Before passover people came to purify themselves - What about me?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Saturday*

*Gospel :  Jn 11:45-56*

*First Reading : Ez 37:21-28*

*Before passover people came to purify themselves - What about me?*

*1) Great Feast of the Passover*

For Jews Passover was a great feast and which was celebrated in Jerusalem temple

So people were very conscious of this feast and the preparations needed for the same 

So all people came to Jerusalem before the passover feast to purify themselves so they could prepare well for the same 

*2) Easter is a great Passover for Christians*

Among all feasts Easter takes the first place in the celebration. Its a great feast 

Its a feast of Passover from death to life, from darkness to light and worldly life to heavenly life 

Such a great  feast needs a lot of preparation. That's why we have 40 days of Lent 

As the Passover or the Holy week is at hand what must be pur response? 

*3) Confess your sins at least once a year*

This is the 2nd important precept of the Catholic Church 

This is one of the best ways of purifying oneself and this is the best time for purifying oneself 

Confessing ones sins one a month is a good practice or confessing ones sins during the important feast like, Nativity of Mary, Christmas and Easter is very necessary

But if I am thinking of confessing of making my confession only once a year this is the best time and confession is the best way to purify oneself

*4) Holy Week to become Holy*

Holy week becomes Holy to me only if am able to purify myself 

Holy week is not a mechanical thing which makes me Holy 

By purifying ourselves we become Holy, and in this context the Holy Week becomes very meaningful to our life 

*5) Conscious of Purification*

Jews were very conscious about the self purification before the passover feast 

What about my consciousness about my own sinfulness and the purification? 

Holy week is the best time to make my confession and to purify myself and to begin a new Holy Life 

Without our purification and Holy Life, Holy week liturgy the passion, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus has no meaning for our life 

*6) Am I ready to purity myself? 

By purifying myself I lose nothing and nothing at all. But on the contrary I will many things 

By not purifying myself I will lose everything and nothing I will gain 

So it is beneficial for us to purify ourselves and trying to gain some spiritual favours from the Lord 

So what is my response?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Good Works are the Greatest Signs that we are United with God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 10:31-42*

*First Reading : Jer 20:10-13*

*Good Works are the Greatest Signs that we are United with God*

*1) Jesus Speaks about the Good Works*

In today's Gospel we see that Jesus is speaking about the Good Works done by Him in the context of Jews trying to stone Him 

He asks them *For which of these are you trying to stone me?”*

*2) The Source of Good Works*

Jesus says that the Heavenly Father is the Source of all Good Works 

Each of the Good works come from God Himself and there is no other source for Good Works 

*3) The Indication of the Good Works*

Jesus says that all the Good Works which we do, show to the world in a powerful way that we are united with God 

That's Why Jesus says *even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand  that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”*

So Good works are the ones through which Jesus is closely united with the Father 

*4) Good Works manifests the Father*

Jesus also says that Good works ultimately, Shows the Goodness of the Father 

It is the Heavenly Father, who is made known to the others through the Good Works 

So Good Works are the Reflection of the Father in and through us 

*5) Jesus Shows us the Father through Good Works*

Jesus showed us the nature of the Father through His good Works 

By forgiving others He showed the merciful nature of the Father 

By dying on the Cross, He showed us the sanctifying love of the Father 

By washing of the feet of the Discipline Jesus showed us the Humility of our Heavenly Father

*6) We are called for Good Works*

The primary mission of our life is to perform good works 

That is the primary mission of a disciple of Jesus 

*7) Good Works and My Union with God*

No good works good union with God 

Good works are the only ways to unite with God

Every single good work in our life shows that we are deeply united with God 

A person who is deeply rooted in the Worldly things, does only worldly things, which are far from good works 

*8) Various Good Works*

Serving the poor 

Scarifying for the sake of the other

Being generous towards others 

Teaching others about God

Speaking good about others 

Forgiving others 

Trying to build unity among ourselves

Working for peace, harmony, justice and equality 

What are my Good works which show to the World that I am deeply united with God? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

On Your Part, you must keep my covenant throughout the ages

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:51-59*

*First Reading : Gn 17:3-9*

*On Your Part, you must keep my covenant throughout the ages*

*1) The Covenant*

Covenant is an agreement, between two persons or between two parties

This agreement gives rise to a new relationship, new way of life, new responsibility, new duties and new outlook 

Covenant always helps the persons grow with one another and it fosters the growth of the  community 

*2) God entered a new covenant with Human beings*

God chose Abraham and entered with him a new covenant

This covenant is not only for Abraham, but to the entire humanity, which will help the human beings to get into a deeper relationship with God 

The Covenant which God made, with Abraham, makes us the Children of God and we can relate with God as our Father 

*3) God never breaks His covenant*

God who entered a new covenant with Abraham, remains faithful for ever and ever and He never breaks His covenant

In this context God asks Abraham to remain faithful to the covenant. 

