against the normal working of the body

So first of all having this dirt or poison affects the person and he/she suffers terribly.

Sometimes we think that having some dirt or poison within ourselves will help us to teach lessons to others. But the fact is that it works terribly against the person, which makes the person to suffer.

3) Dirt/poison which is found inside cannot be removed by others

This is another difficulty of having dirt or poison inside.

Only the person who has it will have have make efforts to remove this dirt. Other can only partially help him if he agrees for it.

4) Removing dirt from inside is more difficult than outside

It is not so easy to deal with inside dirt.

First of all the person has to realise that there is dirt inside, which becomes, at times, most difficult task

Secondly he has agreed to get out of it. There is a tendency in many that they think that there is no problem with the dirt inside.

Thirdly he himself has to deal with it. Others cannot forcefully remove this dirt

Fourthly this is not the task of one day or one month. It is a process. Since it is a process one has to ready to go through this process to come out of it

Fifthly it needs some rigorous and disciplined spiritual exercises to remove the dirt from inside.

It appears that the whole process seems to be difficult but not impossible. So it is difficult

5) A thing remains intact if it is clean from inside

Whatever may be the circumstances outside, if the inside is perfect the thing will survive

At times valuable things which are buried under the mud or dirt for years together with some clean vessels, remain without any stain because the inside is very clean.

The outside dirt or mud does not affect the inside things in any way

6) Outside dirt is seen and can be cleaned by others

Since outside dirt is very visible there is no danger. It does not become an hypocrisy. It is not dangerous like the dirt inside which is not seen but acts dangerously

The dirt which is found outside can be cleaned by others. There is no much difficulty here

7) Cups which are clean only from outside are useless

No one will use the cups which are dirty inside

The most used space of the cup is inside and not the outside

There is no guarantee that if the cup appears to be clean from outside is also clean inside. The clean outside cup need not be clean from inside.

A cup is dirty from inside is useless. Such cups are thrown out if they are not able to clean it.

8) Our life is like that of cup

We need to keep it clean for its use.

If our cup of life is dirty from inside it becomes useless if it is not able to clean it

If the cup of our life is dirty from inside it will stink. One can not keep it without stinking it

When the cup of our life stinks no one can use it and no one will come near to it.

When the cup of our life is full of dirt in it, whatever we pour into it also becomes dirt. So entire thing becomes useless

If the cup of our life is dirty from inside it soils everything and it makes everything bitter and poisonous.

9) What is found inside the Cup of my Life?

We need to check it

Is it Love, humility, sincerity, politeness, comparison, forgiveness, charity, patience, truth, and Justice?

Or is it filled with

Anger, jealousy, hatred, pride, gossip, revenge, injustice, cheating, selfishness, self-righteousness and other vices

Think about it

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

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore 

The Process of Spiritual Growth in Nathaniel

 GOSPEL THOUGHTS

21^st Week – Monday

Gospel – John 1: 45-51

Feast of St Bartholomew –Apostle  

The Process of Spiritual Growth in Nathaniel

1) He starts from prejudiced mindset

Nathaniel starts his spiritual Journey with pre conceived ideas or prejudices. "What Good can come from Nazareth".

He had very negative understanding about the place of Nazareth. This negative attitude, he also attached to the persons who were coming from that place 

So it is very clear from his expression that he was full of prejudices about Nazareth and the people of Nazareth

2) The invitation to Come and see phase

He was given a chance by Philip, who was called Jesus, to  "Come and See". 

This worked as a verification code in the life of Nathanael

This is an important area or a step in the area of spiritual journey,  because in this phase he was able to see the reality as it is and he was able to come out of his prejudiced mindset. 

3) Humility of Nathanael

Even though Nathaniel had some prejudices, he had the humility to verify the facts. That's why he follows Philip in order to meet Jesus.

In the process of Nathanael's Spiritual journey Humility also plays a very important role. 

If one is not humble enough to change his mind set, one can't grow in anything 

4) Encounter with Jesus

When Nathanael accepted the invitation of Philip to *Come and See* he was able to encounter Jesus. 

The very process of Come and See changed the entire perception of Nathanael

He was fully able to come out of the prejudiced mindset to accept  the reality. 

This was confirmed by Jesus Himself 

Because of his humility and straight forwardness Jesus calls Him as a True Israelite in whom there no hypocrisy.

