In today's Gospel, we read about the healing of the paralysed man. Jesus forgives his sins first, offering him the chance to enjoy peace in his heart.
Today we are the paralysed people standing before Jesus, asking for healing from our own sinfulness. Only we know what is ailing us, what is preventing us from being united with the Lord. Our arrogance, envy and lustful feelings are there preventing us from being united with the Lord.
His forgiveness is there for our asking. We shall ask the Lord to forgive all our sins and restore us to union with him.When our inner wounds are healed, we will be able to live in harmony with others and experience the peace that Jesus offers us.
Lord, heal me from my inner wounds. I have offended you in so many ways. Lord, forgive my sins and give me the grace to be united with you.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Lent Reflections,Feb.27,Mk.7:14-23
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds his disciples that what makes a person impure is not the food that comes into his body but the thoughts that come out of him. The desire to commit sins comes from our heart. We should not be concerned with the food we eat but about the desires and thoughts that come from our hearts. Our hearts should be pure. We should not entertain thoughts and dsires that lead us to sin.Of course, we are sinful people, fragile and weak. Thoughts and desires arise in our hearts. But through our prayers, through our opneness to the Lord, through His grace, we can overcome the power of sin.Through our repentance, we can ask for forgivness for the sins we have committed.
We shalls strive to be forgiving and loving, kind and helpful.
O Lord, have mercy on me. Make understand your ways in my life. I am a sinful person. My heart harbors unholy thoughts. Make me pure. Help me to be your humble servant. Transform me .Change me. Ignore my sins and waeknesses.Give me the grace to be faithful to you all the time in my life.
We shalls strive to be forgiving and loving, kind and helpful.
O Lord, have mercy on me. Make understand your ways in my life. I am a sinful person. My heart harbors unholy thoughts. Make me pure. Help me to be your humble servant. Transform me .Change me. Ignore my sins and waeknesses.Give me the grace to be faithful to you all the time in my life.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Lenten Reflections,Feb.25,12,Mt.6:5-15
In today's Gospel, in response to the request of his disciples, Jesus teaches them a prayer which of course, every Christian says hundreds of times daily in his life. There is no moment in our life when we don't say it. In the mass also, we say this prayer. What other prayer is as great as this? If we want to know what a prayer should have, it has everything needed in it. We praise Go and submit ourselves to the will of God. Then only we ask for anything in our life.
Only one condition is there. If we want God to forgive our sins, we have to forgive the offenses of others. We need forgiveness daily in our lives. We are weak and fragile human beings. We need the grace of God to support us. We need his forgiveness to become holy in our lives. Jesus wants us to reach out to others and offer the same forgiveness and love that we want from God to others.
When we say our Father, it should become possible for all of us to reach out to one another and offer forgiveness.
This will make us us lovable in the eyes of God.
Only one condition is there. If we want God to forgive our sins, we have to forgive the offenses of others. We need forgiveness daily in our lives. We are weak and fragile human beings. We need the grace of God to support us. We need his forgiveness to become holy in our lives. Jesus wants us to reach out to others and offer the same forgiveness and love that we want from God to others.
When we say our Father, it should become possible for all of us to reach out to one another and offer forgiveness.
This will make us us lovable in the eyes of God.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Lent Reflections,Feb.24,12,Mt.7:1-6.
In today's Gospel, Jesus is asking his listeners not to be judgemental.It is very natural for us to judge the failures and weaknesses of others and forget ours. Jesus very beautifully points out that we are very much interested in pointing out the faults of others while ignoring much serious sins of ours.
This Lent is an opportune time for us to look at our lives and see where we can can make improvements.If we can be a little more positive in our attitudes, we will be able to see the good qualities of others. The same people that we criticize very severely have so many good qualities that we ignore to take note of. We can look at the positive qualities of others and give more emphasis to such qualities. The negativism from our perspective will then slowly disappear.
In his book, The Eight Habit, Stephen Covey asks us to look at other people through their good qualities.
Our family and professional lives would definitely change for the better if we can try to control our judgemental behavior.
Lord, help me t see the good qualities of others. Give me the grace to control my judgemental attitudes. Be merciful to me.I am a sinner .Only with your grace, can I live in love and compassion.
This Lent is an opportune time for us to look at our lives and see where we can can make improvements.If we can be a little more positive in our attitudes, we will be able to see the good qualities of others. The same people that we criticize very severely have so many good qualities that we ignore to take note of. We can look at the positive qualities of others and give more emphasis to such qualities. The negativism from our perspective will then slowly disappear.
In his book, The Eight Habit, Stephen Covey asks us to look at other people through their good qualities.
