The Word of Life

4th June 2025 

Meditating the Words of Jesus from Holy Scriptures 

Lord, teach us how to love You unconditionally

 

God has commanded us "not to kill," and in many nations, killing someone is a serious crime that carries the death penalty. According to Jesus, we commit a form of murder whenever we become enraged with our friends, family, or even our adversaries. It is a sin from a spiritual standpoint and in accordance with Jesus' teachings. We may commit sin in our hearts with the aim to cause bodily or psychological harm to others, yet both are considered sins. You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You shall not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. 22 But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court; anyone who calls a brother “Fool” will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him “Traitor” will answer for it in hell fire. Mt 5: 21-22(NJB) We can see how the angry of Cain worked, he killed his brother because of jealousy, even jealousy can be a heinous crime someone may make. God did not please in the sacrifice, Cain was offered, God pleased in the offerings of Abel. God was not happy with the offering by Cain. “He did not look with favour on Cain and his offering, and Cain was very angry and downcast. 6 Yahweh asked Cain, ‘Why are you angry and downcast? 7 If you are doing right, surely you ought to hold your head high! But if you are not doing right, Sin is crouching at the door hungry to get you. You can still master him. (Genesis 4:5–7, NJB) Esau lost his birthright, because he was caught trapped by the food and he sold his birthright to Joseph, when he pleaded for his birthright, he was rejected because of the bitterness and anger in him. Seek peace * with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. 15 Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to-grow and make trouble; * this can poison a large number. 16 And be careful that there is no immoral person, or anyone worldly minded like Esau, who sold his birthright (Hebrews 12:14–16, NJB Jesus stressed that we should always strive for peace and that we must be holy in order to see the Lord and His plan for our lives. We shall lose God's grace, forget Him and His love for us, and maybe reject Him when we become resentful or angry. We will never pursue earthly pleasures and passions that could divert our focus from the Lord.  

 

 

The Word of Life

 

24th May 2025

 

Meditating the Words of Jesus from Holy Scriptures 

Lord, teach us how to love You unconditionally

 

For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:20, NJB, https://ref.ly/Mt5.20;njb) For the sake of God's kingdom, we are expected to live moral lives. We cannot enter God's kingdom unless we surpass the integrity of the Scribes and Pharisees. We needed the integrity of St. Joseph, the Virgin Mary's husband, who guarded the holy family through all the difficult times.Have any of the authorities come to believe in him? Any of the Pharisees? (John 7:48, NJB, https://ref.ly/Jn7.48;njb) The Pharisees never believe Jesus is the Son of God or he came from God. Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and every kind of corruption. 28 In just the same way, from the outside you look upright, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:27–28, NJB, https://ref.ly/Mt23.27-28;njb). Jesus, who is the Messiah, was requested for a sign by the Pharisees and Scribes. Jonah the prophet is the only sign that Jesus wishes to show them. God saved him in the belly of a whale after he disobeyed Him and was cast into the deep sea; on the third day, he emerged from the fish's guts alive. Jesus will die and in the same way and on the third day, he will rise again, as the Son of Man will rise from the dead on the third day. He replied, ‘It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. (Matthew 12:39, NJB, https://ref.ly/Mt12.39;njb)

The Word of Life

 

On 22nd May 2025 [VM 7]

Meditating the Words of Jesus from Holy Scriptures 

Lord, make us Understand Your commandments and statutes to know Your will.

‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. 18 In truth I tell you, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, is to disappear from the Law until all its purpose is achieved[1] Jesus did not come to abolish the law; rather, he came to explain the significance of the Ten Commandments and make them more important for living a life in Christ. All of the prophets' predictions will come to pass. Moses, David, Isiah, Jeremiah, Malachi, Zechariah, and numerous other prophets wrote about Jesus' birth and how humanity is saved centuries before he was born. According to what the Heavenly Father stated in the book of Genesis,, ‘Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild animals and all the creatures that creep along the ground.’ 27 God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.[2] Here what we can understand is the Trinitarian God’s presence is clearly visible. God said here ‘Let us make man in our own image and in the likeness of ourselves’ Jesus did not come to abolish the law; rather, he came to explain the significance of the Ten Commandments and make them more important for living a life in Christ. All of the prophets' predictions will come to pass. Moses, David, Isiah, Jeremiah, Malachi, Zechariah, and numerous other prophets wrote about Jesus' birth and how humanity is saved centuries before he was born. According to what the Heavenly Father stated in the book of Genesis, I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you. 35 It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognize you as my disciples.[3] In a different verse, Jesus tells us that just as he kept his Father's commandments, so should we keep God's commandments and stay in the love of both Jesus and the Father in heaven.  If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. [4]   This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.[5]                                                                         

[1] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 5:17–18). New York: Doubleday.

[2] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ge 1:26–27). New York: Doubleday.

[3] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Jn 13:34–35). New York: Doubleday.

[4] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Jn 15:10). New York: Doubleday.

[5] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Jn 15:12). New York: Doubleday.

The Word of Life

 

On 15th May 2025 [VM 6]

Meditating the Words of Jesus from Holy Scriptures 

Lord, make us the light for the world, to spread your unconditional love to others

‘You are light for the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lampstand where it shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine in people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven. Mt 5: 14-16 Lord is asking us to be the light of the world and spread the fragrance of the Gospel to the faithful of the church and to the nations. Whatever talents, graces or gifts we received from the Lord has to be given back by doing the best for the kingdom of God. Our virtues should reflect through our words and deeds and it should flow naturally by our humility to serve others unconditionally, the way Jesus served the apostles and the disciples.

Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.   8 God is perfectly able to enrich you with every grace, so that you always have enough for every conceivable need, and your resources overflow in all kinds of good work. 9 As scripture says: To the needy he gave without stint; his uprightness stands firm forever.10 The one who so freely provides seed for the sower and food to eat 2 Co 9:7–10). Lord is asking us to give generously, and he will return us generously by hundred-fold. He will return us many graces which will empower us to work for the kingdom of God.  And some seed fell into good soil and grew and produced its crop a hundredfold.’ Saying this he cried, ‘Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!’ Lk. 8: 8. Same way it is happening while we ponder the Word of God. How the condition is, our heart should be noble and generous. The faith in Jesus should be unwavering and steadfast and trustworthy.  As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Lk 8: 15

The Word of Life

 

On 13th May 2025 [VM 5]

Meditating the Words of Jesus from Holy Scriptures 

Lord, make us humble, faithful and trustworthy till the end of our life.

 

13 ‘You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing and can only be thrown out to be trampled under people’s feet. [1]

Jesus is teaching us, that we are the salt of the earth. Salt is considered goes into all kind of the food preparation and it gives the taste. It’s a symbol of purity, loyalty, faithfulness, love, mercy and compassion and such people will be the foundation of the Kingdom of God. Lord needs such faithful servants not the masters to serve his people on earth. Here the earth he considers whole humanity, the people of God, to serve them like a shepherd looking after his flocks. Salt considers bring peace on earth, such kind of people are peace makers. For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.’ [2]Mk 9: 49.

 

