What would be my Response after going from the Church

Gospel Thoughts*

*Fifth Week : Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 1:29-39*

*First Reading -  Job 7:1-4, 6-7*

*Second Reading 1Cor 9 :16-19, 22-23*

*What would be my Response after going from the Church*

*1) Jesus and His disciples were there in the Synagogue*

The Gospel of the day stats with *On leaving the Synagogue*

Now synagogue was a place of prayer, divine encounter, a place to spend time with God and to spiritual activities

The very fact that Jesus was in this Holy place either to pray silently, or to read the scriptures, or to pray with the people or to teach to the people about the Kingdom of God 

So when we reflect about Jesus' appearance in the synagogue these things are highlighted.

*2) Coming out the Synagogue Jesus goes to meet a sick person*

Soon after coming out of the synagogue, Jesus didn't go to His house or to spend time in entertainment or in Gossip. 

He straight away to Simons House to meet his mother in law and to be with her for some time. 

Finally Jesus cured the mother in law of Simon. 

Here we see the direct effect of Jesus prayer in performing the healing ministry

From the synagogue He goes for healing ministry

So there is close connection between what Jesus does in synagogue and what does He practices out side the synagogue 

He walked the talk. He did What He preached. Great point to be noted 

*3) Disciples took Jesus along with them from the Synagogue*

As they departed from the synagogue, the four of the disciples Simon, Andrew, James and John took Jesus along with them 

They didn't leave Jesus in the synagogue. Very important point to note 

Taking Jesus along with them was very necessary for the disciples and it had very deep meaning for their life and ministry

Without Jesus they wouldn't go from the synagogue. 

*4) Accompaniment of James and John*

From synagogue Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew. In other words Simon and James took Jesus to their house 

But James and John accompanied Jesus to their friends house 

Giving accompaniment where Jesus was going going was very important for james and John 

They didn't bother about whose house it is but they wanted to be with Jesus so they accompanied Jesus to the house of Simon and Andrew 

*5) Where do I go from the Church/Synagogue after the Mass*

Towards the end priests says, *the mass is ended go in the peace of Christ to love and serve the Lord*

What about this? Do I really take this view very seriously or just I ignore the whole thing and I go back to my own world without bothering anything? 

Jesus went to visit and heal the sick. Where do I go? For party, entertainment, wasting time in unnecessary things like gossip. think about it 

*6) Do I eger to take Jesus with me to my House*

In fact Simon and Andrew were Eger to take Jesus into their house 

Am I ready to take Jesus into my house. Taking Jesus into my heart also means taking Him to my life, every sphere of my life and involving Jesus in my life in everything

*7) Accompanying Jesus like James and John*

This is at least what we must do in our life 

If other things are not possible involve yourselves wherever Jesus is active so that one can involve very actively in the mission of Christ

*8) In the evening the Whole town was at the door of the House*

Importance of evening time is highlighted 

Evening time in the family was a miraculous time 

Evening time in the house turned house into a synagogue/ Church 

What a beautiful thing. What they celebrated in the morning in the synagogue evening it was performed in the house 

House practically became a synagogue/Church 

Sick people were there, people with possesion of unclean spirit, all sorts of sick people and miracles happened there 

What a wonderful sight that was in the house in the evening 

House turned into a synagogue.

This is the power of taking Jesus into our house and turning our house into a church or synagogue

*9) All of us should try to turn our houses into church after the Eucharistic celebration in the Church*

For this Prayer is necessary in the house in the evenings 

Coming together in the evenings in the house is must 

Need to realise that evening time for prayer is a miraculous time for great change and divine experience

So am I ready for this challenging task?

Have a blessed Sunday

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The need to gather together with Jesus and to report all that we have done and taught

Gospel Thoughts

*Fourth Week : Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 6:30-34*

*First Reading -  Heb 13:15-17, 20-21*

*The need to gather together with Jesus and to report all that we have done and taught*

*1) The Apostles had gathered with Jesus to report about their ministry*

Jesus had sent His disciples for different ministries and they had gone to different places to do the ministry

After their ministry all of them came to Jesus and reported all that they had done and taught to the people 

This appears to be a very simple exercise but it has lot of influence on the one who does his ministry

*2) Reporting made them to realise what exactly they have done in the ministry place*

It is a kind of remembering all that they had done in ministry place 

So they could go back to this experience once again by remembering it and it may help them to know their ministry

*3) Reporting also helps them make a genuine evaluation*

While reporting they will be able to make a sincere evaluation of their ministry

Evaluation is very much necessary to know the quality of their ministry and to improve upon it 

*4) Reporting also helps them to get valuable suggestions from Jesus*

Since they were sharing everything with Jesus, He must have given some good guidelines to make their ministry in a more effective way 

Getting suggestions from Jesus to improve their ministry is a great privilege of the Apostles and that would make their ministry more powerful and effective 

*5) Reporting also helped them to know the various challenges*

While doing the ministry they might have come across many challenges and also some time failures. 

