Jesus thought about people, disciples thought about themselves

Gospel Thoughts

*Advent Season : C Cycle  1st Week - Wednesday*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 15:29-37*

*First Reading - Is 25:6-10a*

*Jesus thought about people, disciples thought about themselves*

*1) Jesus' concern for people*

In today's Gospel, we come across the concern of Jesus for his people. The following expressions of Jesus show us how much He was concerned about the people 

Jesus' heart was moved with pity, by seeing the crowd

Jesus felt so much, because the people had nothing to eat for three days 

Jesus didn't want people to go hungry. 

Jesus was worried that the people may collapse on the way, because of not eating anything 

All the above things show us the concern of Jesus, towards his people 

*2) Disciples were concerned about themselves*

The disciples hardly thought about the people 

They were thinking about the impossibility of helping the people 

The following expressions of the disciples show us the impossibility of the disciples to help the people 

This is a deserted place 

Where could we get the enough bread for these people 

How to satisfy these people?

These are the things, which show the disciples mentality of impossibility in helping them 

*3) Jesus speaks of giving something, disciples speaks about impossibility of giving enough food for them*

There is a lot of difference between giving something and giving enough to them 

When the disciples were thinking about *giving enough* there comes the problem of impossibility of the quantity

When Jesus thinks of giving something, the problem of quantity does not arise 

That is the difference between Jesus and His disciples. 

*4) What about my concern?*

As  faithful disciples what is my concern? 

Is my concern for the self or for others? 

Is my concern helping them in some possible ways or impossibility of giving them enough? 

Do I consider giving them is waste or without any benefit? 

How do I see the whole situation when it comes to help someone??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Andrew left the Fishing net in order to follow Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*Advent Season : C Cycle  1st Week - Tuesday*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 4:18-22*

*First Reading - Rom 10:9-18*

*Feast of St Andrew the Apostle*

*Andrew left the Fishing net  in order to follow Jesus*

*1) Andrew was busy with his fishing net*

When Jesus saw Andrew at the sea of Galilee, he was casting the net. For he was a fishermen and was engaged in his work. 

In fact fishing net was everything for Him. In order words, it was an instrument for him to earn his livelihood. 

So there is a close relationship between Andrew and the net which he was using for fishing 

*2) Andrew leaves the Net which was so essential for him so far*

When Jesus called him, the Gospel says, he left the net and followed Jesus 

He was ready to leave the net and follow Jesus. This shows his readiness to follow Jesus leaving everything

*3) Fishing and fishing net was His talent and His expertise*

When we look at the life of Andrew we can conclude that he was a good fishermen

One could conclude that he had a good talent for fishing. So that was his asset

Another important talent could the use of the net, and the techniques of using it. One could conclude that he was expert in it 

*4) When Jesus calls, so called our expertise does not count*

In no way Andrew will be able to use his talent of fishing and use if the techniques of using the net will be used in building the kingdom of God. 

So Jesus didn't call him because he was good in fishing, because he was expert in the use of the net etc. 

Jesus simply calls him to follow Him, and he follows Jesus leaving the fishing net 

*5) The surrendering of the Fishing net*

This has a deeper meaning 

It symbolises a new beginning in the life of Andrew 

It symbolises his readiness to sacrifice everything for the sake of Jesus 

It symbolises his willingness to adopt a new way of life 

It symbolises his willingness to sacrifice the wordly things 

It symbolises his willingness to adapt the way of Jesus in his life 

It symbolises a complete *U Turn* in his life 

*6) Fishing net and My Life*

It also has a deeper significance to my life 

*Net basically used to catch something, to get something and trap something*

The following things may take the place of fishing net in my life

The net of Pride 

The net of selfishness

The net of personal gain 

The net of desire for power 

The net of desire for authority, money, wealth, name, property, beauty, etc 

The net o gossip

The net of revenge

The net of anger 

*7) Wordly standards don't match to the heavenly standards*

Net was a wordly things in the hands of Andrew. But it was not necessary when he followed Jesus 

When he followed Jesus, Jesus give him different types of nets, which he could use for the building of the Kingdom of God

The Heavenly net of forgiveness, love, sacrifice, service, sharing etc 

So with  the Wordly things one can't build the Kingdom of God. It needs diffent levels of nets. 

*Am I ready to give up my net to follow Jesus?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Advent is a time to check, what aspect of my Life has been paralysed?

Gospel Thoughts

*Advent Season : C Cycle  1st Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 8:5-11*

*First Reading - Is 4:2-6*

*Advent is a time to check, what aspect of my Life has been paralysed?*

*1) The Centurions appeal for the Paralysed Servent*

In the Gospel of the day, we have a centurion, who comes to Jesus to plead for the servents wellbeing

The Servent of the centurion, had been paralysed and was suffering terribly from this situation

So the centurion comes to Jesus and asks His help in curing his Servent

*2) Suffering due to Paralysis*

When a person is paralysed, a certain part of the body becomes inactive and as a result the person is not able to function properly

The inability which is created by the paralysis becomes so severe, because with out the help of the other the person is unable to do anything 

In a way the paralysed person has to depend in the other for every little aspect. He/she becomes completely dependent on some one else, which makes the life of the person miserable. 

