Lessons from the Grain of Wheat

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 18th Week : Thursday*

*Gospel :  Jn 12:24–26*

*First Reading : 2 Cor 9:6–10*

*Lessons from the Grain of Wheat*

*1) Humility* 

The Gospel speaks about the grain of wheat falling to the ground 

This gesture indicates the aspect of Humility. The grain of wheat teaches us the great lesson of humility

*2) Sacrifice*

The sacrifice of the grain of wheat is seen in its readiness to lose itself 

When the grain falls to the ground, it loses itself, its beauty, its outer layer and breaks itself for its mission 

This shows the level of the sacrifice of the grain of wheat, and the value of sacrifice 

*3) New Life*

The grain of wheat also is the symbol of new life 

It never forgets to bring new life, by losing itself in the mud

The purpose of losing its self is to bring about new life 

So new life is the symbol of the gain of Wheat 

*4) Need of rooting itself in the Mud*

This is also very important. Unless the grain of wheat sends its roots into the mud, it can't survive 

The stronger the root, better the strength and the fruit 

The need of rooting ourself in the life of Christ is very much necessary to produce much fruit 

*5) It works on Itself*

The grain of wheat works on itself to bring about the change and the new life 

Working on oneself is very much necessary to bring about a great change and the new life 

*6) St Lawrence and the Grain of wheat*

The Gospel has this reading of grain if wheat in the context of celebrating the feast of St Lawrence 

In fact the values and the life of the grain of wheat is very much reflected in the life of St Lawrence

The Humility, the Sacrifice, the New life and His deep roots in the Christian spirituality made him to sacrifice His life for Jesus and to become a great martyr for Jesus

*7) What about my Life?*

Does it symbolizes the grain of wheat? 

Am I ready to humble myself like the grain of wheat? 

Am I ready to lose myself like that of grain of wheat for the mission of Jesus? 

Am I ready to work on myself to bring about a new life?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Lord Help me : is a powerful Prayer

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 18th Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 15: 21-28*

*First Reading : Nm 13:1-2, 25–14:1, 26a-29a, 34-35*

*Lord Help me : is a powerful Prayer*

*1) Lord Help me*

In today's Gospel we have this particular phrase, *Lord Help Me*

This particular phrase appears to be a powerful phrase or this is a powerful prayer because, these words have tremendous power when one prays before the Lord with deep faith 

These words are powerful because, they change any situation for the better 

*2) 100% Result of this prayer*

In the Gospel we have many instances where people came to Jesus saying Lord Help me, Lord, save me, Lord, have pity on me, Lord be merciful to me 

All these phrases are the various versions of *Lord Help me*

In the Gospel we don't have even a single instance, where people go back, without getting favour when they asked Jesus *Lord Help Me*

In all the instances of *Lord Help me*  outcome is immediate result. 

Jesus heard their prayer immediately and came to their aid 

*3) Lord Help me by Canaanite woman*

The Canaanite woman had only one prayer *Have pity on me or Lord Help me*

This was her simple yet profound faith based prayer, which was addressed to Jesus 

At the end of the scene we see Jesus is hailing her faith saying *O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”*

Her prayer was rewarded  with rich favour

*4) Woman asked for scrap but Jesus gave her entire bread*

The woman was expecting only the scraps, which fall from the Masters Table

But we see in the Gospel that Jesus is giving the entire bread instead of the scraps

This shows that God gives us more than what we ask for in our genuine need 

*5) Lord help me is a great prayer because*

It makes us to completely depend on God

It makes us to realise the power of God 

It makes us to realise that God is ever ready to help His children

It makes us to develop a strong relationship with Jesus

It makes us to pray for one another 

It makes us to realise that nothing is impossible to God and even at the Last moment it can save a person from eternal fire (The Good Thief on the Cross) 

*6) My life and this Prayer*

What is the significance of this prayer in my life? 

How often I cry to the Lord, through this prayer?

What are the situations in my life where I can use this phrase even at the last moment? 

How far this phrase has worked in my life? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Peter Who sees the Strong wind

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 18th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 14:22-36*

*First Reading :  Nm 12:1-13*

*Peter Who sees the Strong wind*

*1) Jesus Walking on the Water*

The Gospel of the day, clearly explains the event of Jesus walking on the Water 

When Peter realised that it was Jesus who was walking on the water, he was thrilled and at the same time was filled with Joy 

So He also wanted to follow the Master, in walking on the Water 

So, he asked Jesus to whether he also could try. Jesus said *Come*

*2) Peter's Confidence in Starting the Work*

Walking on the water is not a easy thing. Even if some one says come, one may think twice, about it, since there is a possibility of getting drowned in the water 

But Peter had no such doubt. As soon as Jesus said *Come* he simply jumped into the water and began to walk 

This shows the level of trust and confidence of Peter in Jesus 

So he began His journey with a positive note  

*3) Peter shifts His gaze*

As Peter was walking on the water, he was very happy and might have been over thrilled. With this he was moving forward 

Suddenly he shifted His gaze from Jesus to the Strong wind and wave. This wave he considered as a big problem

When he saw the wind as a problem, the problem began to swallow him, and he started to sink in the water

Seeing the issue as a problem, created a trouble for Peter 

*4) Strong wind in our life*

The strong wind happens in the life of Peter, when he was moving towards Jesus 

So journey towards Jesus is not a easy one. Its a challenging one 

We have to face many wind like situations in our life 

The wind of sickness

The wind of loneliness

The wind of weakness

The wind of sacrifice

The wind of crisis 

The wind of misunderstanding

The wind of gossip

The wind of detachment

The wind of greed and selfishness

All these winds are very strong in our life, while moving towards Jesus

*5) Where is my Gaze?*

In our journey towards Jesus our gaze matters a lot 

Our reaction towards the wind  depends on our gaze. 

