05 - 10 JULY 2021 HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS
05 JULY 2021; GEN 28. 10-22; MATTHEW 9. 18-26
Focus: True faith makes us aware of our vulnerable and defenseless condition of adversity and affliction. It also keeps us steady from losing heart. Further, it makes us turn to God and seek his intervention
Comforting and uplifting are God's words and deeds! This is presented so vividly in God's Word today, in both the readings. In the first reading from Genesis 28. 10-22, this is seen in God’s confirming His promises. And in the gospel from Matthew 9. 18-26, this is confirmed in Jesus’ action of healing. In the first reading, God promises to Jacob that He will be faithful to all His promises in the past. He would give abundant land, posterity, prosperity and blessing to Jacob and to all his descendants. At the height of all these assurances, the greatest is the assurance of His unfailing presence. The Lord assures him: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go… I will not leave you until I have done that of which I have spoken to you”.
This assurance is concretely accomplished in the action of Jesus in the Gospel. The simple touch of him heals and transforms the whole situation: he touches the dead girl and she comes back to life; the touch of his garment heals the woman of her haemorrhage. His presence, his intervention, his touch restores life and health and, along with them, lost joy and human dignity. God is always benevolent towards us. He is always eager and ready to come to our aid, especially in our difficult and helpless situations. But what is essential is faith. It is a faith that never gives up hope, a faith that never loses courage and confidence, a faith that turns to God, a faith that approaches God, a faith that affirms our total trust in Him, a faith that seeks his touch and power. This is the faith witnessed by the officer and the woman with haemorrhage.
Direction: We shall wholeheartedly trust in God's love and mercy, His power and His intervention. We shall beg him to extend His healing hand to touch us, so that we can regain our lost joy and dignity of life
06 JULY 2021: GEN 32. 22-32; MATTHEW 9. 32-38, St Maria Goretti
Focus: God never leaves us in our stress and distress to fight a lone battle. All that is needed is to turn and cling to Him even in our struggle
In the gospel, Jesus saw the crowd and felt compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Today too, God sees all of us and certainly feels compassion for all, because we are truly harassed and helpless, exactly like sheep without a shepherd. How many fears and anxieties, how much violence and selfishness, how much misery snatch away the beauty and joy of life! In how many numberless ways humanity is harassed and helpless! Without doubt, many are like sheep without a shepherd. Yes, many lack the true shepherding that mainly comprises protection, care and guidance. Many are unprotected, exposed to the assaults of evil. They are not properly cared for and not nurtured, and thus not receiving the proper nourishment and strength. Many are also prone to be misguided and led astray. Therefore, we must turn to our only shepherd, the only one who can heal our situation. In his time, Jesus healed many of their sicknesses and evil-possession. He taught them the right path and directed them on the same. He would never give up, in spite of being falsely blamed and accused. No doubt he never stops this never-ending mission.
But, he wants to involve us in this holy mission, which is like cultivating a crop and reaping a rich harvest. He wants us to be fully committed labourers. We need to uproot the roots of evil, which is the true infirmity and demon-possession. We need to transplant God’s comfort and strength. We need to continue the same mission with undaunted zeal and unshaken faith in God. We need to be like Jacob in Genesis 32. 22-32 in the first reading. He wrestles with God’s own angel so valiantly. He would not leave him till he blesses him, even though his thigh was put out of joint. Only such a persevering clinging to God would enable us to be sheep that belong to the shepherd. It will also make us collaborate with the shepherd, working hard and reaping an abundant harvest of sheep with the shepherd.
