The Speciality of the Roman Official

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 14th Week - Monday*

*The Speciality of the Roman Official*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 9:18-26*

*FIRST READING - Hos 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22*

*1) He comes after the death of his Daughter*

The Gospel makes it clear that the daughter of the official had already dead 

Even then He comes to Jesus asking Him to lay His hand and She will live 

Here we see that depth of His faith in Jesus and on the power of Jesus to bring back his daughter to life 

*2) He comes and kneels before Jesus*

He was a Roman Official. Very powerful man in His position

Such a man comes and kneels before Jesus, shows the Humility of the person

When He came to Jesus he always considered Jesus as the great and powerful man 

This made him to humble himself and to seek Jesus' divine help 

*3) The Aspect of Faith and the official*

The official may not be the follower of Jesus, but had special regard to Jesus 

The faith of the official was so deep, he believed that Jesus has the power to bring his dead daughter into life 

Such a strong faith is necessary to witness great miracles in our life 

*4) Jesus' immediate Response*

In this particular scene we see that Jesus immediately responds to the request of the official

He immediately starts his journey to attend to the need to the dead daughter 

This immediate response of Jesus, also showes the depth of the faith  and the sincerity of the offical 

*5)  My life and the official*

The official communicates a powerful message to all of us 

First of all the depth of my faith in Jesus 

Secondly the, need of humility, which we need to have when go before the Lord. How is my humility

Thirdly the need of Jesus in my life

At the most desperate situation, official came to Jesus 

What about my life?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Various Qualities of St Thomas

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 14th Week - Sunday*

*Solemnity of St Thomas the Apostle: Apostle of India*

*GOSPEL -  John 20:24-29*

*FIRST READING - Acts 10:24-35*

*Second Reading: Heb 1:2-3*

*Various Qualities of St Thomas*

*1) The Courage of St Thomas*

Among all other Disciples Thomas was courageous person 

When other Disciples feared about going with Jesus to Judea because of the fear of Jews, who were looking to stone them it is Thomas who said *Let's also go with Him and Die* John 11:16

After the death of Jesus other other Disciples were inside the House for the fear of Jews. 

But Thomas was not with them. Where did he go? He might have gone out. Because he was not frightened. 

We need to have the Courage of St Thomas 

*2) Seeking Right answers from Right Persons*

When Jesus told about going to the Father, preparing the place there, Thomas infact didn't understand what Jesus was saying. 

So he asked Jesus *We don't know where you are going, then How can we know the way?* 

Once again Thomas seeks the answer from Jesus to clarify His doubt 

It is very important to clarify the with the right person to get the Right answer 

*3)  No Hypocrisy in Thomas*

Thomas was a sincere may. He did not act as if he knew everything 

Where there was some issues he straightaway asked questions to clarify the matter 

So it is also applicable to the scene of resurrection after Jesus was raised to life 

*4) Doubt of St Thomas*

Doubt of Thomas clarified many things 

It cleared the resurrection of Jesus 

It cleared that the same Jesus who died on the Cross was raised to life

It strengthened the faith not only of St Thomas but the faith of all the followers of Jesus 

The Doubt of Thomas communicates a powerful message that *Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed."* 

*5) Once doubt cleared no more Doubt*

We see a special feature in the Doubt of St Thomas. Which can be seen in the following way 

Once the doubt was cleared, Thomas never Doubted the resurrection of Jesus 

We need to learn from St Thomas how to come out from our Doubt and to live a life trust and confidence 

*6) Thomas in my life*

Which aspect of Thomas is dominating in my life? 

The courage of St Thomas to proclaim Jesus?

The genuine desire to know the truth by clarifying the doubts? 

The readiness to sacrifice ones life for Jesus

To be with the Master? 

*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 New Wineskins

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week - Saturday*

*The need of New Wineskins*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 9:14-17*

*FIRST READING - Am 9:11-15*

*1) The need of Newness*

Newness is something which is attractive to all of us. 

Only when there is something new, things become more meaningful and life becomes joyful 

Where there is no Newness, there is no life

*2) Newness is the Sign of Growth*

Newness and growth go together. 

