The House which is built on the Sand

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season : 1st Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 7:21, 24-27*

*First Reading : Is 26:1-6*

*The House which is built on the Sand*

*1) Two houses*

It appears that one house is built on the rock, is good and strong and the house which is built on the sand is weak

In fact both these owners build the houses to remain for long time 

It is not proper to think that the house which is built on sand is for destruction

So what is the reality of the house built on the sand 

*2) House built on the sand in the present day context*

*A) It is a house built by a hired person*

The house on the rock was built by the onwer. The house built on the sand represent the hired person who built this house

It also shows the lack of interest in taking the responsibility

*B) Use of Substandard material*

First house on rock was built on the genuine material.

House on the sand was built on low standard material, which causes the collapse

*C) The curing process*

One of the important aspects in building the is the curing process

The house on the rock received had a best curing process 

The house on the sand had hardly received any type of curing. So it became weak and got collapsed

*D) Seen and unseen things*

Building is seen and foundation is unseen 

The owner of the House on the rock took care of both seen and unseen things 

The hired person who built house on sand beautified the seen part of the house. But neglected the unseen part, that is the foundation. This was the major set back to the house which was built on the sand 

*E) Collapsed house - we get only damaged things*

House on the rock good and safe. Some of the things can be reused 

House built in the sand once it is collapsed, nothing can be used. Everything is loss here 

*3) My life and the building of the House*

Where I have built my house? On the rock or sand? 

Who is building my house of life? Is it a hired person or myself? 

What is the quality of the material which I use to build my house. Worldly things or spiritual things? 

What about curing process in the house of my life? 

How do I manage the seen and unseen aspects of my life? 

Am I building, finally, my life on good and genuine material or substandard material??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Andrew means Manly or Courageous

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season : 1st Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 4:18-22*

*First Reading : Rom 10:9-18*

*Feast of St Andrew the Apostle*

*Andrew means Manly or Courageous*

*1) 2nd in the List of Apostle*

Andrew's name comes in the second place in the list of the Apostles. 

This also shows the importance of St Andrew, the commitment, and also the beginnings of the team of Jesus 

After Peter, being his brother, Andrew also enjoyed a considerable influence among the apostles 

*2) Andrew means courageous*

According to the meaning of his name, Andrew's courage can be seen in the following areas 

*As a fishermen* Andrew is a courageous man. Because fishing is a risky trade. At any moment anything can happen. 

In this context, it is very visible that only those who have tremendous courage can go for fishing. Cowards can never become the fishermen

*Andrew's decision*

When Jesus said to Andrew, follow me, he left everything and followed Jesus 

To leave everything and to follow Jesus, immediately, needs a tremendous courage. Andrew exhibited that courage 

*Andrew and feeding of the 5000*

When there was a issue of feeding the 5000, other apostles were confused. But Andrew was confident that Jesus would do something. 

So he directs a little boy towards Jesus with five loaves and two fish to do something

In such a moment Andrew did not lose courage but, he was fully confident

*Martyrdom of Andrew*

Andrew was martyred during the reign of King Nero

He was tied to a *X* shaped cross. He was not crucified but tied to the Cross. 

It was precisely to prolong the sufferings and to torture him 

Even before his death he preached the Gospel. 

So all these shows the tremendous courage of St Andrew

*3) Andrew in my Life*

There is a little Andrew who is hidden in my life 

Like fishermen Andrew all of us are called by the Lord to follow and to proclaim the Gospel. 

We are called upon to exhibit a great amount of Courage in preaching the Gospel, living the Gospel  and bearing witness to the Gospel. 

So how does these aspects of St Andrew work 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*

Advent is a time to see new sprouting in our own Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season : 1st Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 10:21-24*

*First Reading : Is 11:1-10*

*Advent is a time to see new sprouting in our own Lif*

*1) Sprouting in Today's First Reading*

The first reading of today speaking about sprouting

Sprouting is something which brings about new life, new beginning, new way of life, new thinking and new direction.  

