Week after Pentecost

24 – 29 MAY 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

24 MAY 2021: SIRACH 17. 24-29; MARK 10. 17-27

Focus: The man of today thinks that everything is possible for him. A sense of self-confidence is good. But a sense of humility to recognize his self-insufficiency is better

In the gospel of today, we have a rich young man who can represent many of us. First of all, we can appreciate his desire for eternal life, as he asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He asks this in humility as he kneels before Jesus. He also readily acknowledges Jesus as the right teacher who can teach and direct rightly as he addresses Jesus, “Good teacher!” We must further appreciate him for his fidelity to observe the commandments from his youth. Immediately, in the light of him, it is good to do a self-check. How many have this desire for eternal life? Many desire to acquire and gain many things pertaining to the world, but very little is the desire for what is beyond and lasting. Do we have the humility to seek the answer for eternity? Do we have the trust and faith in Jesus as the one who can give the right answer and direct us in the right way? And how many sincerely can affirm that I am following the commandments from my youth?

Certainly, this rich young man is not a bad man. He is religious-minded. That is why, Jesus looks upon him with love. However, the young man is still insufficient. He lacks something essential. He lacks that profound detachment, that radical self-giving, and personal intimacy with the Lord and following him. He needs to get rid of a worldly mentality of acquiring, inheriting, and possessing. This is indicated in his question, “What must I do to inherit the eternal life?” Eternal life is not something that can be gained by one’s own effort or merit. It is not an automatic result and reward of certain observances, even though good. Eternal life and salvation are God’s grace, it is His free gift. Attachment to worldly things and possessions can be the biggest hindrance to follow the Lord personally and intimately. They can easily make one self-centered and greedy. They may make one fail in sensitivity and generosity to the poor and needy. Some may argue that Jesus is not realistic and practical. He does not know how to tackle the young man. He upsets the rich young man totally. He would have advised him to be more generous and contribute huge donations and alms to the poor and the temple, etc. But, the real issue here is a radical commitment to the Lord. As the book of Sirach advocates, it is a definitive turning to God, without conditions and compromises. It is a total self-giving to God and to others. All that matters is only surrender and loyalty to the Lord.

Direction: It is good that we frequently question ourselves: What do I lack? But it is  not in regard to the world, in terms of money, things, capacities or power, position, etc. The vital concern is, what do I lack in my journey of salvation?

25 MAY 2021: SIRACH 35. 1-12; MARK 10. 28-31

Focus: The practice of religion in devotions, offerings, and sacrifices is good. But all this must be done with a real spirit of self-offering, righteousness and gladness

In the first reading from Sirach, there is a very profound religious teaching that which is a check and control against a shallow and superficial religiosity. Such a religiosity is very inadequate because it is limited and reduced to mere offerings and sacrifices, activities, and practices. Unfortunately, this is the type of religiosity and spirituality that many believe and practice today. The consequence of such a depthless religion is obstinacy, intolerance, antagonism and violence.

But, today the book of Sirach teaches us rightly that being faithful to the laws and commandments, being kind and righteous surpasses all the formal offerings and rituals. It is not the religious act alone that pleases God but the heart that does that action. It is the spirit and life of humility, righteousness, self-offering to God, and self-giving to others in joy that wins God’s favour.

Such life is certainly not easy. It is demanding and challenging. Especially in the sight of the world, and in the human calculations, it is a big loss. What is the use of it? What is the result and fruit for it? This is the concern that is implied in the question of Peter to Jesus in today’s gospel: “Behold, we have left everything and followed you What do we get?" This question follows immediately yesterday’s episode of the rich young man, who fails to follow Jesus’ invitation to give up everything and follow him. In contrast to him, Peter and the other disciples readily leave everything and follow Jesus. In this context, Peter’s question is quite valid and reasonable. It is not following the Lord with ulterior motive or some interests. It is not doing something for God with some expectations. It is not giving up some things in order to gain many things. In all simplicity, Peter’s question reveals a concern for assurance that it is worth following the Lord. It is far more rewarding. It is not a vain enterprise or a futile struggle. The value of following the Lord is exceedingly greater than all that is given up. The reward is an abundance of spiritual riches and relationships. And the greatest reward is eternal life.