Where is there is growth, there comes something new and fresh 

Growth always witnesses the new changes and growth in perticular area 

*3) New Wineskins and Old Wineskins*

The Gospel of the day speaks about two important things. They are new wine with fresh Wineskins and old wine with old Wineskins

The equation is very simple. Jesus says one needs new and fresh Wineskins to fill the new and fresh wine 

One can't put the new wine into the old Wineskins. If one attempts such a thing, both wine as well as the Wineskins will be lost 

*4) The concept of New Wine*

The Gospel presents to us that the new Teachings of Jesus need to be considered as the New wine 

Some of the examples for the new wine could be the following

Loving ones enemies

Praying for the persecutors

Walking two miles instead of one 

The practice of forgiveness

Showing the other cheek when one strikes at the one cheek 

Leaving the 99 sheep and going in search of one 

Breaking the social barriers by welcoming and touching the sinners, lepers, sick people, speaking for widows etc 

The above teachings of Jesus resemble the new wine of the Gospel

*5) New Wineskins*

All the followers of Jesus should have new Wineskins to practice the above teachings of Jesus 

With old mentality or with old Wineskins *(example: tooth for an tooth and eye for an eye)* one can't practice Jesus' new teaching 

So our mind, heart and life is nothing but the Wineskins for Jesus' new wine 

So now the question is whether my heart, mind and life is equal to new Wineskins???

*6) Making it new Wineskins is a continuous process*

Preparing the new Wineskins is not a one day or few days work 

It is a life long mission, for which one has to work hard 

All our activities must help us to prepare the new Wineskins to fill the new wine in it 

*7) Am I ready to prepare new Wineskins?*

In fact our primary mission, as a Christian, is to prepare the new Wineskins

If so, am I ready to prepare the New Wineskins? 

What are the ways, which are suitable to prepare new Wineskins, found in my life? 

Have I understood the gravity and importance of the new Wineskins in my Life? 

What are the difficulties and the challenges I face in preparing the new Wineskins?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What did Jesus See in Mathew?

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week - Friday*

*What did Jesus See in Mathew?*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 9:9-13*

*FIRST READING - Am 8:4-6, 9-12*

*1) Seeing of Jesus*

The Gospel of the day presents to us the call of Matthew. 

The calls begins with a specific gesture of Jesus. The gesture is *Seeing of Matthew by Jesus*

The Gospel tells us that *As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.*

*2) The Speciality of Jesus' Seeing*

This simple sentance says that Jesus saw Matthew. This meaning could be understood at the peripheral level 

The question is what Jesus really saw in Matthew. Is it only the outward physical presence of Matthew or something more than this? 

This perticular question can be analysed in a different level and we can see the different things which Jesus saw in Mathew 

*3) Various Things which Jesus Saw in Matthew*

*A) Jesus saw a sense of Commitment*

While seeing Matthew Jesus also saw a sense of commitment, to follow Him and to become a genuine disciple

*B) A Great Writer*

This is the another aspect which Jesus saw in Matthew. 

Later Matthew became a great Writer, who wrote one of the Gospels, which is named after his own name *Gospel according St Matthew*

*C) A Sense of Detachment*

Jesus in His divine gaze also saw the willingness of Matthew to detach himself from his work, that is collecting the taxes 

Since taxes involved lot of Money it was not easy to leave the whole thing and to follow Jesus. 

*D) Readiness of Matthew to Follow Jesus*

Jesus also saw Matthew's readiness to follow Him immediately with out delay 

As we see in the Gospel, Matthew immediately left everything and followed Jesus 

*E) Generosity of Matthew*

After he followed Jesus, Jesus went to Matthew's house 

In the House we see a grand reception with a meal, where many tax collectors had gathered

Matthew welcomed all of them and he was generous to give them something 

*4) Jesus Sees the entire personality*

The seeing of Jesus or the divine gaze of Jesus is not like our gaze. 

It's a gaze which is able to all the aspects of our personality and able to attract the person towards Him 

The divine gaze of Jesus, really inspired Matthew to follow Him

*5) How do I react to Jesus' Gaze?*

The same Jesus who looked at Matthew looks at me with the same divine gaze. 

What is my reaction towards that divine gaze? 

Do I respond like Matthew, where he left everything and followed Jesus? 

Matthew understood the gravity of the call and the need of following Jesus from Jesus' divine gaze

What about me? 

*6) How is my gaze?*

Is it a loving one? 

Is it a inspiring one? 

Is it a scary one? 

Is it a sarcastic one? 

Is it a deceiving one? 

Is it a graceful one? 

Is it a welcoming one? 

Is it a lustful one? 

Is it a dominating one? 

Is it a peaceful one?

Is it a desperate one? 

