DON BOSCO CHURCH VADODARA

Hello friends,
If there is one saint that we could look up to - for inspiration to live the virtue of humility and selfless love, - it is St. Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus, the Son of God.

In fact, these are the two most important virtues that were propounded by Jesus in his public ministry. Jesus, though he was God, humbled himself to take the form of a servant, and set us the most sublime example of humility and service when he took off his outer garments, went down on his knees, and washed the feet of his disciples. On that same occasion - during the Last supper that he shared with his apostles - Jesus instituted the commandment to love - as He loved – Selflessly – to the extent of pouring out his life as a sacrifice for our redemption.

When did you last look into a mirror? What a question you may say! We look into the mirror more than once on every single day. - Isn't it? And Whom do you see, when you look into the mirror? Of-course Yourself. Now come on what do you think I'm getting at? The Bible tells us that you and I - all human beings - have been created in the image and likeness of God. Have you ever reflected on what it means to have been created in the image and likeness of God? And so when we look into the mirror, can we honestly say that in and through our faces, we behold the image of God?

If we are unable to behold the image of God in our own faces, it begs us to ask - what will it take for me to restore God's image in myself - which I may be distorting and losing because of the many vices that may have taken root in me. So the antidote to the vices that distort God's image in me is - Living by virtue. What is a Virtue?

My dear friends,
We have entered a new year in History and stepping into this month of January, it becomes even more special for us sons, daughters and devotees of Don Bosco whose feast day we celebrate on the last day of January, and thus have this entire month dedicated to him. Who was Don Bosco?
John Melchior Bosco who lived from 16 August 1815 to 31 January 1888 and popularly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator, and writer of the 19th century.
So what's so special and striking about him?...

Hi Friends, How are you?
What? What did you just say? Did I her you say – I’m fine.
Ohh You said – I’m OK
And you – Not too bad, still surviving.
Oh wai-wait – I just heard you saying: I’m at my wits end / Frustrated / Depressed / Lonely / Angry / Confused
Phew – There’s not one of you who said – I’m Happy, Truly Happy. Are you perhaps looking in the wrong places for happiness?
December brings us to the Season of Christmas – And Christmas is meant to be a season of Joy – Why? Because we commemorate the Birth of Jesus Christ – Emmanuel – God with us – Son of God - Savior of the World – Wonderful Counsellor - Mighty God - Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – The Messiah.

Dear friends,
The whole world is reeling under the Covid pandemic and it begs us to ponder - What message this grave set-back has for all of us? If you ask me, my dear friends - The Covid Pandemic is inviting us to Live Healthy, Holy and Happy.

My dear friends, I choose to believe that this Covid Pandemic is not without its purpose.
Every set-back in life is an opportunity for us to move forward with greater sensitivity, purpose and determination.

God entrusted Mary with the mission of being the mother of His Son. At the annunciation through the Archangel Gabriel, God did not explicitly spell out her mission beyond this mandate.

It was Mary who pro-actively discovered, that right from the time that she conceived Jesus, she had the mission of being the Christ-bearer in body, in spirit and in action.

She accepted this mandate first by agreeing to it in her heart and mind, then conceiving it in her womb and finally expressing it in action.

How did Mary execute the mission? ...

As we in India touch the seventh month of lockdown effected by the Covid Pandemic, we could be frustrated that it has in many ways paralyzed our normality. These frustrations could either drive us to despair, or it could trigger in us a resilience that gives birth to a creativity that fulfils what Jesus says: “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." (Matthew 13:51-53)

So, the question is whether we have this treasure chest from which we can draw out the old and new things to keep us going when the wells around us run dry. To me this treasure chest is nothing but ‘being anchored in our faith in God’ and ‘tapping into the potential He has vested in each one of us’ - the potential to ‘stay productive, grateful, prayerful and hopeful’. ...