Since they had the chance to report everything, they might have shared their challenges and failures with Jesus 

So this also becomes an opportunity to know the various challenges and problems in the ministry

*6) Reported all that they had done and taught*

This is very important. The gospel does not say that they shared only their success stories or their glorious experience

They shared their entire ministry, with all its success and failures 

Thus it really made them to realise the importance of coming together and sharing with Jesus

*7) Our mission is like that of the Apostles*

All of us chosen and sent to proclaim the good news of the Lord 

Like those Apostles do we come back after our ministry to be with Jesus to share whatever we have done and taught? 

Everyday we need to come back a need to be with Jesus to report all that we have done and taught 

*8) Prayer is one of the ways to report to Jesus*

In the evening when we gather together with Jesus for prayer, it is a beautiful moment to report all that we had done and taught 

Examination of conscience is another important event in our lives to know what we have done and taught and also to report to Jesus 

Unless we take care of this activity, that is coming back and being with Jesus to report all that had happened in our life, we will not make any progress in our life 

Am I ready to come back and be with Jesus to report everything that happens in my life 

How long do I take to be with Jesus and to report all that happens in my life? 

Do I value this : coming back, and being with Jesus and reporting everything that happens in my life? 

*Think about this*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

History remembers Herod as one of the most cruel king who killed John the Baptist

Gospel Thoughts

*Fourth Week : Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 6:14-29*

*First Reading - Heb 13:1-8*

*Memory of St Agatha*

*History remembers Herod  as one of the most cruel king who killed John the Baptist*

*1) Herod knew who John the Baptist was*

From the life and attitude of Herod this view becomes very clear. 

 *Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him*

The above attitude of Herod shows that he knew the real worth of John the Baptist.

*2) Truth and Holiness of John's life, did not motivate Herod to save His life*

John was a just and righteous man. He condemned the immoral ways of King Herod and challenged his immoral way of life 

Herod also for sure knew that what John has said is right

The admonitions of John made king Herod to know his own immoral life and also the dark side of his life 

At the same time Herod also realised the holiness and sanctity of His life and his courage 

In spite  of knowing all these things, King Herod could not save the life of John the Baptist. This is the tragedy of the Life of Herod 

*3) Only King Herod had the power to save the Life of John*

Herodias created such a trap through her daughter, it led the king to become a great victim 

Later he realised that herodias has created a great trap, through which he will lose his popularity. 

Even then Herod had all the powers to overcome from the trap of Herodias and to save His life. 

But Herod didn't use His power to defend John and His holy life, but used His power to behead John, even though he knew that John had done nothing wrong 

Herod knew that John was a just and pure man, even then he killed him for his stupid promise which he made to Salome

The stupid promise which he made to Salome became more important than the life of a just and holy man - John the Baptist. 

Finally He used his power to kill John and to get His head in a platter, in order to be given to the little girl - Salome. 

*4) Today History remembers Herod as Killer of John*

This is the common title which is used when we think about Herod 

Because of this killing no man will defend the position of Herod and say that he did what was right. Instead Herod is called most stupid and cruel king who killed John

Herod is remembered today as the one who lived a immoral life because of Herodias, and his illigal relationship with her 

Herod is remembered as the one who was carried away with the sensual pleasure when Salome came and danced 

So History will speak only bad things about Herod rather than good things. 

*5) If Herod had used his power to save the life of John what would have Happened*

First of all, herod would not have got the title that *Herod is the one who killed John*

Secondly he would have used his power to defend the truth and would have sent a strong message to every one

Thirdly the Grudge of Herodias would not have won its battle against John

Fourthly the birthday spirit of Herod would not have spoiled

Even today people would have spoken something good about Herod, for using his power to save a prophet and a innocent and a holy man 

All this did not happen. So history remembers Herod as a cruel and killer of John

*6) No body wants to be remembered as cruel, murderers and immoral person*

Every one has the desire to be known in the history as well as during the life time as good and holy people 

No one wants to be known as bad people for various reasons 

But this mere desire will not help us to create a memory of ours in the history. For this we need to work.

*7) How I will be remembered in the History - during my life and after my life*

Every person will be remembered in the history either for short time or long time 

In fact our future life - life after death depends on the history of our life when we live hear on this earth.

