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Jesus' company, Peechi (2026)

17/02/2015

LET US PREPARE OURSELVES FOR OUR SALVATION...

17/12/2014

happy bday pope Francis...

24/11/2014

REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY (Based on Lk 21:1-4)

Once upon a time, a pig and a chicken were walking down a village street.

They came upon a church signboard which was informing of the Mission Sunday Program.
At the bottom of the signboard, a menu of the food items was given.

It read “Ham and eggs will be served from 6:30 to 9:00 am.”

The chicken turned to the pig and said, "See!!’ Even we are helping in the work and mission of the Church!“
"Yes, truly we are" said the pig, "but yours is only a contribution, mine is a Sacrifice!”

A contribution sometimes remains only on the peripheral level; A sacrifice percolates into the heart level.
A true charity happens when there is an involvement of sacrifice and surrender.

The Gospel of the Day demonstrates the powerful message of True Giving, through the incident of the Offering of the Poor Widow.

The passage begins with the verse, "When Jesus looked up and saw..." (Lk 21: 1)

Jesus has sharp eyes...
He sees what most people miss to see...
He perceives what most people ignore...
He observes what most people pass on as ordinary...

While all others saw only the filth in the woman caught in adultery, Jesus saw deeper...(Jn 8:3)
He observed the spark of pleading for mercy and compassion in her.

While all others saw only the corrupt mind of Zacchaeus, Jesus saw deeper... (Lk 19:7)
He observed the flame of genuine repentance and earnest desire in him.

While all others saw only a disturbance in the blind beggar Bartimaeus, Jesus saw deeper... (Lk 18:39)
He observed the flash of true longing and expectant hope in him...

There are many times in our life, when we think or do little things and we would feel them as insignificant.
But the Lord sees deeper...

A tiny word of thanks and appreciation...The Lord sees our goodness.
A small gesture of timely help and assistance... The Lord sees our nobility.
A genuine smile of encouragement and support... The Lord sees our benevolence.

The palace of goodness is built by the tiny bricks of genuine actions and loving thoughts.

And the Lord sees it all - “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3)
He doesn’t miss a single gift, small or large. He knows every giver, rich and poor.

This is the significance of being engaged in little and small acts of charity. None of them go down the drain.
Rather, all of them are recorded by God and translates into a fountain of blessings!

The Lord keenly observed the insignificant action of the Poor Widow dropping in two copper coins into the Temple Treasury.
The Temple Treasury was in the Court of the Women, which was on the easternmost part of the Temple.

The Court of the Women obtained its name, not from its appropriation to the exclusive use of women, but because they were not allowed to proceed farther, except for sacrificial purposes.

Against the walls of this temple area were the thirteen chests, or 'trumpets,' for charitable contributions.
These thirteen chests were shaped like trumpets, narrow at the mouth and wide at the bottom, Each one had a different Hebrew letter designating separate offerings and causes.

Into this Temple Treasury, “the poor widow just drops in two small copper coins” (Lk 21:2)

What difference did her two coins make toward meeting the temple budget? Probably nothing!!

Perhaps the treasurer muttered under his breath as he saw it being dropped, “Why do people throw such small coins into the treasury? They’re more a nuisance to count than they’re worth!”

But the Lord has a totally different yardstick of measuring and of judging.

People count worth of money by what is given.
God counts worth of money by what is left over.

People say "wow" over thicker and fatter amounts given, irrespective of the means and intention.
God says "wow" over any amount given, but only when given with the proper means and true intention.

While most people would have sidelined this meager act of giving, the Lord lavishes praise on the poor widow who "gave it all".

The gifts of the rich didn’t cost them anything. But the widow may have gone hungry that night because she gave all what she had.

She gave it all, not for any praise or to show-off, but out of love of God and her religion.

What is our attitude in "giving" to God?
Often we give only "leftovers" to God.
If we have anything left, after we’ve spent for all our needs, then we drop a bit for charity.
If we have something left, after we have used and its now old, we donate it to the church.
If we have some "time" left, after engaging in all leisure, then we give the time to God.
If we have some goodwill left, after busying with many works, we offer our thanks to the Lord.

The Lord, seriously, is in no need of the offering of our money.
But the Lord, very seriously, is on the lookout for an offering of our hearts!

Let us make not just peripheral contribution of our lives, but rather engage in sacrificial offerings of our self.

As Blessed Mother Teresa would say, “Give, but give until it hurts... It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”
The Lord has given everything for us.

