Merry Christmas 2024

 

The Parable of the Talents. Part 1

The Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30.

In this Parable Jesus is urging us to be ready. For when Jesus comes again, we will stand before Him with our talents.

Today, a talent stands for our God-given resources-gifts, material possessions including money, and opportunities or skills.

In this Parable, the master symbolizes God. This parable is about a rich man who entrusted his property to his own servants and went to a far country.

“For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Matthew 25:14.

Before he goes, he gives his 3 servants different amounts of money, denominated by talents. To the first servant, he gave 5 talents; to the second servant he gave 2 talents, and finally to the third servant he gave 1 talent. Therefore, each servant received just the right number of talents to match his ability.

Upon his return the master asks his three servants to give an account of what they had done with the talents.

The first servant invested and had it doubled from 5 to 10 talents. The master praises him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21.

The second servant had his investments doubled from the amount of 2 talents to 4. The master praises him in the same manner, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:23.

The master’s response to the servants was exactly the same words. Both had produced the desired results; both the servants had doubled their gains. The master was pleased and entrusted them with more. They were also invited to share in the Master’s Joy.

However, the third servant with the one talent buries it in the ground. On the master’s return, when he is asked for a report on the 1 talent he starts with explaining ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ Matthew 25:24-25.

The third servant safeguarded his talent and for his lack of action, he blames the Master. In his words, he hid his talent. Maybe, because he feared, that he would lose it. And then he gives the talent back to his master. In his opinion he considers his master to be a harsh man who reaped where he didn’t sow.

To which the master reminds him that he could have put the 1 talent into the bank and it could have gained interest, but he did nothing. He missed an opportunity to multiply what he was given, making him a worthless servant.

(This is sometimes our attitude too; we fear things we cannot understand-we fear the unknown. We hesitate and we don’t take a step. We hold onto what we have-doing absolutely nothing.)

The master then takes the one talent away from the third servant and hands it to the first servant who has ten talents.

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Matthew 25:29

The third servant did nothing and suffered the consequences. It was what he should have done but failed to do, that was his sin. All that was expected of him was to make the one talent in addition to what was given to him and in accordance with his ability. But there was nothing to show. As a result, he was condemned by the master.

The Parable of the Talents will help us live more in line with God’s purpose in all areas of our lives.

The time and resources that we are entrusted with in this life are not our own. God gives them to us, and our job is to live a fruitful life with what we’re given.

Please continue to read The Parable of the Talents. Part 2

The Parable of the Talents. Part 2

Parable of the Talents Meaning

We are God' fellow workers working with Him to bring His plans and purpose to life.

The Lord has blessed each and every one of us with talents each according to the ability, so that we grow in what we have. But the growth is not ours; it is Gods Glory shining through you and me in the world. 

We have to recognize The Light - Who It is?

Jesus Christ came to save us from sin and eternal suffering. Just like the master in the parable, Jesus will return one day - and we will be held accountable for what we’ve failed to do.

Looking from another perspective. We, look at:

Adam blamed Eve, for breaking God’s command.

Eve blamed the serpent, for tempting her to eat the forbidden fruit.

But it was a command of God directly to Adam and Eve.

Both Disobeyed the Command. Both were accountable. 

All they had to do was accept their fault and beg God’s forgiveness. Instead, they got stuck at blaming each other.

Disobedience for eating a forbidden fruit from the tree of life gets them out of the garden of Eden-Paradise. 

In today’s world we have a culture that is shaped and built on disobedience to GOD?

This then is the question: Did Adam and Eve give their 100% to God?

No. They failed in the one test, that God had clearly warned them about.

And why were they blaming each other?

Because theirs was an imperfect LOVE.

They feared the Wrath of God. Because they did not understand the Heart of God. They feared the unknown.

Genesis 3:10-But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 

And he said, “I heard the sound of thee in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

(Adams reply to God)

(We now look at the reply of the 3rd servant)

[[‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ Matthew 25:24-25.

If you would look at the below lines, you will notice the similar words marked with a bold effect. 

Matthew 25:25 I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.
Genesis 3:10 I was afraid, and I hid myself.”

The third servant with the one talent buries the talent in the ground and for his lack of action, he blames the Master. Right, the blame game is ancient.

But also, if you look at it, he mentions he was afraid, and he was blaming his master, Adam and Eve were afraid and they were blaming each other.]]

