17 – 22 MAY 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTION
17 MAY 2021, ACTS 19. 1-8; JOHN 16. 29-33
Focus: Trials and tribulations are bound to come. They may come all the more when we are loyal to God’s ways and good ways. But there is no need for panic for those who confide in God
The life of faith is a continuous and progressive journey. Certainly, baptism washes away the sins and inserts the believer into a new life, a new relationship with the Lord, and also a new family of redeemed people. But, one cannot be satisfied with that incorporation. The journey must continue. From the initiation, one must grow stronger and deeper. From turning away from sin, one must turn definitively to God. One must uproot the deep roots of sin and transplant and cultivate the flowers and fruits of grace. From a baptism of repentance, one must rise to the baptism of the Spirit. From a stumbling walk of imperfect and immature faith, one must walk steadily and firmly on the way of perfect and mature faith.
This is what we see in the case of the believers at Ephesus. They stopped with the baptism of John. They had not gone and grown beyond. They remained still with the phase of repentance. They were good. But that is not enough. Much more is needed. There must be more fire, more vigour. They did not become vigorous in a new life of conversion and renewal. This is exactly the life of the Spirit. This is possible only when one is open to the Spirit and is empowered by the same. This is what the apostles constantly strive to do in the Acts of the Apostles and Jesus in the gospel: to fill the believers/disciples with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Thereby, they would be confirmed and deepened in their faith and bear witness to the Lord. In the absence of the Spirit, what will happen is a "scattering" and "leaving the Lord alone" out of fear. But, if one confides in the Lord and is docile to the Spirit, he will have peace and will remain untroubled even though the world will trouble because the Lord has "already conquered the world" and his grace and mission are "unconquerable" by the evil.
Direction: Often many mistake intellectual understanding and assent alone as faith. But the real believing is living with the Lord and living for him at all times
18 MAY 2021, ACTS 20. 17- 27; JOHN 17. 1-11, MEMORY, ST PHILIP NERI
Focus: There is a subtle difference between self-glory and God's glory which often a great many believers and ministers may conveniently confuse. In the former, the whole focus and centre is self, while in the latter, it is God
Many a time, "glorifying God" is reduced to mere word proclamation or working healings and miracles. This is very well a disguised form of self-promotion. Even the great gifts of God, like the eloquence of preaching, the power of miracles, etc. can be means of seeking self-attention and self-recognition. But in contrast, in today’s first reading and the gospel, we find Paul and Jesus himself. They are totally devoid of any self-seeking and self-glory. We are shown what is the real and the right way to glorify God. It is "accomplishing the work that God has entrusted". It consists of the communion of depth and intimacy. It is through a mission of conviction and passion, courage and perseverance, loyalty and commitment. It is a mission that "does not shrink from bearing witness". Paul too follows the same spirit and mission of his Master. That is why he attests, “I do not account my life of any value or as precious to myself”. It is worth it “if only I accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus”. He could convincingly affirm, "I did never shrink from this duty”, “to declare to all the whole counsel of God”, and “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God”. Thus, he remains unperturbed and undeterred even though he knew well that "imprisonment and hardships await him".
Every disciple of the Lord is expected to remain rooted and United with God and to glorify God by accomplishing God's works. As the Lord prays, we need to totally belong to him, and not to the world. We are in the world but are not of the world. We need to be one with one another, just as Jesus was one with the Father. We need to glorify the Lord just as Jesus always glorified the Father. St Philip Neri bore witness to God through his total surrender to God, even though considered crazy and queer at times.
Direction: Giving testimony is not a matter of proclaiming what great things I have done even with the mention of God's power, but rather glorifying God's will and plans even amidst one's individual inadequacies
19 MAY 2021, ACTS 20. 28-38; JOHN 17. 11-19
Focus: God is anguished over us, and it is not a sign of His fragility or emotional vulnerability, but rather a proof of His concern and anxiety for our safety and peace
In both the readings, we have the farewell scenes so intensified. In the Acts of the Apostles, it is Paul to the elders in Ephesus, and in the gospel, it is Jesus to his disciples. There is so much sentiment and feeling. There is tear and anguish. The whole concern is not so much the pain at the physical separation. It is not merely something emotional or relational. It is a higher concern. It is the protection and safety of their followers after their departure. The reason for this anxiety is the danger that they are exposed to. It is the danger of "ravaged wolves" who will pervert the truth. These will draw the followers away from the truth and will try to destroy the whole edifice of faith that had been so painstakingly built up.
In this context, their primary duty is twofold: one is, to guard their own selves from all these onslaughts. The other is, to guard those entrusted to their care. For this, what we need to do is: to deeply commune with God and to be deeply consecrated to truth. It is only a deep communion with God and with each other that can keep us firm and unshaken. It is our oneness that would guard us against being carried away by the world. Further, it is our sanctification by truth and consecration to the truth that will keep us authentic in our life and effective in our mission. We will not be easily diverted and distorted by all the evil forces of falsity and infidelity.
At this point, it is very clear what is missing in today’s church, why it is so much troubled by the evil one. It is true that fierce wolves that tear off truth and snatch away the sheep are increasing. But this does not justify one’s falling and failing in faith and charity. The fault lies with us. When we carelessly allow ourselves to be devoured by the lure of the evil, when we are not one and united with God in intimacy, when we are not loyal and committed to his values, when we willingly divide ourselves by needless factors of division and discrimination, when we do not constantly sanctify and consecrate ourselves in truth, then how can we expect to be his fitting witnesses?
