The fate of the Arrogant

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Nineteenth Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 18:15-20*

*First Reading :  Ez 9:1-7; 10:18-22*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6*

*The fate of the Arrogant*

*1) The Gospel on Arrogance*

When we read the Gospel, it is very clear that the arrogance of the person who commits  mistake is clearly seen 

The Gospel highlights the diffent levels of corrections, which the person has to accept 

When the person fails to accept the corrections at all levels such a person is considered as Gentile, which is the result of Arrogance

*2) Fraternal Corrections*

This is the first level of corrections which we get when we commit mistakes 

This fraternal corrections come from our own teachers, family members and or friends at one to one level 

A humble person is able to reason out the corrections and that helps the person to correct ones faulty ways 

*3) Corrections with witness*

Some times the person who commits the mistake may not be able to accept his/her fault 

In such cases the persons fault is shown through the witness either two or more 

When three or more people say the same thing, with regard to the mistakes, it is accepted that such a mistake has happened from persons side 

This is another opportunity for the person to accept ones fault to change ones life 

*4) Corrections at the Community Level*

This is the larger way of correcting ones fault 

When community tells a person about the fault, it must be true, and person has to accept his/her fault 

Failure to accept the fault at this level leads to serious consequence for the person

*5) One is treated as Gentile*

Failure to accept the fault at all levels leads one to consider as Gentile

Gentile could be the one who does not believe in God,  who is considered unclean, who is considered as great sinner, one who is not eligible for God's salvation, one who is not the part of God's folk 

This is the fate of Arrogance

*6) My response to the Corrections*

How do I respond to the corrections? 

Do I accept the corrections or do I ignore them? 

Arrogance in no way helps the person to achieve anything. But it destroys ones whole life 

On the other hand humility always lifts the person and makes a great person 

Am I the victim of arrogance? 

Am I a arrogant person? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Joy of the Lost Found

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Nineteenth Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14*

*First Reading : Ez 2:8-3:4*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131*

*The Joy of the Lost Found*

*1) The Search for the Lost one*  

The Gospel of the day speaks about the search for the lost one 

One among 100  sheep is lost on the way. The Shepard leaves the 99 and goes in serach of the 1 

This shows the importance of the 1 sheep which is lost and also the love of the Shepherd for the lost one   

*2) The joy over the lost found*

We see a special joy in the heart of the Shepherd when he finds the lost sheep 

Once he finds the lost sheep, the sheep also becomes very dear to the Shepherd 

Some how the shepherd feels the special attraction and the love towards the lost sheep 

The shepherd also keeps a special watch on the lost sheep because he loves the lost sheep more than the other sheep 

*3) The realisation of the Value*

It is our experience that most of the time the value of the particular thing is realised when the thing is lost 

In the absence of the thing we realise its worth. That's why when we get back the lost thing, our joy becomes double

*4) Our life Experience*

Our life teaches us a very profound lesson with regard to this aspect 

Due to some accident when we lose our health, we suffer a lot 

But when we get back our health, we really feel happy because we realise its worth

*5) We are lost due to Sin*

Due to sin our position is just like the one sheep which lost the way 

As the shepherd seraches for the lost sheep, our Lord, the Good Shepherd searches us every day through various ways 

Various sacraments God's different ways through which our Lord searches us to find our way back to home  

*6) The Joy in Heaven*

The Joy experienced at the finding of the lost thing is not only experienced by the lost Sheep but also the Shepherd 

Jesus says *there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.*

So heaven becomes more joyful than anyone else over finding the lost one  

*7) Our Joy, when we come back to God*

The joy we feel after we come back from the confessional, after our confession, will never be able to find in anything else in this world 

The joy which we feel when we accept our fault with true spirit, can never be bought by any amount of money in this world 

Blessed is the one who experiences this type of joy in ones life 

The Lost found joy is the greatest treasure which we can enjoy in our life 

Only the *Lost Found joy* can open the doors of eternal life 

What about the reality of *Lost Found Joy* 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*

Lessons from Jesus paying the Temple Tax

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Nineteenth Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 17:22-27*

