TWENTY SIXTH ORDINARY SUNDAY OF THE YAER B! 

There is a joke about a man in the prison who was generously donating his body organs. He donated first one of his kidneys, then one of his eyes, then an arm. The warden became suspicious and growled: “Hey, you are escaping by installment!”

In today's gospel, Jesus talks about bodily mutilation. He tells us to “Anchor!” on sin, and all those that lead us to sin. His words are clear: Let people and let things that lead us to sin be done away with. 

Jesus, remind us that there is nothing more important in this life than heaven. Nothing should get in the way of us achieving that place He has prepared for us, and that means we need to make changes in our lives. So, as we stop and hear Jesus in this exaggerated phrase, of plucking out our eye and cutting off our hands and feet, we are invited to step back and ask, what are our eyes, what are our hands, what are our feet, what are those things that lead us into sin and how do we root them out of our lives. After all, God has given us everything, He has given us the gift of His love. He wants what is best for us, the challenge for us then is to root out sin; to root out those things that are not good for us, those things that hold us back from the relationship He wants for us.

Specially the eye and the heart are two brokers of sin, the two handmaids of sin. Also, there are instincts in us and certain parts of our physical constitution that minister us to sin. Our hands become instruments of sin according to what we touch and how we touch, in lust or greed or violence. Our feet are used for sin according to the places we have them take us. Our eyes become doorways for sins according to what we choose to look at or refuse to look at. 

 Remember, we have more sins than we have bodily parts. Besides, even if all offending parts were removed, our hearts and minds, are still the source of all sins. These sayings are actually about our attitudes, dispositions, and inclinations.  Jesus is inviting us to integrate our bodies into our following of Christ, so that our hands become instruments of compassion, healing and comfort, our feet help us to bring the Gospel to the world, and our eyes learn to see, and our mouth to speak the Truth, Goodness and Beauty all around us.

By these startling words about self-mutilation, Jesus also means that we must cut out of our lives all practices that keep us away from God and retain only those habits that draw us closer to God.  

If Jesus had been here in this modern time, He would have surely added these some modern parallels to the radical actions, “If your TV causes you to sin turn it off! If your computer causes you to sin: disconnect it! If your magazine subscription causes you to sin, cancel it! If your job position or power causes you to sin, resign! If your bank account causes you to sin, give it away.” In other words, absolutely nothing is worth jeopardizing our eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Jesus is setting before all disciples the one supreme goal in life that is worth any sacrifice.  That goal is everlasting union with God Himself beginning here, with our fidelity to following His will for our lives. God alone leads us to everlasting peace and happiness.  Just as a doctor might remove a limb or some part of the body in order to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with anything which causes us to sin and which leads us or others to spiritual death.  

The Gospel of today finally challenges us: “Decide!  Cut away anything that prevents us from a radical decision for Jesus Christ!  Decide for Christ! Let us  sincerely pray: Lord, we need you. Come into our lives. Set us free from sin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lord, forgive us. Lord help us. Lord, have mercy on us. Remember, God’s love is greater than all our sins. God’s mercy is broader and deeper than we can imagine. Let us decide for Him.

 Whose Father is He?

A beggar came asking for food. I totd him to cơme around to the back door and asked him to sit on the floor while I went in and brought the left-over food.

I brought him food and said, let's  pray. Now repeat after me, "Our Father in heaven". He said, "Your Father in heaven". l said, "No, say Our father in Heavern". He again said, "Your Father in Heaven"!

This irritated me! I asked why do you say Your father when I say "Our Father"?

He said, "Sir, it is like this. If I say Our Father; then we both become brothers. If we are brothers, you would invite me from the front door and not from back. You would ask me to sit on your dining table not on the floor. You would also not give me stale food ! Sir; somehow it is not possible that we are sons of the same Father !

He may be your Father, but he can't be Our Father!

Whose Father is He?

 It took a beggar to teach me the truth !

