Voice of the Conscience and Herod

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 25th Week :  Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 9:7-9*

*First Reading : Hg 1:1-8*

*Voice of the Conscience and Herod*

*1) Perplexed Herod*

The Gospel reading of the day speaks about Herod, who is perplexed about various things 

When a person is perplexed about something, it is nothing a inner struggle about something between Good and Bad 

So here Herod recalls all his evil deeds, which he had done, especially the murder of John the Baptist

That's why He was perplexed 

*2) Self talk of Herod*

Self talk is one of the important aspect of the Conscience

Here also we see that Herod is talking to Himself about various things 

He recalls the various views of the people about Jesus and present situation 

Herod's self talk goes like this *John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”*

This self talk of Herod shows how much he is troubled within 

*3) The Result of the voice of the Conscience*

Since he was troubled in the conscience, he was trying to see who Jesus is? 

He wanted to verify whether John the Baptist had been risen from the dead? 

He also wanted to verify whether some prophets have come back to life? 

All these things happened because, he was very much troubled in his conscience

*4) Herod and the voice of the conscience*

Herod's conscience was continuously warning him about the evil things which he was doing 

After he murdered John the Baptist, once again his conscience warned him very powerfully about the evil things and the disaster that will happen if he fails to repent 

But the murderer Herod finally Killed his own conscience to satisfy his own worldly desire and the temptations of the flesh 

*5) Herod never Changed His life*

In spite of the powerful voice of the conscience he failed to change his life 

Finally he wanted to see Jesus not to have a divine encounter, but to find out who Jesus is? 

If Jesus was more powerful than His own authority, then Herod wanted to kill even Jesus for the sake of power and authority

The desire of Herod to see Jesus was only to make sure that there is no dangee for his power and authority

*6) Conscience anf Desire to see Jesus*

All of us have our conscience and the voice of the conscience. How do I respond to this voice 

Am I feel perplexed when I do something wrong? What happens after this, in my life?

Do I have a desire to see Jesus? If yes, what is the reason for this desire? 

How do I understand my own conscience??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Importance of the Healing Ministry

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 25th Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 9:1-6*

*First Reading : Ez 9:5-9*

*Importance of the Healing Ministry*

*1) Jesus sends His disciples for healing Ministry*

The Gospel of the day highlights the ministry of the 12 apostles of Jesus 

Jesus gives them power and authority and sends them for healing ministry 

To cure the diseases, to heal the sick and to proclaim the kingdom of God Jesus sent His disciples 

*2) Healing ministry of Jesus*

Healing was the one among the main ministries of Jesus 

We see Jesus was spending lots of time in healing the sick people 

He healed the lepers, he healed the people who were afftected by fever, and other various sicknesses

So it is very clear that healing becomes one of the main ministries of Jesus 

*3) Various types of sicknesses*

The moment we think about sicknesses, we usually think about bodily sicknesses

Such sicknesses can be healed with proper medicine and treatments

To such treatment also there are people needed and one should help the sick people in this regard 

Apart from these bodily sicknesses, there are also other types of sicknesses, which needs special types of treatment

*4) Beyond the Bodily Sickness*

There are also other types of sicknesses. They are the following 

The emotional sicknesses

The sickness of relationship

The sickness of despair

The sickness of lies 

The sickness of jealousy

The sickness of revenge

The sickness of hatred 

The sickness of pride

The sickness of loneliness

The sickness of anxiety

The sickness of laziness

The sickness of worldly things 

The sickness of attachment to certain things, to certain persons, to certain places, or to certain food 

All these needs a healing in order to get liberation from these 

*5) Instruments of Healing*

Concern can heal 

Love can heal 

Forgiveness can heal 

Service can heal 

Simplicity can heal 

Humility can heal 

Truthfulness can heal 

Sacrifice can heal 

Smile can heal 

Helping hand can heal 

Our presence can heal 

Peaceful atmosphere can heal

Compromise can heal 

Prayer can heal 

Silence can heal 

 

*6) Am I ready for healing ministry*

Like disciples, Jesus has also given us this ministry

We need to use our time, energy, resources, skills and talents in carrying out the healing ministry

First of all we need to heal ourselves from internal wounds, by accepting ourselves as we are and offering ourselves to build the Kingdom of God 

Secondly we should become the ambassadors of healing ministry in every area of life 

Friendly relationship and prudence will help us in Healing ministry

This is the one of the important area of Jesus' life 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Importance of the Rebuilding of the House of God to its former site

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 25th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 8:19-21*

*First Reading : Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20*

*Importance of the Rebuilding of the House of God to its former site*

*1) Rebuilding of the House of God*

The first reading of the day speaks about the rebuilding of the House of God 

During the time Assyrian invasion, the people of Israel were taken into slavery and the temple of the Lord was destroyed