*First Reading : Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14*

*Lessons from Jesus paying the Temple Tax*

*1) Sons are free from paying the Taxes*

In the context of paying the taxes, one question is answered clearly 

Whether the Sons are subjected to pay the temple tax or not. It is clear from the passage that the sons are exempted from paying the taxes 

They enjoyed this freedom 

*2) Jesus is the Son of God*

This is the highest sonship of Jesus 

He is the Son of the most high, who is above every law of this world 

Accordingly no law can subject to Jesus since he is the master of every law 

So Jesus is in no way subject to pay the temple tax 

Yet he pays the tax. This is the beauty of Jesus. This gesture of Jesus teaches us a profound lesson for our life 

*3) Reasons behind Jesus paying the temple tax*

*A) Avoid Trouble for tax collectors*

Jesus didn't want the tax collectors to put into trouble. So to avoid this trouble Jesus pays the temple tax 

*B) To avoid offence and Misunderstanding*

This is the another reason why Jesus paid the temple tax. Committing offence puts us into to trouble. We need to be careful about committing offence

*C) To become a model for Others*

By paying the temple tax Jesus projecting himself as a model for others to follow. Paying the temple tax is the duty and one must do it joyfully with grumbling and putting others into trouble 

*D) A great lesson of Humility*

Paying of the temple tax also shows the humility of Jesus. He humbles himself before this earthly kings, even though he was not subjected for such a thing. A great lesson of humility is found in this gesture of Jesus 

*E) Obedience*

Jesus teaches another important lesson, the lesson of obedience. By paying the taxes, Jesus is obeying the civil authority. This highlights the aspect of obedience in our day today life 

*F) A new challenge for human authority and power*

Usually power and authority is associated with control and dominance. Jesus gives us a different model 

Jesus is above the earthly kings and their authority. Yet Jesus uses his power and  authority for service and not for dominance. 

By paying the temple tax Jesus also highlighting the servant leadership and not the authoritarian dictatorship 

*4) My responsibility towards my Duty*

How do I perform my duties? 

Do I put others into difficulty by not doing my duty? 

Do I offend others by not doing my duty? 

By doing a little more, do I set myself as example for others? 

Do I avoid trouble or creat trouble with regard to my duty? 

How do I fulfill my obligations towards the temple, which is the part and parcel of my life? 

How do I see the gesture of Jesus paying the temple tax?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Need of Living Bread for Eternal Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Nineteenth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 6:41-51*

*First Reading : 1 Kgs 19:4-8*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9*

*Second Reading - Eph 4:30-5:2*

*Need of Living Bread for Eternal Life*

*1) Hunger is a reality*

One of the things which we experience in our day today life is Hunger 

No one can deny the reality of Hunger. It is an existential reality 

Neither one is able to postpone the reality of Hunger. There are many things in our life which we can postpone, but not the Hunger 

The main activities of our life, or of the daily work is mainly centred around gathering some food for our survival 

So hunger is a reality which no one can deny 

*2) The Spiritual Hunger*

As we experience the physical hunger, there is also another form of hunger which we call it as the spiritual hunger 

All of us experience this hunger in our life at one point of our life 

We believe that we have soul, which needs to be fed with the spiritual food for the  survival of Spiritual life 

No one can deny this hunger. So spiritual hunger is also a reality which we need to pay attention 

*3) Jesus on Spiritual Hunger and Spiritual food*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about the spiritual hunger and the Spiritual food

This spiritual food can be offered only by the one who has come from heaven 

Jesus is the only one who has come down from heaven and only He can give this spiritual food which sustains us spiritually for eternal life 

*4) Eucharistic Spiritual Food*

The spiritual food which Jesus offers to us is nothing other than His own body and Blood, which he has offered on the cross, at mount Calvary

The Eucharist is the way through which we are given the body and blood of Jesus 

Through the form of bread and wine we receive the body and blood of Jesus 

Therefore there is no other greater way to receive the body and blood of Jesus than Eucharist 

*5) Other forms of Spiritual food*

Apart from Eucharist we also have other ways through which we can receive the body and blood of Jesus or the Spiritual food 

