Bible Reflections I 15.03.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Is. 1: 10, 16-20

          II - Mt. 23: 1 - 12

                          

THE GREATEST MUST BE THE LEAST

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus instructs on what to follow and what to disregard. To follow whatever the scribes and the Pharisees taught as they were taking the seat of Moses and to disregard their hypocrisy and vain glory. Jesus, the Rabbi par excellence on the other hand replaces the weighing law of the scribes and the Pharisees with just two commandments: love of God and love of neighbour, in all humility and love. His preaching was substantiated with the personal example of washing the feet of his disciples: “You call me Master and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet you also should wash one another’s feet” (Jh. 13: 13-14). This is Christian charity and Christian living.

The Lord detests the proud (Prov. 3: 34) and scatters the proud hearted in the thoughts of their heart (Lk. 1:51). Most of us like those Pharisees wish to be greeted, esteemed, honoured and revered. Only the personal knowledge of oneself, in other words, personal awareness can help a person to ignore all these and keep focused in his/her going. Jesus knew that he was the Son of God, the Promised One and the Messiah and therefore he was able remain serene at all circumstances: when the people hailed him to be their king or abandoned by all, hanging on the cross. We are children of God and let this awareness help us to ignore all earthly desires and longings and trigger us to be focused in conducting ourselves as the children of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to live like you in love and humility”

Bible Reflections I 14.03.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Dan. 9: 4-10

          II - Lk. 6: 36 - 38

                          

FORGIVE AND BE MERCIFUL

A forgiving heart neither condemns not judges but is empathetic and merciful. The two aspects of forgiveness are: one, it is a grace and two, it is conditional. Forgiveness is grace because human beings are fragile and prone to get offended easily. It is the grace of God that empowers one to be empathetic and magnanimous in forgiving the other. Forgiveness is conditional because in his prayer Jesus has taught us: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. Only in our generous forgiveness can we obtain the forgiveness of God for ourselves.  

The self-righteous and the rude, judges, the proud and the arrogant, condemns but the child of God is merciful and forgives. Forgiveness is the predominant quality of Christian living. We have a path set out by our Master Jesus Christ, who forgave even his offenders and the murderers. During this season of lent as we reflect on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us ask God to give us the courage to tread that path of love, mercy and forgiveness. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to forgive our offenders”.

Bible Reflections I 13.03.2022 - Sunda i Indraya Manna I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Gen. 15: 5-12, 17-18

          II - Phil. 3: 17 - 4:1

         III - Lk. 9: 28-36

                          

FRIENDS OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST

Today’s Gospel passage is about the transfiguration of Jesus.  The apostles Peter, James and John, witnessed, heard and testified to this fact in their lives.  The three apostles witnessed Jesus on the mount glowing in the glory of God along with Moses and Elijah, the two giants of God whom they revered great, one as the law giver and the other as the messenger of God who turned the hearts of people towards God.  They heard a voice from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, My Chosen One; listen to him!”  And they testified to this fact that Jesus was the Son of God through their effective life of teaching, preaching and healing like their Master and finally, with boldness and courage gave up their lives too as a testimony to the Truth.

We as Christians are called to follow the foot prints of the apostles chalked out by Jesus our Lord.  This is why St. Paul in today’s second reading says to imitate him and observe the example of those who live for Jesus.  He calls those who fail to live their lives according to the teachings of Christ as “enemies of the cross of Christ”. It is the Father’s command that we obey Jesus.  Failing to do so we fail to be the followers of Christ and at the last Day of Judgment we might hear him saying, “I never knew you; go away from me”. Are we going to be the enemies of the Cross of Christ or friends of the Cross of Christ? The choice is ours.  Lent is a time to align our lives unto the ways of God.  May the season of Lent help us to be the effective witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, make me an authentic followers of yours”.

Bible Reflections I 12.03.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Deu. 26: 16-19

          II - Mt. 5: 43-48

                          

LOVE ALL AND HATE NONE

The tax collectors and gentiles were considered as sinners and outcasts and never as children of God.  Jesus picks up their idea and gives a different connotation, an inclusive one as to who the children of God are.  He inspires them to imbibe the quality of the impartial Father who make sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and unjust, in their love towards their neighbours.  He reverts the existing law, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemies” to love, greet and above all pray for the enemies.  In practicing this new teaching of Jesus anybody can become the children of God. 

Loving, greeting and praying for enemies is a challenge and it takes a lot of courage.  Only the grace of God can give us the courage to love all and hate none.  To love all and hate none though difficult, it is not impossible.  St. Pope John Paul II forgave the one who shot him, Bld. Rani Maria’s family accepted the murderer as one of their family member offering him their forgiveness.  May the lives of valiant saints inspire us to love all and hate none bearing witness to Christian charity. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to love all and hate none”.

