Jesus the way to Heaven

A short reflection on wearing masks We all have secrets hidden in our lives and we often put masks over our face to hide them. We keep our friend circle small and share it with a few. But alas! It's gone out like a gas-perfume. How do I know whom to trust in life? Read more to find out... According to the Bible, it is okay to not to share about your life with others. Often we are confused with the dilemma on whom to trust my secrets with and whom not to trust. Sometimes, we might have been left dismayed by that fact that we actually let it out to someone and whether that secret is going to remain a secret or not? So it triggers our trust factor while dealing with people since then. And hence we wear masks! I believe, each person is a born actor/actresses. Because your life might be a haywire, but you hide it with a smile. We all know whom to share what, regarding our lives. And it's correct to do so. I'll give some points in this blog to help you out:- 1...

How to cope with frustrations and disappointments? Key Scripture:- I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11 NRSV Reflection:- This topic made me contemplate for days together as things were running haywire in my life. I sat down frustrated with things, not knowing what to do with life. One way Jesus says "surrender your burdens to Me" and the other way, I try my best to cope with the frustration. This blog is all about that! As days went by, one morning the Lord spoke to me saying, "All these things that are happening in your life are to mortify you, to make you pure and to examine your faith. Trust in me, for you are my Child and I love you!". These words of hope gave me sudden joy and I was at peace amidst all the turmoil.  We all go through frustrating moments, and then we exclaim, "why Lord why??? Why all bad things are happening only with me??" This reminds me of w...

A short reflection on Jesus and Beelzebul Synopsis:- (Lk. 11:14-23; Mt. 12:22-32; Mk. 3: 19b - 30) > Jesus casts a demon from a mute person > He starts to speak and people get amazed > But, Pharisees and Scribes say that it's done by the power of Beelzebul- ruler of the demons > While some demand for a sign from heaven > Jesus knows their thoughts and says, " every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house". > If Satan is divided then even he can't stand > Jesus inquires about their exorcists' authority to cast demons > The ones whom you hold your belief on becomes your judge > Jesus speaks about finger of God in removing the demon > And hence, the proclaimation of kingdom of God > Analogy of strong man and another even stronger him. > " Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters". Reflection:- In this episode we see Jesus be...

A short reflection on life as a Dust and Spirit filled life.   Synopsis:-  > God forms man from the dust of the ground > Breathes breath of life > The man is alive! > A man born blind in Jn. 9 regains sight after Jesus spits on the ground and mixes up mud and applies it on the eye and the man washes his eyes in water Reflection:- As I was driving back home and praying as usual for an inspiration for the next blog, I uttered these words, "Lord Jesus! I'm a man of dust, and until you send forth your breath of life I won't be Spiritually alive". In short, I was praying for the fresh in-filling of the Holy Spirit. Since baptism and after Confirmation we already have the Holy Spirit in us? So why the fresh in-filling? As bro. Colin once nicely analogized regarding this to regular refilling of petrol to run a bike or car. We all are made of two components:- God formed us from dust but only after breathing into the nostrils i.e. the Holy ...

Reflection on Jesus' intervention with a Rich Ruler and Zacchaeus   Synopsis:- Luke 18:18-25 & 19:1-10 > The Rich ruler calls Jesus "Good Teacher". Whereas Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name. > Rich ruler keeps all the commandments whereas Zacchaeus was a public sinner ( Tax collectors would be usually called public sinners at that time because they would charge high customs, taxes, etc from people ) > Both of them are told to be very rich persons > Jesus requests rich ruler to sell his belongings and do charity; whereas, Zacchaeus voluntarily says he will give half possessions to the poor + repay 4 times those whom he might have cheated. > Rich ruler became sad and left while Zacchaeus earned Salvation for his house.   Reflection:- These contrasting Rich people's lives and their actions gives us a lot of understanding. We always are hungry for knowledge and more knowledge in the world, by saying this I in no way condemn gaining ...

A short reflection on stumbling blocks Note:-  Freeze-bee labeled as "goal" which deviated and the dog crashed into the photographer  Synopsis:- (Mt. 18:6-9) > Jesus hates if you put stumbling blocks before his children > A milestone around the neck and the Sea will be his reward i.e death > But stumbling blocks are always bound to come > But Jesus hates the one by whom it is caused > If your hand leads you to sin, cut it off  > If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out > For you shall save your soul from eternal fire 🔥 Reflection:- Often we hear this common phrase from people i.e., "I could not make it for the retreat or a prayer meeting due to some personal reasons". And then the person goes on to say, "probably it was Satan who put the stumbling block ahead of me!" As a small kid when I used to go to listen to talks from one brother, the meetings suddenly stopped happening. And I wondered why? So the lady ...

Reflection on "The Holy Eucharist" We Catholics go for mass every Sunday or some make it a point to go each and every day. But do we feel a "sense of celebration" in partaking in this Sacrament? Does the mass come alive to us?  Are we worthy to receive Christ while in mortal or venial sins? From where do we know the authenticity of the set structure that we follow nowadays in the churches?  Read to find out more in this wonderful revelations by the Holy Spirit in this article. Like how we Goans (people who reside in Goa, India) love our fish, curry and rice; the middle East countries love their breads to the core. From ancient times people have been making breads and giving thanks to God for it. Even the first book of the Bible speaks of the "bread" in Genesis: By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 NRSV ...