THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR ME

Today I celebrate my Ordination day. God had called me to be his servant in the order of Franciscan Cappuchin Order. God was leading me during all those years and made use of me in different ways for his services. I thank my Lord for this great gift of Vocation. He was behind me and helped me to march forward in different situations of life. I also thank my parents , brother and sisters and dear ones and all my beloved friends who assisted me in my vocational journey. Lord, reward them and bless them.I also thank my Order and my Amala Annai Province for the great support and love. With God's help I could do something for the Lord and People. I remember all my loving ones who are showing love and affection for me. Together with Mary I too thank the Lord for what he has done for me through Magnificat hymn.

Joyful Anticipation of the Messiah

METTURDAM

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45 (alternate reading: Mark 10:46-52)

Blessed are you if you see and recognize the Lord with the "eyes of faith". The word "blessed" [makarios in Greek] literally means "happiness" or "beatitude". It describes a kind of joy which is serene and untouchable, self-contained, and independent from chance and changing circumstances of life. There is a certain paradox for those "blessed" by the Lord. Mary was given the "blessedness" of being the mother of the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. Anselm, a great teacher and Archbishop of Canterberry (1033-1109), spoke these words in a homily: "Without God's Son nothing could exist; without Mary's son, nothing could be redeemed." To be chosen by God is an awesome privilege and responsibility. Mary received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. Her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fuelled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take away.
When Elizabeth greeted Mary and recognized the Messiah in Mary's womb they were filled with the Holy Spirit and with a joyful anticipation of the fulfilment of God's promise to give a Savior. What a marvelous wonder for God to fill not only Elizabeth's heart with his Holy Spirit but the child in her womb as well. John the Baptist, even before the birth of the Messiah, pointed to his coming and leapt for joy in the womb of his mother as the Holy Spirit revealed to him the presence of the King to be born. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us to enable us to know and experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of his kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns within each of us. Do you live in the joy and knowledge of God's indwelling presence with you through his Holy Spirit?

Are you able to drink the cup that I drink

METTURDAM

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

On three different occasions the Gospels record that Jesus predicted he would endure great suffering through betrayal, rejection, and the punishment of a cruel death. No wonder the apostles were greatly distressed at such a prediction! If Jesus their Master were put to death, then they would likely receive the same treatment by their enemies.Jesus paid the price for our redemption with his blood.Jesus did the unthinkable! He wedded authority with selfless service and with loving sacrifice. Authority without sacrificial love is brutish and self-serving. Jesus also used stark language to explain what kind of sacrifice he had in mind. His disciples must drink his cup if they expect to reign with him in his kingdom. The cup he had in mind was a bitter one involving crucifixion. What kind of cup does the Lord have in mind for us? For some disciples such a cup entails physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom

10th SFO CONVENTION TRICHY , 19, 20.05.07

Two days convention of SFO was successful. Many speakers brought the importance of living the Gospel Life and to be True Franciscan. Fr.R. Charles the Tamil Nadu Spiritual Assitant organized it well with the cooperation of Tricky SFO Fraternity. Nearly 500 persons took part in this conventions. Fr.IrudayaSamy the General Spiritual Assitant from Rome took part and gave talk on MINORITY,FRATERNITY and SOCIAL DIMENSION.

We have left everything and followed you

METTURDAM

Scripture: Mark 10:28-31


The gospel presents us with a paradox: we lose what we keep, and we gain what we give away. When we lose our lives for Jesus Christ, we gain a priceless treasure and an inheritance which last forever. Whatever we give to God comes back a hundredfold. Generosity flows from a heart full of gratitude for the abundant mercy and grace which God grants. Do you give freely and generously? And why do you give, for reward or for love?

You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy

METTURDAM

Scripture: John 16:16-20

Jesus contrasts present sorrows with the future glory to be revealed to those who put their hope in God. For the people of Israel time was divided into two ages– the present age and the age to come. The prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah as the dawn of a new age. Jesus tells his disciples two important truths. First, he must leave them to return to his Father and second, he will surely come again at the end of time to usher in the new age of God's kingdom. Jesus' orientation for the time between his first coming and his return in glory at the end of the world is a reversal of the world's fortunes. A woman in labor suffers the birth-pangs first, but then forgets her sorrow as soon as her new-born child comes to birth. We cannot avoid pain and sorrow if we wish to follow Jesus to the cross. But in the cross of Christ we find freedom, victory, and joy.





Fr.Irudayasamy lightens the Kuthuvialku in opening function of National
Chapter of SFO in India

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth

Metturdam

Scripture: John 16:12-15

It is the gift of God who is the possessor and the giver of all truth. Jesus tells his disciples that it is the role of the Holy Spirit to reveal what is true. How can this be? Skeptics of truth don't want to believe in an absolute Truth. If truth is objective then it must be submitted to as authoritative. Some fear the truth because they think it will inhibit their freedom. Jesus told his disciples that the truth will set you free (John 8:32).The truth liberates us from doubts, illusions, and fears. Since God is the source of all truth, then the closer we draw to him and listen to his word, the more we grow in the knowledge of him and of his great love and wisdom for us. Jesus told his disciples that he would send them the Spirit of truth who will announce to you the things to come. Through the Holy Spirit, we proclaim our ancient faith in the saving death and resurrection of Christ until he comes again. The Lord gives us his Holy Spirit as our divine Teacher and Helper that we may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God.