UNBELIEF OF THE DISCIPLES

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

UNBELIEF OF THE DISCIPLES

MARK 16:14 ... AND HE UPBRAIDED THEM FOR THEIR LACK OF BELIEF AND STUBBORNNESS

The battered and bruised body of Jesus hanging helplessly on the cross together with his agonising cries of anguish before his shameful death was a traumatic experience for the disciples. This was a far cry from their fond dreams of a conquering Messiah who will share his spoils with them. They were shattered and shocked into disbelief.They totally lost all confidence and hope in Jesus even though they witnessed him raising to life the child of Jairus, the widow's young son and his friend Lazarus.. When they could never believe that Jesus would suffer and die on the cross the thought that Jesus will rise from the dead never occurred in their minds though Jesus spoke about it several times. Therefore their unbelief persisted even when it was reported to them that Jesus was alive and appeared to some other disciples. They thought it must have been only an appearance of the ghost of Jesus. Moreover Jesus' appearance was different each time and the disciples who saw him could not recognise him immediately. This only confirmed their suspicions and unbelief. It is only after the infilling of the Holy Spirit that their doubts and stubbornness vanished.

 Same could be the case with us also. If suppose we happen to see someone known to us who has died and has come back to life with a different appearance we may doubt whether it is the same person or at best think that we are seeing  a ghost.It is also a very frightful experience for us.

Hence Jesus comforts his disciples and reassures them patiently  by his eleven appearances at different times with a physical but glorified body showing them the scars of the crucifixion and even eating and drinking with them that he has truly risen from the dead physically. He expects his disciples and later on us to believe the scriptures and the various eye-witnesses about his resurrection. It is only a complete faith and trust in the scriptures and the grace of the Holy Spirit that makes us believe that Jesus is physically alive today among us though unseen and will return in glory to judge the living and the dead.

God Bless.

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UNBELIEF OF THE DISCIPLES

MARK 16:14 ... AND HE UPBRAIDED THEM FOR THEIR LACK OF BELIEF AND STUBBORNNESS

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God Bless

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EASTER SATURDAY ....... 30.04.11

MARK 16:9-15 ........ GO OUT TO THE WHOLE WORLD; PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS

EASTER SATURDAY ....... 30.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

EASTER SATURDAY ....... 30.04.11

MARK 16:9-15 ........ GO OUT TO THE WHOLE WORLD; PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS

The " Good News " is that Jesus has atoned for our sins and has opened the way to eternal life with God. The difficulties and troubles in this world are temporary in nature and Jesus will see us through them because he is now seated at the right-hand of God. Jesus will remain with us and bless us to live a peaceful and fulfilling life. Whatever good things we ask in Jesus' name God will answer our prayers because we are his children. Jesus' promises that at the end of life we will enjoy eternal bliss with God.This is the news we have to convey to a hurting world. Let us believe firmly in this good news of Jesus and live positively with plenty of hope, freedom and inner joy. May the Holy Spirit confirm our belief.

God bless

EASTER FRIDAY ...... 29.04.11

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EASTER FRIDAY ....... 28.04.11

JOHN 21:1-14 ..... JESUS STEPPED FORWARD, TOOK THE BREAD AND GAVE IT TO THEM, AND THE SAME WITH THE FISH.

This is the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after his resurrection. This time the disciples knew quite well that it was Jesus. Obviously it was their love for Jesus as a person that was drawing them to him. Perhaps the truth that Christ had suffered and died for their sins in his great love for them was yet to sink in their minds. This enlightenment will come only after the day of Pentecost. Jesus was already cooking some fish and he asks the disciples for some of their catch to be placed on the cooking fire. Jesus can supply all our needs but he wants to bless and sanctify our efforts also.Jesus has made the sacrifice on the cross and now he wants us to partake and share in the blessings of his redemptive sacrifice.That is why he says  " take up your cross and follow me if you want to be my disciples". He will provide the necessary strength and sustain us in the journey. Jesus was preparing the disciples for their future ministry before equipping them with the Holy Spirit. After forty days of lent let us now prepare ourselves in the next fifty days after resurrection for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

God Bless.  