Our family and professional lives would definitely change for the better if we can try to control our judgemental behavior.
Lord, help me t see the good qualities of others. Give me the grace to control my judgemental attitudes. Be merciful to me.I am a sinner .Only with your grace, can I live in love and compassion.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Lenten Reflections,Feb.21,Mt.5:38-48
In today's Gospel, Jesus is asking us not to retaliate but to reach out and forgive. It is natural for one to to give back in the same coin that has been given to him. Therefore the Mosaic Law prescribed retaliation in the same way one was treated. Jesus reverses all that and stops the flow of hatred and revenge. In this period of Lent, what better way is there for us to practice the love of God than by following this commandment of the Lord.
We have received injuries and insults in our lives several times. We carry those wounds in our hearts. Sometimes it is the the lack of love from the people from whom we expect love and compassion. Sometimes, the attitude of superiors ignoring our services and work is grating on us.We always receive some kind of bumps from all sides in our daily life. If we are going to carry on hatred and vengeance in our life, there will be no peace.We will always be feeling the bitterness of those hurts. Sometimes, humanly, it will be hard for us to forget and forgive. But then, knowing that this is what Jesus wants from us, we just reach out and forgive.God will come to our assistance and give abundant blessings.
We have received injuries and insults in our lives several times. We carry those wounds in our hearts. Sometimes it is the the lack of love from the people from whom we expect love and compassion. Sometimes, the attitude of superiors ignoring our services and work is grating on us.We always receive some kind of bumps from all sides in our daily life. If we are going to carry on hatred and vengeance in our life, there will be no peace.We will always be feeling the bitterness of those hurts. Sometimes, humanly, it will be hard for us to forget and forgive. But then, knowing that this is what Jesus wants from us, we just reach out and forgive.God will come to our assistance and give abundant blessings.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Epiphany Reflections,Feb.15,12,Jn.8:31-38
In today's Gospel, Jesus enters into a dialogue with his listeners about his mission and identity. He tells them plainly that they are refusing to accept the facts that are before them.He asks them to accept him as the Savior because of the works he does. He tells them that in accepting his teachings, they will be accepting the truth and no more will be living in the shadows of lies and untruths. By accepting Jesus, they will be freed from their sins. The will be able to experience peace and joy in their hearts.
Today , Jesus is asking us to commit ourselves to him and experience the forgiveness he offers us.We are all sinners. Every day , we exhibit more of our fragility and weakness. But we should know that the Lord will never forsake us.We should feel comforted in that hope.
Today , Jesus is asking us to commit ourselves to him and experience the forgiveness he offers us.We are all sinners. Every day , we exhibit more of our fragility and weakness. But we should know that the Lord will never forsake us.We should feel comforted in that hope.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Epiphany Reflectons,Jan.14,12,Jn.9:35-39
In today's Gospel, we find Jesus speaking to the blind man who was cured of his blinness and asking him whether he believed in the Son of Man.Jesus reveals that he is the Son of Man. The blidman right away acknowledges him as the Messiah and bows down to worship him. He became a true believer. His physical as well as spirtual blindness have faded away. We have our sight but our spiritual vision is darkened often. We become blind with our arroganc,e selfishness an lack of love. We don't see the presenceof God in our lives. Today Jesus is asking us to commit ourselves to him.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Funeral
Points
Prayers and condolences.
Great meemories of his service and love come to mind -- of the family,students and friends...the way he cared for them and worked for them when they were young.His words--hard work- inspiring actions---all remain strongly imprinted in our minds.
As a teacher, his influence --unforgettable.A teraches affects eternity---Henry Adams.
At a time like this---the words of Jesus to Martha nd Mary---I am the Life and the Resurrection...
For a Christian, death is only a curtian---a veil --it opens the way to etrnal life---and does not take away life from us.
The words of Donne--when you hear the church bell tolling, don't ask for whom it tolls, it tolls for you.
This is the time for reconciliation and forgiveness.
Prayers and condolences.
Great meemories of his service and love come to mind -- of the family,students and friends...the way he cared for them and worked for them when they were young.His words--hard work- inspiring actions---all remain strongly imprinted in our minds.
As a teacher, his influence --unforgettable.A teraches affects eternity---Henry Adams.
At a time like this---the words of Jesus to Martha nd Mary---I am the Life and the Resurrection...
For a Christian, death is only a curtian---a veil --it opens the way to etrnal life---and does not take away life from us.
The words of Donne--when you hear the church bell tolling, don't ask for whom it tolls, it tolls for you.
This is the time for reconciliation and forgiveness.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Marriage,homily,Feb.11,12
Points
Congratulations--A decision today before the Lord --to live together.When you look back later in life, you would say....the best decision..
