21 – 26 DECEMBER 2020, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS
21 DECEMBER 2020, SONG 2. 8-14; LUKE 1. 39- 45
Focus: True faith receives and enshrines Jesus within. And one who carries Jesus, certainly spreads Holy Spirit and joy
At the annunciation, Mary in all docility consents to be the Mother of the Incarnate Saviour. In deep faith and surrender, she receives and enshrines Jesus within her. She is filled by the power of the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit moves her to Elizabeth in charity. Yes, if faith is the gift of the Holy Spirit, charity will be the real fruit of faith. Because, true faith never keeps one sterile and stagnant. It will make one productive in a vibrant journey of charity.
The scene of visitation clearly teaches us that true faith cannot simply remain
confined to the self but flows out into charity. Mary’s faith leads her to sensitivity, magnanimity, and generosity towards Elizabeth. Mary does not fall into presumption and false dignity of her motherhood. But in humility and nobility, goes to Elizabeth who was in need! Mary perfectly fits into the figure of the beloved in the Song of songs in the first reading. God, the Supreme speaks to her, “Arise, my love, my beautiful one!”. She listens to the voice of God, the Lover. She is filled with the fragrance and radiance of love and joy. With the same, she travels across the mountains and hills, to Elizabeth. Elizabeth sees her lovely face and hears a sweet voice. In fact, this loveliness and sweetness are not only hers but much more of Jesus that she is bearing within. Consequently, she would move both the mother and the child, Elizabeth and John the Baptist, with the Spirit and with joy. This is the simplest spirituality and mission of everyone: to give the Holy Spirit and joy to others.
Direction: To radiate the Holy Spirit and joy is possible only when one carries Jesus within. True faith is ever contagious; it will affect and move the self with charity, and will touch and vibrate others with the Holy Spirit and joy
22 DECEMBER 2020, 1 SAMUEL 1. 24-28; LUKE 1. 46-56
Focus: When one encounters and experiences the boundless benevolence of God, one cannot but burst into a song of gratitude and joy
Today’s gospel passage contains the marvellous Magnificat of Mary. It is truly an intense hymn of joy. It is a profound joy that springs from a deep-seated humility and gratitude. Mary explodes into a song of joyful thankfulness because God had looked graciously upon her lowliness and elevated her. Magnificat reveals to us so beautifully the greatness of both God and Mary at the same time. Mary is great because she sees, accepts and cooperates with God’s great plan of salvation. She is great because she humbly realises that her greatness comes from God. Her humility is her greatness. Her nobility is her glory. True greatness never forgets the roots, never forgets that all is given by God and it is not one’s own exclusive merit or credit. A greatness that rides on pride and self-glory, a greatness that fails to be humble and noble in its attitude and approach, a greatness that is not grateful and does not attribute the due credit to God and others, is a false and destructive greatness. In fact, such greatness is not greatness but only meanness. Thus, Magnificat teaches us on true greatness: it is to humbly accept God’s will, gratefully exalt His greatness and generously cooperate with the same. On the other hand, Magnificat essentially discloses the marvels of God’s greatness. God is great because He is benevolent and just. In benevolence and compassion, He is abundantly generous toward the poor and the humble. And in justice and equity, He also levels the rich and the proud. Thus, Magnificat is also an indicator of social justice and liberation. It is truly a seedbed of true greatness wrapped in the gift pack of exuberant joy.
Direction: The Magnificat is a great challenge against all tendencies of arrogance and self-glory on the basis of false greatness, because it teaches that the more we are great, the more we must be humble, because all greatness belongs to God
23 DECEMBER 2020, MALACHI 3. 1-4, 23-24; LUKE 1. 57-66
Focus: God never abandons those who are humble and just. He changes their misery into glory, shame into honour, weakness into power
The birth of John the Baptist is a clear pointer to how God manifests His compassion and power to those who are humble and just. Even in their old age, in a humanly impossible situation, God grants a son to Zachariah and Elizabeth. Yes, He never fails the trust of His faithful. He never forsakes them to their misery. He changes barrenness into fecundity, disgrace into dignity, grief into joy, helpless silence into rejoicing proclamation
The birth of John the Baptist is also a clear indication of how God is deeply concerned for our good and salvation, how He plans and implements this plan through the birth of John as the precursor of the Messiah. He is destined to prepare the way of the Lord.
