22nd week days mass reflection

30 AUGUST- 05 SEPTEMBER 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

30 AUGUST 2021: 1THESS 4. 13-18; LUKE 4. 16-30

Focus: When the Spirit of the Lord is with us, we will be against the spirit of the world. This will subject us to great troubles from the world. But this is the cost of our mission

1.      “Mission, commission, emission, remission, and redemption” – these can be the key ideas in today’s gospel, Luke 4. 16-30. This is the summary of the whole life and mission of Jesus. This is also to be the life and mission of every disciple of Christ. Jesus is on mission. He is commissioned by the Father. He emits the Spirit. His mission consists of the remission of sins leading to redemption.

2.      Being sent by the Father and anointed by the Spirit, Jesus is entrusted with a specific mission. Some of its tenets are mentioned in the gospel text, reproduced from prophet Isaiah. What is striking in these mission terms or objects is the appropriateness of the mission. That is, Jesus brings what is needed to whom. The right thing to the right people!

3.      Accordingly, the poor need good news – news of comfort, sustenance, assurance, hope, abundance, satisfaction. Jesus concretizes these in his preaching and healing ministry. He releases the captives and liberates the oppressed especially from the captivity and oppression of sin and evil. He restores sight to the blind, that is enables the people to see God through the sight of faith and to see others through the optic of charity.

4.      However, this is a challenging mission. There is every possibility to meet with misunderstanding, resentment, opposition, and rejection. It happened in the case of Jesus. It is because of the people’s presumptuous knowledge and familiarity with Jesus. They presumed that they knew Jesus very well, his family background, his relations, his credentials, et cetera. It is also because of their “convenient faith” because they listened and received only what does not question or challenge them. That is why, the same people who spoke well of him, become filled with wrath within no time.

5.      The same mission and the same fate also await us. We too will meet with contempt and fluctuating fidelities leading to rejection and persecution. But how many of us are really prepared? Today’s saint, Saint Euphrasia, known to be a “praying mother” and a “mobile tabernacle” induces us to live a life of prayer and holiness which is the core of the mission.

Direction: How many of us can really declare with conviction and sincerity the same missionary manifesto of Jesus? How many are really conscious that they are anointed and empowered by the Spirit and manifest the same? How many do really carry out the same mission of Jesus?

(REFLECTION ON LUKE 4. 16-30 FROM 2020)

Focus: A positive response and transformation are possible only in openness and humility. Self-closure will fail to discover and live true self-identity

 

Our faith becomes genuine and deep when it truly rests not on human capacities or considerations but on the divine perspective and workings. This was what Jesus’ people lacked: the openness and humility to keep aside their human considerations and calculations. Thereby, they fail to operate within the divine framework. Jesus announces the famous prophetic text, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” and people wonder and are amazed. But after he begins to speak of his identity as the Son of God, questions their lack of faith, and also cautions them of forfeiting God’s grace due to their unbelief, the very same people turn indignant and violent. This is a clear indication of the fluctuation of moods and feelings, closure of heart, the shallowness of faith, and instability of loyalty. Once Jesus’ words begin to challenge their actual life and mode of living, they become annoyed and aggressive. They are caught up within their human boundaries like birth, place, social status, education, etc. They cannot see in Jesus more than their fellow countryman. Consequently, they fail to see the divine aura in Jesus, fail to appreciate him, and eventually, they reject him.

 

Direction: Unless one travels beyond the confines of external and non-essential factors like lineage, caste, region, language, culture, position, etc., one cannot discover either God or self.

31 AUGUST 2021: 1 THESS 5. 1-6, 9-11; LUKE 4. 31- 37

Focus: In a power-crazy and power-corrupt world, the authority has degenerated into a game and center of power. We need to rediscover the sanctity of it

1.      Jesus possessed authority. People could see and experience it. It was seen both in his teaching and healing. He spoke and taught with authority. He also expelled demons with a mere command. What is this authority? Certainly, it was not anything human or legal, or juridical. Because Jesus had no office, no position and so no power in terms of society.

2.      It was then an authority that comes from above. It is something divine and spiritual. It comes from inner power. This in turn is rooted in his intimate union with the Father. It is groomed in his singular focus on his mission, unflinching zeal, and unswerving commitment.

3.      This spiritual authority leads to moral authority, that is a sound character, and integrity of life. He had no hypocrisy. He was authentic. He was convinced of the right values of the Kingdom. Thus, this two-pronged authority makes his ministry of word and action firm and powerful.

4.      In contrast, this was the kind of authority that was missing and lacking in the Pharisees and scribes. They had the legal and juridical authority, conferred by the law. But there was no spiritual or moral authority. There was no intimacy and communion with God. They had no integrity of life.

5.      What about us? What is the type of authority that we are possessing and exercising? If there is really spiritual-moral authority, why then often there are power- politics, and power- corruption?

Direction: Real authority is the power of the Spirit and the authenticity of life. This is to live a life of light, to bear witness to our nature and vocation of being children of light.

(REFLECTION ON LUKE 4. 31-37 FROM 2020)

Focus: One who has the mind of Christ will be guided by the Spirit of God. He becomes truly spiritual and is able to see, judge, and discern everything. Thereby, he will enter into the depths of God.

