The effects of Friendship between Jesus and Peter

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Second Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:38-44*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 3:1-9*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps. 33:12-13, 14-15, 20-21*

*The effects of Friendship between Jesus and Peter*

*1) Friendship starts with a special call*

Peters friendship with Jesus started when Jesus called Peter in the sea of Galilee, while he was fishing 

It is also true, that the immediate response of Peter also helped him to be in friendship with Jesus 

Since then he left everything and followed Jesus and His friendship with Jesus began strong

*2) Friendship brings Jesus to Peters House*

The Gospel of the day tells us about Jesus' visit to Peters House 

This happened because, Peter had intimate friendship with Jesus 

Friendship with Jesus finally helps us to invite Jesus into our house, and Jesus to respond to our call 

*3) Miracles at Home*

We also witness a miracle in Peters house 

The mother of Peter was ill, she was suffering from fever. So Jesus came and cure her 

The friendship of Peter with Jesus not only helped him to receive Jesus into his house but also to witness a miracle in his house 

*4) The benefits for the Villagers*

The Gospel does not speak only about the house of Peter and the miracle at his house 

The Gospel speaks about the entire village, which finally came together to meet Jesus, to bring their sick people to Him and to witness several miracles 

So the friendship of Peter helped many people who were living arround his village 

*5) Other Great events in the life of Peter*

Friendship with Jesus Peter to know the real identity of Jesus, when he said, you are Christ, Son of the Living God 

He became the leader of the Apostles and the rock of the Vhurch 

He had a special place in the inner circle of the apostles, which helped him to know Jesus very closely 

He also faced many challenges and finally suffered martyrdom, because of the Friendship with Jesus 

*6) My Friendship with Jesus?*

How about my friendship with Jesus? 

Does it help me and others in any way?

Am I ready to give up everything, like Peter, to enter into a deep relationship with Jesus? 

What are the measures I take to strengthen the friendship with Jesus? 

How can I be a good and close friend to Jesus?? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Have you come to destroy us? - Did I have such feelings in my Life?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Second Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:31-37*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 2:10b-16*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps. 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14*

*Have you come to destroy us? - Did I have such feelings in my Life?*

*1) Have you come to destroy us?*

This is one of the important questions which we find in today's Gospel

This was the question asked by the unclean demon

This question was thrown at Jesus, which also reveals the power of Jesus 

This unclean demon had taken the possession of life of a man 

*2) The Encounter between Jesus and the Unclean Demon*

The unclean demon was face by Jesus 

As soon as the unclean demon sees Jesus, it knew what Jesus would do and also the power of Jesus 

Since it is only Jesus can destroy the unclean demon, the unclean demon immediately asks this question

The encounter ends with casting out the demon and freeing the man from the clutches of the unclean demon 

*3) Have you come to destroy us - in our life*

At times we also speak this language in our life 

When we are faced with tough situations of our life especially when one stuffers from terrible incurable disease, the person asks *have you come to destroy us?*

When a family witness series of serious problems, some times they ask *Have you come to destroy us?*

When there is a serious financial problem, family problem, relationship problem, one often asks *Have you come to destroy us?*

Here one thing we must note carefully. 

First of all the above mentioned problems are very common to our life. We can't easily get rid of these problems 

But then we must be very careful, not to give these situations as the opportunity to the Satan to ask *Have you come to destroy us?*

There is a hidden danger in these problems, to find fault with God, and to ask  *O God, have you sent these problems to destroy us?* 

If such things happens in our life, it clear that it is not we who are speaking, but the Satan is speaking through us

*4) Life destroying things*

There are several life destroying things in the present day world? 

First of all the demon is the life destroying power found in the man 

But the same demon twists the fact and trying to show that Jesus is the destroyer of the person 

This is very dangerous. To this category there are many things which can be listed 

Drugs

Drinks

Addictions of several kinds 

Sensual pleasure

Greed for things

These are equal to the unclean spirit, which give impression that, Jesus is the destroyer, but in fact these things in themselves are the destroyers of our life

*5) What is taking control of my life?*

In the gospel it is very clear that the unclean demon took the control of the man, who disabled the person from doing what is right 

What about my life? What are the things that control my life? 

