25TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME; MASS REFLECTION

 28 SEPTEMBER – 04 OCTOBER 2020, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

 

28 SEPTEMBER 2020: JOB 1. 6-22; LUKE 9. 46-50

Focus: Real greatness does not depend on having many things or doing many great things, but only in spirit of humility and surrender

 

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away” – These are the words of Job as he loses everything and becomes a despicable pauper. Words that reveal a most profound spirit of detachment and surrender. A spirit that is rare and imitable! He loses all his properties and possessions, he loses his own sons and daughters, the greatest of all his possessions. But he is not shattered, he is not shaken in his faith. As the Word of God in the first reading reminds us, Job was truly a righteous and just man, because he was “blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil”. Riches or no riches, success or no success, comforts or no comforts of life, nothing would make a change in his faith and loyalty to God.

This was the greatness, of which Jesus teaches in today’s gospel. Job’s greatness is not something worldly, based on the material abundance. His greatness was truly his unshaken faith and a deep interior detachment even amidst all the prosperity. In Jesus’ words, this is the true greatness which is not based on worldly factors like money, power, position, fame, competence, etc. This is the greatness which humbles itself to be “the least among all”, which does not make a show or display one’s importance, which does not argue about being the greatest. This is the greatness which acknowledges the greatness of others, which learns to treat everyone with due respect. This is irrespective of one’s age or state. This is what Jesus implies when he says, “Whoever receives a child in my name, receives me”, because normally no one thinks specially of respecting a child, and a child is taken rather lightly.

 

Direction: True greatness does not trumpet or impose one’s greatness on others. It consists in duly recognising others’ greatness and helping them to become great

 

29 SEPTEMBER 2020, FEAST OF ARCHANGELS, JOHN 1. 47-51

Focus: God is ever-caring and ever-providing. He is ever alert and prompt in His attention and care toward us

 

The feast of the three archangels is a clear confirmation of God’s own unfailing concern and providential care toward us. God’s benevolence is not something sporadic that is shown in occasional miracles and isolated favours. His love and compassion are consistent and incessant. Accordingly, the veneration of the archangels is not so much the veneration of 3 individual heavenly beings. Rather it is the veneration of 3 aspects of God’s own benevolence toward us: St Michael stands for the spirit and power of God against the evil, St Raphael, the healing power of God and St Gabriel, the collaborative communication of God’s plans for the human wellbeing. Thus, in St Michael, we see that God is always in battle with evil. This indicates that we too must never side with the evil, but resist and fight against it. The whole struggle of our life must be “against” evil and “for” good and God. Whenever we fight against evil, it would mean that we are on the side of God. Every effort against evil is divine and a collaboration with God. Then, in St Raphael, we see that God is on a relentless mission of healing. He knows that we are constantly wounded and bruised. He knows that we need healing. So, He offers us healing through the archangel Raphael. We are also reminded that we who receive healing, must also extend the same healing to others, who are always under the infective effect of sin and evil. Then, in St Gabriel, we see that God is ever in communion and communication with us. He helps us to receive, understand and follow His messages.

Further, the three archangels also remind us of the “participatory” and “delegating” functioning of God: Even though God is all-powerful and all-efficient, yet He does not absolutize or monopolize power. Rather He makes others partners and participants with Him. This can be a corrective directive for all of us, especially against our frequent tendencies for domination and monopoly over others.

 

Direction: The three C’s of archangels, namely Combatting, Curing and Communicating are symbols of the big C that is the Care of God.

 

30 SEPTEMBER 2019: MSFS FOUNDER’S DAY, SERVANT OF GOD, PETER MERMIER

Focus: Every celebration is a sacred occasion for a renewed loyalty to the Lord

Today the MSFS (Missionaries of St Francis de Sales) celebrate their Founder’s Day. At the outset itself, let us get it clear that the purpose is not merely admiration but imitation, not merely veneration but emulation. Let us have a quick look at a few of his statements which reveal to us his person and life. These quotations must teach us, touch us, inspire us, stir us, affect us, challenge us and change us.