 हसीन पल

जिन्दगी भर मेरे साथ कभी, इतने लोग दो पल बैठे नहीं,

आज मेरे मौत पर सब, मेरे आस पास बैठे जा रहे थे।

तौफा ना दिया मेरे जन्मदिन पर, किसी ने मुझे आज तक,

मेरी मौत पर आज सब मुझे, फूल ही फूल दिये जा रहे थे।

तरस गये थे जिन्दगी में हम किसी के, दो हाथों के सहारे के लिये,

मेरी मौत पर वो आज सभी, हमें कंधे पे कंधे दिये जा रहे थे।

दो कदम मेरे जिन्दगी में चलने को, कोई हमसफर न मिला था ,

आज वो काफिलो की भीड बन, मेरे ताबूत के साथ चले आ रहे थे।

आज पता चला हमें कि, "मौत" कितनी हसीन है,

वरना कम्बख्त हम तो यूं ही,बेकार की जिंदगी' जिये जा रहे थे !

फादर विन्सेन्ट सालबातोरी

                  TWENTY FIFTH ORDINARY SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B!

(Wis 2:12, 17-20; Jas 3; 16-4:3; Mk 9: 30-37)

"He That Is Down Needs Fear No Fall" is a poem by John Bunyan

John Bunyan, a 17th-century English Baptist preacher. He highlights in the poem the virtues of humility and contentment, echoing the religious teachings which valued simplicity and a focus on spiritual growth over worldly possessions He expresses that those who maintain a humble disposition are shielded from pride and the fear of falling and lead us to divine guidance and happiness. His poem reads thus:

He that is down needs fear, no fall,

He that is low, no pride.

He that is humble ever shall

Have God to be his guide.

I am content with what I have,

Little be it or much;

And, Lord, contentment still I crave

Because Thou savest such.

Fulness to such a burden is

That go in pilgrimage.

Here, little and hereafter bliss

Is best from all to age.

In this poem, he explains that a person who occupies the lowest position in life can not fall any further and therefore has no fear of falling, whereas the great constantly fear the possibility of their downfall. The poem contrasts the burdens of excessive wealth with the benefits of living a simple life on a pilgrimage towards spiritual fulfillment. It suggests that while fullness can weigh heavily upon individuals, contentment and humility lead to eternal happiness.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples that true greatness comes from serving others, especially those who are least important. He invites us to reflect on the values of humility and servanthood. He instructs His disciples that they must resist worldly ambition and honour to serve Him more faithfully. Jesus measures our relationship with him by how willing we are to reconcile with those who have hurt us. The message of Jesus is to reawaken the child within us and regain the lost innocence. He uses a child as an example, showing that those who are willing to be last and serve others are truly great in God's eyes. Jesus teaches his disciples that true greatness comes not from seeking power or status but from humility and service.

True greatness is not measured by what we achieve but by what we surrender. When we surrender our need for power, status, and recognition, we create space for God's greatness to shine through us.

Ambition is the themes of today. And our teaching from Christ today seems contradictory. We are told that the disciples had been arguing over who was the greatest. Jesus says, "If anyone wants to be the first, they must make themselves last of all." The message doesn't fit with the way we see the world work.

Our society tells us that being right, being first, being the best is all important. But society is wrong. There is nothing good or important about being first, however there is only one thing bad about being right, or first or best, and that one thing is doing something just to be right or just to be the best or just to be the first.

So what are we supposed to do? We are called to be gentle and are called to endure. We are called to bring peace to conflict. As James tells us, the seeds of the peace maker will bear fruit in holiness. Jesus tells us to be the servant of all. It's in our nature to put ourselves first. Christ tells us not to. He tells us to put others first. He shows us a small child as an example. Put them first, serve them, and you are serving Him.

There is a huge difference between doing your best and being best. Being the best student, the best driver, the best mum, the best doctor, the best anything you can be is good, it's holy and it will bear fruit. Being better than anyone else is pointless and will only lead to conflict. Use your skills for others; welcome their needs and their vulnerabilities. Help them as you would help a child. Welcome them with open arms. You will be welcoming Christ.

