Why God has Chosen us?

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : 6th Week - Sunday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 15:9-17*

*First Reading - Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48*

*Second Reading - 1 Jn 4:7-10*

*Why God has Chosen us?*

*It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you*

*1) Jesus has Chosen us*

Why we are followers of Jesus Today? 

Why we are Christians today? 

Why do we bear witness to Jesus in the  world today?

To all these above questions and to many more other questions, the answer is *Jesus has chosen us for these things*

In a way we must be proud that me and you are chosen by the Lord, for these things 

How fortunate we are to be chosen by Jesus to bear witness to the entire world

*2) The purpose of our Choice by Jesus*

We have been chosen by Jesus for the following things. These are specially mentioned in today's Gospel

*A) To Love*

First of all we have been chosen by Jesus to Love God and the neighbour

To love as God has loved us. So this love is qualified by God's love and not any other form of Love 

Since God is Love, we are chosen to only to love and not for anything else 

*B)To remain in Love*

Jesus makes it very clear that we have been chosen to remain in Love. 

In order to love God and neigbhour we need to remain in love 

It is not an easy task to remain in God's love, since we have many weaknesses

Unless we say goodbye to our sinful life and worldly way of life, we can't remain in love 

To remain in love we need to live a good, moral and upright life, which demands a lot 

So we have been chosen to fight against these evils things and to remain in God's love 

*C)To become Friends*

This is another aspect of our choice by Jesus 

To become genuine friends of Jesus 

Jesus says *I have called you friends*

Friendship is a special relationship which helps a person grow spiritually and to achieve his/her goal 

We know the importance of friendship and the commitment which is needed for the same 

Friendship always helps the mutual enrichment and it sustains relationship even in the worst crisis

So we are chosen to have such kind of Friendship

*D) We have been chosen for greater sacrifice*

Jesus says *No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one's friends*

This is the foundation of Christian life and spirituality

Martyrdom is at the centre of Christian life 

Laying down ones life not only applies to the ultimate sacrifice of life through the blood, but also through our daily activities

A woman is spending her whole life for her husband and to the children is equal to laying  down her life for the family 

A man working all through the life and the children taking care of the family is laying down their life for the family 

A religious person leaving everything, and serving the Lord is equal to laying down his/her life for the spread of the kingdom of God. 

Like wise there are many examples where one can lay down his/her life for another 

*E) We have been chosen to remain faithful to the commandments of the Lord*

God has given 10 commandments and they are very important for a Christian to live his/her life 

These 10 commandments are put together and has given us the commandment of Love 

So we have been chosen to remain faithful to the divine love and to share the same love, which is expressed by God on the Cross

*F) We have been chosen to bear fruit*

Jesus says I have chosen *you to go and bear fruit that will remain*

It not ordinary fruit which vanishes within no time. But it is a fruit that will remain for ever. It can be seen in the following things 

Fruit through humility

Fruit through justice and truth 

Fruit through forgiveness, generosity, sacrifice, sharing, service,

Fruit through the practice of all kingdom values 

These will bear everlasting fruit. To which we have been chosen 

*3) Am I ready to Cooper for this choice*

There is no doubt that we have been chosen by the Lord for a great and lasting mission 

So we have one choice, either to cooperate with the choice of the Lord or to quit from the choice of the Lord 

So what is my choice? 

Does my life and the values of my life show that I cooperate with the choice of the Lord?

What more can I do to make this choice more meaningful and to bear much fruit?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The conflict of being in the World and chosen by God

Gospel Thoughts*

*Easter Season : 5th Week - Saturday*

*GOSPEL -  John 15:18-21*

*First Reading - Acts 16:1-10*

*The conflict  of being in the World  and chosen by God*

*1) The conflict  between Two*

*The World  and its standardised*

First of all the World has its own standards  which are quite different from that of Heaven 

The World is governed  by power, position, influence, money, pleasure, persecution, injustice, falsehood  etc 

We are in the World who are affected by these things. It is very difficult  to remain unaffected by these things 

*The Heaven and its standards*

Apart from the World there is another reality, which is called Heaven 

Jesus has come from heaven and He does not belong to this world. He belongs to heaven 

The same Lord Jesus has Chosen us to live according to the standards of heaven 

The standards  of heaven  are truth, justice,  Sharing, love, sacrifice, peace, happiness, righteousness, Forgiveness 