ALL ADAM had to do was accept that he and his wife Eve had committed a sin of disobedience. And they had to be really sorry for what they had done. God would have readily forgiven them. But far from it, they were not ready to accept their fault.

The third servant did not accept that he sat doing nothing.

Jesus understands our fears our insecurities. He took all ours sins on Himself. Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,

and with his stripes we are healed.

The master in the parable expected an increase with the talents given. The first and the second servant were faithful, hard-working, and had faith in God and what God had blessed them with. They earned 100% returns.

When they presented their 100% results to the master, they were rewarded. “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. Luke 16:10

God always gives us everything we need to do for what He has called us to do. It’s our job to be faithful, we are to work, using our talents to glorify God. Everything we have is God’s. We are all successful when we do the best we can.

The servant who received 5 talents and 2 talents had everything necessary to produce (5|2) more. The servant who received 1 talent had everything necessary to produce that 1 talent more. But out of fear, he chose to do nothing.

God can orchestrate everything to perfection all by Himself.

But God uses us. He needs our willingness to cooperate with His Purpose for our lives. His Best can happen in each and every life when we understand that God always does the best for us. God NEEDs us, He needs our will, He needs our trust.

In John 2:1-11 at the wedding at Cana, the wine was running out. 

(First Step: Mary Directs - LISTEN to Jesus!)

Jesus’ mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5

(Second Step: Follow what Jesus says and DO!)

Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. John 2:7

(Third Step: DO & Believe!)

He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. John 2:8

[And the result a 100% MIRACLE! Water-Transformed into WINE!]

GOD needs us to be willing participants. To Trust & OBEY!

In John 11 Jesus raises Lazarus to Life,

(First Step: Martha’s Faith)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” John 11:25-27 (Jesus & Martha)

(Second Step: Mary’s Faith)

Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:32

(Third Step: the cooperation of others-ACTION)

So they took away the stone. John 11:41

(Martha & Mary had faith, and the people knowing Jesus and witnessing the faith from the sisters, willingly participated in this great miracle.)    

God needs for us to cooperate in His Will and Purpose for our lives.

The third servant in the parable wasted an opportunity given to him by his master.

We will be held accountable when we fail in making use of our God given talents.

The master expects 100% results, for He has blessed us generously. He expects His servants to be wise, committed, and hard-working. We cannot ignore and waste the gifts God has given us.

The first and the second servants had faith. But the third servant was scared of what would happen if he invested the talent. Is it the fear of the unknown that stopped him from maximizing his potential or is it the fear that comes from Adam when we participate in Disobedience to God, when we partake in SIN?

What is our excuse?

Please continue to read Feeding The 5000 - The boy. Part 3

Feeding The 5000 - The boy. Part 3

We begin with the Gospel of Matthew, where the disciples remind Jesus of it being a lonely place, and as the day was drawing to a close; to send the crowds away so that they could go into the villages and buy food for themselves.

Jesus tells the disciples ‘You give them something to eat’- from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

The miracle - Feeding the Five Thousand is recorded in all the four Gospels. But for now we look at- 

John 6:5-13 5 Jesus said to Philip, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.

When we speak of the feeding of the five thousand, only in John 6:9, we hear of the boy. Andrew, Peter's brother mentions, (“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish;)

Jesus called for the bread and fish to be brought to Him. He then gave thanks for the meal, broke the bread, and gave it to His disciples to give to the crowd.

To feed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish is a miracle of miracles - miraculous. 

(In the Gospel of Matthew, we learn, there are women and children besides the five thousand men) Matthew 14:21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Mark 6:42-43 - 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.

It is a knowing that God is a God of Abundance. It is in understanding that if God wants to give you something, God gives irrespective of where you are or what your situation is. But when we follow our own will, we don’t trust God enough to wait on Him.

So, in simple terms a surrender is trusting God that whatever He has chosen for me is His best decision for me. 

And like Jesus, on the boat, I can sleep without a care in the world. For my Abba Father, watches over me.

First Point:  Jesus is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Most Blessed Trinity. 

Second Point:  God never sleeps. So, what is it we need to learn from this. It is simple. It is Jesus guiding us. 

We must always remember God is always watching over us, so if we are sleeping or whether we are awake, that trust that God is in Control will keep us from worrying or fearing things that we have no control over. Surrender to God is always the best answer.  

