4th weekdays mass reflection

31 JANUARY - 05 FEBRUARY 2022: HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

31 JANUARY 2022: 2 SAM 15. 13-14. 30, 16. 5-13; MARK 5. 1-20, Saint John Bosco

Focus: Our behavior depends on the kind of spirit that we possess. If it is a good and Holy Spirit, our conduct will be upright, and if it is an evil spirit, our conduct will be wrong

1.      In today’s word of God, we have two contrasting spirits, a benevolent spirit, and a malevolent spirit. The benevolent spirit is a godly spirit, symbolized by David in the first reading, and the malevolent spirit is a demoniac spirit, symbolized by the demon-possessed man in the gospel. David was attacked to be dethroned by his own son Absalom and he was cursed by a relative of Saul.

2.      But, how noble and humble David was! He offers no resistance against Absalom. He did not react against the cursing man. Even when his men wanted to kill the cursing man, David rebukes them, saying that it was permitted by God Himself. If God Himself wanted it that way, then who are we to block the way of God? Besides, he believes that such humiliation can become an act of atonement and reparation to obtain God’s mercy.

3.      On the other hand, in the gospel, we have a man possessed by an unclean spirit. He lives among the tombs, indicating his alienation from others. He was bound with chains and shackles, indicating boundedness by sin. He could not be subdued by anyone, indicating being uncontrollable and rebellious. He was always crying, indicating the nature of grumbling and lamenting. He was cutting himself with stones, indicating self-inflicting actions. All these are the typical characteristics of an evil spirit.

4.      Jesus heals the demon-possessed man whereby he becomes well-clothed and regains right mind. Interestingly, Jesus sends the legion of demons into a herd of two thousand pigs. They run and get drowned in the sea. Certainly a huge loss! Perhaps through this, Jesus wants to make it very clear that the sanity and wellbeing of a human person are far more important than any material gain.

Direction: The healed demon-possessed man goes around and bears testimony to God’s mercy. The greatest sign of our healing will be when we become zealous witnesses to the mercy of God

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 01 FEBRUARY 2021)

Focus: Faith puts a clean spirit into us, strengthens us, and makes us worthy in God’s sight; But the unclean cannot stand the presence of the Holy One, and cannot resist the power of grace as well

 

In the gospel, Jesus encounters and confronts a man with an unclean spirit. There are very precise details regarding the possessed man's condition. These are very indicative. They indicate what are some of the clear signs of being evil-possessed. Living among the tombs indicates living aloof, cut off, and estranged from others. Shouting and crying indicate the spirit of grumbling, lamenting, arguing. Bound in chains indicates being bound in the fetters of sin and evil. Not being controlled and subdued indicates undisciplined and unreined freedom. Bruising himself and others as well indicates all the acts and habits of self-ruin and harm to others. Legion indicates that evil is not a single isolated act but is always a bundle, a pack, and a series of wrongs. All these unclean forces always surmount and torment us also. All of us need healing, need to be made clean. But many a time, like the possessed man, we do not want to be healed. And like the people, we do not value and appreciate the healing, because we are more concerned about the material interests (loss of swine), rather than the persons. Only faith makes us approach Jesus, seek his healing touch, and be clean.

 

Direction: Let us come out of our wandering aimlessly among the tombs of our estrangement from God and others, and run to God to be restored to sanity and integrity.

 

01 FEBRUARY 2022: 2 SAM 18. 9-10, 14, 24-25, 30 – 19.3; MARK 5. 21-43

Focus: Healing is nothing but a matter of touch. Whoever encounters Jesus and experiences his touch, will surely be healed and begins a new life

1.      True faith is never mediocre. True faith believes even the impossible to happen, for as Bible says, “Nothing is impossible for God”. True faith is to hope for the best even in the worst and hopeless situations. This is what we see in the gospel. There are two miracles by Jesus: one is the miraculous healing of a twelve-year long hemorrhage of a woman; the other is, bringing to life the dead daughter of a certain Jairus, an official.

2.      Tremendous was the faith needed to believe in Jesus’ power even in such desperate situations. Jairus continued to believe even when he got the news of the death of his ailing daughter. The woman with the bleeding disease persisted to believe even after twelve years of huge resultless spending.

3.      Both the miracles were the effects of the power of the touch of Jesus. The woman was cured because she touched the garment of Jesus. The dead girl was restored to life because Jesus touched her with his hand. This confirms that the touch of Jesus is powerful and is healing. Those who come in touch with Jesus cannot continue sick or dead. They will be healed and revived.

4.      Both the miracles bring new life to the concerned persons. For the woman with a hemorrhage, it was really a new life. She was at the verge of a total ruin: all her resources were exhausted; all her human dignity was exasperated; her hopes evaporated; the beauty of living was disfigured, and the joy of life was robbed. She was literally dying. Thus, her healing was not merely a physical matter. It was much more: it was a new life with a new dignity of the person, and new beauty and joy of life.

5.      The mention of 12 years can be indicative. The girl raised to life was twelve years old, and the woman suffered from a hemorrhage for 12 years. The girl began a new life at 12. The woman too began a new life after 12 years of intense suffering. Jesus’ healing command, Talitha cumi (Little girl, arise) to the dead girl can be very indicative. It indicates that essentially all healing is a matter of rising. It is a rising from our misery, from our sickness, and from our death.

Direction: True healing is a constant rising from hopelessness to hopefulness, from sickness to health, and from death to life. As long as we do not rise up and walk, we are not healed!