 

The scene is different from yesterday: in his own hometown Nazareth, his own people reject him. Their amazement leads to contempt, while today the amazement of the people of Capernaum leads to acceptance and a spread of fame. It is because they were open to see and experience Jesus’ real authority. His authority was not a worldly authority that derives from one’s power and position, but an inner and authentic authority which is rooted in his real identity as Son of God, and manifests itself in the sanctity and fidelity to his mission. No evil power can stand before him. No demon can face the Holy One of God. No uncleanness can resist the power of what is clean. One cannot “stand with” Jesus and continue to “fall into” evil. It is not enough to have great knowledge about Jesus, because even the evil spirits know about him. The abundance of knowledge about God, and the heights of proclaiming it, are no guarantees of one’s sanctity or fidelity. What is more important is to be docile to God’s Spirit and surrender to His action to expel the evil spirits from us and to make us sane again.

 

Direction: We are called to make a difference in the world. We need to cleanse the unclean world. And this is possible only when we ourselves are clean. And this is possible only when get expelled from the demons within us.

01 SEPTEMBER 2021: COL 1. 1-8; LUKE 4. 38-44

Focus: The world of today is tormented by sickness and demon- possession. It needs healing and this comes only from the Lord

1.      Jesus heals the sick and possessed. He heals Peter's mother-in-law with his personal touch. He stands over her and fever leaves her. He stands near the sick, and the possessed. He rebukes and commands the sicknesses and demons and they are driven. He subdues them and restores health.

2.      This is the real ministry of Jesus - a ministry of liberation and restoration. He heals the people from the ill and evil and makes them whole. This is a holistic ministry - in word and in deed,  in his preaching and healing. Further, this healing is also holistic healing, that is, both the external and internal. Fever can refer to the external physical healing and demon-possession can refer to internal spiritual healing.

3.      Today, this holistic ministry and holistic healing are needed. We need to live an integrated life of word and action. We need to spread God's kingdom both by our word power and action power. We need to speak powerfully about how God is loving, liberating, and healing.

4.       But words, teaching, preaching alone will not be enough. Our words must be accompanied and authenticated by healing actions. This would include all our social actions, charitable actions, exorcist actions. But what we should bear in mind is that all our ministry and healing must be holistic. Therefore, it must be person-oriented and not merely a particular ministry or action-oriented.

5.      This is the danger of our ministries. There is always the tendency to departmentalize as a ministry of the word, of social work, charity, exorcism, tongues, prophecy, et cetera. It is true that different gifts of the Spirit are given to different persons and ministries may be specified and diversified. But we should be cautious that specialization of ministry is narrowing down or absolutizing the particular ministry or domesticating the Spirit.

Direction: Whatever be the kind of ministry we may be engaged in, yet We must always make sure that our life must be integral and holistic and our ministry too must aim at the holistic healing and health of the person. Ministry is not our focus, but God as the subject and the person of the recipient as the object.

(REFLECTION ON LUKE 4. 38-44)

Focus: Healthy living is a matter of an integral heart. Such health and integrity require thorough healing from all the inner sicknesses and evil-possessions

 

Healing and sanity is not merely physical matter but is holistic and symbolic. They are acts and signs of liberation from the entanglements to evil. They tie down the good spirits and cause immense inner suffering. All of us stand in need of healing and recovery.

Constantly Jesus is “bending over” us, and “rebuking our fevers” of indisposition and weakness, just as he does with regard to Peter’s mother-in-law. He is laying his hands over us to heal us. Jesus is doing his part. But we need to do our part. We need to allow him to take control of our lives and heal us. We need to let go of our inner demons. Further, as we are healed, we also must immediately “get up” from our “sick beds” and begin to serve the Lord. We also need to seek consistently “solitary” space and time in our heart and life, to be alone with the Lord because this keeps us focused, guided, and strengthened.

 

Direction: The division is one greatest demon that violently torments our times. There is external divisiveness, seen in enmity and aggression and internal dividedness that reside in a divided and corrupted heart. An undivided spirit and an integrated life of a triple purity - pure heart in prayer, pure word in preaching, and pure action in doing good, like that of Jesus, is the sole remedy.

02 SEPTEMBER 2021: COL 1. 9-14; LUKE 5. 1-11

Focus: Our Vocation is a precious and noble gift, irrespective of the differences in the walks of life. The ultimate and sole aim of every vocation is to make a constant transition from our old life of sin to a new life of grace in following the Lord closely

1.      In the gospel episode, Luke 5. 1-11, we have the miraculous catch of the fish. This becomes the manifestation of Jesus’ power and also the occasion of the call of the first disciples. These are the two obvious themes. But apart from these, what is very striking is the aspect of transition or change that happens.

2.      A situation of nothingness and total lack of fish changes into abundance. A sense of the futility of toiling vainly the whole night changes into a sense of utility and fruitfulness of catching plenty. Failure turns into success; fear is transformed into confidence; discouragement blossoms into courage and encouragement. Sadness is enveloped by gladness; hopelessness flowers into hopefulness; giving up and quitting is reversed by perseverance and rekindled stability. Thus, the whole misery is changed into glory, whereby a debacle becomes a miracle.

3.      But, still, apart from these detailed elements of change and transition, there is one factor that is more profound and underlying. That is the change of their vocation, the change of their very identity, the change of the level and the dignity of their very life, the change of the direction of their work. They are transformed from mere fishermen to fishers of men or souls. This, in fact, is the highest form of change and transition.

4.      This core change implies a lot. It is no more a change in that particular situation of the miraculous haul of fish. It is no more limited only to those few moments. It involves their whole life. Their entire life changes. Their person changes. Their focus and direction change. Their lifestyle, their manner of living changes. Their goals and objectives change. Still, further, it is a qualitative change. It is a change from something lower to something higher.

5.      This is the same change that is implied in the first reading from Colossians 1. 9-14. It is being “qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light; delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son”. It is to be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and insight”. It is to “increase in the knowledge of God”. It is to be “strengthened will all power, according to his glorious might, to endure patiently and joyfully”. It is to “live a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him”. It is to “bear fruit in every good work”.

