The power and importance of speaking the New Languages

Gospel Thoughts*

*Third Week : Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 16:15-18*

Conversion of St Paul 

*First Reading - Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22*

*The power and importance of speaking the New Languages*

*1) Those who believe in Jesus will speak new languages*

This is the promise of Jesus that those who believe in Jesus will have the special power of speaking the new languages. 

The very fact one who believes in Jesus, puts on Jesus or follows Jesus very closely 

If so, he/she is able to speak the language, which Jesus himself spoke during His ministry. 

If then what is the languages those were spoken by Jesus? 

*2) The various languages of Jesus*

*A) The languages of Love*

From the beginning of His ministry Jesus spoke this language. He not only spoke this language He did follow this language in everything. Therefore He even said love your enemies and loved His enemies. That is the power of the language of Love. 

*B) The language of forgiveness*

One of powerful languages of Jesus, even today which speaks very loudly among the Christians. *Lord forgive them they do not know what they are doing* The power of the language of forgiveness

*C) The language of Humility*

Jesus spoke this language very powerfully and loudly. His language of humility culminates in washing of the feet of His disciples and dying on the Cross. 

*D) The language of sacrifice*

His birth itself spoke this language and His death spoke very loudly this language. 

*E) The language of Service*

This language is at the centre of Jesus' Mission. He spoke and practiced this language wherever He went 

*F) The language of Truth*

This language Jesus spoke very boldly and encouraged every one to speak through their lives 

*G) The language of Justice, equality and Sharing*

*H) The language of courage, team spirit, Holiness, Simplicity, sincerity, concern for others*

These were the various powerful languages which were spoken by Jesus when He did His ministry

*3) New languages in our lives*

Since Jesus spoke these languages and when He says, one who believes in Jesus, will be able to speak new languages. 

What a beautiful languages are these to speak, in the context of building the Kingdom of God. 

Unless one makes a special efforts one may not able to speak and communicate the message of the Kingdom of God

*4) Without language one can't communicate* 

When a person is unable to speak a language which is necessary in a place, he/she becomes a great failure 

Like wise when a person is able to speak the above language, he/she can not communicate the message of the Kingdom of God, and they become a great failures in building the Kingdom of God. 

Therefore language is very important to communicate the ideas and to build the Kingdom of God. 

*5) Am I able to speak the above languages?* 

We are all the followers of Christ. But are we able to speak the above languages of Jesus 

Which are the languages I am able to speak fluently? 

Which are the languages I am still finding difficult or impossible to speak? 

Does these new languages make any sense in our lives?

Which is my favourite language? 

Am I able to learn some new language for the effective ministry in building the Kingdom of God. 

*Think about this*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The need of leaving the Fishing net, in order to follow Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*Third Week : Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 1:14-20*

*First Reading - Jon 3:1-5, 10*

*Second Reading - 1 Cor 7:29-31*

*The need of leaving the Fishing net, in order to follow Jesus*

*1) Fishing net was one of the important things, which was left by all four disciples*

In the Gospel, we find that, when Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, they were busy with their fishing nets 

Among the many things which were left by these disciples, net appears to be one of  important things. 

Leaving the net was very necessary and the first disciples were ready to leave their nets 

If so what is the speciality of the net? Why it was very necessary for the disciples to leave the net?

*2) First of all net is instrument, which is used for trapping*

The very nature of the net is to trap the fish 

Trapping is something which is done in a secrete way. 

Trapping always something which speaks in a negative way. Trapping is not something which is very positive 

Trapping is some kind of cheating and it works in a hidden way 

*3) Once something is caught in net, can't escape*

When something gets into the net, it can't escape very easily. 

The fish which is caught in the net, in no way is able to escape 

So net is a terrible thing for the fish, when it gets caught with the net. 

*4) Net risks life*

The life of fish, which is cought  in net, becomes  fatal. 

The ultimate end of the fish, which is cought in net is death itself 

So the net will bring the terrible end for the fish and the life is gone.