God also said to Abraham: *“On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”*

*4) Lent is a time to reflect about our faithfulness to the Covenant*

Lent is a time to reflect about our faithfulness to God's Covenant

How faithful I am in keeping the covenant of the Lord? 

Usually breaking of the covenant happens from our side and not from God's side. If so what is my role in remaining faithful to the covenant? 

*5)  Need of renewing our faithfulness to the Covenant*

Since we are weak many times we find it difficult to remain faithful to the covenant

So that is why we need to renew our commitment to the covenant of the Lord, on every day basis 

Only then we will be able to remain faithful to the covenant of the Lord 

*6) Benefits of remaining faithful to the covenant of the Lord*

Like Abraham He will make us great 

Like Abraham He will give us all that is necessary

Like Abraham He will make our name great, which will remain forever 

Like Abraham He will bless our descendants for ever and ever 

Like Abraham He will make us a great blessing to our family and to the people around us 

So, God expects only our faithfulness to His covenant

*Are you ready?*

*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 to remain in His Word

GOSPEL THOUGHTS*

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:31-42*

*First Reading : Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95*

*We are called to remain in His Word*

*1) Bible is God's Word*

The entire bible is nothing but the Word of God

We have 73 books which contain the Word of God 

The Word of God is such a inspiring Word, which can change the life of the people. 

It is relevant to all the time, and in every situation

*2) Jesus calls us to remain in His Word*

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus specially calls us to remain in His Word

Remaining in His Word means, remaining with Jesus

By remaining with the Word, we are able to know Jesus in a better way and thus we can know the Truth 

*3) Why we have to remain in His Word*

By remaining in His Word, we get deeper knowledge and divine experience

By remaining in His Words, we are enlightened to know the Truth 

By remaining in His Word, we become free and we are freed from the slavery of Sin 

By remaining in His Word, we become the Children of the Heavenly Father 

*4) Various ways of Remaining in His Word*

By reading the scriptures every day 

By meditating His Words 

By studying His Word 

By Praying His Word 

By Teaching His Word

By Practicing His Word, through the Gospel values like, Forgiveness, simplicity, humility, sacrifice, love, service, generosity etc 

*5) How do I try to remain in His Word*

It is a very important question

Breaking away from the Word means breaking away from the relationship of God 

Those who don't remain in His Word, they become the slaves of Sin, slaves of this World to its pomp and Glory, slaves of bodily pleasures etc 

So what are the ways through which I try to remain in His Word? 

There is no Way to God, without the way through His Word

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Worldly standards only lead us to die in Sin

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:21-30*

*First Reading : Nm 21:4-9*

*Worldly standards only lead us to die in Sin* 

*1) Difference between Above and Below*

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus makes a difference between what is from above and what is from Below 

All those things which belong to the spiritual realm or to the Heavenly kingdom are called things from above 

All those things which belong to the World and all the Worldly standard things, they are called what is below or things from below 

*2) Jesus says I am from Above*

Jesus is very clear about His identity. He has come from above and he is full of Spiritual things or holy things 

Only Jesus can say that I am from above, because He has come from above and He lived His life according to the above standards 

The Above standards give us life and eternal life 

*3) Things from Below*

All the things which are filled with worldly standards are called things from below 

According Jesus things from below, finally lead us into sin and death 

Destruction and death is the target of worldly things 

Therefore, we need to be very careful about the Worldly things  

*4) Various things from Below*

These are some of the examples of things from below

Pride 

Arrogance

Ego

Greed 

Power 

Authority

Wealth 

Revenge

Selfishness

Money and muscle power 

Injustice

All these things finally lead us into sin and death

*5) Which things Influence me?*

Towards which side my inclination is? 

Things from above or things from below? 

If I am filled with spiritual things I will be leaning towards those things which are from above 

If I am filled with worldly things, I will be leaning towards things from below 

*6) Lent is a time to think and live according to the standards of "above" things*

Lent has a special spirit to draw us towards the things from above 

It makes us to think about the above things which give us new life 

It makes us to live our life according to the standards to heavenly things, which will help to experience the Gospel values 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*

You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS*

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:12-20*

*First Reading : Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62*

*You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.*

*1) The Question of Judgement*

First of all Jesus says *Do not judge others and you will not be judged*

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12

So judgement is purely belong to God and not the Human beings 

*2) Judgment based on appearances*

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus speaks about the nature of Human judgment

Most f our judgements are based on  appearances. 

