The need of seeing and testifying Jesus as the Son of God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season  : 3rd January*

*Gospel : John 1:29-34*

*First Reading : 1 John 2:29—3:6*

*The need of seeing and testifying Jesus as the Son of God*

*1) Seeing Jesus beyond the Crib*

We are in the Christmas season. Everywhere we find crib and the baby Jesus in the Crib 

After a week, now it is necessary to see the same Jesus beyond the Crib 

Christian life and Spirituality also consists in seeing Jesus beyond the Crib. In other words, we need to see that Jesus in our life and in others life 

*2) John the Baptist on the Lamb of God*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the Lamb of God, who is Jesus Himself 

John the Baptist highlights the importance of seeing and testifying Jesus as the Son of God 

He saw or recognized Jesus through God's revelation and also through the Sign of the decent of the Spirit upon Jesus 

As John saw and testified Jesus, we too are called in this Christmas season to see and to testify Jesus in verity of ways 

*3) Seeing Jesus in various Things*

John the Baptist had the privilege of seeing Jesus in Human and Divine form 

Today we have the privilege of seeing Jesus in various other Forms

We can see Jesus in Eucharist

We can see Jesus in holy Bread 

We can see Jesus in Scripture

We can see Jesus in Holy places 

We can see Jesus in our fellow being 

We can see Jesus in every good things 

*4) Testifying Jesus in and through our life*

It is not enough to see Jesus, but it is very important to testify the same Jesus for the sake of others 

Testify Jesus through the service

Testify Jesus through forgiveness

Testify Jesus through humility

Testify Jesus through love 

Testify Jesus through exemplary life 

Testify Jesus through generosity

Testify Jesus through good relationship 

*5) Various things which are needed to encounter Jesus*

John the Baptist was just, disciplined, God fearing, courageous, integrated, and spiritual person. These things helped him to see or to recognize and testify Jesus 

When our life is governed by the Gospel values, surely we will be encounter Jesus and testify the same Jesus 

Am I ready to work towards seeing Jesus and testifying him, to build the Kingdom of Heaven on this earth? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Who are You? what is my identity?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season  : January 2nd*

*Gospel : Jn 1:19-28*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 2:22-28*

*Who are You? what is my identity?*

*1) The serach for Who are You?*

This is one of the Fundamental questions of Human Life 

In philosophy this question becomes very relevant and important when we serach for the meaning of human life 

The Gospel of the Day has this fundamental question, which is addressed to John the Baptist 

Let's reflect from the biblical point of view the Answer given by John the Baptist 

*2) Johns answer for the question*

John says *I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, Make straight the way of the Lord*

The identity of John consist in becoming voice for the Some one 

The identity of John could be known with the powerful and the most effective word called *Voice*

Who are You? Answer is *I am the Voice*

*3) What is the speciality of Voice*

Voice is something which draws the attention of the others 

Voice is something which communicates the impor message to the other 

Voice also shows the need and and urgency of the situation 

If someone's voice is heard means, there something is happening and one needs to pay attention to it 

In normal circumstances people speak in a ordinary way, which is not called as voice 

Voice is something which has loud noise and which communicates some important truths 

*4) The content of John's voice*

John's voice was telling them about the coming of messiah 

John's voice was warning them about the need of repentance to meet the Messiah 

John's voice was telling them how to prepare for receiving the Messiah 

John's voice was telling them the importance truth, Justice, and sincerity in life 

John's voice was telling them about the importance of Moral values 

In other words John's voice worked as the mouth of God, which communicated all the truths about holy  life  

*5) The need of becoming voice*

It is said that one should become the voice of the voiceless

John became the voice of the voiceless in communicating the important truths about Jesus' Life 

Today I am given the mission of becoming the Voice of Jesus

*6) My life as the Voice of the Lord*

All of us are the voice of the Lord

This is the primary mission of our life 

As a Christian I must speak what Jesus wants to speak. I must communicate what Jesus wants to communicate to others 

*A Christian is a voice of Jesus*

Am I confident to say that I am the voice of Jesus? 

Is my voice speaking about Jesus? 

