THE KINGDOM Volume - 1

English

The Kingdom A book - serial to grow in the experience

of the Kingdom of God

A book - serial to grow in the

experience of the Kingdom of God Copy Right: Thomas Paul

Volume - I

The Kingdom Publications,

Thomas Paul A/1-B, Garden Court, Opp. P.O.C, Edappally P.O,
Kochi - 682024, Kerala, India.
Ph: 0484- 2806376
E-mail: kthomaspaul@gmail.com

Published by:
Mrs. Valsa Thomas for the Kingdom Publications.
Printed at: Viani Printings, Ernakulam.

The Kingdom
Publications
Kochi

Contents
1. Put out into deep water and lower
your nets for a catch (Luke 5:4)
2. Be Not Afraid - Pope John Paul II
From Crossing the Threshold of Hope
3. The Kingdom of God is at hand (Mk 1: 15)
4. God is Love (1 Jn. 4: 8)
5. Good Tree - Good Fruit (Mt. 12:33)
6. Your family will be saved (Acts 16:31)
7. Behold, I make everything new (Rev. 21:5)
-Second Vatican Council at a glance
8. Word became flesh (Jn 1:14)
A. Sight to the blind
B. Parable of the seed
C. Beatitudes
D. I have overcome the world
9. My God, my God,
why have You forsaken me? (Mt 27:46)
10. He has anointed me (Lk. 4:18)
PREFACE
5
Put out into deep water and
lower your nets for a catch
7 (Luke 5:4)
8
19
Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
25 and will do greater ones than these(John 14:12).
28
God has called us to do greater things. Only when the great
God dwells in small people like us, we will be capable of doing great
33 things. Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.
This means that all of us in our own situations will become capable
41 of doing great things when God empowers us. This is possible only
through holiness.
Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will
perform wonders among you(Joshua.3:5).
God wants our sanctification. All of us are called to be saints.
54
When we experience that holiness, we become one with the Holy
57 Trinity, dwelling within us. Thus, the eternal life, the experience of
the kingdom of God begins here in this world itself. Then we will
do miracles.
Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book
( Jer. 30:2).
5
 The Holy Spirit inspired me to publish The Kingdom, a se-
ries of books as daily bread for Gods people to grow in holiness, by
imparting the mysteries of the kingdom, the insights of the word and
the works of charisms.
In these books, we do not speak with words taught by human
wisdom but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual re-
alities in spiritual terms(1 cor. 2: 13). I am not fortunate to study in
a Bible college or a seminary. I write this as per the word from the
Lord, Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you(Jer 30:2),
based on the Holy Spirits revelations and teachings throughout these
seven years as I was preaching to priests, seminarians, the religious
and the laities all over India. The main aim of this book serial is to
make available the latest teachings of the church to the laity and to
encourage them to grow with the church.
My thanks to Rev.Fr Dr.Paul Thelakat, chief editor of
Sathyadeepam for going through the manuscripts of this book se-
rial.
With unity of prayer,
Thomas Paul
6 7
Be Not Afraid
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II, began his rule with these words, Do not be
afraid. Even now these words echo throughout the world.
When on October 22, 1978, I said the words Be not afraid in
St. Peters Square; I could not fully know how far they would take
me and the entire Church. Their meaning came more from the Holy
Spirit, the Consoler promised by the Lord Jesus to His disciples,
than from the man who spoke them. Nevertheless, with the passing
of the years, I have recalled these words on many occasions.
When pronouncing these words in St. Peters Square, I already
knew that my first encyclical and my entire papacy would be tied to
the truth of the Redemption. In the Redemption we find the most
profound basis for the words Be not afraid: For God so loved the
world that he gave his only son (cf. Jn. 3:16). This son is always
present in the history of humanity as Redeemer. The Redemption
pervades all human history, even before Christ, and prepares its
eschatological future. It is the light that shines in the darkness, and
the darkness has not overcome it (cf. Jn. 1:5). The power of Christs
cross and Resurrection is greater than any evil which man could or
should fear.
Pope John Paul II
Crossing the Threshold of Hope.
 One experiences the kingdom of God through the working of
the Holy Spirit, through the participation of the Triune God in his
life as he is empowered by the divine nature. In divinisation...... the
oriental theology attributes to the Holy Spirit a role that is very spe-
cial, by the power of the Spirit, who dwells in man, deification be-
gins already here on earth, the creature is transfigured and the king-
dom of God is inaugurated(OL.6); (Your Glory, ....fills the earth
8:1). The kingdom of God is established in a man, when he gets
The Kingdom of God transformed by repenting and forsaking all his sins, and starts living
a sinless life, guided and purified by God. The person starts enjoy-
is at hand (Mk 1: 15) ing the taste of the heavenly life or eternal life which he gets
after death. Whoever believes has eternal life(Jn.6:47).

The term, Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven, is in

This is the time of fulfilment. The kingdom of
God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel. frequent use in the Gospels. The use of this term in the New Testa-
(Mk.1:15; Mt.4:17;Lk.4:43). ment is as follows:
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food
and drink,but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Mt. Mk. Lk. Jn. Acts. St. Paul Others Total
Spirit, (Rom. 14:17). 55 20 46 5 8 14 16 164
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but
of power (1 Cor. 4:20). As an evangelizer, Christ first of all proclaims a kingdom, the
Kindgom of God; and this is so important that, by comparison,
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the eveything else becomes the rest which is given in addition (Mt.
fellowship of Holy Spirit be with all of you! (2 Cor. 13:13) For 6:33). Only the Kingdom therefore is absolute, and it makes every-
today and forever, Amen! God is with us Emmanuel!...... Behold, thing else relative. The Lord will delight in describing in many ways
Gods dwelling is with the human race, He will dwell with them and the happiness of belonging to this Kingdom (a paradoxical happi-
they will be his people and God himself will always be with them ness which is made up of things that the world rejects); (Mt. 5:3-12),
(Rev. 21:3). the demands of the Kingdom and its Magna Charta (Mt. 5:7), the

