Sunday, December 01, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

First Sunday of Advent, Day of Liturgical Apostolate. 

First Reading : Isaiah 2:1-5; Second Reading : Psalm 121[122]:1-9; Romans 13:11-14; Gospel : Matthew 24:37-44. [Please share today's Gospel.]

First Reading : 

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, The mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths." For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

Psalm 122:1-9

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the Lord's house.” And now we are here, standing inside the gates of Jerusalem! Jerusalem is a city restored in beautiful order and harmony. This is where the tribes come, the tribes of Israel, to give thanks to the Lord according to his command. Here the kings of Israel sat to judge their people. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. May there be peace inside your walls and safety in your palaces.” For the sake of my relatives and friends I say to Jerusalem, “Peace be with you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God I pray for your prosperity.

Second Reading : 

Psalm 121

I look to the mountains;

where will my help come from?

My help will come from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let you fall;
your protector is always awake.
The protector of Israel
never dozes or sleeps.
The Lord will guard you;
he is by your side to protect you.

The sun will not hurt you during the day,
nor the moon during the night.
The Lord will protect you from all danger;
he will keep you safe.
He will protect you as you come and go
now and forever.

Romans 13:11-14

You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed. The night is nearly over, day is almost here. Let us stop doing the things that belong to the dark, and let us take up weapons for fighting in the light. Let us conduct ourselves properly, as people who live in the light of day—no orgies or drunkenness, no immorality or indecency, no fighting or jealousy. But take up the weapons of the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop paying attention to your sinful nature and satisfying its desires.

Gospel Matthew 24:37-44

The coming of the Son of Man will be like what happened in the time of Noah. In the days before the flood people ate and drank, men and women married, up to the very day Noah went into the boat; yet they did not realize what was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes. At that time two men will be working in a field: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. Two women will be at a mill grinding meal: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come. If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house. So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.

Focus: "Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42)

Fruit: Today, I will try and do something good for someone I know, perhaps the one I love least.

Saturday, November 30, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of St. Andrew. 

Romans 10:9-18; Psalm 18[19]:2-5; Gospel : Mathew 4:18-22. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  'The same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on Him' (Romans 10:12)

It is easy to be confused by many things we see or hear.  Should we believe it or not?  If we believe, whom should we believe?  The first reading says, "Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).  Therefore, the easy way to know what to believe and what not to, is to ask, "Is it true to the word of God?"  We should not choose to believe anything that is against Christ or that separates us from him.

God gives us faith to believe, without checking our caste or religion.  He does not distinguish by color or beauty.  He is the only one who is 'generous to all' without discrimination (Focus).    St. Andrew, a simple fisherman, was one of the apostles more closely attached to Jesus.  He was present on many important occasions during Jesus' ministry.  he confessed with his lips and believed in his heart 'that Jesus is Lord' (Romans 10:9).      

Andrew suffered willingly to preach the gospel and was martyred by crucifixion in the city of Patras, Greece.  Like Andrew, can we say Yes to the Lord?  Can we work to bring the Good News to others?  "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"  (Romans 10:15)

Fruit:  The Lord can strengthen my faith and help me build the faith of those around me.

[A new Liturgical Year begins tomorrow]

Friday, November 29, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa.  

Daniel 7:2-14; Psalm Daniel 3:75-81; Gospel : Luke 21:29-33. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “When you see these things…. You know that the kingdom of God is near:” (Luke 21:31)

The Focus confirms that ‘Jesus announced the judgment of the Last Day in His preaching’ (CCC 678).  Jesus also asked us to judge the end times by the signs, much as we may discern the nearness of summer by sprouting leaves (Luke 21:30).

The witnessing zeal of the early believers was rooted in their expectation that the Lord might return at any time and they must always be ready to receive him.  Yet end-time readings (eschatology) are often not taken seriously amongst us.  They are even viewed with silent derision and skeptical humour.  But the word of God says otherwise.  Do these signs apply to us today: ‘In the last days… People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power’ (2 Timothy 3:1-5)?

The Magisterium is clear that ‘since the Ascension God’s plan has entered into its fulfillment.  We are already at “the last hour”…the final age of the world is with us’ and Christ’s second coming could occur at any time (CCC 670).

May our lamps be filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit so that when the Bridegroom comes the door will not be shut on us!