 

02 FEBRUARY 2022: MALACHI 3. 1-4; HEB 2. 14-18; LUKE 2. 22-40, Presentation of the Lord

Focus: Our life will be meaningful only to the extent it is presented to God in the spirit of self-offering and for the good of others in the spirit of self-giving

1.      02 February marks the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple. It was after 40 days of his birth according to the Jewish law. In fact, he had no need to follow the laws and traditions. There was no need to be purified or offered as holy to the Lord because he is purity and holiness itself.

2.      His presentation in the temple is symbolic and significative. It signifies the function and effect of his messianic role. As the incarnate savior and the messiah, he presents and offers himself to the Father in humble obedience. He becomes like us in every respect except sin. He subjects himself to the human law and obligations in total solidarity with us.

3.      Further, his presentation ritual also indicates the effect of his messianic role. By his self-offering, he offers all as “pleasing” to the Lord. His purification ceremony indicates the purification that he brings to all. He propitiates the sins of the people. And the words in Malachi apply very well to his doing. “He is like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver”.

4.      From the presence of Simeon, a righteous and devout man, in the temple it becomes still clear that the presented Jesus was destined for the “consolation of Israel”, “salvation that God has prepared in the presence of all peoples”, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles”, and for “glory to the people Israel”.

5.      The presentation of the Lord in the temple is a sacred call for each one of us, to be ever on the holy project of presentation, purification, and salvation. We are called to present ourselves as pleasing offerings to God. We need to constantly purify ourselves from all our burdens of sin. And we need to continue the same mission of salvation.

Direction: The presentation of the Lord is a reminder of the beauty and duty of our consecration. We are consecrated to the Lord as offerings and we need to be committed to offering others also to God

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021)

Focus: To offer oneself totally for one's own good is good but not great or out of the way. But to offer oneself for others' good is great and noble

 

1. Today we celebrate the festivity of the presentation of the Lord in the temple. This is clearly symbolic and indicative of the nature and purpose of Jesus' life and mission. His human earthly life is an offering of the Father to humanity and for humanity for their salvation and redemption.

2. Thus his life is sacrificial and his mission is redemptive. The ritual presentation of the Lord symbolizes his actual presentation by his death and resurrection. What a destiny and mystery! He came to die, but it is not to remain under the shackles of death to disappear completely. It is only to rise gloriously and thus make us live again.

3. In his presentation is seen in one scene the whole story of his life and the culmination of it. In his presentation, we witness a totally different God, not a God who waits and appeases himself by various presentations and offerings by humans but a God who offers his own self. He does not offer merely some gifts and boons but offers his most precious Son.

4. Thereby God reveals and reminds us of His very nature and of the nature of true love and also of the essence of salvation. Our God is a self-offering God; true love is self-offering and salvation consists in self-offering for others.

5. Jesus' presentation in the temple is not merely a ritual fulfillment, not merely a chronological event in the history of his life, not merely a part of his natural human growth. It is already an integral part of the redemptive process.

6. His presentation is also a representation and invitation for our own presentation. Just as he is presented by the Father through his parents for the whole humanity, so too we must present and offer ourselves to God for the sake of others. It is only in self-giving and surrenders that we obtain our salvation. And it is only in this life of offering that we fulfill our mission of salvation of others.

7. As long as we refuse to offer and surrender ourselves to God and for the good of others, our life will have no meaning and no destiny. All the forces of self-centeredness, self-closure, defiance, and unreined freedom are clear contradictions to the very essence of our life and mission!

 

Direction: Undue self-clinging and self-indulgence, losing sight of surrender to God, and commitment to others' good are self-destructive!

 

03 FEBRUARY 2022: 1 KINGS 2. 1-4, 10-12; MARK 6. 7-13

 

Focus: Firmness and steadfastness is one main thing that is lacking in the life of many. Instead, we find a lot of shakiness and wavering and compromising. This is all because of a lack of rootedness in God and in convictions

1.      As David was about to die, he exhorts his son Solomon to be steadfast in God’s ways. He says, Be strong and solid, and keep the charge of the Lord your God. Walk before Him in faithfulness with all your heart and with all your soul. Keep His statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies.

2.      And in fact, this is the same and simple mission of all of us. It is to cling to God always and to follow His ways. In other words, it is to establish God’s kingdom both within us and around us. It is the same mission that Jesus entrusts his disciples. He sends them two by two. They are told to bring people to repentance. They are empowered with his own authority to heal. They are ordered not to carry any material securities or conveniences like bread, bag, money, tunics. They are told to move away shaking off the dust on their feet when rejected.

3.      The missionary implications are quite clear. To carry out and accomplish the mission, first of all, a personal adherence to the Lord in depth, intimacy, and commitment is essential. Doing the Lord’s work effectively depends on being with the Lord passionately.

4.      Mission is more a collective and collaborative work and not merely an individual enterprise. We need mutual support. The whole thrust of the mission is to lead people to repentance and not self-performance. The focal objective is to establish God’s kingdom and not petty kingdoms.

5.      In this process, the sole equipment is Lord’s own power, and that is the power of the Spirit. Thereby, we should not excessively lean on worldly securities, guarantees, and conveniences. They can be made use but they cannot be the crucial determinants of our entire mission. The pursuit, as well as the quality of our missionary endeavors, cannot exclusively hinge on worldly securities. Nothing of the world can overpower or replace the power of God.

6.      An authority is truly the Lord’s when it is spiritual and divine and not secular or profane. And all power and authority are meant for healing and for no other purpose or objective. Any authority that does not bring forth healing is a false authority. Finally, we should be so detached even from the results. We should not expect only success but rather should be prepared even to shake off the dust from our feet.