1) “I want missions” – this resolve is rooted in deep conviction and passion. It should make us question our own deficient and wrong motivations, shallow and fluctuating compromises and disorientations and declining dedication. This should charge us to be more motivated, determined, re-oriented and re-dedicated in our missionary zeal.

2) “The heart of education is the education of the heart” – this calls us to check up on the very quality of us as educated persons, and not merely the ministry of education. For real education is a commitment to values, to a holistic growth, it is a cultivation of virtues, it is the promotion and formation of character. Education is a more sacred duty of liberation and transformation of human persons.

3) “You do a thing well when you do it according to God’s will” – the norm or the criterion or the test of performance and excellence of a work does not depend on one’s talent or capacity or competence but on one’s surrender to God’s will.

 

Direction: Quotations of great people are not only to quote and preach eloquently but to inspire us and transform us.

 

01 OCTOBER 2020: ST THERESE OF CHILD JESUS: LUKE 10. 1-12

Focus: The greatness of life is not in the greatness of position but in the greatness of disposition and littleness of heart

Saint Therese of Child Jesus is popularly known as “the Little Flower”. A little flower, fragrant and beautiful, can beautify the whole garland. She is known for her “little way” which is the “way of love” and “way of little virtues”. She did not do extraordinary things but embedded all her way with simple acts of sacrifice, patience, cheerfulness, humility, and forgiveness. Her surrender to Jesus was so childlike and total that she joyfully disposed herself like a little toy in the hands of child Jesus and let him totally free to do with her whatever he likes. Her death at a young age of 24 testifies to the fact that sanctity and sainthood are not so much matters of age or longevity of life but rather matters of spiritual maturity and depth of life. It is this love for the Lord and benevolence toward others that raised her to be the patroness of missions, even though she never worked in any mission outside the convent.

Today we are reminded that not only the missionaries by the title of their vocation are missionaries, but all of us without exception. Each one called by the Lord to follow His ways is a missionary irrespective of the walk of life. The modes of carrying out this mission may vary depending on whether one is a clergy, religious or layperson, and depending on the different ministries. But the basic and common factor is: every disciple shares the same mission of the Lord. It is to bring everyone closer to the kingdom of God and to bring God’s kingdom closer to everyone. The mission is to grow in the vicinity and intimacy, in loyalty and commitment to God’s reign. This is a strenuous task, like “lambs among wolves”. It involves risk and challenge and even failure and no worldly securities and supports like a purse, bag, etc. count. But nothing to worry. Everything is in God’s purview and He will sustain and steer everything to its destined end. The evil may threaten to devour the good like wolves devour the lambs. But we, the lambs follow the Lamb of God and have nothing to lose.

 

Direction: The more we surrender ourselves to Jesus, the more we will experience and exercise true freedom. Accordingly, our preaching becomes convincing when our life is convinced and committed

 

02 OCTOBER 2019: GUARDIAN ANGELS, MATTHEW 18. 1-5, 10

Focus: God in His love, guards over us and guards us against forces of evil. When the Lord is our refuge and shield, can any evil or harm knock us down or sweep us away?

 

“The angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” – these words of Jesus clearly attest that the angels the intimate communion of the angels with God. Today, we commemorate the guardian angels. The guardian angels are the channels and heavenly agents of God’s own guarding over us. They concretely manifest to us that God watches over us always and everywhere. They are our never-leaving companions who travel with us along this journey of life. Each one of us is assigned with one guardian angel and this shows how personally God takes care of us. Through the instrumentality of the guardian angels, God continues to be our guardian and guard. As a guardian, He takes charge of us, cares and sustains us and holds full responsibility for our progress in maturity. As a guard, He protects us and guards us against all opposing and harmful forces of evil and guides us on even and holy paths.

In the light of the gospel, they concretely assist us in “becoming like little children because only thus we can enter the kingdom of heaven”. And specifically, they help us to become “humble like a little child”, and to “receive even a tiny, insignificant child in the Lord’s name”, thereby meaning to treat everyone with respect, regardless of the age or capacity.