EASTER THURSDAY 28.04.11

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EASTER THURSDAY ......28.04.11

LUKE 24:35-48...... IT IS WRITTEN THAT CHRIST WOULD SUFFER AND ON THE THIRD DAY RISE FROM THE DEAD

It is relatively easier for us to believe that Christ rose from the dead but it was not so for the first disciples. They were nurtured in the belief based on a long standing tradition that the Messiah would be a conquering king, a descendant of the great king David and would establish an earthly kingdom. They were not inclined to believe the reports of the women-disciples and the two other disciples that they saw Jesus alive. They dismissed it as a figment of their imagination or some kind of a vision or apparition or the mere appearance of the ghost of the dead Jesus.Moreover they were in mortal fear of the Jews and locked themselves up in a room not even venturing to go out. It was in this background that Jesus appears to them and explains the scriptures regarding the necessity of  his passion, death and resurrection and to prove that he is not a ghost shows them the wounds on his body and eats with them as a normal human would.

Whenever we are in confusion, grief,fear or difficulties the Word of God gives us the necessary consolation and courage to face any problems in life.Jesus will show us the way out and will appear in the guise of some good samaritan to prove that he is alive in our midst to help us in our troubles. We only have to trust Jesus.

God Bless.

EASTER WEDNESDAY ... 27.04.11

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EASTER WEDNESDAY  ....27.04.11

LUKE 24:13-35 ........  THEY RECOGNISED JESUS AT THE BREAKING OF BREAD

The two disciples looked downcast and defeated and they needed encouragement.Jesus knew this even before he met them on the road.He gradually opens their hearts to the meaning of his passion, death and resurrection from the old testament and at the moment of grace Jesus suddenly opens their eyes to his real presence at the breaking of the bread and instantly vanishes.The disciples are filled with joy and new energy and immediately return to the fold. On the road of life many a time we feel defeated and disappointed and nothing seems to work out for us. It is precisely in these moments the Risen Christ steps into our life uninvited and not only renews our minds but transforms the difficult and sometimes unbearable situations in our life. We need only to diligently read the scriptures with faith and experience the presence of Christ in our lives.Jesus loves us and he will never abandon us.Trust Jesus.

God Bless.

EASTER MONDAY AND EASTER TUESDAY

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EASTER MONDAY : 25.04.11  MATHEW 28:8-15   "  ....they must leave for Galilee, they will see me there."

EASTER TUESDAY: 26.04.11  JOHN 20:11-18       " ....I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and to your 

                                                     God."

In both the readings Jesus tells the women  not to fear that he will leave them again. Of course he will stay with his disciples physically for sometime till his ascension and thereafter he promises them and us that he will remain with us forever in our very souls in a more intimate way, when the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in us. We see Christ with our spiritual eyes in the Eucharist and commune with him in his Word and through prayer. We will see him as he is in his glorious state when we go to meet him and then we also will be transformed into his likeness. Till such time we will be satisfied in receiving him in faith in the Holy Eucharist and through the Word of God.

God Bless.  

HAPPY EASTER

                                                                                                 FROM BAKIANATHAN, DORATHY, 

                                                        ANAND, PRABHA, PATRICK, ASHA,

                                                                                                              REBECCA, HAGEOS, AND JOSHUA                                                 

                                                                                        

EASTER SUNDAY .......... 23.04.11

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EASTER SUNDAY ....... 23.04.11.

ACTS 10:34.37-43....." WE HAVE EATEN AND DRUNK WITH HIM AFTER HIS RESURRECTION."

1COR.5:6-8............." GET RID OF THE OLD YEAST, AND MAKE YOURSELVES INTO A COMPLETELY NEW BATCH OF BREAD."

JOHN 20:1-9 ..........." HE MUST RISE FROM THE DEAD."

Easter inaugurates the eagerly waiting period for the Second Coming of Christ. The Old Testament finds its fulfillment in the birth, life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in his First Advent on the earth. Now the New Testament reveals the ways and means to live a life faithful to the message and mission of Christ. Our life now will determine our final destination when Christ comes again as the supreme judge and king. The Holy Spirit has been poured upon all flesh and the period of grace and mercy, which is the gift of Easter will draw to a close as the years keep rolling on. Our response to God's grace will decide whether we will participate or not in the eternal banquet with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The message of Easter is both joyful and sombre. It is full of hope and it is also full of foreboding. Romans 6:8 says " If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him." Dying with Christ is dying to the world. This is not possible by human efforts alone." God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God." Eph. 2:8. It is only possible through faith in the passion, death and resurrection of Christ and leading a good life again by his grace. "A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need." John 10:10. So while celebrating Easter with the joy of the Risen Lord let us be spirit-filled and gladly await his final return as the majestic judge of all mankind.

