Who is my bridegroom today? Where is He?

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 2:18-22*

*First Reading - Heb 5:1-10*

*Who is my bridegroom today? Where is He?*

*1) The Speciality of the bridegroom*

The presence of the bridegroom creates a different feeling 

A feeling of happiness

A feeling of joy

A feeling of cheerfulness 

A feeling of festivity 

A feeling of  colourfulness

In a way the bridegroom has the power to create a different atmosphere, which all of us feel at home 

*2) Jesus is the bridegroom*

In the Gospel Jesus is referred as the bridegroom

So the presence of Jesus with us will create a wonderful feeling in us. 

All the above mentioned feelings will be very active, when the bridegroom, Jesus with us.

*3) Today the various forms of the presence of the Bridegroom*

The presence of the bridegroom in our life may be through the following ways 

*Forgiveness* is one of the most effective forms of the presence of the bridegroom

*Repentance,* is another form of the presence of the bridegroom

*Humility* is another powerful way of the presence of the Bridegroom

*Love, sacrifice, Cross, service, generosity, sincerity, trust, truthfulness, faithfulness* are the other ways of the presence of the bridegroom in our life. 

*4) Is the bridegroom with me still?*

When we analyse the various forms of the presence of the bridegroom, the important question is where is my bridegroom? 

Is He still present in my life? 

Am I allowing myself to participate in the joyfulness of the presence of the bridegroom, by forgiving, repenting and loving? 

What is the condition of the bridegroom in my life? 

*5) Am I able to recognize the absence of the bridegroom in my life?* 

The Gospel says, *days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,*

If so there are certain situations in our lives where we have allowed ourselves, to take away the presence of the bridegroom from our lives 

In such a situation are we able to recognize the absence of the presence of the bridegroom? 

Do I still hold to the position that bridegroom is still present in my life, when He is really absent? 

This is a big challenge for all of us face in our lives  

*6) Fasting is necessary to bring back the presence of the bridegroom in our lives*

The Gospel also speaks about the fasting which is necessary

The fasting is necessary to bring back the presence of the bridegroom in our lives 

Only when we realise the absence of the bridegroom in our lives, we will be motivated to fast, in order to bring back the presence of the bridegroom

So it is very important for us to evaluate everyday, about the presence of the bridegroom in our lives 

Always try to live in the presence of the bridegroom. That is the best way of living the Christian life

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Where my Jesus is staying Today?

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Sunday*

*GOSPEL - John 1:35-42* 

*First Reading - 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19*

*Second Reading - 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20*

*Where my Jesus is staying Today?*

*1) Jesus' invitation to “Come, and you will see.”*

Two of the disciples who were following Jesus, were invited by Jesus to come and experience the place of where Jesus was staying 

Both of these disciples followed Jesus, and they found out where Jesus was staying 

They not only found out the place of Jesus' staying, but they also stayed with Him for a day.

*2) Some great revelation takes place where Jesus was staying*

In the Whole episode Jesus does not tell who He is. 

He only gave an invitation to those two disciples, and they came and stayed with Him 

But on the next day, one of the disciples, whose name was Andrew, goes and tells his brother - Simon that they found the Messiah

This was a great revelation that the disciples have - Jesus is the Messiah

*3) The great revelation - Jesus is the Messiah*

The disciples come to this revelation that Jesus is the Messiah

This revelation and the staying place of Jesus has a close connection. In other words they came to this revelation from the place where Jesus was staying

*4) Staying with Jesus reveals the greater truths*

Mere staying with Jesus, gave a new experience to the disciples

That experience made them to realise that Jesus is the great Messiah. 

So ultimately staying with Jesus reveals the great truths of the Kingdom of God. 

*5) To stay with Jesus we need to find out where Jesus is staying*

For those two disciples it was easy to find out where Jesus was staying, since Jesus himself showed the place 

What about us today? Where my Jesus is staying? How to find out where Jesus is staying? Is it possible to find out? 

