9/4/16 My Monologues & Musings : “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?”( Lk 24: 36-43)

9/4/16 My Monologues & Musings :  “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?”( Lk 24: 36-43)

Musings of Jesus, the Risen Lord,

“Yes, my disciples are still in their shock.

They are in their doubts.

Now, even though I greeted with:

Peace be with you.

They are scared.. of me, why?

They are frightened … of me, why?

They have doubts about me, why?

Didn't I appear to Mary Magdalene?

Didn't I appear to them as a group?

Didn't I appear to Simon?

Didn’t I make myself known to a couple of them who were on the way to Emmaus?

Yes, I do see it..

It is their guilt ridden minds and hearts:

That scare them..

That make them to doubt me.

That make them frightened of me.

That make them see me as a ghost.

How I wish that they realize that:

It is not me they are frightened of,

It is their guilt that they are frightened of..

It is their failures they are frightened of..

It is their running away they are scared of.

It is their abandoning me after the Last Supper that they are frightened of..

It is betrayal and disowning that they are frightened of..

I will have patience with them as much as it takes until they own up their failures and fears..

I know they will and they shall.

I have prayed for them…

I continue to love them ..

I will see that they overcome their past.

I will see that they are not prisoners of their past failures however they big and serious they might be…

So I will keep repeating :

Peace be with you.

I will ask to give me something to eat.

I will show them the marks of nailed hands.

I will ask them to touch me..to put their finger in my wounded side and hands.

They will believe me..

I plan sending them the Holy Spirit.

When He descends upon them..

Not only they will believe me..

As Their Risen Lord.

They will got out and proclaim me..

As Their Risen Lord..

They shall and they will..

They are mine..”

‘Fear not’

‘Peace be with you!’

Oh, Dear Jesus, Risen Lord,

How Immense is Your Patience with them!

How Unconditional is Your Love for them!

How Unfailing is Your Hope in them!

Oh, Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

Come to failures and unfaithfulness,

I am no different from your Disciples.

In fact, I am far worse than they!

Just because I have betrayed you many more times than they have..

Just because I have abandoned you many more times than they have…

They betrayed you and abandoned you just for Three plus years.

And me around Seventy years!

Thank you, for keep forgiving me and waiting for me!

A million Thanks!

Oh, Jesus, My Lord and My God,
I thank You,
I thank the Father,
I thank the Spirit,
For Your Unsolicited gift of life for me!
For Your Uncountable blessings for me!
For Your Unlimited Patience with me!
For Your Untold Forgiveness for me!
For Your Unflinching faith in me!
For Your Unfailing Hope in me!
For Your Unconditional Love of me!
Amen
JoAchen
Joachenmonologues@gmail.com
Saturday, 9th April 2016

These Reflections are neither pure scientific exegesis nor are they any highly theological explanations. They are a sort of devotional musings and monologues mainly meant for my personal renewal and spiritual growth. They are a part of my journaling as a Prodigal Priest trying to make my pilgrimage back to the Home of our Heavenly Father. As I keep holding you in my prayers and I request you to include me in yours. Thank you!

8/4/16 My Monologues & Musings : The Seed and Me (Mk 4:1-8)

8/4/16 My Monologues & Musings :  The Seed and Me (Mk 4:1-8)

The Parable of the Sower
4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

Thank you for your parable.

It helps me to look at my life.

Yes, Lord,

I have the rocky and shallow soil in me.

Many a times,

I am inspired :

by Your Life,

by Your Deeds, and

by Your Word.

And I want earnestly live and form my life inspired by Your Word and Deeds.

I begin to do so and make start.

But it just doesn't last.

Because I am very shallow.

And after a brief period many of my good

beginnings die out and disappear.

I feel bad about it and I get discouraged.

Sometimes I get depressed too.

At times I even feel angry with myself.

I feel very guilty.

Then I go to Confessions with contrition.

For a while i feel good.

And I start all over again to live upright.

It too doesn't last ..

The vicious cycle of my keeps repeating.

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

Despite being a senior priest,

I am caught in it and with it.

You know it, Don't You, Lord!

That’s  part of me, Lord!

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

Thorns and thistles in forms of my addictions as well as external circumstances and situations are also part of self which often choke off Your Word and the inspirations which spring up in me!

