Start New Year 2023 with some kind of Amazement

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season : 1st January 2023*

*Feast : Mary Mother of God*

*Gospel : Lk 2:16-21*

*First Reading : Nm 6:22-27*

*SECOND READING - Gal 4:4-7*

*Start New Year 2023 with some kind of Amazement*

*1) Feeling of Amazement*

The Gospel of the day speaks about amazement

Amazement is a feeling of great surprise or wonder

The people of Bethlehem were amazed at what was said by the Shepherds

*2) Amazement is a good feeling*

Since this feeling speaks about wonder and surprise, it gives a direction to our life 

Wonder and the feeling of surprise, makes us to think, makes us to reflect and makes us happy 

A person who does not have the sense of Wonder or surprise, can't be called as human being 

*3) Shepherds wondered at Baby Jesus*

Shephareds who saw Jesus were totally filled with amazement and they wonderd at baby Jesus 

If there was no wonder then there is nothing special

Since there was something new, shepherds wondered at Jesus 

*4) Feeling of Wonder makes them to act*

Feeling of Wonder does not allow oneself to remain silent 

The feeling of Wonder, to be active, to be creative, to be reflective and to be effective in our lives 

*5) Mary wondered at God's plan*

It was a surprise for Mary to know the plan of God and to say yes to the Lord 

Magnificat is nothing but the song of praise, which was the result of amazement

Amazement also makes a person to face new challenges and to face the situations

*6) Amazement and 2023*

Start new year with some kind of surprise, wonder and amazement

This feeling may help u to change ones life, to have new directions, and to become more active and creative in ones life

Amazement is a kind of energy which brightens the life and the meaning of our life

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Christ is the True Light who Enlightens every one

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season : 31st December*

*Gospel : Jn 1:1-18*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 2:18-21*

*Christ is the True Light who Enlightens every one*

*1) Christ is the True Light*

The Gospel of the day affirms that Jesus is the true light who enlightens everyone 

Light is always something which attracts others 

Light has the power to change the situations, emotions and feelings 

Light always has a positive tone and never has a negative tone 

*2) Christ is the True light*

Since Christ is the true light, the life of Jesus is the reflection of the light itself 

So Light means Jesus and Jesus means light. Therefore Jesus says, *I am the true light*

So we are called upon to follow this light and make our life as bright as possible

*3) A light which enlightens everyone's light*

There is no doubt that light always creates more light and it brightens the whole area 

So it is very important to note that the Light of Jesus brightens everyones life and makes it beautiful and meaningful 

*4) The Light of Christ*

The Gospel is not only speaking of the physical light, but it speaks also the other forms of light. 

The light of forgiveness

The light of love 

The light if sacrifice

The light if humility

The light of simplicity

The light of service 

The light of happiness

The light of consolation

The light of generosity

The light of truth 

The light of justice 

The light of hardwork

So Jesus' light enlightens all these qualities in our life which makes our life beautiful

*5) Has Jesus' light enlightened my light?*

Have a allowed the light of my life to be enlightened by Jesus' light? 

Has the light of Christ, which I received in Baptism still burns or has gone off? 

Do I desire light or darkness? 

Is my life controlled by light or darkness? The darkness of pride, arrogance, anger, jealousy, selfishness, greed etc?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Why Joseph and Mary's family is Holy?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season : 30th December*

*Feast of the Holy Family*

*Gospel : Mt 2:13-15, 19-23*

*First Reading : Sir 3:2-7, 12-14*

*SECOND READING - Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17*

*Why Joseph and Mary's family is Holy?*

*1) Holy Family*

The above caption is very familiar to us.

When some one makes a reference to Holy Family, we immediately identity this family with the family of Joseph, Mary and Joseph

In fact their family was really and Holy family.

We can analyse the different things to explain why this family is called as Holy Family

*2) What makes the Nazareth Family a Holy Family?*

The unity between them

The faithfulness in good times and in bad times 

Complete trust in the plan of God 

The aspect of risking taking to fulfill the plan of God 

The sacrifice, and the courage which they had to face the crowd in all situations

Ready to change ones plan for the sake of the other and according to the plan of God

*3) Is my family Holy?*

When we reflect about the Holy family of Nazareth, what about my family? 

Is my family Holy or not?

How do others see my family? 

What is the foundation of my family?

*4) Things which can help our family to become Holy*

Prayers 

Forgiveness

Exercise of Freedom 

Mutual support 

Remaining faithful to each other 

Generosity

A cordial and a warm welcome to our family 

Service oriented life 

Understanding 

What can I do to transform my family as Holy Family

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

My own eyes have seen the Salvation

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season : 29th December*

*Gospel : Lk 2:22-35*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 2:3-11*

*My own eyes have seen the Salvation*

*1) The Words of Simeon*

These above meaningful words come from a devout and a Holy person called Simeon

When He took the Child Jesus, into His arms, he proclaimed this great fact 

By seeing Jesus he saw the real salvation, in his eyes. Something very significant and meaningful 

*2) Seeing Jesus means experiencing the Salvation*

By holding and seeing Jesus into his arms, Simeon, experienced the salvation

So when a person sees Jesus he/she is able to see the salvation

So one must strive to see Jesus and to experience him in life 

*3) Various ways through which one can see Jesus*

In the word of God 

In the celebration of the sacraments

The Eucharistic celebration

The sacrament of reconciliation

The Sacramental adoration

Through generosity, humility, sacrifice, justice, smile, hardwork 

Through these above things one can see Jesus, one can experience Jesus and,  finally can see the salvation