Bible Reflections I 11.03.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Ezk. 18:  21-28

          II - Mt. 5: 20-26

                          

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

Merely killing a person alone is not murder.  Words and gestures too can mutilate and murder a person.  This why in today’s Gospel passage Jesus teaches that not only those who murder are liable to judgment but those who are angry with others, those who insult and those who call others a fool.  Jesus conditions to come with a reconciled heart while making an offering to the Lord.  Reconciliation not that when we have offended someone but when we realise that someone has something against us - a supreme teaching that superseded the teaching of the Scribes and the Pharisees.  Jesus invites us to take initiative for peace and reconciliation.

Anger is the reflection of one’s pride and arrogance while reconciliation is a sign of acceptance and humility.  Love uproots pride, upholds humility of heart and aspires for reconciliation and peace. Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt. 5:9). The best example for the passage is Jesus’ forgiveness on the cross even to the people who crucified him. It was the people who had something against him that they crucified him though innocent was he but Jesus as the beloved of the Father, the Son of God, forgave them (Lk. 23:34).  As we are in the season of lent, let us pray for a humble heart to imitate Jesus in his love and forgiveness and testify to the fact that we are the children of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours”.

Bible Reflections I 10.03.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Esther 12: 14-16, 23-25

          II - Mt. 7: 7-12

                          

LOVE OTHERS AS YOURSELF 

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says to his disciples “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”, a simple formula for mutual wellbeing, peace, serenity and prosperity. It’s a sort of invitation for introspection. All of us do wish from others: love, forgiveness, kindness, respect, cordiality, amicability, esteem, faithfulness, uprightness and loyalty.  But do we do the same to others? Don’t we gossip, underestimate, humiliate, brand and label persons thus projecting ourselves as someone righteous?  If we go by what Jesus says, the Kingdom of God is already here on the earth spreading the fragrance of equality, fraternity, justice and liberation.

Love others as yourself is the precondition before we could ask, seek or knock for anything to God.  In our love for our neighbour as oneself, will we be able to ask, seek or knock in and with charity.  Anything asked in and for charity will be instantly done to us for in loving others do we become acceptable and worthy children of God.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to accept and love others as ourselves”.

Bible Reflections I 09.03.2022 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Jonah 3: 1-10

          II - Lk. 11: 29-32

                          

ASK NO SIGN FROM GOD

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says that the people of Israel would not be given any sign except the sign of Jonah and the Queen of Sheba to believe in Jesus. Jonah was merely a messenger of God and the people of Nineveh adhered and turned their hearts towards God in repentance. The Queen of Sheba had to travel so far to listen to the witness the wisdom of King Solomon. Jesus was greater than Jonah because he was message himself and greater than Solomon because he was the Word made flesh - the Divine Word Himself. Still, the people of Israel asked Jesus for a sign in their stubbornness of heart though they heard his authoritative teaching, preaching; and witnessed so many miracles and wonders taking place.

We too like those people of Israel even if we happen to bear testimony to so may acts of love of God in our lives, we wait for miracles, signs and wonders. This is the sign of lack of love for and faith in God. We too like those people of Israel, look but do not perceive and; hear and do not listen. Let us today ask God for the gift of faith so that we be able to recognise Him even in the smallest happening in our lives. May our mind and hear resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith in you”.

Bible Reflections I 08.03.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Is. 55: 10-11

          II - Mt. 6: 7-15

                          

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Today we celebrate the International Women’s Day. A day when the world recalls the values, capacity, capabilities, importance and dignity of women with appreciation and affirmation. There will be an umpteen number of organised programmes highlighting the qualities of woman right from her life to death; the wishes, poems, shorts, video clippings and the animated images the social media carry, my God! All a day’s show only! If this celebration inspire and induce one to respect the role and dignity of woman, then the celebration has achieved its purpose. If not, it is going to be a mere hypocrisy.     

In the Gospel passage of the day, Jesus asks the disciples not to heap words while praying like that of the hypocrites but to be religious in living the daily life in accomplishing God’s will and forgiving each other for a happy living here on the earth. As we celebrate the women’s day, give up the hypocrisy of mere celebration; and appreciate and respect the role and dignity of women. The creation of man and woman is so beautiful that one cannot exist without the other. No one is great or small, but equal in complimenting each other. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead us not into the temptation of hypocritical living”.

