Am I ready to find out the Lost coin in my Life?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 31st Week - Thursday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 15:1-10*

*First Reading - Rom 14:7-12*

*Am I ready to find out the Lost coin in my Life?*

*1) The Woman who lost the valuable Coin*

In the Gospel Jesus presents to us a woman who lost her valuable coin. 

The woman didn't lose her hope in finding it again. That's why she searched for it, swept the entire house, and did all the possible things, until she found it 

Finally we see the joy of the woman in finding the lost coin, because for her the value of that coin was more important than anything else in the life 

*2) Like woman we too lose some of our valuable coins in our life*

Like the woman of the Gospel at times we also lose the valuable coins, which were given to us by God 

At times we lose the coin of forgiveness

We may also lose the coin of humility, sincerity, service, love, sacrifice, generosity, care, concern, availability, and faithfulness

These are some of the most valuable coins of our life, and we lose them miserably. 

*3)  What is my reaction is losing the valuable things*

The woman was upset and felt that she lost everything by losing that one particular coin. 

Since it was most valuable coin for her, without wasting time she searched for it and she found it 

What is my reaction? Do I feel upset when I lose the coin of forgiveness, humility and sincerity??

Do I consider them as most valuable things in life?. If so, then I will work to find out and to reinstall in my life. 

*4) All valuable virtues and kingdom values are like the valuable coins*

We have many virtues, and  kingdom values, which are like valuable coins in our life 

Their value can't be measured in terms of money and other things. 

They are purely God's gift to us. Our responsibility is to keep them safe and to practice them regularly

How do I value my various skills and talents? 

Have I lost them? 

If I have lost them, what can I do to reestablish 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*

Importance of sitting down, calculating and planning the events of our Life

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 31st Week - Wednesday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 14:25-43*

*First Reading - Rom 13:8-10*

*Importance of sitting down, calculating and planning the events of our Life*

*1) Battle depends much on well knit planning*

In any battle or in any event the major part of the success depends on the planning. 

If there is no planning, no event can be successful in our life

To plan, one need to sit down and calucate the strengths and weaknesses in order to know the real condition of the situation

*2) Jesus' plan for the final battle*

Jesus' battle was against the sin and Satan. From the beginning of His ministry we see that Jesus makes a systematic strategy in defeating the sin and Satan 

Much of His plan comes in the context of spending time in prayer and knowing the will of God. That's why early in the morning Jesus used to spend time in prayer to plan His activities

The intense prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is an preparation and planning of Jesus to conquer the final battle on the Cross. 

So we see a very good planning in the life of Jesus in accomplishing His mission. 

*3) Planning is necessary for every small event of our life*

Whatever it may be the event, small or great, without preparation, it will be a disaster. 

*"By Failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”*– Benjamin Franklin

Not making any preparation means, one is preparing to fail

*4) To live a good and Holy life we need good planning*

Good and holy life does not happen automatically. It does not depend on our wealth, riches, position or money power 

It purely depends on the well disciplined way of life. 

So to live a holy and good life, one needs to sit down and plan well to find out the various possible ways to live a good and holy life 

*5) Prayer is a form of sitting down, calculating and planning for the Future*

Those who believe in God, prayer becomes one of the important exercises to sit down, to calculate and to plan for the future. 

In prayer we sit down and reflect about Almighty's ways through which we can live our life to the best of our capacities 

If so how much time do we spend in sitting down and planning for the future in the form of prayer?? 

*6) My planning for the death and eternal life*

All of us should plan our death so that our resurrection and the eternal life will become a reality in our life 

Those who do not plan their death, eternal life will remain only as a dream 

Planning ones death means, at any time one is ready to offer his soul into the hands of the Lord, with due preparation. 

A person who follows the commandments of the Lord, tries His/Her level best to live a holy life, is really prepares himself for the eternal life. Such a person dies at any moment, will be eligible for eternal life 

So this is the meaning of planning ones death, which is very essential in our life, since death is a reality in our life 

*7) How effective is the battle of my life?*

My battle against sin and Satan 

My battle against evil habits and short comings 

My battle against pride, arrogance, and revengeful attitude 

My battle against gossip, jealousy and anger? 

