The beauty of Family Relationship in two Levels

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 33rd Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 20:27-40*

*First Reading : 1 Mc 6:1-13*

*The beauty of Family Relationship in two Levels*

*1) The Human Family*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the family relationship 

Family relationship begins with the sacrament of marriage and it continues in the family life 

This is one of the most beautiful relationship which exists in the World 

*2) Indispensability and Necessity of the Family relationship*

In the World, a person can exist without any type of relationship, but not without family relationship

A person has to have a mother and father. Without which life is not possible. So it tells us the necessity and the indispensability of the family relationship

*3) The end or Change of family Relationship*

Such a beautiful relationship ends with the death 

The living people are always try to relate with those who dead and gone through their memory and other things 

But the dead and resurrected people relate with us at the different level. So it is altogether a different relationship, which we are unable to explain

In any case the family relationship totally changes into a next different level of relationship

*4) God's Family*

The Gospel of the day also speaks about the family of God and the type relationship with which we will relate with God

In God's family the relationship is parent children relationship, which has no end

All will be children of God, and God will be our Father 

There is no difference in relationship. All are equal before God, and all relate ad the children of God 

*5) The interrelatedness of the Relationship*

The family relationship here on earth and the family relationship is closely connected with each other 

If the relationship of the family  here on earth is meaningful, then our relationship with God will be beautiful one 

If we have a broken relationship with our family relationship, then we can't have a good relationship with God

Every deeds and  action either deepens our relationship with God or breaks it 

*6) God doesn't break the relationship*

From the Gospel it is clear that it is human being who breaks the basic family relationship

Breaking of such a beautiful family relationship can have adverse relationship in God's family

So we need to take care if the basic family relationship in our life in order to maintain a good relationship in God's family

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

My house shall be a house of prayer

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 33rd Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Lk 19:45-48*

*First Reading : 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59*

*My house shall be a house of prayer,*

*1) The Concept of the House*

We are familiar with the concept of the House 

One of the most loved place in our life is our own house 

House is very much related to the life of a person 

We begin our life, grow, and we die in our house 

House is a place where we become what we are today 

*2) Joy of visiting the House*

When we are far away from our house, we always desire to go back to our house 

We have a  special attraction towards our own house 

The value of our house is realised only when we are far away from the House

*3) Rich Things in our House*

There are numerous valuable things which are found in the House, which we can never buy with money and power 

The Family love 

Forgiveness

Adjustments

Concern for each other 

Sacrifice

Humility

Cooperation

Joyfulness

Happiness

These things originate only in the House and influence us in every way 

*4) House of God*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the House of God

The same logic which we apply to our house, could also be applied for God's house 

So God's House is a house of love 

God's house is a house of forgiveness 

God's House is a house of humility

God's house is a house of sacrifice

So God's House is a house of care and concern

God's house is a house of Generosity

*5) God's house is a House of Prayer*

This is what Jesus says in today's Gospel 

Among many things the priority wise prayer takes first place in our life. In the same way, prayer is the decoration of the House of God 

Nothing can replace Prayer in the House of God 

House of prayer primarily indicates what is the Purpose of prayer in our life

*6) My respect Towards the House of Prayer*

How do I see the house of prayer? 

How often do I go to the house of God? 

There is a great desire to go our own earthly house. What about my desire to go to house of God? 

Spending time in our house a joyful thing. What about spending time in the house of God ? 

House of prayer reminds us the sacredness of the house , and the its importance for the prayer. How about these things 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*

Jesus saw the city and wept over it; What about my Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 33rd Week :Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 19:41-44*

*First Reading : 1 Mc 2:15-29*

*Jesus saw the city and wept over it; What about my Life*

*1) Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem*

There is a instant of weeping of Jesus at the sight of Lazarus death 

Today's Gospel once again brings about the weeping of Jesus in the context of the destruction of Jerusalem 

Weeping of Jesus is not a very simple thing. It has a very far reaching consequences in our Life 

*2) Why Jesus Wept?*

The Gospel says that when Jesus drew near Jerusalem He saw the city and wept over it. The reasons for the weeping could be the following 

She didn't recognize the arrival of the Messiah 

The enemies will destroy the temple and the city of Jerusalem 

The enemies will smash the children within the city of Jerusalem 

They will not leav one stone upon another within you

So there is total destruction. That's why looking at city of Jerusalem Jesus wept  

*3) Every day Jesus is drawing near to my life*

Since we are longing for the Lord, Jesus also drawing near to our life everyday, little by little

We need to realise that Jesus is drawing near to our life every day. Such a realisation will help us to live our life in a better way 

*4) What Will Jesus see in our life?*

As Jesus drwas near to our life, what Jesus will see in our life? 

