Love Prevails!: GOD at work. . . .

My People,

Good Morning! Love what a splendid feeling it is to those that feel. And to those who express it makes the world look so beautiful. And it is.

Luke 17:10 - So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

This is a beautiful life. It is a wonderful world that we live in. The things that happen in life are not always fair, but the things that we go through make us a people of strength, a people who know Who their God is and the Impossible that HE alone can do. To God all praise and Glory!

On my journey, to Mangalore, I enjoyed the Bus ride. There was a baby who cried for attention from her grand-ma for some part of the journey. That was a little bit tiring. But when I carried her (baby girl) in my arms it was the most beautiful feeling ever. Life is beautiful it presents you with moments that make life refreshing and breathtakingly beautiful as each scene unfolds before (your) my eyes.

Mangalore, it’s really beautiful. Cool and wonderful weather. It’s clean everywhere. I’ve seen a peacock dance around right outside my home. Life is simple.

I have this habit of asking a person if they had one song to listen to over and over which one would it be? I love listening to Bryan Adams, I love all of his songs. But if you’d ask me which one I would love to return to every now and then. It would definitely and always be, “Everything I do, I do it for you”.

I love words that grip my heart. Love is everything I ever prayed for. Love songs are my favourite. This is one of them, Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers'. This has been the version that topped the chart back then – It will continue to do so, as one of the love songs that will be unfazed with time.

Love is an eternal fire. Love is an eternal wait – when you wait for the one you love.

Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Lonely rivers sigh
"Wait for me, wait for me"
I'll be coming home, wait for me.

Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered, for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
Lonely mountains gaze
At the stars, at the stars
Waiting for the dawn of the day

All alone I gaze
At the stars, at the stars
Dreaming of my love far away.

11^th September, 2016 – The most beautiful shades of pink, Roses in the Church at Mt. Carmel’s.

Day 21^st September, 2016 – Fr. Ashlyn spoke of God at work during the whole of Tuesday. He explained of how God was with him in the rain and through the different places he had to be at. I borrowed this title from him. I learn from him. When the Spirit of God speaks, I feel I understand perfectly what Fr. Ashlyn says, because it is the Spirit that instructs me. I still have a lot to learn and I learn from Fr. Ashlyn.

There are certain things that I have experienced during these few weeks and learnt from the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus asks Peter do you love me?

I will go with what is in my head and heart. Jesus knew that Peter loved Him. Peter knew and repented for his mistake. Peter believed that Jesus had forgiven him for his offence. To believe in such a manner he had to have a strong faith based on the love of Jesus and his love for Jesus.

"Who do men say that the Son of man is?"

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:13|16:15-18

God chooses to reveal Himself to us. Love has to be the base, complete love.

Matthew 7:24–27. During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told a story about two men: one who built his house upon a rock and another who built his house upon sand. The house built upon a rock weathered the storm, but the house built on the sand collapsed during the storm.

To build a house proper foundations are necessary. It is unwise to build on sand, because the foundation will be unsteady and there will be damages. But to build it on a rock means choosing to have a strong foundation and really that is what must be looked at from the perspective of each and every person.

Matthew 7:24: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

The proper foundation for a life is Jesus’ words—not just the hearing of them, but the doing of them, too. A wise man will follow the words of God despite the pressures because he trusts God. As we follow the Lord, learning to trust and obey Him, our “house” becomes solid and unshaken by circumstances. The wise man is the believer whose life is built upon the Rock of Christ; in this world he has faith and hope, and in the next everlasting life and love.

You and I are the dwelling place of the Lord. Our heart should be built on the foundation of Faith in the love of Jesus. We have to be partaking in the celebration of the ‘Holy mass.’ We have to hear the Word of God and let it take deep root in us. The ‘Word’ becomes alive in us and transforms us to people who become like Christ. When we do Heaven is a place on Earth. And that means our house is built on a rock. Our house, that refers to You and I become people of strength, people who are not troubled by the storms of life. If and when something comes to attack us we will remain undefeated. Remember love always wins.