Direction: Ultimately our mission is the Lord’s mission and not our private agenda. Success or failure is not our concern but doing God’s will and establishing His kingdom

 

04 FEBRUARY 2022: 1 COR 9. 19-27; JOHN 12. 20-32, Feast of St John de Britto

Focus: When one loves the Lord intensely and passionately, then he lives and dies only for him. Life or death makes no difference because both are for his sake

1.      04 February is a special spiritual feast for India as it celebrates St John de Britto. He was born in 1647 in Portugal became a Jesuit priest and worked and martyred in Tamil Nadu in 1693. He is the patron saint of the diocese of Sivagangai. Both the readings of the day mirror the life and mission of this great saint.

2.      He loved the Lord passionately and for the sake of his gospel, he embraced enormous sufferings and tortures. He became all things to all (inculturated himself, learned the local language, lived in solidarity with the poor) so as to gain at least some for Christ. Like the grain of wheat, he sacrifices himself in order to give life and help others through abundant fruits of good works. He loses his life on earth so as to gain life in eternity.

3.      Like a runner set on his target, he ran the race of faith to the end and deserved the imperishable prize of eternal life. That is why, as Jesus promises, he will be there where the Lord is. And since he glorified God by his life and martyrdom, the Father also glorifies him with the heavenly glory.

4.      The life and martyrdom of Saint John de Britto are an inspiration and challenge to all of us. A foreigner left his motherland, became totally one with the people of the foreign land, sacrificed many legitimate comforts, underwent numerous tortures, toiled tirelessly for the sake of the Lord and his gospel, and finally gave up his very life.

Direction: What is the intensity of my love for the Lord? How deep is my conviction? How loyal I am to the spread of the gospel and its values? How courageous I am to suffer and even offer my very life for the sake of the Lord?

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021)

Focus: It is really the metal of a saint to live totally for the Lord, and also to die for him; one who is not ready to die for him, would not also live with him and for him

 

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint John de Britto. He was born in Lisbon and worked and was martyred in Tamilnadu, India. He is the patron saint of the diocese of Sivagangai, India. Today’s readings are very much applicable to saint Britto. Like Paul, he “became all things to all, that by all means, he might save some”. He made himself a slave to all, that he might win the more. Quite true to Jesus’ teaching, Britto makes himself like the grain of wheat that falls into the earth and dies and bears much fruit. He willingly loses his life in temporality, so as to gain life in eternity. He is convinced that like Paul he does it all for the sake of the gospel, so that he may share in its blessings. Like a committed runner, he ran the race of faith that he may obtain the eternal prize. He is deeply clear that his faith, his struggles for faith are never a waste. He does not run aimlessly. He does not box as one beating in the air. He passionately loved the Lord and so loses his life for Jesus’ sake. Like Jesus, Britto always sought to glorify the Father through his very life of abundant fruits. He runs the race of faith, not for a perishable prize or wreathes, but for an imperishable. He qualifies himself by pommelling and subduing his body. That is why he truly deserves the reward promised by Jesus. Jesus says, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honor him”. Accordingly, Britto in his martyrdom glorifies the Father; and the Father in turn glorifies him with eternal life. Like Britto, we too must follow Jesus’ path of paradoxes by losing our life for his sake, so as to gain it for eternity.

 

Direction: When one’s love for the Lord is intense, then he will not retain anything for himself, even his very life. But this giving up will be richly rewarded by receiving the eternal life

 

05 FEBRUARY 2022: 1 KINGS 3. 4-13; MARK 6. 30-34, St Agatha, Memorial

 

Focus: Perhaps the greatest defect of today’s world is the lack of wisdom. While it is so frantically seeking riches and honor, it is so badly devoid of the inner power to discern between good and evil

 

1.      King Solomon was really wise to ask God for wisdom in preference to riches, honor, long life, and victory over enemies. He knew that for a leader, an understanding and wise mind to discern between good and evil is crucial for good governance. Nothing else can really match and replace wisdom.

2.      God was so pleased with the wise supplication of Solomon and he grants him incomparable wisdom. Along with it, he also grants him riches and honor. However, such a gift of wisdom will abide only when one is faithful to God. For the Bible says clearly, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Thus, as long as Solomon was walking before the Lord like his father in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward God, he reigned in wisdom. But when he began to waver in his fidelity to the true God, his wisdom also began to wane.

3.      In the NT, a leader is presented more in terms of a shepherd. Jesus himself presents himself as a good shepherd. He also expects his leaders over his people to be true shepherds. In the gospel, Jesus feels compassion for the people. This certainly shows the very nature of God as compassionate. He feels concerned for us. He senses our needs. He feels deeply moved by our plight.

4.      But apart from God’s nature of compassion, the reason for his compassion is a note to reflect upon. He feels compassion for the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. This speaks both of the sheep and the shepherds as well. The sheep are directionless and deviant, either because there is no true shepherd to follow or because they do not follow the true shepherd. The shepherds too are culpable because they do not shepherd their sheep.

5.      The shepherds fail to be good shepherds because they lack the essential trait of wisdom. They lack that understanding and wise mind to discern between good and evil. They are more worried about riches, honor, long life, and success over the rivals, rather than wise governance. They substitute wisdom with the things of the world.

 

Direction: The gospel notes that the disciples had no leisure even to eat. In the light of this, what many of the present shepherds lack is that ceaseless and relentless commitment to God’s work. Shepherds who do not love and lead their sheep; and sheep who do not follow their shepherds!