*5) Net is a dangerous thing*

So in its negative understanding net appears to be a dangerous thing

One can't play with the net, since its nature is very tricky and problematic

Because of the above mentioned things, the disciples could not take the net along with them, when they were about to follow Jesus, but they left the net and followed Jesus 

*6) Sin works like a net in our life*

The people of Nineveh, were cought in the net of sin and they were not able to come out it 

The situation became worse and they were about to be destroyed because of their sin 

The power of the net of sin is so terrible it destroys everything in ones life and life itself 

*7) To escape from the net one needs the help of others*

One can't save oneself, when one gets cought with the net 

The more we try to escape from the net, the worse the situation becomes 

Finally some one else has to help us to come out from this net 

God sent prophet Johna to render His helping hand to Ninevites to come out the the net of Sin 

They cooperated with the Prophet and Finally they were able to come out of it. 

*8) Which are the nets I am cought in?*

Am I free from the sinful nets or am I cought up in those terrible nets? 

The net of pride 

The net of anger 

The net of revenge 

The net of greed 

The net of jealousy 

The net of gossip

The net of self-righteousness

The net of un-forgiveness

The net of negativity and criticism 

*9) Am I ready to leave these nets?*

The disciples of Jesus left these nets and they were successful

The people of Nineveh left their net of sin  they were saved 

Today like the disciples and the people of Nineveh, we need to leave the nets to follow Jesus. 

Am I ready. Think about it. 

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Out of His mind - How to understand it?

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 3:20-21*

*First Reading - Heb 9:2-3, 11-14*

*Out of His mind - How to understand it?*

*1)  Out of mind - popular understanding*

A person who does the things other than the normal way, is usually called as the who is out of his/her mind

This phrase also applies to the person who is not mentally sound.

Positively we can also apply this phrase to a person who does things out of the normal way, peculiar way, unexpected way, most creative way, unimaginable way etc 

*2) In the Context it refers to Jesus - Why?*

First of all it is directly addressed to Jesus by his own relatives 

The relatives may be those people who were coming from Nazareth, since he was native of Nazareth. 

When His native people or relatives had come in search of Him, He was out of Nazareth for so many days 

Apart from this, when those people who come from Nazareth, saw Jesus, their native person who was performing great miracles they could not believe and also could not digest 

They also came to know that Jesus is the real Messiah, which once again was a difficult truth to accept Him 

So the easiest way to degrade or to disagree with the person is to defame His name saying *He is out of His mind*

*3) Out of His mind is also used to target a person*

This phrase is also used to criticize or degrade the persons achievement. 

Specially when a person who appears to be  a rival in our way, and when He/She gets more popularity than us, this is the phrase which is commonly uses to target the person and also to take the revenge 

So when this phrase was used to target Jesus, it is clear that it was used to degrade, disagree, and to lesson His popularity, which Jesus was gaining because of His healing and effective mission

*4) Out of His mind also refers to - Out of the Way things were done*

The mission of Jesus was carried always in a way, which was not a ordinary or normal way

In other words the mission of Jesus demands the *Out of the Way/Mind* to accomplish its goal 

We need to go out of the Box, or out of the normal way or out our normal mind set, in order to accomplish the mission of the Lord. 

Taking this position and doing the mission of the Lord may appear to others exactly as *he/she is out of his/her mind* behaviour. 

*5) Out of His/Her mind is a normal way for doing the mission of the Lord*

In order to practice the values of Jesus, one must put on the nature of *out of ones mind* attitude 

Some examples would be 

Forgiving ones enemies

 

Praying for those who do evil and persecute us 

Scarifying ones life for others 

Allowing others to become great and practicing the virtue of Humility

According to the Worldly standards, a person who is sound in his/her mind can't practice these values 

For the world who practices these values are out of their minds. This is the logic of out of ones mind for the sake of Jesus

*6) Christians are called to pratice *Out of ones mind attitude in doing the mission of the Lord*

We are the followers of Jesus 

In fact Jesus practised the attitude of *out of His mind* when He forgave His enemies from the Cross, when He washed the feet of His disciples, when He touched the lepers and when He ate with the sinners 

So we are called upon to put on the attitude of *out of ones mind* attitude in order to pratice the values of the Kingdom of Heaven

*7) Am I ready to take up this challenge - out of ones mind?*

One can't become a real disciple of Jesus by following the standards of the world. 

Following Jesus way is, something which is different from normal way, which is out of the box, and which goes beyond the normal borders of the world. 