The sacrament of reconciliation

The reading of the word of God and meditating it 

Spending time in prayer, especially in personal prayer 

Spending time in the service of the needy

Doing some good works for the betterment of the other 

Doing little sacrifices for the greater glory of God 

All these activities nourishes our soul and spiritually we become very strong 

*6) The disaster of Eternal Death*

Without food, bodily death is certain 

Without spiritual food the death of the soul is certain 

The death of the soul is the greatest disaster that can happen in ones life 

The eternal death would be the worst think that can happen to any one 

Therefore, feeding the soul, with Spiritual food should be the priority of our life 

There is nothing which can substitute the food for the soul other than the Eucharist and good works 

Have I realised the importance of feeding the soul in my life 

At the end of our life, only the spiritual food that counts 

At the end of our life only the life of soul counts. 

We need to be very careful about the Devil and Sin which continuously work for the death of the Soul

How do I take care of my Soul???

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Aspect of Dying in the grain of Wheat

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eighteenth Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Jn 12:24–26*

*First Reading : 2 Cor 9:6–10*

*The Aspect of Dying in the grain of Wheat*

*1) Life and Death in the grain of Wheat*

Today's Gospel speaks about the mystery of the grain of wheat 

Jesus speaks about the death and life of the grain of wheat. It appears that there is some contradiction whenever he says life and death together 

But the dying aspect is very important in order to have greater life 

*2) Dying aspect of the grain of Wheat*

There are many things which die in the grain of wheat 

The external shape of the grain of wheat dies 

The skin of the grain of wheat does 

The colour of the grain of wheat dies 

The grain becomes two pieces. In a way the unity of the grain of wheat dies 

A externally died grain of wheat can't be preserved. 

The grain of wheat loses its *grainness* when it dies to create life 

*3) Grain of wheat dies to live in a fullest way*

The purpose of the grain is to produce new life. In this process the grain dies to so many factors which are mentioned above, but it produces new life 

The grain of wheat loses its *grainness* but it produces new life 

Unless losing this *grainness* or unless it dies to its external appearance, it can't produce new life 

So death is the means of new life 

Through death new life is produced 

*4) Dying factor in our life*

Jesus applies this simple logic from the nature to our life 

Our life is just like the grain of wheat, which has the potential power to produce better quality of life 

Only by dying we can achieve this process. There is no short cut to produce life, without dying to certain things 

So dying factor is very much applicable our life, in order to produce new life 

*5) Dying areas of Our life*

There are many areas to which we need to die in order to improve the quality of our life, especially the spiritual quality 

I must die to my anger 

I must die to my greed 

I must die to my pride 

I must die to my revengeful attitude

I must die to my selfishness

I must die to my comfortable zone

I must die to my hypocrisy

I must die to my laziness

I must die to my sin 

I must die to my ego

Dying to these things will create a new life which will help us to have God experience in our life 

*6) St Lawrence died to many things*

He died to his comfortable life 

He died to his selfish interests

He died to his own will 

He died to his plans

He died to his desires 

He died to his sins 

He died to his greed 

That's why he became a great Martyr, who lives even today and for ever

Death brought a new life, which can never be destroyed by anything in this world 

Am I ready to die in order to have new life???

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Take up your cross, and follow me

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eighteenth Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:24-28*

*First Reading : Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7*

*Take up your cross, and follow me*

*1) Jesus is not talking about Wooden Cross*

Whenever Jesus speaks about the Cross, we immediately get the image of the Wooden Cross, which Jesus carried to the Calvary

Carrying of the Cross is really a difficult task and during Jesus' time it was an insult and humiliation to the person, because of the significance of the punishment attached to the Cross 

So no one would wish either to carry the cross or to die on the Cross

It was the last thing which a person can expect for the criminal things done 

So when Jesus speaks about this Cross it has different meaning and it goes beyond the mere wooden Cross 

*2) Other Meanings for Cross*

The concept of the cross can be seen in the following area 

*Sacrifice* is the biggest cross, which one has to carry everyday, if one wants to follow Jesus 

*Rejection* The cross of rejection is has to be carried since one is given this cross very often when one serves the Lord 

*Persecution* The cross of persecution is very much alive in our surroundings today. This cross is the integral part of Jesus mission 

*Humiliation* The Cross of humiliation comes very often to all those who follow Jesus. There is no other way than to carry it for the sake of Jesus 

*Failure* At times the Cross of failure comes like a huge waves. One has to carry this cross for the sake of Jesus 

*Uncertain Path* This cross can not be avoided by the followers of Jesus. The weight of the cross of uncertain path is heavy and it needs special strength to carry it. 