8 9
heralds of the Kingdom (Mt.10) its mysteries (Mt. 13), its children
(Mt.18), the vigilance and fidelity demanded of whoever awaits its
definitive coming (Mt 24:25), (E N - 8).
Pope Paul VI, on December 8, 1975 Published, Evangelii
Nuntiandi, apostolic teachings to bishops, priests and the faithful
on evangelisation of the moden whole world. The above mentioned
is a part of the exhortation.
The ministry of Jesus centered on the kingdom of God. I must
proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this
purpose I have been sent (Lk. 4:43). To carry out the will of the
Father, Christ inaugurated the Kingdom of heaven on earth and re-
vealed to us the mystery of that kingdom (L G. 3). The Lord Jesus
set it on its course by preaching the Good News, that is, the coming
of the Kingdom of God, which, for centuries, had been promised in
the Scriptures: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand (L G. 5).
In the word, in the works, and in the presence of Christ, this
kingdom was clearly open to the view of men. The Word of the Lord
is compared to a seed which is sown in a field (Mk 4:26); those who
hear the Word with faith and become part of the little flock of Christ
(Lk 12:32), have received the Kingdom itself. Then, by its own power
the seed sprouts and grows until harvest time (Mk 4:26-29). The
Miracles of Jesus also confirm that the Kingdom has already arrived
on earth: If I cast out devils by the finger of God, then the kingdom
of God has come upon you (Lk 11:20; Mtt 12:28). Before all things,
10
however, the Kingdom is clearly visible in the very Person of Christ,
the Son of God and the Son of Man, who came to serve and to give
His life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45) (L G. 5). This is from the
Second Vatican Council decrees on the church, relating to the king-
dom of God. And Pope John Paul II justifies on the permanent valid-
ity of the missionary duty of the church in the encyclical Redemptoris
Missio. A whole chapter of it is on the kingdom of God. Relevant
extracts would be included in further serials.
The purpose of emphasising solely the teaching of the church
in the introduction is also to make clear that the need of the present
era is to have an approach centred on Christian life, proclamation of
the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. Jesus himself said at the begin-
ning that he was anointed to proclaim the kingdom-centred gospel.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
(Mt 5:3). Jesus sent his disciples with the direction to proclaim the
kingdom of God. Go and preach. The kingdom of heaven is near
(Mt 10:7) Remember that the kingdom of God has come near you
(Lk 10: 11). As the Father sent me, so I send you (Jn. 20:21). John
the Baptist who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord also pro-
claimed, Turn away from your sins because the kingdom of heaven
is near(Mt. 3:2).
In the Risen Christ Gods Kingdom is fulfilled and pro-
claimed. By raising Jesus from dead, God has conquered death, and
in Jesus he had definitively inaugurated his Kingdom. During his
earthly life, Jesus was the Prophet of the Kingdom; after his Passsion,
Resurrection and Ascension into heaven he shares in Gods power
11
and in his dominion over the worlds (cf. Mt 28:18; Acts 2:36; Eph
1:18-21).
The Resurrection gives a universal scope to Christs message,
his actions and whole mission. The disciples recognize that the King-
dom is already present in the person of Jesus and is slowly being
establiched within man and the world through a mysterious connec-
tion with him.
Indeed, after the Resurrection, the disciples preach the King-
dom by proclaiming Jesus Crucified and Risen from the dead. In
Samaria, Philip preached good news about the Kingdom of God
and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12). In Rome, we find Paul
preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus
Christ (Acts 28:31). The first Christians also proclaim the King-
dom of Christ and of God (Eph 5:5; cf. Rev 11:15; 12:10), or the
Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pt 1:11). The
preaching of the early Church was centred on the proclamation of
Jesus Christ, with whom the Kingdom was indentified. Now, as then,
there is a need to unite the proclamation of the Kingdom of God (the
content of Jesusown kerygma)and the proclamation of the Christ-
event (the kerygma of the Apostles). The two proclamations are
complementary; each throws light on the other (RM:16).
We understand that Jesus Christ himself and those who pro-
claimed the gospel before and after him, revealed the kingdom cen-
tred gospel. The kingdom of God is the essence of Jesus teaching.
All the messages of the gospel can be explained with facility on the
12
basis of the kingdom of God. Those who are experiencing the king-
dom understand with certainty the revelations of the word of God.
That is why Jesus said Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness
and all these things shall be yours as well (Mt 6:33).
It is not possible to separate Jesus and the kingdom of God; the
kingdom of God cannot be separated from Christ or the Church. As
said earlier Jesus not only proclaimed the kingdom but the kingdom
was present in him. The kingdom of God was fulfilled in him. This
happened not only through his words and works; Above all the king-
dom is made manifest in the very person of christ ,son of god and son
of man who came to serve and to give his life as a ransome for
many(Mk10:45).The kingdom of God is not a concept,a doctrine,or
a programme subject to free interpretation, but is before all else
aperson with the face and name of jesus of Nazareth, the image of
the invisible God.
The kingdom of God has four levels. These have to be under-
stood clearly and in detail.
1) Personal level
The kingdom of God is a personal spiritual experience, which
each one must make his own. The kingdom of God does not come in
such a way as to be seen. No one say, Look, here it is! or, there it
is: because the kingdom of God is within you (Lk. 17:21). The
goal of this personal level experience is to transform each one into
the image of Christ, into his mutual love and nature. The call for
personal conversion was the first step in the method adopted by Je-
13
sus in the proclamation of the gospel. Be converted, the kingdom
of God is near. Unless you become like little children, you shall not
enter the kingdom of God. To establish the kingdom of God in the
city of Samaria, Jesus leads a womana Samaritan woman, to the
experience of the kingdom of God. We shall study this in detail,
later.
2. Social level
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill
cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a
bowl; instead he puts it on the lamp stand; where it gives
light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light
must shine before people, so that they will see the good
things you do and praise your Father in heaven (Mt. 5: 14-
16).
You are the salt of the earth (Mt.5: 13).
One who has personal experience of the kingdom is the light of the
world and the salt of the earth. From him it will spread to his family
(you and your house hold will be saved) to the neighbours (love your
neighbour as yourself) and to the whole society (love one another).
The purpose of God is thus to mould a people united in mutual love
and living in holiness and peace by creating impulses in society
through the kingdom of God.
3. Universal level
God loved the world so much (Jn. 3:16). Lamb of God who
takes away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). Jesus Christ is the Sav-
14
iour of the world. The kingdom established through him is for the
whole of humanity. The saving plan of God according to the covenent
God made with Noah and his descendants is for all caste and creed
and for the entire creation. The kingdom of God must spread through
mutual love, all over the world. Jesus said, you will be my wit-
nesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth
(Acts 1:8).
4. Eschatological level
And the Good News about the kingdom will be
preached through all the world for a witness for all man-
kind; and then the end will come (Mt. 24:14).
So then you also must always be ready, because the
Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expect-
ing him (Mt. 24:44).
The eschatological hope is the hope of the final fulfilment in God,
the hope of the eternal kingdom through participation in the life of
the Trinity. By awakening impulses in the hearts of people, by enli-
vening the seeds of total salvation expected at eschatological times,
and moulding the kingdom of God according to historical trends, its
perfection will be made manifested in Jesus Christ (Your Glory....
fills the earth. 9:5).
Two Kingdoms
We need to understand the reality that there are two kingdoms
before we could think in detail about the personal experience of the
15
kingdom of God. Kingdom of God is against kingdom of sin, king-
dom of satan or the kingdom of the world. World does not mean the
external visible beautiful universe created by God; rather it is world-
liness, impurity, works of satan etc.. St. John says in his letter:
Do not love the world or the things of the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the
eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is
from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are pass-
ing away. But whoever does the will of God remains for-
ever(1 Jn 2:15-17).
A person living in the state of sin in worldly pleasures is living in the
world of sin. He will not have the experience of the kingdom of
heaven. ......friendship with the world is enemity with God(Jas.
4:4). St. Paul is making it clear in his letter to the Galatians: Live by
the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what
you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the
law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity,
licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts
of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you
before, that those who do such things will not inherit of kingdom of
God (Gal. 5: 16-17). That is why Jesus said: Unless you turn and
become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven
(Mt. 18:3). That is we need to say good bye to the kingdom of the
world. We must turn our minds from the sinful circumstances and
come closer to God.
16
There are only two kingdoms; there is not a third kingdom.
Hence all are members of either of these kingdoms. Jesus said: Who-
ever is not with me is against me (Lk. 11:23) which means one who
is not in Jesus kingdom and under His rule is already in the opposite
kingdom. Satan works against God. Therefore he does not have the
experience of the kingdom of God. Very many faithful believers
who have received Baptism and Confirmation are active in church
and in devotional practices. But the reason why they do not have the
experience of God is that they are living in the worldliness, in pleas-
ures and sinful circumstances enslaved to the working of the king-
dom of the world. Therefore they work against God without their
knowledge.
God the Father established the kingdom of God on earth through
Jesus with the aim of liberating mankind from the slavery of the
kingdom of sin and satan. Man who is drowning in the whirlpool of
sin is being saved and given divine nature. When light spreads in
darkness, the darkness by itself dispelled. So if a son frees you, then
you will truly be free (Jn. 8:36). He has sent me to proclaim liberty
to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed and
free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. (Lk. 4:19).The
power of the kingdom of God liberates mankind from the bonds of
satan and sin. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons,
then the kingdom of God has come upon you (Lk. 11:20).
It is like the functioning of two parties; party of God and party
of satan. There are only two parties. They always function against
each other. The one who is in the party of God works against the
17
party of satan; the one who is in the party of satan works against the
party of God. Each Christian has got eternal life membership in the
party of God. Being entangled in the greed of the world , when a
person gets involved in the deeds of attachment, bitterness, anger,
pride etc. He changes into the party of satan. Immediately he rejects
the support of the party of God. God comes after him to save him
from that situation. That is the Good Shepherd who comes after the
God is Love (1 Jn. 4: 8)
strayed sheep. If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes
astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search This is how we know what love is: Christ gave
of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more his life for us (1 Jn. 3:16).
over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same This word of God is a measure of love. That love is divine.
That love is different from human and worldly love.
way, it is not will of your Heavenly Father that one of these little
ones be lost(Mt. 18: 12-14). Thus God will lead all people to his That love is patient and kind.
party, to the kingdom of God. Finally there will be one shepherd That love is jealous.
and one sheepfold (Jn.10:16). That love is not conceited.
That love is not proud.
That love is not ill- mannered.
That love is not selfish.
That love is not irritate.
That love does not keep a record of wrongs.
That love is not happy with evil.
That love is happy with the truth.
That love bears all things.
That love believes all things.
That love hopes all things.
That love endures all things.
That love never ends(1 Cor. 13:4-8).
That love covers many sins(1 Peter. 4:8).