Unless we go out of this box of the standards of the world we can not become the genuine disciples of Jesus 

So the practicing the values of Jesus demands the attitude of *out of ones mind* 

So am I ready to go out of my mind in order to proclaim Christ through my life itself? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Judas' name always follows with a special reference : Who betrayed Jesus

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 3:13-19*

*First Reading - Heb 8:6-13*

*Judas' name always follows with a special reference : Who betrayed Jesus*

*1) Except Judas' name, all other names appear in a positive note*

All the names of the apostles are given in the list 

There are 12 Apostles of Jesus and all the 12 names are found in the list 

There is a major difference between the name of Judas and other apostles. 

All the 11 names appear in a normal way without having any negative tone attached to the name 

But the name of Judas appear in a negative tone : Judas Iscariot one who betrayed Jesus

*2) Why Judas' name has this nagative aspect?*

First of all it shows something very bad might have happened in the life of Judas. 

As we gather from the Gospel accounts, Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus and this appears to be a very serious crime from the part of Judas. 

So Judas is always referred as the one who betrayed Jesus

*3) Peter denied, Judas betrayed - What is the difference*

Peter also had denied Jesus three times.

Even then Peter was never referred as the one who denied Jesus. 

Peters name does not have this negative tone like that of Judas. 

No boday calls *Peter one who denied Jesus*. Such a thing is not found. 

But the name of Judas, always follows *one who betrayed Jesus*

Reason for the difference is very simple :

Peter realised His mistake and looked at Jesus for the mercy, and finally he changed his life 

Judas also realised his mistake, but didn't ask for God's mercy and finally destroyed his own life 

The betrayal ended in self destruction

The denial ended in changing ones life and offering ones life for Jesus. 

That is the difference between Peter and Judas

*4) Evil deeds will never be forgotten for centuries*

A blunder which was committed by Judas has a terrible consequences. 

First of all it was a terrible act from the side of Judas. Being the close apostle of Jesus he betrayed, which is terrible

Secondly, even after 2000 years of this incident, the evil deed of Judas is not forgotten. It is still fresh and the entire world knows about it 

Thirdly, the reference to this evil deed will continue as long as this world continues. It can not be undone 

Fourthly, the evil deed is attached to the name itself *Judas one who betrayed Jesus* This is something terrible and no body wants to be called in this perticular way 

Fifthly, the very moment one who hears the name of Judas, always the negative feelings come our mind because of this evil deeds 

After Simon Peter, there have been millions of people who have been named after Peter. But there are badly any one who is named as *Judas Iscariot* because of the evil attached to it. 

*5) Once the name spoils, it is difficult to reverse it back to its original glory*

No one will be able to bring it back the original meaning and glory of the name of Judas

Since Judas had ended his life with the evil act, there is no possibility of setting it right. 

So once the life ends with negative or evil act, it can't be erased from the life, and name of the person. 

So we need to be careful about the same. 

*6) What attachment my name will have?*

We have few examples like this 

Hitler the dictator

Pilot who washed His hands 

King Nero identified with fire. *Nero burning ROM*

Mother Theresa the living saint 

Ignatius of Loyola, the soldier of Christ 

St Antony the wonder worker 

 These are few examples for the evil and good deeds done by the people 

*7) What is my identity?*

Let's take the example of the name X

X a genuine person

X a sincere person 

X a useful person 

X a generous person 

X a lovable person 

X a needy person 

X a humble person 

*Or will they address me*

X a useless person 

X a revengeful person 

X the traitor

X the cheater 

X a dangerous person 

*Think about that*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Jesus needs my boat for His mission : Am I ready to give?

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 3: 7-12*

*First Reading - Heb 7:25-8:6*

*Jesus needs my boat for His mission : Am I ready to give?*

*1) Jesus requests a boat for His mission*

Jesus as soon as He reached to the shore of the sea, there was a great multitude of people, who had gathered, either to hear Him, or to get healed from their sicknesses. 

So Jesus decides to reach out them by using a different method. 

To get into the boat, which will be anchored in the sea. So that everyone can see Him and know what exactly He will be doing for those people. 

So Jesus requests His disciples a boat to be kept ready for the same purpose. 

