27th week days mass reflection of the year 22

 

03 - 08 OCTOBER 2022, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

03 OCTOBER 2022: GALATIANS 1. 6-12; LUKE 10. 25-37

Thrust: Charity is to see beyond!

Indicative: We are living in a world where human sensitivities are losing teeth. Many are losing that capacity of the heart to feel and be moved by the pain and difficulty of the other

 

1. “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” This was the question of a lawyer to Jesus. Was he genuine in his question because he was religious-minded and destiny-oriented? We need not probe into the intention of this lawyer.  For us, this question is not so vital. He might have been sincerely desirous of inheriting eternal life. Or, he might have intended to trap Jesus forcing him to answer controversial questions.
2. But for us, the question itself is more important. It is so dense. It shows two essential aspects of our life: the loftiness of our purpose, a higher goal for our life; and also the personal responsibility to reach that goal, to accomplish that purpose. The goal or the purpose of the lawyer in the gospel is “inheriting the eternal life”. To realise this, he is also aware of his effort on his part, raising the question, “What shall I do?”
3. The answer to this is found in the parable of the good Samaritan in the person of the Samaritan. What must we do to inherit eternal life? Do like him. Be a good neighbour to others, especially in times of pain and need.
4. The lawyer asks the question, “Who is my neighbour?” In the understanding of the Jews, neighbourhood was confined only to their race and nation. Thus, neighbourhood was a matter of kinsmanship, affinity, and some allegiance. In the case of many, this is the same understanding. A neighbour is one who belongs to the same caste, region, religion, culture, language, etc.
5. In the case of some others, the neighbourhood is a matter of geographical vicinity and physical nearness. Further, some others consider others as neighbours who are good and helpful to them. Accordingly, whom one needs, who are useful to him, are considered neighbours.
6. But, Jesus reverses the whole question, the whole perspective, and the approach. The question is   no more "who is my neighbor?" but "to whom I am a neighbor?" Such a change of question is not merely a change of words. It is a change of the entire attitude and way of life. It is a concrete experience and exercise of profound sensitivity. It is a sensitivity that sees the pain and struggle of the other, feels for them, takes time to go for their help, and spares time and resources to care for them.
7. A neighbour is not any longer one who is near or dear to me by affinities of blood, vicinity, or interests. A neighbour is anyone and everyone who is in need, who needs my help. A neighbour is not so much who can help me, but rather one whom I can help. The good Samaritan stands as an icon for this true and perfect neighbourliness.

 

Imperative: A good life is not merely good knowledge, good intentions, and good words. Ultimately it must be seen in good actions of sensitivity.

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2020, 05 OCTOBER/ 2021, 04 OCTOBER)

1. The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most familiar, outstanding, and inspiring teachings of all times. It has been the inspiration for many humanitarian and charitable services, both individual and collective. Not to reduce the positive, this parable is also at times used to demand help and service from others, quoting the example of the Good Samaritan.

2. The supreme command of God is very clear: Love God in totality and love the neighbor as one loves one’s own self. Only this will bring us to inherit eternity, if at all one truly believes in such a destiny beyond the temporary and temporal. Now the parable dwells on the crucial question, “Who is my neighbor?” This is very crucial and relevant especially in our own times and in our society. The first duty today is to clarify our own hopelessly restricted and narrowed notion of a neighbor. The neighbourhood is demarcated by the boundaries of physical proximity, confined by the affinities like country, race, lineage, caste, region, language, culture, religion, rite, occupation, or controlled by the concerns like profit, gratification, convenience, etc.

3. Accordingly we find different kinds of neighbors: those who are totally indifferent and unconcerned toward others, being totally self-interested and self-serving; those who harm others for their gain; those who help others but with ulterior motives, expecting a return or good impression; those who are selectively and conveniently good, only to some or only in some matters or situations. What kind of neighbors are we?

