Denying the Son of God (Jesus) is equal to denying God, Heaven and Angels of God

Gospel Thoughts

28th Week : Saturday

GOSPEL Lk 12:8-12

First Reading - Eph 1:15-23

Denying the Son of God (Jesus) is equal to denying God, Heaven and Angels of God

1) Denial of the Son of God is equal to denial of God

Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity. Triune God consists Three persons: Father Son and Holy Spirit

The moment one denies one of the persons of the Trinity, denies the existence of Triune God. 

2) Deniel of Jesus leads to Many other things

When some one denies the Son of God, it has the following consequences

First of all it results in the denial of the power and divinity of Jesus and the Salvific plan of God

Secondly it results in the denial of Triune God. 

Thirdly it results in the denial of Heaven and the heavenly beings like angels and holy things 

It also raises the questions about after life and eternal life. 

3) It is not God who denies rather it is the person who denies everything

When Jesus says, *Whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God* it is very clear that it is not God who denies a person, rather it is the person who denies God and consequently loses the chance of his/her defence by God in Heaven. 

So primarily it is the person who denies the Son of God, welcomes automatically the denial from God. 

In other words the denial is not from God, but from the person himself/herself. It is purely the persons choice to deny God. 

So no one can blame God for his/her denial before the Angels of God, after having denied the Son of God when we live our life here on this earth. 

4) Denial of God is the worst thing that can happen to person

There are many bad things which take place in our lives 

But the position of denying God, by a person could the worst thing that can happen to a person 

Since God is everything and our very life comes from God, denying God means denying life itself. 

The person who denies God has no other alternative to hold on to something. So it becomes worst since he/she becomes alone. 

5) Various ways which may result in the Denial of the Son of God

Jesus is everything for us. His teachings have a great role in our life. 

Refusing to practice some of the important values taught by Jesus may result or equal to the denial of the Son of God. Some of the examples  could be the following

Refusing to forgive another person

Refusing to share with another person

Taking revenge on another person 

One who is trying to kill the Truth

One who fails to see the presence of God in ones neighbour

*Do I see any issues in my life  which may lead to the denial of the Son of God?*

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

Fr Maxim Dsouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

The various Challenges for the mission in the present day context

Gospel Thoughts

29th Week : Sunday

GOSPEL Matthew 22:15-21

First Reading - Is  45:1, 4-6

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

The various Challenges for the mission in the present day context

1) Mission Sunday is to know about the Mission

The celebration of the Mission Sunday is primarily to know the mission commandment of the Lord and our response and responsibility towards the mission 

The Lords mission is a continuous process. It does not stop at any time. 

Today the same mission is given to me. If so what is my responsibility towards the mission?

2) The present day situation

The liturgy of the day calls us to reflect about the various challenges and issues which come across in our missions. 

*A) People who create a plot to entrap Jesus*

*The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.*

This is the biggest challenge we have today in our mission context 

The recent best example for this could be the arrest of Fr Stan, who has been falsely accused for his great missionary work 

In our context these types of activities are becoming very powerful and which is really a great challenge for the mission work today 

Such groups of Pharisees are in and around us who always create a plot to accuse falsely those who are doing great liberation/mission work.

*B) The question of paying taxes/issue of money in mission activities*

People those who were Herodians, were of the opinion that, paying taxes to the govt is right. 

We have no issues paying taxes to the govt today. In fact Jesus says, *give to the emperor what belongs to Him*

But today Govt has new regulations regarding the money spent for mission work 

The issue of FCRA is facing lots of challenges

The amount of Tax we have to pay to the govt for any of our works/services is also another issue.

The control over the income from various sources, also an another issue. 

These and other similar regulations on various resources are real challenges to all of us in our mission work today

*C)  The question of paying taxes to the temple* 

Indirectly the Gospel of the day mentions this issue.

The Pharisees were of the opinion that paying taxes to the temple is right and it is needed. 

Today on our churches money has become a biggest issue of creating so many problems

Many people are questioning about this issue. *Why church needs money*

This perticular issue has become a biggest challenge for the mission today

At times these issues have become to bear counter witness and scandal to the mission of Christ 

How do we address this issue. 

Has our mission work suffered because of these issues? 

*D) The issue of Slavery*

The first reading of the day speaks about the slavery and bondage of Israelites in Babylon

As long as one is in bondage and slavery one is curtailed from doing the mission work 

Slavery and bandage become a greatest challenge for the mission work even today

Today we experience various kinds of slavery and bondage in our surroundings.

