Besides being the great Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ was also a teacher. Jesus was often referred to as “Rabbi” or "Teacher”. He was a Jewish teacher from Galilee in Roman Judaea. One of his missions on earth was to teach people of God’s love. He often did this by using examples. Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, conceded that Jesus of Nazareth was “a teacher” from God, as documented by the “signs” which He did (John 3:2). In John 2:12-12:50 (Jesus’ Public Ministry), Jesus’ teaching material consists mostly of seven discourses. One of His disciples came to Him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him”. For which Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent me”.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.
Jesus was a great teacher – the best ever. Crowds listened to Him. Jesus told them to be merciful, good and kind. Jesus frequently used parables as a means of illustrating profound, divine truths. When He spoke in parables, He explained them only to His disciples. Torah in its relation to Jesus and his teaching is a prominent theme in Matthew. Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived. He taught the highest truths that were ever taught. He promoted the purest ideals that were ever presented.
Till date Jesus is known as a teacher (didaskolos) by the people. He set time aside specifically to teach (didaskein) the people in the temples and synagogues in Galilee. Jesus has been given the title of the great teacher by many people who have studied and applied His teachings throughout history. Some of the main principles of Jesus' teaching are love, forgiveness, and prayer, not being judgmental and being careful of hypocrites.
He was a mystical teacher. The teachings brought by Jesus Christ from God-the-Father came to us in the form of Jesus’ conversations with His disciples and with other people.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Jesus opened the door for me
Jesus opens the door to our hearts, Jesus opens the door of new life for sinners, Jesus has opened the door of salvation to every person, Jesus unlocks the door of our understanding – but today Jesus opened the door of my bathroom!
While taking bath this morning, I just don’t know how the bathroom door got latched from outside. After my bath, when I wanted to come out of the bathroom, I just couldn’t open the door. To my utter dismay, it was latched from outside and I was the only one at home at that time. The kids had gone to school and even Golu had left for work. I was extremely scared at the thought of remaining locked inside the bathroom till evening.
Then I asked Jesus to help me break open the door. I kept praying to Him and knocking on the door so that the latch on the outside could give way. I kept doing this for almost 10 minutes. Twice or thrice I called out the name of my neighbor but obviously she didn’t hear me. I was feeling totally helpless and miserable. But I kept taking the name of Jesus and kept hammering on the door.
Suddenly the door opened and I felt that Jesus had opened the door of heaven for me. I am very, very sure it was Jesus who opened the door for me in the morning. And I am extremely thankful to Jesus for rescuing me. Love you Jesus, praise you Jesus! Thank you Jesus!
While taking bath this morning, I just don’t know how the bathroom door got latched from outside. After my bath, when I wanted to come out of the bathroom, I just couldn’t open the door. To my utter dismay, it was latched from outside and I was the only one at home at that time. The kids had gone to school and even Golu had left for work. I was extremely scared at the thought of remaining locked inside the bathroom till evening.
Then I asked Jesus to help me break open the door. I kept praying to Him and knocking on the door so that the latch on the outside could give way. I kept doing this for almost 10 minutes. Twice or thrice I called out the name of my neighbor but obviously she didn’t hear me. I was feeling totally helpless and miserable. But I kept taking the name of Jesus and kept hammering on the door.
Suddenly the door opened and I felt that Jesus had opened the door of heaven for me. I am very, very sure it was Jesus who opened the door for me in the morning. And I am extremely thankful to Jesus for rescuing me. Love you Jesus, praise you Jesus! Thank you Jesus!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Repentance
Presently, to prepare myself for the role of a catechist, I am reading a book given to me for reference. In this, I have been reading about King David and during my research on him, I came across this line which touched me the most. It says, “David’s adultery with Bathsheba was only an opportunity to demonstrate the power of repentance”. And in this particular statement, the word which struck me the most was ‘repentance’. I wanted to know more and write more about this particular word.
The word repentance (teshuvah) is derived from the Hebrew root sh-u-v, which means “to return” – the implication being “to return to God”. In other words, a sinner has to change his mind about sin. This is exactly what it means to repent: a change of mind about sin and about God. I just loved what I read about King David. In fact, King David is one character from the Old Testament whom I like a lot. I like him since I read about him in my Bible classes because though he sinned, he repented for it – he didn’t hide it from God. He accepted his sin and did everything possible to repent and be a righteous person all over again. In his suffering as a sinner, he wrote psalms to express himself and reach out to God. What a great personality!
According to Webster, repentance is defined as “to feel sorry for or reproachful for what one has done” and David did this all. He suffered much, he repented for what he had done and all his sins were forgiven. For it’s written in the New Testament: “Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”. Even Jesus Christ once said that unless we “repent” we will all perish (Luke 13:3, 5).