18 19
 That love gives up life for friends(Jn. 15:13).
That love leads to salvation.
That love is unconditional.
That love is eternal.
That love is new each morning.
That love is the salt of the earth.
That love is the light of the world.
That love seeks sinners.
That love does not forget even if mother forgets.
That love is brighter than the sun.
That love loves enemies.
That love dawns on the good and the bad.
That love is innocent.
That love is holy.
That love is peace.
God who loves the sinner
For when we were still sinners, Christ died for the wicked at
the time God chose. It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a
righteous person. It may even be that some one might dare to die for
a good person. But God has shown us how much he loves us it was
while we were still sinners that Christ died for us (Rom. 5:6-8).
This is the love with which Jesus loves sinners and which was re-
vealed to the world. Every one has sinned and is far away from
Gods saving presence (Rom. 3: 23). God loved the sinful world so
much that he gave his only begotten son. For God did not send his
son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior (Jn. 3: 17).
God is love. So kingdom of God is kingdom of love. He lived it and
20
demonstrated it in his life. He invited everybody to the same manner
of life. He established a new commandment, love one another. To
put that commandment into practice, he sent the Holy Spirit, who is
the love of the Triune God into the heart of each one.Hope does not
disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts
by means of the Holy Spirit who is Gods gift to us (Rom 5:5). In
reaching the fullness of the kingdom of love, every Christian and
every man will be changed into a stream of love. That is our hope.
Then every one will carry out the commandment of love Love your
neighbor as yourself.
Jesus chose and called Mathew the Tax Collector to be his dis-
ciple. When sat at table with him, many tax collectors and sinners
joined him and the disciples. The Pharisees were unhappy at this. To
them Jesus said, People who are well, do not need a doctor, but
only those who are sick. It is kindness that I want, not sacrifice. I
have not come to call the righteous but sinners (Mt. 9:9-13). Jesus
said to Zacchaeus who was a sinner, come down quickly. Today I
must stay at your home. Jesus is speaking the same to each one of
us. Zacchaeus came down quickly. Do we do like that? Listen I
stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and open the
door, I will come into his home and eat with him and he will eat with
me (Rev.3: 20). Jesus is the love that knocks at the door of every
mans heart. We must recognize that love, open the door and go out
to it. Then that love will embrace us. That light will dispel the dark-
ness that is in us. Seeing the sinner Zacchaeus receiving Jesus with
joy, the Pharisees murmured Is he a guest at the sinners house?
They said like that because they did not know about Gods love or
about sin. When Zacchaeus received Jesus, the door of his heart was
opened and he was filled with light. Behold darkness is passing out
21
and Zacchaeuss heart is filled with love of God. I will go to him
and we will sup together These words are proved true in the case of
Zacchaeus. He was filled with Gods love through the revelation of
the Holy Spirit. Love is Holy Spirit. Zacchaeus experiences conver-
sion. He is ready to give up everything. He acknowledges all the
injustices committed during his past life and confesses them. Jesus
accepts his confession and forgives his sins. Today salvation has
come to this house, for this man is also a descendant of Abraham.
Jesus Showing how to approach sinners and sin and how to show the
height of Gods love the Gospel proclamation declares to all: The
son of man has come to seek and to save the lost (Lk.19: 1-10).
Do we imitate Jesus approach to sinners in these times? By
eating with sinners and living with them Jesus was pouring into hearts
the love of God which melted their hardened hearts. On experienc-
ing that love, they felt they did not need anything else, but this. They
experienced being absorbed into that love. That is they were trans-
formed into a state in which they are unable to commit sins anymore.
Jesus activated friendship with sinner not to share in their sin but to
lead them to conversion.
A woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus by scribes
and pharisees In our law Moses commanded that such a woman
must be stoned to death. Now what do you say? (Jn. 8: 3-6). A man
and woman commit adultery because of the devilish craving in them.
It makes them slaves of sin. They can get forgiveness of sins only
when through the action of the Holy Spirit, you put to death the
deeds of the body.(Rom. 8:13).
That is, they must destroy the world of the kingdom of sin by
the power of the kingdom of God, to themselves free. This is not
22
possible by stoning them or punishing them or accusing them. In-
stead we must pour into them the holy love of God. They can return
from the kingdom of sin only through compassion and sharing of the
word of God filled with love. There is one more point to be consid-
ered here. Do those who accuse others have an experience of God?
Have they not committed sin? Only one who has not committed sin
can lead another to salvation. Jesus said to them, Whichever one of
you has committed sin may throw the first stone at her(Jn. 8:7).
Hearing this,they all left the place, beginning with the eldest. Jesus
asked her: where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?
No, no one Sir She answered. Well then Jesus said, I do not
condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again (Jn. 8: 9-11). Jesus
forgives her sins perceiving the feelings of her heart. That is why he
tells her not to commit sin again. Not only that in order to avoid
falling into sinful situations and not to become a slave to her bodily
cravings, she must remain in greater experience of prayer and deepen
her faith in Jesus.
Sin came into the world through one man and his sin brought
death with it. As a result death has spread into the whole human race,
because everyone has sinned (Rom. 5:12). The wages of sin is
death (Rom. 6:23). It is Gods love that liberates man from this con-
dition. It is true that many people died because of the sin of that
man. But Gods grace is much greater and so is his free gift to so
many people, through the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ (Rom.
5: 15-21).
This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that
He loved us and sent his son to be the means, by which our sins are
forgiven. Dear friends, if this is how God loved us, then we should
23
love one another (1 Jn. 4:10-11). We should love others with all their
failings and short comings and difference of opinion for our God
loves us with all our faults and foibles, that we fulfil this command-
ment. No one has seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in
union with us, and his love is made perfect in us (1 Jn. 4:12). If God
must live in us, we must accept with their weakness. Then Gods
love will be flown into us and we will experience conversion. We
Good Tree, Good Fruit
imbibe Gods nature. As a result we will be able to take decision to (Mt. 12:33)
reject sin, give up sin. That is the meaning of saying that God will
live in us and his love will be perfected in us. Thereby the Kingdom
of God that is, the Kingdom of love will be established in that per-
son. That is why it is written: By this we know that we abide in him Either make the tree good; and its fruit good: or make
and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit (1 Jn. 4:13). That the tree bad, and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its
is the Kingdom of God. fruit (Mt. 12:33).

On August 15th 1993, the Feast day of the Assumption of Our

Lady, while conducting a Hindi convention in a church near Jabalpur,
Madhya Pradesh, I had an inspiration to preach on our Lady. Very
many Protestant brethren also had come to hear the Word of God.
As I prayed to the Holy Spirt and Our Lady surrendering the Protes-
tant brethren so that I may not hurt their feelings, Holy Spirit spoke
to me: Each tree is known by its fruits. If the tree is good - the fruit
also is good - Say this to them. I did not have time to look into the
text. Happily as I was hurrying to the stage I asked the Holy Spirit:
Please tell me where it is written. Then the Holy Spirit whispered:
Mt. 12:33. Immediately I asked the sister who was standing nearby
to open the Bible and take the text. As she opened the Bible she got
the same text. Thereafter I started the preaching with that verse. In
the end many brethren came and thanked me for removing their wrong
understanding.

