One can't cheat ones nature - Reward according to the nature - You can't blame others always

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Second Week: Monday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 6:36-38*

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

*One can't cheat ones nature - Reward according to the nature - You can't blame others always*

*1)  Beautiful Pairs in Today's Gospel*

Pair means a set of two things used together or regarded as a unit.

In today's Gospel we many number of pairs which reveals a great truths about our life 

These pairs also show us that one can't change these pairs in ones life. They always go together 

This also reveals great truths about our life 

The following are the various pairs used in today's Gospel 

*2) Be Merciful and is merciful*

 *Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.*

God is merciful and only mercy comes out of God

This is the dominant character of God 

When some one shows mercy from God only mercy comes 

This shows that basically God is merciful. Without being merciful God can't show mercy to any one. 

So mercy is both ways. First He is merciful and secondly only mercy comes from God. 

*Mercy is another name of God - Pope Francis*

*3) Judging to be Judged*

*Stop judging and you will not be judged.*

Something starts with judgement ends with judgement

If one is habituated for judging others, his/her nature is to judge others. He can't hide this nature from his/her personality

The same type of judgement is liable for him to receive. He can't expect something else from others 

For judging others he/she can't receive, love, service, blessings etc from others

In other other words *Judgement* is his/her another name

*4) Condemning and to be condemned*

Once again the pair of the above words reveals that the person who condemns another is basically has that nature of condemning others 

We can say *condemnation* is his/her another name

His/her personality is identified with condemnation. 

So maximum he/she can receive only the condemnation from another. 

Mango tree can give only mangoes. So condemnation can result only condemnation

*5) Forgiving and to be forgiven*

*Forgive and you will be forgiven*

One again to prove the above point that forgiveness results only in forgiveness

Only forgiveness has the capacity to bring forgiveness. Nothing else 

*6) Give and to be given*

Same logic once again highlighted in the above sentence. 

Giving is the action of the person 

Giving also represents his/her own nature - generosity

In turn he/she will be given in return plenty 

So in all circles only giving or generosity is highlighted

*7) Measure in and measure out*

This always once again go together 

*9) Which pair I want to choose in my life?*

Following are some of the examples 

Forgiving and to be forgiven

Loving and to be loved 

Giving and to be given 

Humility and to be exalted

Appreciating and to be appreciated 

Supporting and to be supported 

Reaching out and to be reached out 

The following are negative examples 

Cheating others results only to be cheated 

Showing anger results in becoming victims of the anger 

Greed results only in desperation

What we give the same thing comes back 

What we give also depends on what we are or what we have. What we don't have we can't give 

So what is that we give daily in our life? 

Check it out? 

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Lent is a best time for my Transfiguration/Change

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : 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*

*Lent is a best time for my Transfiguration/Change*

*1) Transfiguration or change is the main theme of Lent*

We start lent with this theme. 

All our spiritual exercises and other bodily penance is geared to only one aspect in life - that is conversion, change or transfiguration.

If so what would be the way to have a genuine change and transfiguration. 

Today's Gospel will give us some ideas. 

*2) Some of the Important things which are highlighted in the transfiguration scene*

*A) Transfiguration took place while Jesus was praying*

*While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became dazzling white*

Important to note that, transfiguration took place while he was praying. 

So prayer has to power to bring a change

Prayer is a weapon for change 

Prayer is an instrument through which we can bring change. 

Lent is a special time of prayer. We can use this instrument to bring a great change in our lives 

*B) The place of Prayer*

Gospel says they went up to a mountain to pray 

In Christian tradition there is a close connection between God and mountain. 

It becomes a place of Gods appearance and God's presence 

God appeared Mosses at mount Sinai and gave 10 commandments

Prophet Elijah and the Mount Carmel where the great sacrifice took place and prophets of Baal were destroyed

Sermon on the Mount by Jesus one of the important teachings of Jesus comes from mountain

Jesus died on mount Calvary.

Transfiguration took place in mount Tabor 

So place of prayer the mount is very important in our life 

In our life, the church, holy places, pilgrim centers, shrines are the important places of mountains where we can pray 

Pray earnestly in mount to have a real transfiguration or change in life 

*C) Change has the power to bring down the heaven*

In the transfiguration scene we have the appearance of Mosses and Elijah. 

Their coming down to the mountain or their appearance in the mountain is equal to the heavenly scene in the mountain

So we can say that transfiguration brought down the heaven 

And Peter experienced this heavenly experience and he didn't want to come out of it. 