Today, we also remember with reverence, admiration, and gratitude the great Mahatma Gandhi on his birthday. He deserves our homage because he too was like guardian angel for the mother India, who was languishing like a little child under the British bondage. His selfless sacrifices and unswerving dedication brought freedom to the enslaved India. Let us not only admire him but also imitate him and in turn become ourselves the guardians and custodians of our dear mother India

 

Direction: Blessed are we to be personally cared for and guided by God! We are safe, secure and serene under His guarding and guiding mantle

 

03 OCTOBER 2020: JOB 42. 1-3, 5-6, 12-17; LUKE 10. 17-24

Focus: True joy consists only in accomplishing something for God. Such a true and profound joy cannot be matched by any other enjoyment, gratification or accomplishment

 

Everyone wants and seeks happiness. But the difference is in regard to where they seek it and how they seek to obtain it. The happiness that is sought in worldly things is superficial, shallow, short-lived, delusive, deviating and even harmful. At times, even the happiness that is found in spiritual successes can be misleading because it is a short-sighted motive and benefit.

This was the joy of the disciples on their return after a successful mission of preaching and healing. They were excited at the grand success of stirring many hearts and expelling many evil spirits. This was a legitimate and reasonable joy. It is nothing wrong. But Jesus invites them to a higher realm of joy by a higher realm of motive and success, and that is “being registered in the Book of life”, “being counted by God”, and not so much “being reckoned in the sight of the world”. Rejoice, not so much for defeating the evil, but rather for standing for God and good! Rejoice, not so much for being recognized and appreciated for the success, but rather for pleasing God and for collaborating to spread His reign! Rejoice, not so much for being acclaimed as great and powerful in the sight of the world, but rather for being “blessed” in the sight of the world.

 

Direction: What is the motive of our satisfaction and happiness in our mission – is it because of the worth-admirable works or the sole motive of heavenly glory?

 

04 OCTOBER 2020: SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Focus: Harmony with nature is not a mere matter of nature-meditation or ecological consciousness; rather it is a life in harmony with all

 

St Francis of Assisi is a saint of all times. His austerity, renunciation, detachment, simplicity, and humility may be hard to imitate. His harmony with nature to the extent of calling them, “brother sun”, “sister moon”, etc. may look rather strange and mystical. His total renunciation of ancestral property and royal mode of life in affluence and comfort may look impractical. But these are worth-imitating and are timely remedies and healing antidotes. Many may admire this saint but argue that his virtues are not realistic and even not so relevant. But this is a hasty observation and conclusion. His spirit never dies and is never stale and outdated. His virtues are never dry or insipid but ever fresh and vibrant.

 

Direction: We have numerous saints before us but not much sanctity in us. Change is possible only when we make them from mere objects of devotion and pilgrimage to companions in devotion and dedication

 

 

DO NOT JUDGE BY APPEARANCE....

 *Judging Others Based On Their Looks !* 

Once upon a time a wealthy old man lived alone in a very big house. He was growing weak day by day and was unable to take care of himself and the big house, so he thought of hiring servants who could help with all the work of the house and also take care of him.

The old man appointed two servants Salim and Ahmed. Salim happened to be a handsome young man and Ahmed was an ugly looking chap. The old man asked Salim to go to the kitchen and make tea for him. After Salim had left, the old man turned to Ahmed and told, "Salim has given a very bad account of you. He says you are very bad guy and untrustworthy. Is this correct?"

Ahmed thought for a moment and told, "Salim is a very handsome guy. He has a beautiful outward appearance so this must be reflected by his inward beauty too". Ahmed had the belief that such a handsome man could never tell a lie. He therefore told the old man, "If Salim has bad opinion about me, then there must be something wrong with me. I am afraid he must be correct"

The old man was very much impressed by the character of ugly looking Ahmed. Meanwhile, Salim returned with a cup of tea for his master.

The old man sent Ahmed to make breakfast for him and then turned to Salim and told, "Ahmed has given a bad account of you. What do you say about it?" On hearing this Salim became angry and started uttering bad remarks. He said that Ahmed was a liar and a scoundrel.

The Old man thus concluded that the man with a beautiful face had no inner beauty while the man looking ugly outward had tremendous inner beauty.

