MONDAY, AUGUST 1 2016, "SHALOM, LET THERE BE PEACE"

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 28:1-17/ GOSPEL: Matthew 14:13-21
"...but the prophet who prophesies peace can only be recognised as one truly sent by the Lord when his word comes true." Thus says the Lord our God. The true people will always seek peace not war. The world around us is full of conflict, war and suffering. Jesus too preached peace and not war. He was fully touched by the sufferings of the people. The best example is feeding of five thousand people. How do I feel when there is a constant struggle in the world for power, money and fame? Do I use violence to get what I wish? Do I seek peace in my family and around where I live?


Quote: "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."-Dalai Lama

SUNDAY, 31 JULY 2016, "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"

FIRST READING:Ecclesiastes 1:2,2:21-23 / SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-5,9-11 / GOSPEL: Luke 12:13-21
Today's first reading begins with vanity of vanity, All is vanity! Observing the present condition of the world any one could repeat the words of the writer. The world around us and even our life is full of consumerism and privatization etc. At the end of day when we are on our bed do we think whether we would get up or not? We are really not certain. Because life mystery. So, we certainly know that we are not going to last long but still we continue to hold on to our belongings. And will the belongings and people whom we love will remain forever? No. Why not our life be for something good? Why not our life bring happiness in the face of others? Let us ask grace from the Lord.


Quote: “I think you travel to search and you come back home to find yourself there.” 

SATURDAY, 30 JULY 2016, "RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE COST TO PAY"

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 26:11-16,24 / GOSPEL: Matthew 14:1-12
When is the last time you really stood for something you thought to be right? When everyone would be against you for that cause how would you feel? The same story is found in today's Liturgy of Word. Jeremiah and John the Baptist are accused by the priests and people, even king. So they loose their life for standing up against the wicked practices of people. In our life too we see and encounter various injustices around us. How do I take it? Do I stand up and speak against it or say to myself 'it's not my business'? The true Christian call is to speak up against the injustices, on bargain it may cost my life, but the life which is cynical and thinks only for it's benefit, what is the use of living that LIFE?


Quote: "I seek truth over a lie; I seek justice over injustice; I seek righteousness over the rewards of evildoers, and I love God more than I love the state." - H. Rap Brown

FRIDAY, 29 JULY 2016, "THE GOOD AND EVIL WITHIN US"

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 26:1-9/ GOSPEL: John 11:19-27
We all posses two nature, one is good and the other one is evil. What happens if we are possessed by any one of this? If we are possessed by the Good then surely Good will come out, and if we are possessed by the evil intentions surely our life will be miserable. Basically we are good people and the battle between good and evil continues till our last breath. So, God is calling each and every one of us to turn to him, since God is Good. And Jesus has overthrown evil within him and from the world by sacrificing his life on the Cross. Let us ask ourselves, Is it too difficult to amend my ways? Do I not seek to be good and promote goodness through my life? Let us pray for the grace to be GOOD and do GOOD.

Quote: "Each of us has a vision of good and evil. We have to encourage people to move towards what they think is good...Everyone has his own idea of Good and Evil and must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them. That would be enough to make the world a better place."-Pope Francis

THURSDAY, 28 JULY 2016, "LET'S START ANEW"

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 18:1-6 / GOSPEL: Matthew 13:47-53
Since our childhood days we have been receiving a lot of corrections. Even now if we get some corrections our childhood memories comes to our mind. Some of us are positive towards correction and some may not like corrections. The correction which we are speaking is just the mistakes what we do, but every time we also receive divine correction. That is from God. As he tells the people of Israel, "House of Israel, can not I do to you what this potter does? – it is the Lord who speaks. Yes, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so you are in mine, House of Israel.’" So, how God gives us corrections? It is our inner voice and pure voice, which tells us what to do and what not. Thus, let us not be a bad human being in the Kingdom of God. Let us strive to be good, walk towards better and achieve the best in life.


Quote: "I've always written by hand. Mostly with a fountain pen, but sometimes with a pencil-especially for corrections."-Paul Auster

WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY 2016, "WHAT ACTUALLY IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD FOR ME ?"

FIRST READING:Jeremiah 15:10,16-21 / GOSPEL:Matthew 13:44-46
We always hear about the Kingdom of God. There is not even one Sunday if we have not heard about kingdom of God. Many people give different connotation of Kingdom of God. So, What it is actually? A real kingdom like people on earth have or something supernatural which is yet to come on earth? How can I be part of this Kingdom? Is there any membership or entry fees? So on and so forth! Jesus compared Kingdom of God to pearls and treasure, which is very precious. But Kingdom of God is much more precious than these vanishing things. But question is what it is? what is this Kingdom we are talking about?
Kingdom of God is nothing but this community, the family in which we are living. Kingdom of God means living for others, serving others and even dying for others. If we do it then we realize how peaceful we shall be. And once we come to know about it, nothing in the world matters to us or stops us, in spreading this Kingdom of God. 

