The cost of the blindness of the Rich man

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 16:19-31*

*First Reading : Jer 17:5-10*

*The cost of the blindness of the Rich man*

*1) The position of the Rich Man*

According to the Gospel the rich man had lots of wealth 

*Rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.*

So he was in good position as regards to his wealth

*2) The mistake of the Rich man*

The Rich man didn't ill treat the poor Lazarus

He even allowed Lazarus to collect the scraps which fell from his table 

Even then the rich man was condemned because of his indifference towards Lazarus 

He forgot that Lazarus was also a human being, he too needed some good food to sustain himself 

The Rich man failed to see the human dignity in poor Lazarus

*3) Rich man became blind to the reality*

The rich man was not able to see the misery of Lazarus 

When dog came and licked his sores, he didn't even bother about it 

In a way the richness made him blind to the misery of Lazarus 

The richness of the man made his view very narrow, which saw only the comforts about his life and self indulgence

His blindness was cruel, he didn't see anything in Lazarus

*4) The cost of the blindness of the Rich man*

The Riches of this world can accompany a person only in this world 

It will accompany in the next world, provided one makes the right use of the riches 

The rich man failed to make use of the riches in the right spirit. Thats why became poor in the next world 

The cost of blindness of the rich man was so severe, within no time he became not only poor but he became begger 

The rich man was begging with Abraham and Lazarus, for some favour, which was not possible to do 

*5) The use of the Riches or Wealth*

Wealth or Riches can be used as long as we live in this world 

Once we are out from this world, in no way the wealth of this world can be used 

But the effect of the use of this wealth surely will decide our destiny

The rich man used the wealth only for the self and for pleasurable things. Others were not existing for him 

Effect is, in the next world no one exist for him. 

Neither the wealth, nor the persons could help the rich man in any way 

The Rich man died as a poor begger. He had nothing which could help him in the next life 

*6) My life?*

Have I been, blind to the current realities, because of my pride, arrogance, over confidence, fear of failure, riches, wealth and other things? 

Is my riches, knowledge, skills, power and position, making me blind?? 

Is my riches controlling me or I am controlling the wealth?/

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Service as antidote to Power

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 20:17-28*

*First Reading : Jer 18:18-20*

*Service as antidote to Power*

*1) Two things are Highlighted*

The Gospel of the day presents to us two important things 

The disciples of Jesus are immersed in the power struggle 

On the other hand Jesus is highlighting the imp of service and servant leadership 

So power and service are the two important things which are highlighted in today's Gospel

*2) The power struggle concept of the Disciples*

Particularly the mother of the sons of Zebedee, making a request with Jesus for the powerful positions for her sons

James and John are the two sons of Zebedee, who wanted to have powerful positions. They influence Jesus through their mother 

This attitude of these two, also created some kind of uneasiness with other 10, since they too wanted to have powerful position in the kingdom of Jesus  

*3) The Service Model of Jesus*

As to the power struggle concept of the disciples, Jesus presents to them a diffent kind and quite opposite model, that is, Service Model 

This service model has the following aspects in it 

*Drinking of Chalice* It means, one is ready to face trails and tribulations, ready to make sacrifices, evrn ready to sacrifice ones life 

*Unity* Service model always goes with Unity. That's why Jesus says, 

*But it shall not be so among you.* Division is dangerous for service model 

*servant and Slave attitude* In the service model, the attitude of Servant and slave is very important. Such an attitude makes a person to remain humble and to offer oneself completely for the mission of service 

*4) Service as antidote for Power Struggle*

From today's Gospel it is very clear that, Jesus' service model is a very powerful antidote for power struggle concept

In fact Jesus completely followed the servant and service model, which really challenged the power struggle attitude of the disciples 

Jesus clearly showed that the kingdom of God can be established only with service model and not with the power struggle model

Power struggle model destroys everything, where as service model builds everything 

*5) Need a strong will power*

Basically human nature is dominated by the power struggle attitude 

That's why we see this problem even among the disciples of Jesus 

To counter act such an attitude we need a strong will power for servant leadership and service model 

People like, Mother Theresa, Fr Stan Swamy, Sr Rani Maria, Nelson Mandela have done it, with their strong convictions for servant leadership and service model 

*6) What is my attitude?* 

Power and Service are the two important things which we see through out the Bible 

Wars have taken place between these 

Destruction and slavery have taken place because of this 

One can't easily run away from these concepts 

Either one will become slave of power or Hero of service 

It all depends on us. 

Am I caught up in the atmosphere of  power struggle? 

As a disciple of Jesus am I convinced of the servant model and service model? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Various faces of Hypocrisy

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 23:1-12*

*First Reading : Is 1:10, 16-20*

*Various faces of Hypocrisy*

*1) Jesus calls Scribes and Pharisees as Hypocrites*

The Gospel of Matthew chapter 23 speaks about the Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees 

*Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.* Mt 23:27

*2) Various faces of Hypocrisy*

The Gospel of the day speaks about various faces of Hypocrisy

*A) Duplicity*

Duplicity consists in saying one thing and practicing different 

Failure to practice what one preaches is nothing but hypocrisy 

Jesus says *For they preach but they do not practice*

*B) External Show*

There is nothing good from inside. 