 *Moral* : "Real beauty is not what the eyes can behold but what the heart can hold. What we see with our eyes will vanish someday, but what we store in our heart will forever stay…"

THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS

 *The Secret of Happiness !* 

Once a young man wanted to learn about the secret of happiness from the wisest man on the earth. The lad wandered through the desert, mountains, and plains to find the wisest man in the land. He finally reached to a beautiful castle in the high atop of a mountain where a very wise man was said to reside.

The young man had imagined the wise man to live like a sage with modest and quiet lifestyle. But to his surprise, he was not at all like a sage. He saw lots of activities happening in the castle. Tradesmen came and went, people were conversing in the corners, a small orchestra was playing soft music, and finally he saw a table covered with platters of the most delicious food in the part of the world.

The wise man conversed with everyone, and the young man had to wait for several hours to meet the wise man. The wise man listened attentively to the young man’s curiosity to know about the secret of happiness. The wise man replied that he didn’t have time to explain the secret of happiness at that moment. But, he suggested the young man to have look around his castle and its beauty and uniqueness and return in two hours. He also assigned a task to the man. He handed over a teaspoon to the man which had two drops of oil. The wise man said to the young lad ” As you wander around, carry this spoon with you without allowing the oil to spill.”

The Young man began climbing and descending the many stairways of the palace, keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon. After two hours, he returned to the room where the wise man was.”Well,” asked the wise man, “Did you see the Persian embroideries that are hanging in my dining hall?

Did you see the garden that it took the master gardener ten years to create? Did you notice the beautiful parchments in the library?”

The boy was embarrassed and confessed that he had observed nothing. His only concern had been not to spill the oil that the wise man entrusted to him

“Then go back and observe the marvels of my world, “said the wise man.”You cannot trust a man if you know nothing about that man and his surroundings.”Relieved, the boy picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace, this time more conscious about the surroundings and observing all of the works of art on the ceilings and the walls. He saw the gardens, the mountains all around him, the beauty of the flowers, and the taste with which everything had been selected. Upon returning to the wise man, he explained in detail everything he had seen.”But where are the drops of oil I entrusted to you?” asked the wise man.

Looking down the spoon he held, the boy saw that the oil was gone.”Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you, “said the wisest man.

“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.”

What is the message here? You have all right to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of the world, but you have to fulfill your duty as well. A Balance needs to be created between everything. You need to take care of your job, family and then society. Many people forget to enjoy the beauty of life and get lost in the rat race of the world. While some lose the sense of responsibility and waste their life without fulfilling their duties.  Balance is very important in life. Work, family, health, and enjoyment are equally important. Whatever you are doing, creating the balance in life is very important.

"The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life."

 *William Morris*

I LOVE THIS ANALOGY..

 *I LOVE THIS ANALOGY*

 When *GOD* wanted to create fish, *HE* spoke to the sea.

 When *GOD* wanted to create trees, *HE* spoke to the earth.

But when *GOD* wanted to create man, *HE* turned to Himself.

 Then *GOD* said: "Let us make man in our image and in our likeness".

 Note:

If you take a *fish* out of *the water* it will die; and when you remove a *tree* from *soil*, it will also die.

 Likewise, when man is disconnected from *GOD*, he dies.

  *GOD* is our natural environment. We were created to live in *His* presence. We have to be connected to *Him* because it is only in *Him* that life exists.

 Let's stay connected to *GOD*.

  We recall that *water* without *fish* is still *water* but *fish* without *water* is nothing.

The *soil* without *tree* is still *soil* but *the tree* without *soil* is nothing ...

  *GOD* without man is still *GOD* but man without *GOD* is nothing.

26th Sunday Reflection

26^TH SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2020:

EZEKIEL 18. 25-28; PHILIPPIANS 2. 1-11; MATTHEW 21. 28-32

Focus: Life looks different and person becomes changed, when he puts on the same attitude of Christ, and acts with the same mindset of God

1.     Last Sunday, the parable of the workers in the vineyard, through the generosity of the owner, had invited us to put on and act with the mindset of God. This Sunday’s first reading from the prophet Ezekiel continues the same theme. This text is also a clear example of the mind-set and the ways of God, in contrast to that of the world. Specifically, it is the contrast between God’s way of assessment and retribution.