Sometimes it may be greed, power, authority, position, wealth, status, ego, revenge and other things as well 

These things paralyse our moral faculty and we are not able to judge what is good and what is evil 

Such a situation make us mute, the power of that mind and heart and we become the slaves of the unclean demon 

So, how about my life?, what is controlling my life?

Which unclean demon is taking control of my life? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Unroll the Scroll of your life to find out the real mission of life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Second Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:16-30*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 2:1-5*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps. 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102*

*Unroll the Scroll of your life to find out the real mission of life*

*1) Jesus unrolling the Scroll in the Temple*

In today's Gospel we have the beautiful incident of Jesus' visit to the Synagogue 

He had come to the synagogue in order to read the scriptures and to deliver the message to the people who are present there

As he stood there, someone   gave him the scroll to read from the book of Isaiah

He unrolled the scroll to read the message 

*2) Unrolling of the Scroll and the Message*

This is very important to note. 

The unrolling of scroll, reveals a great message to Jesus and others 

The mission of Jesus was revealed to all through the unrolling of the Scroll

*3) The mission of Jesus*

To bring good news to the poor.

To proclaim liberty to captives

To give sight to the blind,

To free the oppressed

To proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

The mission of the Lord is very clear 

*4) Unrolling of the Scroll of our life*

All of us need to find out the mission of our life 

In this context the unrolling of the scroll of our life is very important 

There are many things which are found in the life 

Unless we unroll the scroll of our life, our mission remains hidden and we are not able to fulfil our mission 

*5) Life inside the Scroll*

Life inside the Scroll is very rich, because it is created by God Himself 

Life with wisdom

Life with talents

Life with skills 

Life with values

Life with love 

Life with faith 

Life with sacrifice 

Life with service

Life with forgiveness 

Life with humility 

Life with simplicity 

Life with blessings 

Life with happiness 

All these are found inside the scroll of life 

Unless we unroll the Scroll we are not able to find the treasures of our life 

*6) Unrolling the Scroll in the Temple*

It also signifies a very important aspect of our life 

Unrolling of the Scroll of life also needs the providence and grace of God

Unrolling the scroll of life with the grace of God, helps us to understand the deeper mission of our life 

Once we realise the mission of our life, it becomes very easy to carry out our mission 

*7) My readiness*

Am I ready to unroll the scroll of my life? 

It is not one moment work or easy work 

The more we unroll the scroll of our life, the more remains to unroll the scroll of life

The more we discover, the deeper is the scroll of life to unroll 

Let us unroll the scroll of life, in order to understand and to realise the beauty of our life 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Cleansing of the Heart

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Second Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23*

*First Reading : Dt 4:1-2, 6-8*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5*

*Second Reading : Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27*

*Cleansing of the Heart*

*1) Jews speak about cleansing of the Hands*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the controversy of cleanliness, before taking food 

According to Jews, washing of the hands, purifying oneself after the return from market, cleaning of the cups and vessels are very important 

They gave more importance to the external cleanliness and traditions of the elders 

*2) Jesus speaks about internal cleanliness*

While answering the questions of Jews about washing of the hands and the importance of external cleanliness, Jesus tells them about the internal cleanliness 

The worth of the person does not depend only on the external cleanliness, but it depends on the internal cleanliness

Here the internal cleanliness Jesus means the cleanliness of the heart, which is very important 

*3) The cleanliness of the Heart*

Heart is the centre of human being 

If the heart is clean then the person is clean 

If the heart is not clean, then nothing is clean 

That's why Jesus says, whatever is found in the heart, same thing comes out 

If the heart is filled with, evil things like, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly, the same things come out 

