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Spiritual Articles

SHORT REFLECTIONS

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3. Theme: All things have been handed over to us by our heavenly Father.
   Reflections: October 2012
   Read Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17; Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130;luke 10:17-24.
   Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
   
   First reading tells us how God blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones. And Job believed that God can do and give all things to human beings and no purpose of Him can be hindered by natural or evil forces. We deal with great things everyday that we do not understand; things too wonderful for us, which we cannot know. This mystery made the psalmist to exclaim” Lord, let your face shine on me. Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust” (119).
   
   There is a threefold joy of the Seventy as they returned to report their victories to Jesus in the gospel reading: 1)the joy of service, 2)the joy of salvation and 3)the joy of sovereignty. Jesus had given them power and authority to heal, to cast out demons, and to preach the Word, and they were victorious. Each victory is important to the Lord, no matter how insignificant it may seem in our eyes. Nevertheless, the disciples should not rejoice because the spirits are subject to them, but rejoice because their names are written in heaven. Jubilation can lead to pride. The greatest miracle of all is the salvation of a lost soul. The highest joy is not found in service or even in our salvation, but in being submitted to the sovereign will of the Heavenly Father, for this is the foundation for both service and salvation.
   
   Jesus was not rejoicing because sinners were blind to God’s truth, but he rejoiced because the understanding of that truth did not depend on human wisdom. In His sovereign will, God has ordained that sinners must humble themselves before they can be lifted up.
   Prayer: Lord Jesus give me discernment that I may know your revelation of words.

4. Theme:We must maintain the unselfish attitude in sharing with others.
   Read:Philippians 2:5-11;Psalm 22:26b-27,28-30abe,31-32;Luke 14:15-24
   Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
   
   First reading tells us that In our relationships with one another, we must have the same mindset as Christ Jesus had. 1. Unselfish attitude: Though He was in very nature God, He did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.2.kenosis: he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 3. Humility: And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
   
   In the Gospel, Jesus knew that the host had invited his guests for two reasons: (1) to pay them back because they had invited him to past feasts, or (2) to put them under his debt so that they would invite him to future feasts. What is Hospitality? 1. an expression of love and grace and not an evidence of pride and selfishness. 2. Our motive for sharing must be the praise of God and not the applause of men-the temporary recognition on earth. In Jesus’ day when one invited guests to a dinner, he told them the day but not the exact hour of the meal. A host had to know how many guests were coming so he could butcher the right amount of animals and prepare sufficient food. Just before the feast was to begin, the host sent his servants to each of the guests to tell them the banquet was ready and they should come (Es. 5:8; 6:14). In today’s story, Instead of eagerly coming to the feast, all of the guests insulted the host by refusing to attend, and they all gave very feeble excuses to defend their change in plans.
   
   This parable has a special message for our times. “All things are now ready. Come!” Jesus Christ has finished the work of redemption when He died for us on the cross and arose from the dead. The feast has been spread, the invitation is free, and we are just invited to come.
   Prayer: Jesus help us to respond in time to the salvific banquet.

5. Theme: Share with others what God has graciously given to you.
   Read 1 Cor 3; 18-23; ps 24:1-6; Luke 5:1-11
   Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
   
   Dr. J. Vernon McGee said “Every pulpit is a fishing boat, a place to give out the Word of God and attempt to catch fish”. Peter and Andrew were busy fishing, they had fished all night and caught nothing and were washing their nets. Jesus calls them to a life of full-time discipleship that is courage, daring, patience, determination, quickness, efficiency, willingness and faith. Faithfulness brings success in serving the Lord. Jesus was a carpenter by trade and what do carpenters know about fishing? Jesus asked Peter to do what was contrary to all of his training and experience, but Peter obeyed. How people respond to success?. Peter and Andrew called their partners to share it. We Christians are channels of blessing, to share with others what God has graciously given to us. Instead of claiming the valuable catch for ourselves, let us share with fellow Christians.
   
   Today’s first reading tells us that God is the source of the growth; no man can take the credit. Then how shall we respond to success? Share the valuables with others? Give out the Word of God and attempt to catch fish?
   1) Be willing to work together and help one another.
   2) Develop the skills necessary to get the job done quickly and efficiently
   3) Thrust out a little and
   4) launch out into the deep.
   These are the biblical “secrets of success”.
   
