Lent is a time to hear the voice of the Son of God and to come out of the tomb of Sin

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Fourth Week: Wednesday*

*Gospel : Jn 5:17-30*

*First Reading : Is 49:8-15*

*Lent is a time to hear the voice of the Son of God and to come out of the tomb of Sin*

*1) The Hour is Coming to rise from the tomb*

The Gospel of the day has a special reference to the time in which all those people who are in the tomb will rise at the voice of the Son of Man 

In the context, it is applicable to the passion death and resurrection of Jesus, which will bring about the resurrection of all those who believe in the Son of Man 

At the same time *The Hour* also has special significance to the season of Lent  

*2) Season of Lent is THE HOUR*

Lent is a speacil time to hear the voice of the Lord 

Through Prayer, meditation, way of the Cross, Reading of the Bible and various other Spiritual exercises help us to hear the voice of the Lord 

So lent is a special time to Hear the voice of the Lord

*3) Rising from the Tomb*

As a result of hearing the voice of the Lord, all those who are in the Tomb will rise again to experience the intimacy with the Lord 

Rising from the Tomb, has a special significance to our spiritual life, during this season of Lent 

The revival of the spiritual life during the lent could be connected to the rising from the tomb 

*4) The tragedy  of life in the Tomb*

We often live in the tomb, even though we are physically alive 

The various types of tomb which make us lifeless could be following

The tomb of sin 

The tomb of pride

The tomb of Jealousy

The tomb of selfishness

The tomb of revenge

The tomb of greed

The tomb of addition

The tomb of anger 

The tomb of lies 

The tomb of gossip

The tomb of narrow mindedness

The tomb of indifference

The tomb of alcohol

The tomb of drugs 

The tomb of cheating

The tomb of attachment to wealth, money, power, position, authority etc 

*5) Am I able to come out from the Tomb of Sin?*

Two things are necessary to come out from the tomb 

*First : Listening to the Voice of the Son of God* Gospel are the Sources of it 

*Secondly : We must try to do good* Good deeds are very much needed. 

Jesus says *those who have done good deeds will rise  to the resurrection of life*

So, 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*

Jesus, pool of Bethesda, and the man ill for 38 years

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Fourth Week: Tuesday*

*Gospel : Jn 5:1-16*

*First Reading : Ez 47:1-9, 12*

*Jesus, pool of Bethesda, and the man ill for 38 years*

*1) Pool of Bethesda*

The Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem was where sick people gathered with hopes of being cured of their illnesses. 

The Aramaic word Bethesda means “house of mercy” or “house of grace” in English.

 This pool has five porticos or porches adjacent to the pool, where the ill people waited and watched for an angel to stir the water. 

The hopeful, diseased people at the poolside believed that the first person to step into the water after it was stirred by an angel was healed

*2) Ill  man for 38 years*

He believed in the power of the pool water 

Even after 38 years, he had not lost His hope 

He has been waiting for the opportunity to get into the water 

This pool, kept his desire of becoming well alive 

His hope of becoming well was much dependent on the pool and the things that will take place in the pool 

*3) Jesus the Divine Healer*

When Jesus comes to the vicinity of the pool, he sees this ill man who was suffering for 38 years 

Jesus asks this person *“Do you want to be well?”*

The man then says about the story of the pool and his desire to get into the water 

It appears that this person was fully depended on the pool and water 

Jesus heals the person not with pool water by the power of His Word

*4) Where is my faith*

Is my faith fully depended on the external things?

Just like the Ill  man had trust in the pool water? 

Finally the man was healed by Jesus with His powerful words. 

Where do I keep my trust? Is it  in the material things or spiritual things?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Lord, Come into my life before the Spiritual things Die

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Fourth Week: Monday*

*Gospel : Jn 4:43-54*

*First Reading : Is 65:17-21*

*Lord, Come into my life before the Spiritual things Die*

*1) “Sir, come down before my child dies.”*

The Gospel of the day hsa a special prayer by the Royal official 

He had full confidence in Jesus, that's why he comes and begs with Jesus with these words *“Sir, come down before my child dies.”*

It is a prayer, which has deep significance in the life of Royal official and it also has special significance to our life 

*2) Come into my life before my hope dies*

Every day we need to pray to Jesus with regard to hope

When hope is not there then nothing remains. Life becomes absurd

So we need Jesus to revive our hope 

*3)Come into my life before my repentent heart dies*

Repentance is the first aspect of Jesus' ministry

No change unless there is repentance

Jesus please come into my life before the repentant heart dies within me 

*4) Come into my life before my hark work dies*

One can not come up in life, unless one does hard work. 