Change in my life will ultimately result in bringing heaven first of all in my own life then in my family and in surroundings. 

So change is very powerful to bring even the heaven into this world.

*D) The Voice from Heaven - You are my beloved Son*

When this voice was heard? Not before transfiguration, but after the transfiguration.

Point to be noted : After transfiguration and having heavenly experience the great divine voice is heard 

In our life too, only after  a genuine change or conversion will help us to have heavenly experience, in which we will be able to hear this great voice from God

Who does not want to be called as beloved son or daughter of God? Every one wants. 

So here is a way for it 

So are u ready for the transfiguration or change or conversion in your life? 

Think about it 

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

What more am I doing than others?

Gospel Thoughts

*Lent : Second Week: Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 5:43-48*

*First Reading - Dt 26:16-19*

*What more am I doing than others?*

*1) One of the important questions during Lent*

In today's Gospel we have this particular question

This question is asked by Jesus and it is directly addressed to us individually

Since it touches to our life, personally we need to answer this question in a right spirit

*2) Ordinary things are done by even by the gentiles*

Loving those who love you 

Sharing your bread with the one who will give back in return. Even beggars  can do this 

Greeting only those who greet you. 

These are the ordinary things which can be done by anyone, even by an ignorant person 

*3) Lent is a time to do more than others*

The season of Lent gives us set of things which we can do or which we are supposed to do

Prayer, fasting, penance, almsgiving, are the common things which are highlighted in  beginning of Lent

But the question is am I restricting myself to only these things? 

What more can I do than others to make this lent fruitful and holy 

*4) Lent is a time to do more things and not merely commanded things*

Doing more things is the real and genuine spirit of the Lent

During Lent we have right disposition to do more things. So it may be helpful to enhance the quality of our spiritual life

*5) What more can I do?*

Will it be possible for me to get reconciled with who I am funding very difficult?

Will I be able to forgive the one whom I really find difficult?

Will I be able to pray for those who do harm for me? 

Will I be able to show my other cheek when they slap on the one cheek? 

Will I be able to humble myself in most difficult situation? 

Will I be able to remain sincere to my conscience? 

*6) Christian life is doing more than others*

Life of Jesus makes this very clear. 

One good example would be washing of the feet and forgiving His enemies from the Cross

Without following this principle *doing more than others* my life has no value in the kingdom of heaven. 

*7) What more am I doing in my life than others?*

Do I have anything to fill under this headings? 

So far in lent what more I have done than ordinary things?

We become special and extraordinary only when we do special and extraordinary things 

So think about it

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Jesus equates the killing principle of ancestors to the Anger - Why?

Gospel Thoughts

*Lent : Second Week: Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 5:20-26*

*First Reading - Ez 18:21-28*

*Jesus equates the killing principle of ancestors to the Anger - Why?*

*1) There is a shift from killing to Anger* 

*You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.*

But Jesus says *whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment*

So we see there is a shift from killing to getting angry

*2) Killing and Getting angry*

As we know killing is a grave offence and for which punishment is must 

Such persons should be liable for judgement and punishment. There is no doubt about it 

But comparing to killing, anger seems to be having lesser gravity. That is what we think. But according to Jesus, anger is as equal as killing. 

If so we need to reflect seriously why anger is so severe and equal to killing. 

*3) Anger is the root cause of all evil*

It is believed that every evil act has its foundation in anger 

The moment a person gets angry all the problems and troubles begin 

In fact every dispute begins with anger and then it continues to the greater evil acts 

*4) Anger gradually turns into revenge*

The growing of the anger turns into revenge

When the anger becomes so severe and deep it turns into the emotion of anger and finally it comes out in different forms 

So one needs to be very careful about the anger 

*5) Different stages of Anger*

The Gospel of the day shows us the different stages of anger

At the first level anger results in insulting the other 

At the second level it results in calling another person *Fool*

Thirdly anger makes all your charity works useless and fails to yield any fruit 

Fourthly anger makes the another person to go to the court and situation becomes worse 

Fifthly anger reaches you to the judge and then you are handed over to the guard 

Sixthly, anger ultimately makes you to land in the prision and you become a slave 

Seventh : Anger makes you to pay heavy fine and you lose all your savings for nothing. 