   St.Paul is reminding the Christians to build the church on the right foundation (Jesus Christ); with the right materials (living stones); with the right plan (church); and with the right motive (glory of God) instead of emphasizing personalities like Paul, Peter and Apollo’s and comparing, dividing, glorifying men and women for the carnal deeds. First of all we must accept diversity of ministry. For the church is a body of Christ with many different parts. Secondly, the unity of purpose and unity of spirit. No matter what work a person is doing, he or she does it for Christ. Thirdly, humility of spirit. It is not the human laborers that produce the harvest, but the Lord of the harvest. when we seek to glorify God alone, then the church will experience harmony among its members.
   
   Prayer:Lord, help us to ascend your mountain daily with clean hands and a pure heart, and seek your face in my church.

6. Theme:Transform suffering into glory.
   Read Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9;
   Second Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9:2-10
   Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
   
   Book of Daniel narrates the nocturnal vision about the coming of Messiah-“On him was conferred rule, honour and kingship, and all peoples, nations and languages became his servants. His rule is an everlasting rule which will never pass away, and his kingship will never come to an end”. This is fulfilled in Jesus who took Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain (Mt. Hermon), and there He gave a dazzling proof that God indeed does transform suffering into glory. Christ’s sufferings and death would not prevent God from establishing His kingdom; rather, by solving the sin problem in God’s world, the cross would help to make the kingdom possible.
   
   What was the significance of the Transfiguration? 1) It confirmed Peter’s testimony about Jesus Christ. A demonstration of the “power and coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ at Bethlehem or Galileee did not display or reveal much His glory openly. Now it is better understood. When we put our faith in Christ and confess Him, then He gives us wonderful confirmation. 2) It was the Father’s way of strengthening His Son for that terrible ordeal of being the sacrifice for the sins of the world. The Father spoke from heaven and assured the Son of His love and approval. 3) The Transfiguration was a proof that suffering leads to glory when we are in the will of God. 4) It was a word of assurance to the disciples, and promise of the kingdom of God in power. 5)The Transfiguration was also affirmation of the truth of the Scriptures. Moses represented the Law and Elijah the Prophets, both of which find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus will one day establish His glorious kingdom and fulfill the many promises made through the prophets.
   
   Mark tells us that Discipleship is not built on spectacular visions but on the inspired, unchanging Word of God. The three disciples had gone to sleep while Jesus was praying, a failure they would repeat in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter’s suggestion reflects again human thinking and not divine wisdom. But discipleship means denying self, taking up a cross, and following Him. If we want to share the glory of Christ on the mountaintop, we must be willing to follow Him into the sufferings of the valley below. The glorious vision was not an end in itself; it was God’s way of confirming the Word.
   
   Prayer: Lord, let the heavens declare your righteousness and justice. And may all the peoples see your glory. For you are the LORD Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

7. 2nd week of advent.
   Isaiah 40/1-11; psalm 96/1=13; Matthew/12-14.
   Greatest is the one who gives Himself in service and ministry.
   Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
   
   Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled a prosperous country. One day, he went for a trip to some distant areas of his country. When he came back to his palace, he complained that his feet were very painful, because it was the first time that he went for such a long trip, and the road that he went through was very rough and stony. He then ordered his people to cover every road of the entire country with leather carpet. Definitely, this would need thousands of cows’ skin, and would cost a huge amount of money. Then one of his wise servants dared himself to tell the king, “Why do you have to spend that unnecessary amount of money? Why don’t you just cut a little piece of leather to cover your feet?" The king was surprised, but he later agreed to his suggestion, to make a “shoe” for himself. He learnt to make this world a happy place to live in, more easier and better to change ourself - our heart; rather than try and change the world. If this is human attitude then what is the attitude of God towards the sinners?
   