Fruit:  The message of the Last Judgment calls us to conversion.  ‘It inspires a holy fear of God’ (CCC 1041). 

Thursday, November 28, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa.  

Daniel 6:12-28; Psalm Daniel 3:68-74; Gospel : Luke 21:20-28. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “He is the living God…he delivers and rescues” (Daniel 6:26-27)

Prayer is an intimate interaction between God and us.  It helps us experience God’s love in daily life.  Daniel knew the importance of prayer and prayed thrice a day (Dan 6:13).  Nothing could stop him from praying because he believed in the living God.  Even in the lions’ den.  In the most deadly and imminent danger, he put his trust in God and not in his own ability.  We see the happy outcome of the king’s hope in God (Daniel 6:16) and Daniel’s shining faith.  Even the hungry lions behaved and ‘no kind of harm was found’ on Daniel (Daniel 6:23)!

What about our attitude?  Are we rooted and grounded in God’s love? Can the people around us see the glory of God, His mercy and compassion, in us and through our actions?

Many times when we are in trouble we fail to depend on God.  Perhaps we try to solve things our way.  But Daniel’s experience teaches us to trust like him.  His faithfulness even led to the king to write a decree of faith in God (Focus).  In the same way our own visible belief in the goodness and mercy of God can help out brothers and sisters of little faith come closer to the Lord.

Fruit:  Today can I help someone increase their trust in God through my faith in action – by doing something helpful or simply by assuring them that the Lord is always near?

Wednesday, November 27, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of Holy Crucifix. 

Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; Psalm 77[78]:1-2, 34-38; Gospel : John 3:13-17.  OR Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Psalm Daniel 3:62-67; Gospel : Luke 21:12-19. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “So must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15)

The cross is a favorite while naming chapels and churches, in every Christian home and workplace there’s always a cross.  And it is our most common religious adornment.  Why is it so special? For one thing it was the cruel device used to put our Savior to death.  But that’s not all.

The cross symbolizes and summarizes our faith as nothing else can.  Even an illiterate who cannot read the Bible has only to look at the cross to understand what Christianity is all about.   It serves as a signpost – showing the direction our lives need to take.  It is also about humility in the Spirit, repellent to all who are proud.  Is that why it is the main aid in exorcism?

More than anything  Jesus, by his death and resurrection, converted the cross from a symbol of defeat to a sign of victory (Gospel).  The Israelites who were dying after being bitten by poisonous snakes in the desert had only to gaze at the bronze serpent on the pole, and believe in God’s Promise, to survive (Numbers 21:9).  Shouldn’t we sinners who deserve death also lift up the crucified Christ and gaze lovingly at Him (Focus)?

Fruit:  When I pray, let me look up at the cross and believe in a very special way in the man Jesus – the Son of God – over whom death had no power.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa.  

Daniel 2:31-45; Psalm Daniel 3:57-61; Gospel : Luke 21:5-11. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “Do not be terrified” (Luke 21:9)

God knows how easily we frail human beings become frightened.  A statue in a dream was enough to scare mighty king Nebuchadnezzar (First Reading).  That is why throughout the Bible God asks us not to fear (Focus).

Yet, doesn’t our heart skip a beat each time we hear of wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues (Luke 21:9-11)?  In the midst of such alarming occurrences, we are to bless the Lord.  In today’s Psalm, the whole creation, from the heavens to the waters above the heavens, and the angels, indeed all powers of the Lord are called to bless the Lord.  Do we bless the Lord?

When we praise the Lord we acknowledge His authority over all our circumstances.  It is amazing that when we bless the Lord all our fears and worries dissolve in the sunshine of the Most High.  Like the huge and extraordinarily brilliant statue (Daniel 2:31) that turned out to be only a dream, all our fears become like chaff and are blown away by our praises.  Indeed, “not a hair of (our) head will perish” (Luke 21:18).

It is unfortunate that the praises of the Lord rarely escape our lips.  Yet in the Bible, especially in the Psalms, God exhorts us to praise Him always.  Can we bless the Lord today?  Can we surrender all our fears to him?

Fruit:  I will banish fear by remembering God’s goodness and mercy every moment of my life and praise Him without ceasing.

Monday, November 25, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria. 

Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Psalm Daniel 3:52-56; Gospel : Luke 21:1-4. 
In Old Goa: Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 125[126]: 1-6; 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, 11:1-2; Gospel : Mathew 10:28-33. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “She out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4)

A story is told about a man who declared that if he had two houses, he would give one to the poor, if he had two shops, one would go to the poor. “And what if you had two cars,” someone asked, idly.  “NO.” said the man. “Why not?” “Because I have two cars!” the man replied.

Our generosity is often wishful thinking. The widow (today’s Gospel) was probably very poor.  Social conditions for widows were, at the time, terribly unjust.  They are somewhat better in our own day, but there are still millions of women unemployed, uneducated, shunned as harbingers of bad luck – because they have lost their husband.

Even if this particularly reprehensible kind of injustice is being gradually righted, the poor remain in our midst, often because we meanly grudge them a generous wage.  We might cheerfully spend more on a formal set of clothes that we are prepared to pay as a monthly wage to our domestic help.

If we were to follow this particular poor widow whom Jesus points out and commends (Focus) back home from the temple, would we find her in despair? Rather, from her gesture of giving all she had, we witness her absolute trust in God’s providence.

Fruit:  Can we give with the same understanding that God pleads with us to be generous, and not to be afraid, because He is the Provider?

Sunday, November 24, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King. 

2 Samuel 5:1-3; Psalm 121[122]:1-2, 4-5; Colossians 1:12-20; Gospel : Luke 23:35-43. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42)

In today’s Gospel, we see the contrast between the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus on Calvary.  One, showing no sign of remorse, arrogantly challenges Jesus.  The other knows that they both deserve the cross, but Jesus though innocent, was being crucified.  He asks the Lord for mercy (Focus).

We often blame circumstances and other people for our sinfulness.  How do we compare with the two criminals: are we like the arrogant one or the repentant one?  Do we acknowledge our sinfulness and plead for mercy?

Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King.  Our King is not the typical earthly king or ruler.  He loves each one of us passionately.  He wants that we should all share His glory and joy in His heavenly kingdom.  What do we intend to do about it?  How do we plan to acknowledge and pay homage to Jesus as our King?

Let us take a moment to reflect.  We ‘who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds’ have now been reconciled by Christ (Colossians 1:21).  It is he who can present us ‘holy and blameless and irreproachable’ before Himself (Colossians 1:22).  The question is: Can we give up our pride and arrogance and accept His salvation?

Fruit:  Are we ready to seek forgiveness so that we too can hear Jesus say, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43)?

Saturday, November 23, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of St. Clement I, St. Columban. 

1 Maccabees 6:1-13; Psalm 9:2-4, 6, 16, 19; Gospel : Luke 20:27-40. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels” (Luke 20:36)

The Hindi movie Paa tells the touching tale of a young boy who ages prematurely and then dies. It brings into sharp focus the frailty of the human body, and how short life as we know it can be. Yet as Christians we believe that our earthly bodies – often the cause of much suffering, illness and misery – will surely receive glorious new bodies that will never fall ill, grow old or decay (Focus).

Like the Sadducees in today’s Gospel, many are skeptical about life after death (Luke 20:27), even contending that Christ’s resurrection is only a quaint myth. However, we Christians know that the resurrection was real – it signifies Christ’s triumph over sickness and death. We have a living hope in Jesus. We know that “He is God not of the dead, but of the living” (Luke 20:38). He reveals that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32). He tells us about a new life after death. He also invites us to do whatever it takes to attain it.

Christ’s death and resurrection obtained forgiveness for our sins. He ensured forever that life’s sorrows and shattered dreams are not final. All we need to do is repent.

Fruit:  Let us strive to overcome our earthly limitations by Godly conduct so that we may inherit and share perfect communion with God forever.

Friday, November 22, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of St. Cecilia. 

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; Psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-12; Gospel : Luke 19:45-48. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  ‘All the people fell on their faces and worshipped’ (1 Maccabees 4:55)

Victory is often the reason for great rejoicing and celebration. We know the joy when a goal is scored or a wicket falls or a century is achieved or an Oscar is won. Each person reacts differently.

In today’s First Reading we see how military victory was celebrated by Judas and his brothers. They decided to cleanse and dedicate the Lord’s sanctuary.  They rose and offered sacrifice. All fell on their faces and blessed God ‘who had prospered them’ (1 Maccabees 4:55).

