Reflection-100 

In the book of “Acts of the Apostles” we can find a story of a ship journey. The story goes like this that was a ship journey to Rome with lots of goods and prisoners. There was also St. Paul in the ship as a prisoner. As they were moving in the sea St. Paul prophesied that it is going in to danger. This ship can be distorted by the tsunami and so on. But none of them gave importance to the holy man and they continued the journey. After some time they understood that may be that man right, because already they were in danger. Since the disobeyed the holy man they had to face the troubles in the sea.

Dear friends it was only because of the overconfidence, lack city of understanding the words of the holy man or the disobedience that they were in danger. If they could have listen to the man they might not have been in the danger. Sometimes this happens in our life too. We also become disobedient or do not understand the will of God, which can also cause troubles in our life.

There is a similar poem that related to this Bible passage “The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner”. Even tin this poem the charter suffers due to his lack city of understanding the reality. My dear friends please try to meditate on it.

                

                                                                                                 -Bro. Nibin Freddy

Reflection - 99

2000 years ago Jesus was born in Bethlehem as a Jew and a man of the times. But there some who lived in his time and were not of his times .These some used to oppress the people with the laws Moses gave them. And Jesus called them hypocrites whereas he himself broke the Sabbath law by healing the sick on it. Actually what did Jesus mean?

By his actions Jesus meant that being flexible and fulfilling the will of god is the ultimate fulfillment of the law as he says in Mk 2: 24 'Sabbath is for man and not man for Sabbath’. 

As time and space changes, man adopts new traditions, trends, language, etc. This is where I firmly believe the church is lagging at: updating themselves with the times and keeping abreast with the society. The famous American speaker Roger van Oech once said,”Flexibility is the key to survival”. If we don't update ourselves with the society to which we ought to preach the gospel, the society will outdate us.

But when should we be flexible? When we feel that it's time to be flexible the question 'Is this course of action from God? And it would be really handy. And surely it will help us to take the right decision. 

Finally I would like to quote St. Paul from his epistle to Colossians, “Be careful in speaking with the gentiles. Make use of every opportunity. Add a pinch of humor to everything you say and make your speech attractive. 

   

                                                                                                                      -Bro. Sherry            

Reflection - 98

“Ask, and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you” (Lk. 11:9)

ചോദിക്കുവിൻ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ലഭിക്കും, അന്വേഷിക്കുവിൻ നിങ്ങൾ കണ്ടെത്തും, മുട്ടുവിൻ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് തുറന്നു കിട്ടും.

In today’s gospel Jesus exhorts us about the attitude that we should have in our prayers. We being the products of modern world are always worrying about many things, health, wealth, status etc. It indicates that we are preoccupied with external things and situations.

Jesus uses the illustration of a night traveler to teach an important lesson, how God treats us in contrast to the kind of treatment we might expect from even a good neighbour. The Lord is ever ready to give us not only what we need, but more than we expect. St. Augustine reminds us that “God, who does not sleep and who awakens us from sleep that we may ask, gives much more graciously”. The only question is that whether we approach our heavenly father with confidence and trust in his mercy and kindness.

Here Jesus provides three realms of prayers; ask, seek and knock. Asking implies humility and an awareness of need. Seeking denotes our surrender to the will of God and knocking at the door of God’s mercy through our prayers.

So, dear friends, let us ponder over our modes of prayer and our intention in prayer? Is our prayer a time of encounter with God? Let us have an inner journey and try to ask, seek and knock in order to know the will of God for us and others. so let’s try to meditate the importance of prayer in our formation period.

                                                                                              -Bro. Romario

Reflection - 97

"Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts." - Mother Teresa

What would we get from prayer? We may pray only at the last moment which we are in need of something. Perhaps we appear for prayer with that intention. Yes, we need many things like safety, food, learning skill, happiness and so on. This kind of prayer can be called as profit motivated prayer. Some of us would pray as a performance. This kind of prayer would go like a mechanical process, such as reciting prayers which we have leaned by heart and we perform it quickly. It is similar to a worker who receives money without any feeling from his master for his job. So this kind of prayer is called mechanical prayer.