24 25
 I wrote this article while conducting a Retreat for Rev. Fathers
and Sisters in Jamshadpur in August 15, 1998. When I asked Holy
Spirit what to write about our Lady, He asked me to write: If the tree
is good - fruit also is good. I explained the above in detail inorder to
convey the truth that the Holy Spirit guides us in our Marian devo-
tion.
Tree is good, fruit also is good- Blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does
this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to
me(Lk. 1:42). Elizabeth did not say this with human knowledge
since she was not aware of the conversation between Mary and An-
gel Gabriel. Instead Elizabeth spoke filled with the Holy Spirit
(Lk. 1:42). Holy Spirit Himself revealed to the world through Eliza-
beth about Mary, His spouse. Lords mother blessed among women
- Good tree - Blessed is the fruit of your womb - good fruit. How
beautifully the Holy spirit makes us to understand this.
From the fruit a tree is known. From now on all generations
will call me blessed(Lk. 1:48). In order to produce the fruit , that is
, Jesus, the Heavenly Father had planted much in advance a tree that
is Mary. The child to be born will be holy, He will be called Son of
God (Lk.1:35). The child is holy. So inorder to conceive a holy
child, the Heavenly Father provided Mary naturally with holiness
proportionate to the holiness of the child to be born. This happened
through the working of the Holy Spirit. At the very first moment of
her existence itself she was the adorable abode of the Holy Spirit.
She experienced the fullness of the Trinity because of her glorious
status as the Mother of God, as the beloved daughter of the Heavenly
Father and as the spouse of the Holy Spirit. God raised her above all
the creatures of heaven and earth. That is why coming down from
the presence of the Father in heaven and bowing before a girl radiant
26
with incomparable holiness, Angel Gabriel venerated her and said:
Hail! favoured one! The Lord is with you (Lk. 1: 28). God is
Spirit (Jn. 4:24). The Lord is the spirit (2 Cor. 3: 17). Invoca-
tion of Mary by the Holy Spirit Full of grace meant person filled
with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who makes real the union
with life of the Trinity. From that time on Mary began to experience
the indwelling of the Trinity. That is why the angel continued to say:
The Lord is with you. The angel venerated Mary because he saw in
her the Lord that is Spirit or the presence of the Trinitarian God. If
the angel of God could venerate Mary, why should I not venerate
her? This has been my great conviction which has led me personally
to Marian devotion. Once the mysteries are understood, one becomes
convinced of the need to venerate Mary. Thereby wrong convictions
are vanished.
St. John Chrisostom writes: The Heavenly Father has predes-
tined her; whereas the Holy Spirit visited her and sanctified her; in
other words He made her His own. This inner transformation in
Mary through the Holy Spirit was so deep that it touched the inner-
most levels of her existence. (Your Glory.....fills the earth. 6:1). Ac-
cording to St. Maximillian Colbe divine nature becomes absorbed in
human nature by the working of the Holy Spirit. The perfect trans-
formation and sanctification leading to this change of human nature
into divine nature took place in Mary. When a person accepts inter-
cession of Mary she helps that person to be led into the same expe-
rience.
Only when we taste that fruit, that is Jesus, who is the fruit of
the womb of Mary, all holy, the saviour of the world, Son of God,
kingdom of God Himself, and thus find the kingdom of God , with
the knowledge of the tree that produced that fruit will be added
(Mt. 6: 33).
27

Your family will be saved
(Acts 16:31)
God created humankind in His image, in the image of
the God He created them; male and female He created them
(Gen.1: 27).
Gods image itself in the image of the family. A family that is
united in the love of the three persons of the Trinity Father, Son and
the Holy Spirit is the image of God. Thus God has created man as a
family united in love.
The Lord God formed man from the dust of the
ground, and breathed into His nostrils the breath of life; and
the man became a living being (Gen. 2: 7).
That life breathes in the life giving Holy Spirit. Seeing man
alone, God was not satisfied with His act of creation because Gods
28
image was not completed. The Lord God said, It is not good that
the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner
(Gen. 2: 18). So He created woman. Thus He created them man and
woman. As the Father, Son and Holy Spirit make one family, so too
man and woman through the same life breath that is the Holy Spirit
transforms family into a loving fellowship.
Satan destroys
the first human family
Before long the devil destroyed the first human family moulded
by Gods own hands the family of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve
acted against the will of God trapped by the snare of the devil. So the
divine character of that family was destroyed, the image of God was
lost. Man became sinner. He returned to the character of dust. That
is why God said to the man: you are dust you shall return to
dust(Gen. 3:19).
Having lost the divine character, they are sent out of Paradise
that is as a result of their sin, that family lost the Kingdom of God.
They are transferred into the kingdom of sin. They and their children
and their descendants down the line fall into sin. God said to Cain:
If you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door (Gen. 4: 7). Before
long there occurred a murder in the family. Cain kills his own brother
Abel. The Lord said: Your brothers blood is crying out to me from
the ground (Gen. 4: 10).
Divine plan
to redeem all families
Since the divine character is lost, down the generation, families
29
have been living in sin. Gods plan is to save all such families and
restore them the divine character. It is written: you and your family
will be saved. God found only a just man Noah. Still God said to
Noah: Go in to the ark, you and all your household(Gen. 7:1). Here
we can see the beginning of the saving plan of God. The saving plan
of God began with the family.
In the Acts of the Apostles it is written: you and your family
will be saved (Acts. 16: 31). It is an echo of the saving mystery
indicated in Genesis 7: 1. because sin has destroyed every family
down the generations. Therefore Gods covenant with man is to save
every family from the kingdom of sin and restore the kingdom of
God Paradise. God made the covenant with the family. God said to
Noah and his sons: As for me, I am establishing my covenant with
you and your descendants after you (Gen. 9: 9).We can see the cov-
enant made with Abraham at the level of the family. Go from your
country and your kindred and your fathers house to the land that I
will show you.. In you all the families of the earth shall be
blessed (Gen. 12: 1, 3). Go from your house, means to forsake the
tradition of sin. It is not only for your own individual salvation, but
also for the salvation of all races of men on the phase of the earth.
Thereupon God made a covenant with Abraham. Your descendants
will be like stars in the sky (Gen. 15: 5). That shows the universality
of salvation.
God incarnated the saviour of the world through a family, It
was not like creating Adam out of dust breathing life breath into him
that He created the last Adam (1 Cor. 15: 45) Jesus Christ. God
willed the incarnation of God the birth of the saviour through a
family. For that purpose God prepared a Holy womb and a holy
family. Because God wills that all families, in conformity with that
holy family lives in peace and harmony and experiences the King-
dom of God.
30
Behold! I knock at the door
God knocks at the door of each man and each family, He is
anxious to save them. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking;
if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat
with you, and you with me (Rev. 3: 20). We can see this literally in
the New Testament.
Jesus worked the first miracle at Cana in a family. That family
opened their door for Jesus, the Saviour and to the mother of the
Saviour. Sensing the needs of the family, even without a word from
the family, the mother of the Saviour intercedes with her son. There
miracle takes place. They ate together. It is the symbol of the sal-
vation of the family. Whichever families accept Mother Mary and
receives the Saviour through the mother there the light in the divine
nature enters.Their water of sin changed into new wine, the living
water. You and your family will be saved becomes fulfilled in that
family. Jesus knocks at the door of Zacchaeus house. Jesus looked
up and said: Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at
your house today (Lk. 19: 5). Jesus gives salvation to the whole
family through Zacchaeus. Jesus said: Today salvation has come
to this house (Lk. 19: 9).
Jesus knocks at the door of Lazarus family. The head of that
family has died. The sadness of the sisters is taken over by Jesus. As
He says, I will eat with you (Rev. 3: 20), Jesus weeps (Jn. 11:
35) partaking in their sorrow and problems. Later Jesus told them
If you believe, you will see the glory of God (Jn. 11: 40). Jesus who
said: Today salvation has come to this house (Lk. 19: 9) reveals
through the raising of Lazarus full experience of salvation.
Jesus knocks at the door of Matthew a sinner and tax collec-
tor. Jesus sits with sinners and eats with them in the house of Mat-
31
thew. Jesus said: Those who are well have no need of a physician,
but those who are sick (Mt. 9:12). Like an eternal doctor, Jesus
enters into all the families that are living in tension, sin and prob-
lems. He gives salvation to that house. You and your family will be
saved is being fulfilled.