As His disciples, we too are expected to be similar: to give everything to Him.
An "all-giving" Master deserves "all-giving" disciples... Doesn't He?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

06/11/2014

Jesus i trust in you...

29/08/2014

REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY ( Based on Mk 6:14-29)

" I am the voice...." (Jn 1:23)
The voice was powerful. The voice was a hope to many. The voice changed many.

The voice, however, also disturbed a few...disturbed even to the point of revenge and vengeance.
And......slit.....!! The voice was silenced!!!

The Voice was of St John the Baptist, who was martyred for his faith and for the Truth!

The world has witnessed many murders.
Many murders have had dangerous ploys...inhuman strategies....and heartless planning...

The Gospel of the Day also presents before us a murder… One which ranks among the top-lists…
The Brutal Beheading of the Voice - John the Baptist!

The Beheading of John the Baptist is one of the most brutal and visually-powerful incident in the entire Gospels.

John the Baptist was a Prophet. And a True Prophet is a truth-teller!
As we read in today's Gospel, this True Prophet, John, was the whistle-blower in crying "foul" over the illegitimate relationship between Kind Herod and his brother's wife, Herodias.

Herodias hated John the Baptist.
Herodias hated him because he told the truth & she didn't like the truth.
Herodias was determined to twist the truth into a lie and the lie into a truth.
Herodias, at her earliest opportunity, would seek to direct her revenge upon the truth teller!
Herodias wanted to get rid of that "crazy man" who was determined to put a moral mirror in front of her face.
Herodias, wanted this Voice to be silent!!

To silence the true voices of the society, is the bane of any generation....

How many a voice-of-correction by the parents, is put to silence by disobedient children....
How many a voice-of-moral lives by the Church, is put to silence, by modernists and liberalists...
How many a voice-of-peace by innocent people, is put to silence, by fanatics and fundamentalists...
How many a voice-of-indiscrimination by the citizens, is put to silence, by a negligent government...
How many a voice-of-repentance by a spouse, is put to silence by a drunkard or an irresponsible partner...
How many a voice-of-holiness by the Lord, is put to silence, by superfluous spiritualities and comfy theologies..

The Voice of Truth cries.....but how many of us, seek to silence it!

Yes, the lives of Conscience-movers and truth-tellers are always at a risk.
And this risk can even lead one to be a misfit in the society...to be "different from others"..to even risk one's life!
St John the Baptist had the courage to be the truth-teller and risk his life, even to be a martyr.

What are the characteristics of a True Martyr?
Martyrs get killed not just for their convictions....but for EXPRESSING their convictions:
'Play Safe' is an ad-tag in which many Christians find refuge.
"Keep your mouth shut"... " Don't offend people around us"... " It is better to be silent than sorry"... these are some of the common phrases which we Christians adopt, in moments of injustice, corruption, inequality & unfairness!

But true Martyrs EXPRESSED and ARTICULATED and DISPLAYED and UTTERED their faith!....
Yes, they WITNESSED their FAITH as a true MARTYR!

A true Martyr is a bold Witness!
St John the Baptist was not silent...he expressed and articulated the mistakes...and he was martyred!

Martyrs don't get swayed by popular opinions and cheap popularity
A true martyr is not one who checks the pulse of public opinion & makes a statement to please and satisfy people.

He has the guts to go against an oppressive and discrimination culture
He has the guts to voice out against an unjust and demeaning authority
He has the guts to stand firm in the midst of rippled spiritualities and patterns!
St John the Baptist was unfazed and unmoved before the Royal immoral powers....and he was martyred!

Martyrs are willing and prepared to lay down their lives.
Martyrs are not sadists or escapists…who want to die for some pleasure / even to run away from the grinds of life!
Rather, they are people who are wholly prepared & enthusiastically willing to die, for the sake of their convictions!

They are passionate and intensely in love with their faith and their convictions!
They are unaffected and impassive to the dangers and risks that are involved!
St John the Baptist knew that he was walking precariously on the rope of risks..and he was always ready for it!

Today, You and I....are invited to be A Voice...
…in a voiceless...in a voice-oppressed...in a voice-drowned...in a voice-killed...world!
St John the Baptist dared to be that VOICE - " I am the voice....!" (Jn 1:23)
Shall we too dare?
God bless! Live Jesus!