So we have been chosen by the Lord for these things 

*2) The Struggle  between these two*

Jesus clearly says you are in the World but you are not of the world 

The World is only a living place, a place for preparation  for the heavenly things 

But the standards  of the World are very much affecting us in our preparation  for heavenly  things 

So we really struggle  between these two

*3) Even Jesus struggled in this world*

When we reflect about Jesus' life, He also struggled  a lot to live His life according to the heavenly  standards 

That is why he had to sacrifice His life on the cross 

The heavenly standards  and Worldly  standards are opposite to each other. So the struggle comes 

*4) I am in the World, but I am chosen by the Lord*

We need to remind ourselves this fact everyday 

This reminder will help us to live our life according to the heavenly  standards 

We can't  run away from this world.  We have live our life amidst  the wkrdly standards,  without subscribing  to it 

So this is a great challenge for all of us. To remain in the world but living according  to the heavenly standards 

*5) what standards  govern my life?*

This is a very important  question, since we have been chosen by our Lord for the heavenly  standards 

If so what are the things which govern my life? Are the belong to the heavenly standards  or do they belong to the Worldly standards?

If I am living my life according to the Worldly  standards, what can I do to shift my life to the heavenly standards?

*Think about it and act promptly*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

To Love is a command and not a request by Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : 5th Week - Friday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 15:12-17*

*First Reading - Acts 15:22-31*

*To Love is a command and not a request by Jesus*

Jesus says *This I command you: love one another.*

*1) Difference between the command and a request*

Command is an authoritative order given by a competent person, to be followed by His subjects 

In command there is no choice. The choice is only to obey the command and do what is commanded us to do 

On the other hand, in the request is an act of asking politely or formally for something.

It is asking or appealing the other to do something 

*2) To Love is a command and not a request*

When it comes to *Love* Jesus gives us a command and not a request. 

It means for a Christian there is only one choice, that is the choice to love 

Other than *Love* there is other choice for a follower of Jesus 

Since love is at the centre of Christian spirituality, one is supposed to love another 

*3) Why it is a command?*

First of all  God is love. So love is the only way which leads to God

Other than Love there is no other way which can lead to God

Since this is the only way which can lead us to God, Jesus gives this way as a command to be followed and not a option to be seen 

Since genuine love leads always leads to Holy life, the concept of Love should be seen as a command 

The very concept of Command by Jesus also shows the importance of *Love* in Christian spirituality

*4) It is also a indirect warning to avoid all other things which go against Love*

When a person follows this command, automatically he ceases to do other things which go against Love 

Indirectly Jesus also commanding us to be away from all those things which stand against Love. 

For example : Hatred, revenge, pride, greed, gluttony, jealousy, selfishness, anger and all other evil things 

A person whose life is governed by Love can't entertain the above mentioned evil things in his/her life.

*5) How do I follow this command?*

At times we forget that it is a command from the Lord, and we choose other things than Love 

As long as our life is governed by the worldly standards, we can not follow this command in our life 

So it is necessary how far am I able to follow this command in my life?

What are the real blocks, which come in the way of showing my genuine love? 

*6) The command of Love demands a lot of things*

To follow the command of love is not easy. It is rather difficult and at times challenging

It may demand at times the greatest sacrifice of our life itself. That is what we see in the life of Jesus and all the martyrs. 

The command of Love demands from us, the kingdom values like, humility, forgiveness, sharing, sacrifice, truthfulness, justice, sincerity, discipline, hard work etc 

There is no short cut for the command of Love. The way of the Cross the way for practicing Love in our life. 

If so am l ready to obey the command of Love? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The source of Joy in Christan life

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : 5th Week - Thursday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 15:9-11*

*First Reading - Acts 15:7-21*

*The source of Joy in Christan life*

*1) Commandments are the foundation of Joy*

All of us want to be joyful in life. No body wants to remain in sadness 

Jesus tells us that the commandments are the foundation of Joy in Christian life 

One who follows the commandments of the Lord, can never be sad, rather he/she will always be joyful in life. 

