Have my hands withered? Jesus Tells us "Stretch out Your Hands? Am I ready?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 23rd Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL - Col 1:24:2:3*

*First Reading - Lk 6:6-11*

*Have my hands withered? Jesus Tells us "Stretch out Your Hands? Am I ready?*

*1) Man With withered Hand*

The Gospel of the day presents to us a man with the withered hand. 

At the peripheral level, it is a physical disability which makes a person unable to function in a normal way

Beyond this physical ailment, can we see any other meaning for our life? Let's see 

*2) Jesus cures his sickness*

The Gospel also shows us that Jesus heals the man through the power of His words 

He said to the man, stretch out your hands, and he was able to stretch out his hands. 

We can consider this as a miracle, which Jesus performed for the sake of the people, which has many lessons to communicate to the people around

*3) Stretching out Hand is the Symbol of Doing good rather than bad*

In this incident, the scribes and Pharisees were keenly watching Jesus whether Jesus would heal him on the sabbath day 

By healing on the sabbath day, Jesus communicates a powerful message that : Doing good is more important than anything else. 

There is nothing equal for doing good. That is the highest activity a person can do 

*4) Stretching out hand is the symbol of Saving life*

Life comes first than anything else. Saving life is another important task that every human being should take into account

Withered hand is a symbol of distorted life, which makes life difficult in many ways. Stretching out hand is the restoration of the life, which needs to be taken care of 

*5) Have my hands withered for good works and saving life?*

Today the important question is, what is my attitude towards good works and life? 

The moment we fail to perform good works, we are like the man who had withered hands 

Doing bad things also the result, because the good hands are withered

So the moment we do any kinds of bad things or any  evil things, our hands, mind, hearts, vision and our entire life get withered, which make us impossible to perform any good work 

*6) Withered Hands and Saving life*

Jesus tells us clearly that, by healing the man, he shows the importance of saving the life

Any activity which we do in our life should help us to save life and not to destroy life

*The following things go against life, which is the effect of withered hands, mind, and conscience*

Anger, revenge, jealousy, gossip, arrogance, division, selfishness, greed, etc, which go against saving of life 

*7) Withered conscience is more dangerous than anything else*

Conscience is the centre of our being, which tells us what is good and what is bad,

The moment we have withered conscience, is the beginning of our end and we also destroy others life. 

So we should never allow the conscience to wither. 

*8) What Jesus says to me today?*

Jesus says stretch out your vision, stretch out your conscience, stretch out your heart, stretch out your mind, stretch out your ears to listen the word of God and pain of the suffering, 

Stretch out your life, for generosity, simplicity, humility, sincerity, sacrifice, service, love

*Am I ready?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The use and Meaning of Saliva

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 23rd Week - Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 7:31-37*

*First Reading - Is 35:4-7a*

*SECOND READING - Jas 2:1-5*

*The use and Meaning of Saliva*

*Jesus put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue;*

*1) Jesus uses the Saliva for healing*

In today's Gospel we see that Jesus uese the saliva for healing the deaf and dumb man 

Jesus took his saliva, and placed it on the tongue of the mute man, and he was able to speak well 

So how to understand the significance of the saliva in the healing of the Man 

*2) Jesus also spits on the Ground to heal a person*

In John's Gospel we find that Jesus “spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes” (John 9:6).

This also shows the importance of healing with the saliva after spitting on the Ground

*3)  Saliva indicates a intimate relationship*

The exchange of the saliva, can take place only in the intimate relationship

In the family when mother feeds her child, and when the mother eats the left over of the children, the mixture of saliva takes place 

In the intimate bond of husband and wife, there is a mixture of saliva 

So once again the saliva and the mixture of saliva indicates a deep and intimate relationship

*4) Jesus mixed His salvia with the saliva of Dumb man*

This shows the deep and intimate relationship between Jesus and the dumb man 

In other words Jesus calls the man for deep and intimate relationship by mixing his saliva with the saliva of dumb man 

It also highlights the importance of the relationship, that we need to maintain with Jesus our saviour

*5) Saliva also has healing properties*

Saliva is medicinal and it has lots of healing properties

Usually we see the animals, when they are wounded, they lick the wounds and gradually the wounds are healed 

Even when we have some wounds, we use our saliva which helps the wound to cure fast 

As soon as we get up in the morning, drinking a glass of water along with the saliva, helps the body to clear the various toxins, which are not good for health. 