Direction: We too profess to follow the Lord closely. We too experience the power of the Lord very many times in our life. But does he make a substantial change in the quality of us as persons, in the quality of our mode of living? Are we constantly changed in transition for the better?

(REFLECTION ON LUKE 5. 1-11 FROM 2020)

Focus: Self-complacency, self-righteousness, self-glorification are the greatest hindrances to experience the power of Jesus and are sure roads to failure and frustration. Turning to Jesus alone is the simplest secret of success and happiness

 

The miraculous catch of fish is not just a miracle that demonstrates Jesus’ power to do wonders. It is a life lesson, it is a direction, it is a challenge, it is an assurance. The miracle invites us to see clearly the difference between a life without Jesus and a life with Jesus, and then to strive to live with him always and everywhere. As long as Jesus was not with the disciples, there was the futility of their efforts at fishing (“toiled whole night and caught nothing”), there was total lack of fish (“not even a single fish”), there was an utter failure (“caught nothing”), there was fear, sadness, disillusionment, hopelessness, giving up, and in the end, misery. But with Jesus’ presence, things are reversed and change totally. There is No more futility but fruition (“caught fish”), no more scarcity but abundance (abundance to the point of “nets breaking” and “two boats sinking”), no more failure but success (“rich catch”), no more sadness but joy, no more fear but confidence, no more disillusionment but encouragement, no more hopelessness but hopefulness, no more misery but glory. How foolish are those to lose such a miracle and abundance, being with Jesus! In fact, it is not merely some occasional moments of benefit or miracle. It is the biggest miracle of an overall change of life: it is a heightening of the whole status and dignity of life to another level – it is no more “being mere fishermen”, but being raised to “being fishers of souls”!

 

Direction: The more we are with Jesus and the more we surrender ourselves to his direction, the more we will see the purpose, direction, and fruitfulness of life

03 SEPTEMBER 2021: COL 1. 15-20; LUKE 5. 33-39

Focus: The presence of the Lord is the source of the greatest joy. Therefore, for us, the greatest suffering will be to be separated and be away from him

1.      In the gospel, the context is the question of fasting: the Pharisees and the scribes question Jesus why his disciples do not fast but eat and drink, while those of John the Baptist and of the Pharisees do fast. Jesus readily seizes upon the opportunity and clarifies the true meaning and purpose of fasting and in fact the end of every spiritual practice.

2.      He offers a simple image of the bridegroom and wedding guests. By no means, the wedding guests will fast as long as the bridegroom is with them. In the same way, as long as he is with them, his disciples have no need of fasting. This does not mean that his disciples are exempted from fasting. This also in no way undervalues the merit and need of fasting. He is not doing away with the practice of fasting. It is wrong that some people conveniently misinterpret this text to diminish the value of fasting.

3.      The purpose and intent of Jesus is simple and clear. He is our bridegroom. His presence is a source and cause of joy for us. We must rejoice with him, in his company. We must celebrate our life with him. Further, fasting and all such other acts of penance should be expressions of our sadness over separation from him at times. They must manifest our earnest desire to be in his company and thus also our anguish over any distance from him. Therefore, all our penitential practices must have this spiritual intent that is to be closer to the Lord.

4.       Jesus also offers another parable of old cloth and new patch and old wineskin and new wine. Both the attempts are a mismatch and they will tear both the old cloth and the old wineskin respectively. Thereby, Jesus intends that all our religious practices and spiritual obligations must not be patchworks or cover-ups. We must throw away the entire old garment of sin and not simply putting new patches of some religious action again and again. We must discard the old wineskin of our evil ways and not simply pouring the new wine of grace and repentance and penance once in a while.

5.      Piety and change should not be merely seasonal or occasional. They should not be limited only to few acts. Rather, they should lead us to more intimacy with the Lord and authenticity of the person. All our spiritual activities must be out of love for the Lord and lived in an authentic living. They must be joyful celebrations of the presence of the Lord and not forced burdens. St Gregory the Great (540 – 604) whose memory we celebrate today reminds us of the celebration of the Lord in the liturgy. He is one of the most admired popes in history. He was known as “the Father of Christian worship”, in virtue of his exceptional efforts at revising the Roman worship of the day.

Direction: Pious devotions and religious practices should not make us sad or present us as joyless and depressed people. Rather they should be celebrations of his presence and also means for regaining his lost presence

 

(REFLECTION ON LUKE 5. 33-39 FROM 2020)

Focus: Unworthy as we are, we can rise to be praiseworthy in God’s sight only we constantly strive to be trustworthy in regard to all that is entrusted to us

 

In the gospel, there is an issue about fasting and prayer. The scribes and Pharisees question Jesus about his disciples’ laxity and unfaithfulness with regard to the hallowed practices of fasting and prayer, unlike the disciples of the Pharisees and of John the Baptist. In fact, the question here is not whether to fast or not. A discussion is not necessary because certainly fasting is salutary and praiseworthy. But it is a mistake to be caught up with the act and practice of it and for that matter any other spiritual practice. We need to go beyond the mere act to the spirit and purpose of it. All our devotions and religious practices are meant to take us closer to the Lord, the “bridegroom”. They should make us rejoice and celebrate his presence with us. They should not be like “new patches on an old cloth” or like “portions of new wine in old wineskins”. Often this is the mistake of most of us: we do not want to throw away the old cloth and old wineskins. We do not want to part with the old self of sin and the old wineskins of evil ways. We must put on the new garb of righteousness and virtue, and our life should be renewed like fresh wineskins, filled with the new wine of the Spirit.