Do I have any plans to over come these things? 

Do I sit down and plan out well to root out these evil habits from my life? 

*What is my strategy??*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Various ways of seeing and believing in the Son - Jesus

*Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season 31st Week - Tuesday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 6:37-40*

*First Reading - Wis 3:1-9*

*Second Reading - Rom 5:5-11*

*All Souls' Day*

*Jeaus says : "Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life".*

*Various ways of seeing and believing in the Son - Jesus*

*1) All Souls' Day and Eternal life*

When we commemorate the memory all Souls' day, it automatically makes us to think about the death and life after death

In fact this is the only thing which bothers the human beings towards the end of ones life. 

So eternal life is possible for only those who are able to see and believe in Jesus Christ. 

So we need to explore the various ways through which we can see and believe in Jesus 

*2) Various ways through which we can see Jesus*

First of all we can see Jesus in Holy Eucharist, in Blessed Sacrament and in Tabernacle

Secondly we can see Jesus in the Gospel, miracles, healings and preachings of Jesus 

Thirdly we can see Jesus in the celebration of all the sacraments, because the sacraments are instituted by Jesus as the channels of the Grace of God

Fourthly we can see Jesus in our spiritual life and in our prayer life. Because prayer helps us to encounter the Lord in various ways 

Fifthly we can see Jesus in the daily happening or events of our life. A believer will be able to see Jesus in every event in his/her life. 

Sixthly we can see Jesus in the holy and saintly people. Such people are plainty in number, in and around us. These are the people who selflessly serve, generos in their attitude and in sharing, who think of the Good of the people and ready to sacrifice their life 

Finally we can see  Jesus in the nature, which is the expression of God.

So there are number of occasions to see Jesus in our life 

*3) Various ways of Believing in Jesus*

One who is able to practice the values of Jesus, definitely believes in Him 

Practing the values like, forgiveness, love, sacrifice, generosity, humility, service, truth, hope and charity are the most important ways of believing in Jesus 

Doing any little good work, is nothing but the sign of believing in Jesus. 

*4) Reward for seeing and believing in the Son*

The Gospel makes it very clear that, the reward is Ertenal life 

Since all have the intention of attaining the eternal life, this is one of the best ways to attain it. That is by seeing and believing in Jesus. 

*5) Am I trying to see Jesus and trying to Believe in Him?*

At the outset all of us will say *YES*. But this *Yes* Should be qualified with various ways 

This *Yes* has  value only when I am able to practice the Kingdom Values

Is my *Yes* goes only at the superficial level or does it have any depth? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Symbolic meaning of the Sermon on the Mount

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 31st Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 5:1–12a*

*First Reading - Rv 7:2-4, 9-14*

*SECOND READING - 1 Jn 3:1–3*

*Solemnity of All Saints*

*The Symbolic meaning of the Sermon on the Mount*

*1) Biblical understanding of the Mountain*

Mountains are mentioned frequently in the Bible. There are more than 500 references in Scripture.

Mountains have a logical religious symbolism for Jewish and Christian cultures since they are “closer to God” who dwells in the heavens.

As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text.

God gave 10 commandments at Mount Sinai

There are six significant mountain scenes in the gospel: 

*Jesus’ temptation (Matthew 4:8)* 

*The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12)*

*a number of healings (Matthew 15:29-31)*

*The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1)*

*Jesus’ final discourse (Matthew 24:3)*

 *The commissioning of the Apostles (Matthew 28:16-20)*

All these show us the importance of the mountain

*2) Jesus went Up to the mountain when He saw the Crowd*

The seeing of the Crowd by Jesus and going up to the mountain also has a symbolic meaning. 

In a way Jesus is inviting to all those who are in the Crowd to move higher in their way of life, attitude, and in their spiritually

By going Himself first to the mountain He becomes an example and inspiration to all others to follow the path 

Like Jesus we need to go to the mountain, which is a sign of growth towards God. 

