The beauty of Personal Correction

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 19th Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 18:15-20*

*First Reading : Dt 34:1-12*

*The beauty of Personal Correction*

*1)  Jesus on Personal correction*

In the Gospel of the day, Jesus speaks about the personal corrections. 

Jesus says *“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone*

It should be noted that, among all other ways of corrections, the personal way of correcting takes the first place

So one can understand the importance of correcting another in a personal way 

*2) The Fault is not known to the other*

Always the fault happens between two persons. It their personal matter, which I'd between two 

The moment a person tries to correct another in a personal way, the fault remains only with the two 

In fact if the matter gets solved, the entire dispute, gets over, between two. No more it goes out of the two 

This is important realise that the fault of a person does not go out and one has the responsibility to solve it between them 

*3) The reputation of the good name is protected*

When the matter is solved with the person correction, the name of the person is protected and the damage to the others name can be avoided 

As a responsibile person and the follower of Jesus, one has the responsibility of protecting the good reputation of others name 

It is a noble act to protect the sanctity of others name 

*4) Personal corrections are more powerful*

Personal corrections are more powerful because, the person is able to understand the other in a better way 

They are powerful because, peaceful discussion between them is possible

They are powerful because, the parties are in a better position to make some sacrifices and compromises to settle the matter 

They are powerful because, one is able to judge in s better way about their own acts 

*5) How do I deal with the disputes?*

At times we follow the reverse oder instead of the personal order 

At times people tell Evey one in the vicinity, except the concerned person 

Telling the whole world and not communicating the concerned person can damage the good name of another and one can cause a lot of damage to the other 

*6) Which logic I follow?*

Do I follow solving the dispute at the personal level? 

Do I use this dispute to malign the name of another person? 

Do I involve in gossip, when others offend me for certain reasons? 

How do I respond to the situation? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Great things involved in Mary's Visit

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 19th Week : Tuesday*

*Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary*

*Gospel : Lk 1:39-58*

*First Reading : Rev 12:1-6a, 10ab*

*SECOND READING - 1 Cor 15:20-27*

*The Great things involved in Mary's Visit*

*1) Mary's Visit to Elizabeth*

The Gospel of the day speaks about our Blessed Mother's visit to Elizabeth 

After She received the Good news from the Angel Gabriel and also leant from the angel that Elizabeth is also pregnant, hurriedly she went to meet her cousin Elizabeth and to remain with her for some time 

This visit is not a simple visit, but a visit filled with great things 

Some of the great things could be analyzed in the following way  

*2) Mary's Visit Brings Jesus*

Mary's visit to Elizabeth also brought Jesus to the house of Elizabeth

Mary's visit always brings Jesus into our life. This is one of the greatest gift of Mary to all of us 

*3) Mary's visit Brings the presence of the Holy Spirit*

When Mary visited Elizabeth, *filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* 

Do from the Gospel it is clear that Mary's visit helps us to experience the Divine power of the Holy Spirit and helps us praise God 

*4) Mary's Visit brings change in Life*

The House of Elizabeth was filled with silence. Zachariah was not able to speak. So there was a kind of sad situation in the House 

Mary's visit changes the situation of Elizabeth's house 

In fact the visit of our blessed mother changes the situation of our family and life 

*5) Mary's visit Brings Happiness*

When Mary's visited Elizabeth, the baby in her womb, leaped with Joy 

Baby John was filled with Happiness, Elizabeth was filled with Happiness, Zachariah was also filled with joy. 

So Mary's visit brings happiness in life 

*6) Mary's visit makes us to praise God*

With Mary's visit, Elizabeth started to praise God and was able to see the great things in her life 

Mary's Visit definitely, helps us to praise God and to see great things in our life  

*7) Mary visits us every day*

When we pray rosary Mary visits us 

When we do the novena of Mary, she visits us 

When we pray for her intercession, she visits us 

When we pray to Jesus she visits us 

Her number of apparitions nothing but her visits to her children, when they are in danger

How blessed and lucky we are to have such a blessed Mother 

*Happy feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother into Heaven and Happy Independence Day*

 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The lessons from the paying of Temple Tax

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 19th Week : Monday

*Gospel : Mt 17:22-27*

*First Reading : Dt 10:12-22*

*The lessons from the paying of Temple Tax*

*1) Was Jesus liable to pay Temple Tax?*

In fact Jesus was not liable to pay the temple tax. The reasons are very clear 

Jesus told Peter why he should not have to pay the tax: 