Our foundation is the love of God and the presence of the ‘Holy Trinity’ in our lives.

And (the angel Gabriel) he came to her (Mary) and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end."

And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"

And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible."

And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

Mary’s response is holy because it is through her humble submission, her openness to God’s plan, that the Son of God came into the world. Mary is an example to us of obedience and a strong faith in the Lord.

The Annunciation – God’s plan. He calls each one of us personally. God finds us rather than us finding God.
Our being able to find God means opening ourselves to recognize that God is already here, and always has been.
It is God who always initiates and then awaits our response.
Mary, in her selflessness, was open to the angel’s visit. She listened, received and responded.
God initiates a relationship with us and we respond in surrender to Him.

Mary began to (search) the deep sense of God’s plan in her when she asks, “How shall this be?”
Mary’s (search) is changed to “Let it be done” (acceptance)
(Consistency) is to live in accordance with what one believes.
(Constancy - the quality of being faithful and dependable). Mary’s response at the Annunciation finds its fullness in her silently standing at the foot of the Cross.

When we “surrender”, we submit ourselves to God and joyfully acknowledge His will to be done.

I can’t seem to remember that date, when I was at Mt. Carmel’s Church when Fr. Rufus prayed over each one of the persons present in the Church. He asked me what it was that I wanted. “God’s will.” That was my response. He asked me again and I replied. “God’s Will.”

I won’t ever forget the feeling walking back home. I felt like a 9 year old. And really for that day and in my memory that is how I felt, I was a 9 year old.

The Offertory

Fr. Ashlyn says that the best gift we can offer God is ourselves.

We must present a pure heart, humble and sorrowful for having offended Him by our sins. We must offer our hearts when the priest offers the oblation of this Sacrifice.

I Offer all that I am, all that I have into Your Hands. (offer your sorrows, your pain, your hope, your sadness, your joy)
I offer and pray to Jesus to make me everything that He wants me to be. I ask for His grace for me to be able to share in His pain, to walk with Him.

Remember that the Mass has infinite value.

Before the wine is offered to the Father, though, the priest adds a drop of water into the holy chalice. The wine represents the divine nature, water represents our human nature, so that the mixing of the water and wine signifies the Incarnation of Christ; The priest then will wash his hands in holy water, symbolic of Pontius Pilate washing his hands of Jesus, the Innocent Victim. As he washes his hands in water, the priest prays. An appeal is made to the Faithful to pray that the Sacrifice be worthily accepted by God.

In the Offertory, Christ unites our desires and prayers to His own offering of Himself to the Father.

"Love is patient." God has created us for Himself, and only

by union with God can we receive our perfection. This union

we seek in prayer, with God.

 ·        Prayer is attention. We stretch forth the ear to

   listen, the eye to see and the mind to understand.

 ·        Humility, whereby the soul is made subject to God.

 ·        Faith in God, and trust that He will hear our

   prayer, and grant us according to His promises.

 ·        The love of God, which makes our prayer acceptable.

 ·        Obedience to the HOLY SPIRIT.

 ·        Patience.

Pray the "Our Father" or "The Creed," with a deep reflection

and mean each word, you will find yourself even closer to

God. Most important, do not hurry when praying or

during the celebration of the mass. It is God, Himself

there at the celebration. Do not hurry God.

Cheerfulness makes our service to God acceptable.

Cheerfulness implies confidence in God and a joy

in the consciousness that in the hands of God,

"we are safe."

The world today is moving fast. We don’t know what it is to bear patience anymore. We don’t know what love is and when it is to hold on to and how precious it is and most certainly we have misconstrued the whole word. I wonder does the word faithful mean anything these days or has the meaning changed with time. We have made a mess of ourselves and our stand with God.