Direction: In the accomplishment of God's mission of the spread of God's reign, human intelligence, and capacities do not suffice. We need God's wisdom and Spirit's power to be cautious and judicious.
20 MAY 2021, ACTS 22. 30, 23. 6-11; JOHN 17. 20-26
Focus: Ask me where does a disciple find the real meaning and worth of the life and mission. It is in bearing witness to the Lord. And no one can find any sense and fulfillment apart from this
Witness is the catchword for any follower of Christ. The authenticity of a disciple is determined by the extent of his being a witness to the Lord. But witness to what? What are the essential ingredients of this task of witness? The very first component is an unshakable faith in Jesus as the Lord and Saviour. This is manifested in the proclamation by word and in action by life in imitation and resemblance to the Lord himself. This implies a profound and inalienable oneness with the Father, Son, and the Spirit.
This is the oneness in identity, in love, and mission. This one identity is divinity, the divine image, the divine dignity, and sanctity. The oneness in love is to love God as the Godhead loves each other and as they love us. It is the one love that abides in every heart, one love that knits together, and one love that outflows from one to the other. Further, it is the oneness of mission. There is no rivalry or unhealthy and harmful competition. There is perfect cooperation and collaboration. And this is the greatest witness. Communion with God and with one another is the greatest identity mark and witness sign. Lack of intimacy with God and disunity with one another is counter-witness and counter-productive. There can be nothing that can substitute for oneness in identity, love, and mission. There can be nothing more effective than a life of witness.
Direction: In the wake of an increasing lament and blame that the quality of witness is deteriorating, the the urgent need is to wake up the dormant spirits and the indifferent energies
21 MAY 2021, ACTS 25. 13-21; JOHN 21. 15-19
Focus: Love should be the foundation and driving force of all our life and mission, and only then, there will be fidelity and commitment
What irresistible courage, indefatigable assiduity, and immeasurable passion with which Jesus and his followers live their life and mission! We cannot but wonder at this. The secret behind such an inexhaustible strength and irreversible perseverance is a deep-rooted love for the Lord. Jesus has this unfathomable and inalienable love for the Father. The disciples too are to have the same love for the Master. Peter on behalf of every disciple of Christ, is asked by Jesus, "Do you love me?" The question is precise and incisive. The affirmative answer of Peter too is prompt and spontaneous. We do not here engage ourselves with the reason why Jesus asks Peter the same question three times. Is it to balance and compensate for the three-time denial of Peter at the trial of Jesus? Does the number 3 indicate a sense of completion that love has to be complete and perfect? Or does this repetition point to the utmost importance of the law of love? These questions are not so crucial.
What is important is to note that Love is the greatest condition and energy for any follower. There is no compromise or concessions regarding this. Either one loves or no. However, this love is not merely emotional or sentimental. It is profoundly actual and concrete. It is a love that affects the whole life and mission. It is a love that entails one with an inescapable duty for the other. It is a love that binds one to take care of others, to be concerned for other’s good and growth. It is a call of love that calls for a mission of love. It is a vocation that shows itself in a mission that is other-oriented. That is why, all the three times Jesus entrusts Peter a mission, "Feed my sheep", "Tend my flock ", and "Follow me".
Direction: We belong to each other. We are given the care of each other. And so we have a responsibility for each other. Therefore, to tend those given to our care – is the fundamental responsibility. But many fail in their responsibility of tending others or following the Lord. The reason is not human inadequacies. It is only because of the lack of love for the Lord, who deserves all our love
22 MAY 2021, ACTS 28. 16-20, 30-31; JOHN 21. 20-25
Focus: Clarity of purpose can give one a sense of direction and a wholehearted dedication in his mission
When there is clarity and focus regarding the purpose and mission of life, then there is no deviation or obstruction. Nothing can mar or hinder one's mission. Paul was totally clear and focused. So whether free or imprisoned, moving or bound, streets or home- confined, his spirit was the same. This is the singularity and the priority of life: The Lord, faith in him, and testimony to him.
Perhaps, this is what is figuratively implied by the concluding texts in both readings. In the first reading, we have the conclusion of the book of the Acts of the Apostles, and in the gospel, we have the conclusion of John’s gospel. In both, it is also the conclusion of the life of Paul and Jesus. The writings may be concluded, the earthly ministry may stop. But grace, God’s reign, and God’s work continue. The focus and mission must never get sidelined. This is what is implied in Jesus' rebuke to Peter. In all reasonable human curiosity about the fate of the other disciple, Peter might have asked “Lord, what about this man?” But the answer of Jesus is rather sharp: "What does it concern or matter for you if he were to be alive?" The point is not about the death or the continuity of the other disciple. The sole concern is the Lord's concern, that is, follow the Lord and accomplish his mission. This should be a deeply "personal concern" of everyone and not unnecessary eagerness and inquisitiveness about many other concerns.
Direction: “How does this concern matter to me?” "Why should these matters concern me?" Often, such questions can be indicators of indifference and unconcern. But, they can be a question of self-check on the many matters that concern us. They can reveal to us that the many matters that occupy our concern are not really worth the concern
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