Greatness of Jesus' body and Blood

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Ninth Week : Sunday*

*Feast : Corpus Christi*

*Gospel :  Mk 14:12-16, 22-26*

*First Reading : Ex 24:3-8*

*Second Reading : Heb 9:11-15*

*Greatness of Jesus' body and Blood*

*1)  A unique feast*

Today we celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ 

This is a unique feast because, it highlights about the body and blood of a person 

In the entire world there is no feast which celebrates the body and blood of a person except the person of Jesus 

That's why it is a unique feast 

*2) Total and complete giving*

This feast highlights the importance of total giving 

When a person is ready to give his own body and blood, there is nothing left in the person 

It becomes a total and complete giving

So this feast highlights the importance of total and complete giving 

*3) The aspect of Sacrifice*

Sacrifice at the centre of the celebration of this feast 

This feast shows the height of Jesus' sacrifice, by giving his own body and blood to his followers 

Unless one sacrifices his/her life, one can't give body and blood 

By dying on the cross he gave his body and blood to the entire world 

*4) Bread and Wine*

During every Eucharistic celebration we receive the body and blood of Jesus in the form of bread and wine 

We really believe that the bread and wine is turned into body and blood of Jesus during the Eucharistic celebration and we receive the same in every mass 

This is given by Jesus himself to nourish us in his body and blood 

*5) The strength of the body and blood of Jesus*

Today the body and blood of Jesus unites the entire church in Christ

The body and blood has become the strong spiritual realities which bring the entire church under Christ the Lord 

The Eucharist, through which we receive the body and blood of Jesus, unites and strengthens the entire church under the Lordship of Jesus

*6) Corpus Christi and my Life?*

How often do I receive the body and blood of Jesus in my life? 

How eger I am to receive the body and blood of Jesus? 

What is my preparation to receive the body and blood of Jesus? 

What is the result after receiving the body and blood of Jesus? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Unanswered Questions of Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eight Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Mk 11:27-33 Gospel*

*First Reading : Jude 17, 20b-25*

*The Unanswered Questions of Life*

*1) Questions without answers*

In today's Gospel we have few questions, which have no answers 

First of all the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Jesus and asked this particular question *By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?”*

Jesus didn't give answer to this question. 

But at the same time Jesus asked another question to them *Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin?*

To this question, they had no answer and that's why they said *“We do not know.”*

So the questions remain as they are

*2) The Flood of information*

Today we are living in the world where there is answer for everything 

There is a flood of information and knowledge available in the web 

Ask any questions to Google, it answers 

In this context when people don't get answers to certain questions, they become restless and impatient

*3) The Perennial Questions*

In Philosophy we have a special term which is called perennial questions

Perennial questions means, there are certain questions which have no definite answers 

Question remain as mystery and no one can solve 

One such question would be *Why there is pain in human life?*

*4) The unanswered questions of Life*

There are number of questions about human life which have no answers. Some examples would be 

What is the purpose of my life? 

Who created me? 

What is the destiny of my life? 

Why there is evil in the world? 

Why good people suffer and evil ones thrive? 

Why there is sorrow in life? 

Why we have to sacrifice lots of things in life? 

What is eternal life?

Where is heaven?/

Who crested soul? How is the soul? 

Why human beings have to struggle in life? 

Why there is sadness in life? 

Why we have to die? 

*5) No Suspense, No Thrill*

These unanswered questions give rise to some type of suspense in life 

Such a suspense is very important for life

If there is no suspense there will not be any thrill in life 

Thrill makes our life meaningful, creative, and colourful 

With thrill, we can face life even without getting answers to the questions

*6) Faith means believing without the full knowledge*

When it comes to the area of faith, we believe many things which have no complete answers 

Faith does not require full answers to the questions 

In faith there is always suspense and that suspense makes our life meaningful 

*7) Questions in my Life*

How do I deal with the questions of my own life, which have no complete answers? 

What are my answers to those questions which have no definite and exact answers, especially the questions of life and spiritual life? 

How do I answer the mysteries of my own life?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The central aspects of Mary's visit to Elizabeth

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eight Week : Friday*

*Feast : The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary*

*Gospel : Lk 1:39–56*

*First Reading : Zep 3:14–18a [or Rom 12:9–16]*

*The central aspects of Mary's visit to Elizabeth*

*1) Visitation and the Family Relationship*

Today we celebrate the feast of the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

This is not a ordinary visit. This is a special visit which communicates a powerful message to all of us 

First of all this visit highlights the importance of the family relationship. 