So this is the ugly face of the anger. So unless one is careful anger will result in losing everything

*6) Anger is the deadliest face of evil*

Anger is deadliest, because it causes in losing everything

Due to anger one loses the Peace of mind, 

It results in losing good reputation, friends, happiness, some times even the job, family, relationship, concern for one another, sacrifice, humility, forgiveness, and finally it takes away everything

*7) Anger is equal to killing*

Anger finally ends up killing no only the human beings but it also kills evey values

So anger leaves nothing in life. So it is dangerous in our life. 

That is why Jesus equates anger with killing 

Anger kills everything in life. So anger is more dangerous than killing 

*8) Anger kills slowly where as killing is one act*

In killing the action takes place at once. 

In anger killing takes place slowly, which is very painful and a severe kind of torture. 

So anger becomes most deadliest thing in life than anything else.

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Lent is the time to knock the door of ones heart/Life

Gospel Thoughts

*Lent : Second Week: Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 7:7-12*

*First Reading - Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25*

*Lent is the time to knock the door of ones heart/Life*

*One who knocks, the door will be opened*

*1) Importance of the Door and opening the Door*

Door is an important instrument, which either safeguards something or it closes the entry into something

Since door gives entry into something, it has a special significance and meaning when it is applied to the spiritual realm

So spiritually opening up of the door becomes very important, because it gives entry into something holy and divine sphere

*2) The arrival of the bridegroom, opening of the door and closing of the door*

We have a beautiful parable of 10 virgins. Five wise and five foolish 

Wise virgins were ready when the bridegroom came, and they entered along with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. Then the door was closed 

Once it was closed the other foolish virgins could not enter into the wedding feast, since the door was closed. 

So we know how important the aspect of door and its function in our lives 

*3) Life is with Door*

Our life can be considered as building which has beautiful doors 

In order to enter into the different aspects of life we need to enter through the doors 

Unless we go through these doors we can't enter into our life

*4) Lent is a time to open the door of our life*

There are two aspects in our life. The spiritual aspect and the bodily (Flesh) aspect. 

Between these two aspects there is a door which guards our spiritual life 

Since lent is a time to enter into this spiritual or deeper self we need to open the door which is connecting the spiritual sphere 

For this we need to knock the door. 

*5) How to knock the Door*

We need to follow the certain aspects while knocking the door. 

We need the following knocks for the door to be opened

Use the knock of humility, 

Use the knock of forgiveness

Use the knock of love 

Use the knock of simplicity

Use the knock of prayer 

Use the knock of generosity

Use the knock of sacrifice

Use the knock of faithfulness

Use the knock of repentance

Use the knock of genuineness

Use the knock of trust and hope

Use the knock of smile 

Use the knock of adjustability

Use the knock of courage 

All these knocks on the door will definitely help to open it and to enter into a special sphere of life.

*6) The effect of the Door being opened*

When the door gets opened through various above knocks we will be benefited in multiple ways 

We will receive the multiple blessings of the Lord 

We will receive the everlasting mercy of the Lord 

We will experience the unconditional Love of the Lord 

We will be eligible for the ever lasting life

We will witness the heavenly peace and divine experience

We will see the beauty and depth of our spiritual life 

These are the various benefits when the door opens for us 

*7) What about my life?*

Am I in a position to knock the door with above mentioned things? At least few of them in my life 

Or am I tightening the door still more, through my evil ways, making it impossible to open, thus not allowing myself to the greater spiritual benefits from the Lord 

What can I do to open the door of my life, door of my heart, door of my mind, doors of my eyes, ears and tongue? 

Unless we open it we can not enter or receive anything

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

This generation is an evil generation - Do I belong to this generation

Gospel Thoughts

*Lent : Second Week:Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 11:29-32*

*First Reading - Jon 3:1-10*

*This generation is an evil generation - Do I belong to this generation*

*1) The concept of This generation*

*This generation* is applicable to all the time of History. 

It was not only applicable to those people who were living during the time of Jesus 

Even people those who are living today and also in the future do come under this category. 

If so what type of generation come under evil generation. 

The Gospel of the day gives us clear clue in this regard 

*2) Symptoms of Evil Generation*

*Those who refused to see the reality*

Truth is very evident. In spite of that there were people who refused to see and accept the truth. Such people belong to the evil generation

Jesus was the truth, Jesus was the great reality, Jesus was the great sign. People knew about it. But they didn't accept the truth. So they belong to evil generation

 *Those who are proud*

It is clear that those people who were proud, those people acted as if they knew everything, those people who failed to humble themselves before the great reality - Jesus - belong to this evil generation

*Those who refused to repent*

The people of Nineveh repented from their evil deeds, and they were not called as evil generation but people who repented 

Queen of South was humble enough to acknowledge and accept the great wisdom of King Solomon

But there was greater than prophet Johna and Solomon, but people refused to accept Jesus teaching and to repent from their evil ways. That is why they belong to this evil generation

*Those whose faith only depends on signs*

Those people who came to Jesus were demanding for a sign. 

