TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2016, "SPIRIT ENABLES US TO DO ANYTHING"

FIRST READING:1 Corinthians 2:10-16 / GOSPEL: Luke 4:31-37

We all possess Spirit. As there is always positive and negative energies in the world. So too the Spirit can be positive and negative. The positive Spirit always seeks to do good and spread peace around. We posses Spirit and its time for us ask ourselves, What kind of Spirit do I possess? The Spirit of the Lord is very difficult to understand. It builds and destryos. It brings peace and war. And we will be doing what God wants us to do. As in the Gospel we encounter Jesus teaching on Sabbath. People are astonished by what he does and speaks. It's the same Positive Spirit that enabled Jesus to do these things. Let us today pray and ask God to strengthen us and provide us with the same spirit.

Quote: Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.-Frank Borman

SUNDAY, 21 AUGUST 2016,"CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH"

FIRST READING: Isaiah 66:18-21/ SECOND READING: Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13 

 GOSPEL: Luke 13:22-30

As we grow up our lives seems to be in the stormy sea. The natural tendency in us is to blame God. We also blame others for our struggles. But wait a second, if we look back and reflect our life, we visualize, that we are responsible for whatever happening in our lives. Our lives are not destined. God doesn't decide for us. But he is knows everything. Because he is past, present and future. Thus, why then suffering and pain in our lives? How to escape from this world of suffering? The answer is given in the Gospel. We all struggle but Jesus is the way, the truth and life. He is the righteous path which we should prefer to follow and not our instincts. If we fail to do that, we again remain in our world of suffering and pain. Jesus is our consolation and strength. May Jesus guide us to choose him as our path. Let him lead us on the path of righteousness. So that we may contribute goodness in the world and the life to come.

Quote:"A need for approval lies behind all efforts of evangelism. If someone else can be convinced, that will show us that we are on the right path. The attempt to convince someone of anything is a mark of insecurity."-Ravi Ravindra

SATURDAY, 20 AUGUST 2016, "PRACTICE THEN PREACH"

FIRST READING: Ezekiel 43:1-7 / GOSPEL: Matthew 23:1-12

In our day to day life, we get advice from various people who love us and care for us. But we know for sure only advice that touches our heart is of those persons who really practice it in their life. As we can call it walking the talk. It's really a virtue to imbibe in our lives. It's really difficult to practice than preaching. How many times do we not given free advices and suggestions? It must have come out unintentionally. If we reflect before we give some suggestions as to wheather or not I can practice what I tell my collegues, it would make a great change in our lives. Mere uttering of words do not carry any weight. Jesus spoke everything with authority. Even after two thousand years his words inspires the life of many persons. How could it be possible? Because Jesus walked the talk. Whatever he spoke he spoke from what he practiced. Therefore let us today reflect before we speak. Once words come out of our mouth it would not return back. Let us pray for the grace from the Lord that we may practice first then preach to the others.

Quote:  "Just becasue you talk about 'Jesus' doesn't mean you get a ticket to heaven. Practice what you preach."-Joel Fernadez

FRIDAY, 19 AUGUST 2016, "YES I CAN! IF GOD IS WITH ME"

FIRST READING: Ezekiel 37:1-14 / GOSPEL: Matthew 22:34-4

Life is so interesting and fun. Yet sometime in life we do feel downs. If not strong we get into depression. The thought hovers over our mind is 'I can't'. All the negatives which we have accumulated since childhood, begin to haunt us. Though we raise unaware of the fact that these ghosts or fear of ours would haunt us again. So, what is the solution? Today's readings help us to understand that God is everything. If we loose everything in our life, there is still no harm. But if we loose hope then life is vegetative. Today God extends his hand to those who are despair. All of our fears and negative thoughts would not come before our God. His consoling spirit and breath would renew our SPIRIT. Let us not forget the golden rule that Jesus gave us:

1. Love your God with all your HEART,SOUL and MIND.

2. Love your NEIGHBOR as YOURSELF.

To do this we need a strong conviction and will. And let God be our strength. God will never let us down. May we receive his breath of life, which would renew our heart and mind.

Quote: "Never give up, have hope. Expect only the best from life and take action to get it."-Catherine Pulsifer

THURSDAY, 18 AUGUST 2016, "NEED FOR NEW HEART AND SPIRIT"

FIRST READING:Ezekiel 36:23-28 / GOSPEL: Matthew 22:1-14

I believe that God loves me and loves everyone in the world. God created us and loves. As a parents who feel for their children so too God feels for us. God knows all our ups and downs. All our struggles and pains. We are more dear to God than ourselves or for others. When living our life, in this busy world, unaware of the goodness of God, we begin to worship God chosen by ourselves. These idols or gods can be our pride, authority, power, money so on and so forth. And unconsciously we forget the loving nature of God. Yet God doesn't forget us. Through today's readings God is pleading to us to abandon our in the gods we worship (money, authority, power, pride). God invites us to a greater relationship with him. And only we need to put on the garment of goodness. And yes we are almost there in the Kingdom of God. 

ACTION PLAN:"Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so taht it touches not only those to whom you give it easily, but also those who need it so much."-Daphine Rose Kingma

WEDNESDAY, 17 AUGUST 2016, "BEING A LEADER"

FIRST READING:Ezekiel 34:1-11 / GOSPEL: Matthew 20:1-16

Remember that if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and do more you are a true leader. People who are entrusted with such a charism have a great risk to face. What is the risk involved? When one is leading, he/she should be the person to take care of the flock. There could be basic instinct of ours, which would lead us astray from the path. If the leaders start harrassing people to whom they are entrusted to take care, it would be a great disaster! You too are someway or the other are entrusted or may be dealing with people around you. How do you judge yourself? Are you a ture leader who walk on the path where your people do get justice? Do you spend your life like a true soldier sacrificing his/her life for the mission? If not let God be our strength and ask the grace to empower each and everyone of us. So that we may be a true leader in the service of our people.

Quote: "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way."-John C. Maxwell

TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST 2016, "BEING RICH YET BEING DEPENDENT ON GOD"

FIRST READING: Ezekiel 28:1-10 / GOSPEL: Matthew 19:23-30

In today's both readings we see the difficulties of a rich person to understand the truth and path of God. First and foremost who is a rich person? Richness can mean have connotaitons. We can be materially, spiritually and even physically rich. Richness means you are complete in yourself. Once you think you are total in yourself, you don't require to depend on anyone or anything. Yes, here what we deviate form the path of truth. I can be rich in my way, but not forgetting the limitedness of me in this world. If my richness does not yield any good the life is not useful at all. Whatever may be my life situations, if I know that I am rich in something, let it be in the service of God and his people. Let us not forget, for me it is impossible to do anything but not for God.

Quote:"To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance"-Gautama Buddha