It is in a complete surrender to God, not holding onto titles, material possessions such as money-wealth, God will bring out the Extraordinary. A complete surrender implies Trust. 

God delights in a humble person. For a humble person knows that God is in CONTROL. 

GOD AT WORK

This boy in the crowd of 5000+, had been chosen by God. God chooses whoever He wills. Which means each one of us has something to offer, if we are only willing to offer. God has blessed each one of us with talents. In this boy’s case God gave the boy five loaves and 2 fish and, in that moment, the boy had the choice to keep to himself or to willingly offer to God what is Gods. 

We must be willing to give to God our all, each day of our lives. The Good God knows the talents, He has blessed us with.

The Widow with the 2 Pence gave her all. It was her choice, and she gave all she had. 

Mark 12:17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

The boy carried food with him, maybe his family was with him. I do not know. All we do know is that he handed over his meal, he became an active participator in the work of God. 

Whatever we possess is God’s. Our life is not our own, it is God’s. The very breath in our body is God’s. Therefore, nothing truly is ours. 

Not the wealth-not the money, not the tiles, nothing is ours. It is all given to each person according to their ability. We are meant to share our resources and not keep them to ourselves like the third servant. 

We ought to remember and REMEMBER always:

GOD IS in CONTROL.  

The Rich Young Man Matthew 19:16-29 (Mk 10:31 & LK 18:18-30)

16 And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which?” And Jesus said, “You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

20 The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 

The talents we have been given, is for our betterment, with it we help ourselves when we help others. We are not to accumulate talents including wealth for ourselves, we ought to share it with our less deprived, brothers and sisters. For we take nothing with us when we leave.

The rich young man had everything. He followed all the commandments. But he knew in his heart there was something missing. 

Now to understand this, we will look at what Jesus says in Luke 9:23 “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Let God be your every focus. Now we will look at Lk. 9:23 and Mt.V.21 below:-

V.21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

let him deny himself-go, sell what you possess and give to the poor.

Deny yourself the pleasures of the world. Don’t get attached to the things of the world. God must always be our first priority. 

Remember: Jesus took the human form and lived among us denying Himself. God leads by example. And for the rich man his number one priority was wealth. 

Remember: Deny yourself-Keep God first place.

The talents we have, we are meant to make use of it for ourselves and everybody. We are meant to help and see to it that no one goes to sleep hungry, and no one is left alone and there would be no homeless people. We are meant to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort and encourage everybody. If we followed what Jesus asks, there would be no homeless person, no hungry child or adult. For God has blessed us all with talents, it is we that hold back from participating with God. 

God is our greatest Encourager.

God is The greatest Mathematician.

The Call is for all. Jesus says: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And for the rich young man, it was most difficult to give-sell his possessions and give to the poor. By this we understand, that he kept God at second position.

And all of us Christians are like that rich young man, who claims to do many things, and we do, but we are too attached to the money, wealth and property. We cannot surrender our comforts. 

And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And this is a message from Jesus to all of us. We have to detach ourselves from everything that is worldly, everything that keeps us away from God. 

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 

(Only Priest's and Nuns have sacrificed their entire lives to be with God.) They have given their all. 

Often the Priests and Nuns are criticized or transferred because of our egos.  

WELL, this is a wakeup call.  

And take up his cross daily-and you will have treasure in heaven.

We must carry our cross daily, denying ourselves daily, for there is much to be done and much to suffer in order to help others. 

Mostly people think the things that are given to them, is theirs to do with as they please. It never ever occurs to them that at the end of this life, there is an account one must give for all the squandering one does with what they thought was theirs. 

When you share what you have, when you give for the good of the other, when you live a life of obedience and love, you already know what Heaven feels like.

And follow me-and come, follow me.

When you desire to follow Jesus, you must deny yourself the pleasure of the world. And what this means is simple, KEEP GOD FIRST! In simple terms, God is my Everything, my ALL!

At the beginning of v. 21 Jesus says, if you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor. 

That is what Abba Father, did for God is PERFECT. God the Father, gave us His only Son, God gave us His all. The news of Christ' birth was made by an Angel to the poor shepherds. The Baby Jesus was laid in a manger. 

Jesus came into a poor family and the good message was given first to the poor.