Will he rejoice by looking at our life or will he weep over our life? 

If there are beautiful things then definitely Jesus  will rejoice about our life 

If there are ugly things Jesus will weep over our life 

*5) Jesus wept over Destruction*

Since Jerusalem was about to be destroyed by the enemies Jesus wept 

If my life is at verge of destruction, then Jesus will weep over our life 

Destruction of life by the enemies is a terrible thing which can happen in our life 

So how about my life? 

*6) The Enemies who destroy my Life*

Pride 

Arrogance

Anger 

Selfishness 

Revenge

Cheating 

Attachment to worldly things 

Insincerity 

All these enemies, if they are not controlled can destroy our life, which will result in weeping of Jesus 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Fear of Losing is more dangerous than losing itself

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 33rd Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 19:11-28*

*First Reading : 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31*

*Fear of Losing is more dangerous than losing itself*

*1) The Fear Complex of the Third Servant*

The Gospel of the Day presents to us, a parable where we find three servants, whom the master had given the Gold coins for the business

The first and Second servant, use the gold coin in a productive way and they multiply the Gold coins 

The third servant, didn't use the Gold coin in a productive way, because he was terribly frightened about the Master

The fear complexe changes the entire life of the third servant in a negative way 

*2) The dangers of the Fear of failure*

This is one of the worst fears a human being can have 

The moment a person is frightened about the failure, it becomes a hurdle for many things 

It becomes a hurdle for success

It becomes a hurdle for efforts

It becomes a hurdle for growth

It becomes a hurdle for creativity 

It becomes a hurdle for any change 

On the other hand life becomes lifeless, burdensome, meaningless, goalless, purposeless, and useless 

*3) Fear of Failure can terminate life*

This is the another important and serious consequences of the fear 

One of the reasons of suicide is the fear of failure 

Fear of failure also causes the violence on others. People attack the other in the contex of fear of losing power, authority and position

*4) Losing is better than fear of Failure*

Fear of Failure makes a person completely passive and blocks him/her from doing something 

People those who lose, really take risk. But this failure becomes a way for learning new things 

Losing will help a person to find out new techniques, new ways, along with much rich experience 

Once a person loses, need not lose next time. But next time he will win because of the experience 

So failure teaches us a great lessons whereas the fear of failure, teaches nothing but makes us useless 

*5) Failures are the Part of our Life*

There is no success without failure. One who does not fail, does not succeed in any way 

Failures are the stepping Stone to success. 

Therefore we need failures to become strong and to succeed. 

We need training to accept failures and then to succeed.  

Unless we accommodate failures, no change will happen in our life.

*6) Fear of Failure in Children*

Today in the competitive world, the element of fear of the failure is seen in an alarming way 

The unhealthy competition beginning from education and in other areas are pumping this fear in the innocent minds of the children 

Is this fear of failure is really affecting to me and my family? 

What can I do to come out of this? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Brothers and Sisters of Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 33rd Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 12:46-50*

*First Reading : Zec 2:14-17*

*The Brothers and Sisters of Jesus*

*1) The brother or Sister of a well-known Person*

In the World we see that there are famous and renowned persons because of thier extraordinary achievement 

For example, Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, and others 

Because of their inspired life, they have their own place in the Society

Not only that, their brothers and sisters also get a higher significance and importance because they are brothers and sisters of such a great person 

*2) Brothers and Sisters of Jesus*

This is a great achievement and well as a great opportunity to become the brothers and sisters of Jesus 

How nice and great to become the brother or sister of Jesus 

Automatically it raises our dignity, importance, status and our role in the society

So it is really a great opportunity to be called as brother or sister of Jesus 

*3) Brother Sister relationship*

Brother Sister is a close and very important relationship 

It highlights the importance of family ties and closeness of relationship 

This relationship also shows many similarities between the Brothers and sisters. 

*4) How to become the brothers or Sisters of Jesus*

The Gospel of the day, gives us a simple way through which we can enter into this relationship

Jesus says *whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”*

Doing the will of God will help us to become the brothers and sisters of Jesus 

*5) What is the Will of Heavenly Father*

The will of heavenly Father can be realised in the following things 

In the Spirit of Forgiveness

In the Spirit of Humility

In the Spirit of Truthfulness

In the Spirit of service

In the Spirit of sacrifice

In the Spirit of generosity

In the Spirit of Prayer 

In the Spirit of Love 

In the Spirit of Patience

In the Spirit of Concern 

In the Spirit of Simplicity

In the Spirit of detachment from worldly things 

*6) My Relationship with Jesus*

Very important and serious question about our life 

How I am related to Jesus? 

