04 - 09 APRIL 2022, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS
04 APRIL 2022: DANIEL 13. 41-62; JOHN 8. 12-20
Focus: Truth is often contested and condemned because of false witnesses and wrong judgments. We need to remember that God appreciates a truthful and witnessing life
1. In today’s word of God, the theme of witness attracts our attention. In the first reading, the innocent Susanna is falsely accused of adultery by false witnesses; but Daniel being filled with the holy spirit stands in her cause and bears true witness. In the gospel, Jesus speaks of himself and the Father as the two authentic witnesses in his cause.
2. It is good to ask, often why there is false witness and judgment. In the words of Jesus, it is because people are led by the flesh and not the Spirit. It is because they know not God, neither the Father nor the Son. It is because they do not have the light of life; they do not follow the light but prefer to walk in darkness. In the similar words of Daniel in the first reading, people witness falsely and judge falsely because beauty deceives them and lust perverts their hearts.
3. When we too do not know God, do not have and follow the light and walk in darkness, when we too think, speak and act according to the perversions of the flesh, when we do not abide in truth and do not mind about causing harm to the other, then we too succumb to the falsity of witness and judgment.
4. What then is the remedy to bear true witness? Like Daniel, we must be open to being filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Thus, we too can stand courageously amidst and against all the falsities. He was just a young lad but stood up because he was with God. He did not feel intimidated to raise a lone voice against the judges, men in authority. He could challenge and rebuke their false judgment because he was led by God and not by human power.
5. Then, unlike the unbelieving Jews, we must personally know Jesus, we must know where he comes from and where he goes. We must know and believe that he came from the Father and goes back to the Father. We must believe that the Father and the Son are one; they bear witness to each other. Further, we must follow Jesus who is the light of the world.
Direction: In times of desperation and crisis, Susanna did not give up hope. She did not question God, nor was she shaken in her faith. She totally surrendered her cause to God. God intervened and vindicated her innocence
05 APRIL 2022: NUMBERS 21. 4-9; JOHN 8. 21-30
Focus: Many consider faith only a matter of religion and spirituality. Consequently, they reduce it to the practice of some religious activities or believing some doctrines and traditions. But true faith is a matter of relationship and faithfulness to God
1. “Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins”, so says Jesus to the Jews in the gospel. This would mean that only faith in him will save them from their sins. But what is this faith that they lack? How is it seen? We see so many signs of lack of faith in both the readings.
2. To lack faith is to forget God’s blessings and great favours in our life. The Hebrews on their way to the Promised Land completely forget the mighty deeds of God during their Egyptian slavery. Subsequently, they become ungrateful and start blaming Moses and God.
3. They forget how God saved them from dying experiences and kept them alive. They conveniently forget how God led them through the Red sea, how He continued to sustain them with water from the rock and Manna from heaven. But they protest to Moses, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food”. Ingratitude and the spirit of complaining and grumbling is another clear sign of a lack of faith.
4. Lack of faith also implies a wrong judgment and valuation. The Hebrews regard manna which is God’s own food from heaven as loathsome and worthless food but crave those onions, garlic, and meat, the food of slavery as something desirable and delicious.
5. In the light of the gospel, lack of faith essentially means to be of this world and to be below. For Jesus tells the unbelieving Jews that they do not believe him because “you are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world”.
6. What to do then? How to grow from lack of faith to true faith? Realize our sinfulness and repent for our wrongdoing, as the Hebrews did. Look up to Jesus. Raise our sight and be focused on him, just as all those dead bitten by serpents looked up to the bronze serpent and came back to life. Rise from what is below and worldly. Do not belong and cling to the standards and ways of the world.
Direction: Our faith will be true only when we raise ourselves from this world and belong to God. This concretely manifests itself in doing always the things that are pleasing to God, as Jesus did
(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 23 MARCH)
Focus: To sin may be part of human frailty. But repentance and focus on God will certainly win God's forgiveness and healing
Jesus is united with the Father. He is sent from the Father, listens to Him, and does what pleases Him. But the people do not believe in him and they reject him. The reason is a total contrast between him and the people: he is from above but they are from below; he belongs to God but they belong to the world.