Am I ready to see God's salvation in my own eye@s??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Rise, Take the child and His mother

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season : 28th December*

*Gospel : Mt 2:13-18*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 1:5—2:2*

*Feast of the Holy Innocents : Martyrs*

*Rise, Take the child and His mother*

*1) Christians are called to rise and not to sleep*

In today's Gospel, there is a call to rise. The context is Joseph was sleeping and he was asked to rise and get into action for saving the Child 

Rising is an action which is very important for a person to do something

Its an action which shows that some one is ready for some work 

Its an action which shows a new beginning towards something

*2) The Child and the Mother*

In the context it refers to Baby Jesus and Mary

Since Herod was trying to kill them, Joseph was asked to save them by taking them to Egypt 

*3) The Child and Mother in our Life*

The same Jesus and Mary have come into our life during the time of Christmas

Now it is our duty to rise immediately from our slumber to take the child and the Mother 

*4) Why we have to take the Child and Mother?*

It is not because the child and mother is in danger, but we are in danger

We have to rise and take the child and mother, so that they remain with us and we are safe 

We have to rise and take the child and mother for our safety 

So it is very important that we need to take care of the Child and Mother 

*5) Am I ready to rise and take care of the child and Mother?*

We are immersed in many things 

At times we find no time to rise from our daily routine to take care of the Child and Mother 

Unless we rise and take care of the Child and mother, we have no future. 

As long as the Child and Mother is with us, we have no fear of anything 

If so, am I ready to rise and take care of the child and mother??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Why John calls Himself as the Beloved disciple of Jesus?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season : 27th December*

*Feast of St John the Evangelist*

*Gospel : Jn 20:1a and 2-8*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 1:1-4*

*Why John calls Himself as the Beloved disciple of Jesus*

*1) It is John who calls*

First of all this particular title *Beloved disciple of Jesus* comes from John himself 

It is John who calls himself as the beloved disciple of Jesus 

Now the question is, why he is calling himself as the beloved disciple of Jesus? 

*2) Various possible Reasons*

Through this title *beloved* John wants higliht God's love and how it has transformed his life, rather than his own personality or identity

Through this title *Beloved* John reminds the readers the enormous love they too, experience in our life 

Through this title *beloved* John is urging all of us that every one has the opportunity to become the beloved disciples of Jesus 

So its more of highlighting God's love rather than Human love 

*3) John Himself wanted to make Himself Anonymous*

By calling Himself as the beloved disciple of Jesus, John might have had the intention of hiding his real identity

Since it gives an opportunity to think who would be the real person, any one can try to fit into this framework

So all have the opportunity to become the beloved disciple of Jesus 

*4) The message of Love*

Ultimately the title *Beloved* highlights the Love of Jesus 

The main theme of the Gospels and the life of Jesus is nothing but Love 

This love has to be experienced concretely in our life by becoming the beloved disciples of Jesus 

There is nothing other than love in the entire life of Jesus and in the Gospels. 

So every one is called to become the beloved disciples of Jesus

*5) One of the best Titles*

The title *beloved* is one of the best titles one can have in ones life 

God loves all of us in a equal way. Jesus is the human form of God who shows this love to all of us

Those who accept Jesus they experience the deeper love of Jesus and they become the beloved disciples of Jesus 

*6) Various ways of becoming beloved of Jesus*

Like John one should follow Jesus 

Like John one should spread the Gospel of Love everywhere

Like John one should be present at the foot of the cross with Mother Mary 

Like John one should not run away from Jesus where there are crisis and challenges

Like John one should take care of the others (Mary) 

Am I ready for these works of Love? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

We are Called upon to bear witness before others

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season : 26th December*

*St Stephan : First Martyr of the Church*

*Gospel : Mt 10:17-22*

*First Reading : Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59*

*We are Called upon to bear witness before others*

*1) Challenges as an opportunity to bear witness to Christ*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the various persecutions, which one has to face, because he/She is a follower of Christ, and for the sake of Jesus' name 

These persecutions and challenges are to be received as an opportunity to bear witness to Christ and to show the values of Christ

Christ and His values can be communicated only by facing challenges and enduring the persecutions for the sake of Jesus' name 

*2) St Stephen - the First Martyr*

The life of St Stephen is a best example to show, how one can bear witness to Christ

He was a genuine follower of Christ, which led him to face the martyrdom, by scarifying his life 

The bold witness by St Stephen shows that it is God who gives the strength to endure such a situation and to show the values of Christ to the rest of the World 

*3) Various ways through one can bear witness to Christ*

*Service* is the best way to bear witness to Christ

*Forgiveness* is another powerful weapon

*Humility* is the another face of Jesus 

Enduring all the suffering for the sake of Jesus and His name 

Simplicity of life, sincerity, being truthful to oneself and others, upholding the justice, compassionate heart, concern towards poor, are some of the powerful ways through which one can bear witness to Christ

*4) Need to put on Christ*

We are in the season of Christmas. 

Jesus has born into this world and we believe that the same Jesus has born in our hearts and families

So we need to put on Christ in our life, which will help us to bear witness to Christ 

*5) Am I ready to bear witness to Christ*

If Yes, I need to face all the challenges and persecutions

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*