Both Mary and Elizabeth are related to each other 

To sustain this relationship, visit plays a very important role. Visits are very important within the families

*2) Visit to be with the Person*

Mary visited Elizabeth to remain with her for three months 

Since Elizabeth needed the help of some one, Mary was ready to spend time with her 

Visits are not like picnics. Visits are not for name sake

Every visit should facilitate to spend sufficient time with our beloved people 

Spending very little time, goes against the nature of a meaningful visit 

*3) Visit with the purpose of Service*

Mary's visit was not to receive something from the other

Her visit was to give something to Elizabeth 

She had gone with the purpose of serving her for some time 

Her visit was fully involved with the intention of serving Elizabeth. 

One of the noblest tasks of the Visit 

*4) Visit to share the divine experience*

This was a special visit which ultimately helped both of them to have deeper God experience 

In other words, this is a visit with divine aspect 

Every visit should have this divine aspect which really makes the visit meaningful

Coming together itself is a best ambience to experience God in our life 

*5) Visit to experience the greatness of one another*

This was a visit to experience the greatness of one another 

This visit speaks the greatness of Mary by Elizabeth. She said *“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.*

The Greatness of Elizabeth was revealed when the baby in her womb leaped for Joy

Greatness of both women is seen in this great visit  

*6) Visit to proclaim the greatness of God*

This visit also proclaims the greatness of God 

The great things done in the life of Mary and Elizabeth is highlighted during this visit 

This visit proclaimed the glory of God for the rest of all generations. What a great visit which proclaims the glory of God for eternity

*7) Visit to Double the Joy*

This divine visit ultimately doubled the joy of Mary and Elizabeth 

It also doubles our joy when we reflect this divine visit

Every visit has the capacity to double the joy in our lives 

*8) How about my visits?*

What is the duration of my visit? 

Is my visit to receive something or to give something? 

What about my visit and the aspect of Service? 

Do I believe in the reality of visit at all?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eight Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mk 10:46-52*

*First Reading : 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12*

*“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.*

*1) One needs courage to follow Jesus*

In the Gospel of the day, we have a incident of healing the blind Bartimaeus

In the process of healing Bartimaeus, Jesus calls him to come to His place

So someone in the crowd said to Bartimaeus, *Take courage, get up, Jesus is calling you*

This shows to go to Jesus one needs courage 

*2) Why one needs courage?*

First of all the demands of Jesus are very challenging 

Jesus does not promise easy and comfortable life and mission 

He calls us for a challenging mission. 

*Take up your cross and follow me* This one aspect shows why one should have courage to follow Jesus 

*3) Only Courageous people can follow Jesus*

History has proved that no cowards will be able to follow Jesus 

To follow Jesus and His teaching one needs tremendous inner courage and conviction 

To forgive one needs courage

To serve others - courage needed 

To humble oneself

To show the other side the cheek 

To walk two miles 

To be generous towards others 

To carry the cross 

To make sacrifices 

So every little mission of the Lord needs courage to carry out 

*4) Why Bartimaeus, needed courage?*

First of all he had to throw his cloak, which was everything for Bartimaeus,  so far 

Secondly, he had to walk and go to Jesus, since Jesus had called him there 

Thirdly many people discouraged him, about the whole episode. To keep going Bartimaeus, needed a great courage

Fourthly, the end result was not know, even though he had believed in the power of Jesus 

Finally he needed courage to follow Jesus and face the  people and their reactions after he had gained his sight. 

*5) Courage can change our life for better*

Bartimaeus,  took courage, went to Jesus, who healed him from the blindness

The Gospel also shows the great change which happened after the miracle

Bartimaeus, took courage and went to Jesus which changed his life completely

Courage really changes our life 

*6) How about my courage?*

How courageous to follow Jesus, to proclaim his message and to build the kingdom of God? 

Am I courageous to question my own conscience? 

Am I courageous to challenge my own life? 

Am I courageous to say no to evil things in my life? 

Am I courageous to amend my sinful ways of life? 

Am I courageous to say *Yes* to God's plan, just like our blessed mother?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

It shall not be so among you.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eight Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mk 10:32-45*

*First Reading : 1 Pt 1:18-25*

*It shall not be so among you.*

In the Gospel of the day Jesus speaks about many things, which should not take place in our life. They are the following

*1) Division*

In the Gospel Jesus first of all speaks about the division among the disciples 

There was a division between two and ten 

Ten became very angry with the two and there was a division between them 

Division happened because of the tussle for power and authority

*2) Influence through the parents for selfish goals*

Here we see the Mother of James and John came to Jesus to ask for a favour 

It is the mother who is coming on behalf of the sons to ask for a favour 

It is a favour filled with selfish purpose and hidden motives 

A mother influencing, for the selfish purpose does not look nice. In fact a mother should not interfere in such matters 

