On Sharing My Faith

I generally have a tendency to shy away from the responsibility of sharing my faith with my friends. The reasons, or rather, excuses are quite usual – They may feel that I am trying to convert them, or, their impression about me may be lost, they may think that I am offending their sentiments. I always wonder what the right thing I must start with is.

There have been occasions when I was involved in discussion with a (secular) set of friends on some burning issue, say sexual morality, and some of them completely disagree with my views. Now whatever argument I put forward to them, either they have a counter-argument, or they simply disagree. Most of the time it boils down to the same question - "Who decides/defines what is right and wrong?"

Have you ever been in such a situation? If so, I don’t know how you must have handled the situation. But I have mixed success in conveying my views. I notice one thing in general. Without bringing God into any discussion on moral issues, the arguments look weak and empty according to me. Had there been no God, many things I consider illegitimate today could be considered legitimate, and many values I stand for would be absolutely foolish. And it's very difficult to prove to an atheist that God exists, no matter how logical my attempt is in putting my views.

I used to wonder why is it that God who is so real and present to me is a matter of foolishness for others. Well the answer is very clear. Even I did not come to faith because I heard someone explaining about God logically (though today I realize that all logic applied objectively and in unbiased manner proves the existence of God). Yeah… I have heard people sharing about God, and his unfathomable and unconditional love. I have heard them sharing their testimonies of how God shows his providence in their daily life. I have witnessed the power of God working through them, when the cancers and AIDS get healed, blind people see, the deaf ones hear, and the lame walk. Their sharings and witnessing life have invited me to try this faith myself, when I could myself truly experience that awesome love that transformed my whole life. I have experienced the hand of God working on me for the past 11 years. Instead of sharing experiences, if they had tried to convince me with logical conclusions, I don’t think I could have ever experienced God and his love.

So… it requires experience to believe in God. And one can experience God only when He reveals himself to him or her. Bible says – "Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him." (Wisdom 1:2)

What makes someone seek God? Well, every man experiences in his soul, a deep craving for God. He can sense it, but may not understand what this craving is for, or may not acknowledge it. It usually happens that the soul is unable to find God, and his pride may tend to give up this search after some time. Pride works, saying – "I will not accept anyone or any idea which I could not experience in my whole life." A theist (a person who believes that God exists) may not necessarily have experienced God. If his soul manages to triumph over pride, and accepts that there could be many things that is beyond its understanding, and hopes that the One whom it craves for really exists. And when it ultimately experiences God personally and intimately, faith is built up on the experience, and not on logical explanations.

The state of a soul that has not experienced God is like a man who is shut in a big dark room for years, and craves for freedom. One day he hears someone shouting from outside the room that the door is unlocked and it opens to outside world where he will find freedom and light. He is filled with hope, but he suddenly experieces the presence of a tall dark creature beside him, saying that the messenger is trying to fool him, and it’s better not to reach to the door and try to open it, for the fear of disappointment.

Here, the captive man is the soul of the person, the dark creature is his pride, and the messenger is a person who had experienced God and shares his testimony with him. The soul will be naturally drawn to God and respond to Him. To reach to the door of faith and to open it, one has to defeat his pride. But it is always wise according to me, to do so by hope, even if you are not so sure whether the door will open. For you have nothing to lose. If the door will not open, you may get disappointed, that’s all. Nothing worse will happen, and you are losing nothing. But if it does open, you have used your only option to see freedom and light.

Paul says in the letter to Romans chapter 8

19. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God;
20. for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope
21. that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
23. and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

So, what God has taught me is very simple:- Don't spend too much time in arguments with my friends. I must trust in God and use words of wisdom whenever required, but that's not enough. I must share my experience of Jesus with them and invite them to experience the same. I must pray fervently for them so that God may open the doors of opportunities in their life where they become more receptive to the Word of God and welcome him into their lives.

Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

My dear friend, in Jesus' never-failing name I invite you his beautiful kingdom, and I can assure you that you will not get disappointed. He is the answer to all our needs - spiritual, psychological, physical, material. He is a loving Father, who sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ into this world to wash our sins with his precious blood, so that we may be worthy to enter the Kingdom of God, where we will live forever. I know what I am saying, if you are feeling right now how crazy I am. He is the One whom your soul craves for. He knows the deepest desires of your heart. He is Love Unlimited, and for a seeking heart, He is just a simple prayer away.

For the scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." (Romans 10:11)

God bless you!!!

Charismatic Convention + Rex Band Concert in Mumbai

On November 8th Thursday - 11th Sunday, 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, at Tilak Nagar Municipal Ground, Chembur. Rex Band Concert on the 11th

This festival season is all set to be one full of blessings from above. The Diocese of Kalyan is organizing a four day Charismatic Convention this November from 8th to 11th at Tilak Nagar Municipal Ground, Chembur. The Preaching of the Word of God and Healing Services will be led by eminent preachers Fr. Kurian Puramadathil & his team and by Fr. Jose Vettiyankal VC. Their services will be on 3 days i.e. 8th, 9th and 10th from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm, in Malayalam. The summary of each seesion will be given in English at the end of it. On 11th, there will be a Gospel Music Ministry conducted by Rex Band, a music & audio visual outreach ministry of Jesus Youth Movement. As a conclusion of the Year of the Children and the Youth (YCY), this programme is done very specially keeping in mind of the youth and the children.

Almost every year, the Diocese of Kalyan conducts Charismatic Convention during the Diwali holidays, which are attended by thousands of people. I have attended at least 4 of them, and have witnessed lives being changed when people hear the Word of God and get touched by the Unlimited Love of God. Many receive healings in body, mind and spirit.

I was drawn to Jesus Christ personally through the Jesus Youth movement. Ever since I started attending programmes and prayer groups conducted by them, I have experienced moments of deep intimacy with God and received immense love, healing, assurance, hope and faith in Jesus Christ, whom I can declare before anyone as my only Savior and Lord.

One of the attractions of Jesus Youth programmes in always the music ministry led by the Rex Band. They are a highly motivated group of people who have committed their lives entirely to God. They use their talents for the glory of God alone. Their services have made a profound impact on the lives of many people, especially the young people. Their programmes include worship music, skits, theatre art and so on.

I recommend everyone in Mumbai to go and attend the Convention, and especially the Rex Band Concert (it's in English), for I can assure you that it can change your life completely. We come across a million opportunities in life. But it will make any difference to you only if you make use of them.

God bless you!!!

Cardinal Supports Proposed "Improvement" of Abortion Law

But Affirms Sacredness of All Human Life

LONDON, OCT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- As British Parliament considers lowering the age limit for abortions, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor weighed in, supporting any vote that ushers in what he called incremental improvements to an unjust law.

Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, archbishop of Westminster, noted his support for a lowering of the age limit in a statement published today by the Telegraph newspaper.

The Abortion Act of 1967 originally set at 28 weeks the legal limit for abortions. Then, in 1990, Parliament agreed to lower the time limit to 24 weeks. An inquiry into the age limits commenced Oct. 15 by the House of Commons committee on science and technology. Improvements in survival rates for babies born prematurely have led to pressure for the limit to be lowered.

Read more on the article here: http://www.zenit.org/article-20856?l=english

I loved the way the article ends.

"The Catholic Church does not oppose abortion because it opposes human progress or fails to understand the struggles and difficulties that people have to cope with," he said. "How could the Church not believe in humanity when its whole faith is cantered on God becoming human? The Church's 'no' to abortion is simply the reflection of its unconditional 'yes' to all human life, its 'yes' to a society in which the innocent and vulnerable growing life in the womb is cherished and protected. A society that protects all its children, especially the fragile child in the womb, is a society in which we can all feel at home.

