Faith in God sustains hardships

FAITH helps us to trust in God’s Time and COURAGE helps us to accept the TRUTH in Jesus.

Every day we use Technology and social media. However, in the world of technology and social media, Security, Identity and Privacy are major concerns.  

Concerning the security, identity and Privacy of Jesus, Gospel tells us that Jesus went to Judea hiding, the Pharisees don’t know him, they reject him and they search to kill him. On the contrary, we will also hear that, Jesus was with them preaching the truth and yet they did not catch him because His hour has not come.

Jesus knew who he was. He knew the purpose of his life on earth as son of God.

As followers of Jesus, the Gospel reading helps us to reflect our faith journey and our relationship with Jesus.

Jesus said “one does not live alone by bread but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

Trust in God's Time

In the Gospel, we hear, the Pharisees search for Jesus not to listen Jesus but to arrest him. They look for Jesus not to understand the Truth in him but to Kill him. The miracles of Jesus did not open their eyes and the preaching of Jesus did not open their heart. They ignored him as Son of God, they rejected the Truth in his teaching and they tried to kill him. Faith in God does not mean a life without difficulties but faith that sustain us despite difficulties. Faith is to trust God not only in success also in failures, not in good health also in sickness. Not only in life also in death. FAITH helps us to trust in God’s Time and COURAGE helps us to accept the TRUTH in Jesus.

However, Jesus knowing the risk to his life and yet he went to Judea to preach the good news. Jesus did not care the risk to his life but went to preach the people of God. He risked his life for God’s will.

Let’s pray for the gift of FAITH to trust in God’s TIMING in moments of difficulties, doubts and uncertainties and pray for COURAGE to accept the TRUTH in Jesus.

Tempo di Dio

Nel vangelo di oggi, vediamo che i farisei cercano Gesù, non per ascoltarlo, ma, per arrestarlo. Lo cercano non per accogliere la Verità, che Egli porta, ma per eliminarlo. I suoi miracoli non aprono i loro occhi, la sua parola non apre il loro cuore. Rifiutano Gesù come Figlio di Dio e respingono la Verità del suo insegnamento.

Questo ci ricorda, che la fede non significa una vita, senza difficoltà, ma una vita sostenuta da Dio dentro le difficoltà. Avere fede è fidarsi di Dio non solo nel successo, ma anche nel fallimento; non solo nella salute, ma anche nella malattia; non solo nella vita, ma anche davanti alla morte. La fede ci aiuta a confidare nel tempo di Dio; il coraggio ci aiuta ad accogliere la Verità di Gesù.

Cari fratelli, Gesù sapeva il rischio che correva andando in Giudea, eppure è andato a proclamare il Vangelo. Non ha evitato il pericolo, ma ha scelto la volontà del Padre. Ha rischiato la vita per il Vangelo. Credeva nella potenza e nei tempi di Dio. In questa santa messa Preghiamo, per il dono della fede, perché ci sostenga nei momenti di dubbio, fragilità e incertezza. Preghiamo per il dono del coraggio, perché possiamo accogliere e vivere la Verità in Cristo. 

WHY u do WHAT u do?

Who does not want success in life? Who does not want money and fame? Who does not want to be popular and famous? All want but few make it. All dream but few accomplish. All have the same time and opportunities but only why few excel in life. Having same time and opportunities in hand we do not know what destiny holds in store for us. With effort, hard work, sacrifice, perseverance and planning/method/strategy all can taste the sweetness of success. In pursuit of success and happiness we cannot pretend to be working. Remember there are no shortcuts to life. Short cuts only exist on computer's keyboard but not in life. Down the history there is no one who came up in life on shortcuts. If so that would not last but would cost much.  

Unfortunately, Pretense is a common sickness in every public sphere, from Politicians to Public, Parents to children, Teachers to students, Husbands to Wives and Bosses to clients. It is a fact pretense works in some situation but not in all situations. Unfortunately it is so common that we lose the sense of understanding the consequences that lurk around. Moms pretend to bring the moon while feeding the babies. Dads convince the toddlers to prevent going into darkness saying there hides a thief and Politicians promise to win the elections and etc.