   Today Jesus speaks about the ninety-nine sheep and the one lost sheep. The parable portraits God as a shepherd looking after a lost sheep. It only shows us the heart of God and teaches us something about how we ought to relate to one another. what God's attitude is as father towards the weak and the small and the lost? Care and love. They may seem insignificant in the eyes of the world, as weak or marginalized but god loves them. By the very question-“what do you think” Jesus wants to show us something about the character of God and then He wants to draw an implication from the character of God to our conduct. Why God is interested in the lost sheep? God is a zealous god as we read in Isaiah and 2 kings in the episode of prophet Elijah. God loves some of His children more than others, and still He loves all of His children, each of them, individually. He shows special concern and care for those who are lost, weak, marginalized, and straying away. In the case of Jacob at Bethel we see how God like hound of heaven follows wherever we go. God mourns over that which is lost and when He regains it, it causes great joy. Jesus highlights the concern of the father for each one of His sheep. God is just but merciful to the sinners. At any cost He wants to save us through his son.
   
   What must be our response then? Our attitude should be the same attitude of god towards the sinners. God wants us to emulate his heart as we deal with one another. Our God delights in seeing lost sheep reclaimed." It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish". God delights in seeing lost sheep reclaimed. prophet Ezekiel makes clear this point- He does not rejoice in the death of the wicked, but He rejoices when sinners turn and repent and are converted to Him. If this is the attitude or the heart of god Then we the Christians are invited to act like Him because we are a visible picture to the world of what our Father is like.
   
   Prayer: lord give me your attitude to show special concern and care for the weak ones.

8. Christmastide 1John 5/5-13;psalm 147/12-20,mark 1/7-11
   Baptism is to grow stronger in Christian faith
   Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
   
   One day a farmer planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, and took very good care of them. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. In the second month the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. In the third and fourth month, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. Then in the fifth month, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six years later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. The root of Christianity is Baptism.
   
   John is glorifying Jesus by stating that Jesus is more powerful than he is. John had devoted his life to preparing for the arrival of Jesus. He had focused all of his energy toward this moment. He was set upon obedience. Yet the very first thing Jesus asked him to do, John resisted. He felt unqualified. Jesus is so much more powerful than John that he is not worthy to perform such a menial task, such as unloosening the strap of Jesus’ sandal. In stating this, John is not demeaning himself. His baptism is with water. Jesus’ baptism will be with the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Spirit accompanied by the words: "You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased" is a beautiful act of divine affirmation on Jesus. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. ”The Spirit also is the one who will empower the human Jesus to do the works of God - preach with authority, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his public ministry.
   
   What does it mean to us to be a baptized Catholic?
   B - bath of rebirth. Original and actual sins are washed away and the baptized becomes a new creation
   A – anointing with the Holy Spirit. The baptized, like Jesus, is anointed as priest, prophet and king.
   P – erfection of Charity and Fullness of Christian life when it is no longer I who lives in me but Christ.
   T – otal dedication and commitment to live the truth of faith in every moment and aspect of life.
   I – nterior repentance and conversion toward new life in Christ.
   S – eal of salvation. The baptized is sealed with indelible character that he belongs to Christ and marked to be saved.
   M – ission to bear fruits of good works, holiness and evangelization.
   
   Prayer: Jesus like john teach me the theological aspects of baptism. It is not only a rite of initiation but entry into your kingdom. focus my mind and heart to your kingdom. amen

9. Ikings 8/1-7,9-13;psalm 132/6-10;mark 6/53-56
   Call to witness to His Word by the gifts of the Holy Spirit’
   Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
   
   A landlord who once asked his parish priest-- 'Why does everybody call me stingy when everyone knows that when I die I will leave everything I have to this church?' The priest said; 'There once was a pig and a cow in this village. The pig was unpopular and the cow was loved by all in the village. This puzzled the pig. The pig said to the cow, 'people speak warmly of your good nature and your helpful attitude. They think you are very generous because each day you give them milk, butter and cheese. But what about me? I give them everything I have. I give them the famous Goa sausages, bacon and ham. I also provide ingredients for mouth-watering sorpotel. Yet no one likes me. Why is that?' The priest continued:' Do you know what the cow answered? 'The Cow said, ' Perhaps it's because I give while I am still living.' William Adams Brown puts it as-“ Life is a glass given to us to fill; a busy life is filling it with as much as it can hold; a hurried life has had more poured into it than it can contain". our life is not only for ourselves but also for others. Plato puts it as “Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”.
   