God Bless and wish you a happy Easter !

 

THE STORY OF THE EMPTY TOMB

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

HOLY SATURDAY .........  22.04.11

JOHN 20:1-18 .....  " I HAVE SEEN THE LORD."

Jesus rose from the dead but not as Lazarus did. Jesus rose from the dead with a transformed spiritual body never to die again. He battled against Sin and Death and was found victorious. He did not appear to the disciples as a spirit. He appeared to them physically and ate and dined with them on several occasions during forty days and the proof that Jesus rose bodily was the absence of his body in the Tomb . The proof that his body was not stolen lies in the fact that his burial cloths was found lying in the tomb and his face towel was found neatly rolled up separately. This further proves that he rose from the dead on his own. The holy shroud is preserved in Turin in Italy and the face cloth kept in a church in Oviedo in Spain. The fact that Jesus really died and did not faint or swoon on the cross is attested by an eye witness who saw the last drop of blood and water come out of his wound when the soldier thrust his spear in the chest of Jesus. Moreover his bitter enemies the pharisees and scribes never disputed about his death. After forty days he ascended into heaven in the midst of witnesses and never traveled either to Kashmir or France.

The greatest proof that Jesus rose from the dead is the remarkable transformation of the lives of millions of believers beginning with his first disciples.

And the best proof is when we receive Jesus in our hearts in faith and experience his forgiving love and the assurance of eternal life with him. Before the resurrection the disciples never believed that Jesus would rise again. But we are blessed with the gift of faith that Jesus rose from the dead according to the Scriptures. This is the work of the Holy Spirit sent upon us by the Risen Christ. This is the Greatest Gift God has given us.

Happy Easter !

God Bless. 

GOOD FRIDAY .......... 22.04.11

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GOOD FRIDAY .......... 22.04.11

JOHN 18:1-40, 19:1-42 .... THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO JOHN.

The mass is not celebrated on Good Friday because Christ as  High Priest and Victim offers himself on the cross as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins and also as an atoning sacrifice to reconcile us to God.That is why the curtain in the Temple separating the Holy of Holies is torn into two giving us free access to God. This is symbolised in the church service when the cloth covering the cross is removed in stages during the veneration of the cross. This is again symbolised when Christ is stripped of his garments and is crucified naked on the cross. All these symbols are divine realities.

But the holy communion is distributed to strengthen us during the Passover on the Cross when Christ succeeds in defeating Satan and obtains forgiveness of sins and salvation for all of us believers. The final proof that Christ succeeded in his salvific mission is the event of his bodily resurrection. God the Father hears the plea of our Mediator Jesus Christ approves his sacrifice and raises him to life.

Now we can be well assured of our individual salvation and forgiveness of our sins provided our repentance has been sincere. Christ for our sake becomes the Lamb of God and the Scape Goat which was symbolically sacrificed on the Day of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is the Day of atonement for the Jews.

God bless

HOLY THURSDAY ............ 21.04.11

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HOLY THURSDAY ......21.04.11

JOHN 13:1-15 ........" NOW HE SHOWED HOW PERFECT HIS LOVE WAS. "

