Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Let us Pray for the Unity of the World!!!!!!!


The Problems between Israel and Gaza is escalating very badly, many people have died and among them many innocent children. There are similar problems in every nook and corner of the world. Most of these problems are political or for supremacy of one nation over another, one culture over another culture, one religion over another religion. It is so sad that the One God who created us has not made any difference and continues to shine equally over all. Everything that He has created is for the use of all. All have right to use the earth and exist as brothers and sisters. We know that we are all pilgrims and strangers on the earth still we are fighting for our permanence, power and prestige which will be blown away within few seconds. 


Every Human being has desire for unity, that we may co-exist as one humanity with distinction, caste, creed and color. We dream of seeing every human person to live in peace and harmony which maybe possible or many be possible. Everyone can strive for unity, a unity and union that is not something material, a simple being together but really understanding and accepting the other as she or he is. Trying to forget our differences and move on to make this planet a better place to live, without war and hatred. 


Let there be love, deep bond and acceptance of each other. It can be manifested or materialised if all of us dream and work towards the unity and being together as one Brotherhood. As humans where give importance to love expressed in service, self-giving and forgetting for the growth of the other. We dream of seeing a world and society where there is joy and happiness, we cannot see majority of our people living in suffering and pain, hunger and thirst, sadness and broken situations, war and strife


Monday, May 17, 2021

Self-Reflection leads to Peace and Tranquility

 


It is also good to reflect on the self to know things that are going on in our life. To sit and evaluate certain actions, behaviour, words and leanings which do bring about some tensions and anxiety. To know oneself helps to know the other for a better relationships. The most important thing in life is that one is able to judge and criticise, evaluate and reflect on oneself, our good and bad, positive and negative behaviours. It is said that we wake up everyday but we do not open our eyes fully and completely things in us and around us.  Some people are experts to insult others because they have not known their own weakness or want of appreciation, in the long run it becomes a second nature to insult and criticise others. There are those who know how to appreciate and accept others because their nature is to accept and appreciate others for the good of all



In the journey of life we will come across many people who teach us many things by their clean and perfect. We will also meet people who come in our lives, remain with us for sometimes and then suddenly disappear when we need them most. some will come close and give us hope of friendship and companionship, some will goa far away because they do not want take up responsibility of fidelity to a cause. But you meet few who will remain faithful to us in thick and thin and prove that they are really messengers of God. It is said that in life one should not waste time whether God exist or does not exist, but let us search and find out whether we are really humans and live our call as children of God. 



Let us dream big dreams then it becomes easy for us to chase it inspite of hardships and big challenges. The bigger is the dream so there be the biggest challenges, hurdles, difficulties and pains, the bigger is the challenge , the success would be also bigger and satisfying. Do good deeds and action and you will receive fruits of the action, the fruits may come today or tomorrow but they are sure and bound to come. what you give with generosity to others comes back to us in a very big bang to make us happy. It is said that deeper you dig the well, sweeter is the water that you receive in the well. The toughest and difficult questions in life do get right answers in life when faced them with right attitude and approach.



Sunday, May 16, 2021

Happy Feast of The Ascension of the Lord!!!!!






The Feast of Ascension of the Lord invites us to be the light of Jesus Christ in the modern world which is groping in the darkness. We need to be lights that are burning with the Love of Jesus in the world which is now becoming loveless due to the technological advancement and materialistic approach to everything. It is not enough that we become the light but we need to hold it up to all who are struggling to see due to darkness all around.  We are called to be missionaries of light as the Lord gives us the mandate to preach the good news to all. Let His glory be made known to all who are waiting to hear and experience the Love of the risen. Lord.




Christ Jesus had the divine power that made him to go up to heavens and that is the demonstration of His Divinity, His Glory and power. So Jesus christ radiates hope to all of us who are suffering and distressed in the modern world. The feast teaches us that a life, lived in faith and commitment, even if there is pain, humiliation, suffering  etc life will definitely end in glory and majesty.



The mandate given to apostles is binding on each disciple in the modern world. we need to go out and preach the gospel but today we don't have to go far to preach but wherever we are. We can be missionaries in our families and among relatives, who claim to be know Jesus but don ot him completely and fully. They have not surrendered to Him totally. We can cast out those demons and the evil spirit which has imprisoned them by preaching and teaching about jesus. The Lord has tremendous  

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Be Like a Coconut!!!!!!