 

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021)

Focus: In life, the priced things are not so many possessions and positions, but wisdom, integrity, compassion, and dedication

 

In the gospel, once again we see the deep compassion of Jesus towards his disciples and the people. He does not bother about himself but thinks of the tiredness and hunger of his disciples and the need for food and relaxation. He is concerned about the lack of guidance and of inner sustenance of the people, and their need to quench their spiritual hunger. That's why he teaches them, boosts up, and elevates their spirits.

And one concern that is impelling and challenging is the situation of “sheep without a shepherd”. What a profound and realistic observation and evaluation of Jesus on the people of his time! Our times are no different from those. Truly, many people today are like sheep without shepherds. It is true that many are without direction and due care. Many are like sheep without proper guidance and sufficient nourishment, be it spiritual, psychological, or moral. They need good shepherds. In fact, strictly speaking, there is only one supreme shepherd and that is Jesus. And all those who are entrusted with the task of shepherding the sheep, are actually the herdsmen, the caretakers. Today, a serious reflection and self-check must be on the quality of these herdsmen. Their main failure in their shepherding is not following the sole shepherd Jesus. These herdsmen ought to keep watch over the souls. They need to be conscious that one day they must give account. They must do their duty joyfully, and not reluctantly or sadly. And all, both the sheep and the shepherds must have a clear conscience. Their desire must be to act honorably in all things. The constant striving must be to equip themselves with everything good, so as to do his will, and whatever is pleasing in his sight.

 

Direction: Passion for God and compassion for others should always make our life tireless and our mission relentless. If we bother about God's work and others' good, God will bother about what we need.

 

4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022)

4 TH SUNDAY ORDINARY, 30 JANUARY 2022,

JER 1. 4-5, 17-19, 1 COR 12. 31 - 13.13, LUKE 4. 21-30

Focus: It is God who created us and consecrated us to be His own. It is He who sends us on His own mission. Therefore it will be surely He alone who would accompany us to accomplish the mission

1.      The Word of God time and again recurrently places before us the theme of mission. Today too, in the first reading from the book of Jeremiah, we come across the call narrative of the prophet Jeremiah, his vocation, his consecration, and mission. The same holds good for us as well. God knows us from eternity even before we take shape in our mother’s womb; He consecrates us even before our birth.

2.      Therefore we are His, His own. We belong to Him. But this vocation and consecration are not just to belong to Him as His private possession. It is with a mission. He appoints us to be prophets to the nations. Thereby we need to be dressed for His work, and that is, to address to the people everything that He commands to say.

3.      However, this mission is not an easy task. It is enormously arduous and strenuous. The challenge is mainly the type of world in which we carry out this mission. What kind of world it is? We get a taste of this in the gospel. It is a world that is very unsteady, fluctuating, peripheral, non-committal, resentful toward truth, and villainous even to the extent of killing.

4.      The very people who “spoke well of him and marveled at his gracious words” within no time, “were filled with wrath”, “rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill… so that they could throw him down the cliff”. How unsteady and oscillating and non-committal they were!

5.      It was all because he began to confront their lack of receptivity and faith. He spoke bluntly that the pagans received God’s favors in preference to them. These words were distasteful to them. As long as he spoke of good things in his mission manifesto, they were very pleased. But as soon as he began to lay bare their defects, they resented.

6.      They were so peripheral and superficial in their perspective as well. Immediately they began to dig out his family background, his humble origins. “Is not this Joseph’s son?” They would not go beyond the externals; they would not see and accept the divinity in him.

7.      Now, the first requirement in accomplishing the mission of the Lord is to be deeply aware of this nature of the world. We must be realistic and avoid the two extremes of abysmal pessimism and overrated idealism. These both can lead to undue criticism, and end up in either aggression or depression. Instead, we must be wise and humble enough to take stock of reality as it is and be prepared to face it.

8.      Then, another essential condition for mission is to “be deeply rooted in God”. This is to place our wholehearted trust in God’s assuring presence, sustenance, and guidance. Let us be unshakably rooted in God as he promises Jeremiah, “Do not be dismayed. Behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you”.

9.      Still further, another essential equipment to fulfill the mission is to “be groomed in Love”. Love alone will be the greatest weapon on our mission. What kind of love? It is not that love that we see in the world, a love mostly reduced to self-love and lust. Rather, it is that love, glorified by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians chapter 13, in today’s second reading. It is a love that is bearing and caring, a love that is patient and persevering, a love that is humble and noble, a love that is gracious and generous, a love that is pleasant and radiant.

Direction: A wise realism, soaked into humble and profound rootedness in God and a fervent and enduring flourishing in love will alone surge us ahead, steady and strong in our journey of the mission of the Lord 

3rd week IN ORDINARY TIME(2022)

 

24 – 29 JANUARY 2022: HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

24 JANUARY 2022: 2 SAMUEL 5. 1-7, 10; MARK 3. 22-30, St Francis de Sales

Focus: The true power lies not in domineering others but in shepherding them, in surrender to the Lord

 

1.      We live in a power-hungry world where power and authority get almost identified with domination and manipulation. In such a context, David in the first reading and Jesus in the gospel, and St Francis de Sales, the Saint of the day show us what is true power. It comes only from God, from His abiding presence and guidance.

2.      Power and authority are meant to shepherd those entrusted to one's care. True power never sides with evil, never compromises with the evil forces. It always combats the evil and surpasses and binds the evil one who is strong.

3.      Working for unity and for good in consistency and commitment was the hallmark of all of them. In fact, this is the essential trait of any good and godly person. In contrast, any trace of division and inconsistency in doing good are clearly the clearest signs of the evil one.