Now the King Cyrus and Darius ordered the rebuilding of the House of God in the former site, with its former glory 

Accordingly supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, people of God came together and worked hard to rebuild the House of God 

As a result they were able to rebuild the house of God, and rededicated the house for the Worship True one God 

*2) Temple is the Identity of the Israel*

The temple of Jerusalem, is one of the important things for the Jews 

Temple was their identity and everything. Without this temple they are nothing 

Temple represents the presence of the Lord, amidst them and all the spiritual aspect of their life 

*3) We are the Temple of the Lord*

St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians says that *we are the temple of the Holy Spirit* - 1 Cor 6:19

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

So this temple also needs the mission of rebuilding inoder to restore its original glory and Holiness 

*4) The Original Glory and Holiness*

With the sacrament of Baptism we became the Children of God 

There was a perfect state of grace

There was perfect holiness and we were Completely made holy through this sacrament

The original glory at the time of Baptism was something to which we are called upon to live our life in an effective way 

*5) The need of restoring it*

There have been moments where we have lost this original glory, because of our weakness and sinfulness

As a result we have fallen from the original glory and holiness

So our mission is to work hard to build this temple of the Lord to its original glory 

Our mission consists in rebuilding the temple of the Lord on everyday basis 

*6) Ways to rebuild the Temple*

Reading of the Scriptures and trying our level best to practice it 

Following the various Gospel values like, truth, justice, humility, love, sacrifice, service, forgiveness, sharing, generosity etc 

By following these values, definitely we contribute in building the Temple of the Lord

So  am I ready to rebuild the temple of Holy Spirit, which is my own life/body??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Jesus is the Light/Lamp and I am the Lamp Stand

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 25th Week :  Monday*

*Gospel : Luke 8:16-18*

*First Reading : Ez 1:1-6*

*Jesus is the Light/Lamp and I am the Lamp Stand*

*1) Jesus is the Light*

In John's Gospel Jesus says *I am the light of the World* John 8:12

Jesus really is the light of the World and he lit that light in this world to dispel the darkness 

This is not the ordinary light, but it is a divine, heavenly light, light which gives us a new hope 

*2) We are the Lampstands*

Jesus is the light, which needs a lampstand to keep this light. So that it can be seen by all 

Like light/Lamp, Lampstand is also very important to make the light of the lamp to spread around 

Lamp with the Lampstand can become very effective in  providing the necessary light to those who are around

*3) The Speciality of Jesus' Light*

The Light of Jesus comprises many things 

The light of forgiveness

The light of sacrifice

The light of humility

The light of Truth 

The light of love 

The light of concern 

The light of service

The light of sincerity

The light of commitment

The light of hope 

The light of faith 

The light of prayer 

The light of mercy 

This is the speciality of the light of Jesus

*4) We are walking Lampstands*

Walking Lampstands have a special significance

Walking Lampstands are supposed to take the light of Jesus from one place to the another place

In this context we need to take the light of Jesus to the ends of the world, so that the entire world may see the light of Jesus 

Jesus has commanded to every follower to go into the world and make this light be lit in every corner of the World  

*5) Am I carrying the Light of Jesus?*

As a follower of Jesus what type of light I have in my life? 

Is it light or darkness that rules my life? 

The light of Gospel values will brighten my life as well as the lives of others 

The darkness will make our life dark and miserable

Am I following the light or darkness? 

Am I ready to become the lamp stand to brighten the light of Jesus in and through my life? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The greatness of the Landowner

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 25th Week :  Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 20:1-16a*

*First Reading : Is 55:6-9*

*SECOND READING - Phil 1:20c-24, 27a*

*The greatness of the Landowner*

*1) The Landowner - Hardworking Man*

From the episode it is very clear that the Landowner was a hardworking man 

He got early in the morning, prepared everything for the work and went in search of the Workers 

He also went five times in search of the workers, for the work in his vineyard

This shows how much he is interested in his mission and the hardwork behind it. 

