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?
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