4.      That is why when the scribes blame Jesus that he was casting out demons with the help of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he challenges them. He contests: “How can Satan cast out Satan… if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand”. Jesus casts out demons not because he is working in cooperation with him but because he is stronger than Satan. He binds Satan, the strong one.

5.      Therefore the greater strength of the men of God comes only from the power of God. It is the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything that is good is “spiritual” power and not demoniac. In this sense, it would be really sinful if one does not recognize the action of the Spirit. And in that sense, it is really a blasphemy to attribute the divine power to the help of the evil spirit.

6.      In this context, we all must be very cautious and judicious lest we also fall into the sin of ‘wrong attribution’ and ‘falsification’ of what is good and godly. Often our self-righteousness, our arrogance, our power-mongering, prejudices, and jealousies lead us into the sin of slander and calumny. This is nothing but a disguised “blasphemy”!

 

Direction: A power that divides and rules, a power that plunders the belongings of the house and destroys the order and integrity of life, is certainly evil and is the work of the evil spirit.

 

25 JANUARY 2022: ACTS 22. 3-16; MARK 16. 15-18, Conversion of Paul

Focus: The real test and proof of faith is conversion. Conversion is not merely a matter of more knowledge of beliefs and traditions, or more ability to preach the Word and organize spiritual activities. Conversion is essentially a change of heart and way of life

1.      Today on 25^th January we celebrate the conversion of Paul. His conversion narrative is so dramatic and the details are very suggestive. He was on his way to Damascus with a destructive plan to persecute and terminate the followers of Christ. But on the way, he encounters Jesus. Great light from heaven shone around him. He falls to the ground. He hears the voice of Jesus himself. Jesus confronts him, “Why are you persecuting me?” He loses his sight. He is led to Damascus, to a devout Ananias. He restores sight to Paul, discloses to him God’s plan for him. He confirms him in his new mission of bearing witness to the Lord.

2.      The conversion of Paul is a great eye-opener for all of us regarding our own unconverted lives. Bearing the name of a Christian, having the label or garb of a disciple of Christ, believing some doctrines, following some traditions, and performing some religious activities are good but not enough. These are not guarantees of conversion.

3.      Real conversion must touch the heart and change the way of life. One greatest sign of conversion is the realization that failure in fraternity is a failure in faith: Any act of persecuting and harming others is a persecuting the Lord himself and obstructing his way. There is no use of great evangelization or even working great miracles if we lack fraternity and charity.

4.      Conversion also implies openness to encounter the great light from heaven, to realize and dispel our own shades of darkness, and to receive new sight. How many of us allow God’s light to shine upon us? How many realize that we are still walking in the dark? How many are ready to receive constantly the new light of a renewed purpose, a renewed way, a renewed loyalty, a renewed commitment?

5.      Paul’s conversion was the greatest turning point from being a persecutor to being persecuted, from a blind hater to a passionate lover of Christ, from slavery to wrong ideology to loyalty to deep spirituality. How many are really ready to suffer something for God and for others? How absurd it is that many claim to love and serve God while they hate others and God’s ways? How many adamantly and arrogantly stick to their own wrong ways and self-interests and become disloyal to the directives of a genuine spirituality?

Direction: Paul’s conversion is a great sample of true conversion. True conversion is nothing but passion for God and for the good of others. This passion is rooted in unswerving love for Jesus and undaunted commitment to his mission

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021)

Focus: When God's power is in action, nothing and nobody can resist the power and effect of His action

 

The conversion of Paul is an encouraging and challenging example for all of us in getting converted any time and anyhow. It is never late and it is never hopeless. At no moment, we can say that it is no use now; about no one, we can say that it is no hope. It is the power of God's will and plans. All that is needed is transparency and receptivity towards God's power and plan. Paul's conversion was not a mere change of religion or tradition. It is a change of a whole way of life, a change of loyalty and adherence, a change from objects like laws to practice and implement, to the subject of person of Jesus, and to testify to his mission. It is a new bonding. It is an about-turn. There are no compromises. There are no half measures. It is a change of perspective, orientation, conviction, and commitment. It is a total surrender to the person and mission of Jesus.

Thus, Paul’s conversion is both a captivating testimony and a tall challenge to move away constantly from being an aggressor and transgressor of the way of the Lord, to become a humble receiver, a joyful bearer, and a zealous promoter of the Lord. It is a turning away from persecutor to the persecuted; from an enemy to a friend; from slavery to law to the freedom of the spirit; from a dry observance of the law to a fertile walking by the spirit; from a misguided passion for truths to an illumined passion for the truth, that is Jesus; from false adherence to true conviction; from excessive self-sufficiency to a profound self-insufficiency; from an arrogant self-complacency to a humble self-surrender; from law to faith; from doctrines to person; from a follower of religion to a follower of a way of life; from a well-informed person to a totally transformed person; from a proponent of laws to a prophet of the person of Jesus Christ; from a deep searching frustration to a discovered satisfaction. In Paul’s conversion, we are made to rediscover that true conversion is not to expect a sudden intervention from heaven, but consists in daily cultivation of grace, imitation of the values of Christ, and transformation into his person.

 

Direction: O great St Paul, constantly rekindle in us the same fire of passionate love for the Lord and unreserved dedication to work for him.

