Random Reflections

The Feast of All Saints Mass Readings for 1.11.11 Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 At present we are told that the world's population stands at 7 billion with the birth of a girl child in the Philippines last midnight. Now add up 7 billion with those of the past generations that had lived on this earth since Adam and Eve and also the future generations that are being born till the end of the world.The figure is unimaginable ! Revelation says that a complete figure of 12 * 12 *1000 from those among Israel will be saved. This is not to be taken as a literal figure. More than the numbers, it denotes that God is faithful to His covenant promises and a complete number of the Jews will be saved. And Revelation goes on to say that " a vast host appeared which no one could count,(gathered out of) of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages ".This ' vast number ' are among the non-Jews. Now what is going to be the exact percentage of all the persons (Jews and non-Jews) saved and reaching Heaven to the total population from the days of Adam to the Day of Final Judgement has not been revealed. But Scripture says in many places and in particular in Mathew 7:14 .. " But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Therefore a significantly limited number of persons will be able to board the bus to heaven from among those born in this world. We must be sure that we do not miss that blessed bus. By God's grace let us keep hoping that we will also join the company of the Saints in Heaven. 1 John 3:1-3 As God's dear children even here and now we get a foretaste of the joys of heaven. The growing intimacy we enjoy with God in our daily walk with Him gives us a sure hope that when we reach heaven and resemble Christ we will be blessed to see God just as He really is.This is the beatific vision that the saints enjoy uninterruptedly in heaven. The temporary sinful pleasures of this life are in no way comparable to this eternal heavenly bliss. What God has promised for his faithful children He is certain to fulfill. The choice is ours and the choice is very clear. All of us are called to become saints. Matthew 5:1-12 A saint is a person who has become one with Christ. But this leads to another question: HOW does a person become one with Christ? While there have been volumes written about how one can become one with Christ, become closer to God, and even how the soul is perfected in human beings, I think today's gospel provides some excellent guidelines. To become one with Christ, we need to become more like Him by following His example, for instance: "Blessed are they who mourn." Jesus mourned for Jerusalem and for His friend Lazarus. We have to mourn over our weaknesses and sinful nature and also over the lost fellow souls. "Blessed are the meek." Jesus Himself said He was meek and humble of heart. We have to become humble and never should we nurse resentments and bitterness in our hearts.We need to have forgiving and compassionate hearts. "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness." Jesus sought righteousness wherever He went and in every person He met. We should nurture justice, fair-play and honesty in our relationship with others. We must go slow in insisting on our own rights but seek the good of others in all matters.This is the will of God. "Blessed are the merciful." Jesus showed mercy to everyone, even a condemned man next to Him on the cross. It is not enough to merely show sympathy in words.Mercy and compassion have to be shown in action. "Blessed are the clean of heart." Our Lord was without sin. A pure heart is a heart totally dedicated to God.There is no place for love of ' Self ' or love of worldly possessions, or love of any other person except for God in a pure and clean heart. It is an undivided heart where God's love has the first place. We love others by doing good to them unselfishly whether friend or foe. "Blessed are the peacemakers." He sought peace wherever He went and challenged others that if they were without sin, then they could cast the first stone. Seeking peace with others even if we are put under a slight disadvantage is pleasing to God. Sacrificing our own interests in bringing about peace and reconciliation among people is what God expects of us as christians. "Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness." Jesus was righteous above all others, but was persecuted to the point of being hung on the cross. When we live according to the Gospel values a lot of sacrifice and suffering will come our way. This is the ' narrow path ', but it is precisely this path that leads to heaven. But God's powerful presence and protection and His reassuring comfort will always accompany us.God's infinite love and warmth will keep us going no matter what cost. It is in this context St.Paul exclaims in his letter to the Romans " What can separate us from the love of Christ.........? " Living the Gospel values requires tremendous courage and boldness.It is the greatest known adventure in the world with our sights on heaven.However it is made possible only by God's grace and strength and by the gift of faith. Trusting prayer is the key to all of this.Let us pray to our Blessed Mother and to all the saints to powerfully intercede for us while never forgetting that Jesus Christ himself is constantly interceding for us at the right hand of God. Happy Feast ! God Bless.