*All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.*

*C) Enjoying life at the cost of others pain*

Jesus says *They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them*

This is how one exploits the other for the power, and for pleasures of life 

*D) Self exaltation*

Projecting one as important, good, and holy. But in reality, life may be quite opposite

Greetings in market place, salutations, addressing them as Rabbi shows how they exault themselves. This is the another form of hypocrisy 

*E) Lack of Humility*

This once again amounts to pride and arrogance

Pride and arrogance nothing but the another face of hypocrisy 

*3) Service as antidote to Hypocrisy*

Jesus shows what can defeat the hypocrisy 

Jesus shows humility and sincere service coupled with true love can defeat the hypocrisy 

Becoming servant to practice the values of Jesus and to build the Kingdom of God, will really defeat the hypocrisy to become genuine disciples of Jesus 

*4) How about my Life?*

Am I affected with hypocrisy? 

How does hypocrisy works in my life? 

Have I realised some of my attitudes which depicts the aspect of hypocrisy? 

How can I overcome from the shadows of Hypocrisy? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Speciality of God's Mercifulness

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 6:36-38*

*First Reading : Dn 9:4b-10*

*Speciality of God's Mercifulness*

*1) Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful*

The Gospel of the day starts with this thought 

This thought clearly tells us that we need to follow the model of God, when it comes to showing mercy to others 

Now the question is, How do we understand the this merciful God? Or, in what, God's mercy is reflected? 

The Gospel of the day gives us few things which shows the speciality of God's mercifulness 

*2) No Judgment - One of the ways of mercifulness*

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.

Judgement belongs God alone 

Since we are not able to see the entire truth in a comprehensive way, we can't judge. 

God knows everything. Therefore he can judge. Yet God is slow in judging others. This shows the Mercifulness of God 

Without knowing full fact we are quick to judge others. This shows our cruelty

By not judging others, we become like heavenly Father who is ever merciful

*3) No condemnation - Best way to show mercy*

Jesus condemned sin and not the sinner. Jesus is always merciful to sinners 

God never condemns the human beings. But He condemns the evil things 

When some one condemns another person, the opportunity for changing ones life is denied. Such an attitude totally goes against the merciful nature of God 

Therefore, allowing the person to change ones wrong doing, amounts in showing mercy to the others 

Helping a person to change his/her life is showing mercy to others 

*4) Forgiveness : Broad way to God's mercifulness*

Forgiveness is the another name for God's mercy 

Forgiveness is the another name of Merciful God

God shows is abundant mercy to others by forgiving their sins 

When we forgive others we become like merciful Father

*5) Generosity - Another Character of God's mercifulness*

*Give and gifts will be given to you*

Generosity is the another name of Merciful God 

God is generous in forgiving, loving, listening, blessing, protecting, saving, and guiding us 

By being generous towards our fellow beings in above ways we become like heavenly Father who is merciful 

*6) Same amount in Return*

One thing becomes very clear. The above mentioned things work in our life depends on our attitude 

How we use these things for others, God uses in the same manner towards us. 

If we are forgiving, non judgemental, and don't condemn others, God also will use the same standard for us 

If we are merciful towards others, God will be merciful towards us. If not, we can't expect a different treatment from God 

Choice is ours 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Story of Two Mountains

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season : Second Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 9:2-10*

*First Reading : Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18*

*Second Reading : Rom 8:31b-34*

*The Story of Two Mountains*

*1) Salvation begins and Culminates in Mountain*

We have a beautiful story of Noah, and the flood 

There was a flood for 150 days and Noah and His family was saved through an Ark.

Finally the Ark of Noah, rested on the mountain Ararat and people came out of the ark 

So this mountain has a significance, in saving the people. In other words, the saving work of God starts from the mount Ararat

The Work of Salvation culminates on the Mount Calvary where Jesus offered himself for saving the entire human kind  

*2) The Mountains of Moriah and Tabor*

The Gospel of the day makes a mention of Two mountains 

The mountain of Moriah and the Mount Tabor 

On mount Moriah, Abraham was asked to go along with his Son. Here God asked him to sacrifice His Son 

Mount Tabor is the another mountain, where Jesus was transfigured infront of His disciples. 