5) The profession of Great Truth - Jesus the Son of God

In the process of Encounter with the Lord, Nathanael was able to recognize Jesus as the "Son of God". 

From prejudiced mind to the reality: This shows a great change and also the depth of his spirituality in Nathaniel.

6) Reward for Greater things

Because of his genuineness, Jesus gives him a special grace to see and experience the greater things; something, which he never expected. 

You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

What a privilege of Nathanael. He not only saw and experienced Jesus, but also the Heaven and the heavenly realities.

That is the reward for his humility and encounter with the Lord.

Here we see how from the prejudiced mindset to the experience of Greater Heavenly Realities; something awesome. 

We can see the level of spiritual growth in Nathaniel. 

Can we follow this path?

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

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

Die empty

 Die empty

 One of the most beautiful  book to read is "Die Empty" by Todd Henry.

The author was inspired and got this idea of writing ​​this book while attending a business meeting. 

When the director asked the audience: "Where is the richest land in the world?"

 One of the audience answered: "Oil-rich Gulf states." 

Another added: "Diamond mines in Africa."

Then the director said: "No it is the cemetery. Yes, it is the richest land in the world, because millions of people have departed, "they have died" and they carried many valuable ideas that did not come to light and benefited others. It is all in the cemetery where they are buried."

Inspired by this answer, Todd Henry wrote his book "Die empty." Where he did his best to motivate people to pour out their ideas and potential energies in their communities and turn them into something useful before it is too late.

The most beautiful of what he said in his book is: "Do not go to your grave and carry inside you the best that you have.

 *always choose to die empty*

 The TRUE meaning of this  expression, is to die empty of all the goodness that is within you. Deliver it to the world, before you leave

 *If you have an idea perform it.*

*If you have a knowledge give it out.*

*If you have a goal achieve it.*

*Love, share and distribute, do not keep it inside. Stop judging others and unnecessary grudges inside*

Shall we begin to give  and *spread every atom of goodness inside us.*

Start the race....

Die Empty

The 23rd Psalm

 The 23rd Psalm

This is an eye opener. Many probably never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way, even though they say it over and over again. 

The Lord is my Shepherd._

 That's Relationship!

I shall not want._

 That's Supply!*

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures._

 That's Rest!*

He leadeth me beside the still waters._

 That's Refreshment!*

He restoreth my soul._

 That's Healing!*

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness..._

 That's Guidance!*

For His name sake.

 That's Purpose!*

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death... 

 That's Testing!*

I will fear no evil...

 That's Protection!*

 For Thou art with me.

 That's Faithfulness!* 

 Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

 That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies._

 That's Hope!*

Thou annointest my head with oil.

 That's Consecration!*

My cup runneth over.

  That's Abundance!*

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 

 That's Blessing!*

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...

 That's Security!

Forever

 That's Eternity!

Key is a Symbol of Trust and Responsibility

 GOSPEL THOUGHTS

21^st Week – Sunday

Gospel – Matthew 16: 13-20

 Key is a Symbol of Trust and Responsibility

 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

 1) Key is used to Open and to Close

All of us have seen the key. Key plays  a very important  role in our life. 

All of us use Key for something or the other. Usually Key is used either to lock or to open. This is the normal use of the key 

With the key we open the cupboards, suitcases, lockers, house, shops and other things as well. 

In fact lock and key plays a very important role in every aspect of our life.

2) We give key only to those whom we trust

We don't give key to everyone. Keys are given only to those whom we trust. 

In other words only a trusted person will get a key from another person. 

3) One who gets the key of another has the access to the entire belongings

Once a person gets the key of another person’s property or his belonging, it means he has the access to the entire property of the person. 

He can access anything and is able to know the things that are found in that particular area. 

4) Key is also the symbol of Responsibility

Once a person gives a key means, the whole thing is given under his care and protection

One who gets the key has a tremendous responsibility to safeguard the things and to protect the things. 

 Once he gets the key he becomes the sole custodian of the valuable things, hence he will be held responsible if something goes wrong. So key also brings along with it a tremendous amount of responsibility

5) Key is a small in size but has tremendous power

Key is a powerful instrument. Even though it is a small thing it has the capacity to open great things and to protect the great things 

A key a jewelry shop has tremendous power to protect the valuables inside the shop and to have access to the valuable things 

So the power of the key is tremendous and key has great value. 

