Justice can be delayed, but can't be destroyed by anyone

Gospel Thoughts

32nd Week : Saturday

GOSPEL Lk 18:1-8

First Reading - 3 Jn 5-8

*Justice can be delayed, but can't be destroyed by anyone*

*1) The Most dishonest Judge*

The Gospel presents to us a most dishonest judge. He was most dishonest judge for the following reasons

*A) He never feared God*

This judge had no fear of God. In other words for him God didn't exist 

When a person does not accept the existence of God, it is equal to making oneself God. 

When a person does not have the fear of the Lord, he is prone to do all kinds of evil things. 

*B) He never respected any Human beings*

This is the another reason why he becomes the most dishonest judge

When a person does not respect any human beings, it is equal to not caring anyone for anything. 

This is the height of his arrogance and stupidity

*C) Jesus calls him as the Dishonest Judge*

*The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says*

Dishonest Judge becomes his another name. Since his name is not given, finally he is known to the rest of the world though this tag *Dishonest Judge*

*D) Long time he was unwilling to listen*

Even after repeated attempts by the window, he would not care for listening for long time. 

In other words for long time he made the widow to suffer and undergo various problems 

For these above reasons the Judge is called *most dishonest judge*

*2) Most dishonest judge gives a just decision*

It appears that there is some contradiction here. Dishonest judge giving a just decision. 

But this is the fact. The most dishonest judge gives the just decision to the widow

Since the Gospel affirms that the most dishonest judge delivered a just decision, it is true that he was able to give a just decision. 

*3) Justice can't be destroyed*

Ultimately the dishonest judge ends up in giving a just decision. 

He neither was able to deny it nor he was able to destroy it, with all its power and authority. 

This gives us a powerful message that even the most dishonest judge could not destroy the just decision. 

*4) Just decision was given to a widow*

Once again he decision was not influenced by any external means or force. 

Since the person was widow, one could imagine her capacity and power or influence. None of these things at work. Even then the just decision comes in her favour. 

If  a powerless window can get a just decision from a most dishonest judge, it shows that no one can ultimately destroy the justice, but only can be delayed. 

*5) Just decision comes without any external force*

Here we need to observe that none of the external forces were at work in delivering the just decision. 

In other words when the external forces, like, money, power, influence, force can hinder in delivering the just decision. 

One one should be free from all these external things in order to see what is just and right. 

*6) What about my fight for justice?*

The widow is an great example for us in our fight for justice. These are the things to learn 

Justice can be delayed, but can't be destroyed. 

Never give up in demanding the the right and just things 

Asking the same thing again and again makes the things to happen. 

Even though the dishonest judge didn't fear God and didn't pay any respect to any human beings, finally the just decision comes for another human being. So ultimately whatever one may be, one can't run away from God and other human beings. 

With justice things get settled. With injustice things never get settled. It comes up again and again. So better to settle the things with justice. 

When justice is done no one questions. When injustice is done, some question about it. So there is no end point for injustice. Justice once for all has a great full stop, which along with it brings great hope and peace of mind. 

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Person on the Housetop not to go down - Why?

Gospel Thoughts*

*32nd Week : Friday*

*GOSPEL Lk 17:26-37*

*First Reading - 2 Jn 4-9*

*Person on the Housetop not to go down - Why?*

*1) The Structure of the Houses at the time of Jesus*

It is well known that the houses of the Jews, as well as those of the ancient Greeks and Romans, were flat on the top, for them to walk upon, and had usually stairs on the outside, by which they might ascend and descend without coming into the house.

These  houses were built in a continuous line, and with flat roofs, so that a man might pass from house to house without descending into the street until he came to some point near the wall or gate of the city, and so make his escape. 

Such a facility would be of great help at a moment of danger to escape to a safe place

The meaning  of this could be the person who is walking on the house-top not to come down to take any thing out of his house; but let him instantly pursue his course along the tops of houses, and escape out of the city gate as fast as he possibly can.

*2) House tops with a message*

The facility of roof top in every house gives us a powerful message. 

First of all there were many unexpected casualties. So the people were already well prepared to escape to a safe place when the tradgedy takes place 

House tops also an indication which shows the level of preparedness. 

*3) Why they should not come down*

Coming down would be fatal to them when the tragedy takes place 

Secondly it shows the greed of the person for the things even at the time of danger to his/her life. 