28/08/2014

REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY ( based on Mt 24:42-51)

Sportspersons sweat it out and slog their bodies through a strict routine...to achieve the best!
Army personnel undergo a hard grilling and a grinding through tough situations...to achieve the best!
Musicians train their voices and are extremely cautious in avoiding bad food habits..to achieve the Best!
Scientists meticulously chalk out their experiments and are very careful in minute aspects...to achieve the Best!

Any profession...any activity...to achieve its goal in the best manner possible...requires a tough preparation, unabated determination, a constant movement and an unwavering vigilance!

We are all aware of these aspects with respect to professional disciplines and careers...
But why is it, that very often, such an attitude & such a principle not get applied to Spirituality or our Christian Life?!

There seems to be a tendency to take our Christian Life as a routine and for granted....
There seems to be a feeling to live our Spiritual Lives in relaxation and lethargy and sluggishness...
There seems to be a trend to give least botheration to the aspects of God, Soul, Sin, Grace, Salvation etc.....

Why does Spirituality most often find the least place in our lives?
Why do talks of God figure so little in our daily chats?
Why do thoughts of Holiness be entertained least in our minds?

Its time to wake up from our sleep...
"... know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand.”-- Romans 13: 11-12a

These words from the Letter to the Romans, which awoke St Augustine from his slumber of paganism, s*xual immorality and loose living into the freedom of Holiness and Sanctity... is addressed also to each one of us....

"Stay Awake", says the Lord ".......and Be Alert! " (Mt 24: 42-44)

The Gospel passage speaks of the Second Coming of the Son of Man...

No one knows the time or the hour. No one knows the context or situation. No one knows the signs or symbols.
Therefore....we need to be alert and watchful at all times. Any time, Any Context, Any Signs!

In verse 44, the Lord says, "You must be prepared"... or "You must be ready" or "You must be alert".

When Abraham was prepared to give up his Beloved Isaac... he encountered the glory of God!
When Moses was ready to follow God and trust Him completely... he encountered the power of God!
When Israelites were ready to cleanse themselves and prepare...they encountered the Majesty of God!
When the Prophets were willing to let go and abandon fully to God's hands.....they encountered the Voice of God!
When Mother Mary was consenting to God's Will in Her life...she encountered the 'Grace'fulness of God!
When the Apostles were eager to wait in humility and prayer....they encountered the Spirit of God!
When we are willing to be prepared and be ready... we will experience the mighty touch and presence of God!

One of the biggest reasons why a Christian fails to take one's faith seriously is because of Procrastination...

We mould ourselves to thinking that there is time for all this later... we still have years ahead to repent and atone!
Like St Augustine before his conversion, we too often say, "Give me chastity and continence… but not yet!"

And this certainly is one of Satan's most successful strategies in today's world... to show there is still time...
Satan doesn't prevent us from having thoughts of prayer... but he says...not now, do it a little later.
Satan doesn't prevent us from having aspirations of fasting..but he says...not now, do it later...
Satan doesn't prevent us from engaging in works of charity....but he says... not now, do it later...

And we, busy with our daily schedules......like ignorant fools... find that suggestion practical and feasible!

Today the Lord gets serious in His tone...and warns us ,"Watch! Be alert!"

We give the best in our workplaces... in areas of sports and music... army people & scientists slog to be the best...
But why are we slackening when it comes to our Faith and our Christian Life?

We invest our time and money and energy, often only for materialistic and passing things of the world!
But today, let us seek to invest of ourselves in service of the Kingdom and to prepare for the Lord's coming

Our souls are searching... our bodies are agitated and distressed... money, positions, power, s*x, drugs, alcohol, pleasures, films, criticism..... none of these will satisfy or gratify us!

Let us seek and thirst for the the One whom our souls are searching....
With St Augustine, the one who was converted...from a Dreadful Sinner to a Dramatic Saint, let us realize & become conscious ...and always be on the watch...

“You have made us for yourself, O God.... and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

27/08/2014

REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY ( based on Mt 23:27-32)

Wooowww!! Wooooaaah!!!
These are expressions which conveys feelings of surprise, wonder and great acclaim!

These feelings are articulated particularly when we come across a fascinating building or a great piece of architecture or a grand monument!

When we scan across through some of the fine buildings or monuments or structures around the globe... we find that many of these majestic edifices and constructions are actually tombs... or the burial places of many people...

A quick glance at some of those imposing constructions:

The Westminster Abbey in London....tomb for the monarchs and the famous people of England
The Terracotta Army...tombs, as sculptures, of the armies of the First Emperor of China
The Great Pyramids of Giza...tomb for the Pharaohs and the Kings of ancient Egypt
The Taj Mahal.... tomb for Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Shahjahan in Agra, India.