*6) Possible means of finding the place of Jesus' stay*

Like those two disciples who followed Jesus to find out the place of stay, today we can follow these divine realities to find out the place of Jesus' stay. 

The scriptures are the great, instruments to find out where the place of Jesus' stay is. Follow the scriptures and you will find Jesus' place of stay 

Follow the sacraments and they will show you the place of Jesus' stay 

Follows the wisdom of the elders, wise men and divine experience of the saints, and they will lead to the place where Jesus' stays 

Follow your own conscience and its inner divine voice. Ultimately it will lead you to the place where Jesus is staying 

*7) Ultimately where is my Jesus is staying*

Some possible places 

Jesus is everywhere and in every person 

Am I able to recognize Jesus in these places? 

At all the Holy Places 

In the tabernacle

In my house - altar of my house 

In the needy, poor, marginalized, exploited, hungry, imprisoned, etc 

One thing is to identify the places of Jesus' stay - another thing is to stay with Him 

Am I ready to accept this Challenge?

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The power of the Sight of Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*First Week : Saturday*

*Feast of St Joseph Vaz*

*GOSPEL - Mk 1:14-20*

*First Reading - Is 52:7-10 or 1Cor 1:18-25*

*The power of the Sight of Jesus*

*1) Sight is the First thing that becomes active in meeting another*

Sight is very important for all of us. Without sight we can do nothing 

The first thing, that becomes active and creative is the sight when we meet another person 

Sight is that which makes the communication so powerful. 

A communication without the sight, is no communication at all. 

*2) Sight captures the attention*

Sight creates the eye contact 

Eye contact is very necessary to capture the attention. 

Eye contact also speaks about the courage and confidence of the person 

*3) Jesus Saw the Disciples*

The word *Jesus saw* comes twice in today's Gospel. 

First when He calls Simon and Andrew, secondly when He called James and John

In both instances it was Jesus who sees the disciples. 

This sight is not an ordinary sight. It was a very powerful sight.

*4) The power of the sight of Jesus*

The sight was so powerful that the first two disciples Simon and Andrew stopped their work of Fishing, left everything and followed Jesus 

when He saw James and John, they left everything, including their father and followed Jesus 

So the reaction and response to the sight of Jesus shows us the power of the sight of Jesus. 

*5) The Speciality of the Sight of Jesus*

The powerful sight of Jesus includes many other things. Accordingly we can say that the sight of Jesus included the following things 

Merciful Sight 

Lovable sight 

Forgiving sight 

Encouraging sight 

Pitiable sight 

Accompanying sight 

Serving sight 

Vision filled sight 

Sacrificing sight 

Humble sight

Challenging sight

Accepting sight 

So all these aspects were found in the sight of Jesus 

*6) What is the speciality of my sight?*

How do I see a person and the reality 

Does my sight is powerful, so as to influence and move people towards something

Do people get attracted to my sight? 

Does my sight involve in giving or receiving? 

How can I make my sight a divine sight? 

Sight is the reflection of our personality. Pay attention to it. 

Eyes and sight is the special attraction of the face and the person. 

Think about it

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Sin is a terrible paralysis, which makes us unable to move

Gospel Thoughts

*First Week : Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 2:1-12*

*First Reading - Heb 4:1-5, 11*

*Sin is a terrible paralysis, which makes us unable to move*

*1) The Paralytic was brought to Jesus*

The Gospel gives us an account, about a paralytic man.

This paralytic was brought to Jesus by few of his friends and he was lowered through the roof, where Jesus was. 

The Gospel does not tell the cause of his paralysis. But as we go through the event, we come to know, apart from the physical reasons, there was also a spiritual cause, which made the man paralytic.

*2) Jesus first words : Your sins are Forgiven*

As soon as the paralytic was brought to Jesus for healing Jesus says *Child, your sins are forgiven*

This makes us to conclude that sins are also one of the main causes for his paralysis 

So sin makes a person paralysed and such a person is unable to move. 

