The Primary Duty of the Followers of Jesus : To observe and to teach the commandments

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Third Week: Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:17-19*

*First Reading : Dt 4:1, 5-9*

*The Primary Duty of the Followers of Jesus : To observe and to teach the commandments*

*1) Who is great in the Kingdom of Heaven?*

The Gospel of the day has this particular question and as well as the answer 

It says, *"whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”*

This shows the importance of the commandments of the Lord 

*2) The Commandments of the Lord*

In the Old Testament we have 10 commandments which were given by the Lord, on Mount Sinai to Moses 

Observing these commandments and teaching them to others is one of the primary duties of a Christian

Through which we can become great in the kingdom of Heaven

*3) Simplification of the Commandments by Jesus*

In the New Testament, Jesus simplifies all the commandments and gives us the following understanding

*A) Love and teach others to Love*

This is one of the most powerful aspects of the commandments of the Lord 

Love as Jesus loved. Unconditional, sacrificial, self-emptying love, which needs total commitment

*B) Forgive and teach others to Forgive*

This is the highlight of Jesus' ministry and teaching 

Forgiveness can't be disconnected from Christian spirituality

*C) Serve and teach others to serve*

Service is the foundation of Jesus' spirituality and kernel of the commandments

Through service one can share ones life with others for the greater glory of God

*D) Bear witness and teach others to Witness*

We need to bear witness through our life and ministry. 

Observing the values of Christ will help us to bear witness to Christ and we need to teach the same to others 

*E) Pray and teach others to pray*

A follower of Jesus can't survive with out prayer. 

First of all one needs to pray of lot and teach others to pray as well 

*F) Suffering and teaching others to endure suffering*

Suffering is the part of Christian life. One has to suffer for the sake of Jesus 

Teaching others how to endure suffering is also very important 

*4) Opportunity to become great in the Kingdom of Heaven*

There are number of opportunities to become great in the Kingdom of heaven 

Becoming great in the kingdom of heaven is the primary purpose of our life 

By observing and teaching others the above mentioned things one can become great in the kingdom of Heaven 

If so, am I ready to become great in the kingdom of heaven? 

Am I ready to follow the path of greatness in heaven, which is demanding and challenging? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

When God given goodness, is not Shared will be taken Away

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Third Week: Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 18:21-35*

*First Reading : Dn 3:25, 34-43*

*When God given goodness, is not Shared will be taken Away*

*1) The debtor of the Master*

The Gospel of the day presents to us a debtor, who owed a huge amount of money to the Master 

Therefore the master ordered to sell all his property including  his wife, his children, in payment of the debt.

At this point the debtor begged for some more time from the Master, for the repayment of the debt

The Compassionate master allowed the debtor to have some more time in repayment of the debt

*2) The Fellow friend of the Debtor*

The Gospel also shows another person who was the friend this debtor 

His friend had a small amount to this debtor of the master

When the debtor insisted to pay, he also begged for some more time for the repayment

But this debtor didn't agree for the time. Instead, he ill treated his fellow being and put him in prison until he paid, whatever he owed to the debtor of the Master  

*3) Severe Punishment to the Debtor*

When the master came to know the ill treatment of his debtor, he called the debtor, and cancelled all the privileges given by the master to the debtor

At the same time, the Master ordered that the debtor should be put in prison until he pays the full amount without any concession

So the Master gave heavy punishment, to His debtor for failing to treat his fellow being with respect and dignity

*4) The debtor lost everything*

In the beginning the debtor enjoyed every facility from the Master in spite of his huge debt, because of the Goodness of the Master 

But when he failed to use the same goodness, towards His fellow being, by not showing any mercy to his fellow being the Master withdrew all the benefits which were previously given to the debtor 

Since he failed to share with others, the Good things which he received from the Master, he lost everything and finally landed into deep trouble 

*5) Unshared Goodness is simply lost*

The debtor didn't take any interest to share the goodness which he received from the Master with his fellow being 

Within no time the debtor lost all he had, landed into prison 

Good things, which are not shared will be simply lost 

Good things which are shared with others will be multiplied without any measure 

*6) How about my Life?*

Am I using the God given wealth for my selfish purpose? 

Am I using the double standard policy, while receiving the favours and while sharing the favours? 

Am I greedy and selfish person in using the privileges with out sharing with others 

Good things which are not used for service and good things which are not shared can't even remain with us 

It will be taken away from us and we will land into deep trouble

If so, what is my response??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Naaman, Leprosy and God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Third Week: Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:24-30*

*First Reading : 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab*

*Naaman, Leprosy and God*

*1) Naaman the Powerful Man*

The first reading of the day speaks about the caliber of Naaman 

Naaman, was the army commander of the king of Aram

He was highly esteemed and respected by his master,

He played a very important role in bringing the victory to Aram.

