Jesus is addressed as Carpenter

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 4th Week - Wednesday*

*Gospel : 6:1-6*

*First Reading : Heb 12:4-7, 11-15*

*Jesus is addressed as Carpenter*

*1) Is he not the carpenter?*

The Gospel of the day gives many details about the identity of Jesus. Carpenter is One among them 

In the context of the Gospel, this particular detail has a negative tone. But at the same time, the concept of *Jesus as the carpenter*  has a special message to all of us 

*2) Jesus was familiar among the people as Carpenter*

First of all this detail tells us that Jesus really worked in the locality 

He was not a man who went from place to place wasting time. But he worked daily and earned his livelihood

Secondly it is also true that Jesus became famous by His work. The very fact that they called, Jesus as the carpenter, it means that Jesus was known for his work

He must have been the best carpenter around the place who prepared various household things for others 

*3) Need to enjoy the Work one does*

By His work Jesus shows that every work is sacred and there is no discrimination

All are supposed to work and earn their livelihood. There is no question of becoming  lazy and wasting ones time for nothing 

At the same time, it is very important to enjoy the work one does. When we don't like the work which we do, then there is no love and service in the work one does. 

So it is very important that we need to fall in love with the work that we do. Then the result of work will be amazing

*4) People are known by their Work?*

Many of us are know for our work. Either for good work or for bad works 

Judas is always known as the one who betrayed Jesus. 

Peter is known as one who denied Jesus 

Thomas is known as one who doubted. That is why he is called doubted Thomas

Paul, before his conversion is known as the persecuter of the Christians

Mother Theresa is known as the Saint of Gutters for her selfless service 

Mahathma Gandhi is known as the Father of the Nation, because of the freedom Struggle

So people are known by their works, either good or bad 

*5) How do I come across to the people?*

By looking at my work what people call me? 

Do they call me as Good Samaritan? 

Do they call me a service minded person? 

Do they call me as good hearted person? 

Do they call me a generous person? 

Do they call me as spiritual person? 

Do they call me as self disciplined person? 

Do they call me as value based person? 

Do they call me a sincere follower of Jesus? 

*Or*

Do they call me as

Jealous person 

Angry person 

Cheating person 

Gossip monger

Lazy person 

Selfish person 

Useless person 

Dominating person 

Do they call me some time as Fox or with any other name??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Talitha koum, - Arise - From your Sleeping mode

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 4th Week - Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mk 5:21-43*

*First Reading : Heb 12:1-4*

*Talitha koum, - Arise - From your Sleeping mode*

*1) Talitha Koum - Arise*

These Words were found in today's Gospel 

Jesus is telling thses words to the Synagogue official - Jairus' daughter 

These words simply means that - *“Little girl, I say to you, arise!”* and the Girl arose from the situation and there was a totally different situation

*2) Girl was not dead but she was at sleep*

When Jesus saw the Girl Jesus said that she was not dead, but she was at sleep 

*The child is not dead but asleep.”*

In a way that Jesus raised the child from a type of sleep, which made the child inactive,  lifeless motionless and speechless

Here we need to make a difference between, the sleep and the death. 

So what we considered as death, is only a kind of sleep for God, and God is capable of awaking the person from such Sleep 

*3) The Sleep Mode*

All of us are very familiar with the sleep mode. The modern gadgets, especially the Computers, lap tops and other gadgets have the function of sleep mode 

Even though the instrument is at work, it practically becomes inactive in sleep mode 

The instrument by itself is unable to come out from the sleep mode. It needs a external force or touch to become active.