 

26 JANUARY 2022: 2 TIMOTHY 1. 1-8; LUKE 10. 1-9, Saints Timothy and Titus

 

Focus: Faith is essentially fire and not ashes. Our faith must always burn us with the fire of love for God and set us in flames of zeal and benevolence toward others

 

1.      Today, lethargy and compromise are prevailing and reducing the quality of faith, benevolence, and dedication in all the spheres of life. Consequently, we do not find many sincere efforts to grow in faith, to do good to others, and to be committed to the right things of life. Many are so shallow and thus easily waver in their faith. Many are so self-centered and self-interested and thus are indifferent and unkind. Many are so comfort-seeking and compromising and thus are non-committal to a value-life.

2.      It is in this context the Word of God of today, in commemoration of Saints Timothy and Titus is a clear illuminator and indicator for us to renew our lost spirits. Like Timothy and Titus, we are called to preserve and foster a sincere faith by constantly “fanning it into flame” and not allowing it to become tepid.

3.      We are to be people of power and not fear. Our operating principles are love and self-control. The sole purpose and aim is to bear testimony to the Lord. For this, we need to be ready to share in suffering for the sake of the gospel. It is because we share in the mission of the Lord himself and it is very challenging. We will be like “lambs among the wolves”. Besides, the mission is vast but the missioners are few, as Jesus says, “Harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few”.

4.      It is a mission of spreading the kingdom of God where God’s love, peace, and justice reign. We are called to be lovers and promoters of peace and not division and aggression. We need to give healing touch to a world that is sick in different ways and forms. Certain stability and consistency is also required as Jesus says, “Remain in the same house… do not go from house to house”

5.      There is also a sense of “urgency” of the mission. It means that we must be always on wheels, always plunged into action. There is no time to waste, and one cannot procrastinate. Time is short and precious and we cannot afford to lose it in unnecessary niceties and secondary things, as Jesus says, “Greet no one on the road”.

6.      In carrying out such a challenging mission, we must shun every tendency to excessively depend on our own human resources like talent and competence or on worldly securities and guarantees like money, power, and position. That is why Jesus warns us, “Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals”. It is not that we do not make use of the available resources or equipment. The point is that our greatest resource and equipment is God’s power that sustains, guides, and strengthens us in our mission journey.

 

Direction: The followers of the Lord would do well in their mission if they do not cling too much to worldly securities and autonomies. While these can be handy and complementing, nothing of these must be substituted for the power of God

 

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021)

 

Focus: God calls us always with a purpose and mission; he entrusts us with His own mission; those who are sent on the Lord’s mission, are not sent empty-handed but are vested with His own power

 

The mission is so demanding because it is at odds with the mentality of the world: Against a wild growth of indifference and egoism, the mission calls to reap a harvest of good that is plentiful with the scarcity of laborers. Against a culture of death, Lord’s mission summons to promote a reign of peace. Against the tendency to look for securities or familiarities or certainties, which appears legitimate, Mission urges one to renounce all such legitimate claims, with the call to “set off without purse or bag or sandals”, and “not to stop at the house of those who know you”.

The mission is frightening because the context wherein the mission is carried out is so pernicious like that of “lambs among wolves”. The mission is difficult and challenging because the task itself is very vast (‘harvest is plentiful’) and the takers are scarce (‘the laborers are few’), and because the context and the field of its operation are hostile (‘being sent as lambs in the midst of wolves). The mission of Christ is the harvest to reap. This is enormous and strenuous. But the workers are not many. More are needed to shoulder this sacred duty.

The same Mission of Jesus is entrusted to each disciple – to extend God’s reign by preaching and healing. There is nothing to worry or fear about, because the God who chose us, would Himself be with us to protect us, empower and guide us. Does He not assure? Be not afraid! Courage! I will be with you! However, God had trusted us so much and so entrusted us with so much. He has empowered us as well with the power of the Word and healing. It needs a benevolent assiduity to commit ourselves to this vibrant enormity. Can we rise up to the occasion? We are meant and sent to be healers in a world that is possessed and sick, possessed by many evil, demoniac forces and influences, and infected and sickened by many evil defections. The world is in desperate need of healing in its brokenness and sickness. What are the due requirements to carry out Mission?

First of all, no material securities: “no purse, no bags, no sandals”. No wasting time, but a sense of urgency: “Salute no one on the way”. Unfailing trust in God’s providence, and not to be worried about material needs. Unflinching devotion and perseverance, constantly “fanning to flame the inherited gift of faith”. Not to be intimidated or weakened by the pressures, but to be strong and testify to God. And be zealous to labor for the Gospel and serve the Lord (2 Timothy 1. 1-8)

Direction: The mission of the Lord is impelling and compelling: If not we, then who else? If not now, then when? If not here, then where else? If not this, then what else?

26 JANUARY 2022, REPUBLIC DAY

1.      26 January is a great historic moment and event in the history of India. It is the celebration of the Republic day of India. While 15 August 1947 marks the independence day of India, after decades and decades of slavery under British colonialism, 26 January 1950 marks the making of the Constitution of India. Thereby India regains full sovereignty, the power for self-governance, and self-rule. Power and freedom mark the life and destiny of any nation. No external force or fear. The people of India have the freedom and the power to govern themselves, through electing their own representatives who serve them. People are not slaves or servants. They are the real masters. They are not mere beneficiaries, but the actual designers.

2.      On this joyful day of Republic, first of all, let us admire, appreciate and salute all those great leaders and noble souls, who were relentless and selfless, in sacrificing their own interests, their careers, in toiling assiduously for attaining the liberation, and for steering the destiny of the nation, through a well-articulated and balanced Constitution.