Direction: Following the Lord will become light and enjoyable if one does it with a positive mind. This means one must constantly see that what he receives is far more worth and valuable, comparing to what he loses. God’s abundant blessings and eternal life are the greatest rewards!

26 MAY 2021: SIRACH 36. 1-2, 5-6, 11-16; MARK 10. 32-45, Memory of St Philip Neri

Focus: Those who follow the Lord must follow a different set of rules and values, in contrast to the world. Only then, they will find the real meaning, joy, and fulfillment in what they are doing and living

The scene in the gospel is rather interesting but is very close to our own reality. On one hand, Jesus is speaking to the disciples about the impending and fast approaching painful fate of his in Jerusalem. He would be falsely accused and undergo suffering and death. But the disciples do not seem to bother at all, or utmost they do not understand him. It is strange that they do not seek to clarify or sympathize with him or assure him of their loyalty. Instead, James and John seek seats of honour beside Jesus, one on the right and one on the left. What happens is that their sight is only on the glory that Jesus would repossess. They lose sight of the misery and cross that should precede the glory. We may wonder how could they so easily overlook the pain of the Lord? How could such oversight and unconcern be possible? We too may become indignant just like the other disciples toward those two. Ironically, they might have been unhappy, not because of the wrong motivation and over-ambition of the two brothers. Quite humanly speaking, they might have been annoyed and jealous that they are snatching away the best chances!

But, a little honesty would tell us that we are no different. Many times, we are not interested in the realities that the Lord wants to teach and caution us about. We are more bothered about our own interests. We do not try to understand the ways of the Lord but want to push ahead our own plans and calculations. We want to jump over and avoid the way of the cross and reach straight at the glory of the resurrection. To desire to reign with Jesus in glory is not wrong. In fact, that is our destiny and we must aspire for it and strive for it. But, we should realize that Jesus’ glory is totally different from that of the world. The world's glory is based on power and position. It consists of lording over others, being served by others, showing oneself greater than others. But the glory of Jesus is processed through the way of suffering, sacrificing, and serving.

Direction: “Can you drink the cup that I drink?” This question of Jesus repeats daily to each one of us. Can you share with me the life of suffering, adversities, and sacrifice?

27 MAY 2021: SIRACH 42. 15-25; MARK 10. 46-52

Focus: God is within us and amidst us, He is before us and beyond us. He remains hidden and invisible but His power and love are made manifest in numberless ways. Blessed is he who is able to see!

Blindness is a great loss. Only one who is blind can really know how terrible it is. It is true that many of us feel so much pity for blind people. We feel sad that they are missing so much, that they miss the colours, the beauty of life and persons. We may also wonder how they can accept such deprivation and live happily. Such human emotion is good toward others. But do we realize and appreciate how blessed we are to have sight, to be able to see! Do we also act responsibly on what we see? Do we have a sense of discretion regarding what to see and what not to see?

Jesus in the gospel heals a blind man by the name Bartimaeus. This blind man can teach us simple but useful lessons for our life. His blindness reduces him to beggary, sitting by the roadside. He hears of Jesus’ coming. He does not want to miss the chance of healing. He cries out pleading Jesus to have mercy on him. The rebuke of the annoyed people to keep quiet does not silence his voice nor quieten his desire for healing. He persists all the more in his cry for help. His perseverance catches the attention of the Master and wins his mercy. He is called by Jesus. When told that he called by the Master, we can note some notable actions on his part. He throws off his mantle. He springs up. He comes to Jesus. Already the very call by the Lord itself ensures him of the recovery of his sight. He no longer feels the need for his mantle. He needs no more to sit, stuck to the ground. That is why he springs up and moves to Jesus. Here too, at the encounter with Jesus, he is quite clear about what he needs. Asked by Jesus, ‘what do you want me to do for you?’ he is prompt to answer, “Master, let me receive my sight”. His faith is rewarded. Jesus heals him saying “Your faith has made you well. Go your way”. He is no longer blind. He is able to see, able to see, and walk the way. His sight is not only physical. His sight is whole and holistic. He is able to see the Lord. That is why, instead of going his way, he follows Jesus on his way.