In fact a judgement can't be based on the appearance, but it should be based on the Truth 

Since our judgments are based on appearances and not on truth we are committing a great blunder in our life 

*3) Problem with the Judgement by appearance*

First of all it will be a wrong judgement

Secondly, mere appearance will not reveal the truth in it 

Appearance is purely based on the emotions and not on the reason 

Appearance is based on the individual perception and not in the truth 

*4) Judgement should based on two witnesses*

Jesus says it is very important to have two people agree on the same matter 

God's judgment is always based on two people's testimony, that is by the Father and the Son

Their judgement is not based on the appearance but based on the truth 

So the Judgement of God is always based on  truth

*5) Examples of Judgement based on appearances*

The judgement based on external beauty. If some one is beautiful can't considered as good 

All that is white is not Milk. But milk is always white 

All those who are intelligent need not be good people 

All those who are rich, need not be corrupt people 

All those who speak good things, need not be genuine people 

*6) Judgements based on appearances are unable to know the Truth*

Since they can't see the deeper reality, truth is  always hidden from the appearance

Appearance looks only what is beautiful and what is appealing to the senses 

Truth can't be based on the senses and appearances

Whatever appears beautiful may not be truth but truth always appears beautiful

*6) How do I Judge?*

Mother Theresa said, *If you are busy in Judging people where is the time to Love them?*

Do I judge people on external appearances or based on their real worth ? 

Does my judgement based on emotions or on reason? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Untie him and let him go.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 11:1-45*

*First Reading : Ez 37:12-14*

*SECOND READING - Rom 8:8-11*

*“Untie him and let him go.”*

*1) The Raised Lazarus was with White Clothes*

When Jesus raised Lazarus, He came out of the Tomb. But he was wrapped with white clothes. 

That's why Jesus told those who were around, untie Him, let Him Go

*2) Was Jesus unable to untie the white cloth?*

It appears that after raising Lazarus, Jesus would used one word, about the cloth, and it would have disappeared

It was not that Jesus was unable to untie Lazarus from the white cloth, but He purposely, told those who were around Him. 

Why? What are the reasons? 

*3) Various Reasons*

*A) To strengthen their Faith*

To see a person who was raised from the dead itself is a unusual thing

There is a lot of fear about death and people also were not sure whether Lazarus was really raised or not 

Was he a ghost? Was he a spirit? Or was he a real human being? Were  some of the questions

No body would easily touch the dead man, because of the fear 

In this context Jesus tells them to touch the raised man, to experience that he is real Lazarus who was living before his death and now he is living 

So death has no control over Lazarus now, and he is like one among us - to prove this Jesus asked them to untie him 

There is also another reason to strengthen their faith by experiencing the real things in life 

*B) Human Cooperation*

This incident also shows that God needs our cooperation in the resurrection 

In other words, God involves the Human beings in the mighty and powerful works. 

God alone can do. But with His generosity he gives us a plenty of opportunities to participate in the Redemptive work of the Lord 

So Gods needs our cooperation. God's work is not one sided 

*4) Lent is a time to untie the Wrapped things*

All of us are tied with so many things. As a result we are not able to move forward 

Lazarus was not able to move until he was untied by the others 

Lent is a time to allow ourselves to be untied by others, so that we are freed to move forward

*5) Who are others or who are they?*

In the Gospel we see that Jesus says to *them*, untie him let him go 

During this Lenten season, the particular word *them* has special reference to our life 

So this word *them* could mean the following

The sacrament of *Reconciliation* which can untie us from the clothes of Sin

*The Eucharist* Eucharist can untie our hearts and minds to experience the Love of Jesus for us 

*Prayer* prayer can untie the blindness and darkness from our life, and bring the divine light to walk in the right path 

*Service, Sacrifice, Generosity, Humility, simplicity* are the other important values which can untie us from our selfishness and greed, which will help us to move forward and grow in the love of Jesus 

*6) Am I ready to allow myself to be untied by others?*

There are many of *them* around me to untie me from the obstacles which hinder my growth

But the question is am I ready to allow myself to be untied by others? 

Am I ready to grow in the values of Christ? 

Am I ready to cooperate with God and others in the process of untying??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*