Am I a stranger, in my relationship with Jesus?

Am I a brother, sister, worker, salave, leader, business person, to Jesus? 

Who am I to Jesus? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The alertness of the blindman

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 33rd Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 18:35-43*

*First Reading : 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63*

*The alertness of the blindman*

*1) The Blind man at Roadside*

We see in today's Gospel a blind man, who had no eye sight, was sitting at the roadside 

Even though he had no eye sight, he was very active and alert in his work 

His alertness about the situation brings a great change in his life 

*2) The alertness of the Blind man*

By sitting at the roadside he was able to sense everything that was happening 

First of all, he perceived that there was a huge crowd, which was passing by 

Secondly, we also see the blind was trying to enquire about the situation, to know what is happening in the place 

Thirdly once he knew that it was Jesus who was passing by, he became fully alert and used the opportunity to the fullest 

This shows how the blindman was alert in his life 

*3) The height of His alertness*

The Gospel tells us that people informed the blind man that Jesus is passing by 

Neither the blind had seen Jesus earlier nor someone in the crowd said in the spot that Jesus is divine healer. 

Nothing of such information was given to him. But when he heard the Name of Jesus, he knew everything about Jesus, especially his healing power 

A blind man knowing the up-to-date information about Jesus shows how alert the blind man was 

*4) Be on your guard, Be alert*

In the Gospel we have these words, which were spoken by Jesus 

Be on your guard, be alert, because you don't know when the master of the house comes 

Because you don't know when the Son of Man comes. 

The blind man, was alert, he was on his guard, therefore he met the Son of God, which brought about a great Change 

What a marvelous result of being alert in life 

*5) Lack of alertness and the Blindman*

If the blindman was not alert, then he would have lost the Golden Opportunity to encounter Jesus 

Since he was alert, it was possible for him to catch the attention of Jesus and thus to get his sight back 

We can imagine the result of being alert in our life 

*6) Lack of alertness causes huge damage*

At times it can take away our life 

At times one can lose the way of life and become slave of the evil things 

At times one can lose the spiritual thirst in life and may result in going away from God 

At times it can spoil our life and purpose of our life 

So alertness is very much needed 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Buried Talent lost for ever

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 33rd Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 25:14-30 or Mt 25:14-15, 19-21*

*First Reading : Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31*

*Second Reading : 1 Thes 5:1-6*

*Buried Talent lost for ever*

*1) Gospel on Buried Talent*

The Gospel speaks about the buried talent of the third servant 

Three servants were given different talents. First one 5 talents, second one 2 talents and third one 1 talent 

First two servants used the talents and multiplied the talents

Third one buried it in the mud and finally he had to give back to the owner. So lost everything 

*2) Buried things Do not grow*

We use the concept of burial when something dies  

When the animals or pet animals or the Human beings die, immediately we speak about the burial

At the same time, all of us know that buried things do not grow in any circumstances, but they get decayed over the time 

Burial means losing forever

*3) Buried Talent Lost forever*

The third servant will not get another opportunity to use the talent

Buried talent is lost forever, because it will be taken from him and will be given to the one who has already ten talents 

None of the buried  things grow. Likewise none of the buried talents will grow

Talents are not for burial but to use and to grow in it 

*4) Cause for the Burial of the talent*

*Wrong imagination about the Master*

The third servant thought that the master  *was a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.*

*Lparable and wickedness of the servant*

This also becomes one of the reasons why the third servant buried the talent 

Laziness and wickedness always try to find fault in others 

*5) Fear of Losing is most dangerous*

The third servant had this problem 

Because he was frightened about losing it, he buried the talent and returned it safely to the Master

The moment one is frightened of losing anything he/she tries to safeguard it by burying it 

*6) Without Risk, nothing is possible*

This is one of the most  powerful lessons from this parable

Nothing is possible unless we take a certain amount of risk

Risk is the part and parcel of making business

By taking risk and doing a sincere work, still one loses whatever they have, God will be more merciful towards us 

Without taking risk returning the God given  talents is a biggest crime 

Christian spirituality consists in taking risk and not sitting in the comfortable room

Am I using my talents or not?

Have I buried my talents? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*