   "The Healings In Gennesaret" provide an opportunity to make two observations about 1.The success of Jesus' healing ministry;2. The purpose of Jesus' healing ministry. GENNESARET A densely populated and fertile plain south of Capernaum, About 3 miles along the Sea of Galilee ( the Lake of Gennesaret) ,is the place Where Jesus and His disciples anchored their boat. Its natural beauty and fertility were most remarkable. It produced walnuts, palms, figs, olives, and grapes. It is in this place, When people heard He was there, they gathered the sick, Wherever He went, they brought the sick to Him, On beds, Laying them in the market places," as many as touched Him were made well”. The purpose of the miracles was to confirm that he was the son of god and bring people to faith. And the success of Jesus ministry was ‘God bore witness to His Word by the gifts of the Holy Spirit’Heb2/3-4.People saw how god was working through him.
   Today such healing ministries should have the same purpose. They are to confirm the message and messengers as being from God. Once the Word of God was completely revealed and confirmed, there is no longer a need for such miracles of confirmation( 1Cor 13:8-10)
   
   Prayer: lord Jesus today you have appointed us to continue your healing ministry in the church. Help our ministers to carry out this ministry with the same attitude of bringing people to faith and confirm that you are the lord of heaven and earth.

10. Theme: CALL TO HOLINESS
    Read: I Timothy 1/15-17.  Luke 6:43-49
    Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
    
    “If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people”- Chinese Proverb. Two men, a priest and a businessman were walking down the street.  The businessman was complaining about the problems of religion, arguing it helped nobody.  "Religion is useless. It doesn't change a person's behavior, so what good is it?"  The priest said nothing until he saw a man in the dirty pond.  "Look, soap didn't change that person's appearance, so what good is it?"  The businessman objected.  "That's not fair.  Soap could help him, only in case of its usage."  The priest nodded.  "And that's what religion is. Unless we make use, everything seems to be useless."
    
    St.Paul in I Timothy 1/15-17 tells us that Christ came into the world to save sinners. The Lord came to make us children of God and to enable us to live as the children of God .God is deeply concerned with our daily walk of life, with what and how we live the Christian life.
    
    In gospel reading-Luke 6/43-49-lJesus says "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit”. Jesus sets figs and grapes against thorns and brambles. The fig tree was    a symbol of fertility, peace, and prosperity. And the Grapes, the symbol of joy. Good fruit is the result of good living — living according to moral truth and upright character that is faith, hope, love, justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance. Bad fruit is the result of falsehood, darkness and sin. How to avoid falsehood or bad fruit?  By being true to God, his word, and his grace.’ How to grow more and more in our faithfulness to our Lord. Gospel shows us two ways. First of all: through our words. Our words must be in agreement with Christ’s teachings. Secondly: through our actions. A disciple must learn to submit and obey. One who does not obey the master will be washed away in the storm. One who is faithful will not be shaken for he/she will dig deep and build Christian life on the foundation of Christ.  
    
    Make a Prayer:
    Lords teach me to Sow an act and reap a habit.  To Sow a habit and reap a character.  To Sow a character and reap a destiny. Amen.
    
    Questions for Reflection:
    1.How do I live my Christian life fruitfully?
    2. Am I the symbol of joy and peace in my society?
    3. How can I live according to moral truth an upright life?
    4. How to be true to god and Christ’s teachings?
    5.Are my actions and words in conformity to the gospel?

11. Theme: Am I like Jonah or like Jesus?
    Read: Romans 1/1-7; psalm 97/1-4; Luke 11/29-32   
    Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
    
     “Value, love and compassion. At the end of the day, love and compassion will win” – Terry. In our talks we say, "can you justify?” “Can you prove it?". In Jesus' time too Pharisees asked for a sign-to justify that he was the messiah. Some even accused Jesus of being Beelzebul, but others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah”. Greek semeion can refer to 'a sign' consisting of a 'wonder' or 'miracle, Jesus talks about the blindness of his own generation, and exhorts his disciples to make sure that they see him and his kingdom clearly. Jesus calls them a wicked generation. The Greek word is poneros to mean wicked or evil. During the time of Jesus all were not wicked. Many turned up in faith towards Christ. Only a portion of the society ignored Christ and resisted him.
    