*6)  Am I ready to allow myself to the saliva of Jesus*

Today the same Jesus who mixed His saliva with the dumb man, wishes to mix His saliva with mine. Am I ready? 

Today mixing of the saliva takes place in different forms. Some of the examples could be following 

The saliva of forgiveness

The saliva of humility

The saliva of generosity

The saliva of simplicity

The saliva of commitment

The saliva of sacrifice

The saliva of sharing 

The saliva of love

The saliva of holiness 

The saliva of service 

The saliva of faithfulness

The saliva of total trust

Apart for the above things, there are also many other forms of saliva, which Jesus wishes to mix with my salvia. 

What is my response?

Allowing Jesus to mix His saliva with ours not only will strengthen our relationship, but we will be healed from all the sicknesses and will be able to lead a holy life 

*The choice is ours*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Law of Sabbath and feeding of the Hungry

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week - Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 6:1-5*

*First Reading -Col 1:21-23*

*The Law of Sabbath and feeding of the Hungry*

*1) The conflict between Pharisees and Jesus*

As the disciples of Jesus were passing through the field on the Sabbath day, they picked the heads of grain and they ate it

This was considered as unlawful on the sabbath day, by the Pharisees and they questioned Jesus about the same 

*2) Eating of the heads of grain can be seen as feeding the Hungry*

The reply given by Jesus to the Pharisees, reflects the mind of Jesus, not in breaking the sabbath law, but the importance of feeding the poor 

According to Jesus, feeding the poor, is one of the noblest task, to which Jesus gave much importance.

*3) Eradication of the Poverty and Feeding of the poor*

Jesus does not speak about the eradication of the Poverty. But in many places Jesus not only speaks about the feeding of the poor, but He himself takes the initiatives to feed the people, who were hungry

The feeding of the Five Thousand is one of the best examples, to prove this point in in the life of Jesus.

*4) Feeding of the Hungry, sabbath and Eucharist*

Eucharist and sabbath go together. On sabbath day we celebrate the great mystery of the Eucharist

Once again Eucharist is the spiritual food, which is given by our Lord Jesus, to those who are spiritually hungry 

Like our bodily hunger, we have the spiritual hunger, which can be satisfied only Jesus through His body and blood 

Since this food is given to the spiritually hungry people on the sabbath day, in no way it becomes unlawful, but it is lawful to receive the spiritual food on the sabbath day 

So we need to look at this whole incident from the perspective of spiritual hunger 

*5) Feeding of the Poor will never become unlawful in any situation*

Feeding of the poor is a noble task 

Such a noble task will never become unlawful in any situation or in any time of the History

In fact the whole Christian spirituality, hinges around this concept

If we remove this concept, or if it becomes unlawful in any situation, then our spirituality has no value 

*6) How about my life?*

How do I understand the concept of feeding the poor?

Do I find excuses like that of Pharisees, in order to escape from the responsibility? 

What are the various effective ways in my life to practice this great virtue - the feeding of the Hungry?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The old is good.’ - Do I live with this mentality

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week - Friday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 5:33-39*

*First Reading - Col 1:15-20*

*"The old is good.’ - Do I live with this mentality*

*1) The Old is Good*

We have heard that *Old is Gold*. When we hear this saying we also tend to think that *Old is Good*

Many of us agree with the saying that *Old is Good*. 

But in today's Gospel the saying *Old is good* is presented in a negative way. 

If so what is the meaning of this saying in the context of the Gospel??

*2) Gospel understanding of Old and New*

According to the Gospel, the concept of *new* stands for the person of Jesus and His teaching 

His revolutionary teaching at times goes against the traditions of the Pharisees and scribes and that's why there is a conflict between Jewish authorities and Jesus 

According to the Gospel the *old* stands Religious beliefs and traditions as explained by the Jewish authorities

For their benefits, to the 10 Commandments they had added so many rules and regulations, which really enslaved people rather than giving them liberation

So these things stand for the *old* in the gospel context

*3) The understanding of the Old and new in our context*

 The *Old* in our context stands for wordly things 

Today wordly things are so attractive that, people tend to think that, they are everything in life, they are source of true happiness, peace, and joy. In fact this is not the case according to the Gospel. 