The bondage of false accusations

The bondage of religious intolerance

The bondage of targeting one perticular religion for its good works 

The bondage of curtailing freedom of doing various good work, which liberate the people of  lower sections of the society

Bondage of injustice, corruption, denying the fundamental rights are some of the burning issues which really a threat to our mission work today 

3) Challenges should make us strong in our mission work

Why these challenges should make us strong in our mission? Reasons are below 

*A) God raised King Sirus, a pagan King to deliver the people from the bondage.*

This shows God's ways are different and mysterious. No one can challenge Gods work. This should give us special strength to recommit ourselves to the Mission of the Lord

*B) Give to the Emperor what belongs to Him.*

As a responsible citizens let's pay what belongs to the govt and at the same time we need to be vigilant in dealing with money and other things 

*C) Give to God what belongs to God*

We have the responsibility towards God and His Holy Temple. Let's do that 

All baptised have the responsibility of the mission, supporting the mission in different ways. So let's support the mission through our prayers, service, and through our resources

Faith, trust, hope, courage belong to God. Let's practice these virtues in our mission so as to give to God what belongs to God. 

4) Various people who come to help in our missions

*The unknown people*

The unknown pagan king - King Sirus. Like this king let's also acknowledge the service and efforts of those unknown people of Christ. Because they are chosen and sent by God, to support our mission 

*Gods chosen ones*

The chosen and anointed people : Paul, Silvanus, Thimothy, (Second Reading) 

Listen and respect the anointed people of God who are involved in the missions

*Holy Spirit*

It is through the Holy Spirit who empowered the apostles and disciples for mission work 

Today Holy Spirit is our source of inspection and courage for our mission 

*Presence of Christ*

Go and proclaim the good news. I will be with you till the end (Mathew 28:19)

The presence of Jesus in Blessed Sacrament is another powerful symbol of Jesus who empowers us in our mission 

5) St Theresa of Lisieux

 She is the patron saint of missionaries, and mission 

She involved herself actively not by doing so many activities‌, but by her strong prayer life. 

Through prayer we can become great missionaries, wherever we may be. 

*Pray for the mission and missionaries.*

HAPPY MISSION SUNDAY

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

Fr Maxim Dsouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

Instead of Building some ones tomb, lets us build some ones life

Gospel Thoughts

28th Week : Thursday

GOSPEL Lk 11:47-54

First Reading - Eph 1:1-10

Instead of Building some ones tomb, lets us build some ones life

1) Scribes and Pharisees were busy in building some one else's Tomb

First of all Jesus condemned them for their hypocrisy

Secondly Jesus compared their life to the white washed tombs which appear beautiful from outside but full of rotten things and dry bones 

In today's Gospel Jesus condemns them for building the tombs of the prophets whom their forefathers had killed. 

The intention of building their tomb is to show that they respect the prophets of God and to acknowledge their greatness. But in reality it is equal to hypocrisy. 

2) Instead of building their tombs they would have tried to live their values in day today life

All prophets were sent by God. God communicates His message through the prophets 

Living their message in our day to day life and showing reverence  to them is the greatest respect we show to them 

So instead of building the tombs one should try to live their message in our day to day life. 

3) Building Tomb happens after death but building life happens during life time

There is a vast difference between building tomb and building life. 

Building tomb happens after death, building life happens during life time. 

Building tomb does not help the person in any way. But building ones life will have a far reaching consequences which may help the person to live a holy life 

Building tomb is a waste of resources and energy, but building life is a great source of inspiration

Building tomb is only for show off. But building life is for great purpose

4) A great Shift is very much necessary

The culture of building tomb is very much rooted in our culture. At times we glory in it 

We need to think seriously about a Shift from this culture to the life culture

In practical life building tomb does not help in any way to any one. The same resources and energy can be spent to build life when the person is alive

This is more meaningful and morally great virtue than building the tomb.

5) Am I Building life or Building Tomb

The way I live my life can define whether I am building tombs or building life. 

Building tomb is basically to cover up the rotten things inside and to give a wonderful look from outside 

Building life does not include in covering anything. In building life one does not cover anything rather the life exhibits itself the beauty of life 

Building life makes ones life beautiful and it gives meaning to others life as well 

Building life is equal to building the kingdom of God. Am I ready for this mission??

6) Christian Spirituality consists in building life and not the tombs

Build life, or the culture of life shows growth. Building tomb stops all kinds of growth. 

Build life not only of the self but also of others. Which is very important. 

When you build some one else's life, you foster your own life and your prosper. 

Think about it and build always life and not tombs.