Direction: The little saint Maria Goretti preferred to die rather than losing her virginity. She truly found her shepherd. She would not be misguided or pressured into wrong by the falsities of the world
07 JULY 2021: GEN 41. 55-57, 42. 5-7, 17-24; MATTHEW 10. 1-7
Focus: In a power-crazy and power-abusing world, Jesus shows us the real power. Real power is a means and tool for doing good, for establishing the true kingdom of God
In the gospel today from Matthew 10. 1-7, Jesus gives authority to his Twelve. He empowers them with his own power and authorizes them to carry on his own mission. But this power and authority is not to subjugate and manipulate others. It is not for seeking and promoting self-interests. The real power and authority is divinely sanctioned. It comes from God. It is therefore something divine and sacred. It is also meant to be kingdom-oriented and other-oriented. That is why Jesus orders his disciples, preach that “The kingdom of God is at hand”. That is why, as he endows them with authority, the purpose too is clearly mentioned. It is to “cast out the unclean spirits, and to heal every disease and every infirmity”.
The Kingdom of God is not so much a place up in the heavens, out there after death. It is also not merely a spiritual domain, with lots of spirituality and religious activities. It is where and when God reigns. It is the situation and experience of God being near to us, taking control of our life. It is where the godly values of love, justice and peace prevail.
Therefore, in this context, any power and authority that does not promote God’s reign, that is not benevolent and beneficial to others, is not a true authority. Any authority that reels on the heels of human manipulation is a degenerated one. Any authority that does not preserve its sanctity but is so much tainted by worldliness is already a corroded one. Further, any authority that is ego-centred, ego-projecting and ego-promoting is a mean authority. It is here, Joseph, the son of Israel comes as an example of magnanimous benevolence. Even though his brothers jealously sold him into slavery, yet God raises him to be the governor of Egypt. He allows God’s kingdom to reign in the kingdom of Egypt. He forgives the sin of his brothers and saves them in time of famine
Further, the mission entrusted to the disciples is primarily directed to “the lost sheep”. That is, first of all, it is a “mission within”, a mission to repair, rejuvenate our own selves, our own lives, our own hearts, our own communities and families, our relatives, friends and surroundings. At times, we may be more worried about changing the whole world but neglect our own “small worlds” that we live and interact day in and day out.
Direction: The fact that the names of the twelve apostles are mentioned indicates that our vocation and mission is very personal and personally significant. It is not only a collective, community mission of the church, but also of each disciple
08 JULY 2021: GEN 44. 18 – 45. 5; MATTHEW 10.7-15
Focus: God is always on a relentless mission of transforming our lives and working for our good. At times, his plans and ways are hard and distressing but they will reap rich results
God never ceases to love us and work for our benefit. At times, the ways of God look very mysterious and even upsetting. The story of Joseph in Genesis in the first reading of these days is a clear example of His disconcerting and confusing ways. Apparently, so much injustice was done to Joseph. He was sold into slavery into Egypt. But God raised him to the dignity of a governor. It was actually God’s way of sending him before his brothers, so that he would rescue them from famine. In other words, God already sent Joseph on a specific mission of saving many lives during famine.
In the gospel too, Jesus is entrusting a mission to his disciples. In simple terms it is his own mission. It is to establish God’s kingdom as he himself did. It is a twofold mission, namely to preach and heal. But he does not send them empty-handed. He equips them with his own power. Therefore, they need not bother too much about worldly equipment like gold, silver, copper, bags or tunics or sandals or staff. They should be detached from worldly abundance and accumulation. They should retrench themselves from depending excessively on worldly securities and guarantees. On the other hand, they should be generous in giving their life, time and all energies, because they too received so generously from God.
They should remember that it is a peace-mission. They should be peace-lovers, peace-witnesses and peace-promoters. Any words and acts that cultivate seeds of disunity and antagonism, that lack devotion and goodness, are only a counter-mission and counter-productive.
Further, in carrying out this mission, working for God and promoting good alone should be our end-targets and aims. There should be no other motive, even the motive of success. We should be prepared even to face failure. That is why Jesus already warns: “if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town”. This indicates that we must be detached even from expectation of fruits and results. Sheer focus on mission and dutifulness irrespective of the effects are our driving forces.
Direction: Often mission suffers because there are lots of ego issues. There should not be any seeking of self-glory which leads to ego clashes and ego hurts. Instead, let all life and mission be God-oriented.