This is the same case with regard to the Israelites. They are so earth-bound. Their main botheration in the desert was food and drink, and that too rich and varied. They forget all their misery of slavery in Egypt. They forget the mighty works of God. They even lose sight of the greatest act of liberation, the Exodus. They don’t realize how benevolently God provides them with food from heaven even in the desert. They don’t value and appreciate God’s manifold blessings. They turn ungrateful, grumbling, and blaming. They blame Moses and God as if they liberated the people from Egypt for dying in the wilderness. They call manna a loathsome worthless food.
This is all because their perspective, their concerns were in contrast to God’s. Thus, those who are caught up with the world and remain immersed in it will fail in their faith and goodness. They become blind to God and to others. Further, they will die in their own sin. However, if they repent and seek God’s mercy, they would be forgiven and saved, like the Israelites. Yes, those who raise themselves out of the grip of the world, and remain focused on the Lord, will gain eternal life.
Direction: As long as one does not realize one's sinfulness and refuses to accept it and repent for it, one will not receive God's forgiveness and will not change their lives
06 APRIL 2022: DANIEL 3. 14-20,24-25, 28; JOHN 8. 31-42
Focus: Many seek freedom and it is natural and needed. But they should realize what true freedom is. They should know how to attain it. They should also follow the right means to get it
1. Freedom is a strong theme for our reflection today. In the first reading from Daniel, three youngsters Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego lose their freedom. They are thrown into the fire because they refuse to worship false gods. They prefer death rather than disloyalty to their true God. They prefer to forfeit their temporary freedom rather than lose their dignity as God’s children. They prefer slavery for the sake of faith rather than slavery to sin.
2. Many think they are free because they have free access to many things and pleasures of the world. As they have the freedom to use or abuse as they like, they imagine themselves to be free beings. Thus, they equate licentiousness and self-indulgence with freedom. But actually, this is nothing but slavery to evil. This is what Jesus clearly teaches: Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin and is not free.
3. Any freedom to do wrong is an only false freedom. Any freedom that does not lead and contribute to good and positive is not true freedom. Therefore, freedom is tested by truth. Freedom is true when it abides in truth and promotes truth. Any freedom that endangers truth and indulges in falsity is not freedom but only slavery.
4. That is why Jesus asserts: Know the truth and truth will make you free. The three youngsters knew the truth. They knew that only true God is the highest priority and only obedience to Him is the highest duty. They knew that serving the king or the false gods may bring temporary relief and freedom but it will cause eternal loss and damnation. They were ready to be burnt in the natural fire rather than the fire of hell. They were truthful and faithful to their faith. That is why God miraculously sets them free.
5. On the contrary, the Jews do not see the truth, do not accept it, and follow it. They do not recognize the truth of Jesus, his identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. They do not accept the truth proclaimed by Jesus. They do not realize the truth about their sinfulness and unfaith. They do not realize that Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free. They fail to repent and believe. They fail to live truthful and authentic lives. Instead, they are steeped in hypocrisy.
Direction: We need to constantly reflect and see whether the freedom that we passionately seek and fight for is really making us free people who are not enslaved to sin. Freedom opposed to truth is only false.
(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 24 MARCH)
Focus: Goodwill always is assaulted by evil and will be forced to default and defect. But faith, perseverance, and fidelity will sustain the good.
In the first reading from Daniel, the three youngsters Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defy the order of the king to worship the false god. They remain faithful to the true God. They know the truth and they continue free to serve the true God. They prefer to obey God rather than please the king. They prefer temporary persecution to eternal damnation. They remain as obedient but free children of God rather than as the enslaved children of sin. They prefer to die so that they can gain eternal life. No threat, no fear, no force, no pressure can shake their faith.
On the contrary, in the gospel, the Jews fail to know the Truth, Jesus himself. They become blind to recognize his identity, by their shallow following of the laws and traditions. They become slaves of sin They reject Jesus, the supreme giver, and perfecter of all law. They lose the precious gift of freedom, offered by him.
This is what happens in the case of anyone who is blind to the truth and led by false ways of the world and shallow practices. Any rejection of truth is falsity. Any falsity is sin and every sin is enslavement. And every enslavement takes away real freedom. But we know freedom is the deepest craving and priced treasure of every human, and everyone seeks it. Nothing in the world can substitute true freedom. When there is no true freedom, there will be no meaning, no value, no dignity, and no deep joy of life.
