Our Father in Heaven…

Recently I happened to travel in a Volvo sleeper bus while returning to Bangalore after a week’s vacation with family back in Kerala. As usual, there was a rush for the tickets and I ended up getting a seat in the last row of the bus. Having felt uncomfortable, I tried all the options to get a seat at least in the middle row, but could not succeed. My seat was exactly in the middle of the row which left me with no option of sightseeing but did give me two alternate options to either sleep or to observe my co-travelers in the bus. The journey started during the day time and there was no way I could sleep so soon. While thinking of what to do next, my eyes fell on each of the traveler and I was inspired to pray for them one by one. Immediately, I noticed something beautiful going on right in the middle of the bus. As the bus moved, one cute toddler girl was screaming out of joy and started running back and forth inside the bus. Her father was sitting in the front row whereas the rest of the family took the bunk bed in the second or the third raw. So this child would get down from the bed via stairs and then run to touch the front door and again run back and climb the stairs up to reach her mother at the bunk bed. Since the bus was moving through the hilly areas, it was not safe to let the child run alone and so this young father was accompanying her and helping her to climb up and down each time.

The little girl seemed to be the happiest person on the earth while she played and I noticed that she spread an interesting smile on every traveler’s face. The bus passed through bents and curves literally shaking every passenger inside. But our little girl, defeating the expectations of warning from her audience, continued running with shouts of joy. Her father who desperately wanted her to stop running stayed helpless seeing the joy on her face. The girl seemed to be more interested each time she finished one shuttle whereas the father grew tired in his efforts to help the girl to climb up and down safely. However, this kind young father without showing any impatience, rather with a loving face, co-operated well with his naughty child in every shuttle. Watching the scene, I grew a little worried about both of them on one side. On the other side, I enjoyed this beautiful expression of paternal love portrayed right in front of my eyes.

The whole incident is nothing different from an ordinary thing that happens with any kid anywhere in the world. But it did have an impact on me when I was reminded of a particular verse in the Bible. "If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him" Matthew 7:11

Yes, it speaks about the Magnanimity of our heavenly Father’s love! No matter how many times we choose to walk on the dangerous roads of life, He still follows us patiently, tirelessly, and above all lovingly. HE fills our lives with HIS love and draws us close to HIS heart each day, each moment. May HE help us to radiate HIS unconditional love in the world around us. Amen!

The Visible Face of Our Invisible GOD!

It gave me such a joy when I met one of my friends two weeks back. More than a friend, she is an elder sister to me who always inspired me with her love, commitment and zeal for Jesus and His mission! Her two kids also seemed to have drawn my attention for sometime. We had a beautiful time of sharing and listening to the updates on each others' side. In between, I realized that her girl child resembles the mother whereas I could not relate the boy's face to his mother or father. After interacting with the children for sometime, I noticed that the boy child was exactly replicating his father in his way of talking and facial expressions. So, with great joy I conveyed this late realization to his mother for which she smiled and agreed. Without my knowledge I happened to say this over and over again. I kept repeating this whenever I saw the boy doing something. Though I felt this to be something strange in myself, I just ignored it there.

After getting back home in the evening, I was just reviewing my day and suddenly, for no reason, this incident came to mind. Not just once but quiet often, even before going to sleep,it showed up in my memory and I was surprised. I slept peacefully and got up the next day morning with the same incident fresh in my mind. But this time, there was a new thought that accompanied the incident. Yes, I woke up with a new conviction and I tried to recall the conversation that took place in my inner self just before I got up...

I felt an inner voice asking me gently and clearly "Who do YOU resemble my child..?" and with no doubt, I replied.. "Of course, it ca only be my Dad or Mom" Here comes the voice again asking me "well, what does the scripture say about this?" I thought for a while and responded " Scripture says that I am created in the image and likeness of God himself!!' Now the voice turned affectionate and asked me, "If that's the truth, what other proof do you need to believe that your parents are the visible face of the invisible God who created you? I paused for a while...and pondered over what I just heard... Oh My God, that's so TRUE!! what a beautiful counsel from the Spirit of GOD!!

Slowly I realized that the Holy Spirit was using the previous day's SMALL incident to teach me something BIG and IMPORTANT. Interestingly, the learning happened without my consent while I though I enjoyed a deep sleep. So, it is nothing but absolutely a Gift!!