Jesus gives clear correction through His parable from St. Luke 18: 9-12, the parable of Pharisee and the tax collector. Here the view is clear that Pharisee’s prayer was not real. Because, the real prayer is to focus to the Lord. He prayed like to justify himself, also he compared with others spirituality. At last he conceded himself to be better than the tax collector. So do not justify and compare on our prayer life. One who has pride cannot pray well. The grace of Lord flows through the humble harts and lives. It was reflected in the life of tax collector. What merits can we see in the tax collector’s prayer? He said everything with humility, repentances, and prayed with clamor. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). 

Let’s reflect upon how my prayer life is? Am I praying with either as profit motive or mechanical or to justify myself or compare others spiritual life? A humble prayer is more than enough for intimate relation with Jesus.  So, for a while let’s reflect upon it how my prayer is? And how can I improve my prayer life more effectively?

Intentions:

Pray for our parents ……….

Pray for dear and near ones………..

Pray for those who are asked for prayer……

Pray for good prayer life…….  

Prayer: We thank you, our father almighty for the enlightening us with your stable spirit and light, for the inspiring our minds and thoughts, and for the enkindling our hearts with your merciful love. Heavenly father help us to make a life through this refection. Our Lord, and our God forever and ever.  

               

                                                                                                 -Bro. Samuel Thiruhridhayam

Reflection - 96

Peace has become a word of many things. According to the well definition of St Augustine, peace is tranquilitas ordinis which means rest and quiet at the result of the perfect order, where all things are in perfect order say in a family or in a community. When good order is distributed there is an end to peace and quiet and harmony.

No mere human effort can secure the peace that “surpasses all understanding, it must come from heaven”. The lord brings peace as the prophets vision of the coming king makes vividly clear. Is 9:6- Yes he is called prince of peace. Now 1Cor 14:33, we could see that “for God is not the God of dissension but of peace. God’s ultimate purpose in all his dealings with man is peace. His sole desire is that we should be happy; for we are his children, even when he offended him. When we despise his commandments, upset his plans and violate the order he has established. Remember what he has done to restore peace which had been disturbed by sins.

Peace as its highest is about the enjoyment and satisfaction of being in right relationships- with God, with neighbor, with oneself and with one’s environment. (Is 9:7)- the kingdom of peace is established and upheld with justice and with righteousness. Here we are talking peace not only with the other but also your yourself. Do you have an inward peace? If there is no righteousness and justice in your mind, in your thought, in your actions, in your life, there will be no peace. If you haven’t peace, you can’t wish peace to others. Everyday mass, the Christ himself gives peace but still our mind is not receiving peace. Peace here means not the satisfaction which world gives but the real joy the heaven showers.

By the grace of God let’s remove sins from our souls which are an obstacle for peace and open our hearts and wish everyone goodness, sure the heavenly peace descend into our hearts. Even also saints had suffering, that had peace which give that courage in their lives. It will keep our hearts and our souls steadfast in Jesus.

May auspiciousness be unto all        May peace be unto all

May fullness be unto all                   May prosperity be unto all

 May all be happy                           May all be free from disabilities    

 May all look to the good of other    May none suffer from sorrow.

                                                                                                                       -Bro. Allen Alex

Reflection - 95

If someone tells you that you have no talents what will be your response? Dear friends it’s not true. All of us have talents but there may be variety of talents. If we want to enjoy and celebrate our life we also have to celebrate the talents we have received. If we do not celebrate our talents we cannot celebrate our whole life also. More focused we are more we concentrate on our talents. We all have heard the parable of talents. In that parable the master was not happy with the wicked slave who buried the talent. Why because talents and gifts we have received are meant to develop and grow. But here in the example of wicked slave he was not bothered about the talent he got and buried it. So dear friends if we are not using our talents and gifts we will be receiving the punishment from God.