Ultimately I end up with a life which often produces not even the minimum of growth and improvement in my relation ship with You as well as with my fellow humans.

This is yet again a part of me.

Dear Jesus, tge RisenLord,

You know me too well, Don't You?

I want to keep working on rocky soil and thorns and thistles in my life which blocks the growth of my relationship with You and with my fellow humans.

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

Today in a very special way I thank you for my parents who got married on the 8th April seveny six years ago!

My Dearest Mother and Father,
I do still have your Wedding Shawls. I do keep them as a precious Treasure. Mother, I have your Wooden Box which you got as a part of your dower. I use it as a Mini Alter in my room.

Though you were together  only for seven years as the Lord called you, mother to heaven. I was just forty one days old when you were called to heaven.
 Yes I do miss her as well as my father. 
Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,  Today both of them are celebrating together their seventy sixth Wedding Anniversary up on heaven in your presence, Right, Lord?

I want to keep working to produce better harvest so that they can be proud of their son. Sure, I have disappointed them. And at times they have been ashamed of me and way of life.

I am sorry my Mother and my Father for having disappointed you. I shall and will keep trying to do better so that you can proud of your son.

I miss you both!

May continue to enjoy the Eternal Bliss in the of Jesus, the Risen Lord.

Someday we shall be together!

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

I bring before you:

Everyone of my loved ones.

Everyone of my enemies who were and are.

Everyone who loves as well as hates me.

Everyone whom I love and whom i hate.

Everyone who helps me and who don't.

Everyone whom i have lead astray.

Everyone who is sick and needs healing.

Everyone who is in despair and needs hope.

Every priest who is in need of prayers.

Everyone who has met with me!

Oh, Jesus, My Lord and My God,

I thank You,

I thank the Father,

I thank the Spirit,

For Your Unsolicited gift of life for me!

For Your Uncountable blessings for me!

For Your Unlimited Patience with me!

For Your Untold Forgiveness for me!

For Your Unflinching faith in me!

For Your Unfailing Hope in me!

For Your Unconditional Love of me!

Amen

JoAchen

Joachenmonologues@gmail.com

Friday, 8th April  2016

These Reflections are neither pure scientific exegesis nor are they any highly theological explanations. They are a sort of devotional musings and monologues mainly meant for my personal renewal and spiritual growth. They are a part of my journaling as a Prodigal Priest trying to make my pilgrimage back to the Home of our Heavenly Father. As I keep holding you in my prayers and I request you to include me in yours. Thank you

7/4/16 My Monologues & Musings : The Canaanite Woman (Mt15:21-28)

7/4/16 My Monologues & Musings : The Canaanite Woman (Mt15:21-28)

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Musings of the Canaanite Sister,..

“What I have been hearing about this man called Jesus of Nazareth is:

That he is revered as the Messiah.

That he is from the Davidic Royal lineage.

That he is very caring and compassionate.

That he reaches out to the sick and heals.

That he is very forgiving to the sinners.

That he has miraculous powers and he has in fact healed many.

So with great hope and expectations,

I pleaded him to heal my ailing and demon- possessed daughter.

To my shocking disappointment,

He never answered a word!

He ignored me and my plea.

It was quite contrary to all those good things I had been hearing about him.

He appeared to be very inconsiderate!

His disciples too were no different.

They felt that I am a nuisance and urged him to pack me off!

Finally he spoke not to me but to them.

He told them,

‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’

What he meant was: I being a non-Jew my problems are none of his concerns.

I thought he would he would say something nice!

Though initially I was a bit disappointed with his cold and uncaring response,

I was in no mood to give up.

I was determined to pursue and even pester.

I came forward and knelt right in front of him, partially blocking him going forward.

I pleaded for his help.

Oh, Boy, his answer seemed rather offensive as he compared Jews to children and non-Jews to dogs!

When I looked at him in disgust somehow his facial expression didn't look angry or hateful. There was even naughty smile on his face.

Right away I concluded that he was up to teasing me rather than hating me.

Instantly I made up not to yield to disappointment but rather fight it out defiantly by giving him a ‘tit for tat’ answer.