The concept of *new* stands for the spiritual and Holy things, which help us to live our life in a meaningful way. 

So we need to understand the concept of *New* in the realm of spiritual things 

*4) Need of discarding the old things, in order to have the new things*

This is also very practical in our life. Everyday things are changing. Due to the technological advances, old TV, DVD players, CDs, mobiles, old version of Computers are no more in use. We can't upgrade the old things with new material. The only possible way, discard the old things, and go for new things 

The same logic is also found in today's Gospel. The so called old things, sinful nature, bad habits, pride, arrogance, revenge, anger, need to discard inoder to fill ourselves with the new things 

The new things which were brought by Jesus  are, forgiveness, humility, simplicity, sincerity, love, sacrifice, service, generosity, etc can be filled in our life, only if we are ready to discard our old self 

*5) Event of Nativity is a best time to discard the old things*

We are about to celebrate the great event of the nativity of our Blessed Mother 

This event is a best opportunity for us to discard the old things and to adapt new things 

Each day we offer, fresh, new and colorful flowers to our blessed mother. We don't offer the old flowers. This shows us the need of new things, new flowers and new thinking each day in our lives 

*So am I ready to adopt the new things in my life, by discarding the old ones?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Am I ready to Give the boat of my life to Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week - Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 5:1-11*

*First Reading - Col 1:9-14*

*Am I ready to Give the boat of my life to Jesus*

*1) Peter offered His boat to Jesus*

The Gospel makes it very clear that, Jesus used the boat of Simon Peter, to Preach the Word of God 

Since He there were many people who had come to listen to Jesus, Jesus wanted a stage from where He could preach the Word of God 

So Jesus Used the boat of Simon as platform or as a stage to proclaim the Goodness. Something very nice and very creative from the part of Jesus

*2) Simon was ready to offer His boat*

It was Jesus who enters the boat and asks Simon to move the boat to a little distance from the shore.

When Jesus asked Him to do so, he was more than willing to do the needful. He moved the boat and allowed Jesus to use his boat as a platform to preach 

Since Peter allowed Jesus to use his boat, Jesus could preach from the boat, which was very effective to catechise people

*3) Peter Had cought nothing on that Day*

Jesus uses the boat, which was used by Peter to catch the fish. 

But unfortunately, he could catch nothing on that day. He might have felt helplessness with this boat. At certain moment Peter might have felt the uselessness of the Boat also

But what was unable to produce fruit in the hands of Peter, becomes a powerful instrument in the hand of Jesus 

So when the so called boat and net which was unable to catch the fish become a powerful instrument in the hands of Jesus  

*4) Jesus uses the boat for multiple purpose*

First of all Jesus used boat for preaching the Word of God 

Secondly Jesus also uses the boat to perform a great miracle in front of the crowd 

Thirdly boat becomes the instrument to reveal Jesus His divine identity

Fourthly boat becomes a instrument to call first disciples of Jesus and to begin His ministry on this earth 

 *5) Am I ready to Give my boat of life?*

At times we may think the boat of our life is useless, unholy, sinful, not productive, or can't use any more by anyone 

Peter also might have had the same opinion when he was unable to catch the fish on that day 

But see the result of the boat when it is operated by Jesus. That is the difference

The only thing that we need to do is, offer willingly to Jesus for His mission Work

*6) My life is Foundation for Jesus' Work*

Peter's boat was a platform for Jesus to proclaim the goodnews 

Today my life and your life works as a boat for Jesus for His mission work. 