3.      Secondly, deepen and develop a love and loyalty for the country. Sadly, there is a gripping indifference that chokes any positive action, and a lack of concern that obstructs any growth. We are invited once again today, to cultivate a spirit and culture of belonging to the motherland, social consciousness, and responsibility toward the wellbeing of the country, to participate and contribute actively in the various programs and activities that safeguard, and enhance the discipline and the progress of the nation.

4.      Further we are also earnestly called to foster the spirit of unity, fraternity, and solidarity, among all the Indians, rising above all the external diversities like religion, region, language, culture, etc. we should be cautious and judicious, to guard against all forces and pressures of hostility, violence, and destruction. The spirit that should permeate and animates us is: “One nation, one vision, one striving!”

 

27 JANUARY 2022: 2 SAMUEL 7. 18-19, 24-29; MARK 4. 21-25

 

Focus: Generosity is a great principle that is expected of a good human being. Generosity is the abundance of faith and goodness and will bring meaning and fulfillment to one’s life and joy to others

1.      Jesus constantly invites us to be people of deep faith. But what does it concretely imply? Today’s Word of God gives us some implications. In the light of David’s prayer in the first reading, to live a life of faith means to “build a house” for God in our life. That means to allow God to reside and abide in our lives. In other words, to build the house of our life on God.

2.      Faith is like a lamp that must radiate its light all around. If there is faith, it must be seen and shown in action. It does not mean to make a show. Rather it means to bear witness in concrete life. That is why Jesus says, “Is a lamp brought in to be under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?”

3.      It is very true. Faith without witness is untrue and hypocritical. If there is light, then it must dispel darkness. Perfect light must be powerful and cannot be dim. The light of faith must enlighten the whole mind and brighten the whole life. Saying that I have the light of faith but continue to live in ignorance and lack of clarity and discernment, then it is not faith.

4.      Further, if there is faith, then it must be shown in trust and faithfulness. If one claims to be a person of faith but lives continually in a situation of doubt and suspicion, confusion and deviation, it is not true faith. Also, faith without faithfulness is not credible.

5.      Still further, the concrete radiance and testimony of the light of faith is goodness. The immensity of faith is seen in the abundance of goodness. In other words, it is to be generous in good actions. it is to be uncalculating and measureless in showing goodness to others. This is a living testimony against a culture that is greedy, selfish, and highly calculative. People measure how far “profitable” is their doing good.

6.      In the sight of the world, every act of giving is considered a loss. Thus the world thinks, the more you are generous, the more loss it will be. This is wrong thinking and it is purely materialistic. But faith and goodness are immeasurable gifts. The more we live and share them, the more they will abound. It is in this sense the words of Jesus make sense: “To the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away”.

Direction: It is high time that we must get rid of our materialistic mentalities. Our faith and goodness must be abundant and generously given and shown. They are not “private properties”!

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021)

 

Focus: Faith is a light that has to be shown and testified in the radiance of goodness. True faith surely stirs up one another to love and good works

 

Abundance must be the target of every follower of Christ. The statement, "To the one who has more, more will be given" sounds very unfair against the principle of social justice. But such a problem arises when taken in the material sense. It is not at all in terms of material abundance and affluence. It is the abundance of goodness. If there is goodness, that must be constantly cultivated, nurtured, exercised, and fostered. There are no half-measures. It must be shown and shown in plenty. The measure we give will be the measure we get. If we give ourselves generously without tainted considerations, we will also receive abundantly. But if we give only very little because of profitable calculations and self-seeking interests, then surely, what we receive will also be very little. If we have light within, it must shine and radiate, for there is nothing hidden in the sight of God. One day, everything will be made manifest at the appointed time.

But, often in human life, there is a great missing of this abundance and light. It is because our hearts are not sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies are not washed with pure water. It is because we do not hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. It is because we do not draw near God with a true heart in full assurance of faith.

Ultimately, heeding God and following His ways is a free choice and God does not want to force anyone. This is what Jesus implies, when he says, “if anyone has ears, let him hear”

 

Direction: Faith and goodness are like treasures that are not to be just preserved, but are to be shared generously. 

 

28 JANUARY 2022: 2 SAMUEL 11. 1-4, 5-10, 13-17; MARK 4. 26-34, St Thomas Aquinas

 

Focus: We should not judge things by their mere external appearance, but by their effect and usefulness.

 

1.      Right or wrong, good or bad is not a mere private and individual matter. It does not limit itself to the person himself but has a pervasive influence and wide-ranging effect. Many defend their wrong actions in the name of privacy and freedom. They argue that it is their life; what they do is something personal; they do not disturb or affect anybody.

2.      But it is not true. Any human action has a pervasive influence. It has an effect on others, either directly or indirectly. For example, some of the vices may look only self-ruinous. But, when examined, whatever harms an individual self will also have some harmful effect on the others as well.

3.      The simple reason is human beings’ life is interactive and inter-relational. No human activity is in isolation or in an exclusive territory. In today’s word of God, we have two examples of this pervasive influence of good and bad. In the first reading, we have the sample for the evil effect of David’s sin. In the gospel, we have the good effect of the mustard seed.

4.      The sinfulness of David does not remain to himself, but ranges from one wrong to another, growing to bigger proportions. His sin starts with negligence and irresponsibility, leading him to lower his image, succumbing to lower instincts and falling to adultery, and finally landing up in murder.

5.      Instead, we must allow good to take root and grow within us and around us. The kingdom of God is this good that must flourish and pervade all around. Like a seed and especially like a mustard seed, the kingdom of God must be allowed to grow and give shelter to many. We need not bother about its tiny size initially as a seed. We must see the end result of its potential when grown as a tree.