Is my voice communicating Jesus' values? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

New Beginning with Mother Mary

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season  : Mary Mother of God: January 1*

*Gospel : Lk 2:16-21*

*First Reading : Nm 6:22-27*

*SECOND READING -Gal 4:4-7*

*New Beginning with Mother Mary*

*1) New Beginning in the Salvation History*

With Mary we see a new beginning in the salvation History

The whole Salvation history gets a new emphasis with Mary 

Mary becomes the first woman to accept God's will and carrying out the plan of Salvation 

So we see a new beginning with Mary 

*2) New Beginning with New Year*

Today also we have  a new beginning with New Year 

On the day when we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God, we have the new beginning in the form of New Year 

Something new we begin with our blessed Mother 

*3) New Beginnings in our life*

Mother Mary and New Year, highlights the importance of New beginnings in our life 

New beginning in our thoughts 

New beginning in our deeds 

New beginning in our dealings 

New beginning in our relationship 

New Beginning in our spiritual life 

New beginning in our responsibility

New beginning in our commitments

New beginning in our value systems 

New beginning in our generosity

New Beginning in our humility 

So there are many areas where we need to have new beginnings 

*4) Things needed for New Beginning*

We can learn from Mother Mary's life things which are needed for new Beginning

The Spirit of prayer 

The aspect of humility 

Readiness to change ones plan for the sake to God 

Readiness to do the will of God 

Readiness to face the challenges

Readiness to make sacrifices 

All these things  are needed for the New Beginning

*5) Am I Ready for new beginning?*

Very serious and important question to reflect 

New beginnings do not come automatically. One has to work hard for it

One has to sacrifice many things, discipline ones life, needs to be prayerful, and sincere in ones out look 

So the question is, considering all these things, am I ready for a new beginning 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 Beauty and Mystery of the Holy Family

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season  : Holy Family*

*Gospel : Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40*

*First Reading : Sir 3:2-7, 12-14 or Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3*

*SECOND READING - Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-18*

*The Beauty and Mystery of the Holy Family*

*1) Where is the Holy Family?*

The family of Joseph is called the Holy Family 

Joseph, Mary and Jesus are the three pillers of this family 

This family is originally found in Bethlehem in a small crib 

So this is the origin of the Holy Family 

*2) What is Found in the Crib*

Crib is very simple. In the crib only few things are found. Not even some basic facilities are found in the Crib 

Even the place which was there may not be spacious. It was a congested place, yet sufficient for the urgent needs 

There is no electricity, no fan, no ac, no TV, no mobile, no WiFi networks, no bed, no pillow. It was a very poor crib 

Yet the Crib became a place for the origin of the Holy Family. Something beautiful 

*3) Who makes the Family Holy?*

This is a fundamental as well as very important question to reflect 

If one thinks, that best facilities and costly things make our family holy and happy, we are misled 

It is not the things which make the family Holy, rather the members who live in the family, makes the family Holy 

Look at the emptiness of the material things in the life of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, yet the Family became Holy Family 

*4) The Speciality of the Members*

Joseph, Mary and Jesus are the members of the Holy Family 

Joseph is a just, sincere, God fearing, silent, and humble person who always listened to the voice of the Lord 

Mary, who was full of Grace, favoured by God, totally surrendering to Gods will and remaining faithful to the Lord 

Jesus who obeyed God's will and became man, humbled himself and took the form of a slave. Great sacrifice 

These values make the family Holy and not the material things 

*5) Is my Family Holy?*

All of us come from family. We play a very important role in our families. If so, how is my family? 

Is my family worth to be called, good and Holy?

What are the qualities of the Holy Family found in my family? 

How do I contribute to the Holiness of my Family? 

Is my presence in the family contributes to the Holiness or worsen the Holiness? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

A Christian can't leave the Temple and live

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season  : 30 December*

*Gospel : Lk 2:36-40*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 2:12-17*

*A Christian can't leave the Temple and live*

*1) Prophetess Anna, Never left the Temple*

The Gospel of the day speaks about Prophetess Anna, who was in the temple spending her time in praying

The Gospel also says that she never left the temple once she came to the temple 

She was waiting for the Messiah, one who will redeem the people of God  

*2) Various meanings of the Temple*

The concept temple can be given different meanings 

First of all temple is a place where there is a building which is used for worship. 

We many many temples to come together and to spend our time in worship and prayer 

There is also another meaning for the temple. Our life is considered as the temple - temple of the Holy Spirit. This idea comes from St Paul 

*3) We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit*

St Paul says *do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?*  1 Corinthians 6:19-20

So our life is a beautiful temple, where God dwells 

One cant think of leaving this temple and going away from the temple 

As good catholics, we need to that we should never leave this temple at any time 

*4) How to occupy the Temple all the Time*

There are multiple ways through which we can occupy this temple for the betterment

Prayer keeps this temple occupied

Generosity keeps this temple occupied 

Sacrifice, love, simplicity, humility, service, a helping hand all these keep our temple occupied with good things and good feeling 

*5) Have I left my Temple?*

As prophetess never left the temple, we should never leave the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is our body 

But the question is have I left temple of the holy Spirit?