 

Direction: As long as we continue with patchwork, life will remain patched and damaged. There must be a thorough, through and through renewal and not merely cosmetic changes and shallow adjustments. The shape will not change unless the mold changes!

04 SEPTEMBER 2021: COL 1. 21-23; LUKE 6. 1-5

Focus: Rules and traditions are good because they can restrain deviant tendencies, guard against possible breaches and regulate good behavior. But one should take care not to overdo them

1.      Once again Jesus gets into a confrontation with the Pharisees. The issue is Sabbath. Jesus’ disciples plucked some grains from the grainfields and ate them. The Pharisees accuse that act of violating the Sabbath rule. They consider even rubbing the grains in the hands as equal to harvesting. Jesus defends his disciples by giving the example of David who when hungry ate and also shared with his company the bread of the Presence. But nobody would question it.

2.      In this context, Jesus declares, “The Son of man is lord of the Sabbath”. His intention is not to justify their action, not to belittle the value of the Sabbath, or to present himself as a liberal man who goes beyond the normal rules. His main intention is to set things in their proper perspective. The Sabbath law is good but at the cost of the human good. The rules are also not above God or his divine rule.

3.      All the rules are for the good of men. They are meant to help and promote their good and happiness and not block their growth. They should not be coercive or subversive. They should not be ends in themselves. They should not be absolutized. We should always remember that they are always means to a beneficial end.

4.      Further, no human law is above the divine law. In fact, it is God who is the author and master of the Sabbath law. And now, by forcing Jesus to be subjected to the Sabbath law, they are making the master himself a slave to his handiwork. God is above and beyond every law because he is the supreme law-giver.

5.      The supreme law is faith in Jesus and fidelity to him and all other rules are subservient to this. In the light of the first reading from Colossians 1. 21-23, this means to be ever conscious of our decisive “shift from being estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds to being reconciled in Christ Jesus”; “to present ourselves holy and blameless and irreproachable before him” and to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel”.

Direction: Every law must be positive and productive, contributive, and conducive to human good. They should not become negative and subversive. The good or bad of a rule must be judged by its fidelity to the divine law.

(REFLECTION ON LUKE 6. 1-5 FROM 2020)

Focus: All that we are, all that we have, and all that we do is due to God through the benevolent mediation of some good souls. Therefore, the more we are rich with God’s gifts, the more we must be grateful, humble, and responsible

 

Laws and rules are certainly needed in life because, without them, one may easily become lawless, undisciplined, and indulgent. In that sense, adherence to laws is good. But there is always the danger of rigidity and legalism, which will breach the warmth, the depth, the tenderness, and promptness of charity. The real spirit underlying the letter of every law is Fidelity to God’s will and charity to others. A law loses its purpose and direction, its beauty and charm, its value and worth when the letter overshadows the spirit of the law.  In fact, these two are the supreme laws, and all the other laws and rules must subscribe to these two and must foster them. One who is truly law-abiding, will understand and abide by this twofold spirit of the law. No good law should deviate us from the Lord, or fail us in charity. Any law or any practice that pretends to be above God’s will and is contrary to the good of others is defective and questionable.

One who fails in this spirit will fall into hypocrisy, jealousy, and fault-finding like the Pharisees and the scribes in the gospel. It would be wrong to interpret Jesus as if he disdains or minimizes rules or directives when he says, Sabbath is made for man, or Son of Man is Lord of Sabbath. What these affirmations denote is charity and good to others, the primacy of God, and obedience to Him.

 

Direction: God wants us to follow rules to be disciplined and directed to Him, but not to be subservient to them. Rules are not to subjugate us with a spirit of slavery, but to facilitate and regulate us into a spirit of surrender to God

 

 

22nd SUNDAY OF YEAR B

 22^nd SUNDAY, 29 AUGUST 2021: DEUT 4. 1-2, 6-8; JAMES 1. 17-18,21-22,27; MARK 7. 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 

Focus: The external traditions and activities alone do not guarantee the authenticity of a person. The externals should help one to become more authentic, and also should express one’s being authentic

 

1.      God created us in His own image and likeness. This shows our human beauty, dignity as well as sanctity. This interiority is the most important aspect of human person and society. No externals should mar or breach this. Rather, every external activity or tradition should help to live and foster this interior greatness.

2.      An exterior is sound when it corresponds to the interior and channels a clean and good interior. Whenever there is no such harmony between the interior and the exterior, whenever a good exterior becomes only a cover-up or substitute for a defective and unclean interior, then clearly it is hypocrisy.

3.      Unfortunately, hypocrisy is so prevalent always and everywhere. In the gospel, Jesus clearly exposes once again the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. Following the traditions, rules and religious obligations is good. But all these should make one more authentic and benevolent. They alone cannot decide the quality of a person.

4.      This hypocrisy lies in these following aspects: 1) Giving more importance to the human traditions and observances and neglecting the more essential divine spirit and moral precepts, 2) Twisting the explanation of the religious matters to suit one's convenience and interests, 3) Ignoring inner purity and using the external purifications and purity as a cover up and substitute for the internal purity.

5. Life will be beautiful when there is a blend of a good exterior and a good interior, and not a conflict. Therefore, we should guard against the two possible dangers: one is a bad interior and a show-off exterior; the other is, a good interior but not shown in a good exterior. Both are defective!

6.      True integrity is an integration of both interior purity and external purity, being religious-minded and charity-directed. It is in this context, we must bear in mind the teaching of Jesus in the gospel that what defiles a person is the interior pollution. It is the pollution of heart by all the evil things such as evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. Truly inner pollution is more dangerous and destructive than the external pollution. The life of a person or society degenerates when a person’s interior degenerates.