If so looking at my own life, what the history will remember me? 

A good and holy person 

A generous person 

A forgiving person 

A gentle and humble person 

A person who helped many 

A person who was loved by all etc 

Or 

History will remember me as cruel, proud, revengeful, person 

A killer, murderer, angry, miserly, person 

*Just think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Lifting up from the Earth to draw all People

Gospel Thoughts

*Fourth Week : Thursday*

*GOSPEL - John 12:20-32*

*First Reading - 1 Cor 9:19-27*

*Feast of St John De  Britto*

*Lifting up from the Earth to draw all People*

*1) When Something is lifted high can be seen by all*

When something is lifted high, it can be seen by all 

In fact the things are kept in a high place in order to be seen by all 

When something is on the high place, automatically the attention captures the scene. 

So things or the realities which are at high places or which are exposed will definitely has special power to capture the attention. 

*2) Support is needed to keep something on high place*

Things can't be kept in the air. Something that we want to keep on high place, needs some material or support system for the same 

If there is no support system things can't be kept in a high place 

*3) Cross was Jesus' Support system to lift Him high from the Earth*

Many people use many things either to lift the things or to keep the things in a high place 

Jesus' instrument was Cross, Which lifted Him high from the earth 

Cross becomes important instrument which lifted Jesus and showed Him to the entire world.

*4) Lifted Jesus on the Cross*

This is a powerful image in the entire world. There is no other powerful image than this 

As Jesus said, *When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself*

These words of Jesus have become reality in the human history because

Lifted Jesus on the Cross can be seen by all

Lifted Jesus on the Cross, is a powerful image so it captures the attention of everyone 

Lifted Jesus on the Cross, is an unusual image, which makes people to think when someone looks at it 

Lifted Jesus on the Cross is not a very comfortable and luxurious image, but it is the sacrifice of ones life, which communicates a very powerful message 

Lifted Jesus on the Cross captures the attention  of the people to think about the reality and facts on why Jesus is lifted on the Cross

Lifted Jesus on the Cross, is the image which is found every corner of the World, that is why it can capture the attention of many people 

Lifted Jesus on the Cross can not be kept in a hidden place. It has to be placed in a public place where people can see it. That is the nature of the Cross

Lifted Jesus on the Cross shows the love and sacrifice of God for the human being. So automatically it captures the attention

Lifted Jesus on the Cross is seen as a human being just like us. So once again it draws our attention in a powerful way, because it is not a very easy image to see. 

Lifted Jesus on the Cross not only captures our attention, but it also keeps our attention for long time in this image. That is the power of the Cross. 

We are never tired of seeing Jesus lifted on the Cross, and each time when we see it reveals deeper truths about salvation, God's love and sacrifice

*5) Lifting up is not a easy process*

Climbing is always a difficult and challenging task.

Like wise lifting some one on the Cross is not a easy task. 

It is not like other things which are kept on the supportive system and kept things are very comfortable on the supportive system 

The support of the Cross is very important but it is also very painful support. 

Cross gives support only through the nails and without nails no Cross is possible 

Lifted on the Cross, through the nail is a powerful image and very painful and scarifying image 

*6) For Christians Cross in the only way to be lifted High in life*

As Jesus was lifted on the Cross, which captured the attention of millions of people through out the centuries, the same Cross is also our strength to lift high 

The lifted Jesus on the Cross has not changed its significance even after 2000 years. 

Many have been lifted high on power, authority, money, position, revenge, greed and so on. But none of them have survived. All of them have collapsed and gone without name 

But Jesus who was lifted on the Cross, remains still as a powerful reality  to all us 

Like wise if we are lifted high on the same Cross, will remain for ever.

*7) The various Crosses on which we can lift or hang ourselves*

The Cross of service

The Cross of Love

The Cross of forgiveness 

The Cross of humility

The Cross of generosity

The Cross of sharing 

The Cross of smile 

The Cross of sacrifice

*7) John De  Britto offered himself to be lifted on the Cross*

He allowed himself to be lifted on the Cross of martyrdom

He allowed himself to be lifted on the Cross of sacrifice, humility, zeal for Christ

That is why he is still able to capture the attention of many to himself

*9) On which Cross, have I lifted myself?*

Cross of Christ 

Or 

The Cross of this world?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

After realising the truth, refusing to accept it is a great offense

Gospel Thoughts*

*Fourth Week : Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 6:1-6*

*First Reading - Heb 12:4-7, 11-15*

*After realising the truth, refusing to accept it is a great offense*

*1) Jesus in His native Place*

Usually people those who are from the native place know their people well 

When Jesus came to His native place along with His disciples, people knew many truths about Jesus, His divine power and His extraordinary wisdom 