So when it receives the touch from the external source, it become active,  and it functions in the active mode 

*4) Sleep mode in Human Life*

All of us affected by the Sleep mode. When we are under the influence of Sleep mode, nothing happens in our life, and there is no change and growth in our life 

So having sleep mode in our life is not a good sign, because it becomes an obstacle for growth

*5) Sleep mode in Our Spiritual life*

Having sleep mode in our Spiritual life is a more dangerous thing than anything else in life 

Sleep mode, in spiritual life, destroys the life distracts the goal of our life 

No one can allow oneself to be under the influence of the Sleeping mode in Spiritual life 

*6) Things cause the Sleeping mode in our Spiritual life*

There are many things which cause the sleeping mode in our spiritual life 

#Pride and Anger

#Revenge and selfishness

#Gossip and loose talk 

#Jealousy and laziness

#Arrogance and insulting someone

#Lack of interest in prayer 

#Lack of seriousness about the good things 

#Criticism against others 

All these and other, evil things in our life, makes our spiritual life, in sleeping mode 

*7) Only Jesus can arise from the Sleeping Mode*

In spite of having so many people around the place, where the little girl was at sleep, no one was able, except Jesus,   to arise from the Speed mode

Finally it was Jesus, who was able to arise the little girl from the sleeping mode

So it is very clear that it is only Jesus who is capable of arising someone from the sleeping mode 

*8) Am I affected with Sleeping Mode?*

None of us can say that we are free from the influence of Sleeping mode

If so, which are areas which push me to the function of Sleeping mode? 

Let's remember that only touch of Jesus and the touch of the values related to Jesus' teaching can make us active in our life

If so am I ready to be touched by Jesus to wake up from my Sleeping mode??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Fate of the person who had an unclean Spirit

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 4th Week - Monday*

*Gospel : Mk 5:1-20*

*First Reading : Heb 11:32-40*

*The Fate of the person who had an unclean Spirit*

*1) He was living in the Tombs*

The man with an unclean spirit was living in a tomb

Tomb is a place for the dead and not for the living. So it is very clear that the man with an unclean spirit had dead to many of the things in his life 

He was dead to the human nature, human relationships and to all human qualities

He was also dead to all the spiritual qualities, in his life

So he was living in a Tomb

*2) He was bound in shackles and chains*

The very fact that he was bound in shackles and chains, he was not a free person. He was a slave

Only animals are bound in chains. Since the man with an unclean spirit, was bound in chains he had become the animal

So unclean spirit makes a person to live in the state of animality and not as a human person 

*3) He was powerful*

The attitude of the person shows that devil or unclean spirit has tremendous power to destroy  a person 

#No one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.

#In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed

#No one was strong enough to subdue him.

This information from the Gospel shows the power of the unclean spirit 

*4) He was bruising himself with stones*

This shows the attitude of hurting oneself. 

Hurting oneself and damaging the self is the primary function of the unclean spirit. 

By hurting the self, ultimately  to destroy is the intention of the unclean Spirit

*5) He was possessed with Legion*

Legion means a vast number of people or things, or a group of people 

When the unclean spirit says, that its name as *Legion* there is a group of evil spirit or group of evil things are involved 

There are 7 deadly things which form the concept of Seven deadly sins list & meanings

#Lust

#Gluttony

#Greed

#Sloth

#Wrath

#Envy

#Pride

The legion consisting of these above deadly sins are more dangerous than any other evil spirits 

*6) Am I under the influence of the unclean Spirit?*

All of us are affected with some or the other influences of evil things 

Only the gaze of Jesus will help us to overcome from such influence. 

Will I allow myself to be caught by the sight of Jesus? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Hunger and Thirst for righteousness

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 4th Week - Sunday*

*Hunger and Thirst for righteousness*

*Gospel : Mt 5:1-12a*

*First Reading : Zep 2:3; 3:12-13*

*SECOND READING - 1 Cor 1:26-31*

*1) Hunger and Thirst can not be postponed*

In Human life, hunger and thirst are two important things which can't be postponed

Hunger and Thirst are two basic needs of our life, which we need to attend 

It is said, maximum a person can live 3 to 4 days with out water. Then he/she can't survive

*2) Hungry and Thirsty person can't sit idle*

The hungry and thirst persons will try their maximum to get something to eat or to drink

They will go in search of these things or they will ask or beg with someone to have these things 

But at any cost, the can't sit idle and waste his/her time without doing anything. 