 


The Coconut is hard from outside but without breaking the outer hard part we cannot have access to the soft kernel , cannot enjoy the sweet water and nourishing soft part. So it is in our human life, without overcoming the hard and difficult moments and situations in life we cannot enjoy the sweet moment of success. All difficulties and pains are not signs of failure in life but they are part of our successful journey and story. Allow yourselves to be broken and chiselled from outside. 


In life we have give and take, buying and selling, purchasing and deciding a price for a commodity. Many people are very good in this exercise of the market and they go on to become big businessmen. We have many products on sale in the market as as well as online, but i have not come across anyone selling Happiness, contentment, satisfaction etc or anyone buying pain, difficulties, sufferings, sorrow etc. Now i realise that happiness and pain are part of the person's life and attitude and they are not commodities to be bought and sold....you get or receive them as per your performance as a human person, depending on your good deeds and actions. 


we cannot rest or keep our own head on our own shoulders and cry, we cannot embrace ourselves with happiness, someone has to do this action for us. This shows and teaches us that our life is meant for the others, we have to live our human life for the sake and betterment of the other. The most beautiful plant of Faith and solidarity does not grow in the earth but in our hearts and minds. We need to sow these seeds very often to enjoy the fruits later on in life. 

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Live Life challenging yourself!!!!!!!!


To have challenges and to face them is the law of the nature and Human Nature too. We must face them with boldness and courage and not to run away with fear or close all the possibilities of turning them into positive energy. Fear can cripple and sap out the positivity out from us. Those who fear to face and fight the challenges, show signs of frightened and weak hearted persons. The biggest teacher in our human life is the coming times, events and situations, because what they teach no one else can teach us.


Some people in life want us to be like Sun to rise in the East and set in the west.....we want them to be exactly like the `sun....in short we want them to dance according to our tunes and conditions. If we behave and live according the mind and thought of the other we are good persons and if not then we get the label of being a bad person. Misunderstanding and doubts are like cancer when it reaches to stage of no return and it shows its real color and nature.


In Giving we receive so start giving and you will be surprised to receive in hundredfold. It just starts pouring in to our lives, there is everything that makes us to live human life much better and with dignity. Giving has proved emotional, spiritually and psychologically very beneficially and those who have been regularly giving in different forms have received blessings of health, wealth and respect. 


Life seems to be at the crossroads today, it looks like it is broken and halted completely, very difficult and trying moments where one needs to ask the price and value of the breath of Life to those who have problems and difficulties in breathing. No one ever thought that we human beings have to purchase Oxygen in order to breath where the Creator has supplied it freely. Life is precious so take care of it.  

No One is Perfect....We are becoming beings!!!!!!!!

 As human beings we want everything to be perfect and complete, we look for right and perfect persons in life for relationships. What happens in the bargain is that we lose those who are meant to complete and enhance our lives. We have all different notions and Ideas of being true, perfect and right but all this is a fantasy and not a reality. Truth of the person is reality.


When we go through pains and sufferings in life, it is a sign that we are fully human and alive and it goes to make us part of the human fraternity and in solidarity with all. It is always divine and human to feel the pain and suffering of the other which really makes us to feel that we are really humane. These days of suffering, pain and deaths due to pandemic we may feel one with those are experiencing it. We can think of them in prayers, talk about them, send greetings of best wishes that would really lift up their spirit and make them feel better.


It is advisable to entertain positive, good and productive thoughts in mind and heart, it has proved beneficial to men and women of all ages who have been open and transparent to themselves and filled their lives with good and positive feelings and emotions, it has brought huge positive reactions and given birth to ideas, opinions which are exceptionally beneficial for spiritual, human, and emotional growth.


we human human beings always try to please others or show ourselves higher or superior or perfect than the others. There are many who waste energy and strength to project themselves what they are not in reality. They know deep down in their hearts that to raise themselves up higher than others do not need wings like the birds. Human person as humble as possible he is the more his life and attitude is sweet and melodious, he is has hold and grip on any situations and then he soars higher and higher that the birds.