It is only in John's Gospel that the washing of the feet occurs at the close of the Last Supper, a day before the feast of the Passover. John makes only a passing reference to the Last Supper. It was at this time a quarrel arose among the disciples as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest...Luke 22:24.   The washing of the feet brings out the real meaning and significance of the Paschal meal and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross the next day ie., the Day of Passover, the Good Friday.The Message Bible paraphrases what Paul says in Philippians 2:2-8 : "Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet -talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand... Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantage of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human ! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death...... and the worst kind of death at that ...... a crucifixion." Jesus humbles himself and lovingly took the dirt of the sins of the disciples on to himself by washing their feet like a lowest slave. The disciples believed in Jesus as the Saviour, except for Judas, and so were saved but they had to reckon with their sins of pride and selfishness. The washing of their feet symbolises the removal and forgiveness of their sins paving the way for the infilling of the Holy Spirit that subsequently happens on the Day of Pentecost and their lives are changed. This is exactly what happens at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist when we hear God's Word  and partake of the precious body of Christ, our sins are washed away and our souls flooded by the love of the Holy Spirit. We experience an inexpressible inner joy and peace that sets in a process of gradual transformation to greater holiness and closeness to God.The stepping stones to this experience are faith, love and humility. This is the Kingdom experience , a precursor to what we will inherit when we meet Jesus Christ face to face at the end of our journey. This is the purpose why Christ lay down his life in love for us. Let this Easter season be a life transforming experience for each one of us.

God Bless.   

TALENT

                                  

A LIVING BIBLE

A Living Bible

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened before in this church). By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to them- selves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."

ENDURING HOPE

                                           

         The LORD appeared to me in a faraway place and said, "I love you with an everlasting love. So I will continue to show you my kindness."  Jeremiah 31:3

HOLY WEEK WEDNESDAY ........... 20.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

HOLY WEEK WEDNESDAY .......... 20.04.11

MATHEW 26:14-25........ " THE SON OF MAN IS GOING TO HIS FATE, AS THE SCRIPTURES SAY HE WILL, BUT ALAS FOR THAT MAN BY WHOM HE IS BETRAYED "

The  " blood money " paid to Judas for the death of Jesus was thirty silver pieces which was compensation money for a dead slave and the same money was used by the Chief Priests to buy a  "Potter's Field" which was being utilised as a rubbish yard to throw broken and useless pots by the potter.This field was intended to be reused to bury foreigners and those banished from the Jewish community.Ultimately those who became Christians were  foreigners like us and those of the Jews who were sent out of the Jewish community.In other words Christ's life and our salvation  and the eternal life of  all mankind was valued  as little as thirty silver pieces that can only buy a rubbish yard containing broken pots. This is the value the world puts on our souls.But Christ by his passion, death and resurrection picks up the broken and useless pots like us purchased by his blood and refashions us into beautiful souls fit to live with him forever. This is the value Christ puts on our sinful lives.

 " In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye," Deuteronomy 32:10

This Wednesday Two thousand years back Judas heartlessly betrayed Jesus to death. Let us ask God to give us the grace and strength to be always faithful to him whatever be the temptations and attractions of this world. We are very precious in God's eyes.

God Bless.

MY PRAYER

HOLY WEEK TUESDAY ......... 19.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

HOLY WEEK TUESDAY ..... 19.04.11

JOHN 13:21-33. 36-38 ...... " ONE OF YOU WILL BETRAY ME."

                                        "  BEFORE THE COCK CROWS, YOU WILL HAVE DISOWNED ME THREE TIMES."

Judas because of evil intentions deliberately betrayed Jesus though he was warned several times. Peter though appearing to be brave was chicken hearted and disowned Jesus out of instinctual fear. Both were trusted disciples of Jesus and both of them sinned. Judas  underwent remorse and because of pride and hopelessness never turned to Jesus for forgiveness but took a decision to end his life.Whereas the 'Good Thief' received forgiveness from the cross. Peter repented for his act and continued to follow Jesus because he truly loved him and was forgiven. It is not how many times or how serious are our sins, but how many times we repent and turn to God that matters. Lent affords an opportunity to come out clean with all our sins and seek God's forgiveness. We may sin again and again but let us not feel discouraged to humbly and sincerely seek forgiveness every-time. God understands our nature and is merciful.

 God Bless.

HOLY WEEK MONDAY..... 18.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

HOLY WEEK MONDAY ...... 18.04.11

JOHN 12:1-11 ...." LEAVE HER ALONE ; SHE HAD TO KEEP THIS SCENT FOR THE DAY OF MY BURIAL."

The incident of the  'anointing' clearly indicates that Jesus is the Passover Lamb that was going to be sacrificed. 

