14 SEPTEMBER 2020: NUMBERS 21. 4B-9; PHILIPPIANS 2. 6-11; JOHN 3. 13-17: EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
Focus: Cross for us is not a parking lot but is a guiding signal; Cross is not a problem of misery but an emblem and path to glory
1. Today we exalt the cross. But the exaltation of the cross does not mean the exaltation of suffering, of misery, desperation, isolation, betrayal, jealousy, selfishness or cruelty. Yes, apparently and from a human perspective, cross stands for and indicates all these.
2. But it is not any cross. It is the cross of the crucified Saviour. Cross cannot be isolated or dissociated from the crucified. For, it is that cross, sanctified by him, that cross which is transformed from a tool of misery and punition, from a sign of evil and criminality, into a symbol of perseverance, an instrument and means of salvation and glory. Therefore, cross as it stands for suffering, is not glorified in itself, but only in its relation to the crucified. Death on the cross is not a helpless submission to one’s miserable fate. Rather it is a conscious, determined, committed and noble act of self-offering to God’s will for our sanctification.
3. Thus, the exaltation of the cross means the exaltation of the spirit, the value, the thrust and the goal of the cross. Cross stands for taking a stand for Christ, for values, for the gospel. Cross means standing for a cause. It calls for a relation of intimacy, loyalty and commitment to the crucified. Cross is a matter of standing for a cause, for a person, a matter of fidelity and of dedication.
4. Cross means facing consequences, bearing suffering for the sake of Christ and his values. Cross is a call to be vertical-oriented, heaven-directed, in line with Fulton J. Sheen’ thought that ‘a cross is made when the horizontal bar is placed against the vertical bar, i.e. self-will is put against God’s will. Therefore, make and carry the cross of placing God’s will across self-will and interests.
5. Cross is a call to be a “contrast” people, in the light of St Paul’s assertion that “to the Jews, a stumbling block, and a folly to the gentiles, but for us, the believers, Christ, the crucified is the Power and Wisdom of God”. We live in a world which is so permissible, where any false value is allowed, justified and even promoted, in the garb of the modern, change, and reading the signs of times. What is wrong has a free hand and is considered as a matter of intelligence, while the right is labelled as a block, as a folly. This is really powerlessness, without the inner power, the spiritual power, the moral power. This is really folly.
6. In such a society, we as the bearers of the cross and followers of the crucified, are called to be stumbling blocks, positive signs of contradiction and folly, i.e. resistant and contrast. Therefore, let us not easily get upset when we are beset with crosses of unfavourable situations; let us turn them into learning and growing experiences of purification and sanctification, and also gracious occasions to suffer and offer for God and good. Our crosses become glorified, if they are for God’s sake and his values’ sake
15 SEPTEMBER 2020: 1 CORINTHIANS 12. 12-14, 27-31A; JOHN 19. 25-27
Focus; Passion leads to compassion, Fidelity blends with sensitivity, Affection stirs up affliction, Love suffers with the suffering
1. As we celebrate the feast of Mother of Sorrows, let us once again venerate our sweet Mother with devotion, appreciate her with deep esteem, and imitate her with passion. Let us entrust ourselves to her maternal care and guidance. Mother of Sorrows does not mean that she is a sorrowing, sad, lamenting, joyless person. It means that she too experienced the pain and sorrow of life, that she too bore the burden of suffering.
2. As we may know, seven sorrows or dolours are highlighted in her life: prophecy of Simeon, flight into Egypt, loss of Jesus in the temple, Mary walks the way of the cross along with Jesus, Mary stands at the foot of the cross, Mary witnesses the death of Jesus and receives his dead body, Mary lays Jesus' body in sepulchre.
These are not isolated or the only moments of sorrow. Rather they denote some main instances and occasions of her pain and suffering, even though her whole life was a continuous story of pain and affliction. Her life and faith were constantly tested through the crucible of suffering. The seven dolours are in fact only few indicators of an entire life that has been soaked into suffering. This is the Mother’s “com-passion”. It is not a mere feeling of pity or sympathy. It is “deep communion with” the one who suffers. The much-more-than the physical passion of her Divine Son leads Mary to a profound interior passion within her, and unfolds itself in a touching compassion
3. Further, these seven sorrows also are like sample sufferings. Because they are also quite real in our own life. We also often go through the same experiences and assaults of suffering. The seven sorrows manifest clearly the suffering lot of any and every human, as being confronted with the very same situations and experiences, such as the fear of the future, of the impending danger of death, of separation from the loved ones, of encounter and accompaniment with the suffering innocent, of witnessing the pangs of pain of the most beloved, of bearing with the hardest reality of the beloved’s death
4. In the prophecy of Simeon, when he predicts that her tiny child will be the cause for the rise and fall of many, and that a sword will pierce through her heart, there is the sorrow of fear of an uncertain future.