If abortion is to become a thing of the past, it will not be because the Catholic Church has succeeded in imposing its views on anyone. It will be because people, of their own volition, have come to see that there is a better way. This gives me reason for hope. We can say 'yes' to life."

Not only to Forgive, but to LOVE

It is easy to preach, but not so to practise. It demands a good deal of courage and perseverance. And it's possible only through the GRACE of God. If you think you can do it without grace and assistance of God's Spirit, you are wrong!!!

Wondering what I am talking about? It's on FORGIVENESS.

I have been struggling hard to come to terms with the fact that some party who owes me a huge amount of money seems to be trying all the means to avoid paying it back to me. Of course, they have their own justification for doing so. There were couple of things that were troubling me.

1. The loss of money itself, which is a huge amount to me. Well, apart from my salary, I do not have any other means of income or have a strong financial background. But I managed to mentally write off the money. Also my wife, who shares this loss equally with me by all sense, suggested me to forget the money, and not to worry about it. Thankfully, my wife and I are not so obsessed with money. All glory to God alone.
2. The thought that I am cheated really haunted me. I gave them my best, but not only that I am not getting the same in return, but also that I am treated as an offender against them.
3. Though I decided many times to forgive them, it was very difficult. There is lot of anger and bitterness towards them.

For a practising Christian, the guideline is very clear. Forgiveness. See Matthew 6.

14. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
15. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

There is no option for me but to forgive them, coz I know my transgressions are too many to be counted, yet I am forgiven of all of them. The importance of forgiveness is evident from the fact that it is mentioned in the greatest prayer that's taught by Jesus himself. (Matthew 6 again)

9. "This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10. your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
11. Give us today our daily bread;
12. and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
13. and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.

I know all this. But why am I struggling so hard to practise forgiveness. Tonight, as I was praying & reflecting, I got the answer!!! It's in the words of Jesus in Matthew 5.

38. "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
40. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
41. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
42. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
43. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
45. that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
46. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
47. And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
48. So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

"Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you!!!" That's the key!! I was able to write off the money. But the thought that I am cheated was so strong that I was not able to love them. To know that I need to forgive, and to actually forgive - it'is different. If I do not love a person who offended me, I have not forgiven him. Even though I took time to pray for them, what prayer is it if it is without love?

Tonight, as I was praying, with my eyes opened, lying down on bed, I invited the presence of God. I slowly said the prayer - "Sweet Sacred Heart of Jesus, be my love... "

Yes, I wanted Jesus to be my first love. I began to experience His love, and was being filled with His love. Then I offered my struggle before him. He was filling me with so much love, that I could not help loving all of them. I could experience the difference in me. And soon I remembered the above Bible verse regarding love. I could not stop myself, but wanted to share this experience to you, my dear reader. I started composing this posting at 1:40 in the night, and it's 3:30 now. Ya, I take lot of time in writing...

I know I spent only a few moments with the Lord tonight. And for the process of forgiveness and healing will take time. But I am glad that it will happen soon. Praise Jesus!!!

Another thing I learned - It's my pride working when I am expecting that they are not going to pay me up; or, when I think that others are not as good as I am. Personally, they may be far better than me. So now I am learning to accept that they are good, and some day they will pay up my money. So.. what's wrong in loving or forgiving someone, whom tomorrow I may come to know as far better than I am. Let God decide who is good and who is bad, and my job is to receive forgiveness and love from God, and to forgive and love my neighbour.

Undoubtedly, His love is unlimited!!!!

God's Smile

My younger son Joshua is now almost 5 months old. One of the most noticeable thing about him is - you can immediately say if you have ever spent some time with him - that he is a smiling beauty. He smiles at anyone and everyone. To me he gives some of the most delightful moments with his cute innocent smile, that often conveys a lot of things - Love, Expectation, Innocence, Peace, Joy, Holiness.....