4. Today we are reminded and challenged to rise beyond our narrow demarcations. A neighbor is anyone in need, who is in difficulty. The neighbourhood is a matter of assistance and service to attend to the need. It is not a matter of self-gain or convenience. It is not a choice but a duty. It is not an option but an obligation. It is not a favor but a mandate. It is not a possibility but a priority. Always and everywhere, one should seek to be a good neighbor to the other. One should not look for good neighbors who can help us and fulfill our needs but should strive to be good neighbors to others in need. Fraternity is our identity, sensitivity is our quality and charity is our priority – this in simple is the essence of being a good neighbor.

5. The fault of the priest and the Levite in the gospel is that they failed in their primary identity of being brothers and sisters, failed in the quality of being sensitive to the victim’s need, and failed in giving priority to charity. They might even be a good priest and Levites, doing well in their duty and profession. They might have their own reasons to avoid helping the victim, to go away in haste. But nothing of these can justify their failure in fraternity, sensitivity, and charity. But the Good Samaritan had no botheration about his convenience or gain or schedule or work or time or money.

6. Real charity demands not to “pass by on the other side” like the priest and the Levite, but to “see aside and turn around our attention by the roadside”, to “stop and create space” from one’s busy schedule, to “take the trouble and be humble to get down” from one’s riding on self and self-interests, to “take courage to go out of one’s way”, to “take time to move” to those in need, to “care the wounds of others”, to “accompany them in a process of healing and recovery of strength”.

7. There is also a spiritual side to this story of Good Samaritan, along with the fraternal side. God is the Supreme Good Samaritan because He always keeps close to us in our needs and suffering. He is sensitive and benevolent to us always and everywhere, even without any merit or return on our part. He cares for our wounds inflicted by sin and the troubles of life. He cleans us, heals us, and makes us sane again, with his own blood.

Direction: How many of us are Good Samaritans, genuinely and selflessly? How much are we aware of the boundless compassion of God, the supreme Good Samaritan? How much are we grateful and appreciative of numerous Good Samaritans?

04 OCTOBER 2022: GALATIANS 1. 13-24; LUKE 10. 38-42, ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

 

Thrust: Be integrated!

Indicative: The life of many becomes insipid and full of tension because there is no proper coordination and integration among the various aspects of life

 

1. The gospel presents before us the story of two sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, a family of Bethany, very close to Jesus. Usually, this episode is used to speak of the importance and priority of prayer. That is very true. No work even the best, can substitute prayer. No one can neglect or give up spiritual duties under the pretext of work.
2. Jesus rebukes Martha, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
3. Clearly, this is a caution for all of us that prayer should be our priority and it should not be sidelined or relegated in preference to some work. The rebuke of Martha by Jesus need not be taken as something personal, directed only to her. Rather it is a warning and admonition to anyone who is tempted to neglect the personal intimacy with Jesus in the face of some activity.
4. But here we can focus on the attitude of Martha in that context. If she did not go to the Lord and complained against her sister Mary, perhaps she would have not received that rebuke. She feels so self-righteous. She feels that only she is doing the right thing and Mary is doing the wrong thing. Or at least she feels that she is doing a better thing and her sister, a less good thing.
5. This is a misguided notion of self-righteousness. This is widely prevalent in every circle of life, be it the political, the economic, or the religious as well. A corrupt politician will accuse others of corruption. A deceptive businessman condemns cheating and manipulation. An inauthentic and dishonest religious and spiritual person will criticize heavily about the loss of integrity.
6. All this kind of double standards is because of the deeper spirit of self-pride of rating themselves better and greater than others. They look down upon others, complain against others, and dictate to others what they should do. They lack the sense of self-awareness and clarity of priorities.

 

Imperative: Sitting at the feet of the Lord and listening to him is the portion of life that is indispensable. This cannot be taken away for the sake of anything else

 

(A SHORT REFLECTION ON ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI)

 

Focus: Harmony with nature is not a mere matter of nature-meditation or ecological consciousness; rather it is a life in harmony with all