Quote: "Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever."-Bernnan Manning

TUESDAY, 26 JULY 2016, "TAKING SIDES, WHICH SIDE AM I?"

FIRST READING:Jeremiah 14:17-22 / GOSPEL: Matthew 13:36-43 
We all want to remain good and feel good. Who do not want their child to be first in the class? Which couple do not wish for a healthy and good relationship with each other?  God always looks from this point of view that, his children may be good and not get into trouble. But we are free in choosing. If we look at our lives, we see that every event would give us two option. The first one is good and second one is not so good (evil). We all know it but when the time comes we just ignore it and choose the latter part. Because evil looks wonderful, looks beautiful but we are cheated when we arrive at the end of the battle. God is good and the option is ours. If we choose good it means we are at the side of God. Let us ask ourselves where do I stand? When things turn upside down, what do I choose? On whose side am I? Which option do I prefer?

Quote:"Inside each of us, there is the seed of both good and evil. It's a constant struggle as to which one will win. And one cannot exist without the other."-Eric Burdon

MONDAY, 25 JULY 2016, "BEING SERVANT YET MASTER"

FIRST READING:2 Corinthians 4:7-15 / GOSPEL: Matthew 20:20-28
The whole Christian understanding is Serving others and not taking pride in what we do. It is rightly told in the first reading that, We all share one Spirit. This Spirit of Jesus tells us to wash the feet of others. The servant-hood of Christ does not ask you to become a door mat. But keeping your self respect and dignity but devoid of your pride, authority and selfishness. At a time it becomes too difficult for us to serve others. Especially when we are holding power. But we need to remind ourselves that GOD is the ultimate. If our power and authority does not help others, does not make any good, then what is the meaning in holding that power or authority? Let us ask ourselves, Do I have the Spirit of serving others? Do I try to bring change in serving the needy when I am in power? Let us not forget that though Jesus washed the feet, cleansed the lepers yet he remains the MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE. 

Quote: "The Pinnacle of the fulfillment I can ever experience of my Spirit and Soul is to hear from the Lord, when I see Him face to face, 'Well done my good and faithful servant'"-Nick Vujicic

SUNDAY, 24 JULY 2016, "WHAT DO I WANT IN MY PRAYER?"

FIRST READING: Genesis 18:20-32 / SECOND READING: Colossians 2:12-14 / GOSPEL: Luke 11:1-13
Let us recall the age, when we were taught how to pray and what to pray.  And since then what do we pray? We pray pray for ourselves. For the people whom we love. And for the difficulties that we face in our daily life. But it happens that at certain time we feel that God never listens to my prayer. Because I remain  in that same condition or my difficulties do not vanish immediately. One great author says, God is ready to say NO, when the thing asked is not fit for us. God may delay but won't deny to his children. Thus prayer is very powerful but needs perseverance. We need to pray but it is more powerful when it is prayed with full heart, mind and soul . Prayer should  come from the heart. Let us pray always, Pray for ourselves, pray for others, pray  for everything. 


Our God Who is everywhere


Reveal us who you are. 

Also reveal who we are

Set the world right; from kinds of evil we promote

Do what's best— as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the our evil thinking and acts.
You're in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You're ablaze in beauty!

Amen

Quote: "Never stop fighting untill you arrive at your destined place-
that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life." - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

SATURDAY, 23 JULY 2016, "WHERE DO I FIND GOD?"

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 7:1-11 / GOSPEL: Matthew 13:24-30
We are true God lovers no doubt, because we tell ourselves we go to Church, receive all the sacraments, and even fund the Church! So Did we find God? Where is my God? First reading today we read about God telling Jeremiah, not to call the house of the Lord a Sanctuary. It's not because God does not dwell there, but people had made it robber's den! With all the filth in the hearts and evil intentions in the mind people thought just by visiting God's Temple would make them pure. God did not want their sacrifice but a Contrite Heart. In the Gospel according to Matthew Jesus speaks about good and not good people in the world. He chose parable to make them understand. Have we understood what Jesus wanted us to know, NO! 
In the world today we are witnessing all sorts of evil deeds of human being. It's purely human intention to be cynical. Where do I stand today? Do I tell myself, what's the big deal not to be good? God is present everywhere, but today we are told that greater presence of God is among us. If we fail to understand this then our life is not worth. What is the use of going to Church seeking God, when I do not respect God who resides in my brothers and sisters? We are one family and God is our parent let us respect each other and love one another as a HUMAN FAMILY.