    The story of Jonah is very interesting. He was a prophet called by God to preach repentance to Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria in the eighth century BC. God commands Jonah to preach to his enemies, the Assyrians. But instead of going to Nineveh (Iraq), Jonah flees to Tar shish (Spain).God causes a great storm in the sea. Jonah is thrown overboard and swallowed by a big fish. He was in the fish's belly for three days and was then vomited up on the shore. Jonah after learning a lesson for life obeys God and preaches repentance. The result was wholesale repentance and God turns his anger from Nineveh.
    
    The sign of Jonah is the sign of the Resurrection. The point of comparison seems to be Jonah's three days in the fish's stomach and Jesus' death and burial in the tomb, to be raised to life on the third day. Both Jonah and Jesus preached and people turned to God in repentance. But the preaching of Jonah was enough- a "sign" to convince the ninevites; whereas not enough for the hard-hearted Jews. Jesus states that his ministry was even greater than Jonah's was, and yet his people still do not repent. That’s why Jesus calls the generation evil, because they do not believe and did not show any sign of conversion. Jesus wants for all to be disciples i.e. believers. Am I like Jonah or like Jesus? On what is my faith based, founded? In signs or in the Word of Jesus?
    
    Make a Prayer:
    Heavenly father you have called us to Belong Jesus Christ your son. Make us feel every day, we are loved and called by you. Give us your Grace and Peace to believe in the word of Jesus. Amen
    
    Questions for reflection;
    1.Am I a sign from heaven to the people of my times?
    2.Do I see the person and the kingdom of Christ clearly?
    3.Do I learn lessons from day to struggles?
    4.How can I make a evil generation, a generation of conversion?
    5.what is the basis of my faith-word of god or signs?

12. Theme: God's Reign in the individual soul      
    Memoria of St. Leo the Great:
    Read Wisdom 7/22-8:1; psalm 118:89-91,175;luke 17:20-25
    Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
    
    “The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving”- Oliver Wendell Holmes.
    
    What is the kingdom of God? Kingdom of god is a loving, saving presence of God here on earth. Bible says in Matt. 6:33 = "kingdom of Christ"; Matt. 13:41 = "kingdom of Christ and of God"; Eph. 5:5 = "kingdom of David"; Mark 11:10 = "the kingdom"; Matt. 8:12 = "kingdom of heaven”. It means (1) Christ's mediatorial authority, or his rule on the earth; (2) the blessings and advantages of all kinds that flow from this rule; (3) the Church. The kingdom is essentially God's Reign in the individual soul.   Jesus stressed the inward, subjective holiness. When he said “the kingdom is among you”, he meant it is present in the Person and ministry of Jesus.
    
    Who are qualified for the Kingdom of God? Those who repent and believe in the gospels preached by Christ. Those who have a desire to follow Christ. Those who are ready to take up the cross. Those who can take the values of Christ into their personal and public life. The Carmelite saint Elizabeth of the trinity would explain to us in her experience of ‘heaven on earth’ that we can make this earth the kingdom of god. By creating an atmosphere of love, kindness, goodness, compassion, etc in our own hearts and minds. How do we see Jesus? Jesus as our Saviour, master, brother, lord, messiah? Giver of eternal life? The readings tell us that Jesus is God, the son of the father. Who redeems, loves and cares for everyone.
    
    Today we are remembering St. Leo the Great. He was born in Tuscany.   He reigned as Pope between 440 and 461. He persuaded Emperor Valentinian III to recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome in an edict in 445. The doctrine of the Incarnation was formed by him .When the Vandals under Genseric occupied the city of Rome, he persuaded the invaders to desist from pillaging the city and harming its inhabitants. He died in 461, leaving many letters and writings of great historical value.  
    
    Make a prayer:
    Jesus you are a wonderful god. You are instructing us today to change this fallen world into a heavenly city. Make each one of us your disciples of your loving kingdom.amen
    
    Questions for reflection:
    1.Is the kingdom of God present in my life?
    2.Am I qualified for the kingdom of God?
    3.How shall I make my family a sign of the kingdom of god?
    4.What is my personal relationship with Jesus?
    5.How can I make my earth one more heaven?