1. St Francis of Assisi is a saint of all times. His austerity, renunciation, detachment, simplicity, and humility may be hard to imitate. His harmony with nature to the extent of calling them, “brother sun”, “sister moon”, etc. may look rather strange and mystical.
2. His total renunciation of ancestral property and royal mode of life in affluence and comfort may look impractical. But these are worth imitating and are timely remedies and healing antidotes. Many may admire this saint but argue that his virtues are not realistic and even not so relevant. But this is a hasty observation and conclusion. His spirit never dies and is never stale and outdated. His virtues are never dry or insipid but ever fresh and vibrant.
3. His utter humility is seen in naming his order as Friars Minor. This denotes his mind that his followers must regard themselves as the least among the religious. This humility is further seen in his remaining as a permanent deacon because he considered himself unworthy of such an immense grace of priesthood.
4. It is very good that many subscribe to his spirituality. Many are well-versed with his life and teachings and offer great knowledge about him. All this is very good. But ultimately, life trickles down to simple details and questions: how much of his life and spirituality concretely influences and changes our life?
5. He is great not because he has numerous followers and is popular, He is great because he lived according to the words of Jesus. He understood Law not as a bundle of rules and regulations but as the spirit of life. So, to follow the law is to live the supreme law of love. Love God totally without reserve and measure and love the neighbor selflessly with no self-interests or disparities or prejudices. Love God as a priority and in its entirety. Love neighbor with fraternity and parity.

 

 

Direction: We have numerous saints before us but not much sanctity in us. Change is possible only when we make them from objects of devotion and pilgrimage to companions in devotion and dedication 

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2020, 06 OCTOBER) 

 

Focus: Our life can be more positive and productive if we grow more harmonious and not dichotomous

The story of Mary and Martha is too familiar to be taken for granted. In the first place, one should not interpret such a way that poses work and prayer as two opposites and conflicting polarities. Neither Martha represents the category of work, nor does Mary represent the category of prayer. There is no outright condemnation of all work as if it is something detestable.

The crux of the message is: at no moment, for no reason one should lose focus on Jesus and displace the priority on him. Nothing can become an alternative or a substitute for the personal encounter, experience, and intimacy with Jesus. No kind of work however good it be, no amount of work however much it be, should be an excuse to neglect the presence of the Lord in prayer.

We shall also not fall into the same temptation of Martha to rate ourselves and our work better than others, judge and blame them for not doing the right thing and complain to the Lord himself. We will be wiser to set our focus always on the Lord, to give him the topmost priority, and to conduct all our affairs in sublimation and in conformity to God’s closeness. 

Direction: Prayer is not a waste of time or energy. Rather it is the source that gives us the right direction, orientation, and energy for all our works.

(REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 05 OCTOBER)

 

Focus: The beauty and joy of life consist not in dichotomy and conflict between prayer and work but in harmony. 

 

1. The story of Mary and Martha in the gospel is a familiar one. Apparently, it is a story of two individuals who were very close to Jesus. But it is in fact the story of constant tension and struggle between prayer and work, symbolized by Mary and Martha respectively. This is a very real experience for everyone. It is not just a practical problem but an existential problem. It is a constant pull between spiritual concerns and secular tasks.

2. What is needed is that both prayer and action should go together. We should not neglect work and duties in the name of prayer and spiritual duties. Similarly, we should not neglect or reduce our spiritual concerns under the pretext of heavy loads of work. One should not throw away or substitute the other. Because both complement and support each other. Prayer breathes "spirit" into the "flesh" of works. And work supplies "flesh" to the spirit of prayer.

3. However, we should bear in mind that as followers of Christ, prayer is our highest priority. By prayer we mean not just a number of prayers or spiritual activities. It means essentially an intimate communion, loyalty, and commitment to Christ. Nothing can be equal or substitute or alternative to this primacy.

4. Especially in our own times, where there is the viral trend of activism, where people are so negligent toward God and the spiritual because of their worldly pursuits, preoccupations, and self-interests, we need to reiterate this priority of prayer and devotion. In fact, true prayer and spirituality certainly one to be more responsible and hardworking.  

 

Direction: Work built on and guided by prayer, becomes deep and productive. Work devoid of prayer runs the risk of becoming shallow and superficial.

 

05 OCTOBER 2022: GAL 2. 1-2, 7-14; LUKE 11. 1-4

 

Thrust: An authentic prayer!