*3) Jesus' first teaching from the mountain is about blessednees*

According to the nature and biblical understanding of the mountain, the first message from the Mountain is about blessedness. 

Since mountain signifies a place closer to God, and also the dwelling place of God, Jesus speaks in the similar life, that is the blessedness.

When we are able to move to the mountain, in a spiritual way, automatically we become blessed.

So Jesus' invitation to go up to the mountain also has the spiritual meaning of attaining the blessedness in our life 

*4) Mountain is a best place to attain blessedness*

The psalmist asks, *Who can climb the mountain of the Lord?*

*The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things*

Psalm 24: 3-4

Those who are able to climb the mountain of the Lord are the Holy People and holy people are the blessed people. 

So mountain becomes a perfect place for attaining the blessedness

*5) Blessed are those who are able to climb the mountain of the Lord*

The sermon on the mount has a very important teaching and also the practical way to attain the blessedness. 

First of all it explains who are the blessed people. 

Secondly it shows variety of ways through which we can attain blessedness. 

So one who is able to climb the mountain of the Lord is blessed. 

*6) Am I ready to climb the Mountain of the Lord?*

As we celebrate the solemnity of all saints, the sainthood is possible for only those who are willing to climb the Mountain of the Lord. 

All the saints, followed this path and they climbed the mountain of the Lord, and finally became saints 

What about me? 

Am I ready to climb the mountain of the Lord? 

Jesus calls us everyday to climb the mountain. What is my response?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Speciality of the Love Commandment*

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 31st Week - Sunday*

*GOSPEL -  Mk 12:28b-34*

*First Reading - Dt 6:2-6*

*Second Reading - Heb 7:23-28*

*The Speciality of the Love Commandment*

*1) It connects God and Human Beings*

Gospel of the day clearly shows us that, the power of Love connects both God and Human beings 

*Love of God and the Love of the neighbour* clearly show us the connectedness of Divine and Human 

Among all other things which were available on the earth, God chose the aspect of love to relate, to communicate, to teach, to forgive and finally to save the Human beings from the slavery of Sin 

So it is only *love* that becomes very visible in everything and specially in the relationship God and Human beings 

*2) It connects Human being in a most intimate way*

The only one thing which connects the human beings and make them to relate in a most intimate way, is the power of Love

It is only this force which makes the human beings to come together, to remain together, to work together, to suffer together, to sacrifice together and even at times to die for the other 

There is no other force which can work so creatively in the life of God and human being other than Love 

*3) It makes a person to involve all His/her faculties*

Genuine Love involves the totality of the person 

Totality of the person consists in Heart, mind and Soul 

Therefore Jesus says, *You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength*

These three faculties are very important and in love all these three faculties should work together. 

*4) It has turned out to be the best thing, in the World. There is no other equal to the concept of Love*

For Love there is no other competitor in this World. 

Nothing can be equated with Love. 

Since Love is divine and God is Love, Love means God, and there is no equal to God. God or Love itself is ultimate and supreme reality 

If there is no Love there is nothing in this world. 

*5) It takes us near to the Kingdom of God*

The Concept of Love takes us near  to the Kingdom of God. 

That's why Jesus says, *You are not far away from the Kingdom of God* In other words it is very clear that, Love takes us to God and to His Kingdom 

*6) Its power is unimaginable*

No one has ever measured the the power of Love 

Neither the points nor the artists are able to describe the power of Love 

Therefore its power is unimaginable and can't be explained

*7) Love is a mystery, can't be explained by anyone*

Mystery is something which can't be explained by any one 

In this sense love remains as mystery, which can't be solved 

As long as something is unimaginable and can't be explained, it evokes a lot of new ideas to explain it. In this context love remains still as mystery

*What is my Understanding of the concept of Love 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 happens when You take the place of honour?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 30th Week - Saturday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 14:1, 7-11*

*First Reading - Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29*

*What happens when You take the place of honour?*

*1) Jesus says not to take the place of Honour*

In today's Gospel we come across the opinion of Jesus that one should not take the place of honour unless he/she is asked for it. 