*4) The True nature of the heart*

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

This is the true nature of the heart. That's why one has to check ones heart very often and needs to clean it with proper things  

*5) Cleansing of the Heart*

This is the most important as well as most challenging things in our life 

Washing of hands, purifying oneself and washing of cup is very easy. But to clean the heart is not possible 

External cleaning can be done with the help of others and other things 

But internal cleaning can be done only by the person, with the help of God 

*6) Cleansing of the Heart and needed things*

There is no question whether one needs the cleansing of the heart or not. The question is how to clean the heart 

There are number of ways which help us to clean the heart 

Sacrament of reconciliation

Sacrament of Eucharist

Sacramental adoration

Reading of the Scriptures 

Examination of the conscience

Fasting 

Praying without ceasing

Praying Rosary 

Observing the ten commandments

All these are very powerful spiritual aids to clean our heart 

Onec the heart is clean the whole perspective of our life changes 

Unless we clean our heart, nothing extraordinary happens in our life 

 Am I ready to clean my heart?  

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Value of the Talent

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty First Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 25:14-30*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 1:26-31*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps. 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21*

*The Value of the Talent*

*1) The parable of the talents*

Today we reflect about the parable of the talents 

This very parable focuses on the value and the importance of the talent 

The entire parable revolves arround the concept of talent, its value, its use and returns one can achieve from it 

*2) The Value of the talent*

During the time of Jesus one talent means 34 kgs of Gold 

In other other words, it is the wages that could be paid for 20 years of labour 

The first servant got five talents, it means 170 kgs of Gold 

Second one got two talents, it means 68 kgs of Gold

Third one got one talent, that is 34 kgs of Gold 

*3) The attitude of the Giver*

The one who gives these talents must be very generous person 

Secondly the person had great trust in the servants, to whom he would give 

Thirdly he is interested in the wellbeing of the servants. That's why he gave such great talents 

The givers trust and generosity must be appreciated very much 

*4) Two types of response*

The first two servants upon receiving the costliest talents, devised a beautiful plan to invest the talents and to make profit out of it 

The third one had very negative approach. He buried and with out using it, returned to the giver 

Burying and giving back without using it, is a insult ti the giver and foolishness from the part of tha servant

*5) The value of the God given talents*

The parable invites us to reflect about the value of God given talents 

God does not give very cheap talents. The value of God given talents, can't even imagine and the worldly standards are unable to value its worth 

The gift of life, the capacity of the senses, sight, ears, nose, skin and feelings are great talents of God to us 

Have I ever realised the value of these sacred talents? 

*6) The use of the talents*

The entire parable hinges on the concept of talents and use of the talents

The faithful are the ones who took the risk, worked hard with a sincere heart to make profits 

The unfaithful are the one who buries their talents, don't take any responsibility or risk to invest the talent, and return to the master with out using it 

Here hardly one speaks about the profit and loss 

What is seen here is, how one uses his talents. Profit and loss secondary

*7) How about my talents?*

Judgement is severe to those who bury the God given talents and frightened of the loss or failure 

Use of talent is more important than  profit and loss

What is the style of using my God given talents

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Need of the Seriousness in our Work

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty First Week : Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 25:1-13*

*First Reading : 1 Cor 1:17-25*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps. 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11*

*Need of the Seriousness in our Work*

*1) The Parable of the Ten Virgins*

The Gospel of the day presents to us the parable of Ten Virgins 

Among many lessons, the need of the seriousness in our work, appears to be one of the important lessons 

Finally the seriousness in ones work will help him/her to achieve the goals 

*2) The Wise Virgins*

The wise virgins symbolises  how one has to pay attention to ones work 

The goal is very clear, that they wanted to meet and welcome the bridegroom and to participate in his banquet 

For this they had to prepare themselves. The preparation involving the following

The need of the lamp 

The need of the oil 

The need of extra oil 

Coming to  the meeting place 

Good condition of the lamp 

The wise virgins paid attention to all these things. They foresaw all these things and brought along with them 