Indicative: An authentic prayer is not only praying with authentic expression and manner. It is more an authentic way of living

 

1. Today the word of God teaches us about true prayer. First of all, it becomes clear that prayer is not a matter of words but of heart and life. Praying is not about what words we are using, the standard of them, the knack of the right use of the words, or the effect of them.
2. We are not taking away the importance of the due words. We cannot be simply negligent and use any words. We should be well-prepared and use meaningful words. But here the point is that the expressions and formulations, the modulation or the technics or the tactics of the effective presentation should not dominate and minimize the primacy of the spirit of prayer.
3. The selection and the presentation of our expression must be the tools and channels for communicating and transmitting the depth of experience and the power of the Spirit. Thus, it is not our words but the Word that is most important. It is not the efficiency and the power of our communication or presentation but the efficacy and the power of God's own Spirit communicating with us.
4. A good many times, human skill and medium of presentation are eclipsing the vitality of the depth and effect of the essence and the content. Ultimately, all our prayers must deepen our authenticity concerning God and others. It means, our prayers must make us more authentic. There is no true spirituality without authenticity.
5. It is in this context, the approach of Paul toward Peter and other Jewish Christians becomes relevant. He questions the inauthenticity and the double dealings of Peter and co. regarding the practice of circumcision and their dealing with the Gentiles. What is true faith without authenticity in our approach and dealing with others?
6. It is in this same context of authentic prayer that Jesus teaches the sublime prayer, ‘Our Father’. It is not just one of many prayers. It is the model of true prayer. It shows how our prayer must be, and what are the essential ingredients of it. A prayer becomes authentic when there is a sense of family that holds God as our one Father. It must commit us to keep holy God’s name. This consists in striving to grow holy constantly and to spread His kingdom of love and justice.
7. Further, authentic prayer makes us contented with the minimum. It makes us contrite to seek forgiveness from God and also forgive others magnanimously. It makes constant efforts to guard ourselves against the attacks of the evil one.

 

Imperative: The whole aim of all our activities and devotions is to become more and more authentic in concrete life. There is no room for hypocrisy in true prayer

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2020, 07 OCTOBER)

 

Focus: To pray does not mean to recite a bundle of prayers but to be in a personal relationship with God

The sublime prayer “Our Father” is proposed as the model prayer. What Jesus teaches us is not merely some accurate prayer formulations or table of contents. It is the sum of the essentials of prayer – what to pray, what to pray for, and how to pray.

Prayer is not meant to impress God or impress others, or to feel great and self-satisfied. It is an expression of our spiritual and fraternal communion. It is realizing our inalienable bonding with God and one another as one family of God’s children and sisters and brothers. It is experiencing and deepening this essential belonging.

This is the fundamental spirit and disposition. And it is in this perspective that all that we pray and pray for, makes sense. Accordingly, we pray for the spread of one God’s kingdom where reigns the primacy and surrender to God’s will. We pray for daily sustenance and contentment. We pray for the grace to forgive and the strength to resist and overcome evil.

Direction: A prayer that loses sight of oneness with God and others and relies heavily on material requests, is deficient

 

(REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 06 OCTOBER)

 

Focus: True prayer is never confined to the spiritual domain alone but outflows into all the spheres of life and changes the whole person 

 

1. Often prayer appears to intend to change God's intention and action. I get sick and I pray that the sickness is healed. I fail and I pray to taste success. I am discouraged and I pray to be encouraged. I feel to give up and I pray for perseverance. In all these, it is not so much changing God's mind but for changing our own person and life- situation.

2. True prayer is deeply trusting and confiding in God being "gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" as Jonah in the first reading acknowledges. God never intends evil as punishment. He allows evil either for our purification or sanctification. That is, suffering is a way of just reparation for our sins or is a way of holiness offering for the salvation of others.

3. True prayer, on one hand, purifies us and on the other hand, sanctifies us. In humility and repentance, we seek His forgiveness. And once forgiven and purified, we also strive to become like Him, in sanctity and similarity.