Actually, we are not the problem but the method is! Right methods will yield right results. Stalwarts like Dr B R Ambedkar, St John Bosco, A P J Kalam, St Mother Teresa, Sachin Tendulkar, M S Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Faithfulness of our our Parents to each other for years despite hurdles are examples set before us. In life we meet so many people who do not make any impact on us but few who do because they follow a different method. It is better late than never to realize and rectify the past mistakes of life in order to make a life meaningful and peaceful for oneself and for the others. 

Every young person must see not only with eyes but with mind. Instead of playing a blame game one needs to accept the situation and from there move on with effort, hard work, planning and with a positive outlook. We need self-motivation, honesty, strategy to move on in the pursuit of success. It is true there is no alternative to hard work. Aim to the sky and reach the heights of success becoming soldiers and commanders of life. We must ask right questions. The problem is that we don't ask questions so we don't have answers. When we have a WHY the WHAT becomes easy to figure out. We must therefore, know WHY we do WHAT we do. Remember, we don't need to pretend in doing  something because we have a WHY we do WHAT we do. 

     

Patterns in Life

All of us have some or the other patterns of doing something in someway. Some patterns are acquired in childhood and while other patterns are developed as adults. The fact is that we are our patterns. Rene Descartes says 'I THINK THEREFORE I EXIST.' It is although an ego centered

but the there is truth in that philosophical affirmation. Patterns are nothing but thinking, believing and behaving. Some patterns are the result of fear which turn out to be negative and unhealthy. While other patterns are acquired in love, support and acceptance which turn out to be positive. As children unknowingly a lot us us acquire laziness, procrastination, anger, rebelliousness, loneliness and disinterest in others, low self-esteem, fear of people and works, poor self-confidence and the list goes endless. From where did these poor and unhealthy attitudes are acquired and to the extent that they are now bahavioers, babits and addictions. As children perhaps we were told repeatedly to believe that we couldn't do, couldn't study and couldn't win. Who put this undesired behaviour in us. Such patterns are unconsciously set triggered by others and set by oneself. Therefore it is one's duty to identify these unhealthy patterns and make effort unconsciously to unbind them and see the result beyond wonder and surprize. The same principle applies for those who acquired healthy patterns as children. They outperform others in their respective zone because they were given friendly, healthy and conducive atmosphere to grow in confidence, courage and support. As adults they yield greater benefits in communication, time management, self-confidence in terms of both work and career. It is better than late than never to unbind and rectify unhealthy patterns of lie and in time and with effort we can come out with flying colours in study talents and work.

La festa di Don Bosco

Oggi, 31 gennaio, tutti i salesiani del mondo celebrano la festa di Don Bosco, il nostro fondatore. All'università, abbiamo celebrato le Lodi alle 8:00 e la Messa alle 11:30 nella chiesa dell'università. La Messa è stata celebrata da un cardinale. Dopo la Messa, abbiamo consumato un pranzo festivo.

From Juggler to a Dreamer

Once upon a time there was a little boy. The name that boy was called Johhny Bosco, lost his father when he was two. At the age nine he had a mysterious dream where children were seen like the wild animals, fighting, abusinga and shouting. He was told by a heavely voice to stop the fight and turn them to be meek and humble lambs. All his efforts were futile without divince assitance. Since then he sought the meaning and significance of this dream, which would be clear to him in the right time. But he was blessed to have a mother who would take care of him along with his other two brothers who were called Anthony a step brothher and Joseph. He was a special child who could understand life and God better than his companions. Since childhood difficulties were not unknown to him. Poverty, illtreatment and daily struggles unaviodable. Perpahs these tough times that strengthened him to never give-up mindset. Like never before, he turned every misfortune into an opportunity to grow. He was a holy boy nurtuered by mother's tender care and piety. Perseverance in overcoming adventures of life was like an art that he played in childhood juggling and rope walk (balancing). Devotion to Mother Mary, Trust in the Divine Providence and Belief in his Work were stepping stones to his succes. Education and Hardwork assisted by Perseverance and Vision transformed Johnn from guggles to accomplesh his dreams and thus become a Friend and Father of the Youth accorss the world. He sheltered children on the streets, children left alone and all the youth who need a guide, friend and inspiration. Today Salesians in the name of Don Bosco work accross 137 countires serving the young people. 'Give me souls and take away the rest' were his words to the young. From material he attracted the young people to the spiritual. He was truely a blend of nature and grace. He was a builder, educator, teacher, father, friend, visonary and writer. Above all he was a true son of God sent to shepherd the young people who were like the sheep without the shepherd.