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International Cuisine Conference on Traditional Asian Diet
Panaji, Goa, September 2-5, 2007 - http://www.indologygoa.in
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14-June-2007
Dear Friend,
In life we are generally trying to get the better of others! We want to be
bigger and better than others, we want to be one-up on others! We want to be in
the limelight while we put others in the shade. The name of the game is 'we
increase others decrease.' Only when we are in love and live in faith are the
roles reversed. John Baptist shows us the way. Have a weekend dieting that God
might grow in us! Fr. Jude
Sunday Reflections: Twelfth Sunday John the Baptist 24-June-07
Readings: Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13: 22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80;
In today's first reading, Isaiah, identifies himself as the servant, chosen
before he was born, to speaks to Israel. God makes him an effective instrument,
like a sharp sword, in proclaiming his message. Perhaps God hid him and
protected him in preparation for his mission. The prophet continues his mission
even though no one listens to him. He knows he is speaking on behalf of God and
God alone will be his reward. He will continue to speak not only to Israel but
to all the nations. God's message is for all peoples, whether they listen or
not. God used Isaiah to deliver some of his most encouraging and challenging
messages. God uses us as well.
Be Positive Donald B. MacMillan, the artic explorer, received a letter from
an unknown person, when setting out on an expedition to the far North.
Inscribed on the cover were the words: "To be opened when everything has gone
dead wrong." The letter was not opened even after fifty years. MacMillan
informed his friends that during all the time nothing had gone dead wrong in
his life. Whether you think that everything is wrong or good in life is just an
attitude. Choosing to develop a positive attitude towards life leads to
happiness.
G. Francis Xavier in 'Inspiring Stories'
The success of the precursor of the Lord, John the Baptist, lay in his belief
in him whom he heralds. In the second reading Paul reminds the Jews of Antioch
and us that the success of our mission in life also likewise depends on our
belief in the Lord Jesus. John humbly acknowledged that his life was focused on
Jesus. 'I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and
I am not fit to undo his sandal.' Our lives have meaning and purpose only in
and through Jesus.
Shoe-shiner Pastor Mr. Samuel Logan Brengle was a Methodist Pastor in
America who once dreamt of becoming a bishop. In 1879 William Booth had formed
the Salvation Army in England and was enlisting people. Brengle turned away
from a fine pastorate, crossed the Atlantic to join the Salvation army in
England. Booth accepted the services of Brengle grudgingly at first. He said to
Brengle, "You have been your own boss too long." As a trainee he was assigned
the job of cleaning the boots of other trainees, as Booth felt that Brengle
should learn humility. Brengle said to himself, "Have I followed my own fancy
across the Atlantic in order to black boots?" Later he had a vision of the Lord
Jesus washing the feet of rough unlettered fishermen. Brengle yielded himself
saying, "Lord, you washed their feet, I will black their boots."
Daniel Sunderaj in ''Manna for the Soul'
In today's gospel we are reminded of the wondrous event of the birth of John
the Baptist. In spite of the reactions of their neighbours and relatives, the
name given to the child born to Elizabeth and Zachariah is John. The name,
meaning 'God's gracious gift' is full of implication. Like John, each of us is
special and we are a gift of God to the world today. Are we aware of the
implications? Have we recognized the gift? Have we discovered the gift? Have we
shared the gift? John's birth was already the good news, and Zachariah gives
thanks to God for it. We are the good news and we are called to be the good
news all through our lives. Like John we are called to be the ones who prepare
the way for the coming of the Lord in today's world. All that we say and all
that we do should communicate the good news. In the measure that our lives are
pointing to the Lord, in the measure that we decrease, His life will increase
in us.
"John's is a strange destiny. On the one hand, a saintly intolerance of the
things of this earth, yet on the other hand with this rugged austerity, an
intense spiritual joy. Twice in his life he trembles with joy: in his mother's
womb, and when as a grown man, he points to the Messiah. Until he has found
him, he remains 'the voice crying in the wilderness'. God speaks in hearts
which have abandoned all else. In the desert regions along the Jordan, John
rises up 'in the spirit and power of Elijah', as the great preacher of
judgement. With his burning words and his baptism of water, he is to bring back
the sons of the covenant to the Lord their God, before the deluge of fire. He
is therefore the great successor of Noah whose primeval judgement by water
foreshadowed the final judgement and foretold the waters of baptism which save
us from impending retribution. But more than all that, John appears as the
friend who brings the bride to the groom, and then goes quietly away.
He turns all hearts to Jesus. Then eager to decrease so that Jesus may
increase, he chooses to be forgotten and abandoned. Is not this the passion
which makes manifest the extent of his faith and perfects the identification
between servant and master?" Glenstal Bible Missal
The forerunner On December 17, 1903, two brothers, Orville and Wilber
Wright, from Dayton, Ohio, made history at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They got
the first primitive airplane to fly a short distance. That flight ushered in
the birth of a new form of transportation. Orville lived until 1948, but long
enough to see the form of transportation he pioneered grow to the point that it
would put a man on the moon. John the Baptist occupied a similar place in the
history of Christianity. He set into motion the salvation of the world, but he
never lived to see the fruit of his work. How conscious are we of our debt to
those who went before us and our responsibility to those who will follow after
us? The steps we carve out of the mountainside will be the way by which others
will scale its peak.
Mark Link in 'Daily Homilies'
Root system Joel Weldon, an expert on human potential, likes to tell about
the Chinese bamboo tree. This unusual plant takes five years to emerge from the
soil. All during those five years, however, it has to be watered and
fertilized. Once the plant emerges, it skyrockets to the height of 90 feet in
six short weeks. The plant's rapid growth is made possible by the elaborate
root system that developed during its five years of germination. John the
Baptist, like Jesus, spent 30 years preparing for his ministry. It was the most
important time of his life. For during this time he was putting down the
elaborate spiritual root system that made possible his fruitful ministry in
later life.
Mark Link in 'Daily Homilies'
May we decrease and His life increase in us!
Fr. Jude Botelho
www.netforlife.net
PS. The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been
collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and
from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever
possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you
could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in
these reflections. These reflections are also available on my web site
www.netforlife.net Thank you.
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