It’s also written about King David that “His contrition was so sincere that God pardoned him”. I really like this particular information about King David: “The spirit in which David accepted these penalties has made him for all time the model of penitents”. I just love it. How many of us are like King David!
In the Hebrew Bible, repentance generally leads to salvation. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.
Jesus Himself said that “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”. I have read this line umpteen times and every time this line manages to stir up my soul. I feel lighter every time I come across this verse. It’s written in Revelation 3:19 that “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline” and I am fully confident of Jesus’ love for me. He loves me a lot and has exalted this repentant sinner to great heights. I again want to reiterate that what is seen now is just the tip of the iceberg; many more beautiful things are still in store for me. I am the chosen one and thus great things will happen with me because I have decided to mix up with Jesus.
Psalm 51 is marked by true characteristics of repentance such as:
• Appeal to the mercy of God
• Honesty
• Understanding of the severity of sinning against God
• No excuses or justification
• Desire to reform
• Recognition that forgiveness is not deserved but by grace alone
The word repentance (teshuvah) is derived from the Hebrew root sh-u-v, which means “to return” – the implication being “to return to God”. In other words, a sinner has to change his mind about sin. This is exactly what it means to repent: a change of mind about sin and about God. I just loved what I read about King David. In fact, King David is one character from the Old Testament whom I like a lot. I like him since I read about him in my Bible classes because though he sinned, he repented for it – he didn’t hide it from God. He accepted his sin and did everything possible to repent and be a righteous person all over again. In his suffering as a sinner, he wrote psalms to express himself and reach out to God. What a great personality!
According to Webster, repentance is defined as “to feel sorry for or reproachful for what one has done” and David did this all. He suffered much, he repented for what he had done and all his sins were forgiven. For it’s written in the New Testament: “Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”. Even Jesus Christ once said that unless we “repent” we will all perish (Luke 13:3, 5).
It’s also written about King David that “His contrition was so sincere that God pardoned him”. I really like this particular information about King David: “The spirit in which David accepted these penalties has made him for all time the model of penitents”. I just love it. How many of us are like King David!
In the Hebrew Bible, repentance generally leads to salvation. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.
Jesus Himself said that “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”. I have read this line umpteen times and every time this line manages to stir up my soul. I feel lighter every time I come across this verse. It’s written in Revelation 3:19 that “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline” and I am fully confident of Jesus’ love for me. He loves me a lot and has exalted this repentant sinner to great heights. I again want to reiterate that what is seen now is just the tip of the iceberg; many more beautiful things are still in store for me. I am the chosen one and thus great things will happen with me because I have decided to mix up with Jesus.
Psalm 51 is marked by true characteristics of repentance such as:
• Appeal to the mercy of God
• Honesty
• Understanding of the severity of sinning against God
• No excuses or justification
• Desire to reform
• Recognition that forgiveness is not deserved but by grace alone
The Cross
The Cross of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of Christianity. The Cross reminds Christians of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, since it is believed that through His death and resurrection on the Cross, Jesus conquered death itself – the Cross means God has power over death. The Cross wasn’t a disastrous end for Jesus; rather, it brought fresh meaning to Jesus’ life and ministry. The first Christians saw it as a deliberate act of God, enabling them to experience God’s presence and activity.
Stauros is the Greek word, usually translated CROSS, that in the Bible is used in reference to the device on which Jesus was executed. The Cross is the symbol of the triumph of good. As a symbol, the Cross is a reminder of the sacrifice of our Savior over two thousand years ago. The reason Jesus had to die for our sins was for us to be forgiven (for our sins) and go to be with the Lord.
Jesus bore our sins upon the Cross and died in our place so we could be reconciled with God the Father Almighty and receive eternal life. The meaning of the Cross is a representation of Jesus Christ shedding His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore the Cross is a symbol of the sacrifice so that we, as Christians, can have the reassurance that we will go to heaven through Christ. According to Explore Faith, “The Cross in the New Testament also has a more personal and individual meaning as a symbol or an image for the path of transformation, for what it means to follow Jesus. It means to die and rise with Christ”. We also find this in Acts of the Apostles (Paul) – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. The Cross is an image for the path of spiritual and psychological transformation that leads to a new identity and way of being.
The Cross reveals that the true nature of God is to love totally, and for this reason the cross of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross for sinners. The Cross reminds you and me that we have been bought with a price; Jesus loved you and me so very much that He gave up His life for us. Even while dying Jesus didn’t have remorse for anyone. In fact, as Jesus hung on the cross, He forgave the soldiers who were constantly mocking Him and eventually crucified Him.