We have experienced the victory of God in our lives so many times: good results, pay hikes, problems solved, impossible situations resolved. We may react in different ways. We can be boastful or we can glorify God and acknowledge His hand in it, and praise His greatness, His mercy and His love. Can we also use the opportunity to cleanse (today’s Gospel) and dedicate ourselves – temples of the Holy Spirit – more fully to God through the sacrament of reconciliation?

On Good Friday, the priests prostrate themselves before the altar. Muslims do it daily in their prayers. Is it time to reflect? Do we worship God and acknowledge His power? Do we attribute our prosperity to Him? When was the last time we fell on our faces (or even our knees) to worship Him for His blessings in our lives?

Fruit:  Can I today just praise and thank God giving me the gift of Life?

Thursday, November 21, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Zechariah 2:14-17[10-13]; Psalm Luke 1:46-55; Gospel : Mathew 12:46-50. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  ‘I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord’ (Zechariah 2:14[10])

I often am moved to tears when I think of how deeply God loved us – that He sent His only Son to save us (John 3:16). By this the infinite actually became finite – something we can see, touch, hear and even taste. What tremendous love God had that He so trusted us! Yet all this became possible only because of Mary’s Yes. Surely, all generations will call her blessed (Luke 1:48).

If we believe that God lives amongst us (Focus), and that all things happen through Him, our life will be truly blessed. To disguise this, the devil tries to make God seem distant, causing us to act as if we must struggle alone with our problems.

We need to be careful when we observe the fruits of our actions. We need to realize that whatever brings strange restlessness , anxiety, fear or doubt does not come from God but from the evil one. God always sows good seed but the enemy, Satan, sows the weed. If God Himself promises to dwell with us then He will come with love, joy, peace and happiness.

On the feast of the Presentation of Mary, let us thank God and consecrate our lives to Him. That is truly the will of the Father in heaven (Mathew 12:50).

Fruit:  Can I live today constantly remembering that God is dwelling in my heart? Let me listen to His quiet inner voice. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa.  

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31; Psalm 16[17]:1, 5-6, 8, 15; Gospel : Luke 19:11-28. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “…until I come back” (Luke 19:13)

We know by faith that God became man, but how much do we understand of the Incarnation, the Ascension, or the Second Coming? We cannot comprehend how someone complete and eternal could fully live our life, restricted by time and place, among other things. Neither could those around Jesus. So He spoke in parables involving place – “a distant country” (Luke 19:12) – and time – “until I come back” (Focus).

Jesus did not leave us orphans although, in the Ascension, He “went to a distant country to get royal power” (Luke 19:12). He lives with us and yet He will come back. Like the slaves in today’s Gospel, we know that we have limited time within which to prove our worth. It is not our concern when our day of reckoning will come. We daily need to do our best and to acknowledge that we owe all to God. Our life itself, our talents, resources and opportunities are the ‘pound’ God gave us to trade with. As the heroic mother says in the First Reading, “It was not I who gave you life and breath” (2 Maccabees 7:22).

It is easy to see the third slave’s attitude (Luke 19:20-21) for what it is: ugly. When we refuse to be fruitful in good works just because another will reap, do we recognize the ugliness of the same attitude?

Fruit:  When the Lord comes, can I truly say, ‘I shall behold Your face in righteousness’ (Psalm 16[17]:15)?

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Tuesday, November 19, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa.  

2 Maccabees 6:18-31; Psalm 3:2-7; Gospel : Luke 19:1-10. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “I must stay at your house today” (Luke 19:5)

Jesus never condemned a sinner – neither the adulterous woman (John 8:11) nor Zacchaeus (today’s Gospel). It is this non-condemning, unconditional, accepting love that gives a sinner the courage to emerge from a sinful situation.

There was a time when I struggled to resist a particular weakness. I tried hard, prayed and did penance, but to no avail. Then one day, as I read today’s Gospel passage, what struck me was the incredible love that Jesus has for sinners. Imagine, telling someone as sinful and despised as Zacchaeus, “I will stay with you” (Focus)! I am sure even Zacchaeus could not believe his ears. But Jesus’ gesture made him repent and give up his sinful ways, resulting in his own and his family’s salvation. In a similar way, I was so overwhelmed with the love of Jesus that I was able to come out of my sin.

