Knowledge of Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text: Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matt 16:13-19

Reflection: In school and even in quiz contests one is often asked about the naming of the head of state and I have often wondered how relevant or important it is to know the name of the head of state.

If one meets the simple folks in the villages and by lanes of the cites too then one will find that there are many who could be going about life without knowing the names of any of these big peoples.

You could go to the government offices and yet can get your work done without anyone bothering to know your IQ or general knowledge on these matters.

Many a times, it is a rule in government offices to even put up a photograph of these head of state and yet one need not bother to know them in order to get their work done.

Can the same be said about the knowledge of Jesus Christ? Can we go about life without knowing Christ Jesus?

Perhaps we may go about life without Jesus but to live that fullness of life; a life of true happiness here on earth and carry a sure hope of the eternity then it is not possible without the knowledge of Jesus.

No work that concerns our total being and our full maturity can be accomplished without the knowledge of Jesus Christ; “for apart from me you can do nothing.” says he. John 15:5

In other words; it is not just the knowledge about Jesus but a deep intimate knowledge of him.

It is to be based on a relationship with Jesus, which foundation is total faith and trust.

It is not an abstract foundation but a relationship with a risen Christ who assures us of his presence with us even to the end of times.

How then could he assure Peter, that his work of building his church on the rock of Peter, in our midst, will be a continual labor of his?

Hence all knowledge may be passing and for a moment, but the knowledge of Jesus Christ is the only knowledge that will see us through for all eternity.

Prayer:  May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. (cfr. Eph 1:17)

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Worship the Holy Trinity

Scripture/Bible: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." Matt 28:16-20

Reflection:  A good story or a film always has a happy ending; they lived happily ever after. There was a reason for such a climax; to leave a pleasant memory.  It is like having a sweet dessert after a sumptuous meal, which leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth.

In the realm of spirituality, what is life if it doesn’t lead us to the ultimate happiness which we seek and that which come through our intimacy with God, viz. Worship.  For this is what God has made us for and ordained us to and where our ultimate and real happiness lie.

Here is a first instance of the many of the dedicated disciples reaching that final goal after being with Jesus for about three years, the ultimate and intimate vision; the worship of the true and living God.

The psalmist rejoices and earnestly seeks, in this expression: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. Ps 27:4

The book of revelation reveals to us that one sure activity we shall be involved in heaven is that of worshipping God. (Rev. 15: 4; 22:3)

St. Paul teaches us that our daily life itself can be worship unto the Lord, even in the midst of persecutions and trials; “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Rom 12:1

Prayer: "Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!" Ps 132:7

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Be Satisfied

Scripture/Bible: In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. 24 Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.25 "I have said this to you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures but tell you plainly of the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father." John 16:23-28 

Reflection:  Why would one ask nothing from someone? Or look at a weaned child, satisfied and asking nothing. Even animals do better. But the human being as he grows does develop this tendency to seek for more and more. 

Man is an insatiable creature. 

He has more than enough in his store house or bank to satisfy his needs and yet he may never be satisfied with what he has.   

If the fears, the anxieties, the conflicting desires, the oppositions, the conscience and the challenges of life would not have been there then perhaps nothing would stop him in his greed for more and more.

He generally seeks more in order to be satisfied or to reach a point of satisfaction, but satisfaction eludes him as the envy and the desire to achieve more makes him blind to this innate need in him.

The need to be satisfied is intrinsic to humans.  But they fail to realize the higher goals and this may sound philosophical but yet true; not to seek satisfaction is to be satisfied. It spells true freedom and freedom is a higher need than any other need. 

Hence, when Jesus says: “In that day you will ask nothing of me”, in this he is offering humans the possibility of satisfying their greatest need in him; the need for freedom and thus happiness.

He is free who chooses not to choose because he or she is content and happy.  Jesus came as a savior to accomplish this great innate need in us.   

Prayer: “We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, thy holy temple! By dread deeds thou dost answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation” Ps 65:4-5

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Eating and Drinking

Today’s Scripture: Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Mark 1:6-8

Reflection:  Food can often bore individuals and make them fed up of life, especially if one is eating the same thing daily, over and over again. Many of us may never realize this bitter truth because we are used to the varieties of life. Unless we have allowed ourselves to go through this restrictive exercise either due to circumstances or choice. 

Life is not just eating and drinking or always having a nutritious diet and having the right kind of calories. We could have all these and yet fall sick because as Jesus says, not what goes in but what comes out from a man is more important.”  What one enjoys today becomes a poison tomorrow.

To lead a frugal life and to find satisfaction in the little things of life is greater freedom and happiness. The existential and eternal happiness and freedom is possible only in Jesus. This freedom is a great blessing to lead a life free of the many fears we carry in ourselves concerning eating and drinking. The worldly seek a healthy prolonged life centered on self while the Christian seeks it in Jesus. This is detrimental to life itself and its eternal purpose for which has created us.

Prayer: Lord, may I offer you a constant sacrifice of self denial with praise and thanksgiving.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Take my Yoke

Scripture: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30

Reflection:  A doctor says come to me if you are sick and a teacher will say; come to me if you want to be educated, a shopkeeper will say come to me to buy your provision and politician will say come to me with your civic problem.

But it’s always a package deal, you got to either pay or give something for the services they render.

But who will handle the deep needs and mental stress that people go through. Jesus offers us the solution. But many of us reject him and what he has to offer. What he offers is a whole package; we want the ‘rest that spells happiness’ but not the ‘yoke of his teachings’.   

Therefore we end up with worldly wise people and psychiatrist and yogi’s and New Age gurus and quick fix experts.  Unfortunately, this problem is not limited to ordinary lay people but to those who are supposed to be close to God by virtue of their consecration.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for this offer, I accept your word, your teachings and desire to live by it in total submission. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us