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

Fr Maxim Dsouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

The Mystery of Counting Hairs on your head

Gospel Thoughts

28th Week : Friday

GOSPEL Lk 12:1-7

First Reading - Eph 1:11-14

The Mystery of Counting Hairs on your head

1) Counting hair is a strange concept

We count many things in life. For example Money, various things, human beings, animals,  trees and many other things 

But we have not heard about counting hairs. It appears to be a strange and something new to our reasoning. 

Through this new and strange concept Jesus communicates a powerful message to our day to day life. 

2) Counting hair is a difficult and at times impossible concept

Counting hair is not an easy task. It is a very difficult and Herculean task to accomplish. 

If some one tries to count the hair, he may give up in between because of the difficulty or he/she may miss the calculation. 

This shows that this is very difficult task to be achieved and it is not so easy 

3) What is impossible to man is possible to God

Counting may be impossible for us. But not for God. For God nothing is impossible

So Jesus says nothing is impossible for God. All things are possible for God.

*For nothing is impossible with God* Luke 1:37

4) Hair is a small thing in reality

Hair is a small thing comparing to many other things in life 

In fact hair on the head is not necessary for our survival. 

Even then it is very important for God. God even pays attention to the smallest things of our life. 

We may consider that some things are not very important. But in Gods sight even the smallest thing is also very important and it has its own purpose to accomplish. 

5) Counting of Hairs and Promise to Abraham

God made a covenant with Abraham. 

*I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore* Gen 22:17

Stars in the Sky and Sand on the seashore can't be counted by us. Like wise we can't count the hairs. So when God blesses us  it will be like sand, stars and hairs in the head. We need to thank God for the same. 

6) Hairs give beauty to our personality

With hair our look becomes different and attractive. 

A small thing but it changes ones appearance

Like wise small things in life give meaning to our life. 

7) Kingdom of God depends on the Small things

The mystery of Gods kingdom is explained through small things 

Mustard seed, sowers seed, yeast, salt, sparrows, lilies of the field, birds of the air, and so on 

We need to pay attention to small things in life to achieve great things in life. 

Think about it.

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

Fr Maxim Dsouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

Seat of honour in the synagogue is a sign of contradiction

Gospel Thoughts

28th Week : Wednesday

GOSPEL Lk 11:42-46

First Reading - Gal 5:18-25

Seat of honour in the synagogue is a sign of contradiction

1) Synagogue is a place of Prayer

For Jews synagogue is a holy place meant for prayer, proclamation of the Word and to praise and thank God.

Synagogue is equal to a temple in our context. For us temple is a very holy place and we give a special importance to this place 

It is a place where we encounter the presence of God and have deep spiritual experience

2) Synagogue/Temple is a place to Honour God and not Human Beings

Temple is a Holy place to Honour God. 

Honouring God means we acknowledge the greatness and goodness of God in our life 

Honouring God means we accept the God is everything in our life and without God there is no meaning for our life. 

3) When Human beings crave honour in the synagogue/temple - it's equal to claim the place of God

Temple is a place to honour God. But when a human being crave for this honour innrhe the temple He/She is trying to take the place of God 

Craving honour in the temple is very dangerous, because it is trying to take the place of God, which is very dangerous

In extreme cases it is the attitude of claiming that some one is Equal to God or some one is God. Such an attitude is not right 

4) Some one who craves honour in the temple has no spirituality

The one who craves honour in the temple his/her concentration is only about honour

Such a person is not able to pray or praise God. He/she does not value praising and thanking God. 

5) Jesus condemns such an attitude

Jesus says one who is craving honour in the synagogue is a hypocrite. 

Jesus condemns such an hypocrisy and Jesus is harsh on such people 

One can't equate synagogue to a place of craving honour. Such an attitude is morally wrong. 

6) My attitude in the Temple

Am I like the pharasee who craves for honour in the temple?

Do I go to temple to exhibit myself? 

Do I use temple to show off myself and my wealth and my possessions?

Think About it

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

Fr Maxim Dsouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore

The Logic of the Cup Maker

Gospel Thoughts

28th Week : Tuesday

GOSPEL Lk 11:37-41

First Reading - Gal 5:1-6

The Logic the Cup Maker

Did not the maker of the outside (Cup) also make the inside?

1) The intelligence of the Cup Maker

First of all the Cup has two sides. Inside and outside. 

Infact both the sides are important. One is not less than the other 

The maker of the Cup gives equal importance to both the sides 

Since both the sides are important, both the sides are very well designed by the Cup Maker. 

This is the logic of the Cup maker.