6.      St Thomas Aquinas opted for the good and pervasive effect of the kingdom. He strove to cultivate and foster God’s kingdom through his pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, devotion and virtue. Consequently, in him, the kingdom grew big and wide, bore abundant fruits, and gave shelter to so many in the path of God.

 

Direction: Both good and evil are always present before us. Good prompts us while evil tempts us. Good is difficult and thus not much attractive and appealing, while evil is easy and very compelling. But good is gracious while evil is pernicious!

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021)

Focus: God wants us to grow and make progressive progress. The beginnings may be small, but when grown, our life can become very beneficial to many

 

We should constantly plant and nurture the seed of God's kingdom within us. Like any seed, its growth does not entirely depend on us. It is God who puts life into it and gives the growth. What we are expected to do is to plant it and provide the necessary care. And like the mustard seed, it grows to a mighty tree to give shelter and shade to many. The beginnings may be small and humble. But the end fruits can be great and plenty. Often, there is a tendency to judge the greatness of persons on the basis of their beginnings and backgrounds. But that is not right. A mustard seed is tiny and insignificant in its beginnings. But as it grows, it becomes huge and sheltering. Seeds are small when planted, but when grown, they become a rich harvest.

In the light of these examples, we are called to flourish and to become productive and beneficial to others. The test of the quality of our life and faith is this criterion of growth and productivity. We must be cautious not to shrink back because God is not pleased with shrinking. We must not throw away our confidence come what may. Instead, we must keep our souls and live by faith. We must continue being enlightened. We must endure and do the will of God, in spite of the possible struggles and sufferings, even abuse and affliction. But, that will not be a waste. We will receive a great reward that what is promised.

 

Direction: We reap what we sow.  The quality and abundance of fruit depend on the quality of the plant. It is our choice to make between God's kingdom and the evil kingdom

 

29 JANUARY 2022: 2 SAMUEL 12. 1-7, 10-17; MARK 4. 35-41

 

Focus: When one loses self-focus, one loses self-awareness and self-renewal, and thus life itself becomes a loss.

 

1.      Focus is the key factor in any sphere of human life. The loss of focus leads to disastrous consequences. It makes one lose the sense of purpose and direction. It makes one distracted, deviated, and distorted. It makes one mediocre and uncommitted. It reduces drastically the quality and density of one’s performance and excellence.

2.      This is a double focus: Focus on self and focus on God. Self-focus is not self-interest or selfishness. Rather it is a concern to discover and groom the true self and perfect it. It is a constant striving to eliminate the layers of a false self and to brighten and rejuvenate the real self. In other words, self-focus is a journey of self-discovery and self-renewal.

3.      This self-focus was missing in David. He committed the sins of adultery and murder. But he was not self-conscious. Prophet Nathan tries to make David aware of his sin through a story. He narrates the story of a rich man with many flocks and a poor man with only one lamb. At the arrival of a guest, the rich man feasts with the only lamb of the poor man, instead of one from his many flocks.

4.      The rich man in the story clearly points to David in direct reference to his sin of taking Uriah’s wife in spite of his numerous women. The story was supposed to bring David self-focus and thus lead to repentance and self-rectification. But still, David failed in self-focus. Hence Nathan had to tell him explicitly, “You are the man!”

5.      In the gospel, we have the other aspect of the loss of focus, and that is the focus on the Lord. The disciples in the boat are attacked and frightened by a storm. In their panic, they lose their focus on the Lord. They find him asleep. They get annoyed that he is not bothered even in their perishing situation. This is clearly the loss of focus on the Lord. They fail to believe that as long as the Lord is present with them in the same boat, nothing can harm them because no power can overpower his power. Further, they fail to realize that he is ever concerned for them and he would never allow any harm to befall them.  

 

Direction: If the loss of God-focus and self-focus is the cause for many evils in human life, leading to lack of devotion and dedication, then the only remedy to arrest such a situation is to reawaken this double focus. Be focused on God and be focused on the true self!

 

 

 (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021)

 

Focus: Faith is not a windshield that shields us against all winds and forces. It is not a guarantee against all adversities. Rather, it is a sustainer of our strength and hope amidst such unfavorable situations

 

The disciples in the boat were hit by a great storm and strong waves. They were frightened. They become panicky. They even lose sight of the presence of the Lord in the boat. They shout for help. The Lord rebukes them for their lack of faith and calms the wind. Our life and our faith are no different. Life is a boat in a constant sea-sail, surmounted by storms. The sail gets harder and harder, threatening to sink it and perishing the life. What is more worrisome is that the Lord himself seems to be unbothered and unconcerned about it. Fear grips and faith wavers. What to do and how to counter such a situation? Enhance the focus on the Lord. He is with us always and everywhere. The problem is, we shift away from our focus from him to the waves and winds. Consequently, they appear big and mighty. They seem to overtake and drown us. Instead, let us rekindle our faith in him. Our God is a God of faith and faithfulness. He is a God who never abandons those who place their faith in him. He is the God of Abraham, a man of profound and unquestioning, and unconditioned faith. He is a God who rewarded the faith of Abraham. We need to deepen such true faith which is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. It is that faith that constantly hears the Lord’s question, “Why are you afraid?” It is that faith which confides in the Lord’s power commanding the sea, “Peace! Be still!”. When the Lord is with us, when we are focused on him, when we trust in him, nothing can sink us. For sure, he will come to our rescue.

 

Direction: Life is never free from storms and there is every possibility to be frightened. But never worry. The Lord is ever with us to come to our rescue.