Life is more important than the things. So not to go after the things. 

*4) This historical reality gives a powerful message*

Being in the roof is a safe place. Going upwards even in our life  especially in spiritual life is beneficial to us 

Material things are found down. The person who is up should not come down to collect material things. Even in our life never to come down from our spiritual life to gather the material things 

Coming down is fatal. Even in our life, coming down from spiritual level to the material level is fatal. Eg. People of Sodom 

It is easy to move to a safer place from top or from house roof. But once if u come down you can't move to a safe place easily. Those who are at the level of spiritual life, easy to move to a safe place. Coming down from spiritual life would make our safety at risk 

*5) The arrangements of the House specially to face the danger*

When there is a moment of danger not to come down, but to escape from house top itself. 

When faced with problems and crisis, never to come down from the spiritual level to the material level. Face it from the spiritual level itself 

*6) Each house had a house top*

So also each ones life has a spiritual aspect, which guides our journey in a right direction. 

Each ones house top or the spiritual aspect shows the right path, in which we need to go forward. 

Never to ignore this direction and make ones life miserable. 

*7) Where am I?*

Am I already reached to the housetop? 

Am I thinking of coming down? 

Am I able to move in the house tops? 

Have I recognized the house top of  my life? 

Do I have a right motivation to move to the house top? 

Have I lost the ladder or staircase which connects the house top? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Why no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is' about the Kingdom of God?

Gospel Thoughts

32nd Week : Thursday

GOSPEL Lk 17:20-25

First Reading - Phlm 7-20

*Why no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is' about the Kingdom of God*

*1) The Kingdom of God is not a thing that can be seen*

When some one says 'Look here it is' or 'Look there it is' refers to a perticular thing. But Kingdom of God is not a thing that comes from out side. 

Since it is not a thing, no one can see it, but definitely can experience it. So we need to understand what the Kingdom of is? 

*2) Kingdom of God is Among you*

Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is among you. 

So it is our duty to find out this Kingdom of God, and to experience it in our day today life. 

It is also necessary to search for this Kingdom of God which is among us.

*3) Where to Search for this Kingdom of God*

The best place to search for this Kingdom of God is our our own life. 

The kingdom of God is hidden within our life. So we need to find out this from our own life, by searching it in our lives. 

*4) The following are some of the aspect of the Kingdom of God - Practice of these things will help us to realise the Kingdom of God*

Forgiveness is the one of foundational aspect of KOG. Where ever there is forgiveness there is KOG. So practice of forgive is equal to the finding out the KOG.

Practice of Humility is the way to find out the KOG in my life. 

Fighting for justice, equality, upliftment, development is equal to the finding KOG

The aspects of Sacrifice, Service, love, concern, sharing, generosity, helping, praying, healing, encouraging, are the different ways to find out the Kingdom of God in our life. 

*5) None of the above things come from outside*

All the above kingdom qualities are to be practiced by me in order to experience the KOG. 

I can't expect these things to come from out side. They are within me. Just try to realise their presence  within oneself and find out the KOG

Unless these things come from within myself I can't expect to see the same from another. So primarily the KOG is within us. 

These various values are the great help for us to find out the KOG in our life

*6) What is my experience of the Kingdom of God?*

Do I expect KOG to come from out side? 

Do I expect some one to give me as a gift? 

Do I expect the  KOG is like a thing to receive in my life? 

Do I expect  that the KOG comes automatically in my life?/

Or do I search it in my life? 

Do I start the journey of the KOG from my life itself? 

Finally how and where can I find the KOG?

In My life?

Outside in the World?/

In material things?/

Money, power, dominance and in pleasure? 

Its within u. Find it out

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What was the reason for the lepers gratitude?

Gospel Thoughts

32nd Week : Wednesday

GOSPEL Lk 17:11-19

First Reading - Ti 3:1-7

What was the reason for the lepers gratitude?

*1) 10 lepers were cleansed*

The Gospel is very clear that 10 lepers were cleansed from their leprosy. 

Out of 10 only 1 came back to Jesus to show his gratitude for healing from the leprosy. 

Other 9 didn't return to thank Jesus. Why? 

*2) Why only one came to thank the Lord*

The Gospel clearly tells about this leper one important thing. 

*one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice*

So the reason is very clear, that is, this perticular leper realised that he has been made well by the Master. 