Bible Reflections I 07.03.2022 - Monday I Indraya Manna i

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Lev. 19: 1-2, 11-18

          II - Mt. 25: 31-46

                          

LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR IS LOVE OF GOD

There are so many divisions among the humankind today based on caste, creed, race, power and status but at the end of time during the last judgment when the Lord comes in all His glory, there will only be two division: the blessed and the accursed.  The Blessed will inherit the eternal life and the accursed, the eternal damnation. The division will solely be based on love and charity towards the needy, for love of love of neighbour is love of God - the New Commandment of Jesus. Simple acts of charity like, feeding the poor, giving a drink, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and the prisoners, all done in love has a great power to make us blessed in order to merit eternal bliss.   

“Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle” says Michelangelo.  We need not perform great acts and penance as an expression of our love and devotion to the Lord.  It is enough that we attend to our needy brethren with all love and concern and this is true devotion, the type of worship the Lord desires. Let us not miss any act of charity for it all needs much of our attention and a bit of love. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, make us sensitive to the needs of the other, all for your glory”.

Bible Reflections I 06.03.2022 - Sunday I Indraya Manna i

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Deu. 26: 4-10

          II - Rom. 10: 8-13

         III - Lk. 4: 1-13

                          

THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS

Two incidents are vital in the life of Jesus before he could begin his public ministry: One, the Baptism and two, the temptations. In the baptism, God affirms that Jesus is His beloved Son and in temptations, Jesus aligns with the will of his Father. Today’s Gospel passage is on the temptations of Jesus upon which we shall place our reflection.

In the first temptation, the devil says Jesus to change the stones into bread and satisfy his hunger. It might seem a quite normal proposition. But hereby the evil one tempts Jesus to use His power upon himself that is supposed to be utilised to accomplish the will of God viz. empowering, uplifting, liberating and saving the humankind. We too are bestowed with various gifts and talents by God for a purpose. Often times we are tempted to utilise them only for personal benefits and gratification without even having a second thought about the needy brethren about whom God is very much concerned.   

In the second temptation, Satan promised to give Jesus the authority and power if only he worships him. To the one whom belongs all authority, glory, honour and power the devil tries to deceive promising to entrust his authority. Will the beloved one in whom the Father is well pleased be taken up by such a deceit! Today people are ready to do anything to gain power, popularity and fame. Everyone wishes and wants to be trending, famous and popular - the amount of videos regularly posted on the social media, the publicity created for a very small act of charity and the number of false statements made to people will testify to this fact. We always take delight in projecting ourselves as someone great and important, a temptation so difficult to resist. 

In the third temptation, the devil tempts Jesus to fall from the pinnacle of the temple so that God might command His angels to bear him up so that he doesn’t get hurt. Jesus does not yield to the evil one for he knows well the Father and therefore no test is required. For anything and everything we either ask sign from God or condition Him to accomplish for us, an evincing sign of our ‘no trust’ and thereby yielding to the temptation of testing God.   

Temptations are quite common and natural but how are we going to either resist or overcome depends on our trust in God. Jesus refutes all temptations with the Word of God. The Word of God is power. It strengthens, saves and uplifts. During this season of lent, let us take some time every day to read the Word of God with the sole intention of searching and accomplishing the will of God. May our mind and hear resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be victorious in all temptations like you”

Bible Reflections I 05.03.2022 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Readings 

           I - Is. 58: 9-14

          II - Lk. 5: 27-32

                            

LISTEN TO HIS VOICE

The tax collectors were loyal to the Romans and greedy in charging more to earn for themselves and therefore they were intent and resolute in their collection from the common people. This is why the people of Israel criticised and considered them as sinners and outcasts. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus calls one such tax collector, Matthew at his tax office. From among all noise, yelling and confusion at the tax office, Matthew rightly captures the call of Jesus and gets captivated to the extent of leaving everything and following him with no compromises.

The gentle voice of the Lord comes, comes and ever comes through various persons and different means to us as well despite the state we are in, all in love and full of compassion. How attentive and disposed are we to capture that voice? May our devotions and practices during this season of lent help us to adhere to the voice of God and return to Him. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to listen to your voice”.