There is no short cut for hard work 

If harwork dies then one becomes lazy and useless 

Let Jesus come into our life, before our hard  work dies 

*5) Come into life before my humility dies*

Humility is very difficult to practice 

Without humility there is no success 

Pride destroys our life. So we need Jesus to practice the virtue of humility

*6) Come into my life before my forgiveness dies*

The death of the forgiveness makes a person, arrogant, revengeful, deceitful, and evil 

Forgiveness is the foundation for new life and strengthening the relationship

Jesus come into my life before my forgiveness dies 

*8) The Change at the prayer*

The Royal official requested Jesus to come 

His word came to the house and child was blessed with good heath

The faith of the Royal official was another important aspect here 

What about my prayer? Jesus' words and body and blood comes into my life. 

What is the effect? Is there a change. If the faith is strong, prayer becomes effective. If not, nothing happens

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Jesus is the Light who shows many things

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Fourth Week: Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 3:14-21*

*First Reading : 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23*

*SECOND READING -Eph 2:4-10*

*Jesus is the Light who shows many things*

*1) Jesus is the Light*

In the Gospel of John we see Jesus as light 

Jesus says *“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”* John 8:12

Light always shines in the darkness

Light shows the way 

Light brightens the life, brings happiness, joy, and creativity

*2) Jesus is the Light who shows Heavenly Father*

Jesus is the light. In this light we see many things 

First of all, in and through Jesus we see Heavenly Father

That's why Jesus says, whoever has seen me, He/she has seen Father

*Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father* John 14:9

*3) Jesus is the Light who shows what is love*

Jesus is Love and as light, Jesus  Shows what is real Love 

Real love is unconditional. 

Real love is sacrificial

Real love is forgiving

Real love is seen in service

All these things are visible, in Jesus who is light 

*4) Jesus is the Light who shows the Forgiveness*

Jesus who is light, who shows what is real forgiveness

During the public ministry Jesus forgave the adulterous woman, Mary Magdalene, and many others

In the Cross, Jesus forgave the thief, and gave eternal life 

From the cross Jesus showed how to forgive ones enemies

Jesus means forgiveness, which is clearly seen 

*5) Jesus is the Light who shows the sacrifice*

In and through Jesus, sacrifice is clearly seen

Jesus means sacrifice, which is clearly seen in the Cross

Jesus the Light shows what is real sacrifice 

*6) Jesus is the Light who shows what is Humility*

Humility is another name of Jesus 

Jesus the light shows what is real humility

He humbled himself, till the end on the Cross

*7) Jesus is the light who shows the Service*

Jesus is known for service. 

By washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus showed what is real service

Jesus the light shows the importance of service, which is the integral part of Christian Spirituality

*8) Am I able to see?*

Jesus the Light shines all the time, who shows many things 

But the question is am I able to see the various important things in the life of Jesus 

Is the light of Jesus sines 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 problem of the Pharisee

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Third Week: Saturday*

*Gospel : Lk 18:9-14*

*First Reading : Hos 6:1-6*

*The problem of the Pharisee*

*1) The problem of self-righteousness*

The Pharisee was over confident about his self righteousness

He is of the opinion that, he is right in everything and there no weakness in him 

He is superior than anyone else and there is no equal to him, in his society

*2) There is no dialogue with God*

The Pharisee is not in a position to listen to God 

He only speaks to God about his own greatness and achievements 

There is only monologue and there is no dialogue in his prayer 

*3) The Problem of Ego "I"*

In the approach of the Pharisee, the ego or *I* problem is very much seen 

All his sentences starts with *I*

I thank you

I am not like the rest of humanity

I am not greedy,

I am not dishonest

I am not adulterous

I am not like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week,

I pay tithes on my whole income.’

This *I* problem was bigger than anything else 

*4) Others are Sinners*

One side he considers himself as righteous person 

On the other side he considers others are sinners, adulterous, dishonest, greedy, selfish 

So others are all sinners. Only I am good. Such an attitude is very dangerous and disgraceful for oneself

*5) Wrong perception about Himself*

The Pharisee thought that he is good before God and God is pleased with such persons 

His perception is totally wrong. 

But the sad part of the story is that, the Pharisee is not able to realise that his perception about himself and others is biased and totally wrong 

Such an attitude ruins ones life and life becomes meaningless

*6) How about my Life?*

Who is resembling in my life? 