It is also the fact that we should not crave for other persons talents and gifts. Sometimes it may not be possible for us to become a good singer like Yesudas and a great footballer like Lionel Andres Messi and so on. We are not supposed to gaze on what is impossible. Close to ourselves and we will discover the talents of ours.

Dear friends after all we are going to become holy priests in future. So we have to focus on our talents and gifts to glorify our Lord and to grow in our vocation more than jest merely focusing on talents alone. If we are not using these good gifts for Jesus we are jest a zero though we are a hero.

In this new era people need a holy priest not a jest a priest. So we need to have qualities as well as interpersonal relationship with Jesus. Fulfilling the will of God is the greatest achievement that we can do. So let’s reflect whether our life is going through the path to fulfill Lords will if not let’s take new steps and change our life.

           

                                                                                  -Bro. Albin Kachapally

Reflection - 94

After a retreat, we used to take decisions to lead a good and meaningful life. Sometimes we failed to lead a meaningful life. We cannot lead a meaningful life without Jesus Christ, for that we have to keep a personal relationship with Holy sacrament. Another important thing is Holy rosary. St. John Mariyaviyani says Holy Rosary is the greatest weapon against Satan. We cannot lead a meaningful life without Holy Eucharist and Holy Rosary. These two things will help us to know what is good and what is sin, so that we can repent upon our sins, and also these two things are the source and energy of Christian life.

Another thing that I wanted to share with you is that do not keep anything to do tomorrow. If we are doing like that we cannot complete it tomorrow also.

I would like to conclude my meditation with a story. Once there was a meeting in the kingdom of demons to select new king, and the king had 3 children. Therefore he sent his 3 children to earth to catch people as much as possible. Those who catch more people will be appointed as new king, and they all were sent to earth. After a short period of time they all returned to hell. First one caught some people through his ability. Second one also caught many people through his way of attracting. Third one had a huge number of people so he was appointed as new king. So all the demons wanted to know that how could he catch a huge number of people?. Therefore the third one said to them that I did not use any attractive words to them and I did not compel them but I just told them use all the pleasures of the world and enjoy the life, later you can repent and enter into heaven.

Through these words he could become the king of hell. So dear brothers please do not proponent to repent tomorrow but do it today otherwise there may not have sufficient time. Let us try to keep a great and deep relationship with holy Eucharist and Holy Rosary. Then only we can overcome all our temptations.  

                                                                                               -Bro. Sanchu C.

Reflection - 93

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”(Luke22:42). This is the prayer of Jesus to God the Father. “Prayer is rising of heart and mind towards God” (You cat). Prayer is said as the weapon for all the obstacles in our life. We pray all the day, from the time we wake up and till to bed. Our life is often confirmed with prayer. Bible taught us that “Pray continuously” (Thessalonians 5:17). It does not mean we should pray in knees before the Lord at all times of the day, but to have the presence of God in all our walks, talks and, thoughts.

Now, let’s think about the necessary attitude we need while we pray. Let me ask how do we pray, when we are fond of anything? Lord! Give me that this etc…When there are exams…when there is a need for money… When you want anything… are sad of anything…we sometimes even take penance to get something in our life. I don’t say it is not to have fast and contrition but the way we pray to God should be taken point.

The reason mostly we are not getting our need is said in the letter of James 4:3. “You ask and don’t receive, because you are wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.” We think that we know what is best for us but dear brethren God sees the whole picture, and sometimes He lovingly refuses to give us what we request because, He knows it isn’t according to his perfect plan.

Even at the time after the great suffering Jesus at the cross loudly prays, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:25). Dear brothers this should be our attitude who are called to be another Christ. We should surrender ourselves before God to have his will on our life rather blaming God for not gaining our desires. We should not have an arguing attitude while we pray. Our prayers should also have a surrendering attitude, that Lord let it be happen to me according to your will not my will.

“Lord Jesus Christ,
I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.”
                                                                             
                                                                                                     - Bro. Sajen Varghese