Day 23^rd September, 2016 – At work, I have on my ID (the back of it) attached a picture of “The King of Mercy”. One of the person’s in-charge made an announcement stating that people should remove God if they are wearing one. Truth be spoken, that person was aware that I was the only person wearing Jesus. I sat for some time, heard nothing from Jesus. I made up my mind that if it comes to it I would go out with Jesus in me. Jesus never ever left me alone. As I held to the picture, I told Jesus, I am not letting go. As soon as I had spoken the words, Jesus told me to fear nothing.

Day 25^th September, 2016 – 42^nd anniversary of the Prayer Group.

Fr. Ashlyn & Fr. Reuben – celebration of the Mass.

I loved being a part of the celebration. For the first time, I attended the function, sat there for about an hour with my cousin for company. She is a member of the prayer group. I enjoyed those few moments. They make for precious memories.

Day 31^st August, 2016 – Fr. Ashlyn was fantastic with his method of teaching-always is. His talk was bold and honest and something we need to hear from our Priests. He is awesome.

The last time I visited the doctor was 16^th December 2015. It’s been 9 months now since my last injection. I would take one every 3 months for the asthma condition. I am getting better. Praise God!

The beginning of September, the Spirit of God revealed to me that not being able to hear (from my right ear) was to make me feel the silence, and be able to understand humility and the things that can keep us connected to God.

4^th September, 2016 – After nearly two years I am able to hear clearly again. Praise God!

Silence is the most essential aspect of establishing a connection with God.

As a kid, I had these glass sandals which at the heel level had a red rose inside it. I loved the heels it was my fairy tale sandals. My mom told me to leave it to my cousin when it still fitted me perfectly. I felt pain but did not say a word.

My favourite symbols are star and moon. I had these pair of hanging star gold earrings. My mom asked me to remove them and give it away. I did as I was told.

I had this watch which my parents gave me. It had a green dial and a completely different look. I had to give it away.

There were among other things, 2 things my dad had got for me when I was in school and one of my cousins liked the stuff. My mom asked me to give those to my cousin that was the first time I told my mom that I couldn’t. I told my mom, this is what dad gave me and I wouldn’t give it to anyone in the world.

My mom, loves me. My parents never held back in giving, so they thought that I should do the same, they taught me well. These were things that I liked. They were not things that I needed. And God knows best.

All of the years gone by, I have never prayed anything for myself. But when I was growing up, I think from a 9 year old to the age of 14, I only remember praying for someone who loves me the most in the world. I used to pray, it does not matter, if he is blind, deaf… all I need is someone…...this is what I prayed. I prayed for the greatest love story in the world.

I have………. Jesus!

Matthew 23:12: “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Lucifer because of his sin of pride and rebellion was cast out from God’s presence. Any life that is not lived out in willing dependence on God is motivated by pride. Boastfulness is pride - living as though God had no authority.

Lucifer-Satan sought to exalt himself and was cast down.

Jesus-The Son of God, humbled Himself and was exalted.

Jesus relates a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do, I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.”’” Luke 12:16–19

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20–21

This man did not acknowledge the fact that he depended on God for his very breath. This is what I know; I must acknowledge the fact that I am nothing without GOD. It is His will that I live and it is in Him that I breathe. Amen.

Jesus emptied Himself of all but love.
He took the form of a (slave).
He took upon Him the likeness of man.
As a man He endured the fate of all men; that is, death (A death on the Cross).

The most difficult thing to do is go un-noticed. We all want to be recognized, we want to be known.

People talk and if you listen carefully, over and over you will hear them telling each other about the things they did, or how many cars they have, or air-conditions they have at home, or how many houses they have in different places or how they keep travelling the world over. The list never ends.

At work, they may act in a manner so that others can see how important they are. We all want attention no matter what.
Some people talk too much or talk rubbish or things that make little sense.
If you look at girls, they will let guys crack the dumb jokes on them so that they can be a part of the conversation.
Some times grown up women will talk like little girls.