The title "Lamb of God" is not merely a metaphor, Our Lord really was a sacrificial victim and His death ended the Old Testament sacrifices; His own death permanently satisfied the debt of sin for which the lamb was annually offered. Even the process by which the lamb was prepared was reproduced in the death of Jesus Christ. The chosen (anointed) lamb had to be without blemish, was bound, brought to the temple, tied to a pillar, killed and drained of blood, was roasted on a spit in the shape of a cross with the forearms outstretched and it was consumed without a bone being broken.

Mary had the privilege of anointing the head of Jesus with the fragrant precious oil and bathing his feet with her tears and wiping it with her hair as a public testimony of her gratitude.What kind of gratitude do we show to the one who has carried away our sins and gifted us with eternal life ? The best way is by humble service to others this Passion Week.

God Bless.

HAVE A NICE DAY

PALM SUNDAY ......... 17.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

PALM SUNDAY ....... 17.04.11

MATHEW : 21:1-11 AND 27:11-54 ...... "BLESSINGS ON HIM WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD."    AND    THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MATHEW.

 In ancient Israel a king who came in peace rode a donkey and in the Old Testament times the  'Ark of the Covenant ' was carried on a never ridden colt. Jesus in his  'first coming' comes as a peaceful  and loving king and as a redeeming and merciful God. He is the king of our lives and God of our eternal destiny. But the common people welcomed him for the wrong reasons thinking that he was a 'Political Messiah' and a great prophet. So they welcomed him as a conquering hero waving palm leaves. Are we seeking just worldly favors from Jesus only for this life like the Jews ?

Jesus paid a heavy and painful price for redeeming our souls and for saving us from eternal punishment.

We were created in the image and likeness of God. But we lost that image and likeness because of sin and by our unholy living. Christ died to restore to us that lost image and likeness so that we can live in eternity with God as his beloved children. 

Being merely sentimental or emotional about the passion and death of Christ is not enough. We have to use our will to sincerely repent over our past way of life and make really serious efforts to lead a life pleasing to God. Just as our spiritual ancestors were freed from the slavery of Egypt by Moses let us also pray that Jesus will completely free us from the burden and slavery of sin. Let our journey begin into a new life of joy, freedom and happiness with God as our Saviour. Let us joyfully and meaningfully celebrate 'Passion Week' with heartfelt prayer, purposeful penitence and effective good works.

God Bless.

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT.... SATURDAY....15.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT ......... SATURDAY ...... 15.04.11

JOHN 11:45-56....... " TO GATHER TOGETHER IN UNITY THE SCATTERED CHILDREN OF GOD."

The common people thought that Jesus was the much awaited Political Messiah who would deliver them from the oppressive Roman rule. The religious leaders thought that Jesus was a dangerous rebel and a rabble-rouser who could bring trouble for the nation from the Romans. Jesus was neither. They did not interpret the old testament prophecies correctly because of their own wickedness and selfishness.But unknowingly they fulfilled the prophecies about Jesus. Christ lay down his life voluntarily for us that we may have eternal life according to the plan and design of God as foretold from the creation event onwards.

JESUS SACRIFICES HIS LIFE VOLUNTARILY

"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." John 10:17-18

PROPHECIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ABOUT THE SUFFERINGS AND DEATH OF JESUS FULFILLED

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed.  He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." (Genesis 3:15)

"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him.  He has put Him to grief.  When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.  He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.  By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:10-11)

God bless.

LIFE WILL NEVER MORE BE THE SAME

An excerpt from One Solitary Life by James A. Francis

He was born in an obscure village the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in still another village where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never owned a house. He never went to college. He never visited a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for His clothing, the only property He had on earth. When He was dead He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today Jesus is the central figure of the human race, the leader of mankind's progress. All the armies that have ever marched All the navies that have ever sailed All the parliaments that have ever sat All the kings that have ever reigned put together Have not affected the life of mankind on this earth as much as that one solitary life.

TRUST GOD AND BELIEVE IN HIM

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT .......... FRIDAY... 15.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT............FRIDAY.....15.04.11

JOHN 10:31-42 ....." THEY WANTED TO ARREST JESUS THEN, BUT HE ELUDED THEM."

Acts 10:38 says " And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him."