When we sin, we go away from this temple 

When we are familiar with pride, arrogance, anger, jealousy, gossips, revenge, hatred, we go away from this temple and we deceive ourselves and others as well 

So the question is, am I in the temple of the Holy Spirit or away from it 

*6) Journey towards Heavenly Jerusalem Temple*

Christian life is a journey towards heavenly Jerusalem 

If we are very close to the temple of the Holy Spirit, the surely our journey towards heavenly Jerusalem becomes meaningful and effective

If we are away from the temple of the Holy Spirit, then we miss our way to heavenly Jerusalem

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The importance of Joseph and Mary taking Jesus to Jerusalem Temple

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season  : 29th December*

*Gospel : Lk 2:22-35*

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

*The importance of Joseph and Mary taking Jesus to Jerusalem Temple*

*1) Jesus was taken to the Temple*

The Gospel of the day speaks about Joseph and Mary taking Jesus to the temple 

They had taken Jesus to the temple, to present him in the temple 

They had taken him to offer him to God 

They had taken him to be blessed by God 

They had taken him to initiate the faith life, to sow the seeds God's relationship,  and to connect ones life with God 

*2) The Duty of the Parents towards their Children*

Taking to the temple is a very important and primary duty of the parents 

Taking to the temple means 

Teaching them about God

Teaching them about religion

Teaching them about Faith 

Teaching them about divine values 

Teaching them about prayer 

Teaching them about spiritual life 

Teaching them about discipline

Teaching them about Morality 

*3) Failure in this Duty, causes Serious Trouble*

The first duty of teaching about, God, faith, morality, prayer, values absolutely depends on the parents 

Failure in this duty causes a serious and terrible problems for both, parents and children

Lack of interest by the parents to take children to the temple and teaching them values, will spoil the life of the children 

As a parents if one fails to correct the children at the right time, has failed miserably in ones duty and also responsible in spoiling the life of the Children

*4) The Need to become Joseph and Mary*

In the present day context one has the follow the path of Joseph and Mary 

This is the primary duty of the parents 

To ones children, one should play the role of Joseph and Mary 

The responsibility of taking Jesus  to the temple was shared by both. Only  then it becomes effective and fruitful

*5) The First and Firm foundation to ones life*

Taking children to the Temple, helps the person to lay a strong foundation to faith life, morality and discipline   

With out this firm foundation nothing can survive

This foundation can't be put later. Only  when children are small strong foundation can be layed 

But the question is, How many of us are ready to towards this mission? 

*6) As Parents, How about my Responsibilities?*

Am I faithful in taking children to the temple? 

Am l faithful in teaching them catechism, and Gospel values? 

Am I faithful in correcting my own children?

Do I become angry when some one corrects my children? 

Do I defend always my children even when I know they have done worng?

*Do I depict irresponsible and indifferent attitude towards my family members*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Holy Innocents : Martys

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Christmas Season  : 28th December*

*Gospel : Mt 2:13-18*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 1:5—2:2*

*The Holy Innocents : Martys*

*The Fight between Herod and the Child*

*1) Child's fight for Survival*

The Child's fight for survival. The survival of the entire Humanity 

The survival is not only restricted to the Child, in this particular moment, but the survival of the Entire humanity from the bondage of Sin 

The survival of the one child will lead the survival of the entire humanity 

Therefore the fight of the Child becomes very important for us 

*2) Herod's fight for power and greed*

Its very clear from the Gospel why Herod, immediately after the birth of Jesus, made the plans to kill the Child 

He was greedy about the power 

He was greedy about the position

He was greedy for wealth, authority, status and money and other worldly things 

The moment a great Child was born, He became furious and ordered to eliminate all the male child of that vicinity

This is Herod's fight 

*3) The speciality of Child's fight*

Fight to establish the Kingdom of God 

Fight to liberate all people 

Fight to eliminate the Satan and devil 

Fight to eliminate all evil forces 

Fight against the, sin and bondage of Sin 

*4) The Martyrdom of the Innocent Children*

In the fight against the King and the Child, the innocent children suffered martyrdom

This is the logic of this world 

There is a fight between Good and evil

There are fights between nations

Fight between truth and falsehood

The result is millions of innocent die, become homeless, and life becomes difficult 

This is the way which is seen while establishing the Kingdom of God here on this earth 

*5) My Part in the Fight*

Life is a battlefield. One can't remain idle in this battlefield 

There are three characters in this fight 

*The Child,* symbolizes the truth, light, humility, peace, love, justice and simplicity 

*King Herod* : symbolizes the cruelty, greed, revenge, selfishness, power, position, money, pleasures of this world, pride, arrogance etc 

*The Victims* The Innocent children 

The victims helpless people 

The victims are the defenseless people 

The victims of ruthless system, where they can't even question

Where is my position?

The Child 

King Herod 

The innocent Children

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*