I told him that I didn't expect to take children's food to be given to dogs.

But I would be happy as a dog would be happy to get even the crumbs that fall from the table.

Doesn't a normally have the right for the crumbs that fall from the table?

It seems he liked my quip and he complimented me for my persevering faith.

And he granted me my wish!

My daughter was healed!

Oh, Dear Jesus, the son of David,

You are super!

You are not only the Son of David and the Messiah, you are also a true human being with a sense of humour, Right, Lord?

Thank you, Lord!

Lord,  Son of David,

I love to keep barking at you affectionately as a dog would lovingly bark at it's Master!

I shall always cherish those momentous  moments of interaction with you.

Lord, Jesus, the Son of David,

Whenever I think of the events these particular moments my face automatically wears a cheerful smile!

Thank you, A million thank you, Lord!”

Musings of Son of David…

“Dear Canaanite Daughter,

Thank you for addressing me as

‘Son of  David’.

I like that title very much.

Look, I liked you the very moment I heard your plea and the moment my eyes caught the sight of you I had compassion on you.

I know your enduring struggles have made you tough.

Caring for your tormented daughter wasn't that easy at all.

You must have repeatedly asked Yahweh your God the reason for allowing your daughter to be tormented by the evil one, right?

I fully  understand what you have been through all these years.

It isn't easy at all to take care of a demon-possessed daughter who must have often been violent.

I have compassionate love for you and for your daughter and have caring thoughts for you both.

My initial lack of interest in you was just a ploy.

I just wanted to test your endurance by teasing you which seemed offensive, right?

You were right in assessing me that I wasn't mean or hostile to you just because  you were a non-Jew.

You rightly picked it up from my facial expressions and from my tone that I wasn't hostile to you.

I did like the way you answered me and paid me back in the same coin.

I loved your argument about the dogs and their right to have the crumbs!

Go home, my Daughter of strong faith!

And enjoy the company of your daughter who is no more possessed.

And enjoy your life and make up those missing years!”

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

Thank you for the way you challenged her.

Sure, she gave you a tit for a tat.

How I wish!

I had the endurance of your Canaanite Daughter.

I tend to give up very easily.

I often keep blaming others for my woes.

I tend to get easily hurt and offended!

If I were to be compared to a dog I would have been deeply hurt.

That's part of me, Lord!

Yet, You keep on patiently loving me and You keep on mercifully forgiving me!

Thank You, My Risen Lord!

Thanks a Million!

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

I bring before you:

Everyone of my loved ones.

Everyone of my enemies who were and are.

Everyone who loves as well as hates me.

Everyone whom I love and whom i hate.

Everyone who helps me and who don't.

Everyone whom i have lead astray.

Everyone who is sick and needs healing.

Everyone who is in despair and needs hope.

Every priest who is in need of prayers.

Everyone who has met with me!

Oh, Jesus, My Lord and My God,

I thank You,

I thank the Father,

I thank the Spirit,

For Your Unsolicited gift of life for me!

For Your Uncountable blessings for me!

For Your Unlimited Patience with me!

For Your Untold Forgiveness for me!

For Your Unflinching faith in me!

For Your Unfailing Hope in me!

For Your Unconditional Love of me!

Amen

JoAchen

Joachenmonologues@gmail.com

Thursday, 7th April  2016

These Reflections are neither pure scientific exegesis nor are they any highly theological explanations. They are a sort of devotional musings and monologues mainly meant for my personal renewal and spiritual growth. They are a part of my journaling as a Prodigal Priest trying to make my pilgrimage back to the Home of our Heavenly Father. As I keep holding you in my prayers and I request you to include me in yours. Thank you

6/4/16 My Monologues & Musings : “Ephphatha”(Mk 7:32-37)

6/4/16  My Monologues & Musings : “Ephphatha”(Mk 7:32-37)

“There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.” (Mk 7:32-35)

Dear Ephphatha Brother,

How blessed you are to have met Jesus and to have healed by Jesus,  right.

All that I know of you is that you are a grown up deaf and dumb man.

Were you born deaf and dumb?

Or you became deaf and dumb due to an accident or illness?

Your everyday life must have been immensely difficult for you, right?

Would you please share your musings with me?

