Daily Bread by Anthony Paone S.J. is a very good book, helping us to overcome many of our personal difficulties in our spiritual life. The lesson on Rash judgment(p.161) keeps us on the right path our colleagues. We are often prone to pass rash judgments on the conduct of people who live and work with us.We judge others rashly. The book gives a good response to get out of the syndrome of worrying about the actions of others.It notes: "I should not expect everyone to see things my way.Every man is different.Each has his own tastes and experiences....Let me not judge rashly those who do not do things my way.If I cannot say something kind of another, I will keep silent."
What a beautiful piece of advice! If I just try to make more changes in my life and behavior, my relations with others will improve.
Today, in the Gospel of John, I mediated on Jesus healing the blind. We are the blind .We have to ask Jesus to grant us the right vision.
Lord, restore my sight and help me to see things in your way--- through love and compassion.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
St.Antony of Padua
Today we celebrate the feast of St.Anthony of Padua. Today's reading from the Gospel is LK.6:27-42. It is one of the most beautiful passages in the Gospel. Often we ask ourselves what should be the life of a disciple of Christ. In a few simple words Jesus tells us what He expects of us: to love our enemies, to be compassionate and merciful and not to judge. Very forcefully, Jesus urges to do good and to be helpful whether people love us or hate us. The secular spirit of the world would urge us to retaliate when we are attacked and to give tit for tat. But Jesus wants us to go in the opposite direction. Conquer evil with good.
G.K.Chesterton in his book on St.Francis says that he once asked his disciple Bro.Juniper who pursued the robber who stole his hood to give back to the robber his gown too. Chesterton describes such an attitude by saying that it is disarming the enemy by generosity.He adds further that only in the Catholic church which is firmly established on the words of Jesus such acts of generosity will survive. Ubi Petrus ,ibi Franciscus.
Today we shall ask the Lord to give us the spirit of disarming the enemy by our generosity and pray for all those who have hurt us by words and actions and ask the Lord to bless them.We shall remove from our hearts all feelings of bitterness.
G.K.Chesterton in his book on St.Francis says that he once asked his disciple Bro.Juniper who pursued the robber who stole his hood to give back to the robber his gown too. Chesterton describes such an attitude by saying that it is disarming the enemy by generosity.He adds further that only in the Catholic church which is firmly established on the words of Jesus such acts of generosity will survive. Ubi Petrus ,ibi Franciscus.
Today we shall ask the Lord to give us the spirit of disarming the enemy by our generosity and pray for all those who have hurt us by words and actions and ask the Lord to bless them.We shall remove from our hearts all feelings of bitterness.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Today we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is very opportune and fortunate that we get consecutive days to celebrate the love of Jesus as well as the love of our Blessed Virgin. As the Mary was the most beloved of Jesus, we know in celebrating her love for us, we are in a way celebrating God's love for each one us. Mary who tended Jesus, brought him up in his human life and was with him at the foot of the cross will always be with us in our moments of joy as well as in our days of struggle. Mary will come to our aid and intercede for us all the time in our lives. Even without being asked, she interceded for the distressed family at Cana when their wine ran out at the wedding.Our beloved mother will,hence, be interceding for us even when we are not aware of our needs.
The prayer "Memorare" beautifully captures the compassion and love of Mary for every one of her devoted followers. Mary, beloved Mother, please pray for all of us all the time in our lives and help us to walk the paths of life as true followers of your beloved Son.
The prayer "Memorare" beautifully captures the compassion and love of Mary for every one of her devoted followers. Mary, beloved Mother, please pray for all of us all the time in our lives and help us to walk the paths of life as true followers of your beloved Son.
Feast of the Sacred Heart
The celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart is a call to each one of us to realize the immensity of God's love for each one of us. We often think of our sins, our weaknesses and our frailties when we are before the presence of the Lord. We do not pay much attention to the great love Jesus has for each one us. He will never abandon us. He will always be there to envelope us in his love. We have to experience this great love of Jesus in our lives and then,give that love to those who interact with us daily in our lives. If God loves us so much , how much more we should be loving and forgiving to those who live and work with us?
Today let us raise our hearts to Jesus and thank him for the great love He has shown us. We shall go with confidence , knowing that he will always be with us, no matter where we are and what we are doing.
Today let us raise our hearts to Jesus and thank him for the great love He has shown us. We shall go with confidence , knowing that he will always be with us, no matter where we are and what we are doing.
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