Following our lord is not easy. He never promised it would be. Selflessness is not in our nature. Pride and greed are. If you are to be a follower of Christ, you need to put your human nature last to enable you to put your spiritual nature first. Work hard, but always for others, strive to do your best, but resist the urge just to be the best, if you are the best thank God that you are able to serve so well.

A call to be selfless is a hard one. It's one we will all find difficult, and without prayer and a relationship with a loving God, we may find impossible. But we have a loving God, one who is selfless, who died for us, who forgives us, and is ready to help us if just ask in prayer for help. Please pray about conflicts in your life, pray for help in bringing peace, and pray that you may be a seed of the peacemakers and bring all huge harvests of holiness.

Let us embrace the humility of servanthood and discover the true meaning of greatness in the eyes of God. May this reflection inspire you to embrace the values of humility and servanthood!

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अन्तिम विदाई!

मिट्टी ओढना, मिट्टी बिछौना, मिट्टी का है सिरहना,

एक दिन बन्दे ऐसा होगा, मिट्टी में मिल जाना।

चार लोग मिल ताबूत उढाए, कर्ब़ तक यात्रा में लाए,

सात फिट और तीन फिट का, गहरे गढे में छोड आए।

आसूं बहाए, फूल चढायें, मोमबती और अगरबत्ती जलाऐं,

प्रार्थना कर आत्मा की शान्ति का,उदास मन से घर लौट आऐ

रात को सोते समय, अंतकरण से एक आवाज आयी,

आज हमारी बारी थी, तो कल तुम्हारी भी होगी।

देर न कर, सोच न अब तू, कर अच्छी तैयारी बस तू,

चाल बदल ले, ढाल बदल ले, ईश मार्ग का राह पकड ले।

मोहमाया को त्याग दे अब तू, खाली हाथ ही जाना होगा,

जेब न होगा कफन मेॅ तेरी, एटीएम भी साथ न होगा।

जीवन मेॅ जो कमाया तुमने, अपने चरित्र की कमाई से,

उसी से तू अमर बनेगा, सब के दिल पर राज्य करेगा।

नहीॅ मरेगा मर कर भी तू, याद रहेगा हर दिल मेॅ तू,

प्यार से रहना सीख गया जो, वही अमर बन याद रहेगा।

फादर विन्सेन्ट सालबातोरी

  दर्पण

तुम चाल चलन जो देखो, पहले अपने को देखो,

कालिख पोतो फिर औरो पर, दर्पण पर तब पत्थर फेकों।

मत भूलो ऐ अभिमानी, तुम अपनी चाल पुरानी,

जीवन की यही कहानी, मिटती हर चीज पुरानी।

तुम ईश वचन को जानो, पहले अपने को पहचानो,

पाप किया न जग में जो हो, पहला ही पत्थर मारे वो ।

दोष ढूढ़ता जो दूसरे का, दोषी बड़ा वही है सबसे ,

सत्य प्रेम का मार्ग पकड़ ले, यही स्वर्ग तक ले जायेगा।

खाली हाथ तू आया था, और खाली हाथ ही जायेगा,

मेल प्यार से जी ले जीवन, तभी अमर बन पायेगा ।

फादर विन्सेंट सालबातोरी

 नाम में क्या रखा है ?

