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
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