Faith alone gives that inner sight to see and follow the truth. What the three young men had was this faith, and what the Jews lacked was this same faith. Consequently, the three young men were rescued and freed. They become worthy of eternal life. But the unbelieving Jews continue enslaved. They stand condemned and lose eternal life.
Direction: Many are externally free, in the sense that they are free to do anything of their choice and preference. But little do they realize that any slavery to sin is an only false freedom
07 APRIL 2022: GENESIS 17. 3-9; JOHN 8. 51-59
Focus: As long as we think only from a human and earthly perspective and run after worldly pursuits, we will not understand God’s ways and cannot be faithful to Him
1. Abraham figures in both the readings of the day. In the first reading from Genesis, God encounters Abram and makes promises to him and covenant with him. Thereby, his name changes his whole life changes. He becomes Abraham, the father of a son in old age, the father of many nations, and a blessing for many. He becomes a father and model of faith.
2. In the gospel, Jesus says that Abraham saw him and was glad because he is before Abraham was. This is something crazy about history because Abraham and Jesus belong to two epochs. Clearly, Jesus was referring to his pre-existence, his identity of eternity as the Son of God.
3. He was speaking from a divine perspective. Naturally, the Jews would not understand it because their perspective and realm of thinking are different. They think and see things and Jesus from a mere earthly and human perspective.
4. This is the same divine, eternal perspective with which Jesus declares, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death”. Clearly, he was not speaking of natural physical death. What he meant was that believing and following his word will bring eternal life. In other words, faith gives eternity. In this sense, Abraham lives eternally because he had faith in God.
5. This is the problem with many. They claim to have faith but their perspective and realm are merely earthly and human. They think in worldly terms. The only antidote for this is to imitate Jesus. Like Jesus, we should always try to glorify God and not ourselves. We must know Him and keep His word.
6. Such an imitation will prevent us from misunderstanding others acting wrongly towards them as the Jews did. They did not understand what Jesus meant. They mistake his union with the Father as blasphemy. They become furious. They pick up stones to throw at him. This cautions us that we must not easily resent and oppose others just because they think and act differently.
Direction: We must value and appreciate others, not on the basis of how much they fit into our thinking and judging. Rather it should be on the basis of their authenticity and integrity
08 APRIL 2022: JEREMIAH 20. 10-13; JOHN 10. 31-42
Focus: In everyone’s life suffering is bound to come. Especially, the life of a true believer in God and follower of Christ will have to face many problems for the sake of his faith. What will be his response reaction?
1. Good and godly people suffer. This is an obvious fact. In today’s readings, we find this in the case of prophet Jeremiah and Jesus. Both face opposition, rejection, persecution, and condemnation. Both stand in the face of death, becoming victims of plots to kill them.
2. It is not a punishment. It is the price they had to pay for their loyalty and commitment. It is the cost of their conviction and authenticity. Few things always stand out in them. One is their total communion with God. That is why Jesus would declare, “the Father is in me and I am in the Father”
3. Second, even in their greatest desperation, they felt this total belonging to God. They do not lose heart. They are not shaken in their faith. Jesus was convinced that Father is always on his side and will never abandon him. The Father will be his guide and strength and surely will glorify him. Jeremiah too was convinced, saying, “The Lord is with me as a dread warrior”.
4. Third, they deeply and perseveringly hoped for God’s vindication. Jesus says that everyone will be judged according to their faith or unfaith. The prophet affirms, “My persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not succeed. They will be eternally dishonoured… The Lord will deliver the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers”.
5. They surrendered themselves totally to God. They accept their sufferings as tests and trials for righteousness. They do not seek vengeance by themselves. Rather they commit their cause to God. They remain totally focused on their mission. Come what may, they never swerved from their commitment to the mission entrusted to them by God.
Direction: Jesus could challenge the Jews, “For which of the good works I have shown you from the Father you are going to stone me?” He was convinced because he was authentic. How many are convincingly authentic?
09 APRIL 2022: EZK 37. 21-28; JN 11. 45-57
Focus: Unity is a sign of fidelity and sanctity. God always wants His children to be united as one family. Their communion with God and with others becomes an authentic sign of their faithfulness and holiness
1. God always owns us up. He is a God who belongs to us and who makes us belong to Him. He is God of covenant and intimacy. He is in a stable and everlasting relationship with His people. That is why today in the first reading from Ezekiel, God repeats twice: “They shall be my people and I will be their God”.