13. Theme: “Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.”
    Read: Acts 25, 13b-21; psalm 102, 1-20; John 21, 15-19
    Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
    
    “There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Said Bryant H. McGill. Forgiveness and reconciliation are fruits of love- things that we know are right and good, but they are always very difficult. It is one thing to talk about them in theory, but it is something totally different to put them into effect — to practice what we preach.
    
    In today’s reading taken from acts of the apostles, we see King Agrippa and his sister Bernice come to pay a courtesy visit to Festus in Caesarea.  It was customary for rulers to pay a  visit to a new ruler at the time of his appointment. Festus was more favorable to the Jews. He allowed them to come up to Caesarea to confront Paul in court.  Festus asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried.  Paul knew that was as equal to a death sentence. He appealed as a Roman citizen to a Roman trial. This would mean to take Paul to the heart of the Roman empire. Rome which would later become the centre of Christ’s Kingdom on earth.  
    
    In the gospel reading John 21/15-19, Jesus asks Peter three times. "Do you love me?"; "Do you love me?”; "Do you love me?". We all know why Jesus asked Peter this question. Affirmation always is not confirmation. Answer should be not of the mouth but of the heart with conviction. The reason goes back to what happened in the high priest's courtyard after Jesus was betrayed and arrested. Three times Peter was asked if he was one of Christ's disciples. Three times also Peter denied this because he was afraid: he was afraid that what was happening to Jesus would happen to him; he was afraid he would be arrested; he was afraid he would be slapped and beaten; he was afraid he would be condemned to die by crucifixion. That’s why Jesus does not ask, "Simon, why did you deny me?" why did you betray me? Rather, He asks, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
    
    Jesus is telling Peter and us that 1) There is a moral failure and collapse of love in our individual living. Faulty, wrong, immoral and disobedient behavior. This reveals an imperfect love. something lacking in love and forgiveness for God and Christ. Where there is no love, then we are bound to fail and fall in sin. 2) Where there is moral love there is success in life. Where there is success, there is co-operation, support, up building, nourishing and cherishing of Christian life. Love builds, love strengthens and love makes everything possible.3) I can be a true disciple, true Christian only when I love Him. When I deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Him only then I can love Him. 4) Finally what Jesus wants? My act of love for him and for his people. The Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength." Reminds us that God is love. God, in Christ, wants our love.  He wanted Peter's love, even though Peter denied Him three times. The Lord Jesus wants your love: no matter how faithful or faithless you have been, no matter whether you denied Him or professed Him, no matter how strong or weak your faith may be, no matter how you have fallen into sin or practiced righteousness, no matter what!. To err is human, natural; but forgiveness is divine, supernatural. Question of Jesus to peter "Do you love me?" Would mean do you forgive yourself and the others? Do you accept yourself as you are with all weakness and frailty? What is your answer?  Yes or no.
    
    Prayer:
    Heavenly father you created me to love and to make the world live in love. let me ask everyday to myself-do I accept myself and do I forgive myself for the errors of my life. Give me the strength to make my life beautiful and the world wonderful. Amen. 
    
    Questions for reflection:
    1. Is forgiveness possible without love?
    2.Can I love God above everything?
    3.What should be the mode of my love to fellow brethren
    4.How shall I tackle the present time problems with my attitude of love and forgiveness?
    5.Am I faithful or faithless?

14. Theme: STRIVE TO BE FRUIT BEARERS.
    Read: Isaiah 55, 10-11; psalm64, 2Romans 8, 18-23, Matthew 13, 1-23.
    Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
    
    Seneca said “As the soil, however rich it may be cannot be productive without cultivation, so the mind without culture can never produce good fruit”. The parable of the sower is plain. The seed sown is the word of God. The sower is our Lord Jesus Christ, by himself, or by his ministers.
    
    Today’s reading taken from Isaiah is a love letter from heaven. Isaiah tells us that God’s word is similar to rainfall; it produces fruit. Just as water enlivens and strengthens a withering rose, God's word produces life in the hearts of sinners. We will be tested in the Mind and Heart by the world and by God and our actions will also be judged by that which is dwelling in our hearts. 
    