जन्म से न हम अपना नाम लेकर आते है,

और मरते समय न इसे साथ ले जाते है ।

कब्रस्तान में हम सिर्फ एक नाम से जाने जाते है,

और वो है बङी, बस बडी ही मेरी यहां पहचान है ।

कहते है सब लोग यहां हमें सिर्फ बडी, बडी,

बडी उठाओ, बडी कब्र तक ले चलो,बडी कब्र में डालो,

नाम नहीं लेता मेरा यहां पर कोई भूल से भी,

क्योंकि,अब बडी से ही सब जानते मुझे करीब से ।

खत्म होता है दफन के बाद बडी का ये नाम मेरा,

और कब्रस्तान के बाहर से शुरु होता है मेरी जीवन रेखा।

अच्छा-बुरा बोलेगें लोग अब मुझे मेरे मरने के बाद,

मेरे गुण और काम से याद करेगें मुझे आज के बाद ।

अब मेरा नाम अच्छा और बुरा इन्सान होगा,

मेरे जीवन के इतिहास में बस यही एक नाम होगा।

यही तो असली धन होगा मेरे जीवन के कमाई का,

बाकी जो कमाया था जीवन में वह सब एक माया था।

नाम में क्या रखा है, अच्छे काम करो और नाम करो,

अपने चरित्र से सब लोगों के दिलों पर राज्य करो।

यही जीवन का सार है, यही अनंत जीवन का आधार है,

नाम तो सिर्फ एक पहचान है, नाम में क्या रखा है।

फा. विन्सेंट सालबातोरी

माला विनती

मुख से माता-माता बोल, माता नाम बड़ा अनमोल,

माता नाम की माला रोल, मुख से माता-माता बोल।

माया भी एक पहेली, काया भी एक पहेली,

मोती सी माला के दानों में, जनंत की सभी पहेली है।

माला के चार रहस्यो में, मां-बेटे का जीवन वणर्न है,

खुशी, प्रकाश, दुःखभोग, बड़ाई का, इसमें सारे विवरण है।

गाब्रिएल दूत के सदेंश से, मरियम धन्य हो जाती है,

र्गभ में लेकर प्रभु येसु को, एलिजाबेथ से मिल आती है।

प्रभु को जन्म देकर, इतिहास नया बनाती है,

पभु को अर्पण कर मन्दिर में, मरियम रशम निभाती है।

बेटें के खो जाने पर, व्याकुल बहुत हो जाती है,

मन्दिर में उनको पाकर वह, फूली नहीं समाती है।

यर्दन में बपतिस्मा लेकर, मानव स्वभाव दिखलाते है,

काना विवाह में शमिल होकर, दिव्य स्वभाव चमकाते है।

र्स्वगराज्य का प्रचार कर, रूपान्तर का दृष्य दिखाकर,

युखरिस्त की स्थापना कर, जीवन यादगार बनाते है।

बारी में प्राणपीड़ा सहकर, जल्लादो के हाथ लगे वो,

कोड़ों से छलनी होकर, थप्पड, जूते, लात सहे वो।

काँटों का मुकुट पहनकर, क्रूस ढ़ोकर कलवारी चढ़े वो,

उसी क्रूस पर ठोककर उनको, रोमन जल्लादों ने प्राण लिये।

मृत्यु रोक सकी न उनको, विजयी बन वो जी उठे,

स्वर्ग चढ़े वो देखते- देखते, आनन्दित हम सभी हुये।

पवित्र आत्मा को भेजकर, हमें अनाथ होने न दिया,

उठा लिया अपनी माता को, स्वर्ग में ऊत्तम स्थान दिया।

मरियम स्वर्ग की महरानी हैं, हम सभों की है प्यारी मां ,

माला भेद अब समाप्त हुआ,आशिष दे हमें सदा-सदा मां।

फादर विन्सेंट सालबातोरी

TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAYOF ORDINARY TIME B!

(Is 50:5-9a; Jas 2:14-18; Mk 8: 27-35)         

A British essayist, Charles Lamb of 17th century once got involved in a discussion on the question of who the greatest literary genius of all time had been. Two names finally emerged: William Shakespeare and Jesus of Nazareth. Lamb put an end to the debate when he said: “I wil tell you the difference between these two men. If Shakespeare walked into this room right now, we would all rise to greet him, but if Christ came in, we would all fall down and worship.” There is the essential difference between the Man from Nazareth and all the other great people you can think of. Jesus Christ is God, and all others, no matter what their deeds, are but fools strutting on the stage for a brief time and then exiting. Today’s Gospel describes who Jesus really is and gives us the unique conditions for Christian discipleship and that condition is deny ourselves and take up His cross and follow Him in good times as well as in bad times.