2. God promises that He will gather His people from all around, and bring them to their own land. He will make them one nation. One king shall be king over them all. They shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. Historically, it may refer to the Jewish people and their kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
3. But they allude very much to the new Israel, the Christian faithful, the followers of Christ. It is the one nation of the Church of faith. The one kingdom is the kingdom of heaven surpassing the kingdom of the world and evil. Christ is the one king that reigns over all. He is the one shepherd in line with David. As prophesied rightly by the high priest Caiaphas, Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
4. Now what will be some signs and conditions of belonging to this one God, one nation, and one kingdom of God? We shall not defile ourselves anymore with our modern idols like money, sex, power, and position; or with any detestable things; or with any transgressions. We shall save ourselves from all the backsliding. We shall be cleansed from our sins. We shall walk in God’s rules and be careful to obey His statutes.
Direction: God promises that He makes a covenant that is of peace and is everlasting. Are we in this covenantal relationship with God? Is there unity, peace, and unfailing durable fidelity?
(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 27 MARCH)
Focus: Life becomes a blessing when there is a profound belonging to God when God becomes our own God and we become God's own people
Holiness and mission are the hallmarks of a man of God, and all the more, of Jesus. Such a life is vividly described in the first reading from Ezekiel. It is a life totally related to God - rooted in God, flourishing on God, and bearing fruits by God. It is a life that is cleansed from all defilement of false idols, a life that lives by a faithful observance of God's statutes, a life of abundance in the promised and blessed land of God.
Jesus lives such a life and offers such a godly and abundant life to those who turn to God. He donated such new life to Lazarus in the passage that precedes today's passage. In giving life to Lazarus, Jesus runs the risk of death. What a paradox of our faith: he gives life to Lazarus, but as a result, he embraces death. But it is not a helpless twist of fate. It is a willing fulfillment of God's plan of salvation.
Trust deeply trust in God’s love, mercy, and power. Purify ourselves and preserve ourselves pure. Understand and value God owning us up, who says, I am your God and you are my own people. Never forget our inseparable bonding, both spiritual and fraternal.
– life will not be the same. It will change. Let us also believe in the promises and assurances of God. God assures that he will make a covenant of peace and everlasting. He will bless and multiply them.
Direction: Those who are faithful to God, live a life in conformity with His holy will. They will persevere to the end and accomplish the mission, come what may
(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 26 MARCH 2022)
Focus: Good and good people will always face adversities and will suffer a lot at the hands of evil. But those who confide in God and are convinced of good will stand firm like a rock
Today’s Word of God in both the readings lays accent on the rock-like conviction and courage of prophet Jeremiah and Jesus. Jeremiah is haunted and persecuted by his own people. But he does not give up. He does not lose heart or courage. He does not also give in to negative and angry feelings of revenge and retaliation. Whether it is the reward for him for his perseverance or judgment on his enemies for their wickedness, everything he leaves into the hands of God. He surrenders everything into God’s mighty hands and just dealing, by professing “to you. O God, I have committed my cause”.
Jesus too suffers at the hands of his own people. Often they enter into arguments and disputes with him. They contest and challenge him, they accuse and criticize him, counter and defy him. They are totally closed and do not see his divine identity and do not accept him. They try to trap him and trouble him. They refuse to listen to him and reject him. In a spirit of an earnest search, they could analyze and discover the truth in Jesus’ claims about his oneness with the Father. But instead, they take offense at his words, labelling them as blasphemy.
Jesus challenges their lack of discernment and grounds for finding fault with him. On what grounds, do they blame him? On what grounds do they disbelieve Jesus’ intimacy and unique relationship with the Father? How can they close their eyes not to see the mighty works of God through Jesus? How can they refuse to accept the testimony of his own works, done under the purview of God’s light and power? His own works bear testimony to his communion with the Father, and to his mission of salvation. But nothing of these – opposition, falsification, persecution could deter his spirit. He continues his mission undaunted.
Direction: Jesus said, if you do not believe me, it is okay. But at least believe the works I do, because they themselves become the testimonies for Jesus’ unity with the Father, and his total loyalty to do what the Father tells him and to please him by doing His will.
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