Bible Reflections I 04.03.2022 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Readings 

           I - Is. 58: 1-9

          II - Mt. 9: 14-1

                            

COME BACK TO THE LORD

Fasting is sign of mourning.  It is unfitting for anyone to mourn in the presence of Jesus.  This is why in today’s Gospel passage Jesus says to the disciples of John the Baptist who enquired why his disciples do not fast, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?  The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast”.  Jesus, the saviour wishes and wills to be always with us.  But with our anger, jealousy, hatred, pride, ego, selfishness and greed we try to eliminate, alienate and evade his presence in our life.  Lent is the grace full season, a season of blessing and beckoning to return back to the Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  

St.  Pope John Paul II says, “Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil”. May our fasting, prayer, abstinence and acts of charity draw us towards the heart of Jesus in love and self-giving.  At the end of the day take some time to reflect with all the practices and efforts whether we were able to be drawn towards the heart of Jesus that loves us unconditionally and unreservedly.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Draw me close to your love Lord”

Bible Reflections I 03.03.2022 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Readings 

           I - Deu. 30: 15-20

          II - Lk. 9: 22-25

                          

CARRY YOUR CROSSES CHEERFULLY

Any campaign, canvass, promotion and recruitment would advocate the advantages, merits, benefits, profits and gains. Jesus in today’s Gospel passage cautions of denial, suffering, crosses and rejection including loss of life here on the earth on account of following him; and an assurance of eternal life with him in Paradise after our earthly existence, the absolute advantage of following him here on the earth.  

Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt. 11:30). With Jesus no cross is heavy to carry. In following Jesus alone vests happiness, comfort, consolation, sense of purpose and peace of mind and heart despite the challenges and the trials we may happen to encounter. Dare to tread on the road travelled by Jesus and his valiant followers. May the traditional practices of the lent: Prayer, Penance and charity help us to blow of the ashes and keep alive the fervor of following the Lord with courage and determination. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the courage to carry our crosses cheerfully and for your glory”.

Bible Reflections I 02.03.2022 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Ash Wednesday

Readings 

           I - Joel. 2: 12-18

          II - 2 Cor. 5: 20-6:2

          II - Mt. 6: 1-6, 16-18

                        

RETURN TO THE LORD

Lent is a time of repentance for offending the loving God, a time of renewal of our covenant with God and a time of return to the Lord for we belong to God.  We begin our forty days of fast from today focusing on the three ways given in the Gospel passage of the day: Prayer, Fasting and Alms giving. Pope Francis has based his message for lent 2022 on the verses from St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.  So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all” (6:9-10) and connects to the traditional Lenten practices:

• “Let us not grow tired of praying” - realising we need God and others.

• “Let us not grow tired of uprooting evil from our lives” - embracing fasting to fortify ourselves from the battle against sin

• “Let us not grow tired of doing good” - giving joyfully and generously to those in need.

The methodology is prescribed by Jesus: all in patience, silence and secrecy without much publicity unlike the hypocrites, known and noticed only by the Father in Heaven and be rewarded by Him alone.  Let us all through the lent remember the words of Pope Francis in order to yield hundredfold, “the soil is prepared by fasting, watered by prayer and enriched by charity”.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord help me never grow tired of praying, uprooting evil from my life and doing good to others”

Bible Reflections I 01.03.2022 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 8

Readings 

           I - 1Pt. 1: 10-16

          II - Mk. 10: 28-31

                          

GIVE UP ALL TO GAIN ALL

Profit, benefit, reward and return are all the normal expectations of anyone who wishes to part with anything for a purpose or a cause. The ‘one thing necessary’ – 'to sell’ or to give up, of Jesus to the rich young man would have stirred up the mind of impetuous Peter so much that he says spontaneously, “See, we have left everything and followed you” which means, “what would be our reward?”. Jesus assures of a twin reward to all who follow him leaving everyone and giving up everything for the sake of the Kingdom of God: hundredfold of all blessings here on this earth and assurance of eternal bliss in the life to come.

There are also two ways of giving: one, in all cheerfulness with love and two, sulkily with some reservations. To which category do we belong? Are we ready to give up anything and everyone for Christ or with some reservation and huge expectations? The Scripture says that God loves a cheerful giver. Give cheerfully all for the love of God and merit the Kingdom of God prepared all in love for us through Jesus our Lord. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus part with anything for the sake of your love for us”.

Bible Reflections I 28.02.2022 - Monday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 8

Readings 

           I - 1Pt. 1: 3-9

          II - Mk. 10: 17-27

                             

GO AND SELL

The Gospel passage of the day is an invitation to give up individual prosperity for the sake of social responsibility in order to gain eternal life. Observance of all other commandments without practicing charity towards the poor shall be that ‘one thing lacking’ for an eternal life of bliss. Savings and investments secure our life here on the earth. Right from sharing the little we have to giving away from the abundance we possess all in love would be the powerful investment for our life eternal.  

It is not that Jesus mentions material riches alone when he says, “Go and sell” to the young man. It could be our pride, ego, glory, skill and knowledge, anything that would merit the wellbeing of the poor, the neglected, the downtrodden, the marginalised and the oppressed. It is for gaining that we are called to lose, to give away in order to get back and to deny in order to attain. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to lose all so as to gain all”.