2.     In ordinary human standards, God’s way is unfair, because punishing and condemning a righteous person who falls to sin, looks an excessive severity, and a gross disregard for all his past good. On the other hand, forgiving and granting life and salvation to a wicked who turns away from evil to good, looks an exaggerated indulgence and a net disregard for the principle of justice which holds every culpable act to be punishable.

3.     The focus here is the contrasting mindset of God. The point is not so much about ignoring one’s good or indulging one’s bad. It is a beautiful indication of the blend between God’s justice and mercy, in contrast to the ordinary dichotomy between human justice and mercy: often there is a tension and disharmony between the principles of justice and mercy, so much so justice excludes mercy, and mercy excludes justice. Consequently, one is either rigid and punitive, in the name of justice, or one is flexible and lenient, in the name of mercy.

4.     In the divine perspective under justice, the righteous who turns away from the right path, deliberately and willingly, in all freedom and intelligence, is punishable for his rushing into evil. And in the divine perspective under mercy, the wicked who turns away from evil, repenting and regaining the lost grace, is pardonable for his new espousal with good.

5.     While the humans are inclined to condemnation and punishment, God is inclined to transformation and reward. Besides, human life is not a mere collection of good and bad actions, but a matter of fundamental choice which leads to either of actions. Life is not to be taken in a quantitative sense, which calculates the number of good or bad actions, but life must be understood in a qualitative sense, which considers the quality and perseverance of good actions.

6.     This is the same attitude, seen in Jesus, an epitome of kenosis or self-emptying. As per divine justice, he atoned for our sins, being crushed on the cross on behalf of us; and as per divine mercy, he obtained and gifted salvation for us, even though we are unworthy and undeserving.

7.     We as God’s children and followers of Christ, ought to put on the same mindset of God and the same attitude of Jesus. A concrete testimony of this is a profound sense of repentance and conversion. Jesus drives home this message very powerfully through his simple story of the two sons in the gospel. Quite evidently, the first son who says no at first to the father’s command but then repents and goes to work, stands for the gentiles: they repent as God offers His salvation, and turn to a new way of life through faith in Jesus. But the second son, who says yes but does not do, stands for the Jews: they were the first ones, to whom God offered salvation through His only Son, Jesus; but by rejecting to believe in him, they turn unfaithful.

8.     Perhaps, a little sincere reflection may make it clear to us that we are very much similar to the righteous person turning to evil in the first reading, and the second son in the gospel. God has been abundantly gracious to us, blessing us with the greatest gift of faith in Jesus, and enriching us with every spiritual blessing. What is expected from our part is a life of authenticity and loyalty. This is possible only when we imitate Christ’s own way of self-emptying. This needs a deep and consistent conversion. This implies what Paul exhorts in his letter to the Philippians: be humble, and do nothing out of selfishness or vainglory.

9.     How much do we persevere in God’s path of righteousness? How much we are self-emptying and self-giving? How often do we easily fall to vainglory and arrogance? How often do we deceive God with mere words and promises which are so tall and loud? How often do we say one thing and do exactly the opposite? How often do we deliberately forfeit God’s grace, being presumptuous and self-complacent? It is a time to check and control!

Direction: The quality of our faith and Christian living does not consist in mere words and promises, even fantastic; What is the use of a bundle of sweet sounding "yes"s, when the concrete life is a series of "no"s, negation of what we believe?

25th week in ordinary time mass reflection

 

21 – 26 SEPTEMBER 2020, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

21 SEPTEMBER 2020: EPHESIANS 4. 1-7, 11-13; MATTHEW 9. 9-13, FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW

 

Focus: God’s grace is no one’s private prerogative but open to all who respond, and once responded in docility and surrender, life changes into a new dignity

As we celebrate the feast of St Matthew, one of the Twelve, his call is an indicator and pathway for all of us in our own journey of discipleship. God’s call and grace are gratuitous and not conditioned by our merit or demerit. No one can claim that he deserves God’s grace. It is a free gift and God chooses anyone and equips them with His own power. God does not necessarily call the bright but He brightens those called; He does not necessarily call the strong, but strengthens those called; does not necessarily call the able, but enables those called; does not necessarily call the noble, but ennobles those called; does not necessarily call the perfect, but perfects those called; does not necessarily call the holy, but sanctifies those called; does not necessarily call the powerful, but empowers those called; does not necessarily call the great, but makes great those called. He stands by those called, accompanies them always, purifies them from their old self and old ways, dignifies them with a new status and sanctifies them with His own Spirit. He entrusts them His own mission that is to liberate and integrate the dehumanized humanity. He sustains all their efforts with His light and strength and brings their life to fulfilment.

