18 – 23 OCTOBER 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS
18 OCTOBER 2021: ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST, 2 TIM 4. 10-17; LUKE 10. 1-9
Focus: The Christian life is a constant call to bear witness in word and deed
1. Today we celebrate the feast of St Luke. As we know, he is one of the four evangelists who authored Luke’s gospel and Acts of the Apostles. He was a companion to Paul in some missionary journey. He receives his knowledge of Jesus and imbibes his spirit from Paul. His gospel is not a mere story of Jesus about what he said and did. Rather it is a journey into the very person of Jesus and oriented to the destiny of heaven.
2. Through numerous parables, Jesus is presented as the Lord of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. His gospel is known to be a gospel of the poor, of the Holy Spirit, of mercy and joy. These are not merely some dominant themes for knowledge but are indicators of God’s own nature. In them, we see what God is to us, how He is benevolently turned toward us, how He intervenes in our lives. Thus, they are also directions for a profound experience.
3. Further, they are also invitations and inspirations to dispose ourselves to God’s action. Thus, from our part, we are called “to be poor”, “to be open to and led by the Holy Spirit”, to repent and be converted to receive His mercy and forgiveness and to experience God’s own joy.
4. This is how these themes become very strong and convincing. Another overwhelming theme is, God is the physician and the healer to cure the wounded hearts. It is not this or that miracle of healing from different ailments. It is the fundamental healing from the infection of sin. It is a rediscovery and recapturing of the lost grace.
5. St Luke experienced this abundance of grace and he bore witness to it through his mission and writing. His feast should be a summon for us to be witnesses to the Lord in word and deed.
Direction: God’s love which is merciful and forgiving, heals us and fills us with the Holy Spirit and the end result is a joyful witness
19 OCTOBER 2021: ROM 5. 12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; LUKE 12. 35-38
Focus: We are called to be servants in the service of the Master. We need to be alert and faithful!
1. Christ Jesus is our Saviour who brought us liberation from sin and death and brought us grace and eternal life. He reversed the story of the fall of the first man by his obedience to God’s will, the life of righteousness, and death on the cross. Through him, the superabundance of grace surpassed the abundance of sin. Therefore, we are called to remain obedient to this Lord of ours and faithfully follow him.
2. This following becomes possible when we surrender ourselves to him as humble servants. We must always bear in mind that we are his servants in his service. As good servants, we must be totally docile to him, alert and prompt to attend on him. Never shall we be found unalert and unprepared! Never shall we miss his coming! We never know when or how he comes, when he knocks on our doors.
3. Blessed are we whom the master finds awake when he comes! Blessed are we if we open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are we who will gird ourselves and have the master sit at the table and serve him! Alas! How unaware, unalert, unready, and lethargic many servants of today are!
4. Certainly, many are caught unawares when the master comes and knocks on the door of their hearts, lives, families, and communities! Many do not have the patience and receptivity to wait on the master in eager docility! Many are so busy that they cannot spare time for serving the master at the table. Many are so meticulous with their time sense that they cannot simply “waste” their time in useless and uncertain waiting!
Direction: When the master comes and knocks on the doors, how many will be present indoors, how many will be prompt to open to him? First of all, how many will happily open the door to him?
(REFLECTION FROM 2020 ON LUKE 12. 35-38)
Focus: We are noble people with dignity. We are God’s own household. Therefore, be alert and prepared so that We are found worthy and faithful by the Master.
We are living in a world where everyone wants to be a master, on top of the world. There is also a great increase in dishonesty, deception, and infidelity. To such a world, Jesus proposes the model of a servant who is humble and docile to the Master, and who serves the Master honestly and faithfully. He is not so entangled with worldly affairs, so as to lose sight of the Master. He is always conscious of the likes and needs of his master. He is ever patient and consistent to wait on his master and is prompt to attend to him in wholehearted service. How lamentable it is that today we have an increasing breed of pseudo and shallow masters! We have acclaimed and professed professional servants who bother the least to be attentive, alert, prepared, and prompt to serve the Master. God touch and transform these self-swollen masters in the disguise of servants!