The reference to the sprouting in today's first reading speaks about the arrival of the Messiah and the fulfillment of the the prophecy

So this sprouting has deep relevance to our life 

*2) Advent is a time for Sprouting*

As we know that sprouting beings about a new beginning, new life, new way of being and new way of looking at the kingdom of God, we need to allow the process of sprouting in our life 

Sprouting in our life allows many good things to happen and to make our life, a joyful and meaningful one 

*3) Advent demands to allow the sprouting of the following things in our life*

The Sprouting of love 

The sprouting of faith 

The sprouting of hope 

The sprouting of forgiveness

The sprouting of humility

The sprouting of happiness

The sprouting of courage

The sprouting of integrity

The sprouting of sincerity

The sprouting of sincere efforts

The sprouting of faithfulness

The sprouting of discipline

The sprouting of sharing

The sprouting of sacrifice

The sprouting of compassionate heart

The sprouting of hardwork

The sprouting of respect 

The sprouting of generosity

The sprouting of right thinking 

The sprouting of adjustment

*4) Sprouting - Non stop Growth*

When something starts sprouting, it grows and growth becomes a continuous process 

Once the process of sprouting starts, it can't stop. It goes on and on 

There is no fullstop for growth. So this is the greatness as well as the mystery of sprouting

*5) Change and growth is the aim of Sprouting*

In any process, which starts with sprouting, the final aim is change and growth 

Change and growth are the two integral part of the mystery of sprouting. 

*6) My life and the reality of Sprouting*

What things am I thinking for this advent to sprout in my life? 

What are the things have I already put for sprouting? 

 Am I giving a special importance to the process of sprouting in my life, during thing season of Advent 

Since Advent is a new beginning, it demands something new to sprout to in our life

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Have My Servants at Home paralysed?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season : 1st Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 8:5-11*

*First Reading : Is 4:2-6*

*Have My Servants at Home paralysed?*

*1) Centurion's Servant at Home*

The Paralysed Servant is at Home. 

This concept helps us to understand the relationship between the centurion and the Servant at Home 

Home is a place where family lives together. In other words the centurion has considered the servant as family member. 

So he is very close to the centurion. That is one of the reasons why he approached Jesus to heal Him 

*2) The Status of servant*

Servant is the one who is at the service of the Master 

He/she is ever ready to do the will of the Master 

It is also true that servant is under the control of the Master. 

So servant has to listen to the Master

*3) If we are centurions, then who is the servant?*

We need to take the place of the centurions. Especially as we live our life individually, the servants also are in our own life 

If so, the servants who are serving in the house could be our own various faculties

Eyes could be our servants 

Ears could be our servants 

Mouth could be our servant

Hands and  legs, could be our servants

Our mind, thoughts, heart, feelings, and emotions could be our own servants 

*4) Have our servants paralysed?*

The paralysis makes something unable to function

So have my eyes, eras, mouth, hands, legs, thoughts, mind, heart, feelings, emotions paralysed? 

The paralysis of these things are more dangerous than anything else in life 

*5) We are Servants of Jesus the Master*

As servants of Jesus how do we function. 

As a follower of Jesus am I paralysed? 

When I fail to forgive, love, share, sacrifice, serve, and to  help those who are in need I become a paralysed follower of Jesus 

When I fail to humble myself, reconcile with other, and to practice the values of Jesus, I become a paralysed follower of Jesus 

*6) I will come and Cure*

Jesus is the cure for our paralysis 

The paralysis of our own bodily senses and the paralysis of various kingdom values 

The question is, am I ready to accept Jesus into my life? 

*7) Advent Season and Jesus' Coming*

Advent season is especially maked for Jesus Coming in our life

In today's Gospel Jesus says *I will come*

So what is my preparedness to accept Jesus 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*

Advent Season begins with a warning to become alert in our Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent  Season : 1st Week : New Liturgical Year A : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 24:37-44*

*First Reading : Is 2:1-5*

*SECOND READING - Rom 13:11-14*

*Advent Season begins with a warning to become alert in our Life*

*1) Preparedness, alertness and being Watchful*

These are the powerful words which we find in today's Liturgy

Those who follow these words in life, they will remain safe. Those who ignore these words will end up in misery 

*2) Various Ways to become alert and watchful*

*A) Going to the house of the Lord*

In the first reading of today there is a invitation to all of us to go to God's house 

Those who are in God's house they will remain alret and watchful

*B) Instructions from the Lord*

One is supposed to Listen to the Lord. There are God's instructions which help us to know God's will 

One who listens to God, he becomes alert and watchful about his own life 

In the God's temple we need to pray, reflect about God's word, and experience God, which will make us alert 

*C) Awake from the Sleep*

We are in a special time during the time of Advent. So we need to wake from our slumber to become alert 

*D) Throw off the works of Darkness*

With the advent new light arrives 

So we are called upon to live in light. One who lives in light, becomes alert and watchful 

With the light one can see everything. 

drunkenness, promiscuity, lust, rivalry and jealousy are the works of darkness 

*E) Procrastination*

We need to be very careful about it. Never to procrastinate 

One who procrastinates, walks in darkness and invites trouble

So we are called upon to put on the armor of light; and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, to fight against the darkness immediately now itself 

*3) Carelessness in becoming Alert*

The Gospel gives many examples about those who are not at all watchful and careful 

The people during the time of Noah, were busy in wordly things. So they forgot to remain alert and watchful. So they were all destroyed by the flood 

*4) Unexpected Hour*

*Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between*

The above attitude will make us victors in everything 

This is the best quote for Advent 

*5) My Life*

How about my alertness?