6) Key is the symbol of Safety

As long as the key is with us the safety remains with us. The moment we lose the key the safety is gone and there may be great risk awaiting for us. 

A key can safeguard many valuable things. It has the capacity and power to protect many things. So it is a symbol of safety

7) Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven

Jesus gives the keys of the kingdom of Heaven to Peter. 

What does this mean?

Jesus has tremendous trust and confidence on Peter 

Jesus believed in Peters capacity to handle the responsibility of the Church of Christ 

Jesus' generosity to give the keys of the kingdom of heaven which was His sole right 

With the key Peter hence forth can have easy access to the Heavenly things 

He is also responsible for all the heavenly things 

The important role of Peter and his leadership can also be thought here. 

8) Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and not of Earth

We need to pay attention to this aspect. 

Keys of the kingdom of Heaven symbolizes the importance of Spiritual things 

The access to the spiritual things is open and one needs to use it. 

9) Sacrament of Baptism is our Key

All of us are given keys, like that of Peter, in the sacrament of Baptism. 

• Baptism is a key which opens our life to the other sacraments
• Baptism is a key which open a spiritual and divine life within us 
• Baptism is a key which makes us the Children of God 
• Baptism is a key which makes us the members of the Church 
• Baptism is a key which open our life for God's grace and to eternal life. 

10) Like Peter we too are responsible and trusted persons

With the Baptism we have been given the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. 

 It simply means we are responsible persons 

We are trusted by God 

We have been given the intelligence and wisdom to distinguish what is good and what is evil 

We have been given chance for heavenly things 

With the Key we have given a chance to work for the kingdom of God

What is my responsibility towards this key

What is my reply to this key 

Am I able to handle the Key like that of Peter?

Let's ask God’s Grace to work with this heavenly key with responsibility.

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

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

The Various aspects of the Queenship of Mother Mary

 GOSPEL THOUGHTS

20^th Week – Saturday

Gospel – Luke 1: 26-38

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 The Various aspects of the Queenship of Mother Mary

1) Mary the Queen of God's Grace

When angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he said to her "Hail Mary Full of Grace"

So it becomes clear that this God's grace ultimately helped Mary to become Queen of Heaven and Earth

2) Mary the Queen of God's favoured one

Among all people Mary is the most favoured one by God. This fact becomes clear in the greetings of angel Gabriel. He said to Mary  "Greetings, favoured one"

She was favoured by God, therefore she became the Queen of Heaven and Earth. 

3) Mary the Queen of having God's presence within her

In the beginning angel Gabriel tells her that "The Lord is with you" later we see that God comes and dwells in her womb. 

She is the one who experienced God's presence continuously and with deep experience through out her life. 

We can say that Mary is the Queen of God's presence within her. Therefore she is the Queen of Heaven and Earth.

4) Mary is the Queen of Total surrender

Her surrender to the will of God was total and complete.

So she is the queen of Heaven and Earth 

5) Mary is the Queen of 'YES' to God's will

'Yes' was her another name. Mary always said yes to the will of God. She never said 'No' to the Lord even at the most difficult times of her life. That is why she is the Queen of Heaven and Earth

6) Mary is the Queen of Humility

Mary was one of the most humble person in the human History. Humility was her highest virtue

This humility made her great in the sight of God and finally led her to become the Queen of Heaven and Earth

7) Mary is the Queen of Purity

This purity was found in Mary even at the moment of her conception. 

So we believe in the immaculate conception of Mary, conceived without the Original sin. 

Such a purity of her life made her to become the Mother of God and finally to become the Queen of Heaven and Earth

8) Mary is the Queen of Courage

Mary had tremendous courage to carry out the will of God, even in the most adverse situations. 

Her Courage during the conception and birth of Jesus was tremendous. Even during the time of public ministry of Jesus, during the Way of the Cross and at the foot of the Cross was unimaginable. 

Her courageous attitude made her the Queen of Heaven and Earth 

9) Mary is the Queen of Unity

It is Mary who united all the Apostles of Jesus after the resurrection of Jesus 

When the disciples were frightened it was Mary who brought them together and filled them with Hope and Courage 

Mary becomes the instrument to bring all the disciples together. That is why she is the Queen of Unity and the Queen of Heaven and Earth

10) Mary is the Queen of Powerful intercession

There is no doubt that she is very powerful intercessor. We all the time intercede through our Mother, with the firm belief that, whatever we ask in and through her, God grants such favours to us 

St Alphonse de  Liguori says “Whoever desires the fruit must go to the tree; Whoever desires Jesus must go to Mary: and whoever finds Mary will most certainly find Jesus”.