    In the second reading, St. Paul confirms that the Lord’s Glory will follow suffering. The sufferings which we must endure during the present time before the Lord comes.  The Glory belonging to the believer is now hidden (in Heaven). Christ will bring it to them when he returns (1 Peter 1:4).
    
    In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus shows us that there are four types of hearts/minds  that receive the Gospel. The first type of heart  is ‘Hard’-does not hear the Gospel because it cannot.  The Gospel is unable to penetrate the exterior. There is no hope for the message to get beneath its surface, to germinate, to plant roots and shoot upward.   So the Gospel remains dormant and inactive. It lies like a stray seed on hot, hard ground, fully exposed until it is easily snatched away. The second type of heart is ‘starving’ -hears the Gospel and receives it with joy, but it soon withers with the difficulties of life. This heart takes in little of the Word and so the roots are starved and are unable to sustain themselves in the shallow top soil.  They are unable to dig deeper and broaden and form a healthy foundation.   The third type of heart is ‘choked-’ hears the Gospel.  The Gospel takes root and grows, but the weeds of life soon overpower and choke out the message. Worries over money, health and fame overcome the desire to live a sacrificial life for Jesus.   The fourth type of heart is ‘fertile’-hears the Gospel and embraces it.  It is a heart that yields fruit because its soil is tilled and naturally fertile.  The weeds have been pulled up and discarded by the Master Farmer who also waters and fertilizes the soil with the Word.  
    
    Strive to have good soil in your hearts.  The type of hearer we are and will become reveals our eternal destiny.  This is why it is all the more necessary to seek out Jesus through meditating on his Word, and by pleading with the Father that he will increase our spiritual hearing and give us the sight to see his Son. And so we must pray each day that he will give us faith and increase our faith. 
    
    Prayer:
    Heavenly father thank you for revealing your only son Jesus to us. Help me to cope up with life and prepare a fertile ground for the word of God to grow in my life. Amen.

15. Theme:  Be a grain of wheat, to die through mortification, and to yield a rich harvest.
    Feast: St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr.
    Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10;psalm 111; John 12,24-26.
    Fr. Wilfred Frank, OCD, Mysore
    
    Billy Graham said “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ''I love you.''
    
    Today we are celebrating the feast of Saint Lawrence. He was one of the seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. During the persecution   Pope St. Sixtus was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping, "Father, where are you going without your deacon?"  Pope answered “I am not leaving you, my son, in three days you will follow me." Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand and even sold expensive vessels to have more to give away. The Prefect of Rome, a greedy pagan,   condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The Saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted his flesh little by little, but Lawrence was burning with so much love of God that he almost did not feel the flames. In fact, God gave him so much strength and joy that he even joked. "Turn me over," he said to the judge. "I'm done on this side!" And just before he died, he said, "It's cooked enough now." Then he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith might spread all over the world. 
    
     In the first reading St Paul says that the generous almsgiving of the Corinthians will stand to them in this life and in the next. A person who is generous in almsgiving draws down on himself the blessings of God. 
    
    In the gospel Jesus identifies disciple to the master." To follow Christ” means to accompany him  closely and  come to live with him, like the first Twelve did.  Every Christian should see every type of suffering and contradiction as a sharing in Christ's cross, which redeems us and exalts us.  To be supernaturally effective, a person has to die to himself, forgetting his comfort and shedding his selfishness.  If the grain of wheat does not die, it remains unfruitful.  If we want to be a grain of wheat, the we have  to die through mortification, and to yield a rich harvest. Jesus is our Wheatfield.   He wants each of us to be of service to him.  
    
    There are  four stages   to identify ourselves with Christ.
    1) seeking him
    2)  finding him,
    3) getting to know him,
    4) loving him.
    
    Prayer:
    Lord Jesus teach me to seek you, find you, know you and love you.amen.
    
    Questions for reflections:
    1.How shall I die to myself in order to gain something better?
    2.What are the means to accompany Jesus on my pilgrim way?
    3.Is suffering a value or against the love of God?
    4.How shall I receive the blessings of God? 5.How can I become a Wheatfield to yield rich harvest?