The Living Dead

Even while they are alive some are dead in God’s eyes. The one who rejects one’s loving Father and His home and uses his wealth for his selfish purposes finally reaches the pig’s sty. The wish for worldly comforts and pleasures lead us to lose our lives.

A pig restricts its life’s wish only to gluttony and worldly pleasures. But God raises the hand of the man towards the eternal pleasures of heaven. The ancient serpent cursed to crawl on dust or sand hails man to be an animal showing him all comforts and worldly pleasures. Looking at the man who has lost his way the Lord said “ he is the dead one” He who went in search of worldly pleasures is an unlucky one who was dead before he died. This is what God has to say to all those who search the meaning of man’s existence - “The Son of Man has come not seeking pleasures but to suffer greatly”. He has been resurrected from the furnace of suffering.

From time immemorial, the tempter of pleasures has taken root in our heart. When we restrain from turning to godly life we end up in disgrace and suicide. However, God has made liberation from this and eternal life available to us.
“One who gives himself to pleasure has already died, even though he lives”
(1 Tim. 5:6)

One can evaluate one’s life and failure with Jesus. Those who listen and believe in the words of Jesus have eternal life. The living and dead will hear God’s voice. The voice that has existed from the beginning will obtain for us eternal life. You might be prevented from hearing Jesus’ words and thus believe the tempter; and try to gain comfort or solace in worldly pleasures and evil forces. Jesus came to give life and give it abundantly (John 10:10). When we reject Jesus we choose death. The sons of death, while they are alive, reject Jesus who is life.

The sin of the first man gifted us with death. The earth was spread with death along with the sin. The death of the sinless Jesus provided us with eternal life. St. Paul wrote, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). St. John tells us “Sin is not believing in Jesus” (John 16:9). Belief in Jesus leads us from life to eternal life and disbelief in Jesus leads us from death to eternal hell. “But now that you have been free from sin and enslaved to God the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life.

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:22-23). The word of Satan gives man death and Jesus’ word gives man victory over death (John 8:51, Gen 3:4). The choice between life and death is always before man. Jesus tells everyone on the face of the earth - “I am the life and the resurrection” (John 11: 25). It is in accordance with that link with Jesus that one lives or fails.

Let us pray calling upon Jesus: -
Jesus son of the living God, come to save us who are dead in sin. Send upon us your Holy Spirit. Blow into our nostrils your life giving breath.

Abundant Life

I know a person who owed a debt of ninety lakh rupees. Even after disposing of all the family possessions he was not able to clear his debts. He sold off everything and then onward he would spend one hour every day praying in the church.

After some time he got a few good business offers. Within six months he paid off a debt of fifty lakhs. He was able to come back to a decent position. “My son, do not be anxious because of poverty. You must be faithful to God and avoid falling into sin. If you do what is righteous in God’s sight, you will be blessed with much abundance” (Tobit 4:21)

The life of Job also teaches the same lesson. God had blessed him with many riches. But when His hand was withdrawn the devil came and destroyed everything. Since his faith and trust in God remained unshaken, God gave him back tenfold of everything he had in the beginning. The devil will not have access to the wealth or the person of the one who sincerely prays to God. God will build a wall to protect him and his property.

An alcoholic will meet with disaster. He will drink until the last penny. His own health and his family will be ruined and at the same time he will be drowned in debt. He will be overwhelmed with guilty feelings and self-incrimination and despair, culminating in tragic disaster. Similar is the case with pleasure-seekers, idlers, deceivers, as well as those who get deceived. They all end up in debt and are not able to prosper.

There are people who are not grateful to God for what He gives but instead squander away God’s gifts. To some, God gives in abundance, but sometimes He stops giving.

When He gives plentifully we must save and secure for the future days. In the Old Testament, Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, stated that the seven fat cows indicated seven years of plenty and the seven lean cows meant seven years of famine.

Even in our own lives God keeps on pointing out days of famine and scarcity. We must look for these revelations, we must ask wise people. Thus when we seek to know God’s will, He will forewarn us about future wants.

But for this God has put some pre-conditions: we must obey Him. Because of disobedience Adam and Eve lost Paradise. (Gen. 3:14). When they went after forbidden pleasure they were cast out from prosperity into the world of pain and sweat and dust.

I know a family consisting of father, mother and six children who lived in poverty and struggle. But every day they would all kneel together and holding each other’s hand would recite the rosary. As a result, food and clothes came when they needed them. They were protected from ailments. All the children studied and reached good positions. A family that prays together will not come to face starvation or debts.