Facebook is the best example of all. You will constantly see couples wishing each other a happy anniversary or a birthday wish. What is funny is that they live in the same home. It’s not like they are world’s apart. More than half of the things we do in this life is to be noticed.

Truth is we underestimate ourselves. We see what we are through others eyes. If we only understand our worth and begin to see ourselves the way God sees us.

We may be really mean and stupid, maybe selfish, self centered people. And some of us may just have met people who never told us how good we are or we never had anyone who appreciated us. That does not make one bad. I have news for you. The Bible says, that we all are God's masterpiece and each of us is one of a kind made in the likeness and image of God. Not that we are perfect, but His Love makes us perfect.

The most difficult thing to do Is be humble.

Philippians 2:9–11

God highly exalted Him.
God gave Him the name above every name.
God ordained that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.

Ø those in heaven.

Ø those on earth.

Ø those under the earth—every area of creation.

· that every tongue should confess Jesus as Lord.

· Jesus earned this exaltation by His self-humbling.

We cannot obey God nor those set over us by God as long as there is pride and rebellion in our hearts. God can only work His will in those who humble themselves.

A child is teachable. We have to become just like a little child.

Naaman was a commander of an army. Naaman was told by one of his maid servants, that if he could make his way to the prophet Elisha in Samaria, he could be healed of his leprosy. So Naaman got permission from the King of Syria, and he set out with ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. When Naaman arrived in Israel, the prophet Elisha said, “Send him to me and he will be healed.” 2 Kings 5:9–14:

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” Elisha didn’t even come to the door! He just sent a message. Naaman said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed!’” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

Naaman had to lay aside everything. But when he humbled himself—when he fully obeyed and dipped into that river seven times—that was when he received his reward. Namaan tried to come to God in a big way, but learned to humble himself and receive what God had promised him.

Jesus called His apostles together and said, If you want to be great, you have to become a servant.

“. . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Paul delighted “in weakness, in persecutions, in difficulties.” Therefore everything of pride or arrogance must be cleared out of me. As we become less, Jesus in us becomes greater. His power is made perfect in our weakness.

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

“He must become greater; I must become less.”

Trust is a heartfelt confidence in God.

Choose to always want the best for people. Humility is not seeking the spotlight. Great leaders are focused on the people they lead rather than on building their own reputation.

To lead one must be humble. Humility means the ability to see ourselves as a whole (a collective). Only with humility can one tap into the skills and abilities of others.

Great Leaders appreciate people and they treat each person as a “human being.” Great Leaders always encourage others to express their opinions, and they consider what others say. This makes them more informed and better decision-makers.

We feel naturally connected to the people who know and appreciate our efforts and we are more likely to give our best efforts to them.

Each of us is a leader, and life presents us all an opportunity to bring the Leadership skills out, trouble is people let it go to their head.

Humility as a Leader

Most important word, LISTEN. Don’t talk don’t pass your comments, as tempting as it can be. LISTEN.
Everyone makes mistakes. Be open to admit when you make a mistake and have a bounce back attitude. When I am open to admitting that I make mistakes – then I will be open to understanding that others are as much as human as I am and can mistakes too.
Be open to change. Be open to suggestions.
Don’t let anyone feel insignificant. Don’t leave any one out. Have the attitude that each person matters to God and so each person matters to me. And you will never go wrong with God.
Always appreciate and appreciate everybody. Make everyone feel they are loved. It is the best gift you can give anybody.

You cannot be a leader if you do not have a heart of a servant. To lead, one must know what it is to serve.

Day 28^th September, 2016 – There was a mail that came across where I had enquired on some matter relating to work - from the supervisor on job, and he took a little longer than a month to reply to it. He was questioned on his lack of promptness to reply. And what the third party did was mention my name with caps lock, stating that when I asked a question there should have been an immediate reply. Of course it was a big matter.