However, all this is not God’s work alone. His call requires our response. His giving requires our receptivity. His action requires our cooperation. God’s call always demands a prompt listening, obedience to His summon, detachment from the worldly gains and a total commitment to Christ. And the greatest testimony of the quality of discipleship is an authentic life-witness. This is truly “to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received” as the first reading exhorts the Ephesians.

 

Direction: We can be happy disciples if God never regrets having called us to follow Him. The greatest fulfilment and accomplishment of our consecrated life is that God is happy with us

 

22 SEPTEMBER 2020: PROVERBS 21. 1-6, 10-13; LUKE 8. 19-21

Focus: Belonging to Jesus is not a matter of lineage or membership, nor is it a mere matter of prestige and privilege, but it is a matter of intimate belonging and loyal commitment

 

Demarcation and fragmentation is the norm of the day. People get divided and antagonized on the basis of factors like caste, religion, region, language, culture, rite, etc. That is why discrimination and nepotism become the rule of the day. Allegiance is claimed as a right on account of adherence to the above-mentioned factors, which are in fact secondary and contingent.

It is in such a context Jesus makes it clear that relationship with him is not a matter of lineage or membership but is rather a matter of fidelity. It is to belong to a higher realm, an expanded spiritual family. The sole criterion for this new family and a new enterprise is to “hear God and do His will”. Jesus’ question, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers and sisters?” is not demeaning them but it is, in fact, elevating their true dignity drawing our attention on to the essentials. True it is that to be a Christian, to be a believer in Christ is a great grace and honour. But it is not because of mere allegiance to the religion, not because of merely knowing some matters, teachings, doctrines about Jesus, not because of merely observing some religious practices and traditions. Every believer must be deeply conscious that their greatness consists in the quality of their life. In Jesus’ own words in the gospel, this is twofold: “hear God’s word and act on it”. What are its implications? Some of the details are clearly laid out in the first reading in the book of Proverbs. It is not only doing some offerings to God, but much more than that: doing what is right and just; it is to be honest, shunning all lying tongue; it is to be humble, avoiding all pride and arrogance; it is to be wise, ready to be instructed by God; it is to be diligent, with a deep sense of responsibility and dedication; it is to be sensitive and generous toward the cry of the poor.

 

Direction: Divisions, in the name of the One Lord, are in fact an abomination! Interior Oneness of heart in undividedness, oneness with God in intimacy and loyalty, exterior oneness with others in fraternity and charity, are truly indelible marks of belonging to Christ

 

23 SEPTEMBER 2020: PROVERBS 30. 5-9; LUKE 9. 1-6, MEMORY OF SAINT PIO (PIUS)

Focus: Our mission is the Lord’s and our power is also his, and blessed are they who are aware of this and do everything in the spirit of surrender and loyalty

 

Today once again, great clarity is given about our mission. First of all, it is the mission of the Lord, and not our personal enterprise or self-made mission. However, this does not go against owning up the mission or assuming personal responsibility. A sense of indifference and non-committal outlook is detrimental to the mission. The fact of being sent by the Lord on his own mission, would rather check us against undue tendencies to privatize and monopolize different ministries, to feel puffed up by the successes and accomplishments in the mission, and to seek self-gratification and self-glory. Instead it would foster a diligent spirit of stewardship, with a spirit of holy detachment. Now, this mission is twofold: to preach and to heal, a mission in word and deed. This indicates that it is an integral and holistic mission, because a true mission would be a matter of example by whole life. Any disintegration or dichotomy between one’s faith and concrete actions would be a clear failure and infidelity to mission. Further, the Lord does not send us empty-handed but empowers and equips us with his own power. Therefore, there is no need at all to depend at all on the worldly securities like “staff, bag, bread, clothes or money”. We have nothing to lack or fear because the Lord’s own power sustains us. As long as God is with us, all the other concerns and pursuits become secondary.