Jesus claimed that He was God and asked the unbelieving Jews to believe him atleast on the basis of the miracles he worked among them. Our faith in Jesus increases on the basis of answered prayers. Sometimes God does not answer prayers in the manner we expect. So Romans 8:28 says  "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  Jesus wants us to deepen our faith on the basis of His Word   ----The Scriptures. We should believe God on what he says in the Bible. This is the mark of true faith. It is difficult but possible with God's grace.

God Bless.

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT...... THURSDAY... 14.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT....... THURSDAY.... 14.04.11

JOHN 8:51-59...... "YOUR FATHER ABRAHAM REJOICED TO THINK THAT HE WOULD SEE MY DAY"

Jesus makes, what seems a preposterous claim to the Jews that as God he existed even before their ancestor Abraham. Jesus also claims that whoever obeys his word will never die. Abraham obeyed God's word and is still alive in the spirit and therefore he is said to be rejoicing to witness the earthly life of the incarnated God-Man Jesus. 

Therefore as believing Christians we are free from the terrors of death. But still the natural fear of death lingers in our mind. More and more obedience to God's word will strengthen our faith and free us totally from this fear. Meanwhile we keep hoping to see God in the land of the living.

"Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living."  Psalm 27:13

God Bless.

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT ........ WEDNESDAY

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT ....... WEDNESDAY... 13.04.11

JOHN 8:31-42....  " IF THE SON SETS YOU FREE, YOU ARE FREE INDEED "

Jesus tell the Jews that he is the Son of God and is God himself. And as God he is our redeemer who can set us free from the clutches of "SIN". Sin is our fallen condition which puts us in the power of the Evil One and because of this principle of Sin working within us we tend to commit a variety of sins. Jesus has come to break this power of "Sin" over us and forgives us of all our other sins. He sets us free from evil to live a joyful life pleasing to God. 

"With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God. But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do.What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die?  God! Jesus Christ will rescue me." Romans 7:22-25

Indeed Jesus can set us free by his grace through our faith in him.

God Bless.

FIFTH WEEK IN LENT....... TUESDAY.. 12.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT....... TUESDAY.... 12.4.11

JOHN 8:21-30.... " WHEN YOU HAVE LIFTED UP THE SON OF MAN, THEN YOU WILL KNOW I AM HE "

The Jews anticipated that Jesus is shortly going to crown himself King and so believed his words. Jesus was going to be "lifted up on the cross" and become the eternal king of our lives and hearts. The flesh craves sensual pleasures whereas our spirit longs for the peace of Christ.The call of the flesh is so insistent and so close whereas the call of the spirit is so feeble and so distant.We are aware of the dangers of the flesh but so easily yield to it. Only the Spirit of the resurrected Christ can come to our rescue.Only when we make efforts to flee the flesh can the Spirit of Christ work in our wills and draw us to himself. Meanwhile let us keep praying for the infilling of God's grace.

God bless.  

Fwd: Herbal home doctor adviser

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <joseph_dorathy@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Mon, Apr 11, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Subject: Herbal home doctor adviser
To: djbakianathan@gmail.com




http://www.iaim.edu.in/home%20doctor/health.htm

---
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FIFTH WEEK OF LENT .......... MONDAY 11.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT ....... MONDAY  ..  11.04.11

JOHN 8:1-11 .......  "IF THERE IS ONE OF YOU  WHO HAS NOT SINNED, LET HIM BE THE FIRST TO THROW A STONE AT HER

This is about a woman caught in the very act of adultery. After her accusers left, the woman stood before Jesus full of remorse and repentance. It was the same with King David when he was confronted with the sin of adultery and murder he sobbed before God in guilt and  in sincere repentance. He cried out in Psalm 51:1-4 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.

    Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!

    For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.

    Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment."

Jesus takes  upon himself our punishment for  sins on the cross and grants us forgiveness. Such is the loving kindness of God. But we have to bear the punishment given by civil authorities and also face the shameful and painful consequences of sin during our life time on earth.Jesus hates sin and loves the sinner. He is the only judge of us all. All of us are sinners in some way or the other and so we should not hypocritically judge or condemn others  even in our heart.With Jesus we have forgiveness and no condemnation.

God Bless.

NICE THOUGHTS

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT ............ 10.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT ....... 10.04.11

JOHN 11:1-45 ....... I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.

"Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb." Jn.11:38. Jesus was terribly upset at what Sin had done to his beautiful creation. Instead of joy and harmony he finds, suffering , sorrow , all kinds of social evils , natural calamities , followed by disease, destruction and death both physical and eternal playing havoc in the life of man. Man the crown of God's creation has tragically  died in sins and has become entombed in it. Jesus opens the door of our dark tombs and removes the shackling bandages of sin and brings our dead selves into the radiance of his eternal love, to heal us and give us eternal life by his Holy Spirit.

All those who come to believe in Jesus become alive, and their dead souls are revived and reborn into eternal life with Christ and they continue to live with Christ with glorified bodies even after their natural physical death. Therefore there is no longer mourning and death for a believing Christian and physical death is only exchanging our present decaying bodies for glorified spiritual bodies. This is not some fantasy. Hear what God speaks in Hosea 13:14

 "I want to free them from the power of the grave.

   I want to reclaim them from death.
      Death, I want to be a plague to you.
      Grave, I want to destroy you.
         I won't even think of changing my plans."

The seven 'signs' concluding with the greatest miracle of raising Lazarus to life just before  Jesus himself enters his own passion death and resurrection is to make us believe in Jesus as Martha and others did. John in his statement of purpose for his Gospel says clearly in Jn. 20:30-31 

 "so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through believing you may have life in his name."

 So the question for us is, Have we heard the voice of Christ and come out of our graves of selfishness and sin ? Or do we still carry about us the stench of death and the wrappings of the entombed? Jesus says to us as he said to Martha, "Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die (spiritually). Do you believe this? And those who believe in me, even though they die (physically), will live (spiritually)." Those who live beyond physical death will live eternally in glorified bodies with 

Christ. Those who fall into sin have hope of rebirth through repentance in Christ. This is how God marvelously re-creates us through the passion , death and resurrection of  his son Jesus Christ. This is the good news this Lenten season. Lazarus rose from the dead to once again die. We also will one day die but will rise with Christ to reign with him in the heavens. 

We are  called upon to simply believe and trust in Jesus and the power of Christ  working within our souls will transform us. Let us pray for the great gift of faith in our Lord Jesus.

God Bless.

FOURTH WEEK OF LENT ........... SATURDAY 09.04.11

RANDOM REFLECTIONS

FOURTH WEEK OF LENT .......  SATURDAY   09.04.11

JOHN 7:40-52 .....           WOULD THE CHRIST BE FROM GALILEE ?

His kith and kin did not take him at his words because of familiarity. His townsfolk despised him because of his humble origins.The common people, confused and ignorant, did not believe in him thinking that he was not born, as foretold, in Bethlehem and of King David's lineage. The Scribes and Pharisees hated him for being their critic and rejected him out of pride, prejudice and bitter envy.The religious establishment failed to properly investigate the background and teachings of Jesus. Nicodemus was the only person who defended Jesus even at the risk of being ridiculed. Do we have the courage to take a stand for Jesus or for Justice in the face of severe opposition ? Some were attracted by his  powerful charisma, teachings and miracles but could not commit themselves to faith in him. Only a few loved him and believed in him.  But none of Jesus' enemies could lay hands on him, because 'his time had not come'. Jesus is God and he chooses His 'time' when to 'lay down his life'.

"He came to the things which were his and his people did not take him to their hearts." John 1:11

But Jesus did not complain or grumble about his rejection or injustice or about life's unfairness towards him.He had come to suffer and he had come to die for us. His only source of strength was his Father in prayer.

Have we also experienced rejection in our own lives ? Some time or the other in our lives we may also have been victims of prejudice, discrimination, envy and injustice.We may be suffering from depression and dejection. Let us ask God to remove the bitterness from our hearts and grant us the gift of forgiveness and the generosity to pray for those who have treated us unfairly in life.

"Jesus prayed, ' Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Luke 23:24

Humanly it is not possible to forgive, but in faith and with God's grace and strength it becomes possible. Just make a try today, we have nothing to lose but everything to gain.Experience the freedom and joy of granting forgiveness. It only comes gradually over time.

There are only two positions we can take with regard to Jesus. Either we are for him or against him. Either we believe in him or reject him. No one can ignore him. If we are for Jesus, do we love him with the required ardor and zeal ?

God Bless.