4. This fosters in us a spirit of one family of God's children in the midst of a culture of disunity and dissension. It makes us commit ourselves to work to spread God's kingdom by doing always His holy will amid petty and ill-motivated kingdoms. It fills us with the spirit of contentment amid greed and accumulation. 

5. Further, amid a culture of grudges and retaliation, true prayer helps us to become merciful and forgiving, just as God is infinitely merciful and just as we receive an abundance of forgiveness from God and others. It also solidifies us to remain firm amidst all evil pressures and temptations. 

 

Direction: The great prayer "Our Father" does not teach us some formulations for reciting a prayer. Rather, it teaches us the spirit and end of all our prayers. It betters our person and life. 

 

06 OCTOBER 2022: GALATIANS 3. 1-5; LUKE 11. 5-13

 

Thrust: Persevere to confide!

Indicative: Lack of perseverance and commitment is one big sickness that is infecting today’s society. Many start great and big with bundles of enthusiasm and dedication but how long?

 

1. We are going through an “instant” culture. This means a mentality that wants things to happen instantly and immediately. People are not willing, ready, and prepared to be patient and wait. They expect things to happen within no time. They want quick results. When this does not happen, when there is a delay, then easily they get upset, impatient, intolerant, irritated, annoyed, and even frustrated.
2. From this “fast food culture” and impatience, people fail to persevere. Thus many good things have a slow natural death because of the lack of stability and continuity. This was what happened in the case of the Galatians. Initially, they were so faithful. But they did not persevere in their faith and fidelity. They did not continue in the genuineness of their tradition.
3. In contrast, we have an example of perseverance in the gospel story. A friend goes to another friend at midnight asking for a little bread for his guest. His friend tries to excuse and exempt himself from giving what is asked for. However, because of the persistence of the seeker, he would give in and do the request.
4. The point is not to pester God and get things by all means. The contrast between a wicked father and benevolent Father is to press hard on the effect of perseverance. The straight message is, God is ever-giving and keen to grant us readily what we stand in need of. If the wicked humans themseves are so good to their children. how much more an all-good will be good to His beloved children?
5. God will never fail us in our needs. The only thing, we must not limit this receiving of favours only to material things. Jesus makes it clear that it is primarily pertaining to the Holy Spirit, that is, the spiritual things. In simple, God would never deny or fail to supply what contributes to our holistic growth.

 

Imperative:  Surely, we trust Jesus’s assurance, “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find, and knock and it will be opened to you.” But we must always give space for God’s will, time, and ways in granting us

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 07 OCTOBER)

 

Focus: Prayer is such an inexhaustible font of grace and we can never speak enough 

 

1. Today again Jesus continues his sublime teaching on prayer. He calls us for perseverance. A sincere prayer must persevere especially when things look bleak or go upside down or all doors are shut. The two biggest challenges for prayer not to persevere are presented in the first reading and the gospel respectively. One challenge is, evil prospers and good suffers. The evil-doers go on sinning, becoming arrogant and harmful. God seems to be not taking any action. So, they continue their evil ways. At the same time, the righteous seem to be fighting a lost battle and only suffering seems to be their lot. Such experiences are really upsetting and frustrating.
2. The Second challenge is that of refusal and rejection. In the gospel story, a man goes to his friend late at night seeking a little bread for his unexpected guests. Initially, his request was turned down because it was very late and all were asleep. But because of his insistence, he received what he wanted. Similarly, in our life too, the battle and struggle continue.
3. Many a time, we do not receive what we genuinely ask for. It is in such times we must deepen our trust in God’s abiding and unfailing care and justice. Jesus assures us: “If you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him”. He will never be unjust to the righteous, those who fear God and serve Him.

 

Direction: All that is needed is to confide and persevere in the power of prayer, in the power of intercession.

 

07 OCTOBER 2022: GAL 3. 7-14; LUKE 11. 15-26, OUR LADY OF ROSARY

 

Thrust: Faith is counting on God!

