Obedience

Obedience: compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.      

We Should Obey God Willingly. It is better to obey the commandments because we fear punishment than not to obey them at all.
But we will be much happier if we obey God because we love Him and want to obey Him. When we obey Him freely, he can bless us freely. Obedience also helps us progress and become more like our Heavenly Father. But those who do nothing until they are commanded and then keep the commandments unwillingly lose their reward.
We Can Obey without Understanding. By keeping God’s commandments, we prepare for eternal life and exaltation. Sometimes we do not know the reason for a particular commandment. However, we show our faith and trust in God when we obey Him without knowing why.

Adam and Eve were commanded to  eat of all fruits other than the tree of life. By disobeying God, they invited his wrath and the consequences are there for us to see.
No Commandment Is Too Small or Too Great to Obey
It was difficult when the Lord commanded Abraham to offer his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham had waited many years for the birth of Isaac, the son God had promised him. How could he lose his son in such a way? This commandment must have been exceedingly difficult for Abraham. Yet he chose to obey God.We too should be willing to do anything God requires. Disobedience is the First Sin committed by Man. 

Jesus Christ was the sublime example of obedience to our Heavenly Father. He said, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). His whole life was devoted to obeying His Father; yet it was not always easy for him. He was tempted in all ways as other mortals.
In the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). 
Because Jesus obeyed the Father’s will in all things, He made salvation possible for all of us.

End of a journey

She was Moses. 80 years of being Moses. For the past 50 years she led them through the desert on their journey to the chosen land, and now this upstart, had the temerity to speak about the alternate way to the Promised Land.
Her hegemony was under challenge. What better way than to ensure this young lad leaves the caravan and discover his own journey in the desert.
Ralph had recently joined the caravan. It was rumored they were all escaping slavery of another kind.  He too managed his escape from the mundane to enter this esoteric world of travelers. Although none were known to him, gradually he began making friends with members of the troupe as they trudged along night after night.
It was one night, as all were at rest after a long and arduous journey, he lay his head and felt discomfort. He dug in the silence of the night, and soon found the compass of a lost civilization.
At daybreak he tried using it and soon learnt how to help others find their way with its help. Until then, Moses was the only one; the chosen one who would guide and all had to follow her instructions. Now when it came to light, that a few thought they knew the way ahead, this upset Moses .  How could her leadership be challenged. She had to keep her fold intact. The only way was to expel this lad, and ensure there would be No further Challengers.

Gospel according to Matthew 21:33-43.45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: 
"Hear another parable.  

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. It was after marriage,he realized 
his wife was deprived of inheritance. Properties in his hometown were acquired in a win-win situation. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. The homeless were allowed to build shelter on his land and care for his plantation.When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. Then came the Land Bill that gave Rights to Tenants. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. He had his Estate Manager visit the land to collect the produce. They would not let him enter. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way.When all his men were driven away. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' He personally visited in the hope that they will recall his benevolence in providing them shelter. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.'But they armed with swords, gathered in numbers, and threatened to slay him on his own land. They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times."  
He had No choice, but to walk away forsaking all.

The Heart of Giving....

Having returned from school, he set off to play with the neighbourhood boys. He was 6 at the time. It was near the Peepal tree that he met Vijay a contact of his father who presented him with a tin of nutties. How excited he was to have received a gift. It was beyond the sixth hour when he returned home, with the tin in arms. He greeted his father, who was in conversation with Vijay. Pleasantries exchanged, his father sought to know what he held in his hands.  
A box of nutties gifted by Uncle Vijay he blurted. Vijay tried to explain, that he wanted to share his happiness after having secured a job on his dad's recommendation, and this a token of appreciation. His dad categorically had him return the box and admonished Vijay for this wasteful expenditure. It was on hearing the plight of his aged parents, that he got him recruited. He did not want money to be spent on such frivolous acts, and advised him to save all he could in caring for his parents.   

He then turned and said, "Son, God has been kind to us, and given us the ability to help others. Never extend your palm seeking, but have the Heart of Giving."

Since then he Never Accepted but always tried to give.

It's Ash Wednesday

Remember, Dust thou Art, and to Dust thou shalt return

The Gospel of Sunday 15th January 2017... John the Baptist

Gospel Jn 1:29 - 34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'
I did not know him,     
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel."
John testified further, saying,
"I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

What is important to understand here is that John had willingly and gladly referred Jesus as the Messiah. Although he arrived earlier and was known to the populace, who assumed John was the chosen one, yet he gave it all up, saying the reference in the scriptures was to Jesus. He did not take false credit for a position that was not meant to be his.

Do we still cling to the Seats of Power even though we lack the requirements.
How many of us are willing to give up our positions for the larger good.

I, Me, Myself.....

He was about 24 years of age when he got selected to his first job. But the process of reaching his destination involved a change of 3 Trains. As he stood on the Platform ready to board the second train, he felt threatened by the huge crowd gathered. No sooner the train halted those in - were pushing themselves out, while those on the platform were desperate to get in. The interesting observation was when he noticed those who arrived last were desperately attempting to cajole those on board to squeeze a bit, if only to get a toe hold, but once they got in the same individual would disallow another to board shouting that the train was full and they need to try the next train.   

Sadly this is the situation in all aspects of our life. Mangroves and Forests have been felled to make way for high rises, and once these self-righteous individuals have their dwellings confirmed, they hold placards against the destruction of these very mangroves and forests, as it disturbs their view of the greens.  

Why cannot we be more humane, and help them find alternatives in the neighbourhood, rather than in remote areas where civilisation is yet to be established.