*3) The Foolish Virgins*

As the name indicates, they were really foolish in their approach and preparation for meeting the bridegroom

They took the lamp but didn't take the oil 

They didn't prepare well for the meeting of the bridegroom

They were depended on others 

Last minute they became alert, but it is useless 

This shows unpreparedness and negligence from the part of the foolish virgins 

*4) The end result*

The result is very clear. The wise virgins who were ready, when the bride came, were given the chance to enjoy with him 

Those virgins who were not ready or who neglected their responsibility, were left out without anything 

Such is the result of those who prepare and those who do not prepare 

*5) Last minute preparation is Useless*

This lesson is very clear from the parable

The foolish virgins who prepared at the last moment had no favours in anything 

So, last minute preparation does not help. Thid makes us to reflect about need of discipline and preparation in anything we do 

*6) What is my Role?*

Where I am in terms of seriousness of my work? 

Do I belong to the group of wise virgins or foolishn virgins? 

What are the areas which I need to pay attention in my life? 

What is the oil I have to burn the lamp of my life??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

John the Baptist, The Real King of the Truth

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty First Week : Thursday*

*The Passion of St John the Baptist*

*Gospel : Mk 6:17-29*

*First Reading : Jer 1:17-19*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17*

*John the Baptist, The Real King of the Truth*

*1) The King in the Event*

Today's Gospel mention about a king and whose name is also given 

The King's Name is Herod, who had imprisoned, John for challenging his Moral life 

*2) The Prisoner*

In the Gospel scene John is shown as the prisoner, because he is in the Prison. 

King Herod had put him in prison. So John is seen as the prisoner in the Gospel scene 

*3) The Real King*

But a careful analysis and the spirit of the Gospel shows a totally different equation 

John emerges as the Real King. Because king is the one who is courageous. John was a courageous man, who feared no one except to God 

The real King is the one who can speak truth in all circumstances. John is the one who spoke the truth courageously and powerfully

King is the one who is able to sacrifice his life for others. John is the one who sacrificed his life for others 

A real King is the one who can live a moral life and who can preach about morality. John is the one who preached about moral life and lived a upright moral life 

A real king is the one who can condemn the evil and uphold the truth. John is the one who condemned the evil and upheld the truth 

*4) The coward Prisoner*

John is not the real prisoner. The so called King Herod is the real prisoner and Slave 

Herod was the prisoner and slave of His emotions

Herod was the prisoner and slave of Herodias, who controlled him from her manipulative and wicked attitude

Herod was prisoner and slave of sensual pleasure. So he sold himself to Salome, by making her foolish promises 

Herod was prisoner and slave of power, ego, position authority and status. Such imprisonment through these things led him to murder the innocent and holy man 

Herod was a prisoner and slave of worldly things. That's why he didn't give importance to the voice of the conscience and to right things. 

Herod was the prisoner and slave of His identity before the so called elite people. So he didn't want to say no to the evil things. Finally he yeilded to the grave sin od murdering the Holy man 

Such a terrible prisoner or slave can never be a King

*5) The dead Herodias*

From the scene it appears that John is the dead person. Physically he might have dead 

But the real dead person was the Herodias, because 

She was dead to the conscience

She was dead to the truth

She was dead to the morality 

She was dead to the forgiveness

She was dead to the sincerity

A person who was dead to these above things, is really dead to life. His/Her life has no meaning in any context 

*6) My Life*

How about these characters in my life 

Am I a king of my life.

The so called King Herod, but who was the prisoner of many things, could never be a real king 

John the Baptist who appears to be a prisoner, but emerges as the Real great King of truth, justice and morality

Herodias, who is the evil incarnate, appears to be one who succeeded in fulfilling her revenge against John, but dead for ever 

Is my life like Herod, John the Baptist or Herodias??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*