When we focus our gaze on the strong wind, it becomes a big problem to handle it, and therefore we lose the battle 

When we foucs our gaze on Jesus, these situations are just life opportunities to reach Jesus in a glorious way 

A Peter who reaches Jesus by facing the strong wind is different  from and Peter who got scared by seeing the wind 

Likewise a person who faces evey situation boldly and reaches to Jesus is a different person than who lost in the problems and similar  situations 

*6) Gaze on Jesus and not on the issue*

This is the powerful message which we get from this particular gospel passage

In every situation we need to focus our attention on Jesus. As long as out gaze is on Jesus, nothing can disturb us 

If so, where is my gaze?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Responsibility towards the needy People

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 18th Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 14:13-21*

*First Reading : Nm 11:4b-15*

*The Responsibility towards the needy People*

*1) The needy people around Jesus*

The Gospel of the day, presents to us a group of people around Jesus, who had come from different places 

They had come to Jesus to listen to him, and to get healed from their sicknesses

They had spent the whole day with Jesus, being with Jesus  

Now the day was getting dark, and the disciples were thinking of departing from the place. 

Those people had not eaten anything, since they had nothing with them. So they were in need of food at this moment 

*2) The reaction of the Disciples*

The disciples were thinking of dismissing the people from the spot 

They were planing to send the people to their respective villages without food 

They made the people responsible to collect their food from their respective villages 

In other words, the disciples were not ready to take any responsibilities to help the needy people in some way or the other 

*3) The approach of Jesus*

Jesus understands the situation and takes the responsibility upon himself in helping the needy and hungry people 

He tell his disciples that the people need to go from the place without food and we need to do something to feed the people 

This approach is very important in reaching out others 

The disciples were trying to escape from the responsibility, but Jesus is openly accepting the responsibility to help the people 

*4) The concept of Team Work*

Jesus would have worked miracles without any ones help, to reach out the needy people. In fact Jesus had the power to do so 

But Jesus does not do that. In his approach he involves his disciples. He says to his disciples *There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.”*

He also involves the people while working the miracle. He accepted from a boy *"Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”*

This shows the involvement of every one and the concept of team work 

*5) How do I see my responsibilities?*

There are three approaches

The approach of the disciples : Try to escape from the responsibility

The approach of Jesus : Take or accept responsibility for the needy people and do something 

The third approach : Involve oneself in the team work to help the needy people to contribute ones mite 

So which is the approach do I implement in my life when there is a situation to help the needy? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Transfiguration is a call and Challenge to change our Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 18th Week : Sunday*

*Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus*

*Gospel : Mk 9:2–10*

*First Reading : Dn 7:9–10, 13–14*

*SECOND READING - 2 Pt 1:16–19*

*Transfiguration is a call and Challenge to change our Life*

*1) Transfiguration and Jesus*

The event of transfiguration, beings about the real identiy of Jesus 

This particular event reveals that Jesus is the True Son of God and sent by the Father

That's why we have in the Gospel the Words from heaven *This is my chosen Son; listen to him.*

*2) Transfiguration and the the Cross*

The event of transfiguration also, reflects the mission of Jesus and the way through which He will accomplish the Mission 

The mission is the salvation of mankind and the way is the *Way of the Cross*

The transfiguration event brings about this challenging truth to his disciples so that they are prepared to face it when it first comes in the life of Jesus and then in their own life 

So the Transfiguration and the Cross are inseparable

*3) Transfiguration and the Change*

The event of transfiguration hightlights the importance of change 

First of all, *the face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white*

Secondly there was a heavenly presence at the transfiguration event *The appearance of Moses and Elijah*, who appeared from heaven 

So the entire atmosphere gets changed at the event of transfiguration

*4) Transfiguration and the Disciples*

At the event of transfiguration, Peter, John and James were present 

They become fully awake from their slumber and came to realise the gravity of their mission, for the greater Glory of God 

So transfiguration brought about a strong, awakening in the life of the Disciples 

*5) Transfiguration and the prayer*

The Gospel clearly says that while praying the appearance of the face of Jesus changed and the clothes became dazzling white 

So prayer as seen as the powerful tool in the event of transfiguration

Praying brings about a great change and transformation in our life 

*6) Transfiguration and my Life*

Transfiguration of Jesus is a great source of inspiration to my life 

It is a call and challenge to change my life to know and experience more about Jesus, to know more about His mission and to know my own mission, and to know the importance of Cross and challenges in my own life 

The change of the appearance of the face of  Jesus should help us to change our own appearance of the face to communicate the face of Jesus to others 

Am I ready for a change in life? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 17th Week : Saturday*

*The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major*

*Gospel : Lk 11:27-28*

*First Reading : Rev 21:1-5a*

*The Holy Church/Temple is the Symbolic Womb of Blessed Mother*

*1) Blessed is the Womb that Carried You*

These are the Words which are found in today's Gospel

A woman from the Crowd, appreciating the Mary for her mission in bringing Jesus into the World 

In fact the Womb of blessed Mother became the First Tabernacle in the world, where we have the presence of Jesus. 