God is truly passionate for us. He is clear about His purpose. He is meticulous in His planning and execution. He is relentless in His measures.
The birth of John the Baptist is also a reminder of our vocation, mission and destiny as well. God has a plan for each one of us. He has destined us for salvation and eternal bliss and communion. We are called to experience and enhance this saving grace. We ought to strive constantly to retain it and remain graced. We must also radiate the same to others, like John the Baptist. He was humble and faithful to live up to his call, and to carry out his mission.
Direction: Blessed are those who never give up their hope but persevere to confide in God, and submit to His holy will!
24 DECEMBER 2020, 2 SAMUEL 7. 1-5, 8B-12, 14a-16; LUKE 1. 67-79
Focus: God wants to dwell with us, and He needs a dwelling. But this is not a man-made structure. Rather, it is the human heart and human community.
In true devotion and passion for God, David intends to build a magnificent temple for God. But God makes it clear that He prefers to reside not in material buildings and structures, but in the heart and community. He is a God who abides in hearts and in the believing community. He is more interested and committed to building hearts and communities. He wants to reign over hearts. This is the mind and heart of God. And one who reflects and realizes the heart of God, cannot but rejoice and praise Him. This is what happens in the case of Zachariah. God does a super miracle in the life of Zachariah and Elizabeth. He grants them a son in their ripe age. Further, He also grants that son a unique and extraordinary role in the plan of salvation. But this is not just a family favour. This is the way of God's mercy towards the whole people of Israel and the whole humanity itself. One who realizes this God's mercy in action through history, cannot but burst into a song of gratitude, wonder and joy. Zachariah's canticle is not just a pious prayer or praise of devotion. It is an extolling of God's benevolent and powerful ways of intervention in the lives of the humans.
Like Zachariah, we also must constantly extol the marvels of God. But such an exultation is not only in praise and worship, not only in some externals like activities or even structures. Rather, it should be manifested and testified in “building the heart”, one’s own heart and the heart of communities.
Direction: Any favour and blessing from God is not a private affair, but is a sign and indicator of the immensity and perpetuity of His care and mercy.
26 DECEMBER 2020, ACTS 6. 8-10; 7. 54- 8.1; MATTHEW 10. 17-22, FEAST ST STEPHEN
Focus: When one experiences the love and power of God, nothing will deter him from bearing witness to Him. Love is so powerful that not even death can hold it back
Stephen was the first martyr as a follower of Christ. It is so interesting and inspiring. With Christmas, Christ from heaven is born on earth. With his martyrdom, Stephen is born from earth to heaven. Stephen was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. He was chosen to be one of the seven deacons and was totally dedicated to the service of the early church. What marks him is not only his personal qualities and virtue, not only his services. It is much more his deep personal experience and bonding with the Lord. He had a passionate love for the Lord. It is this which makes him unswervingly loyal to him, even to the point of death for his sake. His passion and loyalty are such that he is totally imbued with the very same spirit of Jesus. This makes him imitate Jesus in forgiving even his enemies during his dying moments. His love for the Lord fills him with wisdom and courage to face suffering and death as an honour and grace. One can vividly see a deep passion for the Lord in Stephen. But Passion for the Lord is not a matter of feeling or devotion, but much more. It is giving topmost priority to Jesus, and loving him as the greatest treasure. It is to cling to him, come what may. It is to be deeply convinced that there is nothing greater than him, not even life. It is to imitate his virtues. It is to follow him even to the extent of death. It is to bear witness to him, with unflinching zeal and courage. One who is not ready to die for Christ, cannot live for him.
Direction: It is not a fate of misery but a grace of glory, if only we can suffer something for God and good. Suffering for God and good is nothing detestable but honourable.
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