God is always close to the righteous, like Eleazar, the martyr of today’s First Reading. But Jesus was sent specially to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). That is why, when someone else is able to overcome sin, we must not grumble or object, as did the people surrounding Jesus (v. 7). Instead, the Lord exhorts us to encourage them and accept them in our midst.

Fruit:  When struggling with a sinful situation let us spend quiet time with the Lord and feel His unconditional love enveloping us – and the sinful habit fade away.

Monday, November 18, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul. 

1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-64; Psalm 118[119]:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158; Gospel : Luke 18:35-43. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41)

In today’s First Reading, king Antiochus Epiphanes wanted to do away with the Jewish forms of worship. He ordered everyone in his kingdom to give up their individual customs and adopt his own. Many blindly obeyed.

Herd mentality is as common today as it ever was, despite the advancement of education and culture. Following a certain political leader, buying the latest smartphone, rushing for seats in a particular college or for government jobs – these are a few examples. Of greater concern is a herd mentality in living our religion. Perhaps many of us go to church, recite prayers and novenas, or even attend retreats because others around us are doing so. This, however, contradicts the essence of our faith, which is a personal relationship with our Lord.

A clear instance of Jesus’ desire to be close to each one of us, individually, is seen in today’s Gospel. In spite of the crowds following Him, He stopped and asked the blind man who was eager to meet Him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Jesus is not a Lord for whom every follower is the same. To Him, each disciple is special. He asks each of us the same question today. And if we respond in faith, He will surely do what we ask, just as He healed the blind man.

Fruit:  What is my response to the question (Focus) that Jesus asks me today?

Sunday, November 17, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Day of Mass Media Apostolate. 

Malachi 3:19-20; Psalm 97[98]:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Gospel : Luke 21:5-19. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  ‘… an example to imitate’ (2 Thessalonians 3:9).

A father instructs his son: “Tell them I am not at home,” even though he is; or boasts, “I made a profit today, the salesman erroneously billed me Rs. 100/- less!” or abuses his wife and belittles her in public. The same father wonders why his son lies, cheats, steals and shows women scant respect.

In the second reading, St. Paul, warning against idleness, wants to emphasize the importance of giving a good example (Focus).

Jesus himself set an example of compassion: He healed the sick, fed thousands of hungry people and restored a widow’s only son to life. He was sensitive: He physically touched the ostracized leper who had suffered deep rejection (Mathew 8:3). He listened to the cry of the blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47). He spoke out against wrongdoing (see ‘Woes’ – Mathew 23:13ff). In Zacchaeus He sought the unloved of society. He showed true friendship by accepting Peter despite his denials. He often spent the night in prayer. He had respect for women’s dignity, as seen in His dealing with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1ff). His was an unceasing ministry: “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). He forgave those who tortured and crucified Him (Luke 23:34). His ultimate sacrifice of love was His passion and death.

Fruit:  What sort of example do I set where I am placed? Am I aware that others can imitate my example – good or bad?

Saturday, November 16, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of St. Margaret of Scotland or St. Gertrude. 

Wisdom 18:14-16, 19:6-9; Psalm 104[105]:2-3, 36-37, 42-43; Gospel : Luke 18:1-8. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “Will not God grant justice to His chosen ones who cry to Him day and night?” (Luke 18:7)

Widows have a special place in God’s heart (Psalm 145[146]:9). Once, in the temple, Jesus praised how a widow put her earnings into the treasury. At another time, He felt deep compassion when a widow’s son was being taken for burial. And in today’s Gospel, He holds up a widow as an eloquent example of persistence and trust. 

When a widow loses her husband her world often falls apart. Her life companion is gone and life seems empty. In this vulnerable state, she easily falls prey to land sharks and others with evil intent. That is why she exemplifies misery. In her wretchedness, she must depend on the mercy of the supreme judge, God.

Today, Jesus invites us to the same dependence and trust in Him. When overburdened with extreme trials and the perplexities of life, we should throw ourselves at His feet, supplicating Him again and again and trusting Him without reserve (Focus). We know that He will not abandon us. We have a wonderful example in St. Monica, whose ceaseless prayers won the salvation of her husband and her son.