Mount Calvary
Mount Calvary is the mountain where the miraculous event took place – saving mankind from sin and death. This is the place where Jesus was crucified; Mount Calvary was the place of execution, not far from Jerusalem; and the name signifies the “place of skulls”.
“Take up your Cross”
Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their Cross daily and follow”. Taking up one’s Cross means torture and total denial of self. What Jesus meant was that we have to lead a righteous and sinless life to be His true disciples. We have to give up all possible temptations that come our way and take the path of difficult righteous life.
Stauros is the Greek word, usually translated CROSS, that in the Bible is used in reference to the device on which Jesus was executed. The Cross is the symbol of the triumph of good. As a symbol, the Cross is a reminder of the sacrifice of our Savior over two thousand years ago. The reason Jesus had to die for our sins was for us to be forgiven (for our sins) and go to be with the Lord.
Jesus bore our sins upon the Cross and died in our place so we could be reconciled with God the Father Almighty and receive eternal life. The meaning of the Cross is a representation of Jesus Christ shedding His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore the Cross is a symbol of the sacrifice so that we, as Christians, can have the reassurance that we will go to heaven through Christ. According to Explore Faith, “The Cross in the New Testament also has a more personal and individual meaning as a symbol or an image for the path of transformation, for what it means to follow Jesus. It means to die and rise with Christ”. We also find this in Acts of the Apostles (Paul) – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. The Cross is an image for the path of spiritual and psychological transformation that leads to a new identity and way of being.
The Cross reveals that the true nature of God is to love totally, and for this reason the cross of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross for sinners. The Cross reminds you and me that we have been bought with a price; Jesus loved you and me so very much that He gave up His life for us. Even while dying Jesus didn’t have remorse for anyone. In fact, as Jesus hung on the cross, He forgave the soldiers who were constantly mocking Him and eventually crucified Him.
Mount Calvary
Mount Calvary is the mountain where the miraculous event took place – saving mankind from sin and death. This is the place where Jesus was crucified; Mount Calvary was the place of execution, not far from Jerusalem; and the name signifies the “place of skulls”.
“Take up your Cross”
Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their Cross daily and follow”. Taking up one’s Cross means torture and total denial of self. What Jesus meant was that we have to lead a righteous and sinless life to be His true disciples. We have to give up all possible temptations that come our way and take the path of difficult righteous life.
19th June – Our Juneteenth
It is historically interesting to note that the biggest event on 19th June, 1999, was the wedding of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie Rhys-Jones in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. But I am more interested in narrating about the incident that happened in my life on that day. Probably, at the time the Prince was getting ‘hitched’, even God was planning to get me ‘hitched’ for life; though little did I know about it when I alighted from the Virar-bound train at Dadar station that rainy Saturday evening. (Like romantic novels, I won’t add ‘beautiful’ before rainy here because honestly I don’t think there was anything beautiful about that rainy evening). Nevertheless, I decided to keep the ‘date’ I had with him (Jason Alexander Cardozo) for that evening.
While my train ‘arrived’ at Dadar station and I alighted at platform no. 3 to keep my so-called ‘date’ I was absolutely clueless that years and years back, the Statue of Liberty had ‘arrived’ at its permanent home at Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor on that very day, aboard the French frigate Isere. I guess I have all the ‘Liberty’ of being mushy and say that even I had ‘arrived’ at my ‘permanent home’ – his heart! Again I didn’t know about it then in 1999; but today, thirteen years down the line, I am glad to write that I made a wise decision of accepting his proposal; of not saying ‘no’ to him when he was proposing to me.
It was the 170th day of the year and destiny had grand plans for me in the next 195 days remaining until the end of that year. A decade later, in 2009, a British psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall devised a formula to pinpoint that the day we all are most likely to feel the ‘cheeriest’ is on June 19. That year, June 19, according to some formula, was the “happiest day” of the year. In Britain, it was officially declared as the happiest day of 2009. It was indeed for me, an Indian, as well. I had completed one decade of togetherness with him.
This same psychologist also wrote that “the most important thing in our lives is our relationships – and no amount of money can buy that”. He also wrote that “any psychologist, life coach or happiness expert will tell you that relationships with people are what make you happy”. Well, I can blindly vouch for this because as the saying goes “guys get and forget” I am sure anybody else “getting” me would have “forgotten” me soon after; that person wouldn’t have shown me the same kind of love and affection and attention he shows to me even after 13 years of our married life because as Martin Luther King has said, “there is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage” and I really thank my stars for conspiring in favor of me on that Saturday evening thirteen years back.