Jesus in every way, is showing us how to be more like Abba Father, and how we too must follow and become perfect as Jesus continues in Matthew 5:48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Remember-REMEMBER

If and when, you feel you have little, look to the boy with the two fish and five loaves. Remember by trusting and sharing what he had – God multiplied the two fish and five loaves to feed 5000 people.

Trust God with your LIFE!

This boy never got the adulation of the crowd. But we will forever remember, the miracle God worked through this boy. 

Every celebration of the Mass, God feeds us with Himself. 

YES! God never forgets.

This boy with the five loaves and two fish saw the food multiply in a miraculous way. In Jesus’s Hands the small meal for 2-3 people became a meal that fed 5000+.

Therefore, it is a participation in God’s work.

“Render to God the things that are God’s.”

Everything in Creation is GODS.

We don’t know WHAT God will ask of us and WHEN?

Be Alert for we never know when The Master comes!

Mark 13-The Necessity for Watchfulness

32 “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Watch therefore—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.”

Hebrews 12:2 RSV

2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Please continue to read The Widows Offering. Part 4

The Widows Offering. Part 4

Mark 12 RSV - The Widow’s Offering

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.”

Luke 21 RSV - The Widow’s Offering

1 He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4 for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.”

[1221=Abba Father]

And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. (Mark 12:43).

Jesus was at the temple with the disciples. He sat across from the treasury of the temple and watched many rich people put in large sums of money. 

Then a poor widow came along and put in two copper coins. As a widow, she would have had no source of income after her husband’s death. This widow made a sacrifice to God, the two copper coins were all she had, and she offered them to God. 

The rich, offered to God what was in excess to them, nevertheless, Jesus saw and heard her offering.

Jesus is teaching His disciples that it is not the amount that mattered, but the sacrifice made in the offering.

Sacrifice means to give up (something valued) for the sake of others. A willing sacrifice is an act of love.

In John 10:18 (Jesus speaks about His impending sacrificial death). No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.”

Jesus did not count the cost of His life (Jesus offered Himself). He bore the penalty for our sins-as an atoning sacrifice on the Cross so that we could be reconciled to God. Jesus' death was the sacrifice that paid the debt of sin for all.

Conclusion

God is everything.

God can make anything out of nothing.

Everything is God’s.

Therefore, when God gives His ALL, He gives His Only Son, as a sacrifice to all – for all mankind.

Trouble is humans from time immemorial have forgotten what it is to be kind.

But Here Is GOD,

Abba Father, Who, gives His Only Son as a Perfect Sacrifice for our sins.

So, when we look at talents, it also means that what we have or possess is our talents.

Everything God has is His Only Obedient Son, Jesus Christ, The Most PRIZED POSESSION.

And this is the Perfect Sacrifice of The Father, The Perfect Sacrifice of The Son.

And this most reflects in the offering of the Widow. The poor widow gave a 100%. She gave her all to God willingly.

The Widow gave an offering that was seen and heard by God. What a complete delight it is to know that God has His Eyes and Ears fixed on you. How truly wonderful, it is.

What Jesus is saying, give everything to God, for everything is Gods, our every breath is Gods. There is no life in our body if God does not will it.

The Widow gave her all, with no second thought. It was an act of love, an act of a complete surrender to God, knowing that God is her Provider.

Matthew 5:48 - You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Please continue to read The 57 Cents. Part 5

The 57 Cents. Part 5

At the mass celebration on the 9th of November (Sunday Liturgy), Fr. Denis Desa narrated to us an incident that happened a long-long time back. This is a narration of the 57 cents.

The 57 Cent Church

A little girl stood near a small church one Sunday morning. Her name was Hattie May Wiatt and she had been turned away because it was ‘too crowded.’

Pastor Conwell happened to walk by the front gate where Hattie was standing. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. Hattie gave him the hug of a comforted and happy child. This embrace would be etched in his mind for a lifetime…

A short time later, Hattie became ill and died. Her parents sought out the kind-hearted pastor who had befriended their daughter and asked him to handle the final arrangements. At the funeral, her mother handed Pastor Conwell Hattie’s purse. It contained 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: ‘This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.’

Her mother told him tearfully that Hattie had been saving up her money to help build a bigger church…. The Pastor was deeply moved. He gratefully accepted the little girl’s contribution.

The pastor shared the story with the church congregation.

But the story does not end there….