The above fact becomes very clear in their expressions. The following are the expressions of the people 

*A) Many who heard him were astonished*

This expression and attitude of the people gives us an impression that, Jesus spoke in an extraordinary way 

To create such an response from the people Jesus really spoke something which was not spoken by anyone before Jesus 

These words of Jesus also made them to realise that Jesus is an extraordinary person 

*B) Where did this man get all this?*

This expression once again tells us that Jesus had special divine power and His approach was something different than others 

In a way people were amazed to see such special qualities in Jesus 

Once again it is very clear that people knew some more deep truths about Jesus 

*C) What kind of wisdom has been given him?*

By their approach, people realised that Jesus' wisdom was something which could not be compared to any  body else 

His wisdom was far superior than any body's else. 

This also proves the capacity of Jesus 

*D) What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!*

The people witnessed the miraculous power Jesus 

They practically saw many miracles which were performed by Jesus 

All these above expressions of people show that they had witnessed the extraordinary power of Jesus 

*2) People refuse to accept the reality even after knowing the real truth*

The attitude of people show that they did not accept the truth, but they ridiculed the truth 

-Is he not the carpenter?

- Is he not the son of Mary? 

-Are we not very familiar with his brothers?  - James,  Joseph, Judas and Simon?

-Are not his sisters here with us?”

So the people saw the great truth from this background and they refused to accept it in the right spirit.

*3) They took offense at him* 

Offense is an insult or insulting the person in front of another 

These people after having experienced the real truth, insulted Jesus by comparing Him to a carpenters son, Marys Son and also pointing His brothers who were with them 

At least those people who knew the truth would have remained silent admiring the greatness of Jesus

Instead of that they publicly insulted Jesus for His wisdom, mighty works and other great deeds 

*4) Offense for good things and not for bad things*

It is very clear from the narration, that people took offense at Jesus not for bad things but for Good and Great things 

Taking offense for something good and great is really a great crime from the part of the people 

Offense comes after knowing the truth and the reality of the truth. So this is something shocking 

*5) The culture of taking offense for good things continues even today*

This culture is becoming very powerful in our surrounding 

Even after knowing and experiencing the truth, many people try to murder the truth 

Today opinions decide everything. That is why the culture of taking offense for good things continues in every sphere. 

*6) Do I find difficult to accept the truths reveled by others, miraculous power and wisdom of others*

Many people, specially proud people have this difficulty of accepting the above mentioned things 

Do I belong to this category? 

*7) The reality of truth, miraculous power and extraordinary wisdom are not my sole properties*

Many people think when such things happen in and through me they are 100% true and everyone has to accept 

But the reality is that, truth can come from anywhere, miraculous power can be seen in any body and wisdom can be experienced from any corner. 

Only when we have humility we can accept the known truths with full heart and mind.

*8) Refusing to accept the known truths and realities is a biggest crime*

Once we come to know the truth and still we refuse to accept the truth would become a greatest crime 

The native people of Jesus knew what was the real truth, but still they refused to accept it. That became a biggest crime in their life. 

What about my life? 

Am I ready to accept the known truths which come to me through my family members, from a ordinary person, from unexpected situations and from those who are younger to us? 

Reflect about it

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The purpose of Consecration is to become the Light

Gospel Thoughts*

*Fourth Week : Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32*

*First Reading - Mal 3:1-4*

*The Presentation of the Lord*

*Day of the Consecrated life*

*Blessing of the Candles*

*The purpose of Consecration is to become the Light*

*1) Consecration is a beautiful ceremony*

As we reflect about the consecration of Jesus into the temple, we remember our own consecration in the temple when we were very small

Like Jesus, we were brought to the temple by our parents and were consecrated in the temple by our parents 

Like Joseph and Mary, our parents too had many beautiful ideas about our future life, for which they might have prayed earnestly. As a result we are still able to follow Jesus in one way or the other 

Like Joseph and Mary, our parents also with great devotion presented our life in the temple asking for the grace to lead a beautiful life. 

Let's thank our parents for this beautiful ceremony 

*2) Jesus was presented in the temple by Joseph and Mary to become the light*

The purpose of Jesus' consecration is very clear, that is to become the light of the work 

In fact Jesus was already a light and He came to this earth as light. Now Mary and Joseph presented that light first in the temple then to the entire world 

Jesus the light was very much necessary to brighten the lives of those who were living in darkness. 