 How St. Paul became the salt of the earth? He was considered the enemy of the Church became a insipid, but Lord, brought him back to become the real salt to the earth. St. Paul was gone through a great conversion and became the greatest apostle for His Kingdom. It happened that while he was travelling to Damascus and approaching the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone all round him. 4 He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 5 ‘Who are you, Lord?’ he asked, and the answer came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ 7The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless, for though they heard the voice they could see no one. St Paul got conversion as he met Jesus on the road to Damascus But Judas, he could not become a loyal friend to our Lord, he lost the real value of the salt, the faithfulness, loyalty, trustworthy, love and compassion. He betrayed Jesus but could not repent for his sin, he lost the real purpose his life. He hanged himself and lost his life. Judas betrayed Jesus, he told the Jews and soldiers: ‘The one I kiss, he is the man. Arrest him.’ 49 So he went up to Jesus at once and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi,’ and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, ‘My friend, do what you are here for.’ Then they came forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him[3]. Judas told the priests from whom he took money for betraying Jesus. Saying, ‘I have sinned. I have betrayed innocent blood.’ They replied, ‘What is that to us? That is your concern.’ 5 And flinging down the silver pieces in the sanctuary he made off, and went and hanged himself[4]Mt 27: 4-5(NJB) Judas lost his saltiness, the faithfulness to his Master and betrayed Jesus for few silver coins, that was the value he considered for the salt, the most valuable companionship and the discipleship to the Lord, and he lost it forever, so tragic. He ended his life by hanging himself on a tree.

 

 

[1] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 5:13). New York: Doubleday.

[2] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mk 9:49–50). New York: Doubleday.

[3] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 26:48–50). New York: Doubleday.

[4] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 27:4–5). New York: Doubleday.

Word of Life

 

On 8th May 2025 [VM 4]

Meditating the Words of Jesus from Holy Scriptures 

Lord, make us rejoice and be glad while we are persecuted

 

Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.  (Matthew 5:11–12, NJB) Whenever we experience abuse and humiliation, we should keep in mind how everyone tormented, mistreated, and degraded Jesus. Jesus says that we shall be persecuted because of his name and his life. According to Jesus, the suffering we shall endure in the last day will be unbearable and extremely terrible, so pray to the Lord during those days when the church will be persecuted. For then there will be great distress, unparalleled since * the world began, and such as will never be again. 22 And if that time had not been shortened, no human being would have survived; but shortened that time shall be, for the sake of those who are chosen.  (Matthew 24:21–22, NJB). The Jews and Roman troops also caused St. Paul a great deal of suffering. However, during his spiritual journey, he never gave up and relentlessly shared the gospel with the masses. No other apostle has endured as much suffering or traveled as widely as he did in order to share the gospel and bear witness to Christ our Lord. This roused the whole city; people came running from all sides; they seized Paul and dragged him out of the Temple, and the gates were closed behind them. 31 While they were setting about killing him, word reached the tribune of the cohort that there was tumult all over Jerusalem (Acts 21:30–31, NJB)

 

The Word of Life

 

On 4th May 2025 [VM 3]

Meditating the Words of Jesus from Holy Scriptures 

Lord, give us strength, perseverance and grace to overcome the persecutions. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.  (Matthew 5:10, NJB) Jesus always says that the people will persecute us, but we have to pray for them. As he says: But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; (Matthew 5:44, NJB). We can see how St Stephen prayed for his persecutors. He did not resist while the Jews were throwing stones on him and beating him but was praying while he was dying.  As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60 Then he knelt down and said aloud, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And with these words he fell asleep.  (Acts 7:59–60, NJB) St Stephen prayed fervently for the persecutors and that was a special prayer he has done and many were repented and converted and among them was Saul the persecutor of the Church and he became St Paul the greatest Apostle. When we pray for for our enemies they will become our friends. What St Paul Apostle says about the persecution he has gone through is written in his letters. We are subjected to every kind of hardship, but never distressed; we see no way out but we never despair; 9 we are pursued but never cut off; knocked down, but still have some life in us; 10 always we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus, too, may be visible in our body. 11 Indeed, while we are still alive, we are continually being handed over to death, for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may be visible in our mortal flesh. 12 In us, then, death is at work; in you, life. 13 But as we have the same spirit of faith as is described in scripture—I believed and therefore I spoke * —we, too, believe and therefore we, too, speak, (2Cr 4: 8-13, NJB) What St Paul wrote is enough for us to reflect and meditate. Let us pray: Lord, give us strength, perseverance and grace to overcome the persecutions.