1. He owned the temple (Mal. 3:1).

2. He had previously cleansed the temple (Jn. 2:16).

3. He was the eternal Son of God (Mt. 16:16).

*2) The reasons for paying the Taxes*

Jesus also told Peter why he should pay the tax:

1. To maintain a good testimony: *"Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them."*

2. To increase Peter's faith

3. To illustrate His work as the second Adam

When God created Adam he gave the control over the Fish

Now Jesus the Second Adam is also having that control over every creature 

So it should be noted that the fish obyed its creator

*3) Increase of Peter's Faith*

Here it should be noted this miracle as the test of Peter's faith 

In fact Peter was an expert fishermen. And now such an expert man receiving the advice from Jesus, about fishing 

How to fish, where to fish and what type of fish to catch 

Now it is a situation where Peter exhibited His humility and listened to Jesus 

That is how he proved his loyalty to Jesus 

*4) We need to do certain things to maintain Harmony*

The paying of the taxes was purely seen an maintaining of the harmony. In other words the taxes were paid so that they do not offend others by not paying it or they don't put others into trouble

So the lesson is very clear, at times we have to go out of the way and do certain things in order to maintain harmony, even though we are not expected to do such things 

This also shows the generosity of the person 

*5) Responsibility towards the Society*

Paying of the taxes also shows ones responsibility towards the Society

Since we are living in a society, we have to duty and responsibility of maintaining the discipline of the society. 

One of the ways to do it, by paying the taxes to the Government, for the developmental works and maintaining the harmony

*6) How about my Life?*

Am I ready to Listen to Jesus like Peter, even at times I feel, I am competent in certain areas? 

Am I ready to go out of the way, to do something for the betterment of the society and to maintain the harmony? 

Am I ready to cooperate with my duty towards the society? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Journey Towards Jesus is a Challenging one

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 19th Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 14:22-33*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a*

*SECOND READING - Rom 9:1-5*

*Journey Towards Jesus is a Challenging one*

*1) Peter's Journey with a positive Note*

When Peter saw that it was Jesus who was walking on the Water, He wanted to go towards Jesus 

Going towards Jesus is something thrilling and desired by all. So Peter also wanted to go 

So he asked Jesus. Jesus said *Come*. With this command Peter simply jumps into the water and starts walking 

He might have been surprised to see him walking on the water, because this is something new and thrilling

So with this positive note Peter starts His journey towards Jesus 

*2) Peter's Challenge*

Soon he realises the journey is not very easy 

When he saw a huge wind, on His journey, he was frightened about it 

His joy of walking on the water turned into fear and he was totally confused 

With the fear he lost the confidence, he lost his gaze on Jesus and began to sink

Peter might not expected this terrible event to happen during his journey towards Jesus 

At this point Peter began to sink in the water, a biggest challenge, in his life   

*3) The Cry of Peter*

The cry of Peter, *Lord save me* comes in the context of His journey towards Jesus 

When he found difficult to continue his journey, and when he was about to lose everything, he cries out to Jesus 

It was a crucial moment in the life of Peter, and Peter called out Jesus, and Jesus saved Him 

*4) Journey towards Jesus always filled with newness and Challenges*

We see in the life of Peter that journey towards Jesus has some special characteristics

The journey with new experience : the experience walking on the water 

The journey with something totally new, the walking on the water, a totally a new concept

The journey with unexpected new challenges : the Strong wind 

The journey with, risking ones life into the venture : jumping into the water 

The journey with total faith and confidence : walking on the water, needs a strong faith in the words of Jesus 

*5) My Journey towards Jesus*

From the Life of Peter, it is very clear, that the beginning of the journey is thrilling, joyful and something new 

Soon we realise the challenges of the journey because of the strong wind, which makes our journey so difficult

The strong wind of greed 

The strong wind of fear 

The strong wind of anxiety

The strong wind of anger 

The strong wind of weakness

The strong wind of bodily cravings

The strong wind of the desire for material things 

The strong wind of power 

The strong wind of wealth 

The strong wind of position

The strong wind of pleasure

In our journey towards Jesus these winds disturb our focus, and make difficult our journey. So we need to be very careful about these 

*6) Crying for Jesus is very important*

Challenges are very common and unavoidable

But from our part, crying to Jesus *Lord save me* is very important

In the midst of challenges, our journey towards Jesus, to whom do we cry? 