Day 30^th September, 2016 – The supervisor I report to has an attitude problem. He took a lot of time to grant my leaves. And when he did there was a condition, he told me that I had to report in at 10:00 in the morning. I requested to come in at the normal office time, to which he told me there was work which I need to complete-I could come only if I would complete the work. I said I could. A permission mail was to be sent by him -but it turned out to be a condition applied mail-and a documentation to the terms-if I had to agree. I went back to him, stating that it was not my principle to agree to something in this sort of manner especially since I was on company time.

I explained to him that there were three days that were important to me. And I would do everything to be in the Church, Mondays (Eucharistic adoration), Wednesday (Bible Study) and Saturday (Mass).

I always sit and work beyond my hours of work because I am answerable to God and in His eyes I try to do the best I can. We have a break of about 1 hour. Mostly, I utilize only 20 minutes in a day.

During this episode, I thought that surely he won’t be there in the morning, because only then a request stating the time would need to be sent. If he was to come in the morning, there was no necessity for a request mail.

Day 1^st October, 2016 – I was wrong. He came in the morning. And he asks, “why I did not come at 10:00 in the morning.” His manner of speaking was the way one speaks-he spoke like I was his servant.

I told him that this was harassment and I would not be quiet about it. I would take it to the top. I later realized that he was taking personal grudge for what happened on the 28^th of September.

It was not my mistake I did not on purpose do that. He got caught on his own.

He did not appreciate the work I did. On one occasion I told him I work like a slave. He replied I will treat you like a slave. For the two instances, I complained to two people of the hierarchy and both pushed it down the carpet.

God did not let it go. God took up the matter. He thinks his fight is with me, but reality is he is dealing with a great and mighty GOD.

I am a servant of God and whatever and wherever He leads I will follow. My life is His.

Days 2^nd October, 12^th October – I am on holidays. I will be leaving to Mangalore today by bus in the evening. And I will be reaching Bombay on the 12^th.

I had given my resignation, but everyone I know where coming and telling me that I had completed 11 years in the company. At that point I still had a whole month and a half left. I realized I was running short by a month and a few days. But I thought of nothing since Jesus asked me to leave the job. But then Jesus, told me to complete what I started. So this is my last race in the company. By the 30^th November, 2016 – I will have completed my service in the company.

I am grateful to God for my years in the company and the management I worked with. I will also have completed my 11 years on the 24^th of October 2016. Praise God!

Day 1^st October, 2016 & 2^nd October – Celebration of mass, Fr. Lenny. 07:30p.m. & 10:15 am mass.

A line in his homily referred to Servant leaders and it is a part of what I want to elaborate on. (mentioned above)

Luke 17:10 - So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

After that day (1^st October) at work, I told my cousin I don’t feel like wanting to go back. I don’t want to go. I don’t want to think. I don’t want to be in that company of that person. He really questioned me the way one should never speak with anybody. I have seen anger, I know what one behaves when one is angry, but this was not it. It was ill treatment and a complete knowledge of the will to harass.

My cousin, just said this to me, take it one day at a time. He told me relax, you are on holidays. With his words, I was reminded of the hymn, "One Day At A Time"

I'm only human I'm just a man (woman)
Help me to believe in what I could be and all that I am
Show me the stairway that I have to climb
Lord for my sake teach me to take one day at a time.

One day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine
So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time.

Do you remember when you walked among men
Well Jesus you know if you're looking below it's worse now than then
Pushing and shoving crawding my mind
So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time.

One day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine
So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time.

Yes, just for my sake teach me to take one day at a time...

My heart’s desire is to please God, not man. The choices that make up our character; they define for the world what is most important to us and the things on which we stand.

Love is like a candle that lights the room,

Love is a hunger – a thirst for things that are true,
Love is the gentle caress of the breeze,
Love is the strength that is humble,
Love is a forever promise, when two hearts beat as one.