Now we can ask a question, why one should not take the place of honour? 

Or if one takes the place of honour, what does it imply?

*2) Taking the place of Honour would imply the following things*

*A) It implies that I am important person*

It becomes a self declaration that one is trying to tell others that I am important person, and I must be recognised in all the places 

*B) It is the exhibition of ones pride*

The very attitude of craving the place of honour shows the pride of the person. Such an attitude goes against the virtue of humility

*C) Lack of respect for the other*

The attitude of occupying the place of honour, also shows a kind of disrespect to the others, who are suppose to occupy these seats 

*D) It shows the undue desire of the person for recognistion*

This also shows the inappropriate desire for recognition and cheap popularity

*3) The difference between offering the place of honour by others and claiming by oneself*

When some one asks us to occupy the place of honour means they recognise our value 

When some one else recognises our value, it is more authentic than by declaring oneself 

On the other hand, when we occupy the place of honour on our own, it is we who trying to tell others that I am a important person 

Such self declaration about the self has no value and it becomes a humiliating thing to the person who ouupies the seat 

*4) Occupying the place of honour also leads a person for humiliation*

This particular aspect is clearly highlighted in today's Gospel. 

There comes a situation where the person is asked to vacate the place of honour, in front of the crowd, because it is reserved for some one else 

In such a case it becomes a humiliating thing for the person. So ultimately it leads to the humiliation and not to the happiness 

*5) Lesson for humility*

The core message of today's Gospel episode is the importance of the virtue of Humility. 

Towards the end we come across that the virtue of humility makes a person great in the sight of God, where as pride leads to the utter humiliation. 

So we are suppose to practice the virtue of humility to become great in the Kingdom of God. 

*6) My life and desire for honour*

There is a inner tendency in all of us that we are recognised, honoured, and paised by others. 

Is my desire for honour based on selfish motives, or for personal gain or to exhibit myself to others 

Is it a attitude of humility or the attitude of pride, arrogance, desire for position, status, and for cheap popularity? 

*If Honour comes to you, because of your good work accept it, but  don't expect for it all the time*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

New Meaning of Sabbath : Sabbath means doing Good

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 30th Week - Friday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 14:1-6*

*First Reading - Rom 9:1-5*

*New Meaning of Sabbath : Sabbath means doing Good*

*1) Sabbath for Scribes and Pharisees*

For scribes and Pharisees, Sabbath was means, following the rules and regulations, without understanding the meaning of it 

For them literal understanding of law was more important than the hidden meaning or the spirit of the law

That's why they saw doing any kind of work on the sabbath day was against the law.

*2) Sabbath is not to forbid the good work, but to facilitate the Good work*

Sabbath for Jesus had altogether different meaning. For the primary purpose of sabbath was doing good rather than forbidding any good 

In no way the spirit of sabbath gets diluted by doing good work, but it becomes rich by doing good work 

So Jesus gave a new meaning to the sabbath, accordingly we can say that doing good work is the primary purpose of the sabbath 

*3) Sabbath is not to restrict only to one day*

For scribes and Pharisees, sabbath was fixed on a particular day. They could not think of sabbath on other days 

But with Jesus' new meaning, that is *Sabbath means doing good* the spirit of sabbath is applicable to any situation and to any context

So the moment we do a good deed, we must paise and thank God, for such an opportunity, because it is part of the celebration of the sabbath 

*4) We have a call to do good on Sabbath day*

Since Jesus did good on sabbath day, we have a duty and obligation to do a lot of good work on the sabbath day 

As a disciple of Jesus I must take the chances to celebrate the spirit of sabbath in every moment and in every moment 

*5) My Life and Sabbath*

Can I turn my life as the celebration of Sabbath??

Since sabbath means, praising and thanking God, and also doing lot of good work, there are multiple opportunities to turn my life as the celebration of Sabbath

This is a real challenge to all the followers of Christ, that to change our life into a celebration of sabbath in all situations. 

Will I challenge myself to create a new meaning for sabbath 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*