Jesus had been doing miracles, curing people and driving out demons.  He had also been preaching.  Certainly, the miracles attracted crowds but what do the people think of Jesus beyond looking for miracles? With this in mind, Jesus asked His disciples a simple question, “Who do people say that I am?”  The words of the question are simple but its meaning goes much deeper.  “They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.”

While we know none of these answers are right, what is important is that the people were indeed talking about who Jesus is.  Everything Jesus has done is meant to point people to know who He truly is. If Jesus would have asked us today “who do you say that I am?,” how would we answer?  Is Jesus just a wise man or a prophet?  Do we seek Jesus as a miracle worker who can get rid of all our problems?  Is He a teacher?  Is He a moral authority?

Jesus went on to ask His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Of course, Peter is the one to respond and he gives the right answer, “You are the Christ.”  Today we say “Jesus Christ” as if “Christ” was Jesus’ last name.  It is not.  It is a title.  It means “messiah.”  Peter realizes that Jesus is the one that the Jews have been waiting 1,000 years for.

Of course, we know that Jesus is indeed the messiah, the Christ they had been waiting for.  What does it mean to call Jesus “the Christ”? Peter held to the common Jewish expectation of the time that the messiah would become a great political king, get rid of the Romans, and restore the political kingdom of Israel.  Jesus is the messiah but He did none of these things.

Yet this is what Peter expects.  So, when Jesus begins to teach them about his coming Passion, that He “must suffer greatly…be rejected…and be killed,” it made no sense to Peter.  In fact, it sounds impossible.  Peter would not let this happen.  He rebuked Jesus.  How can he go from calling Jesus “the Christ” to rebuking Him so quickly?

It’s because of Peter’s expectations.  We have our own expectations.  Do our expectations of God keep us from really knowing God or are we open to allowing God to change what we think and what we expect?

A key component for many people today regarding whether they believe in God at all or what they expect centers on the question of suffering.  Some people will do anything possible to escape suffering.  I think some people might actually put more effort into getting rid of their suffering than it would take to accept the suffering and live through it.

It isn’t hard to imagine why Peter and the others can’t understand how or why the messiah would suffer.  We might imagine that God would make it easy for the messiah. They did not understand how the prophecies foretelling of a “suffering servant” applied to Jesus.  Perhaps we could even say they didn’t want the suffering servant oracles to apply to a messiah.  They based their hope on the relief of suffering.

Jesus does something different.  He shows us a value in suffering.  Why did Jesus come?  It was not to set the Jews free from the Romans but rather to set us all free from our sins.  Jesus came to bring us a new perspective. Instead of seeking greatness and release from suffering, Jesus tells us, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

To deny ourselves is to let go of our desire for selfish desire for wealth and power.  It is to put others before ourselves.  Jesus is the perfect example of this.  He had nothing to gain for himself by becoming human.  He became human to “take up his cross” so that our sins might be forgiven. In doing so, Jesus showed us the way to the Father and calls us to take up our own crosses as witnesses to our faith in God.  To trust in God requires us to let Him shape us and be our motivation.

James speaks of faith and works.  Many people have a misunderstanding that Catholics think our works alone can save us.  That is not Catholic teaching.  What our Catholic faith does teach us is that if we have true faith in Jesus, then in practicing that faith we will do works because of our faith.

How do we  think our life is different because of our faith in Jesus?  Does it change our view of suffering?  Sometimes at the end of a day, we lie in our bed with the light on staring at the crucifix that hangs on the wall.  We start “complaining” to God about the bad parts of our day.  In doing so, we are complaining about our “sufferings.”  As we stare at the crucifix complaining, we look at Jesus’ suffering on the cross and realize we have nothing (well maybe a little) to complain about.