In America, this day is also known as Juneteenth – the date set aside for the celebration of freedom from the end of enslavement for Americans of African descent. It is recognized by almost 40 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Congress as “Juneteenth Independence Day”. I guess it was a Juneteenth Independence Day for me as well – I got independence from my mundane loveless life because as Mother Teresa said, “loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible”. During this phase, I used to be very lonely, felt unwanted and was at the lowest point in my life – luckily, this love arrived and cured me of all my loneliness and “unwantedness” and brought me out from nothingness to existence. Like earlier, it didn’t create “a hole in my heart”. Here for no reason at all, I would like to add this beautiful quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – “If I am not worth the wooing, I am surely not worth the winning”. All I can say here is that he found me worth wooing and he surely won me.
Confucius has said that “can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?” but honestly he has no big demands from me except that I stop shouting at the kids and fighting with him. I try hard to give up all that but some habits die hard.
For us Alexander Smith’s awesome quote fits well – “Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition”. We began discovering ourselves from 5 o’clock onwards on that rainy evening (under my baby pink umbrella) thirteen years back at Bandra Bandstand. And since then, we have been delighting in each other’s recognition. For us, love is the answer for everything! Unlike William Shakespeare’s philosophical one-liner which says, “The course of true love never did run smooth”, praise the Lord, it has been running smoothly for us right from day one because it was well-planned by the Lord Himself. How wrong Publilius Syrus was when he said that “the gods never let us love and be wise at the same time” because I feel to love him and eventually marry him was one of the wisest decisions I ever took in my life (though I hardly confess this to him).
So a very Happy Juneteenth to us both!!!
While my train ‘arrived’ at Dadar station and I alighted at platform no. 3 to keep my so-called ‘date’ I was absolutely clueless that years and years back, the Statue of Liberty had ‘arrived’ at its permanent home at Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor on that very day, aboard the French frigate Isere. I guess I have all the ‘Liberty’ of being mushy and say that even I had ‘arrived’ at my ‘permanent home’ – his heart! Again I didn’t know about it then in 1999; but today, thirteen years down the line, I am glad to write that I made a wise decision of accepting his proposal; of not saying ‘no’ to him when he was proposing to me.
It was the 170th day of the year and destiny had grand plans for me in the next 195 days remaining until the end of that year. A decade later, in 2009, a British psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall devised a formula to pinpoint that the day we all are most likely to feel the ‘cheeriest’ is on June 19. That year, June 19, according to some formula, was the “happiest day” of the year. In Britain, it was officially declared as the happiest day of 2009. It was indeed for me, an Indian, as well. I had completed one decade of togetherness with him.
This same psychologist also wrote that “the most important thing in our lives is our relationships – and no amount of money can buy that”. He also wrote that “any psychologist, life coach or happiness expert will tell you that relationships with people are what make you happy”. Well, I can blindly vouch for this because as the saying goes “guys get and forget” I am sure anybody else “getting” me would have “forgotten” me soon after; that person wouldn’t have shown me the same kind of love and affection and attention he shows to me even after 13 years of our married life because as Martin Luther King has said, “there is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage” and I really thank my stars for conspiring in favor of me on that Saturday evening thirteen years back.
In America, this day is also known as Juneteenth – the date set aside for the celebration of freedom from the end of enslavement for Americans of African descent. It is recognized by almost 40 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Congress as “Juneteenth Independence Day”. I guess it was a Juneteenth Independence Day for me as well – I got independence from my mundane loveless life because as Mother Teresa said, “loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible”. During this phase, I used to be very lonely, felt unwanted and was at the lowest point in my life – luckily, this love arrived and cured me of all my loneliness and “unwantedness” and brought me out from nothingness to existence. Like earlier, it didn’t create “a hole in my heart”. Here for no reason at all, I would like to add this beautiful quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – “If I am not worth the wooing, I am surely not worth the winning”. All I can say here is that he found me worth wooing and he surely won me.
Confucius has said that “can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?” but honestly he has no big demands from me except that I stop shouting at the kids and fighting with him. I try hard to give up all that but some habits die hard.
For us Alexander Smith’s awesome quote fits well – “Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition”. We began discovering ourselves from 5 o’clock onwards on that rainy evening (under my baby pink umbrella) thirteen years back at Bandra Bandstand. And since then, we have been delighting in each other’s recognition. For us, love is the answer for everything! Unlike William Shakespeare’s philosophical one-liner which says, “The course of true love never did run smooth”, praise the Lord, it has been running smoothly for us right from day one because it was well-planned by the Lord Himself. How wrong Publilius Syrus was when he said that “the gods never let us love and be wise at the same time” because I feel to love him and eventually marry him was one of the wisest decisions I ever took in my life (though I hardly confess this to him).