Let us also not be found wanting in mercy towards those in need, but rather do as Jesus would. Let us always give the helpless their due, especially just and merciful treatment.

Fruit:  From the depths I call to you, O Lord, listen to my cry…

Friday, November 15, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa.

Feast of St. Albert the Great.

Wisdom 13:1-9; Psalm 18[19]:2-5; Gospel : Luke 17:26-37. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  ‘If they had the power to know so much… how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?’ (Wisdom 13:9)

“Where is God?” “He does not exist! He is a figment of the imagination.” These are some of the opinions we often hear. Many people try to deny and even defy the existence of God.  And yet, with limited knowledge and understanding, they also struggle to grasp the mystery of the universe.

How can anyone deny the existence of God? ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God’ (Psalm 18:2[19:1]). Indeed all created things offer a clear ‘perception of their Creator’ (Wisdom 13:5).

What about us? Do we declare God’s glory or deny His existence with the knowledge we posses about the universe? Someone has rightly said, “Education without God makes one a clever devil.” How true this is if all our learning cannot help us appreciate the greatness and awesome power of God in His creation (Focus).

And so while we make stunning discoveries in the universe, more often than not we don’t want to attribute it to God. We don’t want the stamp of the Creator on His creation. If we can understand so much about the universe then certainly we are without excuse to discern and know God!

Fruit:  Let me reflect on one aspect of creation (e.g.: sun, sea, seasons or storms). Does it reveal to me the glory, wisdom and power of the Creator and lead me to praise Him?

Divine Retreat Centre, Kerala, India.

NOVEMBER 2013 MONTHLY REFLECTION

“MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?”

(Psalm 22:1)

Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.'s November 2013 Monthly Reflection -  "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?"(Psalm 22:1),  [繁體中文版  / 简体中文版 /Deutsch], is an inspiring and spiritually enlightening reflection for every Catholic of thee salvific value of our human suffering that brings about maturity in our faith. 

"Often, we are lost wondering why God should be so indifferent to our prayers and our problems. We believe and we pray because we have the Scriptural exhortation - "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7:7)  This is a promise that the Lord Himself urges us to take on and yet there are moments when we ask and nothing is given; and when we knock and the door of Heaven seems tightly shut. Often we look for His Face and God seems to be far away from us…There is a mystery here and this is the mystery of faith!"

"It is often that we want things our way. We are intent on God honouring our timetable. We are puzzled why there is not God’s instant answer to our prayer because our expectations are set in a time frame of our life which we have fixed. It would be good for us to pause and consider whether we are really sure that what we have planned would be the best for us. When we thus wait giving God a space to speak into our way of thinking and living, we will mature in faith. Waiting always releases maturity into our lives. St. Paul explains this, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.” (Romans 5:3-5) It is during suffering that we must wait for the Lord. It is in such maturity of waiting that our suffering can be transformed to joy."

"When we strike a bad patch and experience a difficult time, we are terrified imagining that it is an extreme test to our faith. God’s Word is there to assure us that there is a Divine Purpose behind every such trial and suffering that we are put through. It is the trial by fire, the attestation of our faith by which we shall bear the fruits of maturity. In the journey of our lives, we are bound to traverse occasions when circumstances will be unfavourable. In such moments, it is our mature, consummate faith what will enable us to hold on, never giving up on God. How can we establish ourselves on this sure foundation of a firm faith? St. Peter affirms that it is the trials of life that will prove us and make our faith a precious asset for us - “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to honor Jesus.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)"

"If everything we ask for were to be granted, it could be a question mark on us as to God’s concern for us which would not allow us to be spoilt. We spoil a child by granting everything that it asks. But if we have a vision for the child’s well-being, there has to be discipline as well as restraint on the child by which alone the child could be moulded and perfected. It is for our own sake that there are times when God waits and these are times we have to suffer want, humiliation, poverty and failure. But we do not wait alone. God waits with us; watching us overcome the test and reach maturity where our lives gain beauty and value. A chosen person is called to be trained in the school of adversity. “If you come forward to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trial… Accept whatever is brought upon you, and in changes that humble you be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.” (Sirach 2:1-4,5)" 

"Therefore we rejoice for every adversity becomes for us the assurance of

God’s Special Favour and choice for us!"