So this realization made the leper to comeback and thank the Lord. 

*3) 9 lepers did not realise that they were made well by Jesus*

The 9 lepers thought that they became well became they took trouble to meet the priest 

They might have thought that their walking towards the priest caused the healing 

They might have thought that, it is because of their hard work they were cleansed 

They never realised that they have been made well by the divine power and divine intervention. 

They never realised the divine power of Jesus which cleansed from their leprosy. 

Lack of realisation ultimately made the 9 lepers to forget the person who cleansed them from their leprosy. 

*4) Unless one realises the Good deeds of God, can't thank the Lord*

The primary thing to thank God is to realise His goodness and greatness in ones life. 

The moment one realises God's blessings and graces in ones life, immediately He/She thanks the Lord. 

The question is am I able to realise the goodness of God in my life.

*5) Only a Thankful heart is able to realise the greatness and goodness of Others*

Thankful heart and goodness has close links. In other words they are closely related with each other. 

A thankful heart always sees something good, and shows its gratitude for the same. 

Thankful heart also shows that the persons disposition of the person and his/her insight in seeing the goodness of another person. 

*6) 9 lepers took things for granted*

All 9 lepers took things for granted. They didn't realise that It was a miracle. For them it was the duty of Jesus to heal them and there nothing extraordinary about it. 

They took for granted the great miracle in their lives

*7) Am I a thankful person?*

If I am able to realise the good that is taking place in my day today life I am able to thank the Lord 

Thankful person always sees something good in everything and shows his gratitude for the same 

If I see all the time negative things, mistakes, judgemental attitude, I will never become a thankful person but I will be like those 9 lepers. 

Do I take things for granted? 

Am I able to see great things by by the Lord, in my own life? 

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Servant never complained for the Regular work

Gospel Thoughts

32nd Week : Tuesday

GOSPEL Lk Lk 17:7-10

First Reading - Ti 2:1-8, 11-14

*The Servant never complained for the Regular work*

*1) The real character of the Servant as depicted by the Gospel*

The Servant is a hard worker. He goes for the work, either in the field or to tend the Sheep. 

So the servant has this perticular work. Along with this work he has also serve the master at the table. 

After his work outside the kitchen, he comes and prepares meals for the master, then he serves the master, until he finishes his meal. 

Since the servant knows very about the nature of his work and the way it has to be done, he does it without complaining about it. 

The servant feels happy to serve the master at the table and he feels happy when the master enjoys the meal. 

The servant never expects that, the master should serve him after his real hard work in the field. 

This is how the servant works and he is happy about it. 

*2) Since the servant knows about the nature of his work he does not complain*

It is very clear from the Gospel that the servant knows clearly about the nature of His work. 

He is supposed to work in the field and also in the kitchen. So he does this work without complaining. 

He does not refuse to serve the master at the table, neither he demands anything extra for having done his work. 

*3) We are like that servant*

Our place is that of a servant. Just like servant we are suppose to work in the kingdom of God. 

None of us can act like the Master because we have already one Master, who is our saviour Jesus Christ. 

We can't try to replace him by refusing to do our duty. 

*4) When the servant does not know the nature of his work, he/she starts to grumble*

The moment one grumbles for doing his regular work, means he does not know what he is supposed to do. 

The moment he forgets that he is a servant, then he tries to act like the Master. 

As a servant he is suppose to know his work. 

*5) We are unprofitable servants*

We need to read this Gospel words again and again. 

This is our real identity. *We are unprofitable servants*

In doing Gods mission no one can do a business. Business is always for profit. God's mission is not for profit. 

All the work which has the reference to the building of the kingdom of God needs to be unprofitable. Only then it has some value. 

*6) Unprofitable also means that such a work can't be valued in terms of money*

What is the money value of forgives?

What is the money value of Service, love, compassion, humility? 

What is the money value of the service done by Mother Teresa to the poorest of the poor? 

So unprofitable servants means, the work of the servant can't be measured in terms of money. 

*7) Am I unprofitable servant in building the kingdom of God?*

Am I busy in calculating my service in terms of money? 

Do I see everything in the eyes of money and profit? 

Do I calculate my gain and profit in whatever I do? 

*8) The moment I forget that I am an unprofitable servant, I demand and grumble for everything*

I calculate everything in terms of money 

I calculate my gain 

I calculate only business and no Service. 