At times I tell Neethu - "Look, this is how God smiles! Of course, His smile must be even more beautiful; for He is the most innocent, most loving, the seat of all righteousness, peace and joy."

Jesus took delight in little infants. Scriptures depict the beautiful incident when He praised the Father for hiding the wisdom of His Kingdom from the wise and the learned, and instead revealing it to children.

And the Kingdom of God is... Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. And that's why we find it difficult to smile like Joshua does.

On the Feast of Corpus Christi (ZENIT)

Pontifical Household Preacher Comments on Sunday's Readings

ROME, JUNE 9, 2007 (Zenit) - Here is a translation of a commentary by the Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, on the readings from this Sunday's liturgy.

* * *

Do This in Memory of Me
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Genesis 14:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11b-17

In the second reading of this feast, St. Paul presents us with the most ancient account we have of the institution of the Eucharist, written no more than about 20 years after the fact. Let us try to find something new in the Eucharistic mystery, using the concept of memorial: "Do this in memory of me."

Memory is one of the most mysterious and greatest powers of the human spirit. Everything seen, heard and done from early childhood is conserved in this immense womb, ready to reawaken and to dance into the light either by an external stimulus or by our own will.

Without memory we will cease to be ourselves, we will lose our identity. Those who are struck by total amnesia, wander lost on the streets, without knowing their own name or where they live.

A memory, once it has come to mind, has the power to catalyze our whole interior world and route everything toward its object, especially if this is not a thing or a fact, but a living person.

When a mother remembers her child, who was born a few days ago and is left at home, everything inside her flies toward her baby, a movement of tenderness rises from her maternal depths and perhaps brings tears to her eyes.

Not just the individual has memory; human groups -- family, tribe, nation -- also have a collective memory. The wealth of a people is not so much measured by the reserves of gold it holds in its vaults, but rather by how many memories it holds in its collective consciousness. It is the sharing of many memories that cements the unity of a group. To keep such memories alive, they are linked to a place, to a holiday.

Americans have Memorial Day, the day in which they remember those who fell in all the wars; the Indians have the Gandhi Memorial, a green park in New Delhi that is supposed to remind the nation who he was and what he did. We Italians also have our memorials: The civil holidays recall the most important events in our recent history, and streets, piazzas and airports are dedicated to our most eminent people.

This very rich human background in regard to memory should help us better understand what the Eucharist is for the Christian people. It is a memorial because it recalls the event to which all of humanity now owes its existence as redeemed humanity: the death of the Lord.

But the Eucharist has something that distinguishes it from every other memorial. It is memorial and presence together, even if hidden under the signs of bread and wine. Memorial Day cannot bring those who have fallen back to life; the Gandhi Memorial cannot make Gandhi alive again. In a sense, the Eucharistic memorial, however, according to the faith of Christians, does do this in regard to Christ.

But together with all the beautiful things that we have said about memory, we must mention a danger that is inherent to it. Memory can be easily transformed into sterile and paralyzing nostalgia. This happens when a person becomes the prisoner of his own memories and ends up living in the past.

Indeed, the Eucharistic memorial does not pertain to this type of memory. On the contrary, it projects us forward; after the consecration the people say: "We proclaim your death, O Lord, and confess your resurrection, until you come." (In the Lain Rite)

An antiphon attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas ("O sacrum convivium") defines the Eucharist as the sacred feast in which "Christ is received, the memory of his passion is celebrated, the soul is filled with grace, and we are given the pledge of future glory."

Blog for Jesus Youth Mumbai

Jesus Youth of Mumbai has revamped their blog. Take a look. I think it looks fabulous.

Please visit the blog, and leave your comments if any.

My New Born Baby Boy

By God's immense grace, yours truly has become a DAD again to another baby boy. He was delivered through a Caesarean operation at 09:05 AM IST, 19th April 2007, with 3.350 kg weight. Both mother and the child are healthy and perfectly OK.