Do we cry to Jesus? 

Do we cry to magical powers? 

Do we relay on our own strength?

Do we cry for human power? 

Do we cry for money power ? 

Do we cry for muscle power? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Logic of having faith, the size of a mustard seed,

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 18th Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 17:14-20*

*First Reading : Dt 6:4-13*

*The Logic of having faith, the size of a mustard seed,*

*1) Mustard seed is not a simple seed*

We have a beautiful parable of the Mustard seed, to which Jesus compares the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom God is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches” (Luke 13:18-19).

It also becomes the tallest of all trees 

*2) Faith Like Mustard Seed*

From the Above explanation we can conclude the power of the faith that of the size of a Mustard seed 

Such a faith is very powerful which can do anything 

That's why Jesus says towards the end of the Gospel, Nothing will be impossible for anyone to those who have faith that of the size of a mustrad seed”

*3) Little faith is lack of faith*

In the Gospel Jesus also refers to the Little faith of the disciples, which is unable to cast out the demons

On the other hand Jesus also speaks about the faith that of the size of a mustard seed, which is able to move the mountains 

It means the faith which is like the mustard seed is a very powerful faith and little faith is no faith at all 

So the reference to little faith means no faith at all 

*4) The mustard seed needs to grow*

It is not enough to have faith that of the size of a mustard seed 

The need of sprouting the seed, and growing like a tall tree is highlighted in the parable of the mustard seed 

So our responsibility of allowing the seed of faith to sprout in our life and allowing it to grow like a mustard seed, is very much needed and necessary 

*5) Faith can do and achieve anything in life*

In the Gospel of the day, it is through the faith Jesus casts out the demon 

It is the lack of faith of the disciples which makes them incapable of casting out the demon 

Ultimately faith is powerful instrument, which can even casts out demon. This also shows faith can do and achieve anything in life 

*6) How deep is my Faith?*

Is my faith like the disciples, which is no faith at all, and not able to get any favours? 

Is my faith like mustard seed, which has the capacity to grow and perform miracles? 

Am I ready to allow the mustard seed of faith to grow 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*

The Choice between the Earthly life based on material standards and the Soul

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 18th Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:24-28*

*First Reading : Dt 4:32-40*

*The Choice between the Earthly life based on material standards and the Soul*

*1) The debate between the life based on worldly Standards and the Soul*

In the Gospel of the day Jesus brings about the difference between the life based on the Worldly standards and the life based on the eternal standards

On the one side Jesus shows the futility of the life which is constucted on the worldly standards and the richness of the life based on the eternal standards

Jesus also challenges to think about the great value of the life which is based on the eternal standards and the temporality of the life based on the earthly standards

*2) Life based on eternal standards gives everything*

This is the beauty of the life based on the eternal standards

At the end of the day or at the end of ones life there is a inner satisfaction and fulfillment that one has lived ones life, in a fruitful way 

Such a satisfaction no money or wealth of this world can give 

This is what Jesus says *what can one give in exchange for his life?*

*3) No wealth or power in this world can buy the life of the Soul!!!*

Many people have the idea that, money can buy anything in this world 

Definitely money can buy any worldly things. But it can't buy the eternal things or the life of the soul 

Life of the Soul belongs to different area and not to the area of money, wealth or business 

*4) Where does the life of the Soul belongs?*

The life of the Soul belongs to the following areas 

The area of service 

The area of sacrifice

The area of love 

The area of humility

The area of forgiveness

The area of sincerity

The area of generosity

The area of goodwill

The area of concern 

The area of fidelity

The area of faithfulness

The area of prayer 

The area of spirituality

The area of morality 

The area of values 

The area of discipline 

Non of these area can be bought for money and wealth. Neither they can be included in the area of business

*5) Life of the Soul is a free gift of the Lord*

God freely gives this gift to each one of us 

Those who understand the value of it they receive it with grateful heart 

It is available to everyone. This life is not reserved for only one group of people. Any one can access. 

The only standard to this life is, one needs to follow the Gospel standards. To such, this life of the Soul is available

*6) How is the life of my Soul?*

We take care of the bodily life, which is very important

If one has the best healthy bodily life, but is always found sick with regard to the life of the soul, such a life is meaningless 

A good life of the Soul gives meaning to all situations of life,  and there is a inner beauty in living such a life 

So the question is, how is my life of the Soul? Is it healthy? Is it sickly? Or has it already dead? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

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*