Faithfulness to the commandments automatically, creates a feeling of joyfulness in our life 

*2) Commandments leads to Love, and Love leads to joyfulness*

The following of the commandments of the Lord, creates the power of Love 

Love for God and Love for the neighbour 

Since all the commandments are either directed towards God or towards the neighbour, one can not observe the commandments of the Lord, unless one has love of God and love of the Neighbour

So we can say commandments create the power of Love and the power of Love, makes us to observe the commandments of the Lord. 

The fruit of the Power of Love is joyfulness in ones life. So Love ultimately helps us to be joyful in our life

*3) The Qualification of Love : As the Father Loves me*

When we speak about love, which helps us to be joyful in life, the Source of this Love is the Heavenly Father 

Jesus says *As the Father has loved me, so I love you, remain in my love*

So what is the speciality of this Love 

John 3:16 Says, *God so loved the World that He gave only Son*

God's Love is unconditional

God's love is unselfish

God's love is sacrificial

God's love is supreme 

God's love is complete giving 

God's love is sharing what He needed most (His beloved Son)

God's love is saving 

God's love is freedom from the slavery of Sin 

God's love is other centred approach 

God's love is salvific 

God's love is having character of agape 

God's love taking highest risk for the sake of human beings/other 

God's love is healing 

So we need to remain is such love, which will really create the power of joyfulness in our life 

*4) A Christian is a one who is Joyful*

Sadness is not the characteristic of a Christian

We need to be always cheerful and joyful in love 

Only those who are joyful in their life will be able to serve others and able to build the kingdom of God 

Sadness will always take our courage and hope, which in turn will affect us very badly in living our Christian life 

One who is able to live in a joyful way, even in the midst of problems, crisis, failures, challenges, is a real Christian

*5) What about my Life? 

Am I a joyful person or a person with always projecting sadness in life?

What are the things affect in my life the power of joyfulness? 

What are the things those take away my joy in daily life? 

What can I do to live a life which is filled with joy in all the situations? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The ways through which we can remain in Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : 5th Week - Wednesday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 15:1-8*

*First Reading - Acts 15:1-6*

*The ways through which we can remain in Jesus*

Jesus says *Remain in me, as I remain in you*

*1) Branch can't survive without remaining with the tree*

The survival of the branch depends in its union with the tree. 

When the branch gets separated from the tree, it loses its existence and gradually it dies 

The very moment of separation from the tree itself, is the moment of its death 

*2) In separation both are affected*

When a branch gets separated from the tree, both the branch and the tree are affected 

The branch loses its life and gradually it dies 

The tree which loses its branch also affected in some way. It also loses its total strength

*3) The logic of the tree and branch - is seen in our relationship with Jesus*

The logic of tree and branch is directly applied to our relationship with the Lord

As the tree loses its life, upon the separation, we also lose the aim and purpose of our life, when we are separated from the Lord. 

The branch which is united in the tree, bears much fruit. Likewise one who remains with the Lord also bears much fruit

*4) Remain in me, as I remain in you*

This is a genuine request from the Lord. He is not commanding or threatening, but humbly requesting us to remain with Him 

Jesus is the model for us to remain with the Lord. That's why He says, *As I remain in you* you remain with me 

It is the wish of our Lord, to remain with us. He does not want to leave us. 

If so what is my response? 

*5) The various ways through which I can remain with the Lord*

First of all prayer is one of the basic ways through which we can remain with the Lord. In fact Jesus remained with the Father through the prayer. Prayer includes all our spiritual activities and the celebration of the sacraments 

Secondly living our prayer life in our day today life. The following virtues will help us to live our prayer life in a practical way 

The virtue of forgiveness, humility, compassion, love of the neighbour, sacrifice, truthfulness, justice, sincerity, sharing, generosity, etc 

*6) The ways which separate us from the Lord*

All our sinful habits, evil inclinations, attachment to the worldly things, desire for bodily pleasures etc 

Apart from these our ego, selfish motives, pride, arrogance, anger and other habits also become hurdles for remaining with Lord. 