Soap has Oil as an important ingredient in making it but the contradiction is that when a stain of oil from the cloth has to be removed it needs the soap which cleanses it. There are two type of happiest people in the world Mad and lunatic persons and small children. For good work get crazy with your goal and when goal is achieved be like happiest small children and enjoy the life.



Sunday, May 9, 2021

Happy Mother's Day !!!!!


Today we celebrate Mother's Day and I am sure you are remembering and celebrating it with your dear Moms and those of us who have lost their moms and are enjoying eternal life can only enjoy their sweet memories, words, actions of love and care. As someone said that when in a family the presence of mother is lacking that house ceases to be a family. We miss many things that the mother can offer, she is the symbol of sacrifice, love, dedication and self-giving. When in the house there are just five loaves of bread and there are 6 people to eat, one person who immediately declares with sacrifice that I am not hungry and that is our Mother. As one more author said that he prayed to God for death and God responded him that he cannot grant him as his mother has been praying for his healthy, long and good life. That is the Mother! So we are all lucky and fortunate to have been born in a womb of a Mother. For nine months we remained in the holy womb and we did not see the world but she allowed us to breath in her womb. 


The blessings and prayers of Mother changes our times and fortunes, luck and destiny. Blessed are those who have Mothers and who respected, honor and obey her for she stands for the Love of God. If you are suffering, there is pain and sorrow in life, life is not treating you well, there is concern and tension, worries and problems, or the stars of our memories are fading away,  remember the sacrifice and love of the Mother. We can disassociate from home but memories cannot be erased and in life a page called "Mother" can never be closed. we may wander all throughout our life, tired and are at the last breath of life and we utter the Last word "Mother"  


These days the Lord seems to be communicating to the world that it is better to seek refuge in Him and in our Souls, not listen to the voices and clutter from outside which may distract and disturb us. Let us lift our hearts and minds to Lord in thanksgiving and praises, spend time on contemplating and reflecting on the sacred scripture and on the divine name of Jesus Christ. Praying to the Lord so that we may see everything that happens around us with the eyes of faith and love. 


Time is such a vehicle which does not have brakes and can never be brought back in reverse. It keeps going depending who is the one who goes along with it, with what intentions, emotions, feelings, character. It will reward each one according to our character and status, according to our handling and dealing with the Time.  We are all granted and gifted the precious time to change and reform, form and reform, shape and re-shape our lives, but we never receive Life second time to change and alter the Time. `so live in the Present and enjoy the blessings of the Lord.





Friday, May 7, 2021

Entering Into 60th Year of Life Today



Since the Pandemic began, this is my second birthday celebration. Last year i was under a lockdown in a convent of the Carmelites for 54 days and two days before my birthday I managed to get travel permission to our close by Friary at Aurangabad, Maharashtra where i celebrated birthday the friars and students. It was a memorable one as the whole whole country under lockdown and yet the friars managed to make a grand celebration for me. Today i am in UAE and don't feel like celebrating it as many countries are reeling under the attack of covid especially India where the positivity rate is alarmingly very high. In solidarity with all those who are suffering and the front line workers i offer and dedicate the day for them in prayers. 



Today as i enter into my 60th year of life i would like to reflect on my past and present, thank God for my family, friends and friars, thank those who have made a huge difference in my life. It will be a day to take a stock of those wonderful people and their blessings in my life who have stood with me in all moments of my life. As i thank the Lord for today and also ask for his grace to reflect on my future, i want my remaining years to be more fruitful than those of the past...to be more useful and helpful to the friars and people around me...dedicate more time to prayer and reflection on the Capuchin Franciscan Charism.



I think every birthday is a moment to express gratitude and self-reflection to know where one is and where one is heading. It is a day that fills your heart with different emotions and feelings about events, persons and about yourself. To sit and reflect on life will do me a lot of good to lead myself in the vineyard of the Lord.