Such a true spirit of a humble and faithful servant is possible, only when we remain deeply conscious of the nobility of our call. In Christ, we rediscover and regain our peace. That means, to live in a spirit and bond of unity, humility, and loyalty like a true servant, being obedient to the Master and benevolent toward other fellow-servants.
Direction: A faithful servant is one who is dressed for the Master's service and not addressed for power and self-service
20 OCTOBER 2021: ROM 6. 12-18; LUKE 12. 39-48
Focus: Disobedience to God and obedience to sin may bring quick results and temporary gains and pleasures but it will lead to eternal ruin
1. An interesting contrast is made between the slavery of sin and slavery of righteousness. Both are slaveries but with a difference. The former is disobedient slavery and the latter is obedient. The result of the slavery of sin is death and damnation and while the result of the slavery of righteousness is life and salvation. In the former, there is only subjugation. In the latter, there is true freedom and rejuvenation of the spirit.
2. If we are obedient slaves of righteousness, then how will we be? The gospel makes this clear through three simple images: householder, steward, and servant. We will be householders alert and watchful and fully prepared to meet any unexpected encounter with the Lord. We will also be like faithful and wise stewards, set over God’s household to “give them their portion of food at the proper time”, that is to take responsible care of the household.
3. We will also be honest and duty-conscious servants. Such head-servants will not let themselves into loose living, ill-treating their fellow servants and not acting according to their master’s will. We will always carry the spirit of accountability, knowing fully well that “to whom much is given, much will be required”.
4. How true it is that many times many fall into the disobedient slavery of sin leading to ruin! How often many fail to be watchful and careful householders! How often many fail to be faithful and wise stewards not responsible toward the household of God entrusted to their care! How often we fail to prove ourselves as sincere and dutiful servants who are also respectful and benevolent toward the fellow servants!
Direction: The Lord gives a marvelous synthetic image of a householder who has the attitude of a steward and who works and does his duties like a servant. We are caretakers who are to serve God’s household
(REFLECTION FROM 2020 ON LUKE 12. 39-48)
Focus: Power and authority must always go together with fervor and charity. Power without humility and surrender, authority without devotion and dedication, are heinous and ruinous.
In a world where there is so much abuse of power and authority, Jesus once again strikes hard on the image of a servant and steward. First of all, we should completely expel the arrogant idea of being owners and proprietors. A position that is invested with power and authority, is not a means of dominating and subjugating others. It is not a launching pad for self-projection and self-promotion. A stable sense of focus on the Master and our destiny can work as a counter-check and antidote. It can make us more responsible and keep us ever ready and prepared to meet the Master any time. On the other hand, loss of focus, and engagement into worthless deviations and enjoyments, loss of responsibility, loss of dutifulness, and loss of fraternal concern towards others, will be highly displeasing to the Master. Such a failed servant will be condemned by the Master.
Praiseworthy and imitable is the spirit of humility and service of Paul in the letter to the Ephesians! The abundance of his capacity and competence, the great degree of success and spiritual authority, in no way make him puffed up or arrogant. He never forgets his roots. He never grabs the credit for himself. He is profoundly conscious that all is God’s free gift. For him, all that mattered was Christ, passion for him, and unflinching commitment to his way.
Direction: Certainly, more is given to us. It may be in terms of material abundance or power and position. But it is never for abuse and self-interest but for more good. Every bit given is accountable.
21 OCTOBER 2021: ROM 6. 19-23; LUKE 12. 49-53
Focus: Living for God will certainly make a contrast from those who live for the world and evil. This will lead to opposition and division
1. Love for Christ and following him calls for a radical and committed stand. It in fact involves a life of righteousness for sanctification. It will transform persons into slaves of God. But this slavery is something meritorious and dignified. It endows them with new freedom. Such conviction and commitment, such freedom and purity are in direct contrast to the impurity and iniquity of sin.
2. This contrast will automatically land the followers of Christ into situations of opposition, division, and loss of peace. It is not that they make themselves causes and agents of division and unrest. It is in fact caused by the resistance and refusal of those who oppose them. In a world of duplicity, when men of God live with integrity, for sure it would cause division and disturbance. When convictions are upheld in contrast to compromises, for sure there will be division and loss of peace.