Recognizing this leads us to begin to accept the suffering we face as part of the works we are  to do to serve God.  What works do our faith call us to do?

 मेरे मुक्तिदाता

कैसे मान लू की तू पल पल में शामिल नहीं।

कैसे मान लू की तू हर चीज़ में हाज़िर नहीं ।

कैसे मान लू की तुझे मेरी परवाह नहीं।

कैसे मान लू की तू दूर है मेरे पास नहीं।

देर मैने ही लगाईं तुझे पहचानने में हे जगदीश्वर।

वरना जो तुने मुझे दिया उसका तो कोई हिसाब ही नहीं।

जैसे जैसे मैं सर को झुकाता चला गया।

वैसे वैसे तू मुझे और उपर उठाता चला गया।

धन्यवाद देता हूं, मेरे ईश्वर तुझे, तेरे सारे वरदानों के लिये।

इस अकिॅचन की औकात ही क्या हे विधाता तेरे सामने ।

फा. विन्सेंट सालबातोरी

TWENTY THIRD ORDINARYSUNDAY OF THE YEAR B!

There is a poem that was written by Myra Brooks Welch in 1921 titled “The Touch of the Master’s Hand" which tells the story of the auctioning of an old, dusty violin that is about to be sold as the last item at an auction for a pittance. The auctioneer thought it scarcely worth to waste much time on the old violin, but he held it up with a smile; “What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried, who’ll start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar; then two! Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll make it three? Three dollars, once; three dollars twice; going for three…”

The violin was about to be sold for just a mere $3 when from the room, far back, a gray-bearded man came forward and picked up the bow; then wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings, he played a melody, pure and sweet as caroling angel sings.The music ceased, and the auctioneer with a voice that was quiet and low, said; “What am I bid for this old violin?” And he held it up with the bow,  “A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two? Two thousand! And who’ll make it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, and going and gone,” said he. The audience cheered, but some of them cried, “We just don’t understand. What changed its worth?” Swift came the reply: “The touch of the masters hand, " transformed the dusty old violin into a precious instrument?  The same “touch of the Master’s hand” continues to transform our lives today. By God’s touch, we become His instruments to accomplish the marvelous works by bringing healing described in today’s Gospel. 

All readings of today give us two challenges: 1) Ask God to extend His miraculous touch to help open our spiritually blind eyes, deaf ears, and free our mute tongue. 2)  And share in Jesus’ healing ministry by lending to Him our eyes, ears, tongues, and hearts.

In the Gospel passage we are told that the people brought a deaf and dumb man to Jesus to be cured . It seemed that the people already believed in what Jesus could do; they expressed their faith by coming to Jesus not to see if he could cure the man but for him to lay his hand on him.

There are two things worth noting in the drama of Jesus healing that man. The man was healed because the people brought him to Jesus. We have to go to Jesus with our problems. We cannot stay where we are. We have to go to Jesus for our problems to be resolved and healed. Jesus is always there for us. When we are alone, Jesus is our friend waiting for us to approach him. When we are in darkness, Jesus is our light waiting to enlighten us. When we are in despair Jesus is the truth waiting to give us hope. When we are suffering, Jesus is our divine physician waiting to heal us and raise us up.

The second thing we notice is that Jesus took the man away from the crowd. Why? In all the gospel accounts there are instances everywhere of the crowd. The crowd is often unpredictable; they could shout “Hosanna” now and “Crucify him” later. The crowd can be arrogant to someone who has a purpose like Bartimaeus; they can be an obstacle to healing and salvation like in the cases of the woman with the issue of blood and Zacchaeus. The crowd can make or mar, the crowd can build and destroy.

The crowd here stands as a platform of distraction and that was why it was necessary for our Lord to take the man away from the crowd. Of course in the crowd, it would be difficult to hear very well. The crowd effect could block the ear and make speech ineffective. If we read that passage very well, it say that Jesus: 1) took him aside, 2) away from the multitude 3) privately; hence a threefold seclusion. In life, it is difficult to be effective within the crowd. The crowd could cause various degrees of harm. Often Jesus withdrew from the crowd to pray, the transfiguration is a typical instance of withdrawal from the crowd.