If we live in accordance with the teachings of the Bible we shall be prosperous. “He will send rain in season from his rich storehouse in the sky and bless all your work, so that you will lend to many nations, but you will not have to borrow from any. The Lord your God will make you the leader among the nations and not a follower; you will always prosper and never fail if you obey faithfully all his commands that I am giving you today.” (Deut. 28:12-13)

Let us confidently kneel in His presence. He will certainly guard and protect us and make us prosper.

Death Will Be A Gain For You

We are all like a piece of clay that dissolves and disintegrates in the heavy rain. But those who live for Jesus will never face destruction.

All of us are very often influenced by the experiences, thoughts and beliefs of other individuals. But gradually their doctrines also come to an end. We see this in the case of Communism and Naxalism. Those who are unable to accept the changed doctrines keep changing their loyalty to their political parties and drift from one party to another. But the words and teachings of Jesus alone never change or die. The man without God is born into death, like the little baby aborted in the mother’s womb even before they are born into this world.

While we are alive, many people lead us to death by their words. They drown us in despair and grief. But the words of Jesus give us hope and new life. Mother Teresa, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Assisi and many others understood the meaning of the words of Jesus and lived in accordance with His teachings. They are all living in our midst even today.

When various problems arise in life quite a few think that it is a good thing to die. But in reality it is much nobler to overcome the difficulties and survive. Jesus faced and overcame all kinds of difficulties in life:

• POVERTY : He was poor from His birth in a stable up to His death on a cross.

• THREAT : From infancy His life was threatened. Remember Herod sent his men to kill Him.

• HOMELESS : He was born homeless and all His life He wandered homeless fulfilling His Father’s will.

• BETRAYAL : Judas, His own disciple, betrayed Him with a kiss.

• MOCKERY : The rulers mocked Him; the soldiers spat on His face.

• TEMPTATION : In the desert and in Gethsemane

• TORTURE : He was scourged and crowned with thorns.

• SHAME : He was stripped naked.

• CRUELTY : Mercilessly nailed to the cross.

• UNDESERVED DEATH: Even though He was innocent He received death sentence. In this manner overcoming all problems and troubles Jesus accepted death nobly and lives among us today as a shining example.

If we live for Jesus we shall live even after we die. All the worldly gains will be lost at death. If we live only to satisfy our bodies, in the course of time the body will weaken. In old age we shall lose our faith in the body. It will become a burden to ourselves and to others.

If we live for name and fame some day other people will realize it and will talk about it; it will be tantamount to selling our own worth and dignity. Perhaps we may gain some temporary fame, but our successors will not care for us even a bit. An athlete may break all record but his record is not permanent. Others who follow will shatter his record and create new ones. Therefore let us run for God and complete our race in heaven. If we live for money, wealth and worldly possessions the result is the same. We will be foolish in the eyes of God, and not only that others may deprive us of our valuables or the coming generations may squander away what we treasured.

Jesus said, “If anyone will lose his life for my sake or for the sake of the Kingdom he will save it. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” (Mk. 8:35-36) The words of Jesus are spirit and life (Jn. 6:63). If we live in accordance with the words of Jesus we shall obtain eternal life and everlasting peace. The message we shall give to the succeeding generations will be that we lived a life of obedience to the teachings of Jesus.

When we live in union with Jesus, He will satisfy all our wants. Walk with Jesus; live for Jesus, and you will be welcomed into heaven. You will then live and flourish in the hearts and tongues of millions of future generations. Death will be a gain for you; the angels will gaze at you in wonder and admiration because they are confident that you will shower down blessings from heaven to earth.

When the shadow of death approaches you, those in heaven and on earth will look at you with wide open eyes. You shall not die. You will live forever.

Jesus, Mary & Joseph - an example for today’s families

There are many people who do not have a definite knowledge about how to be a good father or an ideal mother, or how to bring up children in the proper way. The Bible contains sufficient teaching in order to create a holy atmosphere in the home. God gives us the Holy Family as a model.

We find the example of an ideal family in Jesus, Mary and Joseph. If we watch them and listen to them carefully we can lead a good family life. Joseph accepted Mary as his wife knowing that it was the will of God. A good husband is the one who seeks God’s will. From Joseph we learn that we should not put to shame the wife whom God gives. Joseph “did not want to disgrace Mary”(Mt.1:19). The husband is bound to accept as wife the woman whom God gives him. In time of doubt without giving in to grief Joseph prayed to God. God intervened and removed his doubts. When doubts or suspicions arise in a family the husband as well as the wife should listen to the voice of God.]