All these great wonders of human making, though tombstones, evoke feelings of Wooowww!! Woaaah!!!...Isn't it?

The Gospel of the Day too... presents before us Tombstones...in the form of the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law!

But what is the feelings of Jesus evoked?..... Not of surprise or wonder.. but anguish and sadness... WOE!!!
"WOE TO YOU!" HE says..... "You are like whitewashed tombs!!”

We are at the last part of the condemnation of the Pharisees in Chapter 23 of Matthew.

And today, Jesus comes down heavily on them by describing them as whitewashed tombs!
They are beautiful in appearance from the outside...but full of dead bones and uncleanness inside!

It was the custom of the Jews to whiten graves, especially if they were in unusual places, so that people might avoid them, because of the ceremonial pollution contracted by the touch of a grave.
Num. 19:16, " Anyone...who touches a grave shall be unclean for seven days".

To avoid defilement by accidentally stepping on or touching a grave, the tombs in Palestine were painted with a lime paste or whitewash at the beginning of every year. Whitewashing accomplished two purposes:
1) It identified tombs so they could be avoided … 2) It beautified tombs so they could be admired.

Today, the Lord calls the Pharisees and the Teachers as these Whitewashed Tombs....
They were like tombs.....dead, filthy, inspirited. But they were whitewashed...beautiful and lovely outside!
They did many things to win people's admiration....but they failed to please the Lord of the Law!
They exercised many times the practice of fasting...but they missed out on being merciful and charitable!
They performed many actions of prayer...but they were unsuccessful in helping and serving other people!

Human life has all through the ages been fascinated and attracted with the beauty of externals...
Anyone, anything which APPEARS good and captivating has captured the minds and hearts

Eve was tempted by the Serpent.....with the delicious and good looking fruit...She got trapped!
Lot asked the whole Jordan plain from Abraham...because it looked nice...He got trapped!
Israelites made the golden calf as their god...because it appeared more attractive... They got trapped!

Today we are invited to check and examine...
Am I making my life a whitewashed tombstone..beautiful outside..but filthy within?

My life is adorned with a good house, fat-chequed job etc.....but my house is in tatters with fights and conflicts...
My prayer life is beautified with constant prayers and praises...but within I experience unforgiveness and hatred...
My works are decorated with frequent appreciations and admirations....but I give in to corruption and insincerity...
My community life is filled with laughter & good words....but I fail to be accepted and loved by anyone in the community...
My friendships are many &decked with parties and fun...but deep within I miss out on having a true and genuine friend...

If any of the above is true....then I need to really be wary... Is my life being a whitewashed tomb?

The world loves to enjoy and appreciate the great monuments and architectures like The Westminster Abbey, The Terracotta Army, The Great Pyramids of Giza, The Taj Mahal etc...
No wonder they are beautiful and amazing.. but deep within, there are merely tombs…covering dead and decayed bodies!

Our lives may be a great structure....a wonderful edifice...in the eyes of the world...
But Am I pure and holy and seeking for authenticity and genuineness deep within my heart too?

Yes, Let us beautify our lives.....yes, let us truly beautify our lives..
but not just with an external show, but with an inner glow!

May the Lord look at our lives and not say, “WOE TO YOU”….rather let Him declare and proclaim, “WOW TO YOU!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

26/08/2014

Gospel: Mt 23:23–26 -
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You do not forget the mint, anise and cumin seeds when you demand the tenth of everything; but then, you forget what is most fundamental in the law: justice, mercy and faith! You should have done these things without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a mosquito, but swallow a camel.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You fill the plate and the cup, with theft and violence, and then pronounce a blessing over them. Blind Pharisee! Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified.

REFLECTION
The tirade of Jesus against the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees continues. There seems to be no let up on the part of the Lord on His denunciation of their ways. But are they really that bad to warrant the divine anger? It seems that not all are hard-hearted and close-minded as we think they are. Some showed exceptional sensitivity and openness to Jesus’ teachings. Just recall Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea and the synagogue official who asked healing for his daughter. It is not therefore their persons that Jesus condemns but their institutions that have calcified through time and have no energy to renew itself. The only way to awaken them from their torpor is through strong criticism. Jesus took upon Himself this thankless task to put religious institutions back on track. He would not be repaid with gratitude but with the cross.