He was vert valiant, it means he was very courageous

This shows the power of Naaman

*2) The Sickness of Naaman*

Even through he was so powerful, he was suffering from leprosy

Because of this sickness, he had become helpless, in spite of his powerful position 

His powerful position didn't help him in any way in getting rid of his leprosy 

This incident clearly shows us, when sickness comes, no position helps us. One has to face the sickness by all means 

*3) Cure of the Leprosy*

Naaman the leper finally learns from the servant Girl about the prophet and the God of Israel

Since Naaman knew that nothing works for his leprosy, he wanted to try the divine assistance in handling his sickness

That is how he comes to the Prophet, with the guidance of the slave girl and presents himself to the prophet

When Prophet told him to take bath in the river Jordan, he was cured 

He praised God of Israel for this great Healing

*4) God is the source of all good things*

From the incident of Naaman it is very clear that without God one can do nothing 

So he finally came to meet the prophet and to get rid of his leprosy

Some times no power on earth will save us. But in such a situation asking God's grace and facing the situation, with the grace of God would become meaningful 

God is the source of all good things. Naaman also experienced the same 

*5) God can't be replaced*

There is a strong tendency in today's world to replace God with science and other things 

But the incident of Naaman clearly shows us, God can't be replaced with anything 

Instead God is the climax of everything in life 

There is no challenge for God's power 

*6) How about my Life?*

Do I depend on my muscle power? 

Do I depend of my material strength? 

Do I depend on power, position, influence, wealth and so on? 

Do I depend on God? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The need of Cleansing the Temple

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Third Week: Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 2:13-25*

*First Reading : Ex 20:1-17*

*SECOND READING - 1 Cor 1:22-25*

*The need of Cleansing the Temple*

*1) Jesus cleans the temple*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the cleansing of the Temple 

Temple is primarily meant for prayer and to have God experience 

When the temple becomes the place of business, it loses its significance and its value 

When Jesus entered the temple He saw a scene where the temple needed a thorough cleansing because, it had lost its value 

So finally Jesus cleans the temple and restores its original dignity for God experience

*2) Lent is a special  time for cleansing*

We are in the third Sunday of Lent 

Lent has a special significance for cleansing the temple and oneself 

All our spiritual activities highlight the importance of cleansing our life and our surroundings 

A place or a life, which is not clean or filled with dirty things can't be used for any purpose 

So this Lenten season calls us for cleansing our life 

*3) Temple of the Holy Spirit*

St Paul beautifully highlights the importance of our life 

He says *Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit* 1Cor 6:19

So our life is like a Holy Temple, in which the presence of God is very much Found 

But the Question is, *Is my life still a temple of the Holy Spirit?*

Do I need any form of cleansing? 

Is there anything in my life that has to be removed? 

Cleansing of the Temple definitely has a direct reference for cleansing of our own life 

*4) Life as a market place?*

The cleansing of the temple also draws our attention to the market place 

In this context, our life at times may become  a market place 

When God given talents, skills, physical strength, knowledge, wisdom, intelligence and courage is used for purely making money and not for service, life becomes a market place 

All of us should be aware of this tendency in us 

*5) Importance of the Service*

God has given this life to serve one another

The primary purpose of our life to Love God and our neighbor thorough service. If there is no service in our life, there is no meaning for our life 

We become the temple of the Holy Spirit through Service and not by business  

*6) Need of Cleansing*

There are many areas which need cleansing. Without which our life becomes meaningless

If so, which are the areas, really need the divine cleansing? 

Sacrament of reconciliation is the powerful tool to cleanse our life, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit 

May cleansing of our life, facilitate Jesus to dwell in our lives

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 15:1-3, 11-32*

*First Reading : Mi 7:14-15, 18-20*

*I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him*

*1) The Crime of Refusing to get Up*

“Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.” Chinese proverb. 

This particular proverb shows us how our attitude with the failure should be 

Failure is one of the many aspects of our life. Need to take it in a right spirit

The moment one gives up the effort to get up, that itself becomes the end of every effort

*2) Prodigal Son got up*

The parable of the prodigal son has a beautiful turning point 

The turning point starts in *when he came to his senses* he began to think about His life 

That made him to get up from his failure and to move the path of success

Finally he was successful 

*3) Lent is a special time to get up*

We are in the season of Lent and, this is a special time of Grace 

Lent is a time to get up from our wrongdoings 

Lent is a time to get from our pride, hypocrisy, duplicity, selfishness, anger, revenge, greed, and from other evil ways 

*4) Getting up, changes our life and direction*

The prodigal son, had totally missed the way

But he determined to get up from the miserable situation in his life 

The prodigal son's getting up, totally changed his life, his perspectives, his attitude, his behavior and other areas as well 

*5) Getting up is a continuous process*

Getting up is not a one time activity

It is a continous action of our life. It also extends to all the areas of our life 

The repetition of this activity *Getting Up* purifes our life, makes us Holy, and guides us in the way of perfection

*6) Getting Up in my Life*

The actions of *Getting Up* extends to all the areas of our life 

So what are the areas I need the action of getting Up? 