Am I watchful? If yes, watchful about what? Spiritual things or wordly things? 

How can I prepare myself in the advent season to receive Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The danger of heart becoming drowsy

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 34th Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 21:34-36*

*First Reading : Rv 22:1-7*

*The danger of heart becoming drowsy*

*1) The reality of drowsiness*

Drowsiness a feeling of being sleepy and lethargic; sleepiness.

When someone is in the mode of drowsiness, he/she is not able to function well

It is in the state of drowsiness, most of the road accidents take place 

So when a person is drowsy at the wrong time  terrible things happen in life. At times a person may lose his/her life 

*2) The drowsiness of the Heart*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about the drowsiness of the heart 

When heart becomes drowsy, its functioning gets affected

If heart get affected means, there is a danger for life. We know how important the heart is in our life 

*3) What Happens when hearts becomes drowsy*

Apart from the biological functioning, heart also has other functions as well. All these gets affected with the drowsiness of the heart 

Heart is the symbol of Love. So love in life becomes very drowsy

Heart is the center of feelings and emotions. When feelings and emotions become drowsy, we cease of exist as human beings 

Heart is the place of purification. When heart gets drowsy, we become more impure and dirty

The drowsiness of the heart, makes a person to become cruel, inhuman, proud, arrogant and dictator

*4) What makes the heart drowsy?*

The Gospel gives us the few examples which make our hearts drowsy

*Drunkenness* : one of the main causes of the drowsiness of the heart 

*Anxiety* Too much of anxiety of daily life is the sign of lack of faith and confidence in God, which leads to the drowsiness of the heart 

*Carousing* It is the activity of drinking alcohol and enjoying oneself with others in a noisy, lively way

We need to be careful about these wordly things 

*5) How is my Heart?*

Is it drowsy because of lots of activities and busy schedule? 

Is it drowsy because of the wordly things?

Is it drowsy because of laziness? 

*Or is the very active?*

Is it vigilant at all time?

Is it active to pray? 

Is it capable of escaping the tribulations? 

Have I made my heart drowsy or active??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Fig Tree with New buds

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 34th Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Lk 21:29-33*

*First Reading : Rv 20:1-4, 11—21:2*

*Fig Tree with New buds*

*1) The Parable of the Fig Tree*

All these days we were hearing about the terrible things, natural calamities, persecutions, executions and other strange signs in heaven and on earth

Today's Gospel speaks about a different language, in the sense that budding of the fig tree and change of season 

So there is something new which we see in today's Gospel, which has a deeper meaning to our life 

*2) Frightening things are not the end of our life*

By showing a new beginning through the parable of the Fig tree, Jesus is showing us that frightening things are not the end of life or they are not end in themselves

There are other things which will follow after these frightening things 

So one must see beyond these terrible things 

*3) Symbolic meaning of the new buds*

New buds are always the symbol of new beginning and new life 

When a tree produces a new bud, it is the symbol of life which exist in the tree 

It is the symbol of growth and sign of development

It is the sign of moving towards the goal 

It is the symbol that, if one remains firm nothing can destroy us but we can grow and begin a new life 

It is a sign of happiness and joyfulness 

Who does not like the buds? All are attracted towards buds and its beauty 

*4) Buds appear only after the various challenges*

Jesus is very careful in narrating the parable of the fig tree

When all the frightening things take place, only after that the buds appear and not before that 

So to appear new buds all old things must go off. Only then the new buds appear 

*5) Beauty in the New buds*

First of all new buds are in themselves good and attractive

They beautify the whole tree and gives a new and attractive look 

New buds always increase the beauty of the tree and life 

*6) New buds in our Life*

Now the whole parable of the fig tree is very much applicable to our life 

Like new buds in fig tree,  new buds in our life, increase our beauty of life and mission 

We should try to see buds in the various areas of our life 

New buds in prayer life 

New buds in sacrifice

New buds in love 

New buds in sharing 

New buds in forgiveness

New buds in humility

New buds in faithfulness

New buds in sincerity

New buds in our mission

New buds in simplicity

New buds in truthfulness

New buds in our moral life 

New buds in right thinking 

Am I ready for new budds 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*