In fact their faith was depending  only on sign and not on the reality 

So those people who have faith only in signs and not on reality itself belong to this evil generation

*Those who refuse to accept the mercy of God*

The very fact those who refuse to repent and accept their weaknesses refuse the mercy of God or close their life to the mercy of God. Such people belong to this evil generation

*3) The present day concept of evil generation*

The following people belong to this evil generation

Those people who take revenge

Those people who divide and destroy the peaceful atmosphere

Those who promote hatred, injustice, violence, falsehood belong to this evil generation

Those who misuse the power and authority belong to this evil generation

Those who involve themselves in gossip and spoiling the good name of others belong to this evil generation

Those who are greedy for power, money, authority, position belong to this evil generation

Those who try to destroy the truth and promote falsehood belong to this evil  generation

Those who oppress poor and marginalised people belong to this evil generation

Those who mislead the people from truth belong to this evil generation

*4) Do I belong to this evil generation*

If any of the above symptoms are found in my life, then my life belongs to this evil generation

So it is better to check to verify whether these things rule my life or not? 

Lent is a special time for all of us evaluate our own life and to get rid of the symptoms of evil generation. 

*5) Various ways to get rid this evil generation*

The sacrament of reconciliation

The atmosphere of prayer, fasting and almsgiving

Trying to change our own life by repenting our sinful life 

Forgiving one another and trying to live in Harmony and peace 

*Just think about this*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Our life is like a Rain and Snow

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Second Week: Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Mathew 6:7-15*

*First Reading - Is 55:10-11*

*Our life is like a Rain and Snow*

*1) Rain and Snow falls from the Heavens/Sky*

*Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down*

Something which comes from heaven is holy and pure. 

In fact snow is the symbol of purity and Water is the instrument which purifies everything

*2) The Function of the Rain and Snow*

It waters the earth 

It makes the land furtile 

It helps the farmers for cultivation 

Finally it makes the earth and the plants to produce the fruit 

*3) It is necessary that the rain and snow falls on the furtile land*

In order to produce the fruit, the rain and snow has to fall into the furtile land 

If it falls on the rock or any other hard surface, or into the drainage it will not be able to produce any fruit. 

So the place where it falls is also equally important

*4) Life is like a snow and rain*

The reasons are the following

First of all like rain and snow life also comes from heaven. It is a gratuitous gift of God 

The origin of the life is not this material world but the heaven and God himself 

Secondly like rain water and snow, life comes with its purity to all the human beings 

God does not give a life which is less pure or less holy. 

He gives us a life which pure and holy 

Thirdly like the rain water and the snow do not return without producing any fruit, life can't return with out producing the fruit which is proper to its nature

God has sent us with a purpose and that purpose has to be fulfilled. 

*5) Rain water and Snow falls to make the land furtile, like wise life too*

The above process tells us clearly the purpose of our life 

Like the rain water and snow is destined to make the land furtile, the purpose of our very life coming into this world to make this world, a furtile land of peace and happiness, holiness and love 

The question is am I able to make this earth a furtile land of peace and happiness? 

If not then the purpose of my life is not fulfilled, and life can't return to the Lord, without achieving this goal 

*6) Our Father prayer shows the Purpose of our life*

Along with the purpose of  our life, the Lords prayer also shows us the various ways through which we can make this earth a fruitful place of peace and happiness 

First of all acknowledge the greatness and authority of Our creator Lord 

Secondly to realise that the Lord name is holy and powerful, so not to misuse it 

Thirdly to pray and to work for the establishment of Gods kingdom here on this earth *thy kingdom come*

Fourthly, to co-operate with the will of God *thy will be done*

To be away from greed *Give us this day our daily bread*

Forgiveness is the oil of our life *forgive us our trespasses*

Careful about Satan and his temptations *Don't lead us into temptations and deliver us from evil*

Implementing these above great things in our life we can make this earth a fruitful land of peace and happiness

*7) What can I do?*

What can I do to make my life just like a pure water and immaculate snow? 

What can I do to make my life, to produce fruit like that of water and snow which falls to the ground 

What can I do in order to make my life to create a fruitful land, like that of water and snow which make the land furtile. 

Think about it.

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*