Direction: Much more than the exterior, physical sight, today we are invited to shift our attention on to our interior sight. To be empathetic toward the blind is good, but let us recognize our own blindness toward God and toward others. Failing in faith is spiritual blindness; failing in fraternal perspective and goodness is fraternal blindness; failing in moral values is moral blindness

28 MAY 2021: SIRACH 44. 1, 9-13; MARK 11. 11-25

Focus: Many are born and many die as well. Birth and death in themselves, are natural and normal. But how well we live in mercy and righteousness will make us live beyond death in people’s memory and hearts

The first reading from the book of Sirach sings the praises of some of our famous ancestors. They died physically but they continue to live on because of their merciful and upright lives. Their memory remains unerasable. In reference to the fig tree in the gospel, they are truly the fig tree that bears fruits always in season and out of season. In the gospel, Jesus looks for figs on a fig tree but finds none and curses it. It is pointless to argue how Jesus can curse the fig tree, knowing well that it is not the season for bearing fruit. The point is no more that particular fig tree. The whole matter is symbolic. The fig tree stands for each one of us. And we are expected to be productive and fruit-bearing. We cannot just remain with leaves. There is no good time or appropriate season but we need to be ever fruitful. Our good deeds must never cease. Our productivity in faith and righteousness must never fail. At no point or moment of time, our spirit must wither. We must be ever vibrant and fecund.

Such productivity and fecundity are possible only when we remain as houses of prayer and not as a den of robbers. Jesus’ cleansing of the temple too is symbolic. Our heart, our life, our person, our family, and our community are the temple. They need to be abodes of God, temples of prayer. God must reside there. His Spirit must reign within us. They should never become like dens of robbers that comprises wrongdoing, dishonesty, cheating, threatening, intimidating, violence, harm to others, etc. Instead, we need to be vessels of deep faith even to believe in moving the mountain, and carriers of genuine forgiveness.

Direction: For faith and goodness, for bearing fruits of good actions, there are no seasons or propitiating times. We are called to be productive and fruitful always and everywhere

29 MAY 2021: SIRACH 51. 12-20; MARK 11. 27-33

Focus: Men of today restlessly seek knowledge and competence, and they are happy that they are able to master them. But they do not realize that it better to be seekers and servants of wisdom, because wisdom alone adorns and fulfills life

In the first reading from Sirach, we have the image of a seeker of wisdom. He prays for her. He searches for her to the end. He directs his soul to her. Through purification, he finds her. He finds delight in her. He follows her steps. He inclines his ears to her and receives her. He finds much instruction from her. He progresses in her. He lives according to wisdom. Accordingly, he is disciplined in his conduct. He is never put to shame. And he is zealous for good.

In the gospel, this is the same wisdom that is personified in Jesus. Jesus is the power and wisdom of God. His wisdom and authority are divine. That is why he confounds and overcomes his opponents. It is this divine authority that preaches irresistibly and heals miraculously. But unfortunately the unbelieving Jews lack the gift of faith to see, appreciate, accept this divine grace and cooperate with it. They operate only with human intelligence and knowledge. They think only in human terms of power and authority that comes from positions and offices. They fail to see in Jesus one who embodies and personifies God’s own wisdom and spiritual authority. They were caught up with the mere letter of the law and did not see the spirit of it. Consequently, they could see Jesus only as the violator of the law and not the renovator and fulfiller of the law. They were worried so much as if so much bad was happening to the religion and the tradition. In the process, they could not rejoice over the immense good done to the human persons and the religion itself.

Certainly the tact and trickiness of Jesus are appreciable: he counters and silences the scribes and elders who question him, “By what authority are you doing these things?” He puts them a counter-question: “Answer me whether the baptism of John is from heaven or from men?” They will be caught either way: if they say, from heaven, then their unbelief will be exposed and blamed; if they say it is from men, then they will invite the ire and rage of the people who hold John to be a prophet. Therefore, they admit that they don’t know. Jesus tells them that he too will not tell them by what authority he does all that he does. But here, much more than this wise shrewdness of Jesus, what is exposed is the stubbornness, closed-mindedness, and double standards of the unbelieving Jews and authorities.

Direction: Let our constant prayer and search be for wisdom, because once we obtain her, then there will be faith, docility, and honest living by a spiritual authority