*2) The speciality of preaching from the boat in the sea*

First of all everyone can see Jesus and Jesus is also able to see all the people, since people can't get into the water and go backside  of Jesus

Secondly, no one can disturb Jesus while preaching from the boat in the sea. 

Thirdly, it becomes a beautiful scenery to have water and little waves, which really attracts the people 

Fourthly it becomes a new and creative way of preaching, which will easily capture the attention of the people 

Fifthly, it also needs a lot of alertness, since boat will sake as the waves will hit the boat. Needs to maintain a balance while preaching from the boat. 

Sixthly, It is rather difficult to preach from the boat, if there is only one person. Preaching from the boat, requires at least few persons to assist Jesus. So preaching from the boat, highlights the idea of team spirit. 

Seventhly, Jesus is also making use of the various instruments and facilities to make His preaching more effective and creative. Boat was one of the powerful instruments of the time of Jesus, just like media and internet today. 

Eight point would be, Jesus can very well maintain the distance, until His preaching gets over. Or else people may rush towards Him, which may become difficult situation to handle the crowd.

*3) Preaching from the boat become very powerful* 

In the passage it appears that, the preaching from the boat became very powerful. 

Because, people from many places had come and they practically remained to listen to Jesus 

Majority of the people wanted to touch Him, because of His powerful preaching and healing 

Even the evil spirits came to realise the identity of Jesus, as He was preaching from the boat 

The preaching from the boat, cured many, and many others realised who Jesus is and His divine power. 

*4) Jesus needs my Boat today*

As He requested His disciples to keep the boat ready for His mission, today the same Jesus requests me and You to keep my boat ready for His mission 

If so what type of Boat I have, to offer to Jesus? 

The following can be some of the boats which we can offer to Jesus for His mission 

My life - a beautiful boat 

My talents, skills, creative ways 

My knowledge, my wisdom, my courage, my humility, my generosity, my cooperation, my readiness, my leadership capacities, my goodwill, my adjustments, etc 

There are varieties of boats are found in my life

But the question is am I ready to offer them for Jesus for His mission? 

*5) What types of boats I have?*

In the above points there are several boats which can be used as a boat by Jesus 

If so, what are the concrete ways or which are the boats I have which can be used by Jesus? 

Have I lost my boat? 

Am I in a position to say that I have my strong boat to offer to Jesus for His mission?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Come forward : Christian Spirituality is coming forward and not going backward

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 3:1-6*

*First Reading - Heb 7:1-3,15-17*

*Come forward : Christian Spirituality is coming forward and not going backward*

*1) Coming forward is a sign of growth*

In today's Gospel Jesus uses this perticular expression *Come forward* 

This becomes the beginning point of the miracle and also of the healing 

Coming forward is always a sign for growth and an indication that something good and beautiful will take place

*2) Coming forward is a challenge*

Coming forward is not an easy task. It is a really a challenging task 

Even to the man who appears in the Gospel, who had an withered hand, had to face a great challenge to come forward 

The Pharisees who were waiting to find fault with Jesus, were also targeting this man, who will take courage to come forward to receive a healing from Jesus 

Coming forward will also risk his life, since the Pharisees were already making a plan to eliminate Jesus 

So coming forward was really a great challenge for the withered man. 

*3) Coming forward worked a great miracle in his life*

The man who came forward, at the command of Jesus, finally witnesses a great miracle in his life 

Jesus cures his withered hand and the hand  was restored. This happened only because he was able to come forward and experience the healing power of Jesus. 

So coming forward always works a great miracle in ones life. 

*4) Coming forward is a sign of courage*

In the Gospel it shows the great courage of two people 

First of all of Jesus: He commands the man to come forward, inspite of the danger involved from the Pharisees. 

Secondly it also shows the courage of the withered man, who made a bold decision to come forward inspite of the opposition from the Pharisees. 

Courage is the another name for coming forward. 

