It is 13th September 2017. We celebrate the Memorial of St John Chrysostom, Bishop and the Doctor of the Church. The readings are from Colossians 3:1-11; and the Gospel from Luke 6:20-26. A Christian life is a regular attempt to bring Christ and the values of the Kingdom daily. There must be a characteristic difference in the way we the believe and live for Christ. A Christian must not compromise with this world when it comes following Jesus without sowing the seeds of hatred and divisions. St. Paul admonishes the Colossians that the Sacrament of Baptism has washed them clean and made them spotless and therefore they need to remain spotless without getting contaminated by the worldly sewer until they meet the Lord Jesus in person. It is through the Sacrament of Baptism one is reborn and has become the child of God. The Baptism is not a cleansing ritual rather it is by which one embarks the journey of a new life in Christ Jesus. Our happiness and joy is found only in Christ not in the fleeting pleasure that offer a temporary relief to our existence. Food and pleasures cannot satisfy human living condition rather it is the approval and recognition by our Lord Himself through the members of the Church. Let Christ shine in all we do and say in this world. A believer in Christ needs to put on Christ not as coat but as a mortification to oppose and to witness Christ in this world. One needs to work on the perceptions and attitudes that characterizes the Christian and beware of all the illusions and distortions of the ever-enchanting and alluring world. Our spiritual life must have prayer, penance and charity as the characteristic marks of a true believer in Christ. A new person needs to be seen and felt by all who come in conduct after being baptized as a Christian. The responsorial Psalm praises, “How good is the Lord to all.” (Ps.144:9). The Gospel presents with the Beatitudes and the opposites. It is the blueprint for our spiritual life and a road-map to Heaven. It is our need for God in our lives alters the demands of the world. The hunger within each one of us cannot be simplified and satisfied with the satisfaction of the peripherals. Our happiness lies only in God and God alone is sufficient and all others are just passing by. To enjoy the fullness of joy and happiness, one needs to stand up for Christ and to live a radical Christian life respecting and including every human being on board. May you have a good day. May God bless you.