Random Reflections

Mass Readings for 31.10.11 Rom.11:29-36 I constantly wonder why God should love me with such incredible love even though I very frequently and knowingly disobey Him.Any other human, including my own mother would have written me off long ago.God understands my debilitating weaknesses and so He has such deep compassion and mercy on me even to the extent of laying down His life for me on the cross.Such a shameful and horribly painful death no human being would be prepared to undergo for my-sake........ for me such an unlovable person.Such unselfish forgiving and unconditional love is beyond my understanding.That is why I know for certain that God loves me truly.God loves in this manner all His children impartially and extends His mercy to each and every individual in the manner and method according to His Divine Wisdom.None is denied God's mercy and this is a great Mystery.Jesus' infinite mercy and compassion is otherwise known as God's grace.We only have to be aware and respond to this great love in faith. And again faith is a gift of God. Ultimately we live in, through and by God's amazing grace.How blessed are those who fully realize this great Truth and Mystery of God's love. For sure God's love is not like Human love.That is why the Psalmist says " O taste and see the Lord is good." God's love is very addictive ! Luke 14:12-14 At the dinner party where Jesus was invited the Pharisees and Scribes were bent upon picking some defect or fault in the character and personality of Jesus.So they were keenly observing Him in order to make some sort of condemnation.They missed the fact that Jesus was all humility, mercy and justice personified. Many a time when we dislike somebody we become blind to the many good and fine qualities in the other person.Jesus is asking us to share our blessings with others unselfishly particularly with the poor and needy.It may appear to us that all of our material blessings are the work of our hands and that we rightfully deserve them, but in fact they are all gifts of God to us.The material blessings we enjoy have been made possible by God's grace and God expects us to share it with the less fortunate and undeserving.We are also undeserving of God's love and mercy and God has been generous enough to us.We have to imbibe the qualities of God in order to share His company on earth and eternity in Heaven.The giver has to be unselfishly generous and the receiver has to be ever grateful. We attend parties and functions mostly as a social obligation and for some friendly banter and gossip.So much money is spent and appears wasted.And again we are expected to reciprocate by throwing a party or arrange a function and the rigmarole goes on.Jesus also attended social functions but they were purposeful.But mostly He kept company with the poor and the underprivileged.Social functions have a role to play but beyond a point they become meaningless and egoistical exercises.We have to incorporate the ' KIngdom Values ' in all social functions.If all the wealth and spiritual gifts were to be shared amongst all the people then the world would become a wonderful place to live in. It may sound very idealistic but will be soon realised when God brings into being the New Earth and the New Heavens at the end of times. Then that will be the real party time for all of us who have shared generously.Hence let us also like God extend mercy and compassion and forgiveness to others.Praise God. God Bless.

Random Reflections

Mass Readings for 30.10.11 Mal 1:14-2:2, 8-10 • 1 Thess 2:7-9, 13 • Matthew 23:1-12 In the first reading in Malachi we see that the priests are to render a stricter account of themselves to God and the punishment meted out to them is also severe. The same holds good for today's priests also. In the second reading in 1Thessalonians we see how the Apostle Paul ministered to the various churches he planted. St.Paul says among other things in verse 7 "Our attitude among you was one of tenderness, rather like a devoted mother nursing and cherishing her own children.Because we loved you, it was a joy to us to give you not only the Gospel of God but our very hearts ------ so dear had you become to us." There are a few saintly priests even today who are fired up with a holy zeal to serve their Master Jesus in faithfully and lovingly tending the flock entrusted to their care.It is truly a blessing to be under the spiritual care of such pastors. In the Gospel reading in Mathew Jesus criticizes some of the hypocritical and cold-hearted Pharisees and Scribes for their attitude and behaviour. Nevertheless he cautions the lay people to give due respect to priests and preachers and to listen and obey what they preach and not to be scandalized by their life-style.Priests ought to follow what Jesus said of himself " I have come to serve, and not to be served ". Instead of pointing fingers at others let the change begin with us ........let us become the change our Saviour and Lord so earnestly wants of us.On the day of Judgement we have to render an account of our own life.Let us not lose the hope of Eternity by blaming the bad example of others or by cultivating a judgmental attitude. May the Lord Bless us through this week, Protect us from all evil, And bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Random Reflections

Mass Readings for 29.10.11 Rom.11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29 Even though Israel is presently in a state of unbelief [in Jesus as Messiah], God’s purpose will be fulfilled in her. And, Paul firmly concludes: “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” God’s love is unchanging; his call his unchanging. And that applies as much to us Christians as to the Jews. No matter what we do, no matter how far we distance ourselves from God, his love and his call are still there inviting us back.God still waits outside our heart and keeps knocking at our door.God's love will always pursue us.For most it is a one-sided love ! How about you ? Luke 14:1, 7-11 Jesus teaches about humility which is one of the cardinal Gospel values for progress on the road to holiness.Jesus tells us not to be worldly minded like Pharisees who were vying with each other for places of honor. It is another way of saying what Jesus has taught earlier, namely, that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is the one who puts himself at the disposal of others, who uses his gifts in serving the well-being of others and who has no interest whatever in titles, dignity or status. True Christians put their self-value in the kind of person they are for others and not in some purely external trappings. They are what they are and not what others think they are or are persuaded to think they are.Even in this world long-term success depends to a large extent on the quality of humility one has. God Bless.