In this sense the Womb of blessed Mother really becomes the blessed and Holy 

*2) The Holy Church is the Womb of our Blessed Mother*

Mary is called as the *Mother of the Church*

If she is the Mother of the Church, the Holy Church becomes the Womb of Mary where the faithful are taken care of under the Motherly protection and care of our blessed Mother 

The Church as the Womb of our mother is well protected by our blessed mother and we are safe in the womb of our blessed mother 

We really blessed to belong to the Church, which is the symbolic womb of our blessed mother, where we get everything to live and good and holy life 

*3) The Temple as the Womb of our Blessed Mother*

Today we celebrate the feast of the dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major 

A temple or a basilica has the tabernacle, which symbolizes the presence of Christ 

So the temple is nothing but the womb of blessed mother in a symbolic way where we experience the presence of Jesus 

So evey temple in the World, represents the Womb of our blessed mother, who give us generosly her son, Jesus Christ

*4) Womb is the place where life begins and Grows*

It is the womb which gives life, nurtures the life and allows to grow 

Womb is the symbol of life and growth 

So with Mary, with the catholic church and with the Holy Temple, the life of faith begins, it grows and and it becomes strong

This is the miracle of the Womb and power of the Womb  

*5) Womb is the safest place in the World*

We know from our experience, womb becomes the safest place for a child 

As long as the child is in the womb, the child is comfortable and lives in a peaceful way 

It is protected from all dangerous situations 

Likewise for a Christian or to the follower of Jesus, the Holy Church, the Temple is the safest place, because it gives every type of protection and saves us from the snares of the devil 

The Church and the Temple is the gateway to heaven

*6) Am I Blessed to be found in the womb of our blessed Mother?*

Do I feel comfortable to take shelter in the Church, which is the Womb of our blessed Mother? 

What are my challenges to remain peaceful in the Church? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Where did this man get all this?”*

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 17th Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 13:54-58*

*First Reading : Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37*

*Where did this man get all this?”*

*1) The Wisdom and Mighty deeds of Jesus*

When Jesus came to His native place, people saw some extraordinary things in Jesus 

His unthinkable wisdom, His power to work miracles and other mighty deeds really made them ask the above question : *Where did this man get all this?*

In fact it is very good question to think about the source of His wisdom, source of his mighty deeds and the source to work miracles

*2) From where did Jesus get all these things?*

The answer to this question has many implications. They could be the following

*A) Abba Experience* :

 

Jesus was in constant relationship with the Father. So this is the primary source of His wisdom and power to work mighty deeds 

*B) Study and Meditation of the Scriptures*

Jesus from the childhood read the scriptures, studied it and reflected on it. This is the another source of His wisdom and power to work mighty deeds 

*C) Prayer*

We see Jesus spending time in prayer either in the morning or in the evening or at any major events of His life. Prayer ultimately connects one to the Father. So this became another source of His wisdom and power to work miracles

*D) Visit to the temples and synagogues*

We see Jesus very often visiting the temple and synagogue. They were the places of worship and to experience the Divine power. So this also becomes a source of His wisdom and power to work miracles

*E) The Holy Family*

We see a beautiful family of Jesus where he was brought up by Joseph and Mary. It was a divine and Holy family, which made Jesus to experience the divine Love. So this also became another source for his wisdom and to work miracles

*F) Mission for Truth, Justice and for the Kingdom of God*

This was the mission of Jesus. When some one works for these Nobel cause, God Himself provides the wisdom and power to work miracles

*3) St John Vianney*

Today we celebrate the feast of St John Mary Vianney. He is the patron saint of all the Priests and Parish priest

He was an ordinary priest, but through His simplicity and commitment he had wonderful wisdom and power to work miracles in the Place where he was sent 

The Source of His wisdom and the power to work miracles came from 

Prayer life 

Sacrifice

Fasting and penance

Simplicity

Commitment

Trust in God

Wishing the betterment of others

Selfless service 

Availability for the needy 

Concern for the poor 

Working for the greater Glory of God 

*4) What is my source of Wisdom and the power to work miracles?*

All of us are eligible for the divine wisdom and the power to work miracles. But the question is where do I seek this wisdom and power? 

Do I seek in the divine things like, scriptures, prayers and in Gospel values?

Do I seek in worldly things? If at all I look into these things in Worldly things I may not find it at all!!!!

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*