*Where do I stand?*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The tragedy of temple becoming a selling Center

Gospel Thoughts

32nd Week : Monday

GOSPEL Jn 2:13-22

First Reading - Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

*The tragedy of temple becoming a selling Center*

*1) Temple is the dwelling place of God*

As we understand, temple is a place where God dwells. It is the house of the Lord. 

Temple is to meet God and experience His power and blessings.

Temple is a place where we go to encounter God with the intention of making our life Holy. 

This is the real purpose of the Temple.

*2) The same temple becomes the centre of Selling* 

Jewish people and the temple authorities turned the same temple as a business centre. 

*He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.*

The above expression shows the fate of the Holy Temple, which now became purely a business centre. 

*3) We are the temple of the Holy Spirit*

*Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?*

St Paul's these words tells us that we are and our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

If so our life/body primarily a place where God dwells, where we can meet God, and where we can encounter and experience God, in order to make our life Holy and Blessed. 

*4) Has my Life/body turned into Business center?* 

When I do anything in my life only for the same of money it becomes a business centre. 

If I do a perticular thing only for profit then it is very clear that I turn my life as a business centre

There are people who sell these things only for the money and profit sake. Following are some of the examples

Some sell the knowledge

Some sell their intelligence

Some sell their beauty

Some sell their strength

Some sell their body 

Some sell their time 

Some sell their every little work 

Some charge for everything

Some charge for their little advice and guidance

*5) If I want I can make my Life/body as the temple of God*

When I give little service without any returns, people can experience the presence of God in my life 

When I forgive the other my life becomes a temple of God

When I speak good about others 

When support the other 

When I extend my helping hand to the needy 

When I show little concern to the others 

When I practice humility 

When I become a generous person 

When I see the pain of others and help them *My Life/body becomes the temple of The Holy Spirit*

So there are number of ways through which I can make my life/body the temple of God

Like wise there are also number of ways through which I can convert my life/body and a business centre. 

*Ultimately it depends on me*

*What is my Option?*

*Do I want to make my life a temple of the Holy Spirit?*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

One import thing that made a difference

Gospel Thoughts

32nd Week : Sunday

GOSPEL Lk Mt 25:1-13

First Reading - Wis 6:12-16

Second Reading 1 Thes 4:13-18

*One import thing that made a difference*

*1) Both had gone to receive the bridegroom*

The wise as well as the foolish had gone to meet and receive the bridegroom

Both knew that bridegroom will come and meet them

*2) Both had taken the Lamps*

Wise as well as the foolish had their lamps along with them when they had gone to meet the bridegroom. 

Both knew that they needed the lamps. So they took. 

*3) Both were on time to meet the bridegroom*

None of them were delayed to meet the bridegroom. They were on time to meet the bridegroom

*4) Both fell a sleep* 

Both wise as well as foolish fell asleep since the bridegroom was delayed to come 

*5) Both got up in the middle of the night when there was an alarm*

When the bridegroom came in the middle of the night there was a alarm to get up and to get ready. 

So both wise as well as foolish go up in the middle of the night and started  to get ready for meeting the bridegroom. 

*6) Both started to lit the lamps*

Since it was night they knew that they needed the light. So they started to light their lamps so that there may be light. 

*7) Now the difference comes : Wise had oil, foolish Not*

In spite of all the above similarities, here comes the difference. 

Wise had oil in their lamps. Foolish had only the lamps but no oil. 

Oil made a difference in their life. Those who had oil in their lamps were able to participate in the wedding, foolish were not, since their lamps could not burn because of no oil. 

*8) Foolish had so many things, but didn't have the important thing*

Foolish might have had many things. But they lacked one important thing. That made a difference. 

In my life I may be having many things, but do I have one important thing which is necessary? 

*9) What is the oil which my life needs* 

Oil may represent the following

Alertness

Good values

Generosity

Service

Sacrifice

Love

Forgiveness

Blessings

Mercy and concern

Humility

Courage etc

These are the important things without which life has no meaning and life has no light

*10) Do  not depend on some one else's oil*

Foolish were depending on the oil of wise. But they could get it. 

This is very important to note. Don't depend on some one else's oil. One must have his own oil in order to live ones life meaningfully. 

Am I ready?

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*