It's Always About God

I just watched an interview snippet with the actor who plays David in the new series House of David. What he said really struck me. He mentioned how easy it is, when playing such an epic role, to make it all about David. But then he added something simple and beautiful: it’s not really about David. It’s about God. It’s about how David's heart longed for God.

That line hasn’t left me since.

Because isn’t that the truth of our own lives too? 

We get caught up in the idea that we are the main character in the story — our struggles, our goals, our heartbreaks, our victories. It’s so easy to live that way, especially in a world that constantly tells us to “be yourself” and “build your own legacy.”

But when we pause… when we look beyond the surface… we realize: it has always been about God.

Everything.

The good moments, the hard seasons, the quiet in-betweens : none of them were random. They were opportunities to know Him, love Him, and do His will. 

David wasn’t great because he slayed Goliath or became king. He was great because, even in his failures, his heart chased after God.He repented genuinely and never repeated his mistakes. 

That’s what set him apart.

And that’s what sets us apart too.

When we start seeing our days not as a personal performance, but as a chance to love and serve the One who created us — something shifts. 

We become freer. Less obsessed with recognition, more open to humility. Less panicked by the unknown, more surrendered to God's perfect plan.

Because at the end of the day, whether our lives are filled with worldly success or quiet faithfulness that no one sees ; what we truly need to focus on is doing exactly what God wanted of us. Nothing more, nothing less.

So from today, let’s try to make it a little less about ourself and a lot more about Him.

At the Foot of the Cross: Lessons from Those Who Were There

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was an important event. Around the cross stood people who represent many of us today. Each of them responded differently to Jesus in His suffering, and their actions offer us deep spiritual lessons.

1. Pilate: The Double-Minded Heart
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. He tried to release Him, even washing his hands as if that could erase responsibility. But fear of losing approval and position made him choose comfort over conviction.

How often do we want to do what’s right, but back down when it costs us something?
Pilate reminds us that indecision can lead to grave injustice.

2. Judas: The Misguided Follower
Judas was close to Jesus. He saw miracles, heard the teachings, and even participated in ministry. Yet, his heart was divided and perhaps betrayed thinking he could have both money and the Messiah. And when things went wrong, instead of running to Christ, he despaired and ended his life.

Do we sometimes follow Jesus without truly knowing His heart?
Let us not be like Judas, who misunderstood Jesus’ mission and gave up before seeking forgiveness.

3. Peter: The Repentant Denier
Peter was bold disciple who walked on water and declared Jesus as the Christ. He even vowed to follow Him to death. But when fear gripped him, he denied Jesus three times. Yet unlike Judas, Peter wept, repented, and returned to Jesus. He became the rock on which the Church was built.

We may fall, but what we do after the fall matters more.
God is always ready to restore a heart that returns to Him so turn and be converted.

4. John: The Faithful Friend
John didn’t run. He stood by Jesus all the way to the cross, even when he didn’t fully understand what was happening. And Jesus entrusted him with His most precious earthly treasure which is His mother.

Faithful love doesn’t need all the answers; it simply stays.
Be faithful to Christ even in the dark times, and we will receive great blessings.

5. The Roman Soldier: The Unexpected Believer
A pagan soldier, who had likely seen countless executions, looked at Jesus and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.” While the religious leaders mocked, this outsider believed.

Sometimes those furthest from God see Him most clearly when they truly open their eyes.
Sometimes our interpretation of the Divine blinds us to who God really is. Be flexible and humble to allow God to transform your understanding.

6. The Two Thieves: Two Choices in the End
One thief mocked. The other, with nothing to offer but a broken heart, simply said, “Remember me.” And Jesus promised him paradise.

It’s never too late to turn to Jesus.
At every stage of life and even at the final hour mercy is available to the humble heart.

So who are you at the cross today?
Are you hesitant like Pilate, divided like Judas, afraid like Peter, faithful like John, awakening like the soldier, or seeking like the repentant thief?

The good news is that wherever you are, Jesus is ready to meet you with mercy, purpose, and love.

Are you willing to embrace Him with all that you have.

Sacrifice vs Choice: My Journey with Jesus

When I first started seriously thinking about becoming a disciple of Jesus, I’ll be honest I braced myself for the sacrifices. I thought following Him meant giving up a lot of things I loved, or at least things that felt really important to me at the time.

You know that feeling when someone tells you, “It’s going to be hard, but it’s worth it”? That’s kind of what I expected. Like I’d be constantly battling my desires, trying to be “holy enough,” and saying painful goodbyes to people, habits, or parts of myself.

But here’s what actually happened: once I made the change... it didn’t feel like sacrifice at all.

Sounds weird, right?

Let me explain.  “Sacrifice” means giving up something you really want, something that matters to you. But now, as I grow in my Catholic journey, I’ve noticed my wants have started to change. My priorities have shifted. 