Jesus knocks at the door of Peters house. He touches and heals

Peters mother-in-law. The son of the widow of Naim was dead but
Jesus came near the coffin, touched him and raised him to life.

In all these incidents Jesus worked to establish the Kingdom of

God in the level of the family. So also even today Jesus is knocking
Behold,
at the door of each family. He is anxious to change the water of each
family into new wine. He is there peering to each ones ear, you and
I make everything new
your family will be saved. With hope let each one of us pray for our (Rev. 21:5)
family and that of our neighbours.

Second Vatican Council is one of the greatest events in the his-

tory of the church during the past 2000 years. Today the waves of
Renewal are beating in all the spheres of the Church all over the
world . It is none other than the waves of the power of the Holy
Spirit begun at the IInd Vatican Council. Under the leadership of
Pope John 23rd, over 4500 council Fathers, experts and theologians
raising their hands to heaven prayed with one heart Father, renew
Thy wonders in this our day as by a new Pentecost. The success of
the council became the cause of renewal in the universal church.

Council ended in 1965. Even after 34 years the spirituality given

to the church by the Holy Spirit through the council is being gradu-

32 33
ally absorbed in the church. It is our duty and the need of the time to
quicken it. We, the faithful have very many new things to learn from
the council. For this purpose the summary of the council and of the
16 documents are being provided in this section.
Second Vatican Council
at a glance
Great changes took place all over the world from the very be-
ginning of the modern age which has been inspired by science. Ever-
new inventions accelerated the progress of humanity. Man trusting
in his own power began to neglect God and spiritual values. He hoped
that he could build an earthly paradise by the help of science. He
believed that with this earthly vision the idea of one world could
be realized and that perpetual peace on earth might be established.
At the same time so many adverse powers arose against man. He
began to doubt about realization of his desires. He began to think
that the culture which has been build by the effort of centuries may
perish in any moment, Thus two opposite forces brought man to a
crisis. At this point, the Church which is obliged to lead humanity
seemed to be unscientific and antiquated. Hence the urgency of change
in the church was felt. The church had to be changed with the revolu-
tions in the spheres of science, culture and technology. Everyone
was convinced that the church must present itself in the form, which
is intelligible to the modern man. And so the need of an internal
renewal and consequent renewed structures in the church was
felt by all. Thus an effort took place in order to present again the
church which had been established as a sign of salvation in the cen-
tre of the world. The effort is the Second Vatican Council.
34
Idea sprouts
The organiser of the Second Vatican Council is Pope John 23rd
of happy memory. Pope John said that it is a flower blossomed in an
unexpected spring. John 23rd had been Pope for nearly 90 days when,
on Jan 25th 1959, he made the first and completely unexpected an-
nouncement of his plan to convoke the Churchs 21st Eccumenical
Council. In the document Superno Dei Nutu, June 5, 1960, Pope
John clarified that the idea about the council arose through the direct
inspiration of the Almighty.
The arrangements for the council started officially on May 17th
1959. One main commission and ten subcommissions and two ex-
ecutive bodies were formed. Tireless efforts of three and a half years
took place behind the stage inorder to prepare for the council. The
programme of the activities of the council were written down. The
official declaration of the council took place on the Christmas day of
1961.
On October 11, 1962 the long awaited Second Vatican Council
was opened. In his speech at that occasion Pope John exhorted:
Modernise the Church.
The underlying principle
The noble thread that unified all the 16 invaluable documents
of Second Vatican Council is the spirit of universal dialogue. Pope
Paul the 6th in his first encyclical letter, Ecclesiam Suam have ex-
plained the duties of the Catholics towards the church. Our first and
important duty is to know the church. We must be conscious of our
35
position in the church. It is from this consciousness that the renewal
of our life must take place. And this renewal will lead us to a four-
fold dialogue. 1) The dialogue within the church. 2) The dialogue
with all the people who believe in Christ and who are known as Chris-
tians. 3) The dialogue with people who believe in God and religion .
4) The dialogue with the people who do not believe in God and reli-
gion.
All the 16 documents promulgated by the Second Vatican Coun-
cil are the realization of this program indicated by the Holy Father.
All these documents are based on self-consciousness, renewal and
dialogue, which are the final aims of the council. The dialogue within
the church- the dialogue and co-operation within different sectors of
the church and the renewal of life together.
For Self Consciousness
1. Theologically the most precious contribution of Vat.II is the
constitution on the Holy Church entitled Lumen Gentium (Light
of Nations). All other documents are formed around this constitu-
tion. A theological reflection clearly explains that the holy church is
the people of God. Explaining the authority of Bishops it completes
the understanding and Papal Infallibility of the First Vat.Council.
This constitution was able to fill the gap between the priests and the
laity. All through it has given importance to the mystical and spir-
itual self consciousness of the Church.
2. The Constitution And Divine Revelation gives importance
to Bible. It declares that Bible is the inner spirit of Theology. It has
brought about the close relationship between Bible which is the foun-
dation of the Church and the tradition of the Church. This constitu-
36
tion shows the beginning of a better future for theology and
Ecumenism.
For Renewal
3. Constitution on the Liturgy completes the tendency for re-
newal present in the church for the last 50 years. It reinforces the
first place for the Bible. In this the use of vernacular language in
Holy Mass and other sacraments, adaption in the liturgy according to
different cultures and rituals etc. are recognised and promoted. The
aim of this constitution is pastoral.
4. Decree on Eastern Churches removes the prejudices of the
past and gives equal place to these as to the western churches in the
catholic church. It aims at the internal unity solidarity of the church.
5. The Decree on the Bishops Pastoral office in the church
clarifies God-given status and duties of Bishops. The Sphere of au-
thority granted to the Bishops conference and the divine authority
given to the Bishops regionaly and collectively are explained here.
6. Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priest deals with free-
dom enjoyed by the priest and co-operation of the laity. The priestly
duty involves handling of the word of God and sacraments. It is also
their way to holiness.
7. The Decree on the appropriate renewal in the religious
life deals with the needed Renewal to be brought about in the con-
temporary religious life. It admonishes that Gospel must be the fun-
damental rule and final standard of religious life.
37
 8. Decree on the priestly formation aims at integral view in
the rational, spiritual and pastoral education of priestly candidates.
9. Decree on the apostolate of the laity concentrates on the
laity desiring enhances the apostolic activities of the people of God.
The Decree says that they have got in the mission of the church un-
avoidable. Through this decree, the nature, specialities and differ-
ences of lay missionary activities are explained.
10. Decree on the churchs missionary activities proves the
apostolic activity in the mission of the whole church. This decree
calls for establishing relationship with non-Christian religious and
also to co-operate with the other Christian denominations.
11. Declaration on Christians Education declares that ev-
ery man has got an inalienable right for good education. Parents have
got decisive right in the education of their children. And it rejects all
types of education monopoly.
12. Decree on Ecumenism recognizes and seals recent
thoughts and activities for the unity of the church. It is to establish a
new relationship with other denomination outside the Catholic
Church.
13. Declaration on the relationship of the church to non-
Christian religions opens the way for dialogue with other religions.
14. Declaration on Religious Freedom prepares a back-
ground for a dialogue with the world. In it religious freedom of indi-
viduals and groups is upheld. Activities arising from the religious
freedom should not harm moral life and common programmes. It
38
gives a beginning for a new vision of relationship between church
and Nation.
15. Decree on the instruments of social communication
calls for lively involvement by the catholic in the means of commu-
nication such as Cinema, Television, and Radio.
16. Pastoral Constitution on the church in the modern
world clarifies the churches stand on problems of the world.
Peculiarities
This epoch-making event has some other peculiarities also. In
the concluding address to the Council, His Holiness Pope Paul VI
gave expression to them. The pontiff opined that the Council which
has been inspired by the Holy Spirit should be reckoned as one of the
most important event in the history of the Church. The number of
bishops and other fathers of the Church that came to the seat of St.
Peter from the different parts of the world made it the largest Council
ever held. The issues discussed extensively and in detail in the four
stages of the Council made it the richest and the most enriching Coun-
cil also. Above all, it was a Council which was timely and relevant
as it sought to address the pastoral needs keeping in mind the needs
of the present day world, and made genuine efforts to come closer to
other Christian Churches and non-christian religions as well. This
could be meaningfully called a Universal Council.
Also, history was made by the presence of catholic men and
women as listeners and non-catholics as observers and guests. And
39
the documents of the council portray human life in all its forms and
colours.