5. In the escape to Egypt, of young mother Mary with her little Jesus and husband, to protect the child from the cruel Herod, we see the sorrow of protection from impending danger of death.
6. In accompanying Jesus on the way of cross, we see the deep anguish of a mother's heart and her unfailing accompaniment even in the inglorious testing times.
7. In standing at the foot of the cross on Calvary, there is the unshakable faith, solidarity and courage, to be loyal even in the most disgracing moments.
8. In witnessing the death of her most beloved son, in pangs of pain and desperation, we see the sorrow of sharing and bearing silently the painful loss of the most precious.
9. In holding the dead body on her holy lap and consigning to the tomb, we see the sorrow of an irreversible separation from the loved ones.
Thus, this feast can be a great fount of comfort, consolation, encouragement and hope for us. She who went through immense pain and suffering, will certainly understand and empathise with all the suffering. One who herself suffered, will certainly understand our struggles and fears. One who experienced the pains of life and bore them, will certainly accompany us and alleviate our own suffering. Mother, passionate with love for us, is also compassionate toward us. She will be our refuge and strength and guidance.
Direction: As a worthy fruit of this feast, three things can stand out as directions for us: one, seek her refuge and aid, intercede to her, in our own times of need and suffering. Second, take inspiration and guidance from her, to respond to our sufferings and difficulties, not in frustration and hopelessness, but in courage, surrender and hope. Third, to be compassionate like Mary to those who suffer and are in need.
May the Mother of Sorrows ignite our passion for God and compassion for others!
16 SEPTEMBER 2020: 1 CORINTHIANS 12.31 – 13.13; LUKE 7. 31-35
18 SEPTEMBER 2019: LUKE 7. 31-35
Focus: Often the real problem is not the reality but the perspective toward the reality. Put on the perspective of Love and then you will see everything with a world of difference
It is natural that everyone wishes that the realities change as they wish and prefer. But nature and life has its own rhythm and rules and it does not change according to our likes and dislikes. In fact, it is our optic that must change. As we see the reality, we will speak and act. Perspective and mind-set is very important. A negative outlook negativises everything even the best positive. There are many who are so stubborn and do not accept others’ opinions or ideas, because they are so much stuck to their own mental frame. They want all others to play and dance to their own tunes. They understand and interpret things according to their convenience and for their advantage. They have always something to blame and nothing can really satisfy them. This was precisely the case with the Pharisees and scribes. They rejected John the Baptist because he was too austere and exigent with a demanding message of repentance and conversion. They rejected Jesus too because he was too flexible and compassionate, especially the despised and condemned lot, with a disconcerting and forgiving mission of love and reconciliation, faith and a transformed life. The problem was neither John the Baptist nor Jesus but it was themselves. They were not open to see and accept the truth and the call for conversion. Their obstinacy barricaded them within their own prejudiced perspectives. They lacked the wisdom of God to discern rightly and to change humbly. In our times too such closed people are numerous! It is in this context Paul’s hymn of love is highly significant. See everything from the glasses of love and everything will appear bright and understandable. Put in a little more love in whatever we think, say or do, and then life will become more meaningful and pleasant
Direction: Our negative perspectives often blind and constrict us to be responsive and responsible. Love endows us with a positive perspective and makes us joyfully charitable
17 SEPTEMBER 2020: 1 CORINTHIANS 15. 1-11; LUKE 7. 36-50
Focus: God does not keep a rigid account of our faults but wipes away all of them, provided we deepen our love for Him and fall at His feet, for Love is the seedbed for the forgiveness of God and the renewal of human life
What a contrast between the self-righteous Pharisee and the sinner-woman! The host Pharisee’s approach was formal hospitality but the invader woman’s was a profound love for Jesus. Her love was abundant and extravagant, in sitting at Jesus’ feet, kissing them, washing them with her tears, wiping them with her hair and embalming them with costly perfume. All these are certainly eccentric gestures but very personal gestures, derived from a profound love for Jesus. There were no self-interests or any other ulterior motives like making good impressions or gaining recognition and applause. This sinner woman teaches us today a great practical lesson: Love God passionately and it will take care of the rest; because love makes us humble to see and accept our unworthiness, drives us to surrender totally to God’s mercy. Further, it ignites within us a burning ardour to rise up from our imperfections. Sure it is that our fragilities and imperfections are abundant but let us know that the grace and the mercy of God is superabundant and once we are open to it, then the change will be radical. What we are till we encounter grace and are touched by it, may be different. But once encountered, love and passion for the Lord should be the only overriding force. This is what we see today in both the readings, in the persons of Paul and the sinner woman. They allowed themselves to be completely overwhelmed by the mercy of God. They responded to God’s grace with a “crazy” love. How rightly St Francis de Sales affirmed: “Love makes the lovers alike”. If we truly love God, we cannot but avoid what is contrary to Him and grow in His likeness. Therefore,
Direction: Love is the greatest remedy and antidote for the wounds, inflicted by sin. Love is the reason both for forgiving from God’s part and also for receiving the grace of being forgiven from our part.