*2) The Landowner - A concerned person*

His concern towards the worker is very much seen in the episode

Going in serach of the workers at five in the evening clearly shows that he is concerned about the welbing of the worker 

Those workers who came at 5 o clock can do only one hours work. But he doesn't mind about it. He calls them and gives them the wages of entire day 

This shows the concern of the Landowner

*3) The Landowner - A Generous man*

Generosity of the Landowner is one of the main aspects which we see in the episode

The Landowner, gave more than what was needed to the workers who came after 9 am 

By giving equal amount of wages to all, he gave more to the last ones and agreed amount to the first ones 

Thus the generosity is very much seen in the life of the Landowner 

*4) The Landowner -A patient man*

The Landowner maintains his calmness in all situation

Towards the end, when those servants were grumbling, he didn't lose his temper 

He convincingly, told the worker, how he has not done any injustice

*5) The Landowner - A model for our life*

The Landowner, is a real model for all of us in doing our mission 

He is a model for hard work

He is a model for generosity

He is a model for care and concern 

He is a model for trust 

He is a model for Patience

He is a model for relationship

He is a model for justice 

He is a model for humility

*What are the qualities of the Landowner found 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*

The miracle of Soil in the Rock or Rocky Ground

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 24th Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 8:4-15*

*First Reading : 1 Tm 6:13-16*

*The miracle of Soil in the Rock or Rocky Ground*

*1) The Miraculous power of the Soil*

Soil is one among the great wonders created by God 

Soil is really a miracle of God, because it has tremendous power 

Soil can make a seed to sprout, it can make a seed to produce fruit 

Soil has the capacity to decay anything that is put in the soil 

When soil is mixed water it can create new life

Soil has beautiful smell. In other words soil has life, soil is life and there can't be life without soil 

Thats why soil is one of the great miracles of God 

*2) Seed Fell on the Rocky Ground*

The Gospel says that seed fell on the rocky ground grew but withered away because of the lack of moisture

If there was moisture, the seed would have produced some fruit. There was a possibility 

So seed fell on the rocky ground was not totally without purpose 

*3) Soil on the Rock or Rocky Ground*

In our daily life we have seen some plants on the rock or between two rocks 

This is because, there may be little soil between two rocks or on the rock

This soil on the rocks works as a miracle. Some times small plants or a big tree can stand from that soil 

Its really a wonderful sight to see such a view on the rock 

Two things are very clear 

*First of all* : The soil on the rock has a tremendous power 

*Secondly* The seed has the capacity to grow in soil which was found on the Rock

The survival instinct of the seed is tremendous and it is ready to produce fruit when it gets little soil 

*4) Heart and the Soil*

Like Soil, heart is a one of the wonders of God in human life 

It has tremendous capacity. Like soil, it has the capacity to bring new life and also to decay anything that is unwanted 

Heart is a symbol of love, and love is a symbol of power, creativity and life 

It has the tremendous capacity to produce fruits, when the Seed, the Word of God, falls into it 

*5) The Heart of Stone and the Little Soil*

Some hearts are like stone and rock. Nothing grows in it because there is no soil at all 

But the Most of the Stones or rocks have some joints and some hollow space filled with little  soil

The seed falls on such joints, or hollow space will certainly spout and try to produce some fruit 

Its our duty to nurture the seed and sapling so that it may produce some fruit 

*6) Need to increase the soil in the rocky ground*

Definitely when the sower sows  the seeds, some of it will fall on the rocky ground. If certain areas of my life is like a rock with little soil, I need to cooperate fully to allow the seed to produce fruit 

This will help us to increase the soil and to remove the stone from the cultivating land 

Am I ready for this great challenging work?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Corrupt minds are deprived of Truth

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 24th Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Lk 8:1-3*

*First Reading : 1 Tm 6:2c-12*

*Corrupt minds are deprived of Truth*

*1) Great Wisdom*

The first reading of the day gives us a special insight into the true and real source of Truth.

Every truth comes from God. Through the wisdom, we are able to grasp in our minds 

So God communicates the truths to the pure minds 

*2) Corrupt Minds*

When the mind is filled with the following things, it becomes a corrupt mind 

Verbal disputes

Envy,

Rivalry

Insults

Evil

Suspicions

Mutual friction among people

All these things when filled in the mind, mind becomes a corrupt mind 

*3) Corrupt minds are deprived of Truth*

The first reading of the day, tells about the danger of corrupt minds 

Corrupt minds are not able to know the truth 

Since mind is filled with evil things, there is no scope for the truth emerge in the mind 

Negativity only produces further negativity. So corrupt minds will hardly know the Truth. 

*4) Purpose of our life is to know the Truth*

The main purpose of our life is to know Truth. 

Unless we know the Truth, we can't follow the Truth. Unless we know the Truth, we can't achieve anything in life 

So pure mind is very much necessary to know the truth and to follow the Truth 

*5) Jesus is the Truth*

Jesus says *I am the Truth* To know this reality one should have pure mind and heart 

A corrupt mind and heart will never be able to recognize that Jesus is the Truth and He is the one who will set us free 

*6) The need of Purifying our minds*

Since purity of the mind is very much necessary for knowing the Truth, we have a great responsibility to keep our mind pure and holy 

Good reading, positive thinking and prayer will definitely help us to cultivate a pure mind, which will enable us to know the truth and to practice the 

*Know the Truth, and Truth will set you free* John 8:32

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*