*3) After forgiving the sins, the man is able to walk*

As soon as Jesus forgives his sins, he is able to get up and walk 

Jesus says *I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home. He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone* 

This shows that the man was able to walk when he was forgiven and sin does not allow the person to walk

 

*4) If sin also causes paralysis, it also affects me*

All of us commit sins. Since we are all weak human human beings we fall 

But we need to remember that sin is a type paralysis, which affects us very much 

Therefore all of us should be careful not to entertain sin so that we can save ourselves from great paralysis. 

*5) The nature of the paralysis of Sin*

When we comit sins it affects us and we are paralysed. This paralysis can be explained in the following way 

Sin, paralysis our Love 

Sin, paralysis our Forgiveness

Sin paralysis our humility

Sin paralysis our sincerity

Sin paralysis our courage 

Sin paralysis our hope

Sin paralysis our spirit of being truthful 

Sin paralysis our trust, confidence, cooperation, belongingness, belief, and all the divine values and virtues 

*6) Which sin is paralysing me today?*

We need to think about it

Pride, anger, jealousy, revenge, selfishness, greed for wealth, money, power, pleasure, worldly things

Which of these sins are paralysing me? 

*7) Jesus is the Healer of all types of paralysis*

The paralytic was brought to Jesus by four men 

There are many things which bring us to Jesus, who heals our paralysis 

For example, confessions, prayers, celebration of the sacraments, service, reading of the scriptures are some of the powerful things, which practically carry us, along with our mat to Jesus 

When we are with Jesus, all types of paralysis are healed by Jesus 

The question is *Do I allow myself to be carried along with the mat, to Jesus?*

Think about this 

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The power of the Stretched Hand of Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*First Week : Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 1:40-45*

*First Reading - Heb 3:7-14*

*The power of the Stretched Hand of Jesus*

*1) The meaning of the stretched or raised Hand*

The raised hand of God is the Symbol of  blessing or protection

There are many instances in the bible to prove this fact 

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever - Ps 136:12 

“O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm - Ps  32:17

Though  I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me - 138:7.

*2) Jesus stretched His hand towards the Leper*

Before Jesus touched the leper He stretched out his hand. 

This gesture of Jesus could be understood as blessing the leper 

When Jesus raises His Hand it is only to bless and protect the people. So it is very clear that it Jesus blessed the leper 

*3) The Touch of Jesus*

The touch of Jesus was very powerful. It was not an ordinary touch, rather it was a divine touch, which cure the leper

The touch of Jesus became a medium to pass the divine power into the life of the leper, which ultimately cured the Leper. 

*4) Divine touch is very powerful* 

When we see the life of the leper, we see that divine touch is very powerful 

Wherever Jesus went, and whomever He touched, the divine power went out of Him, which cured many. 

So that is the power of the divine touch.

 

*5) Raising of the Hand should only to bless others*

The primary purpose of the hand and the raising of the hand is only to bless and help 

Jesus through His hands either blessed, or helped someone or protected someone. 

So the purpose of our hands is very clear. It is to bless and protect others 

*6) How do I use my hands?*

Hands are the greatest gift of God to us. With hands we do a lot of things. 

Our parents and elders give God's blessings through thier hands. So it is very important to know the value of the hand, which brings us the blessing of the Lord.

How do I use my hands? Have I realised that even my hands have lot the capacity to transmit God's power

How do I value my hand? 

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Jesus came out of the Synagogue, and performed many miracles

Gospel Thoughts

*First Week : Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 1:29-39*

*First Reading - Heb 2:14-18*

*Jesus came out of the Synagogue, and performed many miracles*

*1) The relationship between synagogue and the miracles of Jesus*

Synagogue is a place of prayer and it is a holy place 

Before He performed the miracle of Healing the mother in law of  Peter, He was in synagogue

He had gone to the synagogue to pray and to preach the good news 

So for Jesus synagogue becomes a place, where one prays and prepares himself for the further mission. 