Both the mountains communicate and powerful message 

*3) The mountain of Test and Mountain of Answer*

The mountain Moriah becomes a place of testing the faith of Abraham. He was asked by God, to go to this particular mountain and to sacrifice His Son 

The Mount Tabor becomes a place where Jesus gives an answer for the questions of faith

One who is faithful to the Lord, will be glirifed or transformed to experience the glory of God

*4) The Sacrifice of Isaac and Jesus*

The mount Moriah has a reference of the sacrifice of Isaac 

In mount Tabor Jesus reveals the great plan of His sacrifice for the salvation of all and to restore our faithfulness to the Lord 

*5) Altar with wood and Altar with Cross*

In Mount Moriah we find a altar which was built with the pieces of Wood. This altar was built by Abraham and Isaac 

In mount Tabor Jesus reveals and altar which was built with two pieces of wood, by the world, for the sacrifice of His life 

*6) The presence of Angel and the presence of Moses and Elijah*

In the Mount Moriah there appears a messenger or the Angel of the Lord, to reveal the plan of God to Abraham 

In the Mount Tabor, the appearance of  Moses and Elijah for discussion and  revealing the future course of action 

*7) The sacrifice of an animal and the Sacrifice of Lamb*

In the mount Moriah we see an animal is sacrificed, in the place of Isaac. Which was accepted by God

In the mount Tabor, Jesus reveals the need of scarifying the Lamb, who is Jesus for the salvation of all  

*8) The Union of Heaven and Earth*

In both these mountains we see the union of Heaven and earth, Divine and Human, holiness and sinfulness 

Mountain becomes a place of meeting, union, experience and transformation for the human being 

*9) The Church as Holy Mountain*

For all the faithful the Church, the Temple of the Lord, is the Mountain where we experience this divine union 

The saving work of the human beings start from this place, through the sacrament of Baptism and it culminates in the same mountain through various sacrament and other spiritual activities. 

We end our earthly life on this mountain

So mountain plays a very important role 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*

The meaning of Perfection

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  :First Week: Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:43-48*

*First Reading : Dt 26:16-19*

*The meaning of Perfection*

*1) The question of Perfection*

The concept of perfection is found in today's Gospel 

*Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.*

God is perfect. But are we able to become perfect like God? 

What is the concept of perfection for our context? 

Few things are highlighted in today's Gospel as regards to the concept of perfection

*2) Loving ones enemy is a means of Perfection*

Loving ones enemy means going beyond our normal inclination 

Jesus is the one who loved and forgave His enemies from the Cross

The moment we forgive and love our enemies we pass into the realm of perfection

*3) No Partiality is a means of perfection*

The Gospel gives a beautiful example. Sun rises and gives its light to all, good as well as bad. Sun does not make any partiality 

Like wise when we rise above the concept of partiality we pass into the realm of perfection

*4) Hate no one is a means of perfection*

We may be having hundreds of reasons to hate some one 

Jesus hated no one. When we conquer this weakness of ours we enter into the realm of perfection 

*5) Praying for the persecutors*

Very difficult to practice this. As human beings we find difficult to pray for those who persecute us 

Jesus prayed for His persecutes. 

We we pray for those who persecute us, we rise to the realm of perfection

*6) Greet all, is a means to perfection*

Greet everyone. Those who greet you, those who don't greet you, those who are indifferent, those who persecute us, those who gossip, those who humiliate, those who take revenge and others as well 

By greeting all, we get into the realm of perfection 

*Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Spirit of True Worship

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  :First Week: Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:20-26*

*First Reading : Ez 18:21-28*

*The Spirit of True Worship*

*1) The Spirit of Reconciliation*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the spirit of true worship 

In this context, the Gospel highlights, the aspect of reconciliation is one of the best ways of true worship 

Reconciliation, repairs our relationship with others, with God and with oneself 

Without a proper relationship, one can't develop a true spirit of Worship 

*2) Restoration of the Relationship*

The Gospel also speaks about the restoration of the relationship 

One of the things which breaks our relationship is the Anger. So Jesus warns about the evil effects about the Anger 

Anger, breaks our relationship, it makes instigates to call another person as  fool, it takes revenge on another and finally destroys oneself 

So one should be careful with regard to anger and see the dangers of destroying the sacredness of relationship

*3) Gifts on the Altar*

Jesus also warns about the hypocrisy in the Worship 

Keeping anger in the mind and heart, and coming to the altar to offer something to God becumes useless 

Doing all kinds of injustice, cheating, duping others and finally coming to the altar to offer something is the highest form of hypocrisy 

It goes not only against the true spirit of worship, but also it becomes a mokery of worship 

*4) Disputes to the Court*

This goes against the true spirit of Worship 

Before it goes into the court one must be able to settle. 

Going to the court indicates some kind of irregularities, lack of reconciliation, lack of respect, and the arrogance

One must try to solve immediately disputes and other issues

It goes along with the true spirit of worship

*5) My Spirit of Worship?*

How about my way of Worship? 

Is it for the name sake? 

Is it the way to show the external piety 

Am I playing the duel role? 

I come across to God in worship as I come to the neighbour who is in need 

True worship is not only limited to the four walls of the Church 

The spirit of true worship is seen in the genuine relationship with Neighbor, which reflects my relationship with God 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*