When Churchill was asked what he would do if he were given a second life---would want to be the husband of his wife....She --present at all Parliament gatherings when he spoke..
Today , you will be asked to marry---according to the law of Christ---What is the law of Christ.?
The law of love...Sacrifice...Giving up everything for the one that is loved
The more you sacrifice, the more you grow in love.Don't ask what I can get---what I can give...how much I can sacrifice...
When you go down , you go up...
An old man from Delhi---three things he does...Should be heard from every Christian
You are called to that love today.
A sacrament--a source of grace---Your interactions, your acceptance of the joys and sorrows of life---bring the grace of God into your life...
Scott Hahn--the lay theologian..my wife is the tabernacle (Sacrari) for me.
Prayer makes you humble, loving, willing to sacrifice and to forgive...May God bless you.
Congratulations--A decision today before the Lord --to live together.When you look back later in life, you would say....the best decision..
When Churchill was asked what he would do if he were given a second life---would want to be the husband of his wife....She --present at all Parliament gatherings when he spoke..
Today , you will be asked to marry---according to the law of Christ---What is the law of Christ.?
The law of love...Sacrifice...Giving up everything for the one that is loved
The more you sacrifice, the more you grow in love.Don't ask what I can get---what I can give...how much I can sacrifice...
When you go down , you go up...
An old man from Delhi---three things he does...Should be heard from every Christian
You are called to that love today.
A sacrament--a source of grace---Your interactions, your acceptance of the joys and sorrows of life---bring the grace of God into your life...
Scott Hahn--the lay theologian..my wife is the tabernacle (Sacrari) for me.
Prayer makes you humble, loving, willing to sacrifice and to forgive...May God bless you.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Epiphany Reflectons,Feb.9,12,Mt.12:18-21
In today's Gospel, we are told about the mercyof Jesus.The evangelist uses a messainic prophecy from the prophet Isaiah to describe the ministry of Jesus.Jesus would not do anything to inflict pain on any one but would do everything possible to lift the burden of pain from the lives of people. As Jesus was going around, healing and comforting people, his work of mercy was expalined using the prophetic words from Isaiah.
We have to carry this conviction that our Lord will always be with us in our times of need. When we are hurt and sufering, we should find our strength and hope n the comforting love of Jesus.Whatever may be problems, we should never get frightend or feel hopleess. We have to hope even when there is no visible sign of hope, knowing that the Lord will not abndon us and that he would come to our aid.
We have to carry this conviction that our Lord will always be with us in our times of need. When we are hurt and sufering, we should find our strength and hope n the comforting love of Jesus.Whatever may be problems, we should never get frightend or feel hopleess. We have to hope even when there is no visible sign of hope, knowing that the Lord will not abndon us and that he would come to our aid.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Epiphany 5th week,Jan.6,12,Jn.8:39-47
Jesus in today's Gospel is trying to convince an unbelieving group the truth of his mission.But they remain more stubborn and hard-hearted and refuse to look at the truth of his message.Jesus tells them that if their hearts were open to God, they would acknowledge him as the Messiah.
Today, Jesus is asking us to open our hearts to God.If our hearts are devoid of arrogance, we would see the hand of God guiding us.
We shall ask the Lord to open our hearts and help us to see the events of our life in the light of his message.
Today, Jesus is asking us to open our hearts to God.If our hearts are devoid of arrogance, we would see the hand of God guiding us.
We shall ask the Lord to open our hearts and help us to see the events of our life in the light of his message.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Epiphany Reflections,Denaha,4th Week,Feb.1,12,Mt.6:1-4
In this passage, Jesus reminds his listerners how necessary it is not to show off when we are giving alms.We help others not for publicty or for getting the applause of other people. We help people because we love them and we know that God loves them too. God wants us to use our talents and reources to help others. Our attitude when we help others should be one of love and generosity.There should be no intention of getting any publicity out of what we do for others.When we help others sincerely and with love, God will take care of our needs."Your Father who sees in secret will repay you."
How easy it is for us to be carried by the approval of others. But that approval and publicty are worthless. We become more selfish and lose the sense of pure genersoity and love .
Today we shall ask the Lord for the grace to help others wthout any motive for publicity or approval.Popular approval has no value. What is important is how we stand before Lord.
Lord, give me the grace to avoid the desire for approval or publicity.
How easy it is for us to be carried by the approval of others. But that approval and publicty are worthless. We become more selfish and lose the sense of pure genersoity and love .
Today we shall ask the Lord for the grace to help others wthout any motive for publicity or approval.Popular approval has no value. What is important is how we stand before Lord.
Lord, give me the grace to avoid the desire for approval or publicity.
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