I need to get up from my laziness

I need to get up from my hatred 

I need to get up from jealousy

I need to get up from my pride 

I need to get up from my selfishness

I need to get up from my fear 

I need to get up from my comfort zone 

I need to get up from my easy way of life 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

We are leased tenants

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 21:33-43, 45-46*

*First Reading : Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a*

*We are leased tenants*

*1) The concept of Leased tenants*

In the lease agreement there is a owner and there is a tenant 

Everything belongs to the owner. Owner prepares everything and gives to the tenant on a lease agreement for the use 

The tenant has the freedom to use the owners property, according to the conditions laid in the agreement

In the lease agreement, nothing is permanent to the tenant, everything is on temporary basis 

*2) Life is given on a lease agreement*

The concept of lease agreement is very much applicable to our life 

God is the owner and we are the tenants 

Everything belongs to God. But God has given to us for our use, according to the conditions laid in the Scriptures 

Ten commandments are the conditions for the lease agreement between God and Human beings 

Life is given to us on lease agreement. The term may be maximum 100 years. 

*3) Our Soul is on a lease agreement*

Soul is the important aspect of our life. It is the spiritual entity of our life. 

In fact this soul belongs to God, who has given us on lease deed 

God has placed the Soul in our body. On the last day of the agreement, we have to surrender this Soul to God. 

*4) Our Skills and Talents are on lease agreement*

God has blessed us with many talents and skills. 

All these are given with a purpose. The purpose is to praise God, and to spread His Kingdom and His values 

None of the Skills and talents belong to us. They are given to us on lease agreement, for a definite purpose, and for a certain period 

*5) Our mission is on lease agreement*

We have been sent with a mission. The mission to build the Kingdom of God 

The Mission is given to us by our Lord, for certain years. 

God also gives us all the necessary things which are needed to carry out the mission

Our duty is, as a faithful tenants, follow the commandments, and carry out the mission

*6) Failures in Lease agreement*

The tenants in the Gospel, violated the lease agreement and went against the will of the Master

They tried by force and violence to snatch away the vineyard of the Master 

But owner is so powerful they could do nothing

But on the contrary, the vineyard was taken back, and the owner killed the tenants who violated the lease agreement

This is what will happen to us, and to our life, if we fail to remain faithful the lease agreement

By following the commandments of the Lord, one can remain faithful to the lease agreement

Lease agreement finally takes us to the eternal abode, to become the permanent members in God's Kingdom 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The cost of the blindness of the Rich man

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 16:19-31*

*First Reading : Jer 17:5-10*

*The cost of the blindness of the Rich man*

*1) The position of the Rich Man*

According to the Gospel the rich man had lots of wealth 

*Rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.*

So he was in good position as regards to his wealth

*2) The mistake of the Rich man*

The Rich man didn't ill treat the poor Lazarus

He even allowed Lazarus to collect the scraps which fell from his table 

Even then the rich man was condemned because of his indifference towards Lazarus 

He forgot that Lazarus was also a human being, he too needed some good food to sustain himself 

The Rich man failed to see the human dignity in poor Lazarus

*3) Rich man became blind to the reality*

The rich man was not able to see the misery of Lazarus 

When dog came and licked his sores, he didn't even bother about it 

In a way the richness made him blind to the misery of Lazarus 

The richness of the man made his view very narrow, which saw only the comforts about his life and self indulgence

His blindness was cruel, he didn't see anything in Lazarus

*4) The cost of the blindness of the Rich man*

The Riches of this world can accompany a person only in this world 

It will accompany in the next world, provided one makes the right use of the riches 

The rich man failed to make use of the riches in the right spirit. Thats why became poor in the next world 

The cost of blindness of the rich man was so severe, within no time he became not only poor but he became begger 

The rich man was begging with Abraham and Lazarus, for some favour, which was not possible to do 

*5) The use of the Riches or Wealth*

Wealth or Riches can be used as long as we live in this world 

Once we are out from this world, in no way the wealth of this world can be used 

But the effect of the use of this wealth surely will decide our destiny

The rich man used the wealth only for the self and for pleasurable things. Others were not existing for him 

Effect is, in the next world no one exist for him. 

Neither the wealth, nor the persons could help the rich man in any way 

The Rich man died as a poor begger. He had nothing which could help him in the next life 

*6) My life?*

Have I been, blind to the current realities, because of my pride, arrogance, over confidence, fear of failure, riches, wealth and other things? 

Is my riches, knowledge, skills, power and position, making me blind?? 

Is my riches controlling me or I am controlling the wealth?/

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*