The Holy bible reminds us of what needs to be our attitude towards parents. "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Ephesians 6:2-3. Often we stumble upon our attitude towards parents (applies to even in-laws) and we justify ourselves with advancement of learning, exposure and much more. But the truth is that God values Parenthood as a precious responsibility and HE honors them every time the children are being blessed. Our Great and Merciful God also expects us to see HIM in our parents and consider them with due respect and obedience.

Let's try to Love God through our own dear parents and hence please the Father in heaven who searches our heart beyond what we present outside. Also, May the Lord guide us to be the reflection of HIS love and Mercy when we are given the same responsibility of a Father or Mother in life...

I Met HIM at the Confessional. Have you?

The sacrament of confession has always been a refuge for me in my journey of life. In fact, this wonderful time of reconciliation has repeatedly reminded me of my God’s saving plan for me even when I am surrounded by my wretched sins. It gives me joy to call this a sacrament of mercy and grace every time I realize the amount of mercy flowing over my sins followed by a mountain of strength and grace to overcome those sinful tendencies in the journey ahead.

Recently I happen to observe in myself, a kind of laziness to go for confession. I was developing some tendency of delaying my confession even when I was quite sure of the need for confession. After fighting for a few days, finally I have decided to run to a priest at the earliest. Thankfully, there was a retreat happening nearby from where I could listen to a teaching on the 10 commandments. Spending some time on reflecting what the preacher said, helped to repent and prepare for a detailed confession. The next day, I walked towards the confession arranged for the retreat participants. As I entered the gate, there came a man who started talking to me and started telling me about myself. I recognized a divine inspiration leading this man to talk about my past, present and future. As I rightly guessed, this man was a spiritual counselor with the gift of knowledge and prophecy. To my surprise, he also hinted at a few of my sins which I wanted to mention in the confession. Immediately he asked me, have you finished your confession today? No, I’ve just come for my confession here. I replied. Then he said, “then go fast and finish it now!” I was totally amazed to see how this unknown man talking out my secret thoughts!!! Wasting no more time, I ran to find a priest to just pour my heavy heart out which is filled with guilt and repentance

While sitting in a time of prayer for a while to list down my infinite sins, I could feel a burning sensation deep in my heart. The urge to make confession had become double now! Finally, my turn came and I approached the priest at the confessional, just started right from the worst of my mistakes. While listening, I saw the priest giving me a beautiful smile. I felt that the intensity of love in his smile was growing as I advanced through my list of sins. At a point, he interrupted to tell me something. This was another surprise now, I just could not believe when the priest started justifying each mistake that I confessed. He also taught me look at these sins from a different perspective. He was helping me to learn how I can face my sinful tendencies next time. Though I tried to prove that I am sinner in those mentioned circumstances, the priest, with another loving smile just comforted me. I remained speechless and realized with reverence that this is JESUS CHRIST sitting at the confessional awaiting me to pour out HIS mercy, forgiveness and strength to overcome my sinful habits. Yes, None other than Jesus can do this! Experiencing a deep peace and relief, I just looked at my pending list of sins. Then the question came from the priest you finished your list” I struggled for a minute trying to remember my sins and finally admitted, “Father, I had a big list of sins while coming but I am not able to remember them now!” Father said “Don’t worry, Jesus forgives all those sins too and he continued with absolving my sins and advising me the penance.

Gratitude and satisfaction filled my heart while leaving the confessional. Yes I met Christ today at the confessional!! It was hard to control my tears as I tried to begin with the the act of contrition. The broken heart and tears formed a new act of contrition there and I felt the Lord pouring out His endless mercy and peace into my life…

Many a times, we don’t really understand the reconciliation process taking place at the confession. When the Lord is waiting with His arms open wide, what is preventing you and me from meeting Him and receiving the unimaginable amount of grace to grow holier in life? Slowly I understood, why St. Augustine cried to God once “Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! “ My scattered thoughts took the form of a decision to NEVER delay my confession at any cost!

The Lord assures us mercy and forgiveness when He speaks through Isaiah, 1:18, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” He is our “God who blots out our transgressions for His Name’s sake and remembers our sins no more” – (Isaiah 43:25) A name that contains an ocean of mercy for sinners.

When the whole world tells me that I am a sinner, here comes my savior with a smile of deep love and compassion. He is ready to die for you and me again and again so that our souls may find pardon and mercy. Have you already acknowledged this? If not, I challenge you to try this now! Because I am very sure that Jesus is never late in reaching out to a broken heart….Lets say ‘NO’ to everything that prevents us from entering heaven and say‘YES’ to all that will allow us to joyfully and confidently enter the gates of heaven!