3. When some are on fire with love for Christ, it will automatically disturb those who are tepid and whose fire is under ashes. A true follower of Christ cannot side with the false values of a mediocre man. A fundamental option for Christ will certainly put one at odds with the rest.
4. One need not feel bad or guilty about it. Such division and disturbance are not negative that are consequences of evil and inauthentic lives. The division and discord caused by fidelity to Christ are the natural outflows of the unswerving adherence to him. In the name of maintaining peaceful and undisturbed relationships, one should not give up values and fall to compromises.
Direction: Many play safe because they do not want to get into any trouble and be disturbed. They want to be in peace. But they do not realize that such peace is only false and not godly. A peace that comes because of compromise is a cheap peace!
(REFLECTION ON LUKE 12. 49-53 FROM 2020)
Focus: It is only the energy and vitality of the Lord that can rejuvenate a world, steeped into tepidity and lethargy
The Lord declares, “I have come to bring fire on the earth; I have come to bring division and not peace”. A surface reading of these words can surprise and disturb one. We adore Jesus as the king of unity and peace. But now, Jesus affirms the opposite. What does it mean? A burning fire will surely bring about division and disturbed peace. It is the fire of love for Christ. It is to be rooted and founded in love. It is to understand and embrace the width, the length, the height, and the depth of the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge. It is the fire of love and compassion, light and guidance, justice and dignity, joy and contentment, empowerment and fulfillment. He offers the light of clarity and direction, certainty and solidity to a world that is shrouded in the dark traces of confusion, uncertainty, insecurity, and misguidance. He enlivens and revitalizes a world wounded by hatred and violence with the balm of love and forbearance. He elevates a world that has lost charm by misery and hopelessness, with the remedy of God’s own comfort and hope.
But this is a “contrast mission” and certainly triggers displeasure and opposition and division. But this division is not a negative division, caused by the clashes of ego and self-interests. It is a “holy division” for the sake of God and good. It is a division that is the result of refusal to compromise. It is a division in virtue of a fundamental option for the Lord. It is a division because of the uncompromising priority and loyalty to God, beyond and above the worldly pressures and human relations.
Direction: What the world desperately needs is not heaps of ashes but sparks of fire. In a world that is becoming more and more rootless and uprooted, more and more shaken in foundations and unfounded, one needs to be rooted and founded in the love of God
22 OCTOBER 2021: ROM 7. 18-25; LUKE 12. 54-59, St John Paul II
Focus: Men of today claim to be intelligent and capable persons who can unravel and control so many things of nature. But how much are they able to control and direct themselves!
1. People of today pride themselves on their ability to discover and control many things. They claim to read the signs of time and organize their life accordingly. They believe that they are competent experts in understanding and interpreting the realities. They also strongly think that they enjoy abundant freedom.
2. There is certainly no doubt about progress and advancement. But such a development is only uneven and ill-proportioned. There is no holistic growth. Especially in terms of integrity and spirituality, social responsibility, and commitment, there is so much inadequacy and failure.
3. The word of God in both the readings brings our attention to this disharmony and disproportion. In tune with the words of Paul in the first reading, men may be externally free, that is they are not under any form of slavery. But how much they are under the slavery of sin? Sin dwells in them. They do not do the good they want, but the evil they do not want is what they do.
4. This is the same tone of Jesus. He questions the dichotomy and shallowness of people’s abilities. Many are capable of reading the signs of the time in terms of seasons and climatic conditions of nature like heat and rain. But why do not understand and judge for themselves what is right? While they try to gain control over external things, why don’t try to gain control over themselves and their lives?
5. In specific reference to his mission, why don’t the people understand God’s invitation to realize and repent over their sinfulness? Why do they resist and reject his call to free themselves from sin and turn to God? Why do they lose sight of the eternal damnation that will be the result of such unbelief?
6. St John Paul II was such a wise man who could read the signs of the time and accordingly lived an authentic life and ministered an effective mission
Direction: Human intelligence and capacities are good and useful as they help to increase our understanding and ease of living. But how much do they help to understand and live better as good human beings?