What I truly desire most now is to be close to Jesus.

And when that becomes your top priority, a lot of the other stuff that once seemed important just sort of... drops off. Not dramatically. Not like a painful amputation. More like realizing you don’t really wear those shoes anymore, so you shed them. They served you once, but they’re not part of your walk now.

It is not painful sacrifice but a happy choice.

Think of it like this: Imagine you’re sharing a room with a close friend, and it's time to paint the walls. You have your heart set on a soft olive green - calming, earthy, totally your vibe. But your friend is in love with this bright coral shade that makes you feel like you’re living inside a tropical smoothie.

You chat, you gently argue, but eventually, you let her have her way. You say, Okay, coral it is. But deep down, you’re not happy about it. Every time you walk into the room, that coral wall feels like a reminder of what you didn’t get. You start saying things like, “I sacrificed for her.”

But did you really?

Or was it just a choice you made that you’re still not at peace with?

See, that’s the thing - choices become sacrifices when we’re dissatisfied with the choice we made. When we say yes to something outwardly but carry a no in our hearts, it lingers. It becomes a “begrudging choice.” One that tastes a little bitter every time we remember it.

Now flip that story.

What if, instead, every time you saw that coral wall, you remembered your friend’s face lighting up when she saw it painted? What if you focused on her happiness, her excitement, her joy? Suddenly, it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice anymore. It feels like the right choice. One made from love. One you’re at peace with.

That’s the kind of shift I’ve experienced with Jesus. What felt like it might be full of sacrifice turned out to be a series of peaceful choices and none of them I’ve regretted. Because each one brought me closer to what I truly want: Him.

So if you’re standing on the edge, thinking about walking with Jesus and worried about the “sacrifices” - I get it. But remember, it’s not about giving things up; it’s about learning to love Him more and more. Let that love shape your choices. Focus on Him, be gentle with yourself, and embrace the discipline that helps your heart grow closer to His.

From Palms to the Empty Tomb: Walking with Christ Through Holy Week

From His triumphant entry to His triumphant victory on Easter, the week we call Holy is anything but simple. It’s intense. It’s sacred. It’s heavy with love, glory, blood, and silence. Every step Jesus took was a message of mercy.

He Knew and He Still Came

Palm Sunday opened with joy. Crowds shouted “Hosanna!” and waved palm branches as Jesus entered Jerusalem. But He knew that those cheers would soon turn into cries of “Crucify Him.” Still, He went. That alone speaks volumes.

 Who chooses that kind of love? 

Who walks straight into pain for the sake of those who would abandon Him?

The Gift of Himself

At the Last Supper, Jesus wasn’t just sharing a meal. He was giving us the greatest gift we’d ever receive: Himself. “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19). 

In that moment, the Eucharist was born which is  His Real Presence offered to us for all time. He would not leave us orphaned. He would remain in the breaking of the bread.

Then, He knelt before His disciples and washed their feet. The King of Heaven, down on His knees, serving His friends — even those who would betray and deny Him. 

The Creator serving the created. Have you reached ver heard of that!

Agony in the Garden

Later that night, in the quiet darkness of Gethsemane, Jesus was crushed with sorrow. He prayed so intensely that He sweat drops of blood which is a real, physical response to the emotional and spiritual agony.

He faced. He cried out to the Father, “Yet, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). 

And with that surrender, He accepted the cross.

Mocked, Beaten, and Scourged

After being betrayed by a kiss, Jesus was brought before religious leaders and Roman authorities. He was falsely accused, spat on, slapped, and condemned. 

Then came the scourging — a common Roman practice, yes, but the cruelty He endured was beyond the norm. The whips used on Him were embedded with sharp fragments of bone and metal, designed to rip flesh from bone. 

He was torn apart — far more brutally than the worst criminal.

The Crown and the Cross

A crown of thorns was driven into His head. A purple robe was placed on His bleeding shoulders. They mocked Him as King blind to the truth they were mocking their Creator.

Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, bore not just physical pain but deep humiliation.

He was forced to carry His cross through the streets, stumbling under the weight of it - the weight of the Divine Justice of our sins.

Though others were crucified that day, none of them were sinless. None bore what He did. None were doing it for love of all.

Love Poured Out

At Calvary, Jesus was nailed to the cross. He spoke few words and each one was dripping with mercy and purpose. 

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). 

And finally, “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Not a cry of defeat, but of fulfillment. The work was done. The price was paid.

At that moment, the veil in the Temple was torn. The earth shook. Heaven responded. The abyss between God and man was bridged.

The Cross Was for You

Christ is the Way. Our sin created a chasm we could never cross, but He came to us. God became Man to pay a debt man could never repay. And through His Passion, we are made heirs to a Kingdom we could never deserve.