*3) The Spiritual paralysis in my Life*

As we know the gravity of the physical paralysis, it also applies to the area of spiritual life 

So it is very important to analyze what aspect of my spiritual life is paralysed, so that we can know our real situation 

*4) Various aspects of the Spiritual paralysis in my life*

The paralysis of goodwill 

The paralysis of prayer 

The paralysis of reading of the scriptures 

The paralysis of sharing 

The paralysis of forgiveness

The paralysis of humility

The paralysis of sacrifice

The paralysis of hardwork and commitment

The paralysis of genuine love 

The paralysis of service 

The paralysis of trust and hope 

The paralysis of discipline

The paralysis of spiritual life 

So these are the various paralysis of our spiritual life, which can make us ineffective and useless 

*5) Solution for the Spiritual paralysis*

As the centurion came to Jesus pleading for his servents good health, we have a divine master who can heal our spiritual paralysis

Like that of a centurion, we need to go to Jesus and plead with Him to help us in overcoming the spiritual paralysis

As Jesus replied to the Centurion *I will come and Cure him* Jesus also says us that I will come and cure all types of the paralysis. 

Our duty is to go to Jesus and to plead for His mercy 

*6) Advent is a time to prepare for His coming*

Since Jesus says *I will come and Cure You* we need to prepare ourselves for His coming 

So advent is a time to prepare ourselves to receive Jesus who is coming to cure our Spiritual paralysis. 

So let us use this season of Advent to prepare ourselves to receive Jesus who is coming to cure our spiritual paralysis. 

*What is my response? Am I ready to prepare myself to receive Jesus who is coming to cure our spiritual paralysis?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Coming of Jesus and My Life

Gospel Thoughts

*Advent Season : C Cycle :  1st Week - Sunday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 21:25-28, 34-36*

*First Reading - Jer 33:14-16*

*SECOND READING 1 Thes 3:12-4:2*

*Coming of Jesus and My Life*

*1) Season of Advent*

Today we begin the new liturgical year. With Advent, we enter into a new Liturgical Year 

*Advent* means *arrival* or *Coming* Here it is referred to the coming of Jesus 

So with Advent we prepare ourselves to receive Jesus in our life.

*2) Coming of Jesus in Different times*

It is commonly understood that there are three times the coming of  Jesus happens. 

*Historical Coming*

This coming of Jesus has happened 2021 years ago. When Jesus was born at Bethlehem, the Historical Jesus happened. 

*Coming of Jesus in our life daily*

This coming of Jesus happens through our spiritual activities. 

When we receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, Jesus comes into our life 

Also when we receive the other sacraments, during prayer and when we spend time with the Lord

*Final Coming of Jesus*

This will happen at the end of our life. Jesus will  personally visit us and take us to our final destiny. 

*3) Two reactions at the coming of Jesus*

One group of people will be terribly frightened because of their unpreparedness. 

As a result they will not be able to face the coming of Jesus

The second group of people will stand stright, holding their heads high. 

These are the people who have prepared themselves to meet the Lord. 

*4) Beware of Your hearts*

In preparing ourselves to meet Jesus, we need to take are of the heart. 

Since the heart is the centre of all emotions which ultimately motivates to act, one must be careful about what is going on in ones heart 

If the heart is pure, then the person remains pure and holy. That's why the Gospel asks us to be aware of our hearts 

*5) The importance of the new Shoot*

New shoot is a new beginning. 

Advent is a season where God comes precisely, to raise from our life a new shoot 

The sign of new shoot is the evidence of new life, new beginning, new vigour, new thinking, new way of life and a different variety. 

God is at work in raising the new shoot in and through my life. If so what is my response? 

Am I ready to cooperate to bring see the new shoot in my life 

*6) New Shoot in advent*

The advent season demands us to have the following shoots in our lives 

The shoot of conversion

The shoot of new way of life 

The shoot of preparedness

The shoot of service 

The shoot of forgiveness

The shoot of courage

The shoot of discipline

The shoot of humility

The shoot of joyfulness

The shoot of sacrifice

The shoot simplicity

The shoot sincerity

What is my thinking and outlook about the above things? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The need of Being vigilant at all times

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 34th Week - Saturday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 21:34-36*

*First Reading - Dn 7:15-27*

*The need of Being vigilant at all times*

*1) Be vigilant at all times*

Vigilant meaning keeping a close watch about the possible dangers that would come into ones life 

Jesus says, we need to be careful at all times and not only some times. Being careful at all times will help a person to remain careful about the dangers 

One who is vigilant or careful will certainly able to face any trials and tribulations. 

*2) Why we have to be vigilant?*

In today's Gospel Jesus gives us a series of reasons about why we have to be vigilant at all times

*A) That our hearts may not become drowsy*

Anything that is drowsy or anyone who is drowsy can't function properly

If the heart becomes drowsy, it may be dangerous for the person to live 

Even at the spiritual level, those whose heart have become drowsy, can't experience God. 