The person has to work, and the person will work

*3) The power of Hunger and Thirst*

These two realities have tremendous power, and they can motivate a person to do any work, to achieve the goal 

These two realities will prepare a person to humble oneself to any level in order to survive 

These two realities have the power to remove any type of inequality, superiority or inferiority complex etc 

*4) Thirst and Hunger for righteousness*

Righteousness is a quality which makes a person morally right and justifiable

Righteousness, makes a person to live a good and holy life. It helps to avoid evil and achieve good

So having hunger and thirst for righteousness helps a person to live a life in morally upright way 

In fact all of us should have a strong thirst and huger for righteousness, which helps, motivates and guides us in achieving the Holiness 

*5) I Thirst*

This is a famous quote from the Bible, which was said by Jesus 

He was thirsty for the love of human beings 

He was thirsty for the salvation of the human kind

The same words *I Thirst* were used by Mother Theresa and she was really thirst for poorest of the poor people 

In other words she was really thirsty for righteousness, which motivated her to spend her life in the service of poor

*6) My hunger and Thirst*

As we reflect about the hunger and thirst for righteousness, what about my hunger and thirst? 

Am I thirsty or hungry for power, money, position, wealth, domination, pleasure, property, name, and for worldly things? 

In other words am I thirsty or hungry for service, sacrifice, sharing, generosity, simplicity, meekness, sincerity, love, forgiveness and for Gospel values? 

Am I thirsty or hungry for blessed and holy life?

I will move according to the direction of my hunger and thirst. 

So which area am I hungry or thirsty? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Life is nothing but Crossing to the other Side

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 3rd Week - Saturday*

*Gospel : Mk 4:35-41*

*First Reading : Heb 11:1-2, 8-19*

*Life is nothing but Crossing to the other Side*

*1) Let us Cross to the other Side*

In the Gospel of the day we have these words. 

In fact Jesus is inviting His disciples to Cross to the other side of the sea

This Crossing to the other side either can be taken in literal sense or in a deeper or in a spiritual sense 

In literal sense it is crossing to the other side of the sea, with the help of a boat, which can be achieved without much difficulties

*2) Deeper or Spiritual Meaning*

Crossing to the other side can be understood in a deeper or in a spiritual sense

In fact, Life is nothing but crossing to the Other side 

We need to cross from this world to heaven

We need to cross from this bodily life to the eternal life 

We need to cross from this temporary life to the permanent life 

*3) Crossing is needed every day*

Crossing is not one day work or is a particular event. But crossing is needed every day 

In our daily life we need to cross from the following things 

From pride to humility

From revenge to forgiveness

From anger to reconciliation

From hatred to love 

From selfishness to service 

From self-centered life to generosity

From lust to purity 

From laziness to harwork 

From falsehood to truth 

From injustice to justice 

From despair to hope 

From hopelessness to hope 

From sin to repentance

And many more things 

*4) Need to leave behind the Crowd*

Crossing demands some important things 

Crossing needs to leave the Crowd. The disciples left the crowd and crossed to the other side

We need to leave the Crowd to cross to the other side 

The crowd of wealth 

The crowd of power 

The crowd of money 

The crowd of name and fame 

The crowd of influence

The crowd of property

The crowd of ego 

The crowd of arrogance

*5) We need to take Jesus*

The disciples took Jesus and crossed the other side 

Without Jesus it would have been difficult to cross to the other side 

Crossing always needs the company of Jesus 

We get the company of Jesus in the following things 

Meditating the Word of God

Celebration of Eucharist

Sacramental Adoration

Celebration of sacrament

Prayer life 

All spiritual things 

*6) Am I ready to cross to the other Side?*

Since life consists in crossing to the other side, we have to cross by all means 

If so, am I ready? 

Am I ready to listen to Jesus?

Am I ready to leave the crowd which pulls me back? 