These years have been a tremendous source of graces and blessings in my life as a Capuchin Franciscan, though unworthy the Lord has shouldered on me many big responsibilities in the Order which i faithfully carried out with His presence in my life. In all seasons the Lord was guiding me through and allowing me to be his instrument of peace, love, forgiveness and reconciliation



Thank God for using me to preach His Word either in the parish or to the religious. I feel contended and fulfilled as a priest friar in the Order. Through various talents and gifts the Lord has used me as His instrument. I am happy to have been of service and help to the Lord and my Capuchin Order.



I move forward with the hope that the Lord will continue to bless me and shower His blessings to give my best for His kingdom. I pray that my family, province, friends and well wishers will continue to pray for me and be with me. I remember my parents Baptist and Natalia who with their hard work and sacrifices gave me everything that i needed to be a child of God. 


I need your prayers and blessings to continue my life, mission and ministry as a Capuchin Franciscan. You will be on my prayer list everyday. 



Thursday, May 6, 2021

Go Through the tough Moments in Life.....End results are Fantastic!!!!!!!!


Some one rightly said that days of happiness, wellness and contentment always test our pride and self-sufficiency and days of sorrow, pain and suffering are the test of our confidence, trust and faith. If one passes and goes through these two tests will always be successful and happy throughout. It is in difficult moments that one needs to stand and remain strong in one's conviction and faith, then the ways to resolve the problems are wide open. If Life has to be a source of happiness and gladness then we must be ready to go through any tests. There are many things which we need to give up and ignore as they can lead us to source of evil and sadness. We should always accept pain because it makes us more human and makes us aware that life is bundle of joys and sorrows. Any problems in life does not break us but make us strong one to face the next one confidently. 


It is said that once a moment or time goes by everything crumbles and falls to ground, nothing happens to your dreams because the opportunities came knocking on our doors. At right time decision and action take can bring about beautiful things to happen in life. But sometimes everything to be in order and alright it is good that some time should go by and wait patiently for the right moment to strike. Many successful people have always patiently waited for the righ thing and success has been achieved, they have spent years and years in order to achieve one thing in life but the results are always positive


Hard work can never be taken for granted because it is the greatest and strongest key for success. The same can be said about bad times in life because they teach a lot about life, leave behind great lessons which we would never learn otherwise. So what is expected from us is to face these two realities of life and one who faces it with courage and self-confidence will always soar higher and taste success all the time. 


In Life there are many situations and events that take place but let us not get frightened or run away with fear, don't give up the fight but face it with the inner energy that the creator has placed within us. Keep the search of truths in life, don't leave half way the search because then all your dreams can broken and shattered/ Look at the nature and how it allows the trees and flowers to adapt itself, when it is summer everything dries up but in monsoon and winter everything has new life. 



Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Stay united and Connected!!!!!!

 


Today we live in a world where there is so much of progress of science, technology and communication. It has made our communications much better and can be in touch with anyone anywhere in the world through our computers and mobiles. The world has become a small villages. The news of what happens to is individually is travelling very fast, thanks to the speed of communication and social media. But the question is are we really connected and united with each other? Is there the warmth, understanding, acceptance, feeling for one another and the humanity? These days of pandemic we have heard some beautiful stories of heroics where people have given their best for the other. But there are also stories where people have been abandoned, neglected, neighbours and relatives refuse to attend those affected by the virus. So where is the advancement of our world? Have we gone apart amidst all the show that we are talking and experiencing about? Are our hearts still beat for each other or we are losing our human touch? 


On own hand we are boasting and taking pride in our development but on the other hand we are losing the most vital and important human values and principles. Why are all this is happening? Is it because we have ignored the God of our life who is the source of everything? We have marginalised Him to our own advantage and forgotten him because we feel on the top of the world. Let us be united, abiding in Him, it is only our daily association, communication and relationship will give any sense to our development and advancement. Our human life will shine more brightly when God is at the centre of all this development.


We have to be united and connected with each other to be found as good people who are there for each other. Our hearts should cry for anyone who is in trouble and suffering. Let us be good people by doing good acts and works, it does not take much time to be good, just the intention and desire to be good, a lot of chances and opportunity all around us. 


Let us find time for each other to be with someone who needs our presence. It is caring for one another that we experience the presence of God and His love, mercy and compassion. Don't wait for the person to feel the need of your presence but be aware and conscious all the time of it.  we cannot see the pain, but it is felt and makes us to cry, but sufferings of the people are seen with the naked eyes. It is like memories don't stop or halt with us but they leave impression and get us involved in it. You cannot see the heart but we all allow people to make a home in our hearts. 