(REFLECTION FROM 2020 ON LUKE 12. 54-59)
Focus: Human intelligence and knowledge should be raised and oriented to a higher level beyond the earth and mere secular concerns
Certainly, commendable is the human intelligence which acts brightly from simple common sense to great scientific and technological progress. In his intelligence, man is able to read and ascertain seasons and times, assess many practical situations, and dissolve many complexities. He is able to regulate and master many conditions to his advantage and ease of life. But how much this great sense and intelligence is used for something higher and loftier? Most of the considerations and efforts are often earth-bound and are driven by worldly motives and gains. How is it that man who acts cautiously and judiciously in earthly and transient matters, fails to act wisely and diligently toward the spiritual and eternal concerns? Devoid of focus, foresight, and heaven-directedness, man runs the risk of eternal judgment and condemnation. In the gospel, Jesus very strongly objects to such a shallow human enterprise. This is truly the shallowness and superficiality of the present times as well. They are able to read, understand, interpret and assess, and thus control the seasons and times. But how sadly they fail to recognize the signs of the times and learn and grow from them! They gain mastery over the forces of nature, but they become slaves to the pressures of their own nature. They claim and pretend to be masters and freemen. But little do they realize that they lose the true interior freedom in the name of the very freedom they seek. The freedom which they glorify is nothing but a disguised yoke of slavery to sin and evil. In fact, to truly read the signs of the times is “to live the vocation we have received. It is to be humble, kind, patient and to bear one another in love”.
Direction: We live often in a world of shallow intelligence and superficial knowledge because they are so short-sighted and so badly limited to the material concerns
23 OCTOBER 2021: ROM 8. 1-11; LUKE 13. 1-9
Focus: It is not the status or the intelligence that matters in the sight of God. Ultimately it is a repentant heart that lives according to the Spirit of God and produces fruits in abundance
1. “Unless you repent, you will all perish likewise”, Jesus is very clear and straight. The context is the death of some Galileans, by Pilate or by accident. Very easily people may think that they met such a fateful death because of their sin. They may also feel complacent that they are better than them. It is not necessarily so. All of us are sinful and prone to sin. There are no guarantees of one’s holiness and goodness at any moment.
2. What is important is not to judge and condemn others. Self-reflection, self-realization, and self-renewal are most important. These need real repentance and conversion. This concretely implies a constant willingness and determination to fight the battle between the Spirit and the flesh. Repentance and conversion invite us to be humble and be open to the Spirit.
3. Such a life makes us walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. It is to set the minds on the things of the Spirit and not on the things of the flesh. For to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace while to set the mind on the flesh is death and damnation. Those who are set on the flesh are hostile to God and do not please God. In fact, they do not belong to Christ.
4. If we walk according to the Spirit, our spirits will be alive because of righteousness. We will be productive and fruitful. Those who walk according to the flesh are like the fig tree in the gospel that simply uses up the ground for 3 years without any fruit. However, God is immensely patient. He will not immediately destroy us. As the vinedresser pleads for one more year, Jesus is pleading on our behalf for some more time to become fruit-bearing.
Direction: Let us not disappoint God who is looking for fruits from us, after providing all the possible care for our growth and fruition. Let us repent and live converted lives of walking according to the Spirit and not flesh
(REFLECTION ON LUKE 13. 1-9 FROM 2020)
Focus: God is immensely patient and hopeful, waiting for us to be converted, to change our ways, and thus become productive and bear abundant fruits
God created us in His own image. He sent us into this world to bear witness to this divine identity in commitment and fruitfulness. As humans with fragility, at times we succumb to sin and we disfigure this image and rupture this communion. Therefore, we need to repent and be converted. In the gospel, Jesus minces no words. He bluntly states: You will all perish unless you change your ways. We shall not take for granted God’s immense grace. Neither shall we remain complacent, thinking that God has spared us or evil is not striking us. There are no exceptions with regard to the consequences of sin. No evil shall go unaccounted. It is not a matter of God keeping strict accounts of life. Rather, it is a matter of us becoming more accountable and answerable. It shows itself in a changed life. A changed life consists of receptivity to God’s grace and productivity to bear the fruits of good actions. Fruitfulness is incumbent upon us and unproductivity stands condemnable.
Direction: Certainly, God is immensely benevolent and patient and He never denies us chances to change for the better. But His patience shall not be a cause for mediocrity and easy-going.
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