Am I ready to offer my boat of life to Jesus??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What must be our attitude after coming out/After visiting the Holy Place

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week - Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 4:38-44*

*First Reading - Col 1:1-8*

*What must be our attitude after coming out/After visiting the Holy Place*

*1) Jesus was in synagogue*

For Jews synagogue was a holy place : for prayer, for reading of Holy Scriptures and to spend time in meditation

As a Jew Jesus also had gone to the synagogue for proclaiming the Scriptures and to spend time in prayer 

When Jesus spends time in prayer means its for a deep, divine experience with the Father, which kept Him doing good at all quarters of life 

*2) Jesus comes out of the Synagogue*

Jesus who spent time in prayer, when He comes out, the effect of prayer is clearly seen in His action 

When He came out, He learnt that Peter's Mother in-Law was suffering from fever 

Jesus could have commanded the fever to leave her, from there itself and would have proceeded to the other places. But He deals this situation in a different way

 Jesus goes to Peter's Mother in-laws house and He heals her 

*3) Visit of the Sick people*

This is the main point to note in today's Gospel reading 

After coming from the Synagogue, Jesus visits the sick people, spends time with them and cures them 

This is the effect of visiting the Holy place or spending time in prayer

*4) Whole day Jesus does this ministry*

The Gospel makes it very clear that till evening Jesus was curing the sick people, who were brought to Him, by their family people 

At the same time Jesus might have visited other sick people also and might hsve cured them 

In any case the Curing work was carried out by Jesus till late evening

*5) Fruit of visiting and spending time in Holy Places is clearly seen*

This point is very clear from the Gospel 

This also tells us, in order to serve, or to do some good work, first of all we need to visit the Holy Place, pray intently for some time and then begin your work 

Definitely it becomes successful. 

*6) What happens in my Life?*

Like Jesus we also visit the Holy Places like, Church, pilgrim places, retreat centres  and other holy places 

At times We spend few days or few hours in these places 

But the question is what happens after I come out of that place? 

Is there any change in my behavior or attitude? 

Am I able to understand that I need to help and serve others? 

What are the real changes that take place in my life? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What is there about his word?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 22 Week - Tuesday* 

*GOSPEL - Lk 4:31-37*

*First Reading -1 Thes 5:1-6 9-11*

*What is there about his word?*

*1) People are asking What is there in Jesus' word?*

People who had come to Synagogue, after listening to Him, asking this question *What is there in His Words?*

They are asking this question, because they might have experienced something special, which they might not have experienced so far

They might have asked this question because, they might have perceived the special power, which was hidden in His Words 

They might have asked this question because they might have witnessed some miracles

*2) In Reality what is there is Jesus' Words*

The careful analysis of the Gospel will help us to see the following things in the Words of Jesus 

*There is healing in Jesus' words* : At many occasions, we see that the power of healing goes through His words. He commands the devil and it runs away, He commanded the fever, and the fever left her (Mother in law of Peter)

*There is miraculous power in Jesus' words* : The Gospel clearly shows us that Jesus performs the miracles through his words. The multiplication of loaves, the calming of the sea, etc 

*There is comfort and consolation in Jesus' Words* Jesus says come to me all you who are burdened and I will give you rest. 

Lots of consolation and comfort is found in Jesus' words 

*There is life giving power in Jesus' words* He raised Lazarus to life, Jairus' daughter, the only son of the widow at Nain. All these shows Jesus' life giving power in His words 

*There is Humility in Jesus' Words* While praying to His father He says, *it is not my will, but according to your will be done*

*There is conversion in His words*

Many people who listened to Jesus and finally they changed their life. Eg. Zacchaues, Samaritan woman, sinful woman, Matthew the Tax collector 

*There is sacrifice In His words*: Jesus spoke three times about His own death and resurrection. This shows the sacrifice of Jesus

*There is forgiveness in His words* Jesus forgave many people. He simply says, your sins are forgiven, go in peace 

Finally we can say that in Jesus' words, everything is found *Spirit of prayer, love, concern, truth, Justice, light, hope, encouragement, simplicity, etc

*3) Am I ready to find what is that Found in jesus' words*

Word of God is very dear to us. We read it many times. But do we ask the question that what is the power of Jesus' words?

Have I ever wondered about the power and nature of God's words?

*4) How can I find out the power of Jesus' words?*

Read the scriptures and meditate it

Try to read the Bible and you will find the power of Jesus' words 

Listen to your own conscience, and you will see the power of  word 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*