Departure from the Synagogue and the Good deeds

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:38-44*

*First Reading :  - Col 1:1-8*

*Departure from the Synagogue and the Good deeds*

*1) The synagogue and the departure from the Synagogue*

The first sentence of today's Gospel speaks about the departure of Jesus from the synagogue

Synagogue is a place of worship, where Jesus had come to pray and to read the scriptures

Synagogue also a place to spend time with God and to have divine experience

After having read the scriptures, and spending sufficient time with the Father, Jesus is now ready to leave the synagogue for further mission

*2) Healing ministry of Jesus*

After Jesus left the synagogue, he goes directly into Simon's house where he cures the mother in law of Simon, who was suffering from fever 

 Then he spent whole day in healing ministry, where many people came to him and he healed them all 

*3) Synagogue and the Healing ministry*

There is a close connection between these two 

The strength for the healing ministry comes from the synagogue 

The strength for serving the people comes from the synagogue 

So there is a close connection between the what is happening in synagogue and the ministry thereafter in the surroundings

*4) Synagogue - in my context*

There are many places where synagogue experience can be experienced 

The holy places like churches, pilgrim centres, prayer halls, the altar at home and the gatherings where people come to pray 

These places give us divine experience to do our mission 

*5) Where do I go from the Holy place?*

All of us come to Sunday services. What happens afterwords,? 

All of us attend the novenas, retreats, praying rosaries and other spiritual exercises. What happens afterwards? 

Is there any connection between the holy places and my daily life and activities? 

*6) Holy places and Lived life*

A person who spends time in spiritual things, should also experience it's effects I the service to the mankind 

We may be good in praying and spending time synagogues but when we come out from the synagogue, we may ignore all the necessary and urgent things and may give importance to other things

Is there a hypocrisy in my life, in this regard? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Only Jesus can cast out unclean spirits

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:31-37*

*First Reading : 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11*

*Only Jesus can cast out unclean spirits*

*1) The man with an unclean Spirit*

The Gospel of the day presents to us a man with an unclean spirit

Surprisingly this unclean sprit recognizes Jesus and knows about the fact that Jesus can destroy this unclean spirit 

Finally it is Jesus who casts out the unclean spirit and sets the man free from the bondage of unclean spirit

*2) Am I affected with Unclean Spirits?*

Certainly yes. All of us are affected either one or other forms of unclean spirits

Some of the examples would be following

The unclean spirit of anger 

The unclean spirit of pride

The unclean spirit of greed

The unclean spirit of revenge

The unclean spirit of selfishness

The unclean spirit of lust

The unclean spirit of power

The unclean spirit of authority

The unclean spirit of ignorance

The unclean spirit of laziness

The unclean spirit of division

The unclean spirit of destruction

All these unclean spirits spoil our life and we need the assistance of Jesus to drive them out 

*3) The arrival of the Man into the synagogue*

The Gospel clearly tells us that, the man with an unclean spirit was found in the synagogue

Synagogue becomes the meeting place for Jesus and unclean spirit 

The moment the unclean spirit encounters Jesus, it simply accepts its defeat and runs away form the person   

*4) The need of coming to the synagogue*

It is not enough to have a desire to get rid of the unclean spirit, but one should have the willingness to come to the synagogue 

The synagogue symbolizes the following 

The church 

The praying place 

The altar of the house 

Coming together for service

Spending time for listing the word of God 

Reading the scriptures

Praying Rosary

Personal prayer 

Sunday Eucharist

Adoration of the blessed sacrament

The moment we come to the synagogue of above things we encounter Jesus and the unclean spirit runs away from our life 

*5) Only Jesus - this means every Good things*

Every single gesture of love or filled with the Gospel spirit brings about the presence of Jesus 

When we experience such presence of Jesus, the unclean spirit runs away from our life and we are made clean 

Finally Jesus casts out every form of unclean spirit from our life 

*6) Am I ready to collaborate with Jesus?*

All of us suffer from various unclean spirit 

Coming to the synagogue is the precondition to get rid of the unclean spirit

If so, am I ready to come to the synagogue? 

Do I feel the need of cleansing of my heart and mind by Jesus,?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Importance of the Recovery of my Sight

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:16-30*

*First Reading : 1 Thes 4:13-18*

*Importance of the Recovery of my Sight*

*1) The beginning of Jesus' Ministry*

The Gospel of the day calls us to reflect about the important aspect of Jesus' as he begins his ministry in Galilee

Various aspects of Jesus' ministry is highlighted in today's reading 

One among them is the recovery of the Sight to the blind 

*2) Two types of Sight*

First of all there is a physical sight, which most of us have in our life. Yet there are people who can't even see the beauty of this creation. So we are fortunate to enjoy the beauty of this God given creation

Secondly there is another sight, which can be called as inner sight, insight, spiritual sight, higher sight or divine sight 

It is very important to check now and then about this sight because, one may lose this sight in the race of achieving many things, which are demanded by this world 

So how is this my second level of sight?