So a very Happy Juneteenth to us both!!!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Psalm 116:6–11
"The LORD protects those of childlike faith;
I was facing death, and he saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again,
for the LORD has been good to me.
He has saved me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the LORD's presence
as I live here on earth!
I believed in you, so I said,
'I am deeply troubled, LORD.'
In my anxiety I cried out to you,
'These people are all liars!"
I was facing death, and he saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again,
for the LORD has been good to me.
He has saved me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the LORD's presence
as I live here on earth!
I believed in you, so I said,
'I am deeply troubled, LORD.'
In my anxiety I cried out to you,
'These people are all liars!"
Monday, June 11, 2012
Catechist Retreat
I am only few steps away from becoming a catechist and honestly, though at one hand I am extremely excited, on the other hand, I am feeling somewhat intimidated. As I haven’t done this earlier, I am a totally new catechist eager to learn some basic teaching skills to help me while teaching – any theory, any tip, any method – anything which will help me getting started on the planning and teaching. Since I will be engaged in the students’ faith formation, I don’t want to go wrong anywhere.
For this I attended a personal retreat especially conducted for those who lead others to faith. I spent my entire weekend participating in interplay workshops conducted by spiritual leaders Jaime and Ligia Da Fonseca. I didn’t know what interplay was until I attended one – it’s a body-spirit practice that consists of interactive, improvised body movement with a playful, childlike quality. I must say that I really enjoyed the invigorating 2-day session and look forward to more such interplays where I can unlock my holistic body wisdom in a creative way. I learnt so much and I honestly intend to practice some of these every day. This spiritual practice integrated my body and mind and heart so much. I really had so much fun and right now I am feeling so relaxed and refreshed and renewed with more body spirit.
Well, lets get back to me as a catechist. Initially I will be a volunteer or co-teacher to assist the larger class. Then later on when I am confident enough, I will conduct classes on my own.
I have been appointed to co-teach Confirmation students. Just for my knowledge as well, Confirmation is a sacrament, ritual or rite of passage practiced by several Christian denominations and it means strengthening or deepening one’s relationship with God. Confirmation candidates attend a series of special classes to learn about the sacrament, their faith and Christian responsibilities. I will be instructing one of these classes with an experienced teacher (catechist).
Confirmation is typically administered around the age of 16 or when a child completes tenth standard. In our church, these candidates will be in their eleventh standard now. So I will have to tread ground with teens who are at a very critical stage of their spiritual lives. I pray to Jesus to please bless me to spread His words in a way He wants it. I pray to Jesus that through this retreat, I become a living sign of faith.
PS: My Golu gifted me a new phone yesterday – Samsung Galaxy Ace plus S7500 – so now I am a proud owner of an extremely smart dark blue phone! It was launched in India just recently in April – I am yet to discover all its features.
For this I attended a personal retreat especially conducted for those who lead others to faith. I spent my entire weekend participating in interplay workshops conducted by spiritual leaders Jaime and Ligia Da Fonseca. I didn’t know what interplay was until I attended one – it’s a body-spirit practice that consists of interactive, improvised body movement with a playful, childlike quality. I must say that I really enjoyed the invigorating 2-day session and look forward to more such interplays where I can unlock my holistic body wisdom in a creative way. I learnt so much and I honestly intend to practice some of these every day. This spiritual practice integrated my body and mind and heart so much. I really had so much fun and right now I am feeling so relaxed and refreshed and renewed with more body spirit.
Well, lets get back to me as a catechist. Initially I will be a volunteer or co-teacher to assist the larger class. Then later on when I am confident enough, I will conduct classes on my own.
I have been appointed to co-teach Confirmation students. Just for my knowledge as well, Confirmation is a sacrament, ritual or rite of passage practiced by several Christian denominations and it means strengthening or deepening one’s relationship with God. Confirmation candidates attend a series of special classes to learn about the sacrament, their faith and Christian responsibilities. I will be instructing one of these classes with an experienced teacher (catechist).
Confirmation is typically administered around the age of 16 or when a child completes tenth standard. In our church, these candidates will be in their eleventh standard now. So I will have to tread ground with teens who are at a very critical stage of their spiritual lives. I pray to Jesus to please bless me to spread His words in a way He wants it. I pray to Jesus that through this retreat, I become a living sign of faith.
PS: My Golu gifted me a new phone yesterday – Samsung Galaxy Ace plus S7500 – so now I am a proud owner of an extremely smart dark blue phone! It was launched in India just recently in April – I am yet to discover all its features.
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