Each of Hattie’s 57 pennies was auctioned. Church members made donations. Checks came in from far and wide. Hattie May Wiatt’s unselfish love had paid large dividends. Some of the members formed what they called the “Wiatt’s Mite Society” in which they were dedicated to making little Hattie’s 57 cents grow. The amount of money raised through these efforts was a sizeable investment towards the purchase of a new property. 54 of Hattie’s original pennies were, in time, donated back to the church, where they were put on display and can be seen to this day.

Today in the city of Philadelphia, The Temple Baptist Church, has a seating capacity of 3,300.

There is a Good Samaritan Hospital and also a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

A true story of a little girl whose 57 cents, sacrificially saved, made remarkable history. 

This goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.

Thank You, Fr. Denis Desa.

[[But more than this, it goes to show what God can do in each person's life if and when we willingly surrender to a loving God.]]

NOTE: I am not of the thought of building luxurious Church' especially if the Church in place is in good condition.

Because in all honesty that is what i see in Mangalore.

A Church is built and then there is a lot of festivities that go on. I cannot appreciate that. 

One cannot build an extraordinarily lavish Church and have people in our own country and on the other side of the world starve to death. That is not making good use of the talents God has provided us with. This is not what God expects. Just because God is quiet, it does not mean He is happy with us.  

The reason i put this narration of the 57 cents before you, is for you to be aware of how God works in a little child, to bring the Parish members to contribute to build a Church with her 57 cents. God had her willingly participate and death did not deter the Plan of God through her!

If a girl child can willingly participate and create history with her 57 cents.

If a lad in the Gospel of John could share his 5 loaves and 2 fish that fed the 5000.

If a widow with two copper coins, which could be her only sustenance sacrifice it as an offering to God,

Then what about each one of us?

It seems to me that the poor are always generous in their giving. They give their all. 

If each one of us did likewise, what a world this would be.

The Earth would be a New Heaven!

THE PROMISE - WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57!

57=18thSep + 19thSep + 20thSep (57 turned around=LS)

LS=1219                        (L=12, S=19)

57+12+19=88

57+1219=1276 (12=6fname&6lname) (76reversal=67DT) Fr. Reuben Tellis.

57+12=69     (69=Fr. Christopher Goveas.)

57+19=76

==6976 = 6fname&6lname | 97 year of Ordination

In 2024 it is the 27th year. 

(Fr. R.T. 27) & (27reversal=72 Fr. John Pereira.)               

(97-i could be wrong about the year. But Fr. Daniel Fernandes' is the 4th name in this page.)

(19F&Lname) Msgr. Alex Rebello.

(20Fname)   Fr. Abel Fernandez.     

Please continue to read THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER - TABLE

A Parable is expressed, in a story like format. It communicates a deeper truth. It is only with Jesus’ help do we realize the depth of understanding that ordinarily could go without being understood.

I pray, ‘On Master, grant me the grace to understand, for it is my desire to Know You and Love You with all of my heart’.

Jesus explains the parable to His Disciples. The seed is God’s Word, the Good News.

In the Parable of the Sower, the Sower goes out into his field to sow seed. As he scatters the seed across the land: Jesus in this parable judges the fate of the seed, His Word.

Some seed fall on the path and the birds feed on it. 

So, too, with the hearer who does not understand God’s Word: the prowler-the devil devours.

Some seeds fall on rocky ground. It readily springs up as there is no soil. But the sun scorches them down and since they have no root they wither away. 

So also, the hearer has a joyous reaction to God’s Word but when on account of the Word he is tested, he falls.

Other seeds fell upon thorns. The cares and allure of the world choke the Word.

Finally, Other seeds, fall on good soil.

The yield was a thirtyfold, some sixtyfold and some a hundredfold. The outcomes differ.

Jesus indicates that this parable contains the key for unlocking all the parables when He says, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?” 

So, by understanding this parable, we will be more able to understand the other parables of Jesus.

This parable is about understanding the Word of God.

Unless one clears oneself of all the blockages such as the rocky ground and the thorns that this parable signifies, he will not be able to understand any parables, or any teachings of Christ.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER – RSV
	Matthew 13:3-9	Mark 4:2-9	Luke 8:4-8
The Path	And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.	And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.	And as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
Rocky Ground	Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away.	Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil; and when the sun rose it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.	And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
Among Thorns	Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.	Other seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.	And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
Good Soil	Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.	And other seeds fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”	And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.”