*What are the ways through which I try to remain with the Lord?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

According to Whose command I Work

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : 5th Week - Tuesday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 14:27-31a*

*First Reading - Acts 14:19-28*

*According to Whose command I Work*

Jesus Says *I do just as the Father has commanded me*

*1) The importance of the Command*

Command means a kind of authority to control, power to do something, ability to control and a special privilege which helps the person to make things happen in a particular manner 

Today we are in the computer era. The computer program works on the command. With out the command nothing works 

Even in our day today life, a person who has the authority to command something can do lots of things and he/she can change the entire situation

*2) Jesus always worked according to the command of God*

This is a very important point to note 

Command also has its origin and source. This will help a person to use his/her authority in commanding good things

Since in Jesus' life every command was coming from the Father Himself, He faithfully followed it and he could do only good things in His life 

The commands which come from God can motivate us to do only good things 

*3) Our conscience is the Source of our Command*

We believe that conscience is the dwelling place of God 

God dwells in our conscience and always commands us to do good 

One who listens to the commands of the conscience can never fail in his/her life, because it is the voice of God and it is the command of God 

The question is *Do I follow the commands of my conscience?*

*4) Other things which play in commanding things in our lives*

Apart from the conscience there may be many other things which may control our conscience in commanding things 

At times money, worldly power, position and slavery to material things may command in our lives things to do which are evil in nature 

At times, pride, arrogance, anger, revenge, hatred, insensitivity may command us to do many things which will land up in doing some destructive things 

When our life is controlled by worldly things, they will command us what to do in our lives 

When our life is inspired by the divine and holy things they become a strong foundation in commanding us to do good things 

*5) What about my Life?*

First of all who is commanding in my life 

My conscience

My prayer life 

My Good works 

My emotions

My attachment to worldly things 

My greed, pleasure, 

It is very important to check and to see from where the command comes? 

Or under whose command I do my daily work? 

How does my mission or work or service helps me or my neighbour or my family or to the society? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Who is doing work in and through me?

https://gospelthoughtsdaily.blogspot.com/

*Gospel Thoughts*

*Easter Season : 5th Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 14:6-14*

*First Reading - 1 Cor 15:1-8*

*Who is doing work in and through me?*

*Jesus says "The Father who dwells in me is doing his works."*

*1) The power which works in Jesus*

We know that Jesus is a great miracle worker, healer, and having special divine power 

As Jesus Himself says that, he is able to do all these things, because the Father dwells in Him and it is the Father who does His work through the Son 

In other words we can say that it is the Father who works in and through the Son

*2) The Dwelling of Father is very important*

Jesus is very clear that *The Father who dwells in me is doing his works*

It means dwelling of the Father is very important. To work in and through the Son, the Father has to dwell in the Son

That is why Jesus says *Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me*

*3) Divine power within the self can do only Good*

It is very clear from the life of Jesus that the divine power or the dwelling of the Father led Jesus to do only good 

That is why the scripture says *"He went on doing good" Acts 10:38*

The moment a person is doing a good work means, it is God who is working in and through him/her.

*Without me you can do nothing* John 15:5

All Good works have the source in God himself

*4) My works Shows who is dwelling in me*

One can not hide this fact from any one. 

The type of work or the ministry one does and the intention behind it, will clearly show that who is dwelling in me and who is doing that work 

As we know all the good works have their source in God himself, likewise all the bad/evil works have their source in Satan devil. 

So we ourselves can evaluate that who is dwelling in me and doing these works 

*5) The Qualities of a person in whom God dwells and works*

One who is able to forgive his/her neighbour

One who is able to accept that he/she is a sinner and needs God's mercy 

One who is able to love the other without any selfish motives 

One who is able to serve others without any expectations

One who is able to humble himself 

One who has the courage to tell the truth and fight for justice 

One who is able to suffer and die for the sake of truth and justice 

One who is able to see God in the neighbour

One who is able to share with others 

One who is able to accept all the challenges, problems, crisis in a positive way, believing in the providence of God 

One who does not quit doing good, in spite of opposition, persecution and challenges 

These qualities will tell us that it is God who dwells and works in and through them

*6) Things to check in our lives*

See very often whether my pride works in and through me? 

Check whether my anger,  revenge, arrogance works in and through me? 

See whether gossip, silly talk, and other unnecessary talks works in and through me? 

Check whether, selfishness, ego, power,money, influence, pleasure, attachment for worldly things works in and through me? 

We need to check very often whether it is the power of God or the power of evil which is working in and through me? 

We have been created and sent into this world as an instruments of God, to accomplish His mission

If so will I cooperate for the same? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*