Encounter with Mary is a sure Encounter with Jesus Christ!!!!!!

The month in which, churches, parishes, villages and homes, the most fervent and affectionate homage from the faithful hearts of Catholics rises to Mother Mary through the prayer of Rosary. The homage is offered through prayers, invocation and veneration to Mother Mary with faith and trust that she would intercede on the behalf of the suffering humanity. And it is also the month in which larger and more abundant faithful flock to her for her divine assistance, blessings and intercession for various intentions to receive the gifts of divine mercy. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter April 29, 1965.

The Holy Pope Paul VI defined the month in which we have entered and which, surely, awakens in us tender and genuine feelings of devotion and trust. We all feel close to her because she is really a Mother and queen of grace. The Month of is, in my opinion, definitely a good time to reflect on our vocation to highlight the testimony of Mother Mary, who plunged herself into the dazzling light of the Mystery and she remained faithful to way that the Lord had prepared for her. 

All the more so, dear friends, as consecrated to the Lord with a special bond of ever new love, we see in Mary the model of every consecration, the realisation complete and perfect of ours and of each of our vocation, which is the echo of her "yes". 

In Mary we admire her faith, the discretion, the silence, industriousness and her few words that bring us back the Gospels, but essential and important to know her stature as a Mother of God. She recognises the work of the almighty in her life, and completely entrusts herself to it. she continues to praise His greatness and recognises that smallness, typical of our humanity and which is a perennial witness of divine majesty. 

She proclaims even today that the Lord has done wonderful things in her, he has made her days a time of amazement, he did wonders in her life. Mother Mary reminds us that our reserve of joy comes from knowing how to see God at work, when he fills the spring with gems and with wine the stone jars at Cana. It is not Mary who is joyful or her temperament, it is her faith. The good news that you pass on, its her falling in love with God, the story of a God she has loved and still loves it. 


In our own History God does sow seeds of grace and faith. we just ave to make room for the light of Him, like Mary and say our yrs to Him who is True light that illuminates in every human beings. In praying our rosaries in these days, meditating with love and joy the mysteries of the Lord, we ask to Mary to make us docile, true and conscious children of God and our vocation. As Catholics we know how best to live our Gospel and for this mission and goal Mary is always the path and road that leads to Christ in the Gospels. Every encounter with Mary is always an encounter with Christ.  

Monday, May 3, 2021

Show Us the Father!!!!!!!


The desire to see the Father on the part of the apostles is expressed by St. Philip. it is but natural when they are so long with the Master who has been speaking about the Father often. But they failed to experience and see the Father in Him because they were not yet spiritually matured to come to this stage. The Master gives them the right answer so that they understand the He represents the Father. Their association and acquaintance with Jesus should have led them to recognise and accept the Father in Him, but due to their human and spiritual formation had not been completed. Understanding and peacefulness does not depend on the age and how many years one has spent with, but it depends on the experiences in life that we have and go through. 


To maintain friendships and relationships with dear and nears ones, it is important to understand each others weakness and mistakes of life. This mentality and attitude will help us not to sit in judgment sit and only look at the mistakes of the others but leads us to appreciate and accept the goodness of the other. The power, prosperity, success and money is the fruits of our hard labour in life but family, relatives, friends are the foundation of our life which we need to preserve and nurture at any cost.


To understand the importance of the Sea and shore we need to approach close to the waves which crash on to it and then disappears leaving behind its marks. Sea does not boast of its power and strength but it remains serene and quite only when pressurised by the strong wind it becomes ferocious. To understand the importance and value of the Water one needs to visit the places where there is draught and famine, how people and animals crave and long for a drop of it to quench their thirst. so to understand God's presence and the love of the close ones one needs to be always in touch and contact with them. They teach a great lessons like sea, waves and water. 


Words and mind, behaviour should be pure and upright, there should be any dark side to it otherwise they bring destruction to oneself and others. Human beings are prone to forget the face of the person but the words spoken and the attitude and behaviour shown will never be forgotten and erased easily from our lives.