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER explained – RSV
	Matthew13:19-23	Mark 4:15-19	Luke 8:12-15

The Path	When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path.	And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown; when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which is sown in them.	The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved.
Rocky Ground	As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.	And these in like manner are the ones sown upon rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.	And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
Among Thorns	As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.	And others are the ones sown among thorns; they are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.	And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Good Soil	As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”	But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”	And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.

 JMJ

Please continue to read The Beatitudes - Part 1.

The Beatitudes - Part 1.

Beatitude means The Blessings listed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:3-12.

Jesus teaches us that if we live according to the Beatitudes, we will live a happy Christian life. The Beatitudes describe the rewards that will be ours as loyal followers of Christ.

THE Beatitudes in - Matthew 5:3-12 RSV.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!”

The world we live believes, in man-made truths, and which is constantly changing. 

We will find the Beatitude way of life difficult, but we have to always remember, Jesus lived what He spoke. 

We need Jesus’s guidelines to know how to live like Jesus, and when we do, this will surely be Heaven.

IT IS...

JOY in the midst of suffering. 

PEACE in the midst of suffering.

This is the Presence of JESUS CHRIST in our lives. 

‘The Beatitudes’ is the right way to the full blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven.   

Let's understand the Meaning of the Beatitudes​

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

We must be humble(poor) in our spirits.

Humbleness is accepting God is in Charge. We have to learn to accept our faults-our sins in humbleness. I need God’s constant love and forgiveness. It is a knowing that i am nothing without God and accepting this truth with love.

In truth it should not matter what people think of me or how little they think of me or for that matter if they disregard me completely. Let nothing trouble you. When you know and understand this, you will be at Peace because you know who you are in God?

We pray for His Grace to fill us each day to make us better people to be worthy of His Kingdom. Only in true humbleness will we find the contentment and that inner Peace that surpasses the worldly understanding.    

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

We ought to be sensitive, tender-hearted, and alert to the needs of others, but also aware of our own sin and lack of obedience to the Lord.

We need to feel sorry for the many sins we have committed. The Holy Spirit will convict us of our sins and helps us understand how we hurt God through our deeds. We are nothing and completely lost without Jesus Christ.

And we know when we sin, we hurt the heart of God. We need to remember sin blocks our path to God. And remember, God hurts when we do the things that displease Him. For God’s Heart is ever so gentle.

When i repent of the sins i have committed, surely God will help me. God will strengthen us. When we truly understand what sin does to our soul, we will never want to sin again. But we need to remember we can do so only in God’s Grace.

When we truly repent over our sins as guided by the Holy Spirit and we cry out to God, saying “Lord, have mercy on me a wretched sinner, you know how horrible I am, but save me Lord, for I need You. Please don’t leave me.”

And God will take you in His Care and He will comfort your heart like only a Father can and He will.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness is a humbleness that expresses itself in the patient endurance of suffering offenses.

It is only in humbling oneself to the Holy Mighty Will of God, will one learn what it is to be like Jesus, Meek and Humble.

Jesus Christ, the Son of The Living God, being God, humbled Himself to a death on the Cross.

How must we be?

Jesus, though innocent, stood before His accusers and did not defend Himself. He was betrayed, tormented, mocked, spat upon and sentenced to death. Dying on the CROSS, He prayed for those who crucified Him, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

The meek submit themselves to God’s Word and speak no evil of others and are gentle towards all. Jesus lived by the WORD!

The meek have their eyes, fixed only on God.

Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

We are called to be Just every day. We could fail in our attempts to achieve justice, but we will be blessed because of the deep longing for justice that is set in the heart of a person. The thought to do good to everyone, the hurt that is experienced when watching others in pain, the cry for others when unable to achieve justice for them. God sees and knows the heart!

Jesus points to a deeper yearning for righteousness in the eyes of God.

In the words of St Augustine: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

In everything we do, we must desire the approval of God! In today’s world we are more focused on what people think or say. We work hard for people’s approval.

Being Righteous, means doing what is right in the Eyes of God. But we fall short for we do right by people and we leave God in the distance.

We must have a passion to do what is right.

“Zeal for thy house will consume me.” John 2:17. This means that Jesus' passion - His food was to do the will of His Father.

We must pray, asking God to give us a deeper hunger for Himself and a deeper desire for His fellowship.