Fwd: Thanks for taking action

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Avaaz.org <avaaz@avaaz.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 9:19 PM
Subject: Thanks for taking action
To: djbakianathan@gmail.com


Avaaz usually sends about one email per week, offering a chance to take quick action on an urgent global issue. If you received this message in error, or would prefer not to receive email from Avaaz, click here to unsubscribe or email unsubscribe@avaaz.org.

Thank you for standing with Anna Hazare against corruption! Your name has been added.

The more people join this campaign, the more powerful our call will be. Please, spread the word by forwarding the email below and by posting a message on Facebook and Twitter:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_anna_hazare/97.php?cl_tta_sign=176c33f0928b016f4e505e20d645910a

Thanks so much,

The Avaaz Team

-----

Here is the original email to forward to your friends:


Dear friends across India,

Right now, Anna Hazare, a 73-year-old Gandhian, sits in the burning sun fasting, and he will stay until death -- unless the government agrees to consider a powerful law that could rid Indian politics of the scourge of corruption.

This "Modern Mahatma" is taking the utmost act of courage and determination to push through a bill that would give an independent body the power to punish corruption -- even in the Prime Minister's office. Across the country a movement has exploded, and a media storm of pressure has been sparked that's engulfing Singh. But dirty politicians are desperately trying to water down or kill the law.

For the first time in forty three years, we have the chance to change the way politics is done. Let's join together and stand with Anna Hazare to tackle corruption and clean up Indian politics. We have no time to lose -- sign the petition to Prime Minister Singh and send this on to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_anna_hazare/97.php?cl_tta_sign=176c33f0928b016f4e505e20d645910a

Hazare is championing a citizen-developed bill called "Jan" Lokpal that will create an independent body, selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities, with enough power to investigate and punish all politicians. No minister or bureaucrat will be able to influence its investigations.

Since 1968, when this bill was first introduced, greedy politicians have thwarted its passing. Now the government is pushing for a watered down Lokpal with no hope of ending fraud, vice and dishonesty -- it gives politicians overriding power to decide who will be investigated, and is a complete eyewash.

Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Singh to endorse the "Jan" Lokpal. Members of the opposition party have begun to make the right noises in support of Anna Hazare. And even the National Advisory Council, a powerful advisory body to Sonia Gandhi have come out in favour of the bill. But corrupt politicians and vested interests are doing all they can to kill it.

Anna Hazare has set the example. But only a national citizens movement can ramp up the pressure to get Singh to endorse "Jan" Lokpal and save Hazare's life. Sign the petition and forward it to everyone now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_anna_hazare/97.php?cl_tta_sign=176c33f0928b016f4e505e20d645910a

Corruption in politics has become a plague across our country, it is draining our resources and demoralizing our nation. This bill would go a long way to deterring those that steal and undermine the public good. Last year, the Avaaz community in Brazil won an important victory -- against the odds millions of people came together and pushed through a historic anti-corruption law. India has a proud history of people power overcoming oppression -- today if we all stand with one voice we can fight this corruption that is poisoning our political system.

With hope,

Saloni, Shibayan, Ricken, Ben and the whole Avaaz team.

More information:

India Today, "Lokpal vs Jan Lokpal: A study in contrast":
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/134429/latest-headlines/lokpal-vs-jan-lokpal-a-study-in-contrast.html

The Hindu Business Line, "Anna Hazare on fast-unto-death demanding Jan Lokpal Bill":
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/article1602555.ece

Times of India, "On day Anna Hazare begins fast, NAC too calls for lokpal debate":
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/On-day-Anna-Hazare-begins-fast-NAC-too-calls-for-lokpal-debate/articleshow/7880511.cms

Tehelka, "Social activists come together to show flaws in Lokpal Bill":
http://tehelka.com/story_main49.asp?filename=Ws050411ACTIVISM.asp

Anna Hazare's fast against corruption strikes huge chord
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/anna-hazares-fast-against-corruption-strikes-huge-chord-96593

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Avaaz.org is a 7-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 13 countries on 4 continents and operates in 14 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

This message was sent to djbakianathan@gmail.com. To change your email address, language, or other information, send a message to unsubscribe@avaaz.org, contact us via this form -- or simply click here to unsubscribe.To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).