This is the power of Mary's intercession. That is why she is the Queen of intercession and also the Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Since the great virgin Mary was raised to the dignity of Mother of the King of Kings, the Church justly honors her and wishes that she be honored with the glorious title of Queen Alphonse de Liguori

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

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

Triple aspects of the Great Commandment: Heart, Mind and Soul

 GOSPEL THOUGHTS

20^th Week – Friday

Gospel – Matthew 22: 34-40

St Pius X

 Triple aspects of the Great Commandment: Heart, Mind and Soul

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind

1) Three important faculties of Human Being

When we speak about human beings we need to take into account all the three faculties or areas. 

An action which is prompted by all these three faculties or when a action involves all these three faculties, the action becomes complete. 

When a action is involves only one or two faculties the action becomes incomplete

2) Example for incomplete action

When a person walks on the streets he may come across a beggar in a bad condition. There may be varieties of  reactions by people towards the beggar 

First group of people may feel very sad to see his situation. They may stop for a moment, to see his miserable state. With that they move forward. No concrete action what so ever 

Second group of people may reason out and find out the reasons for his present state. They may give 101 suggestions about how to overcome from this miserable state. With that it gets over 

The third group may pray for the person to overcome from this state. With the prayer their work is done 

A person uses all the three faculties will feel for it, will reason out to bring him out from this state and may provide necessary spiritual help to strengthen him. 

The fourth person will do something at the practical level which will help the person to overcome from his bad state. 

This is the difference between acting with three faculties and acting with one or two faculties

3) Love with all your heart

Heart is the symbol of love.  A person is unable to love without the heart 

Love is depicted with the symbol of heart  ️

Heart is the center of feeling. Without feelings one can't live 

A hard hearted person is not able to love. 

So the practice the commandment of Love one requires heart of flesh and not the heart of stone.

 4) Love with all your Mind

Mind is the center of reason and thought 

We should reason out whatever we do. We should not be carried out by the feelings alone 

Acting with feelings alone will make our life miserable and we will surely miss our track 

So a powerful reasoning is very much necessary to understand the commandment, to have more in depth knowledge about it and practice it in an effective way 

5) Love with all your Soul

Soul is the center of the dwelling place of God

It is the presence of God in us. It is the part of divine life which is given to us 

It is the soul which gives a spiritual identity to our life. 

Without the soul we are nothing. 

Loving with Soul is very much necessary to understand the spiritual and divine aspect of Love. 

The unconditional/Agapeic love can be experienced only at the Spiritual level which needs a powerful spiritual foundation. 

The soul aspect of love, makes our love divine and Spiritual in nature 

6) Jesus' Command to Love with all these three faculties

When Jesus says about the great commandment, he specifically mentions all these three faculties. Heart, Mind and Soul 

This simply means that the great commandment can't be practiced only at the Head level or at the Heart level or only at the prayer level 

All these three faculties must include practicing this commandment in a genuine way. 

Love commandment practiced only at the Mind/head level in incomplete

Love commandment practiced only at the feeling/heart level without understanding it is incomplete

Love commandment practiced only at the Soul/prayer level without having done anything else will be incomplete

Love commandment practiced involving at all these three faculties will bring about a great change

7) Change comes when all these three faculties are involved in a perfect balance

All great visionaries had all these faculties and they used it in a perfect way 

All saints practiced the commandment love with these three faculties. Therefore they were able to bring a great change first in their life and secondly in others 

Great Change will come when we use these three faculties at a perfect level 

8) What about my Life

Which faculty is working more? 

Am I person only of feelings? 

Am I a person only of reason? 

Am I person only of Prayer? 

9) St Pius x - Saint of the Day

His motto was “To restore all things to Christ, in order that Christ may be all in all”

He was 258th Pope. He was born on 2nd June 1835. Ordained on 18 September 1858. Elected as Pope 20th July 1903. He was canonized on 29 May 1954.

“By the Catechism the Soil is prepared for the seed of God” Pius X

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

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore