12 – 18 JULY 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS
12 JULY 2021: EXODUS 1. 8-14, 22; MATTHEW 10. 34 – 11.1
Focus: Following Jesus calls for a radical and fundamental option for him. This involves an uncompromising fidelity to him
There are many followers of Jesus. But all are not worthy followers because they do not follow their Master’s way. Who then is a worthy disciple? What are some of the essential criteria? Two of the features are highlighted. One is, the highest love for Jesus. It surpasses even the natural and valid family love-ties. Jesus very clearly announces: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; whoever loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me”.
Here the point is not about loving or not loving one’s own family. The real issue is no family love should be more than our love for God and love for the new spiritual family. This is a real pointer and poker to many followers of Jesus. This applies both to the consecrated as well as the lay faithful. We must humbly realize that in the case of a good number of clergy and religious and family people, family attachments, family interests, family benefits count more than the duties toward God and God’s people.
Second requisite for a true disciple is, walk the way of the cross. There is no room for compromises, shortcuts, self-interests, easy gains, escape from the demands of discipleship, and fear of adversities. Following Jesus certainly leads to opposition and persecution. This is what the Israelites experienced in the land of Egypt. Their loyalty to the true God, Yahweh brought them opposition and hatred pushing them into slavery and persecution. This is also the same thing Jesus means when he says, “I have come not to bring peace but sword”. Sword symbolizes suffering and affliction. Following Jesus disturbs and shatters false peace that lingers in compromise. It is a peace that does not take a clear stand for the Lord. It is a peace that pleases the humans even at the cost of disloyalty to God.
Direction: Following Jesus demands paying a heavy price. But it is worth it. All who follow Jesus and support those who follow him, will for sure receive a great reward
13 JULY 2021: EXODUS 2. 1-15; MATTHEW 11. 20-24
Focus: The greatness of faith is not measured by the quantity of religious knowledge or the number of favours received. Only the quality of receptivity and change of life is the deciding factor
In the gospel, Jesus sternly denounces the cities of Corazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. He pronounces woe to them. Interestingly it is in these cities where he worked most of his mighty works. But they failed to be receptive and cooperative to God’s grace. They are reproachable and culpable because they remained unrepentant, self-righteous, arrogant and seeking self-glory. Yes, they rejected Jesus’ earnest call for repentance. In their pride and self-righteousness, they refused to see and accept their wrongdoing and infidelity. They failed to seek God’s glory. Instead they pride and glorify themselves in their history, tradition, religion, Scripture, Law, knowledge, progress, etc.
They fail to be conscious of God’s ways and mighty intervention in their past history through the prophets as well as their present story through Jesus. The story in the first reading from Exodus of Moses whom they venerate so much, is a clear example of God’s benevolent inception into their life. God’s plan of salvation and His way of execution is beyond human comprehension but is always marvelous. Baby Moses was protected in spite of Pharaoh’s law of casting into the Nile every male Hebrew child. He was saved and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter herself. Boy’s mother herself was called to nurse the growing child. He grew up in the palace. But he killed an Egyptian who wronged a Hebrew. As Pharaoh who knew this murder sought to kill Moses, he had to flee. Later his story would continue, a story that shows the incomprehensible ways of God’s working.
The problem with the Jews was their great sacred history made no impact and change on their present story.
Direction: It is not the greatness of religion or history that makes a believer great. Rather it is how one lives what he believes and inherits
14 JULY 2021: EXODUS 3. 1-6, 9-12; MATTHEW 11. 25-27
Focus: Great things happen through humans. It is not the greatness of them but that of God. He works great things even through simple and small people
God’s love for us is like the burning bush in the first reading from Exodus 3. 1-6, 9-12. The bush is burning but is not consumed. Similarly, God’s love burns for us eternally but is never exhausted and annihilated. His love is faithful from generation to generation. He is a personal God who enters into personal encounter and covenant. That is why He always reveals Himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. His love is so sensitive because it hears the cries of the suffering Israelites in slavery in Egypt. He sees their oppression by the Egyptians. He chooses Moses to liberate them and lead them out to their promised land. This choice is not on the basis of the merit of Moses.
It is rather the gracious will of the Father. This is made manifest in the gospel text. Jesus thanks the Father because He hides the divine mysteries to those intelligent and competent in the sight of the world. But He reveals them to “mere babes”. That is, to the small, insignificant and ignorable people. Thereby it is very clear that vocation is always a gratuitous gift of God. He chooses us. It appears as if we are choosing the way of life. But actually we only respond to His call. It is again God who helps our response. Often, the response may be very reluctant. It can be due to the sense of personal inadequacy; or, it can also be on account of the enormity of the task entrusted. From a human standpoint, we will fall short. Thus, Moses declines God’s offer to liberate the Israelites from slavery. He protests, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt”. But God teaches him to see from the divine standpoint. It is not the individual Moses but God Himself who works through him. God assures him: “I will be with you”. Therefore, vocation and mission are never one’s own merit or credit. God’s presence, guidance and power sustain and accomplish a call.
Direction: Human capacities do not become the deciding factors for God’s call. Neither are they the cause for the excellence and effectiveness of the call. Utmost they are supplements and never substitutes
15 JULY 2021: EXODUS 3. 13-20; MATTHEW 1. 28-30, St Bonaventure
Focus: The identity of our God is not in the list of His immeasurable attributes. It is rather in His relationship with us, soaked into compassion and mercy
In the present times, often there is an identity crisis. Many do not know who and what they are. They mistakenly equate their identity with their functions, roles, titles, places or cultures, etc. Or, they glorify their identity with their talents and capacities. That is why, when asked about who they are, the usual answer is, “I am a doctor, engineer, teacher, leader, servant, or I am an Indian, foreigner, etc.” Practically, it may inform one's state of life or area of one’s activity. It may also convey the scope of one’s ability and greatness. But, we must bear in mind that identity cannot be reduced to any one of them. They may express one’s identity, help to live one’s identity. An ability, an activity is not identity.
True identity is essential connectivity to the divinity. It is living one’s human existence in the realm of divine existence. It is sharing in the all-comprising and all-enveloping Presence of God. In the words of Exodus 3. 13-20, it is experiencing and extending the identity of God, which is “I AM”. When Moses asked for the name of God, God answered, “I AM WHO AM”. God’s identity is not qualified by any other attribute. In God, there is no dichotomy between what He is and what He does. In fact, God’s “Who He is?” is a blend of what He is and what He does.
He is a God of power, love, compassion and mercy. He manifests this nature and identity in His mighty acts and works. He intervenes and rescues them mightily. He loves them tenderly and passionately. He cares for them compassionately. He also forgives their sins mercifully. Thus God’s identity is not something static but dynamic.
Unfortunately, often there is so much contradiction and incongruence between what we are originally and what we do actually. We move away from our real identity and do actions contrary to this. This results in burdens that weigh us down heavily. Jesus, true to his dynamic identity invites us in today’s gospel, “Come unto me all those who are heavily burdened and I will give you rest”. For this, we need to put on the same nature, share the same identity, and that is, “being gentle and humble”.
Direction: To a world that is so rude, harsh and hard, gentleness will be like a yoke hard to bear. And to a world that rides on pride and arrogance, humility is really a burden to carry. But it is only by carrying these noble yoke and burden, we can experience true relief and comfort
16 JULY 2021: EXODUS 11. 10 – 12. 14; MATTHEW 12. 1-8, Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Focus: True fidelity to the laws of religion should not be blocks against charity, because there is no other law greater than the law of charity
Ages and times may change but the evil in the human mentality remains. What is really evil is a lack of kindness and concern toward others. Benevolence and help to others is the greatest norm of life and law of any worthwhile religion. All the rules and traditions should ultimately lead to this supreme principle of life. Devoid of such fraternity and goodness, everything else will become empty and imperfect.
In the gospel today, Jesus questions such practice of religion that totally neglects the need and good of others. The disciples of Jesus are hungry. They plucked some heads of grain and began to eat. The Pharisees who wait for any slightest occasion to find fault with Jesus, seize this opportunity. They blame Jesus and his disciples for breaking the Sabbath rule. The rule is that no one does any work on Sabbath day because it is holy. Is plucking the heads of grain considered as harvesting? What a height of religious crankiness and superfluity! What about their hunger? What about their need and plight at that time? Jesus retorts that even David and his companions ate even the Bread of the Presence from the temple, that even the priests by their activities in the temple profane the Sabbath. Sabbath or any religious law is meant for devotion to God and to nurture the spirit of human concern. Any law, any tradition, any religious activity that hampers good to the other and harms the other, is not praiseworthy.
The whole piety is geared to the increase of charity. Otherwise, it will only become a heartless show, a shallow pretension. It is this spirit that Jesus attests, saying, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”. Is it not a shallow religion that people donate huge amounts in the temples of pilgrimage but are least bothered about their starving immediate neighbours? Is it not a heartless devotion when people venerate the Sacred Heart or Divine Mercy of Jesus but have no heart or mercy toward others? Is it not a worthless religion when people preach eloquently but breathe hatred and venom on other followers?
Direction: As we commemorate the sweetest Mary as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, let us confide in her maternal assistance and guidance. Thereby, we can live a religion that blends together piety and charity
17 JULY 2021: EXODUS 12. 37-42; MATTHEW 12. 14-21
Focus: Good will always meet with resentment and resistance. The reason is that it creates a bad taste to the bad flock and remains as not palpable and digestible
We wonder whether there was any single day left during the ministry of Jesus when he had no trouble from the Pharisees and scribes. As the Lord was ever active with God’s work, they were super active with the evil work. As Jesus was vibrantly preaching the gospel, they were vehemently spreading evil, plotting against him. As he was tirelessly engaged in healing, they were ceaselessly engrossed in sickening minds and hearts. As he was expelling the demons, they were more and more demon-possessed. He was offering sight to the blind, but they were getting more and more blinded interiorly. He was offering new life to many, but they were immersed in the old life of stubbornness, self-righteousness, jealousy, hatred and wickedness. That is why, we see in today’s gospel that the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him.
But it is impressive to note! This makes no difference in the mission of Jesus. He was not in panic. He does not sit with his disciples and plan out the strategies. His focus does not change. His determination does not shake. His courage does not waver. His enthusiasm does not dwindle. Many continue to follow him. He heals all. But he orders all his beneficiaries not to make him known. He needs no human publicity or recommendations to win the favour of the Pharisees or to gain popularity. His whole focus is to accomplish the mission entrusted to him by the Father like a true suffering servant in the Old Testament. His sole intention is to remain always as the beloved of God with whom God’s soul is well pleased. In the first reading from Exodus 12. 37-42, God Yahweh kept a “night of watching”, the pass over night, to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. Similarly, amidst all opposition and evil, Jesus too continued his “nights of watching” to liberate the people from the bondage of sin.
Direction: The success of mission is not to meet with any adversities or obstacles. It is also not overcoming all of them and emerging victorious. Rather, it is combating them valiantly and continue the good for God
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