*2) Jesus goes to Peter's House, directly from the Synagogue*

The Gospel clearly says, *On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.*

So filled with the power of prayer, Jesus directly goes to the house of Simon and heals his mother in law, who was suffering from the fever. 

So there is a close connection between the place of prayer,  power of prayer and the miracle of healing 

Ultimately it is very evident, Jesus performed all the miracles with power of Prayer 

*3) Next day - Jesus begins the day with prayer* 

*Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.*

After having spent a quality time in prayer, early in the morning, Jesus began His ministry

So prayer becomes the foundation for all types of ministry

*4) Jesus performs all the miracles after He prayed* 

There are many examples in the Bible, to show that, Jesus prayed before He could perform the miracles 

For example : Feeding of the 5000 people,  

Raising of Lazarus etc 

Prayer was a powerful weapon of Jesus, to perform the miracle. 

*5) What about My Life?* 

Do I seek God's Help, before I ask anything from the Lord

Do I believe in the power of Prayer? 

How does the prayer work in my Life? 

Anything that has to start in my life, do I start the same, after deep prayer experience?

*6) Coming out of the Church, what happens to us?*

Jesus came out of synagogue, and performed great miracles 

Likewise when we come out of the Church, what is my reaction? 

After coming out of the church having deep spiritual experience, what is my reactions? 

Church life and my  life outside outside the church has any similarities? 

Am I able to live my faith in the practicle level 

Think about it

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Helplessness and inability of the Unclean Spirit

Gospel Thoughts

*First Week : Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 1:21-28*

*First Reading - Heb 2:5-12*

*The Helplessness and inability of the Unclean Spirit*

*1) The Man in the Synagogue*

The scripture says that there was a man in the synagogue, with an unclean spirit

Synagogue is a Holy place, where the spiritual activities would take place and people respected the place for its connection with the divine 

The Unclean Sprit could not prevent the man from coming to this synagogue 

So we see a kind of inability of the unclean spirit in preventing the man from coming to the holy place - the synagogue.

*2) It is unable to talk*

There is a lot of difference between talking and crying aloud 

The unclean spirit is seen crying aloud and not taking 

Taking with someone shows a normal relationship, exchange of the ideas and respect for each other 

Crying aloud always in the context of fear, anxiety, helplessness, and in utter desperation

So the unclean sprit is unable to create a feeling of happiness, rather it creates a feeling of fear, anxiety and chaos. 

*3) Unable to stand before Jesus*

The moment the unclean spirit recognised the power of Jesus it could not stay in the synagogue

It sees Jesus as the destroyer of the unclean spirit *Have you come to destroy us?*

It wishes not to have any contact with the Jesus *What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?*

It recognises Jesus as the Holy one of God, but shows its inability the quit its wicked ways .

*4) Unclean spirit tries even at the Last moment to accomplish its work*

When Jesus ordered the unclean spirit to be Quiet! and  to Come out of him!” even then it tries its wicked ways to harm the person 

It convulsed the man and made a loud cry before it could go out

The convulsion and the loud cry is the final attempt in desperation to harm the person 

But once again we see the utter helplessness and the inability of the unclean spirit in doing anything. 

*5) The presence of Jesus makes a difference*

The unclean spirit appears to be silent till the entry of Jesus 

Once Jesus comes into the scene the unclean spirit becomes helpless and unable to do anything 

The presence of Jesus in this context makes a big difference and the unclean spirit is chased away from the presence of Jesus 

*6) Jesus in my Life and the Unclean Spirit*

As long as the presence of Jesus is found in my life, no unclean or evil spirit will be able to take control of my life 

So remaining in the presence of Jesus is the real weapon to fight against the unclean spirits and to live our life without fear and anxiety.

*7) Various ways through which Jesus' presence is felt in life*

Reading of the Word of God 

Prayer and meditation

Service to the needy 

Practicing the Gospel values like, forgiveness, humility, penance, generosity etc

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*