TO KEEP MY GAZE ON ETERNAL | KAIROS GLOBAL | NOVEMBER 2023

Author: Ajith Jacob

Intro: Ajith Jacob shares a few personal ways that keep him on the path to holiness.

We are all called to be saints and that is our desire too. Yet we struggle in our daily lives to fulfil our call, while the enemy tempts us. Here I would like to share a couple of personal anecdotes from my own life which helps me in this earthly journey to keep my eyes on eternal life.

The first part consists of little gems from my grandmothers. One of them taught me the power of the Sign of the Cross. My grandparents moved to the ‘Malabar’ region of Kerala when the area was predominantly forest. Grandmother used to tell me narrations of multiple incidents where she protected herself with a simple Sign of the Cross and her deep conviction in its power. One such example was where she always saw a snake whenever she went to a particular field to cut grass. She then made a Sign of the Cross on the four corners of that particular plot and never saw snakes again. She taught me to make the Sign of the Cross on myself every morning and to offer everything during that day to be covered and protected by Jesus’ precious blood. At the end of the day, just before going to bed she also taught me to make a Sign of the Cross on the bed I was going to sleep in, seeking protection against the powers of darkness and sin and for the blessing of a prepared death. I’ve never missed both till date.

My dad’s mother instilled in me the devotion to saints and the power of Holy Mass and Rosary. She never missed daily morning Mass until she was completely bedridden and always carried a rosary in her hand. While in the kitchen, waiting for the rice to cook, she would say the Rosary kneeling on a jute sack. She told me about the sacrifices of the saints of Fatima to save the souls of sinners and souls in purgatory. During my childhood this inspired me very much to lead a life pleasing to Jesus.

In these modern days we discount the importance of having such an atmosphere for our coming generations, sometimes in the temptations of worldly goals. But I realise now, how much this was a blessing to me to anchor myself in faith and especially when my faith was tested and had shallow patches.

Another little practice that (after much deliberation) I would like to share with you is my approach to Holy Mass. This is something very personal and only sharing hoping it might inspire some of you. Just like many of the saints, start preparing for Mass the previous evening itself. Think about what you are going to offer on the altar. You cannot go empty handed without an offering, to the sacrifice. It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the readings. The next day when you enter the church, imagine you are entering heaven with the angels and saints standing around you. So here are some little things I have added to keep my focus. I’ve created some ‘anchor points’ to ‘immerse’ myself. During Word of God reading and homily, I’m that little boy with some fish and bread sitting in the front row. At the beginning of the liturgy of Eucharist, during the offertory, I’m like Abel, decorating the Altar as best as I can and offering the best I can prepare. You can create a few more of these. For example during consecration, the Lord’s Prayer, the centurion’s prayer, etc. 

Then the other thing is enjoying the Eucharistic feast(communion) with the Trinity. Again disclaimer! Very personal. After receiving the Holy Eucharist and settling back at my place, I start visualising with Revelation 3:20. I literally picture Jesus knocking at the door (even the design of the particular wooden door I’m opening) and then coming into all the rooms of my heart. We then go to the dining room and eat together. That’s where Jesus would talk to me about many things and I would listen or even have a conversation. Then we go to a huge upper room through fluffy clouds to meet Father God. Jesus would talk about my desires, my failings and my resolutions to him. The Father shares some encouraging words with me, calls the Holy Spirit to go with me and I enjoy the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit in the form of a breeze or water. This continues until the priest starts the prayer. 

It's also good to make or remind yourselves again a resolution of apostolate in your personal capacity during the final sending forth prayer. And ending the Mass with a few minutes of thanksgiving as many of us always do.

Two more additional things to increase your love towards the Holy Mass:

First, study Mass. Understand the structure of Mass, the four important parts, a little bit of theology and context behind it. For example, I was quite fascinated to learn about the form-matter composite of substance when I tried to understand transubstantiation. Second, read about the love and experience of saints for the Holy Mass. The stories of St Philip Neri and St Padre Pio have inspired me a lot.

A product designer, Ajith Jacob is married to Neethu Ajith and proud father of Diego, Georgio and Ephrem. They live in Stuttgart, Germany.