7.      The same idea of inner pollution is reiterated by the second reading from James 1. 17 ff. The epistle cautions us to put away all filthiness and wickedness, to keep ourselves unstained from the world and to practice a religion that is pure and undefiled.

8.      Positively, it means to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only”. In the light of the first reading from Deuteronomy 4. 1-2, 6-8, it would concretely imply to “give heed to the statutes and ordinances of the Lord and do them”.

9.      At the closure of this reflection, let us become deeply aware of this serious problem of our society, and that is an excessive concern for the externals and an overriding neglect of the internal sanity and sobriety. It is worth asking some simple questions: How many are really aware that the pollution that is more dangerous and alarming is the inner pollution, the pollution by sin and evil? How many really bother to keep their hearts clean? How many give excessive importance to the features of their bodies while disfiguring their heart and soul? How many take upon a course of inner diet, with certain self- regulation and self- restraint? How many keep their external so clean and tidy while they defile their interior?

10.  How many sincerely check their inner health, that is, the quality of their thoughts, the quality of their words, their actions and their whole character and behavior? How many knowingly disobey God’s explicit commands, warnings and admonitions? How many invest so much of their money, time, energies and capacities on what is temporary and worldly but spend very little on what is eternal and heavenly?

 

Direction: The profile of a person will be good when he guards his file of life from what does defile his interior and negatively compile his heart.

 

 

21 week days mass reflection

 

23 – 28 AUGUST 2021: HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

23 AUGUST 2021: 1 THESS 1. 2-5; 8-10; MATTHEW 23. 13-22

Focus: Hypocrisy is not a capacity but a weakness; it is not a virtue but a disease

 

1.      We have a series of rebukes of Jesus against the Pharisees and Scribes. Why? For their hypocrisy. We can trace out some of the components of this hypocrisy: as leaders and teachers, they are supposed to be guides for the people. They would show them the way to the kingdom and guide them on the same. Instead, with their empty knowledge and incongruent and dishonest life, they shut the kingdom. They themselves do not enter, nor allow others to enter. They even become a hindrance.

2.      Then there is their shallow practice of religion: they convert someone to religion, but do not nurture and sustain them in the real converted life; instead, make him worse than before. They forget the essential truth that evangelization is not a matter of adding to the number of believers. It is adding to the quality of life. Conversion is not a matter of a change of religion but a change of person.

3.      Further, their hypocrisy is seen in their falsity in twisting the practice of swearing to their advantage. Swearing by the gift on the altar and by gold in the temple would become more binding than the altar, the temple, God, and heaven. But in fact, it is the altar, temple, God, and heaven that give value to the gift and gold.

4.      In contrast to this pharisaic hypocrisy, we have authenticity and integrity of life in the apostles and believers of the early church, depicted in the first reading from 1 Thessalonians 1. 2-10. They were indeed men known for their “work of faith, a labor of love and steadfastness in hope”. They proved themselves to be “men of word of God and faith”. They “turned to God to serve Him who alone is living and true”.

5.      There is no use of volumes of reflection on the hypocrisy of those Pharisees and scribes. It is better to see the very same branches of hypocrisy well-spread in the present followers as well, especially the leaders and authorities. Serious questions can be disturbing: whether we are opening wide the doors of the kingdom or shutting them? Whether we are guiding the people to God or misguiding them away from God? Whether we diminish the sacredness of the holy altar, the temple, God, and heaven for monetary gains? Whether we have reduced the practice of religion to quantity and numbers?

 

Direction: It is better to be simple followers than to be acclaimed guides who are but foolish and blind.

 

24 AUGUST 2021: REV 21. 9-14; JOHN 1. 45-51, Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle

 

Focus: In a world that is increasingly beauty-conscious, we need to rediscover that real beauty is not something external but is deeply interior, of heart and character

 

1.      “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!’ This compliment of Jesus is one of the best compliments a person can receive and that too from Jesus himself. And that person is St Bartholomew who is the Nathanael in the gospel. We celebrate his feast today. The expression “an Israelite indeed” can be understood in two ways: one, he is a genuine Israelite among the people of Israel; thus it refers to an individual Israelite who is guileless; the other sense indicates the very nature and identity of an Israelite; that is, an Israelite is not only one who belongs to the people of Israel, but one who is essentially a guileless person. Thereby, a true Israelite is without guile. Certain expressions in the first reading from Revelation 21. 9-14 are very suggestive of this trait. They are ‘glory of God’, ‘radiance like a rarest jewel’, ‘clear as crystal’. Therefore, one who is guileless will shine with the glory of God, be radiant and clear.

2.      How many today can receive the same compliment from Jesus? Behold a true person among the Christians in whom there is no guile! Behold a true Christian because there is no guile! The world of today is overridden by guile and malice. Pretensions and deception are the order of the day. The hearts of many are highly contaminated and corrupt.

3.      To be guileless is to be free from anything malicious or negative. Positively, it is to be pure of heart. This is one of the greatest Beatitudes of the Lord: “Blessed are pure of heart! They shall see God”. This clearly implies that purity of heart enables one to see God. It is the eye that gives the clarity of sight. From this, we understand the reason why many today are not able to see God, His presence, His love, His care, His power, His light, and His will. And those who fail to see God also fail to see others as they are in the bond of fraternity as of one family.

 

Direction: Celebration of the feast of the saint is not only a call to venerate and appreciate him for his life and virtue, but also a challenge to imitate and emulate him in what distinguishes him. That is his guilelessness!

 

(REFLECTION FROM 2020)

Focus: Every holy and pure soul is like a bride; beauty and glow are her raiments. One has to constantly guard against all that stains this purity

 

We celebrate today the feast of St Bartholomew, one of the Twelve Apostles. Traditionally he is identified with Nathanael in the gospel. Jesus confers on him perhaps the greatest compliment, “behold a man with no guile”, no falsity, no malice, no hypocrisy, no duplicity. This is exactly the splendor with which the heavenly Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb gleams, as we see in the first reading. This is the inner beauty of the soul, which lightens and brightens the whole life and person. It is the purity of heart and authenticity of character that has no dark areas, no hiding shades. These words are a great inspiration and also a challenge for modern society, which is steeped in so much guile and falsity. Life is often like a stage where different actors play different roles and characters. What appears to be, is not what really is, and what is to be. Masks, pretensions, deceit reign high. The world of today desperately needs more honesty and purity of heart. It is high time that people remove their masks and reveal more and more their original identity of the shining image and likeness of God. It is the right time that our disfigured hearts are purified and beautified with more purity and guilelessness. Remember that guile makes all life vile and bound.

 

Direction: Beauty! Is a catchword that captures everyone. But the real beauty of a person comes from the beauty of the heart and that comes from the purity of heart. That comes only from intimacy with the Lord

25 AUGUST 2021: 1 THESS 2. 9-13; MATTHEW 23. 27-32

Focus: The integrity of a person is harmony between the interior disposition and thought, and the exterior behavior and action

 

1.      The tirade of Jesus continues against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. Before dwelling on their hypocrisy, we shall divert our attention to the person of Jesus himself. What makes him denounce it? Two reasons can be: one is his own integrity and honesty. The other is, he is completely free from self-interest or ulterior motive.

2.      These make him intolerant toward hypocrisy. He cannot be at home and ease with any lack of integrity. He feels disturbed and anguished. It is this integrity that makes him truthful and courageous. He not only feels bad and sad about hypocrisy but also speaks and acts against it. He is not afraid to displease them or become unpopular. For he has no other motive than upholding the truth and pleasing God.

3.      Today, many are quite aware of the dominance of hypocrisy. It is their own and also of others. But many are not honest and humble to accept it. Instead, they try to hide it or cover it up. And many are also not ready and bold enough to denounce it prevailing in the persons or communities or system itself. They are afraid. The reasons can be many: they have their own loads of loopholes that can be tools for a counter-attack. Or, they are afraid of consequences that can be testing or penalizing. Or, they are afraid of losing some favors.

4.      With this integrity and selfless motive, Jesus defies two notable ingredients of hypocrisy. One is a dichotomy between the exterior and the interior. They appear externally beautiful like the whitewashed tombs but are interiorly so ugly and unclean. Externally they are so righteous, but internally they are full of iniquity and falsity.

5.      The second trace of hypocrisy is self-righteousness. This means they rate themselves better than others. They claim that they would have not resisted or killed the prophets of the old like their forefathers. But actually, they are worse than those before. Because in their own time, they persecute and murder prophets like John the Baptist, and later Jesus himself. Further, so devoutly they build tombs and erect monuments in honor of the dead prophets. This is more to cover up their guilt and to project themselves as devout and just persons.

 

Direction: No doubt there is much evil and hypocrisy. This is certainly worth denouncing, and worth combating. But such criticism must proceed only from the integrity of life and selfless motive

 

(REFLECTION ON MATTHEW 23. 27-32, FROM 2020)

 

Focus: Authenticity and witness of life are the hallmarks of a good disciple of Christ; Any trace of hypocrisy is a clear counter-witness and counter-productive

 

A clear contrast is presented between the true disciples of Christ in the first reading, in the person of Paul and others; and the false guides in the gospel, in the persons of Pharisees and Scribes. The true disciples are assiduous and self-supportive and never burden others. They are holy, just, and blameless. They lead the people by example. They do not place demands on the people, those which they do not follow. They present themselves as models to follow, and this can come only from the deep sincerity and integrity of life. In contrast, we have Pharisees and Scribes who are hypocrites. They are like whitewashed tombs, with a clean exterior but a corrupt interior. They venerate the prophets and the righteous whom their ancestors killed in the past; they attest presumptuously that they would have never acted thus wrongly; but at the same time, they persecute and terminate the prophets and the righteous in their own time, like John the Baptist and his own self.

 

Direction: One may wear a good look in dishonesty and deceit, but God lays bare everything. One may create best impressions by his worldly cleverness and tact, but God reads and knows the heart

 

26 AUGUST 2021: 1 THESS 3. 7-13; MATTHEW 24. 42-51

 

Focus: This life is a transit. The kingdom of heaven is our destination. A spirit of a responsible servant is our travel requirement. We are called to be watchful and faithful

 

1.      There is so much uncertainty and unpredictability in our human life. For sure, we do not know what is in store regarding many things. And we also do not have control over many things. Therefore, what is expected is a sense of alertness and watchfulness, preparedness, and readiness to face the reality. This is all the more true about death and judgment and our eternal destiny.

2.      Many times, many are caught unaware and unprepared regarding these ultimate realities.  It is really sad that many who are so calculative, meticulous, well-equipped, and super-prepared concerning the worldly affairs and pursuits are found to be so reckless and unready concerning what is above and beyond the world.

3.      It is in this context that Jesus presents before us the image of a faithful and wise servant. Thereby, he urges us to be watchful, responsible, ready and prepared for receiving the master, serving him and also taking care of his household, possessions and fellow servants.

4.      The first reading from 1 Thessalonians 3. 7-13 clarifies further this servant figure. He stands fast in the Lord. He becomes a cause of joy for others before God. He strives to increase and abound in love with one another and all men. He remains established with heart unblamable in holiness before God at Jesus’ coming.

 

Direction: In the present times, talk and writing about servantship and service abound. But the reality does not correspond much to this. Unless the church is purged of its ugly heads of double-face, arrogance, and self-glory, the dignity of a servant role cannot be resurged.

 

(REFLECTION ON MATTHEW 24. 42-51, FROM 2020)

 

Focus: The constant awareness of what we are by our call, that is, a people of dignity and spiritual richness, should also make us more responsible to be irreprehensible in God’s sight

Elevating as well as motivating, encouraging as well as exhorting! These are the words of St Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians. What is needed is to remain firm to the end, to keep ourselves holy and irreproachable before the Lord at the judgment. Concretely, what does this imply? Or how to present oneself worthy before God? Jesus gives us some guidelines: first of all, put on the attitude of a servant, who is ever at the service of the master. Remain awake, alert, prompt, and prepared for the call and coming of the master at any moment. Continue to live life in faithfulness, dutifulness, and kindness toward others. Stay awake in a spirit of vigilance and prayer, do not slip into an easy-going attitude, guard against every tendency to procrastinate and to delay, an inclination to be careless and takes things for granted, do not be plagued by indifference and a slumberous and tepid faith and charity, do not fall prey to the snares of the evil, but be cautious, judicious and assiduous. Live a life of accountability, in a spirit of duty and fraternity.

 

Direction: Callousness and carelessness are signs of unawareness of the dignity and value of our vocation as children of God and heirs of eternity. Let us put aside our indifference and infuse a little more attention and keenness into our life

 

27 AUGUST 2021: 1 THESS 4. 1-8; MATTHEW 25. 1-13

 

Focus: Vigilance and diligence are fundamental to a true follower of Christ. It is not enough that set out on the journey of following. We need to be ever alert and focused on the master

 

1.      The parable of ten virgins is another familiar parable. Five of the virgins are wise and the other five foolish. Obviously, the apparent and direct theme is to watch and to be ready. But we shall take a slight shift from this theme, though watchfulness and readiness will be the prevailing theme in the eventual analysis.

2.      What distinguishes between the five wise and the five foolish is wisdom. Both the groups took lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. But the wise took additional oil with them, while the foolish did not. The foolish were overly certain about the arrival of the bridegroom. They could not foresee any delay. Accordingly, they had oil just enough till the expected arrival. They were not prepared for the delayed time of waiting. Their oil was consumed. They had no more oil left. They had lamps but not the oil to keep them burning. They had the desire to meet the bridegroom. They had their lamps with them. They set out also to meet him. But nothing of these would make their lamps lit. Their lamps were extinguished. They miss the bridegroom as they went out to buy oil.

3.      On the other hand, the wise were realistic and foresighted. Accordingly, they would expect a delay and be prepared to meet that situation. They carried extra oil with them. They could keep their lamps burning despite the delay. They could go in with the bridegroom to the marriage feast.

4.      It would be silly to argue here about the lack of charity of the five wise virgins who refused to share their oil with the other five. The point here is not charity or sharing. The point is a failure in wisdom. Many may have lamps of faith. But that is not enough. They may also have oil which is enough for a while. This is the oil of fervor and enthusiasm. This shows that their burning is time-bound and short-lived. These are those who are satisfied with the minimums. They are satisfied with the observance of minimum obligations of some religious activities and traditions. The fire of their faith burns for some time. Then, gradually as time passes, it dwindles and extinguishes.

5.      What is needed then is a constant carrying and steady supply of oil. A true follower may have the desire to encounter the Lord and celebrate the feast with him. He may also set out with the lamp of faith. He may also have a little oil of enthusiasm for a while. But that will not suffice. The lamp of faith must be constantly supplied with the oil of fervor and vigor. His faith must be ever burning. There can never be any tepidity or lethargy or carelessness. In the light of the first reading from 1 Thessalonians 4. 1-8, it would mean to live a life of holiness that pleases God. Concretely it means avoiding all kinds of uncleanness and unchastity.

6.      For sure, St Monica, St Augustine’s mother, whom we commemorate today stands as a wise virgin who always waited on the Lord, with the lamp of faith lit with fervor and passion. She constantly met the Lord and celebrated a life of holiness.

 

Direction: How sad it is to find the door shut and not opened, after all the preparation, eager longing, and setting out to encounter the Lord! A little more foresightedness and fervor will help us on this encounter and celebration

 

(REFLECTION ON MATTHEW 25. 1-13 FROM 2020)

 

The parable of the ten virgins, five wise and five others foolish is not a matter of worldly intelligence. It is a matter of wisdom of God, to be prepared in full measures with not only the lamps but also oil; to wait on the Lord always and at every moment; to be alert to His voice and coming; to walk in his company, and to celebrate the feast of grace with him. The foolishness of the unwise virgins is: they were too sure of their timing of the Lord’s arrival; they could not see beyond their expectation and failed to anticipate the possibility of a delay. Consequently, they fail to procure extra oil for the extended time of waiting.

We need to be wise to be ever prompt and ready to meet the Lord. What counts most is not our expectations or calculations or likes, but what pleases God. A lamp of faith and a minimum oil of casual practice, will not suffice. We need extra oil of fervor, of holiness and purity. In our Christian living, there is no room for tepidity and impurity.

 

Direction: The experience of God is such an unfathomable treasure and when one discovers it, cannot but be passionate and restless for it and will be on fire to share the same with others 

 

27 AUGUST: A FOCUSED REFLECTION ON ST MONICA, Patron of all Mothers

 

Focus: There is an oft tendency to measure the greatness of faith in terms of the quick and big results it brings forth. But the speed and size of favors are not guarantees of the quality of faith

 

Today we commemorate St Monica who is more popular as the mother of St Augustine. But to be fair to her, her sanctity is her own unique treasure. This means to say that it is not so much her son, Augustine who made her a saint but in a way, it is she who made her son a saint. She deserves a special mention as she is the patron saint of all mothers, married women, alcoholics, and conversion. The circumstances of Saint Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law, and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Her ordeal was too long. Her long years of prayer, coupled with a strong, well-disciplined character finally led to the conversion of her hot-tempered husband, her cantankerous mother-in-law, and her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine.
Today, with Google searches, online shopping, text messages, tweets, and instant credit, we have little patience for things that take time. Likewise, we want instant answers to our prayers. Monica is a model of patience and perseverance. She is a great lesson against all our tendencies to make faith a “fast food” service or an “instant coffee”.

 

Direction: If only every parent and every mother feels a little more responsible to bring up their children not only in material well-being but much more in spiritual depth and sound values of life, how much better will be our present society!

 

28 AUGUST 2021: 1 THESS 4. 9-12; MATTHEW 25. 14-30, St Augustine

 

Focus: In life certainly, there are differences between persons regarding various aspects and factors. But these need not be taken as causes or grounds for discrimination

 

1.      The parable of talents is another rich parable. The master gives three of his servants some talents, namely five, two, and one respectively. The one with five talents trades with them doubles them to ten. The second with two too trades with them and makes another two. The third with one just bury it in the ground and keeps it safe. On their master’s return, each one submits the accounts. The first one gives five + five, the second two + two, but the last one only one. The first two are praised and rewarded, while the last one is punished. This is sum is the parable.

2.      The first fact to note is the difference in the distribution of the talents. All are not given equally. And this shall not be a big issue. Let our concern not be why there is a difference? Why God does discriminate? Difference is a quite natural phenomenon. Equality or parity does not mean uniformity and total sameness in quantity or number of things. The difference is not a matter or cause for division but is a ground of distinction. It can be a seedbed of richness, soil for a variety of possibilities. Thus, it can be a prompter toward mutual enrichment.

3.      Having more talents shall not be a cause for self-glory, self-conceit, and arrogance. Similarly, having less talents shall not be a cause for dissipation or jealousy. Each one shall try to discover what are his aptitudes or potencies or propensities. Accordingly, he shall tap on them, use every opportunity, and work diligently to enhance them and bear abundant fruit.

4.      No one shall lament or complain about their talents. In the light of the first reading from 1 Thessalonians 4. 9-12, we can draw some simple lessons: Instead of crying over what one does not have or what the other has, he will do better “to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, so that you may command the respect of others, and be dependent on nobody, and to do so more and more”.

5.      And the greatest talent and gift is love, and in this, there is never a lack. God gives everyone abundance. He also teaches all to love one another. We are called to do so more and more. We will be doing the same mistake as the third servant. He lays his one talent buried, unused and unproductive, while the other two did more and more.

6.      This needs a relentless spirit of search and positive dissatisfaction for more and more. This is what we see in St Augustine whom we commemorate today. He was never satisfied with anything of the world, neither the pleasures nor the intelligence. He craved ever for something more. He sought restlessly for the truth that would satisfy his deep thirst. He discovers the Lord, the Truth.

 

Direction: Life itself is the biggest love gift, packed with multiple talents and possibilities. We need to relentlessly search to make them productive and abundant in a life of virtues and benevolence

 

(REFLECTION ON MATTHEW 25. 14-30, FROM 2020)

 

Focus: Life is gifted, not to while away but to live it worthwhile.

1.      The parable of talents is a call for abundant productivity and fruitfulness. The matter is not the number or the degree of the talents, but the use and growth of them. Let one not bother needlessly about the issue of difference or discrimination in the number of the distributed talents. We are not here to analyze and argue over God’s ways.

2.      It is a fact that there is diversity and distinction, but these need not be taken as adversity and discrimination on the part of God. The difference is not denial or deprivation. It is better to discover one’s own talents, value and appreciates them, work on them and enhance them. Let one not feel dispirited over what one does not have, or feel jealous about what others have, in useless comparison and competition. This can create a hurting sense of discrimination.

3.      Further such a hurting sense of discrimination can arise when we are too much caught up with the “secondary level” of talents. These are more external and are rather skills and competencies that are acquired and developed. They are talents like singing, dancing, music, painting, art, the ability to be eloquent, fluent, manage, organize, be sociable, intelligent, knowledgeable, etc.

4.      But we should rather focus on the “primary level” of talents and gifts, where there is no discrimination. They are given to all. They are the talents and gifts to love, to give, to be gentle, to comfort, to encourage, to appreciate, to be kind, etc. these are not to be laid waste but to be used extensively. The more we grow them, the more we will be blessed by God.

5.      Besides, when one focuses only on secondary talents, two possibilities are there: if one has many talents, one can easily become self-oriented, complacent, and puffed up. Or, on the other hand, if one has only a little, then one can become disappointed or jealous. Both sides are not good. This is what we see in the case of many.

6.      This is the biggest fault of the third servant. He laid waste the one talent that was given to him. He did not make use of it, like the other two. He did not bring out more benefits with it. He was just satisfied with the least minimum that is, just giving back to the master what he had received from him. He failed thus in two essential aspects of a worthwhile life: productivity and beneficialness.

9.      Very many times, many are like the last servant. They are indifferent and lethargic. They lack the vigor and enthusiasm of life. They do not discover their talents. They do not enhance them or deepen and strengthen them. They do not use them for the good of others. They become so irresponsible, unproductive, and useless. Where are

 

Direction: A life that is not responsible and hardworking, will fail to be productive and beneficial