Later Jesus Himself said *I am the Light of the World* John 8:12

*3) Simeon and Anna are the First one to witness this great light after Joseph and Mary*

The presentation of Jesus was an official proclamation that *He is the Light of the World*

So Simeon and Anna become the first holy persons to witness this light 

This light also penetrated their hearts and minds and they enlightened by this light to know the greater divine realities 

*4) Presentation of Jesus and the  candlelight procession*

On the day of Jesus' presentation we have a beautiful ceremony of blessing of the candles and candlelight procession. 

Burning candle gives a great message, by spreading its light which destroys the darkness 

In fact Life of Jesus is like a burning candle, which destroyed the darkness of many lives 

Jesus the light came into this world to dispel the darkness

*5) My life, my consecration and the light*

On the day of our consecration, the burning candle was given to us, which is the light of Christ itself 

We have told that it is the light of Christ and we need to protect this light until our death

The very burning candle symbolizes our life itself. Our life should become like a burning candle 

In this sense we need to recall wheather our consecration has helped us to make our life a burning candle or not? 

*6) Obstacles, which endanger the burning light of our life*

Our primary mission is to make our life, like a burning candle 

The process of burning candle is not easy : it is very challenging and demanding 

First of all the candle has to sacrifice itself to produce light 

Secondly the candle does not use the light. Light is used by some one else 

It is also important to protect the light from the breeze. If not the light will go off 

There are many kinds of breeze in our life. We need to be very careful about it 

Am I ready to use my life as burning candle?

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The pitiable condition of the Man From the Tomb

Gospel Thoughts

*Fourth Week : Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 5:1-20*

*First Reading - Heb 11:32-40*

*The pitiable condition of the Man From the Tomb*

*1) A man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit*

*Man from the tomb* is a frightening expression. We never hear such expression and we are frightened about to hear such expression.

As we know tomb is a scary place for all the living beings. 

Specially when it comes to the human beings, tomb symbolizes the end of our life

Death and tomb has close connection with each other 

So *man from the tomb* is a terrible expression

*2) Inside Scene of the Tomb*

Usually we don't want to see the inside of the tomb

Because it is full of foul smell, rotten things, scary scene, and lifeless bones are found 

Such horrible scene no body wants to see it and people avoid seeing such things

*3) Situation of the Man from the Tomb*

First of all this man was possessed with an evil spirit, which made to live in the tombs. Finally this led him to become the *man from the Tomb*

As the tomb symbolizes the death, this man was practically dead to many things 

He was dead to good things, divine realities, Gods grace, spiritual life, human life, decent life, and to the respectful living 

Tomb is also a place of foul smell. Like wise the *man from the tomb* was stinking in many areas 

His body was stinking, his mind was stinking, his soul was stinking, his approach, attitude, behavior, and his words were stinking 

His whole life along with various aspects were stinking 

Tomb also symbolises the rotten things. This man from tomb was rotten in many ways. 

His mind, heart, normal way of life was completely rotten 

Tomb is a scary place: the man from tomb appeared to be very scary

Because he was bound in chains, no one was able to restrain him, he was so powerful that he broke all the chains, day night stayed in the tomb, crying with loud vice and bruising himself with stones.

Such a scene would appear as scary to any one 

*4) The unclean spirit or sin led the man into tomb* 

It is very clear that the unclean spirit led the man into tombs and finally made him to live in the tomb

So the final destination of the evil spirit or sin is the tomb

And tomb symbolizes the death, destruction, end and lifeless thing and terrible smell 

This is the destination of the sin and evil spirit

*5) This unclean spirit had terrible and uncontrollable strength*

He could break the chain 

He could live in the tombs 

He could cry loud and bruise himself with stone 

This shows the uncontrollable strength

There are some areas even in our life which have some traits of this unclean spirit 

The unclean spirit of anger gives us uncontrollable strength

The unclean spirit of gossip has tremendous power to spread the lies 

The unclean spirit of revenge is terribly powerful when it wants to take revenge

The unclean spirit of jealousy gives us tremendous power to fight against the good person 

The unclean spirit of narrow mentality for language, culture, rite, region, mannerism gives us tremendous strength to fight for these useless things 

All these fights initiated by the unclean spirit finally leads us to the Tomb. Therefore we need to be careful 

*6) Mad man lives in the tomb*

A man with mentally not sound will live in the tombs

In other words a mad man is found in the tombs

Sin or evil spirit finally takes away our spiritual mental balance and we become mentally not sound people to do our normal spiritual activities. 

So we need to be very careful 

*7)  Which are the unclean spirits in me make me to live in tombs*

Following are the various tombs 

Anger, revenge, greed, pride, gossip, etc 

Be careful about these tombs which destroy our life

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*