Having heard God’s voice, in spite of great sacrifice, Joseph took Mary and infant Jesus into exile in Egypt. He did not grumble. Being the head of the family Joseph had to select the place God showed him in order to save the mother and child from the hands of the enemy. In the same way every head of the family ought to protect the members of his family from dangers. He should keep them away from places that may be detrimental to their innocence, from friends and neighbours who may lead them to sin.

When God spoke through her husband Mary obeyed him and took the child and went with him to Egypt. An ideal wife should pray to God to grant through the husband proper place, environment and protection needed for the family. Both Mary and Joseph went together to present Jesus in the Temple. From this we learn that parents should be united in bringing children according to Divine Will. It is good for children’s spiritual growth if parents accompany the children in going to Church festivals. “They went to the festival as usual”(Lk.2:42).

The parents must pray and make sincere effort to instill in their children interest and attraction for holy matters. Instruct them in divine things from their childhood. When Jesus was only twelve years of age the temple authorities were dismayed at his replies. Later He had to face a lot of trials. Like Jesus up to about thirty years children will go through severe trials and temptations. They will have to face temptations from the devil, from worldly desires, greed for power and concupiscence of the flesh.

In these circumstances the parents must be there to strengthen the children. It is necessary that parents should help, protect and pray for the children to overcome the devil’s temptations. They must stand by them in their success and failures. Mary was with Jesus during his ministry and His passion and death. The Word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit are necessary to overcome the devil. Children must be taught and reminded of the desert experience of Jesus. If you lead a family life in this manner your children will be blessed.

Through your children you and your posterity will receive glory before God. There has never been a son like Jesus; and there have never been parents comparable to those of Jesus. Try to bring up your children in the Love of God like Jesus and pray for the fruits of Divine grace.

God, our Father

There is no Father like our Father in heaven. Our thought about the Father can go wrong, but Truth in its fullness is revealed through Jesus.

I was going to a parish near Boston from the Port Authority bus stand in New York. I wish to share with you an incident – rather a God experience which I had during that journey.

I have been, of late, pondering over and contemplating on the relationship of Jesus with His Father and his revelations about the Father. I have noticed some specialities in the prayer of Jesus to his Father in the Bible. The first one of these is that Jesus always began his prayer, addressing ‘Father’. Secondly, the Gospel writer tells us that he prayed lifting his eyes to heaven and calling out to his Father (Lk 9:16; 22:42; 23:34; Jn 11:41; 17:1). In spite of all our limitations, Jesus revealed his Father to us through the Word of God and through many of His deeds.

I have been praying repeating the words Jesus uttered about the Father. “Your Father who sees your prayer in secret will reward you” (Mt. 6:6). Your Father who sees you giving alms in secret promises you a reward (Mt. 6:3,4). Your good works should lead to the glorification of the Father (Mt. 5:16). “The Father will give you all that you ask for in the name of Jesus” (Jn 14:13,14). I used to pray repeating these verses. I have been meditating over the glorious work of the Father during my five hour journey from New York to Boston.

During that time I heard a voice above my head, ‘I am God the Father’. God the Father was revealed to me by way of an audible voice! Whatever the Father reveals, has to be revealed to others. The Father has revealed himself to us through Jesus. “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30). “The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves” (Jn 14:10-11).

On calling out to God the Holy Spirit, we will be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit which will enable us to call out God the Father, according to the epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians and Galatians. “For all who are led by the spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom 8:15).

“And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of His son into our hearts crying Abba Father!” (Gal 4:6). John’s Gospel reminds us that the Father who loves Jesus loves us too. “Those who love me will keep my Word and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (Jn 14:23). God desires that all should call him Father and it has been revealed in the Old Testament through prophet Jeremiah. We will take those words of Jeremiah as direct utterances to us. “I thought how I would set you among my children, and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful heritage of all the nations. And I thought you would call me ‘My Father’ and would not turn from following me” (Jer 3:19).

Let us call him Father lovingly and fulfill his wish! Thus God will become our Father and we his children. There is no Father like our Father in heaven. “And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father – the one in heaven” (Mat. 23:9).Our thought about the Father can go wrong, but Truth in its fullness is revealed through Jesus. Let us grow in prayer through the prayer of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. God the Father speaks to us. God the Father who revealed everything to Jesus, living in Him and talking through Him, abides in us in the name of Jesus and speaks through us and acts through us.

Let us wait in prayer for the God experience and to receive graces that befit the children of God in order to grow in our faith in God the Father following the prayers of prophets and disciples who called out to our Father. Like Jesus who sought the will of the Father through prayer at dawn as well as dusk, we too will keep aside a good amount of time, seeking God in the calmness as well as turbulence of our day-to-day life. We will pray to the Almighty who is God of all time and season, to unite us in Him in His mercy.