*B) That we may be safe from the most three evils*

The evil of carousing (the activity of drinking alcohol and enjoying oneself with others in a noisy, lively way.)

The evil of drunkenness

The evil of anxieties of daily life

*C) That we may not be assaulted on that Day*

If we are vigilant, then we can save ourselves from the assault. 

Assault is nothing but the physical attack from the others. 

*D) That we may be able to escape the tribulations*

Being vigilant will help us to escape the various tribulations, which will come on our way

Since there will be many challenges and tribulations, as we proceed to witness the Lord, being vigilant will help us to avoid these tribulations. 

*E) That we may be able to stand straight before the Son of God*

Standing straight means with courage, with purity of heart and mind and with Holiness 

Standing straight shows the uprightness of the person and the genuineness of the person 

Standing stright is also the symbol of victory and achievement

Standing straight is the goal of every Christian which leads us to final liberation

So being vigilant will help us to stand straight before the Son of God. 

*3) Am I vigilant in my Life?*

As we look at our own life, am I able to say that I am vigilant at all times 

We are vigilant about the material things and many other things and we spend maximum time for the same

What about my vigilance about the spiritual things? 

Am I careful or vigilant about my spiritual life?

What are the concrete steps I take to remain vigilant to safeguard the importance of the spiritual things in my life? 

*Think about it*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Fig Tree in the Summer season and my Life

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 34th Week - Friday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 21:29-33*

*First Reading - Dn 7:2-14*

*Fig Tree in the Summer season and my Life*

*1) Symbolic Meaning of Summer Season*

Nature’s summer is a season of growth and production in the plant life cycle. 

Flowers and fruits bring fragrance, beauty, and delicious sweetness.

It is a time of warmth, extended light, slowing down, taking a break from our usual schedules, and refreshment in our everyday lives. 

We can enjoy the outdoors more comfortably without much difficulties. 

*2) New Life in Summer Season*

As we read in the Gospel, when the summer is near, the buds of the fig tree burst open and there comes the new life 

As the summer grows the life becomes powerful and the entire nature becomes beautiful and it attracts everyone 

So the summer season becomes a symbol of new life, new beginning, new way of thinking, new venture etc. 

*3) Summer Season in our Spiritual Life*

We are almost in the last days of the liturgical year. Sunday we begin the season of Advent. 

This season of Advent should become a season of Summer in our Spiritual life 

It means the season of Advent, a season of having new buds in our spiritual life 

 Like that of fig tree, all of us should bring new buds in our Spiritual life

So that these buds may grow and fill with full life, in order to produce much fruit. 

*4) The various buds we should allow to burst open in our life*

The buds of forgiveness

The buds of love 

The buds of service 

The buds of sharing 

The buds of sacrifice

The buds of humility

The buds of sincerity

The buds of peace 

The buds of smile 

The buds of hard work 

The buds of commitment

The buds of discipline 

The buds of prayer 

The buds of knowledge

The buds of helping someone

The buds of open mindedness

The buds of mutual respect

*5) How is the Fig tree of my life!*

There is no doubt that the summer is near. In this context how is the fig tree of my life?

Is it ready to burst open its buds? 

Is it showing any signs of new spiritlal  life, new vigour for commitment, new way of life for service, new fruits of humility, new fragrance of love and forgiveness? 

Has it lost its life because of the Winter season? 

Is the fig tree of my life is looking ahead with hope or despair??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

When the Jerusalem is surrounded by the enemies, either we have to escape from it or should not enter into it

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 34th Week - Thursday*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 21:20-28*

*First Reading - Dn 6:12-28*

*When the Jerusalem is surrounded by the enemies, either we have to escape from it or should not enter into it*

*1) Jerusalem - Surrounded by the Enemies*

The Gospel presents to us the situation, where Jerusalem was surrounded by the enemies 

So it is almost clear that the enemies will destroy it. So the Gospel gives us the following options 

One can flee from the place to a secure place 

Those who are within Jerusalem must escape from it 

Those who are outside, should not make an attempt to enter into it. 

*2) Our Life is equal to Jerusalem*

First of all Jerusalem was God's city and God dwelt in the temple of Jerusalem

Such a mighty temple was surrounded by various enemies for its destruction

Our life is like Jerusalem, where God dwells within us, and guides and protects us 

Like Jerusalem, our life also subject surround by various enemies 

The most common enemies would be, pride, arrogance, anger, revenge, gossip, lack of sharing and lack of  generosity, insincerity etc 

When these enemies surround our life, either we have to run, escape, flee from it, and not to enter into it.

*3) Am I giving the right response to the enemies?*

As it is explained in the Gospel, about the enemies, what is my response to these enemies? 

Do I flee from the enemies or try to entertain it? 

How do I deal with these issues?

*4) Jesus speaks about the enemies and not about the problems*

The Gospel is very clear, which speak about the enemies and not about the problems. 

At times, problems and  enemies are seen as one and the same. This may create some problems. 

Jesus says to flee from the enemies and not from the problems. 

*How do I manage with my enemies - the enemy of Sin?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*