The Beginning of a New Era

Vatican Council II ended on 8th December, 1965. It marked the

birth of a new era. The efforts at making the Church relevant to the Word became flesh
times show the intellectual jump into the spirit of the Council. These (Jn 1:14)
efforts are also the faithful accomplishment of the standards set by
the council.

Acknowledgement: II Vatican Council Document. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was God, He was in the beginning with God(Jn 1:1-2).
Word became flesh and made His dwelling among
us (Jn 1:14).
Sanctification of each one of us begins, continues and perserves
only when the Word of God is treasured in good and pure heart.

A. Sight to the blind

(Lk 18:35-43)

Now as he approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by

the road side begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired
what was happening. They told him, Jesus of Nazareth is pass-
ing by. He shouted, Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!
The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be si-
lent, but he kept calling out all the more, Son of David, have
pity on me! Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought
to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him. What do you

40 41
want me to do for you? He replied, Lord, please let me see.
Jesus told him, Have sight; your faith has saved you. He im-
mediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to
God. When they saw this all the people gave praise to God.
What do you want me to do for you? Our Lord Jesus is gently
asking us the same question which He had asked Barthemeus who
was begging in the streets of Jericho 2000 years ago. Even though
Barthemeus was blind, his spiritual eyes were opened to recognize
Jesus. The crowd saw in Jesus a man from Nazareth. They had eyes
but could not see. When he enquired what was happening, they said:
Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. On hearing this Barthemeus filled
with emotion sprang to his feet and cried aloud Jesus, son of David,
have mercy on me. Even though the crowd scolded him asking him
to be quiet, he could not be silent. He cried out all the more loudly:
Son of David, have mercy.
To know Jesus, is a matter of supreme importance. One comes
to know Jesus as the Son of God, Saviour of the world and total
deliverer not through his external eyes. It happens when the Holy
Spririt opens the eyes of ones heart. In the same chapter verses from
18 to 30 we come across a rich official. Having came near Jesus, the
rich official saw Him with his naked eyes and spoke. Even though
he had not sinned he came back without possessing eternal life be-
cause his spiritual eyes were not opened. Even though he had seen
Jesus he could understand him only as a good teacher because his
heart was filled with thoughts of wealth and the idol of greed. Jesus
said: How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom
of God! For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a
needle than for a rich person to enter the kindom of God(Lk 18:24-
42
25). The two characters found in the 18th chapter of Luke, the rich
official and the poor blind beggar Barthemeus are part of a good
comparative study.
The same Jesus who said that it is difficult for a rich man to
enter the kingdom of God is found shortly, thereafter entering the
house of a very rich man, Zacchaeus. There Jesus says: Today sal-
vation has come to this house(Lk 19:9). Even though Zacchaeus
was rich, his spiritual eyes were wandering like that of Barthemeus,
desiring to see who Jesus was. Soon after knowing that Jesus was
to pass that way Zacchaeus, not considering his social status rushed
to the street, ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see
Jesus. Jesus who knows the heart looked at Zacchaeus and said:
Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.
(Lk 19:5).Thereafter Zacchaeus was willing to give half of his pos-
sessions to the poor. Like the blind man he became poor. It is then
that Jesus said: Today salvation has come to this house (Luke
19:9)
Jesus knowing the feelings of the heart of Barthemeus expressed
through his loud cry stood there and ordered that he be brought to
him. What do you want me to do for you (Lk 18:41). The blind
man realises that he was standing in front of the Lord and desires
with faith that he may be able to see. Jesus said: Receive your
sight; your faith has saved you (Lk 18:42).
Even though we are all traditional Christians, even though we
enjoy a place of honour in the society, even though we have great
social contact with the external world, have we opened our heart so
as to see the God who is dwelling in our hearts?
43
 We received all our wealth from God. Only when we surrender
them back to God, can we see God. Though one may be rich, ones
life does not consist of possessions (Lk 12:15). Zacchaeus could
experience God only after he had surrendered all his wealth and be-
came like the beggar Barthemeus. Do we give more importance to
wealth, gold, ornaments, persons, positions, fame and rituals than to
God? If so, we also will pass by without inheriting eternal life like
the rich official.
The same Jesus who stood before Barthemeus, who knocked
at the door of Zacchaeus is knocking today at the door of your heart
asking, What do you want me to do for you? Dear brothers and
sisters in Christ, What does it profit you if you gain the whole world
and lose your soul(Mt 16:26).
Let us pray: Oh God, enlighten my inner eyes. Remove all the
idols of my heart. Enlighten the eyes of my heart to see you.
B. Parable of the seed.
(Mt. 13:1-9, 13:18-23)
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by
the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into
a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: A sower
went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where
it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not
deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for
lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew
44
up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced
fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought
to hear. Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on
the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without
understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what
was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one
who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has
no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or
persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but
then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it
bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who
hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and
yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Jesus revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of God through
parables. Gospel of Matthew chapter 13 is full of such parables.
The parable of the sower is very remarkable. We shall explain it in
four parts.
1) Seed fallen on the path
2) Seed fallen on the rocks
3) Seed fallen among thorns
4) Seed fallen on a rich soil
Seed is the Word of God. Field is the human heart. Sower is
God. Only if our daily life is based on the Word of God, it will
produce fruit. This truth is made clear through this parable.
1) Seed fallen on the path:- The enemy snatches away the
word from the one who hears the word and yet does not understand
it. This is expressed figuratively by saying that the birds came and
45
ate it up (Mt 13:4). In Lukes Gospel says that even though they
heard the word, the devil takes away the word that was sown so that
they may not believe nor be saved (Lk 8:12). It is because of the
hardness of their heart that they are not able to understand. Only if
the heart, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, thirsts for the Word of God,
can it be understood. If there is hatred or bitterness in the heart, it
becomes hardened. The Word is God, and that God is love. And
therefore the Word is love. One needs to be filled with love to re-
ceive this Word. He has to remove bitterness and hatred and forgive
others. Only then he can receive the Word of God.
2) Seed that fell on the rock:- When the sower had sown the
seed some fell on a rocky ground where there was not much soil.
Since there was no deep soil, it sprouted fast. When the sun rose, it
faded and withered for lack of root. Those who fall during the time
of tribulations and persecutions because of the word are the seed that
fell on rocky ground. Some receive the word. But in their own lives
they are not able to bring about the required transformation and they
continue in the old way. It happens because when unfavourable cir-
cumstances take place in their lives they do not seek the help of God
to withstand them but depend on themselves.
3) Seed that fell among thorns:- Thorns choke the word.
He hears the word but the cares of the world and the lure of
wealth choke the word, and it yields no fruit. Those who give
greater importance to wealth and worldly comforts and pleas-
ures in their heart than to God, word will not yield fruit. Here is
the need for sanctification and renewal.
46
4) Seed fallen on a rich soil:- Seed fallen on rich soil is the
one who hears the word and understands it. It yields hundred fold,
sixty fold and thirty fold fruits. Luke, the evangelist adds: as for
that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the
word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with
patient endurance (Lk 8:15). There are four things to be noted here.
a) They heard the word (b) in an honest and good heart (c) hold it
fast (d) bear fruit with patient endurance. Hearing the word does not
mean just listening to the word but it is an attitude to bring about
transformation in ones life according to the word. This is the expe-
rience of conversion. Thereafter sanctification and renewal take place.
Thereby his heart becomes honest and pure. In that heart the word is
held fast and it produces fruit patiently. Like the seed that has fallen