This is what becomes crystal clear in the life and mission of St Pius (Padre Pio) of Pietrelcina. He was a man, so humble and totally surrendered to God. As the first reading from Proverbs tells us, “God became a shield to him because he took refuge in Him”. He was so authentic, with no falsity or malice. He was so modest and moderate, that no worldly abundance could ever attract him or deviate him. He became a popular saint, and in a way, a family saint for many families, because his life was simple as a next door neighbour.

 

Direction: Each of us is a missionary to proclaim God’s love and to promote sanity and sanctity, solely relying on God. Mission is doing God’s will wherever and whatever is entrusted to us

 

24 SEPTEMBER 2020: ECCLESIASTES 1. 2-11; LUKE 9. 7-9

Focus: Hearing and knowing about God is no guarantee of a faithful following. Sad it is that people of the world often live in falsities, false guarantees, securities, and vanities, mistaking the unreal to be real, and running after them aimlessly

 

The people of the world often claim to be very intelligent and able to judge and assess things rightly. But if only they are a little humble and honest, they will realise how foolish they are in spite of all the knowledge and capacity. The shadow of vanity often shrouds them and they are not sure of what they are seeking, where they are directed to, what is the worth of their pursuits, what is the actual value of what they hunt for. That is why, the author of Ecclesiastes wisely remarks that all is vanity, because they lack the wisdom of clarity of truth and priorities. Hence, all the worldly pursuits eventually become futile struggles, giving no deep and lasting peace and satisfaction. Only truth and integrity of life can give one a sense of real joy and fulfilment.

But Truth and truthful life are always challenging and displeasing especially to the false and evil-minded. It is noteworthy to see the evil Herod anxious to see Jesus. But his anxiety was a total contrast to the anxiety which Joseph and Mary experienced whether at the time of flight to Egypt or at the missing of Jesus at 12 years (cf. Lk 2. 48). Their anxiety was drawn from a profound love for Jesus, and a clear awareness of the incomparable value of him. On the contrary, Herod’s anxiety sprang from great fear of Jesus and a superficial desire to see his miraculous power. There was also uncertainty and failure to recognize and accept the real identity of Jesus and submit to him.

The example of Herod indicates many who may hear and know much about Jesus, who may also desire strongly to see him. But it is not because of their love for him or submission to him as the Lord, but mostly out of fear or for some self-serving interest. Many want Jesus to be close to them, but the question is why?

 

Direction: Doing the works of the Lord does not necessarily prove one to be a man of God, unless one is focused on the Lord for whom he works; Can fidelity to God and vanity in living go together?

 

25 SEPTEMBER 2020: ECCLESIASTES 3. 1-11; LUKE 9. 18-22

Focus: Knowledge and familiarity with Jesus would be deficient if they do not lead to a profound personal experience and conviction

 

In the time of Jesus, certainly at least some had a good knowledge about Jesus, about his greatness, his great teachings and powers. But they remained only at their knowledge level, and could not go to the experience and relationship level. That is why, they could not see in him the Son of God, the Saviour. The situation today is much similar. Today there is a tremendous increase in the knowledge about God and the Word of God. There is so much eloquence and expertise with regard to spiritual matters. But all these should help one to grow in personal experience and intimate relationship with Jesus. Unfortunately, there is a tendency and danger that the knowledge and preaching substitute the experience and intimacy. All our knowledge should confirm and foster us in a steady communion with the Lord and in an authentic transformation of life. Otherwise, our knowledge and efficacy of the spiritual gifts become shallow and points of self-pride and self-glory. This is what we see in the case of some who have an abundance of spiritual knowledge and efficacy, but their life is a contradiction.