*3) Greed for power and Authority*

We also see the greed for power among the disciples 

Because of such greed mother comes to plead with Jesus 

Because of such greed, James and John use their mother to get the favour 

Because of such greed the ten become very angry with the two 

Ultimately the greed spoils whole thing

*4) Master and Slave/Servant relationship*

Jesus also gives a hint to the relationship which will exist after one gets the authority 

Jesus says *You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.*

This particular view tells us that the power and the position which James and John wanted ultimately lead them to make others as servants or slaves

So Jesus warns them not to have such an attitude 

*5) Work for following things*

Jesus also tells us to which things should happen in our life 

One should not afraid to face any challenges while living ones life in the service of another 

Service oriented life is more important than anything else 

Humility is the genuine mark of the followers of Jesus 

Work for the building of the kingdom of God through the team work

One should not break the team work but should work to strengthen the Unity 

*6) How about my Life?*

What things are happening in my life? 

Am I allowing those things which are not suppose to happen in my life? 

What are those things from which I should remain far to live my life in a worthy way?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Reward with Persecutions

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eight Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mk 10:28-31*

*First Reading : 1 Pt 1:10-16*

*Reward with Persecutions*

*1) Reward For Gods work*

The Gospel reveals a great truth in today's Gospel

Every Work, either small or great, done for the spreading and building of the Kingdom of God will be rewarded 

There is no work which will go unrewarded. Jesus says *if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”* Mt 10:42

*2) 100 times more reward*

God has a different calculation for reward 

In our reasoning the reward is a kind of recognition, which does not equal the work done in actual situation 

The value of the work always remains much higher than the value of the reward. This is what we see in our day today life 

But when God gives us reward the value of the reward is 100 times more than the value of the work 

So God does not calculate and give. He simply gives 

The logic of Gods giving is found in the Gospel *A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.* Lk 6:38

*3) Reward with Persecution*

The Gospel also clearly states that reward always comes with much persecution 

All those who have given up their personal interest and work for the kingdom of God are usually targeted and persecuted 

This is clearly seen in our surroundings. The followers are Jesus are persecuted and threatened for the good work they do in the service of the needy

In other words persecutions are the part of the reward. 

*4) God's reward is lasting forever*

The rewards which are given by the human beings lasts only for few years 

But the reward which comes from God, lasts forever. 

The reward which we get in this life and the reward which we get in the next life, lasts forever

We need to work for such reward and not for fleeting reward 

*5) Human weakness to crave for earthly reward*

There is a natural tendency in all of us to desire for earthly rewards 

As a result at times we forget about the eternal reward and also the mission required for eternal reward 

So we need to be very careful about this tendency and need to work for eternal reward 

*6) Reward in my Life?*

What type of reward I desire in my life? 

Is it earthly reward or eternal reward?

Jesus says *“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.* Mt 6:1

Do I wish to have reward from Heavenly Father or from men?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Is my wealth making me sad?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eight Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mk 10:17-27*

*First Reading : 1 Pt 1:3-9*

*Is my wealth making me sad?*

*1) Later I should not regret*

Recently I met a person, who is enjoying the high position in certain institution 

He is very generous in helping people. In other words, he goes out of the way to help people whenever possible 

When I met him he said *Later I should not regret for not going what was possible when I am in high position*

What an inspiration to all of us to reflect this thought

*2) The Rich man went away sad*

In the Gospel, we find a rich man, who finally goes back with very sad face 

The cause of his sadness is the wealth which he had. The Gospel says *he went away sad, for he had many possessions.*

Its very important to see that the wealth he had finally becomes the cause of sadness, because he was not ready to share it with the needy

*3) Greatest tragedy : Wealth becomes the cause of sadness*

Every human being is trying to live happily avoiding all kinds of pain, suffering and sadness

According to man's thinking money and wealth can give him/her such a kind of happiness. 

But this has proved wrong and many have ended their lives with sadness and misery 

Mere having wealth and money does not bring happiness and joy. This is the fact  

*4) Wealth a source of happiness*

Wealth becomes a source of happiness only when it is shared with others 

All those who have shared their wealth, they have become great persons 

All those who have hoard wealth and money for selfish purpose, finally end up in sadness and desperation

In the life of Rich man, wealth became the cause of sadness because he was not ready to share with others 

*5) What are my possessions?*

Possessions need not be only the material things like, money, wealth, gold, and worldly things 

These are my possessions

My knowledge

My skills 

My talents 

My intelligence

My position 

My authority

My admirers

All these are my wealth. 

Am I sharing these things with others or using it only for the selfish purpose? 

*6) Is my wealth making me sad?*

One thing is 100% sure. We can take nothing when we depart from this world

Finally if my possessions make me sad at the end of my life, then it has no meaning whatsoever in my life 

Will my possessions make me sad at the end of my life? 

Will I regret for not doing what was possible because of my position, power, wealth and money? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*