09 JULY 2021: GEN 46. 1-30; MATTHEW 10. 16-23
Focus: The beauty of faith is not to have any problems or to vanquish all the problems. Rather its value is in facing them in courage and confidence
Many may have a wrong idea about faith and the power and effect of it. Their thinking is: If I have faith, then I should not get any problem; or at least, even if I get them. They should be overcome easily and disappear. But, God has never promised this. He never declared, Believe and worship me and I will never allow any problems to beset you. God is no false assurer or promiser. But one thing is for sure. He promises to help out those who trust in Him. He assures to accompany them, to sustain, encourage and guide them. He will not guarantee a complete absence of difficulties. But He confirms His assistance.
This is what we see in today’s both the readings. In the first reading from Genesis 46. 1-30, God tells Jacob to go and settle down in Egypt. But Jacob is afraid because it is a foreign land of Pharaoh. What lies ahead is uncertain and unclear. The fear of ill-treatment and slavery also looms high. It is in such a context God assures him, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid … for I will go with you … I will be with you”.
In the gospel too from Matthew 10. 16-23, Jesus is sending his disciples on his mission. He is no false leader, trying to hide the facts and present a cosy picture. He speaks to them plainly of the challenges of this mission. They will be like sheep among wolves. They will be persecuted, disowned and hated for his sake. However, it is not to scare them; rather, it is to alert them and mentally prepare them to encounter the impending adversities. A true disciple shall not shelter himself in illusory ambitions and comfort-zones. Further, he will not leave us as lone fighters in this battle. He will stand by us with his Spirit of wisdom and courage. Thus he assures them, “Do not be anxious how you are to speak … for what you are you to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of the father speaking through you”. All that is needed is to be wise, innocent and persevere: be wise to discern; be innocent to remain uncontaminated; and be persevering not to give up.
Direction: The quality of a true follower of Christ is his loyalty to the end, in the midst and in spite of all the adversities and discouraging experiences. This alone will bring him a rich reward!
10 JULY 2021: GEN 49. 29-33, 50. 15-25; MATTHEW 10. 24-33
Focus: The difference between a true follower of Christ and a false one is in their depth of trust and loyalty. The former is deep-rooted, totally surrendered and loyal. But the latter is shallow, wavering and unfaithful
Fear is a haunting experience for all. The reasons can be many and varied. In the first reading from Genesis 49. 29-33 and 50. 15-25, the brothers of Joseph are afraid of punishment from him. They were conscious of the immense evil they did to him by selling him into slavery. Quite rightly, Joseph could take revenge on them. But with a magnanimous heart, he forgives them and takes care of their families. He removes their fear, instils confidence and re-establishes a loving bond. How gracious he was, saying, “Fear not … so do not fear”. He also looks at everything in the framework of God’s holy designs. He accepts everything as all for good, from the optic of faith. Hear him as he says, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, for many people to be kept alive during famine”.
In the gospel too from Matthew 10. 24-33, Jesus tells his disciples, “have no fear… do not fear … fear not”. The context is the suffering and persecution for the sake of his mission. There will be many who will oppose and harm them even to the extent of killing. Their fate is no different from their master’s. He too went through the same crucible of criticism and persecution.
In such a context, they should weigh between God and the evil people. Humans can only harm and kill the body and not the soul. But God has control over both. They can cause only physical suffering, but cannot touch us spiritually. Further, our God is a loving and providential God who values us so preciously and cares for us so meticulously. He thinks of even little birds like sparrows. He knows the number of even little things like our hair. Hear how Jesus assures and encourages us: “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows”. Therefore, what is expected from us is to trust him deeply, to be courageous in testing and trying times and to be loyal to him always.
Direction: Jesus says, “A disciple is not above his teacher, and a servant is not above his master; It is enough that a disciple becomes like his teacher and a servant like his master. Therefore, as disciples and servants, let our whole striving always be to become like our master
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