*No to bodily pleasure* This cross at times becomes heavier than any other cross. Moreover this cross has to be carried throughout our life, which makes our life at times very challenging. 

*Detachment* One has to carry this cross regularly to remain close to Jesus. The cross of  Detachment has a greater role in all our commitments in following Jesus 

*3) Wooden Cross is easy to carry*

Jesus carried the wooden cross only for few hours 

He suffered a lot while carrying this cross

Jesus also remained on this cross only for few hours. Then he was brought down from the Cross

Jesus was with the cross, once he was condemned to death till he was taken down from the Cross, after his death 

This is the story of the physical wooden cross in the life of Jesus 

*4) Lifelong Crosses*

Wooden cross, had it's role to play for few hours. 

But the above mentioned Crosses are not meant for few hours, but they are meant for entire life 

To carry the Wooden cross one needs physical strength. But to follow the cross of the Gospel value one needs strong mental courage, moral courage, conviction and discipline

Carrying the  life long crosses are more, challenging and heavier than the wooden crosses 

*5) The reward for life long Crosses*

There is a great reward for all those who carry these above crooses throughout their life 

Every cross is very important and carrying thses crosses will change the quality, goal and destiny of our life 

These crosses bring about a great reward, which no worldly things will be able to give us 

No power on earth can substitute these crosses in ones life. Every one has to to carry these crosses

Eternal life is the reward for carrying these crosses willingly, in our day today life

Am I ready to carry the cross and to follow Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Definition of Satan

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eighteenth Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:13-23*

*First Reading : Jer 31:31-34*

*The Definition of Satan*

*1) Satan in Today's Gospel*

In the Gospel of the day we have a reference to the Satan 

In fact Jesus is rebuking Peter, by saying *Get behind me, Satan* for his opinion on the Suffering death and resurrection

Jesus explanation also involves what are the activities of the Satan and what it does 

*2) One who is obstacle for God's plan*

In responding to Peter, Jesus also gives a new definition of the Satan 

One of the Works of the Satan to bring the obstacle for God's Holy Work 

The same Satan tries to bring a obstacle for Jesus through Peter 

*3) Does not allow one to think according to God's mind*

Another evil thing which the Satan does is, it does not allow us to think according to God mind 

Since Satan is working against God, it can't accept God's will 

So through its crooked ways it will not allow us to think and act according to God's will  

*4) Encourages to think according to Human Desire*

Human desire is always filled with selfishness and greed 

One who thinks according to worldly way, can't think about God and His Holiness 

So human desire for easy life, pleasurable life and immoral life is very much found in our life 

The moment we are controlled by the Satan our attention fully goes into the Worldly things 

*5) Christ without Cross*

Another tactics of Satan is to separate Christ and the Cross

There is a indissoluble unity between Christ and the Cross. No one can separate these two realities. 

Satan work is to show these are two realities and to avoid the Cross so that people may not reach to Christ

*6) Happiness without pain*

The Satan uses this shortcut method for happiness. 

Avoid all pain and try to get happiness

In reality it can't happen. *No pain means no gain*

Satan convinces that to have happiness with out pain. Such an attitude makes the follower desperate when one does not get the happiness

*7) Satan is within Us*

In the beginning Jesus praised Peter for His great answer about the messiah. Here he was Rock 

Towards the end we see, the same Peter is addressed as Satan 

Both were found in Peter. 

So the Satan is arround us or at times it is within us.

Such a Satan continuously works within us trying to destroy our true self 

Jesus says *be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour* 1PET 5:8

What is my attitude towards Satan??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*