Random Reflections

Mass Readings for 28.10.11 Eph. 2:19-22 Each one of us as believing Christians have been incorporated into Christ.As it were we are being built on the faith of the Apostles and the prophets with Christ himself as the corner stone.In Him each separate piece of building (individual members of the church comprising the body of Christ), properly fitting into its neighbor, grows together into a temple consecrated to the Lord. We are all part of this building in which God himself lives by his Spirit. Do we experience a sense of belongingness to the local Church together with our fellow christians ? The church has been established by Christ himself and we are expected to be faithful members of the church community. Luke 6:12-19 Before choosing the Twelve Apostles from among His disciples Jesus prayed to His Father the whole of the previous night. He invested the Apostles with authority and power to work miracles, to drive out demons, to heal diseases and to proclaim the Gospel in His Name. Elsewhere He empowers Seventy Two other disciples with the same mission.Likewise He has empowered each one of us to continue His mission according to the gifts He has given to us and the duties entrusted to us relating to our position in the church heirarchy.In order to properly discern the gifts of the Holy Spirit we are required to spend considerable time in prayer and meditation of God's Word for us.It is only by the Blood of Jesus and the power in His Holy Name and by the enabling of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live upto the expectations of God as expressed through the church established by Jesus himself. God Bless.

Sandi Patty's Shepherd of My Heart

Random Reflections

Mass Readings for 27.10.11

Rom.8:31-39
God's love is very genuine and unconditional unlike human love where there is always an element of selfishness and unreliability.God's love for us never diminishes and never goes out.He who gave Jesus for us on the cross will He hesitate to provide whatever that is necessary for us in this world ? Can we not trust such a God to stand by us always even if our near and dear ones let us down ? Driven by such a divine love even today there are persons willing to lay down their lives for Christ.God's love is incomparable...... it has to be experienced in order to know it ! Let us pray for a great in-pouring of the Holy Spirit who truly gives us a taste and conviction of God's love.

Luke 13:31-35
None of us is deserving of God's love, but still God loves us constantly and gave himself for our redemption.Jesus was never afraid of dying for us. His love is like that of a hen that quickly gathers it's chicks under its wings at the slightest sign of danger unmindful of its own safety.God is so caring and protective of us ! He considers us as His own children.He guards us with His own Divine Life.His love for us infinitely exceeds that of our own mothers love.Finally we all go back to him at the end of our time.Do not fear about anything, God carries us on His shoulders through thick and thin.He who carried the cross for us will He also not carry us in our troubles ?
God Bless.

Random Reflections

Mass Readings for 26.10.11

Rom.8:26-30
Becoming a true disciple of Christ is a gradually evolving tough exercise.It is God who calls us to this way of life and lavishly pours out his grace and strength upon all those who respond generously to his love.It needs a serious and continuous commitment on our part. In our Christian walk when we face severe trials and temptations the Holy Spirit comes to our aid in our helplessness and we receive the necessary strength and light from God because we are living according to God's purpose and plan.Therefore God will take care of us because we are his beloved children redeemed by the precious blood of his dear Son and called to bear the likeness of Christ.We are always in His care.We have the examples of saints and martyrs who walked with God and walked into Heaven by God's grace.Our role model is Jesus himself.Trust and surrender to God's will.

Luke 13:22-30
Jesus is asking us to WALK THE TALK. The World, Sensuality, and Satan offers us to take the broad road.This is an easy way out and Jesus rejected the offers of the Devil in the desert and in the Garden of Gethsemane.Rather He chose the narrow way of doing His Father's will and consistently pursued it till He ascended the cross. Merely being Church members or listeners of the Word will not reach us to heaven.God wants us to live the Gospel values in our moment to moment life.Many try and give up and the door is shut in their face. But only those who doggedly persist in being faithful to God by doing His will and keeping His commandments can ever hope of eternal life.Jesus tells us to ' force' ourselves through the narrow way.... His way.This is indeed frightful but with faith in God's love, mercy and His grace all things are possible.Frequent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and visits to the confessional and daily meditation on the Word of God and our Mother Mary's intercession is effective on our road to holiness.The Holy Spirit guards us and accompanies us in our walk with God
God Bless

Random Reflections

Mass Readings for 25.10.11
Rom.8:18-25
The Almighty Father has graciously adopted us in Christ as his sons/daughters.This is a free gift of God.But as adopted children when we receive the generous Father's inheritance we will also have to undergo sufferings in this present life as believing and practicing Christians.When we remember the love of Jesus for us on the cross and experience the joyful presence of the Holy Spirit within us and trustfully anticipate the eternal happiness in the loving company of our Father in heaven all the present day sufferings will cease to trouble us by the grace and strength God provides.

Luke 13:18-21
Are we like the hypocritical Synagogue Leader in yesterday's reading who is compared to the useless 'wild birds' and the corrupting influence of the 'yeast' in today's parables ? Are we nominal Christians ? We are called upon by God to walk in the Spirit and not walk in the flesh in order to enjoy the blessings of God and final redemption.

God Bless.

Biblica | Daily Manna from the Net

Biblica | Daily Manna from the Net

Divine Office - Liturgy of the Hours - Breviary - Free Audio - Bible - Prayer

Divine Office - Liturgy of the Hours - Breviary - Free Audio - Bible - Prayer