*5) Coming forward also involves a great risk*

Risk because, one will venture unknown things 

Risk because, no one is sure of the end results 

Risk because, one will have to face many challenges in the process of coming forward 

*6) Coming forward is also indicates a chance of place and perspective*

One can not remain in a same place or situation to witnesses a great change

One has to move upwards to realise the great change and good 

The very fact one is able to *come forward* is able to change and adapt himself for the better exposure 

Coming forward from  ones perspectives, narrow thinking, ghetto mentality, jealousy, criticising attitude, prejudices, finding fault with everything is very much necessary to happen a miracle in our life 

*7) Come forward is a invitation to all*

This invitation, which was offered by Jesus to the withered man was also extended to the Pharisees who came to find fault with Jesus 

Withered man *came forward* so he was able to witness the miracle. 

Pharisees and others refused to come forward, rather they went backward, as a result they started to conspire a plot against Jesus, which ultimately made to lose the great miracle in thier life 

*8) Come forward is a continuous process, for better life*

Coming forward is not a one time work. It is a continuous process, which takes long years of life to realise its goals 

Coming forward gives a new hope, new life, new perspective, new vision,  new orientation, new insight and new openings 

Such a variety in life, through the process of coming forward completely changes ones life and makes it better 

*Come forward* which is a beautiful phrase can be applied to every sphere on ones life 

 

*9) Am I ready to come forward*

Come forward to change from my old ways of life 

Come forward to forgive, to share, to serve, to smile, to take risks, to take the responsibility, to love, to adjust etc 

What is my response? 

How do I look at this beautiful words *Come Forward*

Do they make any sense to me?

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Feeding the Hungry will never become a unlawful activity at any moment of time

Gospel Thoughts

*Second Week : Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 2:23-28*

*First Reading - Heb 6:10-20*

*Feeding the Hungry will never become a unlawful activity at any moment of time*

*1) Feeding the Hungry  never a unlawful activity at any moment in History*

Feeding of the hungry is considered as one of the noblest tasks of human activity. 

It is one of holiest tasks because the nature of the activity. Only those people who have a heart and mind that of Jesus can do such a great activity. 

So it is one of the great tasks. 

*2) Sabbath, unlawful activity and feeding the Hungry*

In today's Gospel all these three issues appear 

One group speaks about the unlawful things on the Sabbath day 

Another group tries to see the meaning of Sabbath from the preview of the rules and regulations

Jesus is trying to give a new and more practical meaning for the Sabbath, by highlighting what exactly we need to do on the Sabbath day to make really holy and meaningful.

Sabbath is not merely restricted to few rules and regulations. The real and genuine meaning of Sabbath goes beyond the spirit the laws and regulations

*3) Even the Holiest place is used for feeding the Hungry*

King David and his companions ate the bread from the Holy place which was reserved only for the priest. 

Since feeding the hungry takes a primary place in the ministry of Jesus, this becomes one of the important things of holiness itself. 

So Holy place is used for one of the holiest things. 

*4) Feeding the Hungry is the Holiest of all activities* 

In the final judgement scene, in the Gospel of Matthew, the issue is about the treatment about the poor and hungry 

Jesus blesses and rewards those who were very faithful in feeding the hungry and helping the poor. 

Feeding of the hungry will definitely produces a positive effect, which helps a person to grow in his spirituality.

*5) The real spirit of Sabbath is to feed*

On this perticular day we are spiritually fed 

For Christians sabbath is a Sunday, the Day of the Lord. On this day we are fed with the spiritual food - the body and blood of Jesus 

Jesus Himself offers His body and blood to all the faithful in the Eucharist. So Jesus offers Himself to the Hungry humanity to be fed by His own body and blood

*6) Rejecting to feed the Hungry on the Sabbath day is unlawful*

The very fact a person rejects a hungry person to help or to feed, the real purpose of the Sabbath is defeated

Rejecting another needy person on the Sabbath day is the most unlawful thing than anything else. 

So we must do what is good, beneficial and that which promotes the unity and brotherhood. That is the real spirit of Sabbath.

*7) Fasting is not for God, it is for us*

Fasting on the Sabbath is not to make God more Holy. Rather it is for us to become more holy 

So a deed, which contributes to the growth of the  holiness of the person, such a deed will never become a unlawful deed. 

That is why good deeds are always right and such things can be done on Sabbath day 

*Let's us observe the Sabbath by doing lots of good deeds and not merely regulating ourselves to the set of rules and regulations.*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*