 Likewise, we too need to be with Jesus alone sometimes away from the crowd every day and this is what happens when we spend time with Jesus alone away from the crowd; we are transformed. He “touches our ears to receive his word, and our mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God.” He enlightens our darkness, changes our despair to hope. Jesus changes sunset into sunrise. 

Jesus is waiting for us to go away from the crowd to spend time with him. When Jesus said on the cross, “I thirst,” he was not just dehydrated, but also telling us of His longing for us to go away every day to spend time with him. How often do we recourse to prayer at home, in office, at work?

In our relationship with God, we often pay deaf ears to God’s commandments. We often fail to proclaim our faith at needful times. The question before each and everyone one of us this Sunday as we hold our ears and touch our mouth is: “Am I deaf and dumb to God and His words?” Most of us hear only the things that takes us miles away from God and would remain deaf to the message of Christ; in few words we select what we want to hear. The same thing is applicable to what we say. Often we consciously avoid proclaiming God; not saying the truth and giving good counsel to others. We really need to allow our ears and mouths to be evangelized as our Lord ritually did to the man who was dumb and deaf. The decision to hear and speak in God’s way is for us to make. May the word of God touch and transform our ears and mouth.

 माला विनती

मुख से माता-माता बोल, माता नाम बड़ा अनमोल,

माता नाम की माला रोल, मुख से माता-माता बोल।

माया भी एक पहेली, काया भी एक पहेली,

मोती सी माला के दानों में, जनंत की सभी पहेली है।

माला के चार रहस्यो में, मां-बेटे का जीवन वणर्न है,

खुशी, प्रकाश, दुःखभोग, बड़ाई का, इसमें सारे विवरण है।

गाब्रिएल दूत के सदेंश से, मरियम धन्य हो जाती है,

र्गभ में लेकर प्रभु येसु को, एलिजाबेथ से मिल आती है।

प्रभु को जन्म देकर, इतिहास नया बनाती है,

पभु को अर्पण कर मन्दिर में, मरियम रशम निभाती है।

बेटें के खो जाने पर, व्याकुल बहुत हो जाती है,

मन्दिर में उनको पाकर वह, फूली नहीं समाती है।

यर्दन में बपतिस्मा लेकर, मानव स्वभाव दिखलाते है,

काना विवाह में शमिल होकर, दिव्य स्वभाव चमकाते है।

र्स्वगराज्य का प्रचार कर, रूपान्तर का दृष्य दिखाकर,

युखरिस्त की स्थापना कर, जीवन यादगार बनाते है।

बारी में प्राणपीड़ा सहकर, जल्लादो के हाथ लगे वो,

कोड़ों से छलनी होकर, थप्पड, जूते, लात सहे वो।

काँटों का मुकुट पहनकर, क्रूस ढ़ोकर कलवारी चढ़े वो,

उसी क्रूस पर ठोककर उनको, रोमन जल्लादों ने प्राण लिये।

मृत्यु रोक सकी न उनको, विजयी बन वो जी उठे,

स्वर्ग चढ़े वो देखते- देखते, आनन्दित हम सभी हुये।

पवित्र आत्मा को भेजकर, हमें अनाथ होने न दिया,

उठा लिया अपनी माता को, स्वर्ग में ऊत्तम स्थान दिया।

मरियम स्वर्ग की महरानी हैं, हम सभों की है प्यारी मां ,

माला भेद अब समाप्त हुआ,आशिष दे हमें सदा-सदा मां।

फादर विन्सेंट सालबातोरी

TWENTY SECOND ORDINAYSUNDAY OF THE YEAR B!