on the rich soil, the word that had been held fast in such a way
sprouts and grows. It produces fruits hundred fold, sixty fold and
thirty fold.
Only if the word is held fast in ones heart, can he live a life
based on the Word of God. The word is very near to you, it is in
your mouth and in your heart for you to observe (Deut. 30;14). This
is no trivial matter for you; rather it means your very life (Deut.
32:47). It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words
that I have spoken to you are spirit and life (Jn. 6:63). There is life
in the word. When it fills each human heart that word guides his life.
Then in sinful situations the word becomes the power of God which
leads him to salvation (Rom. 1:16). That is why the apostles said
Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (Jn.
6:68).
47
 Dear brothers and sisters, real christian life should be the one
based on the Word of God. God became flesh and dwelt among
us(Jn. 1:14). Jesus will be united with each of us only when the
word that is God becomes absorbed in our fleshly heart. Then we
have the experience of the kingdom of God.
Let us pray: My indwelling Holy Spirit, sanctify my heart from
all impurities. Make my heart generous and pure. Make the experi-
ence of the kingdom of God a reality in me.
Amen.
C. Beatitudes (Mt. 5:1-12)
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and
after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to
teach them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will
be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for
they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful for they will be
shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of
God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of right-
eousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you
when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of
evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for
your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the
prophets who were before you.
48
Through the words of the Beatitudes, the Lord is eager to ex-
plain in various ways the bliss of being the citizens of the kingdom of
heaven (Evangelii Nuntiandi). Chapters 5, 6,and 7 of the Gospel of
Matthew known as the Sermon on the Mount is of supreme impor-
tance among the teachings about the kingdom of heaven. It is the
power of God in this Sermon on the Mount which has changed
Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi into Mahatama Gandhi.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven (Mt. 5:3). Ones spirit is thirsting to be united with the Spirit
of God. This thirst is called poverty. As a deer longs for flowing
streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God(Ps.
42:1). When we renounce everything else according to the thirst of
our spirit, the Spirit of God becomes united with our spirit. The
Triune God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Then our
heart is changed into heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted(Mt.
5:4). This mourning is weeping for conversion. God consoles those
who are repenting for their sins.
Blessed are meek, for they will inherit the earth(Mt. 5:5).
When one is filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit he becomes meek
and gentle. Like Mother Theresa, he becomes a person recognised
by everyone.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for
they will be filled (Mt. 5:6). Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt.
5:10). The kingdom of heaven is established through the accomplish-
ment of justice. There are many who have sacrificed their lives for
49
removing corruption and violence in the society. The lives of many
martyrs are examples for this. Those who did not collaborate with
unjust causes had to sacrifice their lives like Thomas More. There-
fore they are still living in the hearts of people.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy (Mt.
5:7). Divine character continues in the persons who relish the king-
dom of God; Only then, can we show mercy towards others. When
we show mercy to others, we also receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Mt. 5:8).
God dwells in our hearts. Kingdom of heaven is in our hearts. But
we cannot see nor experience that because of the impurity of our
heart. Through our prayers when the Holy Spirit dwelling in us washes
our hearts with the Blood of Christ, we will be able to experience the
God dwelling in us. For this purpose we pray: Soul of Christ sanc-
tify me. Water from the side of Christ wash me. Sanctification of
the heart takes place also through Confession and Eucharist. This is
how each of us experience the Kingdom of God in our own lives.
We are indebted to live according to the beatitudes. That must be the
aim of every christian.
Blessed are you when people 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(Mt.5:11-12). He has
graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ,
but of suffering for Him as well (Phil. 1:29). Through suffering we
become one with Christ. Jesus said: Whoever comes to me and
does not hate..............even life itself, cannot be my disciple (Lk.
14:26). Those who are working for the kingdom of heaven will have
50
to suffer without cause. At that time we must be able to accept that
with steadfastness and self control. When we join our sufferings
with that of Christ we get the reward for it in the kingdom of heaven.
We must accept joyfully all the sufferings and problems that
come accross in our daily lives in order to live the Beatitudes in our
personal life and famliy life. Let us pray for this grace.
D. I have overcome the world
(Jn. 16: 23-33)
Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in
my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked any-
thing in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may
be complete. I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour
is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will
tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my
name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For
the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and
have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the
Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the
world and going back to the Father. His disciples said, Now
you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we
realize that you know everything and that you do not need to
have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you
came from God. Jesus answered them, Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you
will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told
you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you
will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.
51
 In the world you will have troubles. But take courage. I have
conquered the world (Jn.16:33). Jesus gave this instruction for the
last time during the Last Supper. Life of a christian is unlike the
pleasure-loving life of the man in the world. On the contrary it is a
life that passes through the suffering, way of the cross and tribula-
tions. When we encounter such situations in our lives we should go
forward being convinced of what the Master has told us: I have said
this to you, so that in me you may have peace..........I have conquered
the world (Jn. 16:33). This word has been imparting power daily
into my life over the past 25 years. Not only that God has enabled
me to share this word with many people and thereby to bring about
change in their lives. Then we will be able to say, Sufferings, wel-
come! Tribulations, welcome. If the life of a christian is without
sufferings then he will not have experience of Christ or the experi-
ence of the kingdom of heaven. If , infact, we suffer with Him so
that we may also be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17). Beloved, do
not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if
something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent
that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is
revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the
name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God
rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a
murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer (1 Pet. 4:12-15).
What does it mean by saying world here? Do not love the
world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love
of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust,
enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father
but is from the world (1 Jn. 2:15-17). In our body and mind we have
attachments and inclinations of the world. Here the Lord is showing
52
us two kingdoms: kingdom of the world and kingdom of God. The
kingdom of the world does not mean the external world; it is the
working of the evil one filled with impurity. Inorder to conquer the
disires of the flesh in each one of us we need to establish the king-
dom of heaven. For whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who [indeed] is
the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the
Son of God? (1 Jn. 5:4-5). This has to happen in each one of us. We
are not to live as slaves of sin and flesh. Through faith in Jesus
Christ we will be able to attain complete victory by the working of
the Spirit of Christ in our body.
Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will
receive, so that your joy may be complete. (Jn. 16:23-24). This is
how we have to attain victory over the world. We have to pray as
mentioned above. Our happiness becomes complete when prayer
becomes the cause of the victory in our lives. On that day you will
ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your
behalf; for the Father Himself loves you (Jn 16:26-27). When we
filled with Fathers love and power through our daily prayer, we will
enter into the blessedness of Christ. It is then that we conquer the
world.
Let us pray: Father I believe in You. In the world I will have
tribulations. But with Your strength I have conquered the world.
Amen.
53