Is it a attractive one??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

My faith in God, can Change others life

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week - Thursday*

*My faith in God, can Change others life*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 9:1-8*

*FIRST READING - Am 7:10-17*

*1) The Paralytic Man*

In today's Gospel we see a paralytic man, who was unable to walk and move 

This paralytic man was brought to Jesus, along with the Stretcher, by a group of people 

Since those people brought him to Jesus, he was to meet Jesus, or else he could have met Jesus 

*2) The Condition of the Paralytic man*

First of all He was unable to move 

Secondly, Jesus forgave his sins before He cured him. This also shows that this perticular sickness was also the result of his sickness

Thirdly He was made well by the faith of those people, who brought him to Jesus. So we don't know whether the paralytic man had any faith or not 

*3) The cause of the Healing*

The Gospel is clear that Jesus healed the paralytic because of the faith they had 

The faith of those who brought the paralytic man to Jesus 

So aspect of faith plays a very important role in healing the paralytic man 

*4) The Healing of the Paralytic*

Gospel also makes it very clear that finally the paralytic person was cured 

This happened because of the faith of those who brought him to Jesus 

So ultimately the faith of some people resulted in Healing the paralytic. 

*5) My faith can heal or change others life*

We have the practice of praying for someone

At times we may  have doubt that whether my prayer will be effective, if the person to whom we pray does not faith or pray to God 

To this Question, the Gospel of the day and healing of the paralytic gives the best answer

Even if the person's faith is weak, Our prayers with strong faith can change the life of some one else 

*6) We have a great Mission*

Since our faith and prayers are powerful in changing some one else, we have a duty and responsibility to pray for others, especially for those  who persecute us, and who trouble us 

Our prayers will definitely change their life, which will result in spreading the Kingdom of God 

*7) Do I pray for others with strong faith!*

This is a very important question to answer 

This is also to check how strong is our faith while praying for others 

If my prayers have changed others life, it means my faith is very deep and strong 

If my prayers have not made any changes either in me or in others, then it's very clear that my faith is very shallow

*So How deep my faith is?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Aspect of Rock in Peter & Paul

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week - Wednesday*

*The Aspect of Rock in Peter & Paul*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 16:13-19*

*FIRST READING - Acts 12:1-11*

*SECOND READING - 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18*

*1) Jesus Says He will Build His Church on Rock*

In the Gospel of the Day Jesus makes it very clear that, He will Build His Church on the Rock 

The intention of Building the Church on the Rock is to make it strong, lasting, and to withstand with all the challenges

Something build on the Rock can't be destroyed very easily. It remains strong for long time 

*2) Peter and Paul are two Pillars or Two rocks*

When Jesus speaks about Rock on which He will Build His Church, He is not referring the Stones or any other hard material to build the physical building or structure

Jesus is speaking about the persons who are like Rocks on whom the church can be built 

In this sense we can say that Peter & Paul are the two powerful rocks on which the foundation of the Church rests

*3) Various aspects of Rock in Peter & Paul*

*A) Faith like that of Rock*

Peter and Paul had strong faith, which was like a rock, on which Jesus built His church 

*B) Conviction like that of Rock*

Their conviction was so strong like that of Rock, they did not fear for anything in life 

*C) Courage like that of Rock*

Their courage was like a strong rock which made them to face all the challenges in proclaiming the Good News 

*D) Determination like that of Rock*

Their determination for the Lord was so strong like that of Rock, which led them to proclaim the goodnews even in the midst of persecution

*E) Love like that of a Rock*

The love they had for Jesus was so strong, which led them to give their life for Jesus 

*F) Knowledge like that of Rock*

Paul was a learned man, Peter was inspired by the Lord. So their knowledge and wisdom was so deep and strong like that of Rock, they had answers for all questions 

*4) Proof to say that Peter and Paul are the Rocks*

The Church built on these rocks, completes 2022 years. Still Church is strong 

The Church, the faith of the people, which was built on Peter and Paul still very strong, which shows that Peter and Paul are the Strong rocks on which the Church is built 

The Church built on these rocks can never be destroyed by any power of the world or any other things

*5) A call to become Rocks of the Church*

As we celebrate the feast of Peter and Paul, who are considered to be the rocks of the Church, on whom the Church is built, we are called upon to become another rock to sustain this church in the present day context

What aspects in my life resembles the rock, which are very Strong? 

For Example 

My faith, love, humility, sincerity, determination, service, sharing, sacrifice, love, forgiveness, compassion, hardwork etc. 

How can I make my life like rock, which would resemble Peter and Paul's life??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

One can't expect a sea without the Storm

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week - Tuesday*

*.https://gospelthoughtsdaily.blogspot.com/

*Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 13th Week - Tuesday*

*One can't expect a sea with the Storm*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 8:23-27*

*FIRST READING - Am 3:1-8, 11-12*

*1) Sea is always found with Storm*

The Gospel of the day presents to us the Journey of Jesus and His disciples in the sea. 

As they were traveling in the sea, suddenly there was a violent storm, which caused some kind of uneasiness among the disciples of Jesus 

So the disciples were terrified and they were helpless in such situation, because the storm was very violent. 

*2) Need of a boat to travell in the sea*

We see Jesus using the boat, while traveling on the sea. 