Let us pray for the people who died in terrorist attack in Nice, France and for the family members of those deceased persons. Also for the people who were injured in Germany Axe attack. May the Lord Give them courage and Hope.

Quote: God has given us two hands, one to RECIEVE with and the other to SHARE with. -Billy Graham

FRIDAY, 22 JULY 2016, "LOVE CAN EMPTY EVEN ENTIRE OCEAN"

FIRST READING: Song of Songs 3:1-4 / GOSPEL: John 20:1-2,11-18
The first thing we receive when we are born is LOVE and if for some reason we may not have received it, eventually when we sail the sea of Life we are showered with love. Love is the foundation of Christianity which leads us to Unity. Apostles and Disciples of Jesus loved him very much. Though they failed to recognize his divinity till the end of his life on earth but Jesus had made an impact on his followers. This love of Jesus made them to give their life for him. In today's world we give excuse by saying we are busy. We have almost forgotten the four magical words that is "LOVE". How often do I tell my husband/wife, mother/father, friends or children that I love them? How much do I love myself? We all are people of Love and need to live and love the life. Let us try our best to love and live this beautiful life.

Let us also pray for those people whose hearts are broken, may be in family, children, parents or broken relationship. May the Lord Jesus help them to get strength to receive love and may they shower the same love on others.

Quote: We LOVE life, not because we are used to living but becasue we are used to loving. -Friedrich Nietzsche

THURSDAY, 21 JULY 2016, "HOW TO SEE WITHOUT LOOKING AND HEAR WITHOUT LISTENING? "

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 2:1-3,7-8,12-13 / GOSPEL: Matthew 13:10-17
Thus says the Lord! it's a typical a prophet's way of telling to the people. A prophet speaks on behalf of God to the people. I used to wonder why ISRAELITE never heed to God's word even seeing what God has done to them? This question may also arise in everyone one of us. But no wonder when I look at my life and its happenings. I was surprised to see all the difficult moments I have remembered God for help. I have even cried and prayed earnestly to God to take away the suffering and pain. And everything settles down I am on my way never bothering God who helped in those moments of difficulties. And it's true what Jesus told two thousand years ago. It really makes sense now, we can't comprehend the mind of Jesus. We look without seeing and Listen without hearing. Seeing and Hearing are the two greatest faculties of human being. In order to able to see and listen God, first of all we need to hear and listen to the people around us. When is the last time I sat with my parents and talked like a child? When is the last time I gave my ear to my husband/wife or children? When is the last time I went to the SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION?

Quote: Unlike seeing, where one can look away, one cannot 'hear away' but must listen...hearing implies already belonging together in such a manner that one is claimed by what is being said. -Hans-George Gadamer

WEDNESDAY, 20 JULY 2016, "WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE SITUATIONS YOU LIVE IN?"

FIRST READING:  Jeremiah 1:1,4-10 / GOSPEL:  Matthew 13:1-9 
Just imagine Jesus standing on the street and probably praying to YAHWEH, suddenly multitude of people approach him to listen to him. What would have been the reaction of Jesus? As a Human and Divine he would have felt nervous obviously. Because he too was a child in the sight of God. But he knows much much he is loved by his God. In the same way Jeremiah feels a child in him when the difficult situations came on his way. But we God assures them with hope, love and courage. 
The parable of the sower, we have heard it many times. The seeds symbolizes each one of us. We do not choose our families to be born in. As the seeds are sown and fall into different grounds so too we are caught up in different situations of life. But we are not seeds inactive rather we are alive and active. There are many situations arise in our life. How do I encounter with this? May be family problems, health reasons, problems at my work place, Parents or children do not have love, everyone blames me for nothing, I may not be doing well in what I do, so on and so forth. In these given situations what is my response to my life? Do I feel rejected and deceived and loose hope in life? 
Remember God is loving and trust in him, Let your child within you know that God your parent is always ready to encourage you. Though I am not loved by anyone but I am truly loved by GOD the shower who has sown me in my family in this world. God also likes me to talk to him/her as a child to its parents all my sorrows and joys of life.

Quote: Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. -Brian Tracy

TUESDAY 19 JULY, 2016, "WHO IS IN YOUR FAMILY?"