In fact, knowledge and experience are not opposites but complements. A true experience and relationship with the Lord enrich us with a right knowledge which is nothing but wisdom. Wisdom enables us to discern what is right at what time, and to accept life as a well-planned design of God. As the wisdom of Ecclesiastes reminds us, everything in life has its own time, its own moment and purpose. It is not a hidden fatalism or predetermination but a realistic and wise sense of timeliness. It is a call to see life integrally and holistically. It is to become more mature and balanced. If only people can grow a little more in this rule, rigour and rhythm of life, there will not be extremes of reactions, either positive or negative, there will not undue fluctuations of moods and temperaments, there will not be irrational depression or aggression. People can grow more patient, sober and sane.

 

Direction: Ultimately what is most important is not mere spiritual knowledge but experience, not mere competence but benevolence, not mere intelligence but forbearance, not mere information but transformation

 

26 SEPTEMBER 2020: ECCLESIASTES 11. 9 – 12. 8; LUKE 9. 43b -45, COSMAS AND DAMIAN

Focus: The way of Jesus is the way of the cross, and a true follower never evades it. One’s way of life, whatever be the age or stage, should not be contrary to it

 

Certainly, our destiny is eternal glory and joy. But this does not mean that suffering and sadness are ruled out from our life. Especially following Jesus will necessarily involve cross and struggle. One cannot reach the destiny of glory unless one walks the way of the Lord, and one cannot walk the way of the Lord unless one walks the way of the cross. Running away from the cross in life, resenting and resisting it would amount to failure and infidelity to our very call and identity. The cross of suffering is not a matter of shame or impotence but is a sign of authenticity, fidelity, and strength of discipleship. Greatness does not consist in avoiding any sort of difficulty but in facing and standing firm amid challenge and struggle for the sake of God and good.

This clarity and conviction, this direction and determination must be especially among the young.  The book of Ecclesiastes very specially focuses on the young, because their age is very precarious and susceptible to all evil and deviating influences. There is every possibility for them to be comfort-seeking and avoid any sort of cross in their life. There is every possibility to be confused and misguided. There is every possibility to neglect God and the spiritual concerns, and allow themselves to be easily carried away by the pleasures and allurements of the world. It is in this context, they must remember the impermanent and transient nature of life. They must remember that they will need to stand accountable before God on the day of judgment. They need to constantly extricate themselves from the shackles of the earth and orient themselves toward heaven. They must bear in mind that it is only through the path of suffering, sacrifice and virtue, they attain their destiny of eternity.

 

Direction: God himself, though sinless and perfect, did not evade the cross, but embraced it and transformed into a means of salvation. Can we too turn our crosses into channels of grace and growth?

 

FEAST OF ST. MATHEW

 21 SEPTEMBER 2020: EPHESIANS 4. 1-7, 11-13; MATTHEW 9. 9-13, FEAST OF SAINT MATTHEW

 

Focus: God’s grace is no one’s private prerogative but open to all who respond, and once responded in docility and surrender, life changes into a new dignity

As we celebrate the feast of St Matthew, one of the Twelve, his call is an indicator and pathway for all of us in our own journey of discipleship. God’s call and grace are gratuitous and not conditioned by our merit or demerit. No one can claim that he deserves God’s grace. It is a free gift and God chooses anyone and equips them with His own power. God does not necessarily call the bright but He brightens those called; He does not necessarily call the strong, but strengthens those called; does not necessarily call the able, but enables those called; does not necessarily call the noble, but ennobles those called; does not necessarily call the perfect, but perfects those called; does not necessarily call the holy, but sanctifies those called; does not necessarily call the powerful, but empowers those called; does not necessarily call the great, but makes great those called. He stands by those called, accompanies them always, purifies them from their old self and old ways, dignifies them with a new status and sanctifies them with His own Spirit. He entrusts them His own mission that is to liberate and integrate the dehumanized humanity. He sustains all their efforts with His light and strength and brings their life to fulfilment.

However, all this is not God’s work alone. His call requires our response. His giving requires our receptivity. His action requires our cooperation. God’s call always demands a prompt listening, obedience to His summon, detachment from the worldly gains and a total commitment to Christ. And the greatest testimony of the quality of discipleship is an authentic life-witness. This is truly “to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received” as the first reading exhorts the Ephesians.

 

Direction: We can be happy disciples if God never regrets having called us to follow Him. The greatest fulfilment and accomplishment of our consecrated life is that God is happy with us