Kaitha 5, FridayMt.10:16-25

In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks about persecutions that the disciples will experience on account of their faith in him.They will be like like lambs  among wolves.There will be blood-thirsty hounds out there to destroy and annihilate the  dsiciplesof Jesus.Even in the heart of the family, there will be severe opposition.Close  relatives would be turning against them.We may think the strenth of love that exists between parents and children or between brothers and sisters would prevent them from attacking their dear ones who have accepted Jesus.Even those  blood relations lose their love and bonding in the violent opposition that will be unleashed against the believers. Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to protect his disciples.If Jesus is going to suffer, it is definite that the diciples would suffer more. He gives the warning so that the dicipls may be better prepared to meet such violence, opposition and death.
We should never think  that our Christian life would be an easy one.We will definitely meet obsolesces, challenges and opposition.We have to be strong through our prayer life.Jesus is our hope and anchor.We have to stand close to him and feel the protection of his love.

Kaitha 5th Week,Wednesday,Aug.23,Mt.7:15-20

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells  his diciples to be beware of false prophets. False prophets can only lead one to destruction.As their life-goal is false, they can never lead one to truth and righteousness. Appearances should not  be the criterion for our choice.We have to see what their vision or religious view is, Jesus reminds us that  a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit; so too good people guide us to truth and false people distract us from following the right path.
Jesus offers us the sign to choose the right path in our life. We shall not allow ourselves to be distracted by the views of people who are deceptive and untrustworthy.In the choice of friends too, we have to guided by this criterion. In our religious life too, we have to follow good  people who do not misinterpret the Bible or the teachings of the Church

Kaitha 3rd Week,Mk.1:16-20

In today's Gospel, we find Jesus calling Andrew and Simon, John and James to follow him.They left their job and the people they worked with to follow him. Looking at the scene, we become totally surprised at the power of the words of Jesus. He does not give them the reasons to follow him nor does he tell them how they would be living , if they are following him without any profession or livelihood. The call was so powerful that they had no misgivings about their decision to follow Him.
We too are called to follow Him.We should have no fear in our heart in following the call. His protection is with us.We just have to be listening to His voice.His words give us the power to overcome obstacles in our way.
Lord, help me to follow you.You are the joy of my life. You will take care of me.

Kaitha 2nd Week,Lk 6:20-26,Feast of St.Liguori

The words of St.Alphonsus: "He who trusts himself is lost.He who trusts in God can do all things."
His prayer: " I love You, Jesus my love,I love you more than myself. I repent with my whole heart for having offended you.Never permit me to separate myself from you again.May  I love you always, and then do with me as you will."

Kaitha 2 nd Week, Feast of St.Ignatius,Lk.14:25-33

Today we celebrate the feast of one of the great saints of the Church, St.Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus. He began his life as a soldier but then ended as a great soldier of Jesus Christ, with the intention of spreading his love and compassion in the world. With a small band of friends, he created one of the most inspiring religious congregations in the Christian world.The missionaries of the Society of Jesus traveled to all parts of the world and sacrificed their lives to spread the faith in Jesus Christ.
I was really fortunate to visit the cave in Manresa in Barcelona where Ignatius spent his days in fasting and prayer.Ignatius' prayer of surrender was one of the most beautiful prayers that one could recite daily in life, surrendering everything to the Lord and asking only for his love and mercy.
"Take Lord, and recive all my liberty,
  my memory,my understanding
and my entire will.
All i have and call my own
You have given all to me.
to you,Lord, i return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
give me only your love and your grace,
That is enough for me."