Bible Reflections I 27.02.2022 - SUNDAY I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 8

Readings 

           I - Sir. 27: 4-7

          II - 1Cor. 15: 54-58

          II - Lk. 6: 39-45

                             

THE TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT

In the Gospel passage of the day Jesus says that no good tree bears bad fruit and vice versa. Similarly, we cannot expect good from the evil minded person and any evil from a good hearted persons. The first reading also says that a person’s speech discloses the cultivation of one’s mind. As Jesus says, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. 

The words that come from the mouth could be a blessing, curse, praise, anger, hurting, loving, healing, comforting and soothing depending on the disposition of mind and heart nurtured by the person. We can examine ourselves whether we are good tree or bad tree from the way we speak and the way accomplish our deeds. Therefore train your mind, guard your thoughts, watch over your mouth and excel in your words and deed, all for the glory of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, make me a good tree yielding good fruit all for your greater glory”.

Bible Reflections I 26.02.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA

Ordinary Time - Week 7

Readings 

           I - Jas. 5: 13-20

          II - Mk. 10: 13-16

                           

POWER TO THE CHILDREN

The Gospel passage of the day recalls to my mind the following lines of the hymn “Jesus gave a nice surprise…”

“The secret of the kingdom is power to the children

And that’s the Father’s style.

The greatest in the kingdom are those who enter in

But the keys are in the hands of a child”

The women and the children in the Jewish society had neither recognition nor any identity.  This is why when people brought the little children to be blessed by Jesus, the disciples rebuked them.  Jesus highlights the greatness of the little children by presenting them as models to be imitated in order to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  

The great qualities in the little children worth befitting the kingdom of heaven: to be just natural without pretention, love all without bias, easily forgive without revenge, forget without grudge, innocent without any guile, accept all without distinction, simple without complication and the internal freedom that they enjoy without fear. If we imbibe these qualities of the little children we are sure to be great to inherit the eternal life.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, transform my heart unto that of a little child”.

Bible Reflections I 25.02.2022 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 7

Readings 

           I - Jas. 5: 9-12

          II - Mk. 10: 1-12

Bl. Rani Maria Vattalil (Memorial) 

                                   

MARRIAGE IS WILLED BY GOD

Matrimony is one of the seven sacraments of the Church. Marriage is willed and blessed by God for the purpose of companionship, procreation and family building in mutual love, sincerity and self-giving. In the trending world of the global reality, the holy matrimony is belittled to a mere contract, live in and break ups for silly or no reasons out of sheer ego, misunderstanding, suspicion, pride and autonomy. In today’s Gospel passage when Jesus was trapped with the question on divorce, he sides with Moses, upbraiding the hard heartedness of men, highlighting the importance and the purpose of marriage. 

A bit of love can patch all relationships together fostering endurance, patience, sacrifice, non-judgmental attitude and mutual give and take. The martial bond strengthens the family living that brings forth caring and responsible children. Today the Church celebrates the feast of Sr. Rani Maria, a missionary from Kerala who served the tribals and the dalits of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, India. She instructed the village labourers in Madhya Pradesh about the Government schemes and procedure for availing loans from the Government institutions. This infuriated the money lenders and she was stabbed to death by Samandar on her way from Udainagar to Indore. The family forgave Samadar and got parole too for him thrice - an act of Christian charity and forgiveness - an epitome of the family that is found on the Christian Gospel values. Marital bond favours such upbringing of the children. Family that prayer together, stays together. Make daily prayer a part of daily program for a dedicated family living. May our mind and hear resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, bless our families”.

Bible Reflections I 24.02.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 7

Readings 

           I - Jas. 5: 1-6

          II - Mk. 9: 41-50

                                 

LIVE FOR THE LORD 

Today’s Gospel passage speaks of the reward of giving and the reward of losing for the sake of the Lord. Even the most insignificant good deed done to the other in the Lord’s name will definitely be rewarded. Whoever is ready to lose anything to save his/her soul will be rewarded with life eternal. It is better to lose the part of the body that does not follow us up after our life here on this earth than to lose the eternal bliss that awaits for those who live for the Lord. Surgical amputations are done to save the life of the person. Jesus exhorts to get away with that part of the body that induce to indulge in sinful activities for an authentic Christian living as children of God.  

When we help others for the sake of the Lord and excel in Godly values we will be like salt that savors, pointing and giving the foretaste of the Kingdom of God and this is deed is a credible Christian living. Let people look at us and set standards; and never become a scandal to others causing destruction. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to live for your values”.