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

We must always forgive, being merciful towards everyone who wronged us. God is mercy, and we ought to be merciful every day to everybody.

We are miserable sinners, and we are all in need of God's mercy every single day.

Mercy means – When a person has treated you cruelly and it is your time to respond, do not reply to them with cruelty but treat them with love and respect. They may fail to understand you, but God is always watching.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, 34 and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

In Luke 10:25-37, when asked, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus directed the teacher of the Law to the two great commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27.

The teacher wanted to justify himself and so he asked, Luke 10:29 - “And who is my neighbour?”

This is when Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan (ABOVE Luke 10:25-37).

In the Parable, Jesus uses the example of the Jew and the Samaritan, who would not ordinarily have been friends. But of all the people, who helped, the wounded man, only the Samaritan came to his aid.

Jesus tells of a man who was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by robbers on the way. He was badly beaten and left for dead.

The first person a Priest passed the injured man. He crossed the road and continued walking. The second person a Levite too passed by the injured man.

The Samaritan took pity on the man and went up to him and helped at the expense of his own time, comfort and safety. He bandaged him and cleaned his wounds. He then put him on the back of his donkey and took him to an inn, where he paid to have the wounded man looked after. He did all this expecting nothing in return.

The parable ends with Jesus asking, who is the neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers.

And the reply is, the one who showed mercy on him. And Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”

CONCLUSION:

It is difficult to love our enemies and even more so, to truly love everybody as Christ did.

Jesus used the Parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of loving people who may not be our friends.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, — Matthew 5:43-47

Jesus did that on the Cross, when He prayed for His persecutors, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Jesus taught His followers: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. — Matthew 22:39

Jesus’ Mercy is boundless. It cannot be measured. Jesus came to earth, in human flesh. He chose to die a death He didn’t deserve, so that you and I can be FORGIVEN. God’s mercy is limitless!

i am a wretched sinner, i have hurt the heart of God, with my foolish ways.

But this is what Abba Father said, your slate is clean. It took me time to understand the significance of the slate. I understood what Abba Father meant, but I forgot what the slate meant to me.

When I was a kid, I had a small slate that I loved writing on. As I grew up and on holidays, I would open that beautiful bag of mine and I always felt happy looking at that slate. And I would wipe it clean.

Abba Father reached my heart, only as a Father can and He wiped me clean.

Jesus always says, ‘I won’t let sin touch you.’

I am undeserving. I am not worthy. It is God’s Abundant Mercy on me. For what am i?

When God is supremely merciful to me, how must I be to others?

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

When our hearts genuinely desire to please God, then our lives will reflect that desire.

A pure heart: desires to be with God.

When we truly follow Jesus, we will deny ourselves and carry our cross daily.

Seeing God and being with Him forever in heaven is God's plan for our eternal well-being. We learn that this purity is required if we are to approach God.

The first of the Love Commandment is To love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus added that we must also love our neighbour as our self.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to the happiness that comes from a clean and undivided heart.

We must pursue Holiness with unwavering devotion.

Psalm 51:10, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Peace is not the absence of war. In spite of problems, we can still be at peace. Peace is a choice we make. Peace is not achieved through threats or violence.

Our Peace comes through Christ. 

God is a God of Peace. As children of God, we must seek Peace, in our communities, in our homes, and in the world.

8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

Jesus Directs: We are to Rejoice and be Glad!

Jesus endured the greatest persecution.

3 He was despised and rejected by men;

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,

and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb,

so he opened not his mouth.

-Isaiah 53:3-7

Jesus was betrayed by one of His own Apostles.
Jesus was falsely accused by the Jewish leaders.
The Roman soldiers mocked, abused and spat on Jesus.
Jesus was nailed to the Cross as a hardened criminal.

Jesus willingly died on the Cross, while being innocent.
2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 

Hebrews 12:2-3

Jesus endured brutal persecution even unto death and He did it willingly, looking to the Joy of redeeming the world from sin and death.

We must set our hearts, our deepest longings on Christ. Only then can we be able to “rejoice and be glad” through the sorrows, pain, difficulty, persecution, and loss we experience on this Earth.

1717ccc The Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ's disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.

And THE Beatitudes in - Luke 6:20-23 RSV.

Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.

Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

Please continue to read The Beatitudes - Part 2. ccc