Musings of the Ephphatha Brother,

“I was born and brought as a normal healthy boy.

I could hear as well speak.

I was a very happy boy.

l used to play with my many friends in the dusty grounds of our village.

I used to help out my father on his farm.

All on a sudden, I was down with high fever and a severe sore throat infection. It was becoming difficult for me to speak and it was hard for me to hear. Home remedies and country medicines gave only a temporary relief.

It didn't heal my sickness.

Though our Village Rabbi came and prayed over me there wasn't much improvement.  Gradually I could neither hear nor speak!

I was upset, angry, and sad.

I was restless and rebellious!

Often I threw temper - tantrums.

At times, i was very quareelsome and

At other times i was very moody.

I used to wonder and ask myself:

Why on earth Yahweh is punishing me?

For my sins?

For the sins of my parents?

Or for the sins of my ancestors?

Why does Yahweh punish me and make my life miserable?

I had dreamed of getting married to young girl and of having a family and bring forth our own children.

But every one of my dreams seemed to be doomed!

I was desperate and disappointed….

Years passed by.

My parents too passed away.

In those days we had heard of Jesus,

The Rabbi who had been healing lots of the sick who came to him.

When my relatives came to know that he was passing through the nearby village they took me to him and told him of my sad state and begged him to heal me!

He looked at me with compassion.

He took me aside.

He did touch with mud mixed with his spittle.

And he said wit all seriouness:

“Ephphatha”

There I was:

Able to hear and able to speak.

He healed me instantly!

I couldn't believe my eyes and ears!

I could hear once again!

I could speak once again!

For a moment, I was wonderstruck and wordless with joy and gratitude!

I looked at him..

Fell down at his feet and wept with joy!

My people were thrilled!

I looked at Jesus with a grateful wonder.

There was something Divine about him.

I kept on gazing at him.

While my people and others around me were wild with joy and gratitude!

How could I ever stop thanking him!”

Dear Ephphatha Brother,

Thank you for sincere sharing!

Your inability to hear and to speak must have been terrible for you, right?

The frustration you went through and the  helplessness you experienced must have drained energy and have almost dried up your hope, Haven't they?

You must have kept on relishing the memory of this unforgettable day of healing of rehabilitation in the world of hearing and speech, right?

There was a time when you thought of yourself as:

‘How cursed I am’, right?

Now you must be thinking:

‘How blessed I am?’, right?

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

Thank you for blessing me with the gift of hearing as well as of the gift of speech!

Often I do take them for granted.

As I find myself these days here in a monastery perched on a Hilltop I do enjoy the marvel of the Mountains with its prestine Nature and the sound of Monastic Silence.

The rustle cool breeze and chirping birds and beauty of the wild flowers keep speaking of your love us humans.

It's a pity that often I fail to hear them  reminding of your love for us, for me!

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

I am sorry for having misused your gift of my hearing and the gift of my speech.

I want use these gifts:

For your honor and glory.

For the good of my fellow humans.

For my own happiness

Dear Jesus, the Risen Lord,

I bring before you:

Everyone of my loved ones.

Everyone of my enemies who were and are.

Everyone who loves as well as hates me.

Everyone whom I love and whom i hate.

Everyone who helps me and who don't.

Everyone whom i have lead astray.

Everyone who is sick and needs healing.

Everyone who is in despair and needs hope.

Every priest who is in need of prayers.

Everyone who has met with me!

Oh, Jesus, My Lord and My God,

I thank You,

I thank the Father,

I thank the Spirit,

For Your Unsolicited gift of life for me!

For Your Uncountable blessings for me!

For Your Unlimited Patience with me!

For Your Untold Forgiveness for me!

For Your Unflinching faith in me!

For Your Unfailing Hope in me!

For Your Unconditional Love of me!

Amen

JoAchen

Joachenmonologues@gmail.com

Wednesday,  6th April  2016

These Reflections are neither pure scientific exegesis nor are they any highly theological explanations. They are a sort of devotional musings and monologues mainly meant for my personal renewal and spiritual growth. They are a part of my journaling as a Prodigal Priest trying to make my pilgrimage back to the Home of our Heavenly Father. As I keep holding you in my prayers and I request you to include me in yours. Thank you