Jesus the way to Heaven

A short reflection on "in the eyes of Jesus" Synopsis:- Jesus cures a blind man at Bethsaida (Mk. 8:22-26) > People get the blind man to Jesus > Jesus leads him out of the village > Puts saliva on his eyes and lays hands on him > Inquires if he can see > He sees people but in the form of trees walking > Jesus lays His hands on his eyes second time > Sight is restored again  Reflection:-  This is the only episode in the Bible where you will find Jesus laying His hands twice on a man. Why didn't it not work at the first time itself?? This was the question asked to me by my friend as I was pondering on this topic "In the eyes of Jesus" for days together. Well, it's no accident that this topic relates to this episode. The main question to think is "why did Jesus take the blind man out of the village?" If you read the previous chapters the Pharisees and Scribes asks Jesus to show signs; wherein, just a moment ba...

A short reflection on Jesus the Advocate  Synopsis:- > Some do good things in life, will they go to Heaven? > Some are really bad people, will they go to Heaven? > Some are good initially, but turn bad later; will they go to Heaven? > Some bad people come to their senses at the point of death, will they go to Heaven? Reflection:- As I sat to contemplate on this topic, it took me days to jump into logical conclusions over Jesus as our Advocate. All these days Jesus Kept inspiring me that He loves each one of us and will forgive us even at our death point! In the gospel of John, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Advocate; " But the Advocate , the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. John 14:26 NRSV ". Whereas in 1 John 2:1 we find Jesus as the Advocate.  So now what is the role of this advocate? Will Jesus justify on behalf of every person on account of hi...

Short reflection on Jesus choosing his 1st disciples and followed by Apostles   Synopsis:-   [ Mt 4:18-22; Mt 9:9-13] > Jesus calls Simon and Andrew while they had just retired for the day from fishing > Jesus calls Levi or Matthew while he was sitting at the tax booth > Before both incidents Jesus prayed in a deserted place or mountains > Finally Jesus appoints Apostles   Reflection:- (1) The call of Jesus came to Simon, Andrew and Levi while they were busy with their own jobs. We too sometimes feel like once we are old we can work for the Lord, whilst the old people say the younger generation is full of energy and so they can serve God. The call can come anytime, but we need to respond it soon. Or else it will be a misscall. There is a huge difference between the one who chooses to follow Christ alone and others later and the one who keeps his foot in two boats. In the exhortation of Pope Francis' call to holiness he says that, one m...

Short reflection on the question about fasting   Synopsis:- (Mk 2: 18-22) > Pharisees and disciples of John fast > Jesus' don't > They question Jesus > Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. > Key statement :- The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. Mark 2:20 > Compares to (1) Old cloak and new cloak And (2) old wine and new wine   Reflection:- This Bible scripture gives three important revelations i.e. about fasting, double-masked personalities and Old and new life in Christ. Many youth these days play PUBG, what's this game all about?? And why the mention?? This game is basically about fighting with 96 others to win the Chicken Dinner.  Well, our lives are no different than this. We all get one life and our goal is Heaven. We hurt ourselv...

Short reflection on whom to fear   Synopsis:- (Mt. 10: 26-27) > Do not fear persecution > What Jesus tells you in dark, tell in the light > And what you here whispered you proclaim > Fear God > You are worthy for God > Acknowledge Jesus before others and He will acknowledge you before God Reflection:- Nowadays, in India when we hear of Christians being persecuted, it brings terror in front of our eyes. Some of us will say to themselves, "let's not get involved into such matters and better flee from them". Like how the Konkani saying goes " Apun apnak Dev somestank'"  [ meaning "me for myself and God for others"]. Let's admit it, we all fear such things at some point or the other. So how does Jesus look at us? A Superman or probably an Ironman or some other superhero?  Jesus never even thinks of our body/flesh. What matters to Him is our soul. God has breathed His Spirit into our soul and therefore that's ...