*3) The blindness of the spiritual sight*

All of suffer from this syndrome

There are many things which enter into our life, which finally blind our spiritual sight, which becomes fatal to out spiritual life 

The person who exploits the other for his selfish motives, has lost the inner sight 

The person who takes revenge has lost the inner sight 

The person who manipulates and puts others  into difficult situation has lost the inner sight 

The person who lives in a sensuality state has lost the inner sight 

The person who desires materials things beyond the limit has lost the inner sight 

The person who loves authority, wealth, money, position has lost the inner sight 

*4) We need the inner sight for the following*

To serve the needy we need inner sight 

To love our enemies

To show concern for others 

To help others 

To become a generos person

To humble oneself

To lead a simple life 

To adjust with others 

To forgive others 

To live in a peaceful situation

To carry out the above noble works one needs, the reason for the same. Only a person with divine sight or spiritual sight can find out the reason and do these things 

*5) Jesus came to restore the Inner Sight*

The main mission of Jesus is to restore the inner sight so that we can experience the divine life which is hidden in us 

Jesus restored our inner sight through, forgiveness, service, love, generosity, preaching and teaching 

Prayer is another way to restore the inner sight

Scripture is another powerful way to restore the inner sight 

Service to the needy, is another powerful way 

Am I ready to collaborate with Jesus in the missiin of restoring my inner sight?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

We are invited to Think Like God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:21-27*

*First Reading : Jer 20:7-9*

*SECOND READING -Rom 12:1-2*

*We are invited to Think Like God*

*1) Jesus' invitation to think like God*

The Gospel of the day shows two kinds of thinking. 

The thinking of God 

The Thinking of Man 

Peter was thinking like a human being and not like God

That's why Jesus corrects him and invites him to think like God 

The same invitation is also given to us 

*2) Is it possible to think like God?*

Since we have been created by the image and likeness of God, it is possible to think like God

Since we are given the share of divine wisdom and holiness, one can think like God and imitate God very well 

The psalm 8:5 says,  *You have made them  a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor*

This is the glory of the human beings in the creation order. So it is definitely possible to think like God

*3) Thinking like Human is an obstacle for God's plan*

This is very clear from today's Gospel. 

When Peter was thinking like a human being, Jesus says, *“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”*

So the moment we think like human being we forget about God

*4) What is God's thinking*

Gods thinking is very well found in the entire Scriptures

The Ten commandments of God, tell us how to think like God

The teachings of Jesus are the best ways to understand the thinking of God 

In God's thinking the following things are found 

Justice, truth, forgiveness, Mercy, love, service, sacrifice, simplicity, authenticity, joyfulness, happiness, understanding, faithfulness, genuine relationship, unity, peace, etc 

*5) How does the Human beings think*

Jeremiah 17:9 says *The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?*

This is how human beings think. That's why it becomes an obstacle to God's mission 

Man's thinking consists in the following

Easy results

Short cuts 

No pain but only gain 

Results important but means are compromised

Greed, overlooks e everything

Selfishness

Desire to accumulate than to share 

These  things go against the very nature of God's thinking 

*6) How do I think?*

Do I think like God or like Human beings?

Its very important to think like God.

All those who became great sainsts, thought like God, and lived like God. That is how they became sainsts 

The moment we think like God, it encourages us to follow in our life and we become our heavenly faith 

*Be perfect like your heavenly Father* a wonderful invitation from 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*

Third Servant Kept it safe, returned it safe : Still he was accused - Why?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 21st Week : Saturday *

*Gospel :  - Mt 25:14-30*

*First Reading :  -1 Thes 4:9-11*

*Third Servant Kept it safe, returned it safe : Still he was accused - Why?*

*1) Third Servant with One Talent*

In today's parable we have a Master with three servants 

The first servant received five talents, the second one received two talents and the Third one received one talent. 

The Gospel says, each one received according to their ability

*2) The Return of the talents*

All three servants returned the talents which were given by the master. None of them deceived the Master 

The first one received five, but he have back ten 

The second one received two he gave back four 

The third one received one and he returned the same one talent

So all were faithful in returning the talents 

*3) Talents were given for trading*

The Master had two purpose in his mind 

One : to use it for the business and to multiply the talents 

Second : to take initiatives to use the talents, the creative use of the talents 

The first two servants, used the talents according to the mind of the Master 

The third one didn't use the talents according to the wish of the Master 

*4) If one talents loses, the Third servant loses everything*

For the third servant there was a risk of losing the only one talent. Others at least had other talents 

So, is the third servant is justified based on this argument. Can we say that it was better to protect it, than to lose it? 