It also tells us the need and necessity of a boat, while traveling in the sea 

Boat becomes an important instrument, which makes the journey possible in the sea and one is able to cross from one side to the other side 

*3) Sea and the Sudden Storm*

The Gospel makes it very clear that the storm was sudden, for the disciples  were not prepared 

Secondly the storm was very violent, which they could not manage in any way 

Thirdly whenever there a violent storm, there is a aspect of fear, anxiety, and confusion. 

*4) World is like  the Sea*

We live in this world, which is equal to the sea 

As we find violent storm in the sea, we also come accross the violent storm in our day today life 

To swim in the sea, the so called this world, one must be ready, and one must have the courage also 

*5) The boat of our Life*

As we see the need of boat to travell in the sea,  we also need a boat, to travel in the sea of this world. 

And this boat must contain Jesus in it. So there are many things, which take the place of boat for our sake 

The boat of Bible

The boat of Service

The boat of humility

The boat of sacrifice

The boat of love 

The boat of forgiveness

The boat of sincerity

The boat of prayer 

The boat of appreciation

The boat of good words 

All these boats are very much necessary, to cross or to travel in the Sea. 

*6) Sudden Storms in our life*

There was a sudden violent storm in the sea. 

Storms are always sudden, and if we are prepared, we can face any challenge. 

Even in our life there will be sudden storms. So examples would be following

Sudden Sickness

Failure of life 

Crisis in life 

Sudden unexpected Death in the family 

All these are sudden and violent storms in our lives 

*7) The presence of Jesus*

The Gospel shows the importance of Jesus at the time of storm 

The presence of Jesus changes the entire set up and everything changes for the better 

Violent storm is nothing before the presence of Jesus 

*8) My Life and today's Gospel?*

The Gospel makes us to reflect about many things

First of all, to accept that there are great challenges in life, like that storm in the sea

Secondly the need of Boat, to travel in the sea

Thirdly the presence of Jesus in my boat 

Fourthly, not to lose courage and Hope, when Jesus is with me, in my boat 

Am I able to face the various challenges of life when I travel in the violent sea. 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 8:23-27*

*FIRST READING - Am 3:1-8, 11-12*

*1) Sea is always found with Storm*

The Gospel of the day presents to us the Journey of Jesus and His disciples in the sea. 

As they were traveling in the sea, suddenly there was a violent storm, which caused some kind of uneasiness among the disciples of Jesus 

So the disciples were terrified and they were helpless in such situation, because the storm was very violent. 

*2) Need of a boat to travell in the sea*

We see Jesus using the boat, while traveling on the sea. 

It also tells us the need and necessity of a boat, while traveling in the sea 

Boat becomes an important instrument, which makes the journey possible in the sea and one is able to cross from one side to the other side 

*3) Sea and the Sudden Storm*

The Gospel makes it very clear that the storm was sudden, for the disciples  were not prepared 

Secondly the storm was very violent, which they could not manage in any way 

Thirdly whenever there a violent storm, there is a aspect of fear, anxiety, and confusion. 

*4) World is like  the Sea*

We live in this world, which is equal to the sea 

As we find violent storm in the sea, we also come accross the violent storm in our day today life 

To swim in the sea, the so called this world, one must be ready, and one must have the courage also 

*5) The boat of our Life*

As we see the need of boat to travell in the sea,  we also need a boat, to travel in the sea of this world. 

And this boat must contain Jesus in it. So there are many things, which take the place of boat for our sake 

The boat of Bible

The boat of Service

The boat of humility

The boat of sacrifice

The boat of love 

The boat of forgiveness

The boat of sincerity

The boat of prayer 

The boat of appreciation

The boat of good words 

All these boats are very much necessary, to cross or to travel in the Sea. 

*6) Sudden Storms in our life*

There was a sudden violent storm in the sea. 

Storms are always sudden, and if we are prepared, we can face any challenge. 

Even in our life there will be sudden storms. So examples would be following

Sudden Sickness

Failure of life 

Crisis in life 

Sudden unexpected Death in the family 

All these are sudden and violent storms in our lives 

*7) The presence of Jesus*

The Gospel shows the importance of Jesus at the time of storm 

The presence of Jesus changes the entire set up and everything changes for the better 

Violent storm is nothing before the presence of Jesus 

*8) My Life and today's Gospel?*

The Gospel makes us to reflect about many things

First of all, to accept that there are great challenges in life, like that storm in the sea

Secondly the need of Boat, to travel in the sea

Thirdly the presence of Jesus in my boat 

Fourthly, not to lose courage and Hope, when Jesus is with me, in my boat 

Am I able to face the various challenges of life when I travel in the violent sea. 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*