Am I ready to take Jesus and Cross?? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Today Jesus needs 72 people. Will I be ready for one, among them?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 3rd Week - Friday*

*Feast of Sts Thimothy & Titus*

*Gospel : Lk 10:1-9*

*First Reading : 2 Tim 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5*

*Today Jesus needs 72 people. Will I be ready for one, among them?*

*1) Jesus Appoints 72 Disciples*

The Gospel of the day has a beautiful narration about appointing 72 disciples, by Jesus for the mission 

Jesus appointed them to be sent before Him to prepare for the Mission 

They were sent two by two, and they prepared the people for the arrival of Jesus 

*2) They were sent to communicate the message of Peace*

Jesus clearly told them about what they are supposed to do in mission place

They had to communicate the message of Peace and about the arrival of the Kingdom of God

*3) No expenses are involved in communicating the message of Peace*

When Jesus sent his disciples he clearly told them, *Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way*

The above words of Jesus clearly tell us that the message of Peace is free of cost, which does not need any material resources to implement it 

*4) Today Jesus needs People*

The same Jesus who appointed 72 is in search of me and you to form  a new team, to be sent out for the mission 

He comes and asks your help and cooperation to build the Kingdom of God. What is your response? 

Will I be ready like Matthew who immediately left everything and followed Jesus or will I be like a rich man who went away with sadness, because he had plenty of wealth and money, which he didn't want to give up

So what is my response?  

*5) He is sending us before His arrival*

He sent His disciples before he went to a particular place

Today also, Jesus wants to send us before His arrival in certain houses, in the heart and mind of our brothers and sisters and in various situations. 

When Jesus sends us before His arrival we have more responsibility to communicate the message of peace and love 

We can't take this responsibility in a simpler and in a light manner

We need to be serious in our commitment. 

So, what is my response? 

Will I be ready for 1 among 72, with all the demands of the Gospel??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Republic day : Who is Ruling me?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 3rd Week - Thursday*

*Gospel : John 8:31-42*

*First Reading : 2 Tim 1:1-8*

*Republic day : Who is Ruling me?*

*1) The Rule of British, Independence and Republic day*

Before 1947 we were ruled by British. In a way we had no real freedom. We were under British Rule 

In 1947 we got the independence, and we were freed from British Rule 

We become independent Nation and freedom become very important to us 

Rebulic day is an opportunity to think and evaluate, about the governance we have 

In other words it is ask oneself, who is ruling me? 

So there is a Transition from the slavery to freedom as we celebrate the Independence day and Republic day 

*2) The Republic day in the Gospel*

The Gospel of the day calls us to reflect about the importance of freedom. 

In the context of reflecting the freedom, Jesus is asking us whether we really free or whether we are slaves 

In other words, the Gospel is directly asking us *Who is ruling me?*

So what is my answer?? 

*3) Ruled by Sin and Ruled by Truth*

There are two categories of rule in today's Gospel

The rule of the Sin and Satan 

The Rule of the Truth and the Son 

The rule by sin and satan leads to slavery

The rule by truth and Son leads to real freedom 

*4) The Pharisees were Ruled by Sin*

In the Gospel it becomes very clear that the Pharisees were ruled by Sin of Pride and self righteousness

They are of the opinion that they were never slaves of some one in their lives 

But their very attitude shows that they were slaves of their pride, hypocrisy, self righteousness, justification, slaves of rules and rubrics etc 

So they were fully enslaved by so many things and they were real slaves of their weaknesses, which they never accepted 

*5) Jesus' Invitation to be ruled by the Truth*

Once again the question, who is ruling me will help us to find out our real worth 

Jesus calls us that we should allow ourselves to be reuled by Truth, sincerity, faithfulness, humility, justice, service, generosity, sharing, love and sacrifice

When our life is ruled by these above values, we really become the citizens of heaven, freed from all slavery 

*6) Who is ruling me??*

As we celebrate the Republic day, let's ask ourselves the above question

Who is ruling me?

Is it my ego? 

Is it my anger?

Is it my pride? 

Is it my selfishness? 

Is it my revengeful attitude?

Is it my laziness?

Is it the falsehood? 

Is it cheating? 

Is it division and destruction?? 

So Finally who is ruling me? 

Let Truth Rule us to make our life effective and meaningful

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*