My God, my God,
why have You forsaken me?
(Mt 27:46)
The Holy Spirit has revealed in advance through the lips of David
the cry of Christ rejected even by His own Father. (Ps 22:1).
When we are rejected by the ones who love us, the pain is un-
bearable. In such situations if we are able to imbibe the state of our
Lord Jesus, we will obtain peace immediately.
He has emptied Himself
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality
with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, tak-
ing the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human
in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even
death on a cross. (Phil. 2: 6-8). If we want to have a full experience
of the Kingdom of God, we must be prepared to emptied Himself.
The joyful acceptance of all the experiences of rejection in our day
to day life, cutting remarks, undeserved sufferings for no fault of
54
ours is our spiritual strength. We obtain that strength from the cross
of Christ. Our glorification takes place in proportion to our self-
emptying. He found human in appearance, he humbled himself, be-
coming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this,
God greatly exalted him. (Phil. 2:8-9). Lord Jesus lying on the Cross
during His last moments had to go through the experience of rejec-
tion not only by everyone on earth but also by His own Father with
whom He had deepest of relationships. He accepted even this pain-
ful state. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mt. 27:46).
He makes us aware that His own Father rejected Him. That is death
on the Cross. God who came to save sinners gave Himself to be
crucified by the sinners. When Christ accepted such undeserved suf-
fering the whole world was saved.
St. Francis of Assissi thirsted very much for this self-emptying in
his life. St. Fransis desired to suffer like Jesus and to become united
with Jesus. St. Francis meditatating on the passion of Christ used to
weep very often. One day seeing him weeping in a forest in
Portiuncula, his friend asked: Francis why are you crying? Francis
replied: I am crying remembering the passion of Jesus, the Divine
Saviour.
It is the thirst of Francis Assissi to suffer like Christ, transformed
him into a second Christ. If any want to become my follower, let
them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Mt.
16:24). One must renounce everything and be rejected by everybody.
Francis too had in his life the same experience of Jesus being re-
jected by his own Father. For the sake of Jesus, Francis could ven-
ture himself into total self-emptying when he handed over even the
last piece of his cloth to his father before everybody. The birth of
55
Francis also was in a stable. He received the grace to do everything
as Christ did as well as to suffer. Therefore God highly exalted
him. (Phil. 2:10).
In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have con-
quered the world(Jn. 16:33). Only when we willingly undergo tribu-
lations, sufferings and rejections, do we get the courage to conquer
the world. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, know-
ing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven char-
acter, and proven character, hope. (Rom. 5:3-4). I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory
to be revealed for us. (Rom. 8:18). We are fools on Christs ac-
count......... To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are poorly
clad and roughly treated, we wander about homeless and we toil,
working with our own hands. When ridiculed, we bless; when per-
secuted, we endure; when slandered, we respond gently. We have
become like the worlds rubbish, the scum of all, to this very mo-
ment(1 Cor. 4:11-13). Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by
fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening
to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of
Christ! (1 Pet. 4:12).
56
He has anointed me
(Lk. 4:18).
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty
to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go
free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.(Lk. 4:18-19).
As the Father has sent me, so I send you. And when he has said
this, he breathed on them , Receive the holy Spirit (Jn. 20:22).
Jesus gives us the same anointing with which the Father had anointed
and sent Jesus. That is anointing with gifts and charisms. God has
given us all spiritual charism. Therefore we are indebted to accom-
plish the mission for which we are called. Because, Before I formed
you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you. Ah, Lord God! I said, I
know not how to speak; I am too young. But the Lord answered me,
Say not, I am too young(Jer. 1:5-7). God calls each one of us even
before we are born. At that time itself He appoints him. God further
says: To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command
you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with
you to deliver you, says the Lord. Then the Lord extended his hand
and touched my mouth, saying, See, I place my words in your mouth!
57
This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to
tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant(Jer.1:7-
10). Even though he was set apart before birth, it is now that he is
appointed a prophet. That is anointing with gifts and chrisms.
When we consciously accept the God- given anointing even
though we may be children we will be able to serve God filled with
the power of God. At His birth itself, Jesus was filled with Holy
Spirit and Kingdom of God. However Jesus did not do anything
spectacular for 25 years. At the time of Baptism in Jordan the heaven
present in Jesus was opened. Jesus became supreme Lord. Further
the divine conviction was given to the human conscience of Jesus.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me. It is true
about each one of us. The Spirit of the Lord is in each one of us. He
has anointed us. It is through the conviction which is given to our
conscience by the Holy Spirit and by the recognition by the Chruch
that we come to know with which special charism we are anointed.
Not only that, from that time on divine power helps us to effect won-
derful deeds.
Evangelisation work is to be furthered not only with the use of
our intelligence and abilities. Jesus Himself continued to work not
with His ability or power; rather He always depended on the Father.
Jesus answered and said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you, a son
cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees his father do-
ing; for what he does, his son will do also. For the Father loves his
Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show
him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.(Jn. 5:19-
20). Anything can be done in two ways: Either based on our natural
ability given by God or based on supernatural charism given by God.
58
Evangelisation work should be done based on divine and supernatu-
ral ability. That is what is known as anointed service. God gives
that freely for the use of the kingdom of God. Lord says in the proph-
ecy of Zechariah: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,(Zec.
4:6). Whence shall help come to me? My help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. May he not suffer your foot to
slip.(Ps.121;2-3). The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Ps.
23:1). I met a person who had a natural ability to speak. That ability
was cultivated by reading many books and he prepared the speech by
writing in detail. But when he came to the stage to deliver the speech,
on seeing the audience he forgot all that he learned. He was in trou-
ble. Further he was not able to open his mouth. When he told me
this problem, I made him understand about the above anointing by
the Holy Spirit and I prayed for the anointing. That day itself he
began to proclaim the Word of God powerfully without the help of
any prepared notes. When we do the work of evangelisation with
anointing even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so
that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am
in the Father. (Jn. 10:38).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
(Eph. 1:3). God has given us all spiritual charisms; especially for the
Lords anointed Priests and Religious. It is because the kingdom of
God is already established in each one. The heaven opened in Jesus
at the time of His baptism is being opened in each one at the time of
his baptism.
All the power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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...........
59
I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Mt. 28: 19-20). It is St. Paul in his letter to first Corinthians, teaches in detail. We
because of the indwelling presence of the Triune God in man that he must make as the object of our study what St. Paul teaches in I
is able to accomplish extra-ordinary works. The exercise of all au- Corinthians chapter 12,13,and 14 about spiritual charisms and other
thority in heaven and on earth given to one is said to be anointing. teachings, we must know about charisms and their working. Now in
In my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware.
languages..........They will lay hands on the sick, and they will re- (1 Cor. 12:1). Charisms will powerfully work in us, when each one
cover. (Mk. 16:17-18). God has given authority-- charism to do of us will have this desire and when we study about each spiritual
these works to all the believers, that should be made operative. It is charism in detail and pray with thirst. Strive eagerly for the greatest
the Holy Spirit who according to the needs of the time raises differ- spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way.(1
ent ministries in the church. In the Encyclical- Redemptoris Missium Cor. 12:31).
- the whole of third chapter depicts that Holy Spirit as the Principal
Agent of the Church. Depending on this anointing by the Holy Spirit
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom of God. The Spirit of
the Lord is in me. He has anointed me. The Lord desires that we too
must do likewise. Jesus saying, As the Father has sent me I send
You (Jn. 20:21) is a powerful word of anointing that fills us with
extraordinary power. God who created the world with His Word, as
He changed bread into Body of Christ by the word, is anointing us
with His divine power by His Word. As the Father has sent me
means the power of the Holy Spirit overflowing as a powerful cur-
rent which happens when the Father and Son became one. With this
overflowing powerful current we have to go forward. This is the
meaning of the word I send you. Who is sending you?- I - the
redeemer of the world - who has received power in heaven and on
earth - am sending you. We are known and we exercise our power
not because of our ability, but because of the ability of the person
sending. Therefore Jesus says: In my name you will cast out de-
mons. You will do signs and wonders in my name. This becomes
operative when we believe in this word and surrender ourselves to
this word in faith. This is anointing of charisms and gifts.

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