*2) The beauty of the outside of the Cup for the sake of inside*

Since the out of the Cup is seen by others, it is designed in an attractive way by the designer. 

The attraction of the outside is only for the purpose of inside. The attraction of outside is not for the sake of outside. The primary use of the attractiveness for the purpose of the use of inside

*3) No Cup which is only attractive from outside and dirty inside*

The maker of the Cup never prepares a Cup which is only attractive from out side and dirty inside. 

The above logic of having only attraction from out side and having dirty inside does not exist in the Cup Maker. 

The Cup maker gives utmost importance to have both sides clean and attractive.

*4) Finally people see inside*

Whenever some one buys the Cup or any vessel finally they see inside to judge the usefulness and practicality of the the Cup

The real worth depends on the usefulness from the inside. So inside becomes more important

If the inside is good and intact automatically the value of the Cup increases. 

*5) Once the Cup is handed over by the maker, he is not involved in anything after it*

Till the Cup is handed over the maker is responsible for its cleanliness and beauty. 

Infact the Cup remains pure, clean and beautiful in the hands of the maker.

But once it is handed over to the other, the maker has nothing to do in it.

It is the sole responsibility of the one who takes the possession of the Cup. 

*6) Cleaning the Cup only from outside is a form of hypocrisy*

It is a form of cheating and people don't believe those who keep the Cup clean only from outside. 

Once people know that the Cup is dirty from inside, no body will prefer it, even if the outside is very attractive

*7) Life is Like a Cup*

It has two sides  : inside and outside, body and Soul, spiritual and wordly

Both sides are very important. Both needs to be kept clean all the times

Discripency between these two sides results in hypocrisy

External beauty or cleanliness is not equal to internal cleanliness

Only one who owns the outside can clean the inside. Another person can't clean the inside

It is easy to clean outside. But it is not easy to clean inside 

Even though inside is not seen, it can not be hidden. Some how it is reflected or exposed outside in various ways.

When it comes to life, inside becomes more important than outside. 

The designer of life (God) made both the side intact, clean and perfect. But what has happened to it in my hands? Are these both sides intact and clean? 

*8) Various practical ways of cleaning the inside*

Examination of conscience

Sacrament of reconciliation

Accepting ones faults 

Practicinng the various values in life 

Generosity, humility, forgiveness

Thinking good about others and doing good

Living a holy and simple life

Clean and transperent life

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What was the Sign of Jonah

Gospel Thoughts

28th Week : Monday

GOSPEL Luke 11:29-32

First Reading - Gal 4:22-24,26-27,31- 5:1

What was the Sign of Jonah

*Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation*

*1) The Sign of Three days and Three nights*

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matt 12:40).

In this image, Jonah’s descent into the belly of the whale is a sign of the Lord’s descent to Sheol. In the Creed we say *He descended into Hell* which resembles the sign of Jonah.

*2) The Sign of Repent or die*

Jonah had gone to the Ninevites with this message: Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed (Jonah 3:3). In response, the Ninevites repented, fasted, and prayed.

Seeing their actions, God relented and did not destroy them.

Just as the Ninevites heard Jonah’s warning, put faith in it, and were spared, so the people of Jesus’ time should put faith in His warning to repent and believe the Good News. If they do not, they will meet with great disaster.

*3) The Sign of Conversion*

At Jonahs warning the pagan people (Ninivites) changed their immoral ways of life, did public penance and they changed their life. God was pleased with their conversion. 

But Israel failed to change their life, therefore they were punished under Assyrians.

The same thing happens in Jesus time. 

At the warming of Jesus only the Gentiles, tax collectors and sinners changed their life. Whereas the so called chosen people, Jewish people would not change their life. So God takes the Kingdom of God from them and gives to the Gentiles. This is another great sign. 

*3) The Sign of Handing over*

During the time of Jonah Israelites were handed over to Assyrians for amending their way of life. 

During the time of Jesus the Kingdom of God was taken away from chosen people and was given to the poor, sinners, tax collectors 

This is the another Sign we see.

*4) Jesus is the Greatest Sign*

All the above mention signs which are found in the life of Prophet Jonah are very much reflected in Jesus. 

The Gospel says *there is something greater than Jonah here*

Because

Jonah inspired people of Nineveh to repent. Jesus not only inspired them to repent but also gave the salvation

Jonha died After  coming out of the belly of the Fish ( After some years) Jesus lives for eternity after the resurrection

Jonah initially  grumbled and was diffident in his mission. But Jesus was confident in his mission and approach 

Jonah as a sign was limited only to Nineveh. But Jesus is a sign to the entire world

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*