Finally he returned it to the Master without losing it 

*5) Why the Third servant was accused then?*

First of all, the only one talent was given to him, to use it, and not to bury it 

Secondly, by burying, it has absolute no opportunity to grow or to multiply. 

Thirdly : at least if he had put it in the bank he would have received the interest. That also not done 

So the third servant was accused

*6) If he had lost the talent, what would be the result?*

Losing itself is a great adventure. Only a person who is ready to lose can win. A person who is afraid of losing can gain nothing in life 

Losing is the part of life, but burying is not the part of life.

Winning and losing is the part of the game. Not to participate in game is not the quality of the sportsmen, when there is a fear of losing

*7) Life without risk is useless*

The third servant didn't take risk in life for the fear of losing. Life became useless 

God does not value us on winning or losing. He values how we participate in the game 

Losing is absolutely right. God will not condemn for losing, but he will condemn for not taking risk in life 

Take risk, if you win, you are a winner. If you lose you are a hero for taking risk. That's the Philosophy of God 

Will I be accused for not making use of the God given talents in my life in the service of my neighbour? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

My Lamp of Faith, Full or Empty?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 21st Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Matthew 25:1-13*

*First Reading : 1 Thes 4:1-8*

*My Lamp of Faith, Full or Empty?*

*1) The Lamp in the Marriage celebration*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the Lamp, in the celebration of the Marriage 

It is obvious why the Lamp is needed for the Marriage celebration. It is for the Light 

*2) Two categories of Lamps with Two types of people*

The Gospel makes it very clear that, there are two categories of Lamps 

First category of lamps consists of Oil in thr lamps  

The second category of Lamps have already run out off the oil. Therefore they are lamps without oil 

People with Lamps along with oil are considered wise, whereas people with lamps with out oil are considered as foolish 

*3) The Lamp of Faith*

Every Christian is given this lamp at the time of Baptism, with full oil. 

Over the years this lamp has burned and given us the bright light to live our life 

At the same time we had the great responsibility of filling this lamp with oil for its continuous burning 

So we need to check whether my lamp of faith has ran out off oil or it is full or it is half 

*4) Burning of the lamp is very important to get in*

With out this burning of the lamp one is unable to enter into the marriage banquet

Burning of the lamps also speaks about the alertness, preparedness, ready and carefully waiting to enter in 

In the parable those virgins who were ready were able to enter others could not 

Unless we keep our faith lamp burning we can't enter into heaven 

*5) My lamp with oil is very important*

There were five  lamps which were burning. But it didn't help them to get in. 

So my lamp with oil, which keeps burning is very important. 

I can't depend on some one else's lamp to get into heaven 

*6) The lamp of faith needs the following*

The oil of service 

The oil of truth 

The oil of simplicity 

The oil of love 

The oil of humility

The oil of sacrifice

The oil of generosity

The oil of forgiveness

The oil of concern 

The oil of prayer 

The oil of peace 

The oil of discipline

The oil of harwork 

The oil of trust 

The oil of faithfulness

The oil of understanding

*Is my lamp of faith is full or empty?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Stay awake for two things

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 21st Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 24:42-51*

*First Reading : 1 Thes 3:7-13*

*Stay awake for two things*

*1) Stay awake*

In today's Gospel Jesus says about staying awake

This is very important to know when, why and how we should stay awake and if we don't stay awake what tragedy happens in our life 

In this context the concept *stay awake* is very important concept in our life 

*2) Stay awake - the Master is Coming*

This is the first reason why we have to stay awake. The master of the House is about to arrive. But no one knows the exact time 

So unless one stays awake one can't be ready to receive the Master 

Master always comes in am unexpected hour. So one needs to be awake all the time 

*3) Stay awake - The thief is coming*

The thief also comes in an unexpected hour. The thief never comes when we are ready 

The thief sees when we are not ready, when are in slumber, when we are careless he enters and steals everything 

Staying awake means, no chance for the thief to enter  and break the house

*4) Our Master is Jesus*

Jesus is our Master and Lord

He comes in an unexpended hour 

So we need to be awake. Our Master comes to fill us with Grace and blessings 

If we are not awake we will lose all the blessings and graces from God 

*5) The thief is Satan and Sin*

Very cunning and vigilant to enter into our life when we are least prepared for the battle 

The sin and Satan always sees the best opportunity to destroy our life 

So we need to be very careful, or else we will lose everything in life 

*6)  Am I awake?*

We know why we have to keep ourselves awake 

The major problems happen in our life because we are not awake 

The greed, anger, selfishness, envy, jealousy, desire for money, power and pleasure make us inactive and lazzy in many good things 

This is the best opportunity to Satan and sin to enter in our life and to take control of our life 

So the question is am I awake to defeat Satan and to receive Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*