May God’s glory shine upon us today and everyday…!!

5 words-prayer which brings 5000 graces!!!

At the pre-Jubilee gathering, the priest asked us to find 25 graces that you received during this JY Jubilee year and then thank God for those gifts. In silence, I was trying to figure out those 25 things so that I can thank God specifically for those..Immediately my mind asked me: " why dont you ask for 25 graces during Jubilee? come on .. this is really bad! wen you are supposed to thank God for 25 graces, 'm thinking of gathering 25 graces..

After all, whats wrong in asking my Father for another 25 specific graces? Well! let me see what all I need..

No 1- Lord, fill me with more of LOVE
No 2- Lord, make me more GENTLE

then I found a chain of needs..patience, kindness, humility, generosity, wisdom, it went on..

Suddenly, I heard a voice deep inside asking me " Hey, what are you upto?"
wasting no time I replied. " 'm praying for all those 25 graces "
then the voice came " U need all these for?"
I replied "to become a perfect disciple, reflecting more of His image."
again the voice came " Do you think there is someone with all these qualities"
I thought for a while and then said.." I think its only Jesus - The Perfect! ".
now the voice said, " then why dont you pray that way? Wisdom dawned upon me and I realized what to pray.. ..There was a deep conviction and I rephrased my prayer into "Jesus, Make me like you"
again the inspiration came to me to repeat it 25 times...

A beautiful prayer in 5 words which contains countless features of God-the Almighty...and the Holy Spirit took less than a minute to teach me this. Yes, my God can multiple those 5 simple words into 5000 graces for me..

What does the name Jesus Youth really mean?

The one who is called to be another Jesus in the World.. He should be a Jesus person.. If so, Hw much do I personify Jesus Christ in my thoughts & deeds?

Oh God...now I find the relevance of this prayer..

With full trust and hope I pray.. "Jesus, Make Me like YOU"....

Late have I loved you....

This is a famous excerpt from st. Augustine's Confessions. A Doctor of the Church and a Love Mystic. A realization very relevant for a soul...

Late have I loved you,
Oh Beauty so ancient and so new,
late have I loved you!

Lo, you were within,
but I outside, seeking there for you,
and upon the shapely things you have made
I rushed headlong – I, misshapen.
You were with me, but I was not with you.
They held me back far from you,
those things which would have no being,
were they not in you.

(Late have I loved you,
Oh Beauty so ancient and so new,
late have I loved you!)

You called, shouted, broke through my deafness;
you flared, blazed, banished my blindness;
you lavished your fragrance, I gasped; and now I pant for you;
I tasted you, and now I hunger and thirst;
you touched me, and I burned for your peace.

(Late have I loved you,
Oh Beauty so ancient and so new,
late have I loved you!)

When did you taste God's Love?

I did not believe I could ever attempt to write about the 'Love of God' in my Life. The reason is just that 'The Love of God' is indescribable and rather stays as an incomparable experience.

Just observed a couple of times somebody asking another to tell an incident where he/she felt God's love in life. Here is a late realization that came to me... My God's love for me is never related to any one particular instance or incident. It is like a river, ever-flowing which keeps cleansing its routes...My Heavenly Father's love is ever-flowing, transforms me every moment, in every breath and continues all throughout eternity. YET, we are so used to relating this experience to one day or an incident or an event. Nothing unusual! That's how a 'creation' is different from 'The Creator'. As simple as that!

ANY doubt? then ask God to tell you an instance where HE really felt love for you!!! :)

A Life Worth Living...

Often I come across this golden statement - 'A Life worth living'. It appears to be a comment made by some one looking at a life well-lived/living. Now, What makes my life worth living? Well, the reason just differs from person to person. It could be success, happiness, fame, wealth, intellect, innovations, charity, self-satisfaction and so on. Think again, is it all about making myself successful or keeping people around happy for my life always? Can I confidently look up and expect 'The Potter' to make the same comment on my life?

Do my values and principles help me in leading 'a life worth living'? If the answer is just a made-up smile on my face, then its time to double check my ways. No worries, life just gets a new beginning every time we take time to introspect.

Now, Challenge yourself to be an inspiration for others to live up to The Maker's expectations....Lets figure out the actual meaning of our lives!!!