Holy Week isn’t just a sequence of historical events but an invitation. 

Jesus didn’t just die. He died for your sins. 

He didn’t just rise. He rose to bring you home.

So don’t let this week pass you by. Enter in. Reflect. Repent. Let yourself be shaken. Let yourself be loved.

Because the cross wasn’t the end of the story but the key to everything.

GURU Can Be Anyone

While scrolling on Linkedin, I came across this snippet from Dr. Subhash Munje’s book Behind The Mask, and it really hit me.  

I started my first job at a hospital in Alibaug.

One afternoon, an injured woman was brought in. She was pregnant after 11 years of marriage.

A bull roaming around the streets of Alibaug knocked her down & gored her stomach with its horn.

It was a scary sight, with part of the woman's stomach injured and a baby's hand peeping out of the crack of the uterine wall.

My mind was in a turmoil. The mother's life could be saved, her stomach wound was not serious. But to sew up the wall of the uterus was unthinkable, as it was impossible to put the child's hand back inside.

The family's mandate was clear, "Save the mother's life". But how would I ignore the call of that little hand which appeared to be asking for help!!!!

The operation theatre had a skeleton staff. Apart from me, there were two nurses, a compounder and a helper whose job was to sterilize tools.

He was middle aged and an alcoholic, but extremely sincere & efficient in his work for which the entire staff tolerated him.

In the OT, I observed that he was standing quietly & observing the proceedings. 

After healing the stomach wound, how do I get that little hand inside was beyond my bookish knowledge. The creator had made the Uterine wall so strong that it cannot be opened easily, no option came to my mind except to perform surgery.

At this point, the helper, who was silently watching, all of a sudden came up to me and whispered in my ear, "Sahib, there is a way that the hand will automatically move back in".

I stared at him. Time was precious. I didnt know why, but my inner conscience made me ask him what he had in mind. He said, "Heat the injection needle and touch the hand, it will immediately go back".

Having no other option, I agreed to his suggestion. I prayed to God in my heart and asked for a hundred apologies from that little one.

I gathered courage, warmed the needle and pricked the little hand lightly.

The miracle happened at once!! The baby's hand immediately withdrew back inside with a jerk.

The further work was easy. I put the strap on by dressing the uterine wall.

Two months later, the woman safely delivered the baby in the same hospital and that little baby was smiling right in my hands.

I consider that helper as one of my many gurus.

To my mind, I believe that when there is no cure by the books, God shows the path as a guru in any form, as the helper showed me that day. His tip will not be found in any medical book.

In the end I will say, "This is the Will of God"

We often pray with a very specific outcome in mind. And when things don’t show up exactly how we pictured, we assume the answer never came. But maybe it did we just didn’t recognize it.

I’m sure the doctor was hoping for some clear sign or spark of inspiration from within. But what he got instead was a quiet nudge that led him to listen. That’s how grace often works - softly, subtly, and through people we might overlook if we’re too caught up in our own ideas of what help should look like.

So maybe the lesson here is simple:

• Be open. 
• Let go of your assumptions. 
• Don’t tune out voices just because they don’t fit your expectations. 

The best way to let God guide us is to listen - with humility, with heart, and without judgment. You never know where the answer might come from.

1 Samuel 17: The Goliaths in Our Lives: Who Do You Put Your Trust In?

24 All the Israelites, when they saw the man, fled from him and were very much afraid.
45 But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied
51 When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

Today as I was reading 1 Samuel 17 I got a profound lesson on trust, fear, and faith. 

The Israelites, when faced with Goliath, were terrified and fled because their focus was on his strength rather than on God. On the other hand, the Philistines placed all their confidence in Goliath. But once their champion fell, they were the ones fleeing in fear.

David’s response, however, was strikingly different. He did not trust in his own strength or in his weapons. Instead, his confidence was solely in the Lord. He boldly proclaimed that his victory was not through human might but through the power of God. This trust enabled him to stand firm while others wavered in fear.

This same principle applies to our lives today. Our reactions of whether standing firm or running away often depend on what we trust in. Like the Philistines, do we place our faith in temporary securities, only to be left shaken when they fail? Or like the Israelites, do we allow fear to overwhelm us because we focus on the challenge rather than on God?

David reminds us that the key to courage is not self-reliance or external strength, but firm trust in God. He neither feared Goliath nor boasted in his own ability. His unwavering faith in God’s power allowed him to overcome what seemed impossible.

So, ask yourself: What is the “champion” you are fearing or trusting in? Is it financial security, personal abilities, relationships, or societal approval? These can either give us false confidence or unnecessary fear. True peace and courage come only when our trust is placed in the Lord.

May we learn from David’s example and stand firm, knowing that God fights our battles and that true victory is found in Him alone.