FIRST READING: Micah 7:14-15,18-20 GOSPEL: Matthew 12:46-50
All our identities in the world link back to our families. Certain questions are always asked like, Who is your mother? Who is your family? where do you come from? where is your family? And if I were to give the answer like this "Those Who Do the will of my Mother or Father is my brother and sister, mother and father!" For people it's a foolish statement to be made by me. But Jesus was also looked by others in the same manner. For Jesus, those who did the will of God were his family not excluding Mother Mary since she stands first in carrying out God's will. Thus question is What is God's will? How can I fulfill God's will? 
God's will is to love my family and all God's creatures in the world. It's not easy as I am writing this blog! "to love my family and to love all." Am I ready for this challenge to love everyone? If I start and make a resolution, I would find the answer to the question, Who is your FAMILY?

Quote:"Think of your family today and every day therafter, don't let the busy world of today keep you from showing how much you love and appreciate your family." -Josiah





MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016, "DO I ALWAYS SEEK MIRACLE TO BELIEVE IN GOD?"


Tess was a precocious eight year old when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment complex next month because Daddy didn’t have the money for the doctor bills and our house. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and it was looking like there was no-one to loan them the money. She heard Daddy say to her tearful Mother with whispered desperation, “Only a miracle can save him now.”

Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall’s Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good.

Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

“And what do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen in ages,” he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

“Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,” Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. “He’s really, really sick… and I want to buy a miracle.”

“I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist.

“His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?”

“We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry but I can’t help you,” the pharmacist said, softening a little. “Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.”

The pharmacist’s brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does you brother need?”

“I don’t know,” Tess replied with her eyes welling up. “I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.”

“How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago. “One dollar and eleven cents,” Tess answered barely audibly. “And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.

“Well, what a coincidence,” smiled the man. “A dollar and eleven cents – the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.” He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said, “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the kind of miracle you need.”

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specialising in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

“That surgery,” her Mom whispered. “was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?”


Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost… one dollar and eleven cents … plus the faith of a little child.

Author: Unknown

How often in our life we loose faith in God when  troubles come in our lives. We need an instant sign or miracle to happen in our lives. The question is how much strength do I have when I am troubled with problems in my life? Do I loose hope and trust in God or does doubt arise in my mind in the existence of loving God? Do I blame God for all that happens in my life? God need not to prove through miracle that he/she is God; He is God therefore he/she does MIRACLE.

Quote: Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient ineffective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships.  -Stephen Covey


SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2016, 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, "HOSPITALITY & ATTENTIVE LISTENING"

FIRST READING : Genesis 18:1-10 / SECOND READING : Colossians 1:24-28 / GOSPEL : Luke 10:38-42



Whenever I hear about hospitality and attentive listening I remember my 'MOTHER'. When guests come she prefers to cook snacks as well as gives them a ear and would make  conversation. It's really difficult gift to be able to attend to the guest with attentive listening as well as by refreshing them with snacks and drinks. 



Jesus tells Martha, 'you worry and fret about so many things... Mary has chosen the better part.' Friends Mary has chosen the better part but not the best. Jesus did not tell Martha to put a stop to whatever she was doing instead he did not want her to be fully occupied by what she was doing. Thus balancing of Hospitality and Attentive Listening is the best part. In the world today, there are lot of people around us who want others to listen to them. More than food and drink people want their sorrows and joys to be poured out to someone. How do I find myself when someone talks about their problem? Do I listen to them attentively or just feel indifferent to the feelings of others? 



Let's be both Martha and Mary. Let us listen to whoever wants our attention and our hospitality, in a Christian Spirit.

Quote: "Genuine listening is hard work; there is little about it that is mechanical...We hear with our ears, but we listen with our eyes and mind and hear and skin and guts as well."-Alfred Benjamin








SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016, DO YOU RUN OR STAND AND FACE?

First Reading: Micah 2:1-5/ Gospel : Matthew 12:14-21


We all have small worlds of ours. There are people who pour out everything and love and appreciate us. There are few people who always tell us what to do? There are people who simply but can't stop blaming us! There are people who always find mistake in us and people who try to just pull our legs always. 

It depends on how I look at what is happening in my world. But the most important question is do I get depressed and destroy my beautiful world or do I continue my work. Let's take insight from the Gospel where we see Jesus not worrying to what the would happen to him and continues to do his mission. Though he withdraws from the district but not from the people. He heals, preaches, sings and continues to live. 

Let us also take courage from him who lived and showed us to live our life to our fullest. Let us not stress on what people would do or think, but do our work with love and dedication.

Quote: If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life - Marcus Gravey