It is said, "Actions speak louder than the words." Let us move Christ from our lips to our hearts. Today’s readings explain that true religion is not simply a scrupulous, external observance of rules, laws, traditions and rituals. It is, instead, a loving, obedient relationship with God expressed in obeying His Commandments, worshipping Him, recognizing His presence in other human beings and rendering them loving and humble service. Prayers, rituals, Sacraments, and religious practices are our God-given helps to practice this true religion in our daily lives.

Living a Christian life is what is expected of us because we have been saved through Christ Jesus. It is our response to His love for us. As we daily make choices and decisions, we need to be thinking, “I am a Christian. It is what I do”. It’s who I am in Christ Jesus. It’s how I live my life.

So, how do we unravel all of Jesus’ teaching this morning? I would like to start today’s reflection by sharing a poem written by Edgar A. Guest, an American poet and I invite you to keep these words in mind during the rest of the reflection for the better understanding of today's Gospel message.

Poem Title: “I would rather see a sermon than to hear one any day”

I would rather see a sermon

than to hear one any day.

I’d rather one should walk with me

than merely tell the way.

The best of all the preachers

are the ones who live their creed.

For to see good put to action,

is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it,

if you’ll let me see it done.

I can watch your hands in action,

but your tongue, too fast, may run.

And the lecture you deliver

may be very wise and true.

But I’d rather get my lessons

by observing what you do.

For I might misunderstand you,

and the high advice you give.

But there’s no misunderstanding

how you act, and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness,

I am eager to be kind.

When a weaker brother stumbles

and a strong man stays behind.

And all travelers can witness,

that the best of guides today.

Is not the one who tells them,

but the one who shows the way.

Who stands with men of honor,

learns to hold his honor, dear.

For right living speaks a language,

which to everyone is clear.

Though an able speaker charm

with his eloquence.

I say I would rather see a sermon

than to hear one, any day.

I took the time to share this poem with you today because it spoke to me, and I believe it will speak clearly to you as well about today’s gospel . The followers of Christ must not only talk the talk, but they must walk the walk. That is what Jesus is saying when he speaks about following the genuine laws and duties. The true law is the law of love, which requires no law at all for a pure heart. It is said; "When a man is pure law is useless, when a man is corrupt, law is broken."

We have a duty to be faithful to Jesus in our daily life, not just speak about Christ, but actually live in Christ. Are you living in Christ today? Are you producing the fruit of the Spirit? Are you overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

Remember, religion is a matter of the heart, and heart is the seat of love, and it is love that unites human hearts. Without love, rules and regulations, rituals and customs, traditions, and practices become meaningless. Moreover, they can also become deadly weapons in the hands of unloving people, to exploit, to kill, and to destroy.

My dear People, Jesus condemns a religion of outward appearances. He rejects pious display. The word hypocrites Jesus uses to describe those who lack resemblance in what they say and do. A hypocrite is a fraud, an impostor, a pretender. He says one thing and does another. He wears two faces. A hypocrite is a liar. Jesus had no kind words for hypocrites. Certainly, Jesus does not want us to be counted among them. Rather, He wants us to act from a heart animated with faith and love and to serve Him and His people in all sincerity and truth. He wants us to be a sample and not a sermon. He wants us to follow the commandment of God and not the human tradition.

A mother brought his son to Mahatma Gandhi to advise him not to eat too much sweet as he was addicted to eating too much sweet . Gandhi told them to come back a few months later. He was trying to overcome an unhealthy desire for sweets. He could only correct the child after correcting his own weakness. This is called practice what you advise or preach. This called a real sample of real action.

All three readings of today show the need for unity between our knowledge of God’s laws and our observance of them. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds his hearers about the meaning of true observance of the law. It is observing not just the letter but the true intent of God’s law. And He quotes from the prophet Isaiah, “This people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.”

Our traditions can show our love of God and our service to God, but God does not love us because of our traditions. Who we are is what is inside of us, and God hopes that what is inside of us is love. Love for ourselves, love for God, love for one another, without condition. Let us live as God’s precious children, a life of love within and without. Amen