Pharisee or the tax collector? 

Am I suffering from the pharisaic syndrome, which is nothing but a hypocrisy? 

What about the simplicity and genuine attitude of the tax collector?

Am I ready to adopt the methodology of the tax collector??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Two wings of the Great Commandment

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Third Week: Friday*

*Gospel : 12:28-34*

*First Reading : Hos 14:2-10*

*Two wings of the Great Commandment*

*1) Importance of the Two wings*

All birds have two wings. We don't find a bird with one wing. One winged bird can't fly at any cost 

Aeroplane has two wings. If both the wings are in proper condition it can fly. If one of the wings has problem it can't fly or while flying if one of the wings stops working, the whole plane comes down 

This shows the importance of both the wings 

*2) One Commandment with two wings*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the great and first  commandment

It speaks about two important things *Love of God and Love of the Neighbor*

Jesus presents this two things as part of one reality 

In other words, these are two wings of Christian spirituality 

The Bird of Christian spirituality has two wings. They are the Love of God and Love of Neighbor

*3) The tragedy of one winged Spirituality*

There is great temptation to follow the one winged spirituality in following the great commandment

Many have no issues when it comes to love God with all ones heart, mind, soul and strength 

But many have issues to Love the neighbor with all ones heart, mind, soul and strength

So it becomes a one winged spirituality, which can't perform anything in reality 

*4) Lent is a time to check our Wings*

During the season of lent we reflect lot many things in attaining the holiness and perfection 

In this regard, first of all we need to reflect about these two wings which are very necessary and important to grow in our life 

If we don't pay attention to these things, and if we do many other things, it has no effect at any cost 

So in order to move forward in our Christian spirituality we need both these wings 

*5) The hypocrisy of one winged spirituality*

Many people, exploit the neighbor in various context 

But when it comes to the holy places, spiritual things they are in forefront, either doing the services or in contribution 

This becomes a one winged spirituality, which has no effect 

One needs to be very careful with regard to the hypocrisy one winged spirituality

*6) How about my life?*

How do I practice the greatest commandment of the Lord? 

Do I follow the one wing methodology? 

Are these two wings have lost their balance in my life? 

Am I depending on one wing to fly or to grow in various ways? 

Have a idealised that both these wings are very necessary for my life and growth? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The significance of the Finger of God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Third Week: Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 11:14-23*

*First Reading : Jer 7:23-28*

*The significance of the Finger of God*

*1) Finger of God and the Third plague*

For the first time we hear about the finger of God in Exodus 8:19 

In this context the magicians of the  king Pharaoh, tell him about the Third plague 

They said *This is the Finger of God* which is responsible for this plague 

In a way that the magicians are accepting the defeat before the Finger of God and God's power 

*2) Finger of God and the Ten commandments*

The book of Exodus makes a second reference to the Finger of God in Ex 31:18

Here it is in the context of Writing the 10 commandments

*When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.*

*3) Finger of God and Casting out demons*

In the New Testament we see Jesus is casting out demons 

Here once again it is highlighted that *By the finger of God he drives out the demons*

Once again it shows the power of God and His fight against the devil 

*4) Moses and New Moses*

There is a close connection between Moses and Jesus who is the New Moses of New Israel 

Moses acknowledged the power of God while liberating the people from the slavery of Pharaoh

The New Moses, Jesus is also showing the Power of God, while liberating the people from the slavery of Satan 

Finger of God shows the Power of God

*5) Strong Man*

The Gospel also makes a reference to the Strong man who can attack the enemy

The strong man in today's Gospel referred by Jesus highlights the importance of the finger of God 

The Gospel shows that the strong man is none other than God, who is represented by the Finger of God  

*6) The Finger of God Shows greater Things*

The finger of God shows the beginning of God's reign

Later it grows into the hand and then to arm 

Therefore Ezekiel wrote, that the *mighty hand and outstretched arm* will again save the faithful remnant of Jews.

When Jesus says about the Finger of God, it highlights the immediacy of the establishment of God's kingdom

The progression of power starts with the finger, the hand, and then the arm. The visible theocratic Kingdom of God was subsequently established through the "mighty hand and outstretched arm" of God.

*7) Finger of God in my Life*

Moses accepted the power of the finger of the Lord. He became a great person in the sight of God 

Jesus shows the importance of the finger of God, which is compares to a strong man 

How about the Finger of God 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*