18 SEPTEMBER 2020: 1 CORINTHIANS 15. 12-20; LUKE 8. 1-3
Focus: Gender is not a valid qualification or criterion in the following of Jesus. There is no difference or discrimination in serving God
We live in a society where love and justice are constantly and violently wounded by various shallow factors like caste, religion, region, language etc. The consequences are disunity, inequality, division and discrimination. But Love and justice are two essential pillars of the edifice of God’s kingdom. Inequalities and discriminations on the basis of factors like gender are not at all compatible with God’s reign. Anyone and everyone can follow Jesus. If God Himself who is all-holy and all-dignified, does not discriminate or despise anyone, who are we to prevent someone? Already in a time when women enjoyed no respect or recognition or dignity in the society, Jesus was radical to be accompanied and supported by women-followers.
In our own times, in a way, we can be happy that there is some change against discrimination and alienation of women and encouraging more participation, involvement, and empowerment. But much more is desirable. It is not a matter of involving more or less, not a matter of juxtaposing male and female roles. The guiding forces should not be competition or subordination, which will tend to unhealthy substitution and domination. Women are there not as rivals to compete or substitute or dominate men. Both men and women should discern what are their due scopes, roles, and functions, and strive for the common good of the whole mystical Body of Christ.
Direction: Not substitution but submission to Christ, not subordination but coordination are the norms of true followers of Christ. Whatever be the external differences and distinctions, the sole concern is to serve God and work for His kingdom
19 SEPTEMBER 2020: 1 CORINTHIANS 15. 35-37, 42-49; LUKE 8. 4-15
Focus: The Effectivity of life is not merely a matter of efficiency but more a matter of profundity, receptivity, productivity and fecundity. The whole issue is how one receives God’s grace and produces abundant fruits
In the gospel, we have the familiar parable of the sower. We have already reflected on this a couple of times in quite recent times. Normally, this parable is interpreted as referring to the different modes of responding to God’s Word, which is the seed, while Jesus is the sower. The four types of the soil are made to refer to four categories of people, and we are called to reflect and discover which category we represent. Of course, this can be the basic frame of thought. However, let us try to be slightly different, at least in our emphasis and focus.
Few pointers for our reflection: See how the sower is gracious, gratuitous and generous. He is so lavish in throwing the seed, he is indiscriminate about where the seed fell, he is also least bothered about even producing it. He is abundant. He is unbounded. He is unexpectant. There are no calculations, no discriminations, no restrictions with His grace and mercies. This must be very comforting, assuring, encouraging and challenging as well. This must make us more grateful and responsible. How much do we understand this free giving of God? How much do we respond responsibly and generously to God’s Word and insights? There is no one who is totally only one category of soil. As humans we are, we can be all the four types of the soil at different times, in different situations. We can be totally negligent and indifferent, like the first soil by the wayside. We can be shallow and superficial, with no roots, no depth, no interiority, like the second soil of the rock. We can be too preoccupied, too busy needlessly, too much carried away by the worldly interests and pursuits that we feel choked up and suffocated, hindering the growth, like the third thorny soil. Or, we can be fertile, open and receptive, responsive and responsible, diligent and productive, like the fourth fertile soil. Finally, we too are called to be like the sower, gratuitous, gracious and generous, rising above demarcations and discriminations, rising above minimums and half-measures, rising above self-interests, wrong motivations and undue expectations.
Direction: Our constant striving must be to be more and more attentive, active and productive like the fertile soil in the gospel
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