Indicative: Very many times, the power and the greatness of faith is measured in terms of human capacities to perform great things. But great faith is great trust and surrender to God

 

1. We must know that we are spiritually and morally weak. We must know that we are constantly assailed by evil forces. We also must know that we are susceptible to fail and fall. This knowing is not enough. We must also know that God is the strongest man and stronger than the devil who is stronger than the human.
2. Our strength alone will not be enough to confront and defeat evil. We need to depend on God. Only with His strength can we stand firm against the evil one. It is not enough that we keep the house clean and in order. It indicates using the human resources and capacities. But this house that is realeased from the evil spirit must be filled with the clean and holy spirit. Otherwise, the unclean spirit will enter and possess more powerfully an empty heart.
3. This is the real faith of Abraham mentioned in the first reading. He was reckoned as a righteous person in God’s sight. It is not because of his mere observance of the Law. Rather, it is because of his faith in God and loyalty to His covenant.
4. This Trust in God and entrustment to God implies that we are humble and open enough to see and acknowledge the power of God working in our life. We should not be like Pharisees and scribes who were so so jealous, stubborn and closed. Consequently, they will not accept and appreciate the good that surrounds them.
5. Still further, they will make wrong attributions even to the healing acts of Jesus. They wrongly attributed the miracles to Jesus’ coalition with Satan. They accused him, “he casts out demons with the help of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.”

 

Imperative: God does not expect that we are super-strong and resist and overcome the devil all the times. There are never guarantees that we will come out as victors against Satan always. We will not succeed as long as we depend only on human resources and not God,

 

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 08 OCTOBER)

 

Focus: We are living in a world where there is a malaise of negativity and slander. Good is twisted and accused with wrong motives. It is here we need to bear witness to positive holiness and genuine goodness 

 

1.       Often the problem is not so much the lack of goodness but the lack of openness to see it and encourage it. There is so much blindness and stubbornness toward truth and good. Consequently, good is not only not recognized and appreciated, but it is presented as bad. This is what happened in the case of Jesus. Jesus in all benevolence heals many sick and demon-possessed. Instead of recognizing God’s power in and through him, the Jewish people accuse him of healing with the help of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. They already see so many signs that evidence God’s power but still, they demand signs.

2.       Jesus makes it very clear that good cannot come from evil. Any trace of bad and division, weakness, and spiritual blindness is nothing but the work of the devil. At times, evil may promote itself in the disguise of good. But its ultimate result is harm and destruction. How foolish the people are not to see that all of Jesus’ holiness and goodness, all his power comes and can come only from God!

3.       The devil is the strong man in the gospel. For a while, he is fully armed and has control over all. But once Jesus, the stronger one comes, the evil one has to give way. The power of God assails and overcomes the evil one. However, we can never take for granted the evil one and its whereabouts and crooked designs. Like the unclean spirit in the gospel, for a while, it may have left us and gone away. But it can return any time more powerfully with more force.

4.       Therefore, in our spiritual life, there can never be moments of being unalert and lax. We can never keep ourselves empty. We must constantly fill ourselves with the clean and Holy Spirit. For this, in the light of the first reading from Joel, one most effective means is fasting and penance in sincere repentance. 

 

Direction: There is always the lurking danger of falling into the snares of jealousy and stubbornness. This would lead to prejudice and slander. Instead, let us foster the spirit of optimism and spiritual diligence 

 

(REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020, 09 OCTOBER) 

 

Focus: Faith is not a matter of opting for God as one of the many alternatives, even be the best, but counting on him as the only option

The modern man, with all his increased technological and commercial intelligence constantly, tries to discern and decide among various alternatives and options. His sole criterion is which serves the best his convenience and gain. In this process, there is no loyalty and no commitment to any particular choice. It is all compromise and time-bound. His loyalty lasts as long as a specific option proves more beneficial.

But faith in God is not like that. It is a deep personal trust and unwavering loyalty to the Lord as the highest choice. The evil, the Beelzebul also may bring many worldly benefits, as we concretely see today, where the evil-seekers thrive more and faster. But no evil power is stronger than God who is the “strongest man” in the gospel. When the strongest comes, the strong surrenders and is defeated. However, reliance on God should not be casual, in the sense that one should never be complacent that the evil is gone away. Rather, faith is a daily affair, a consistent struggle and guard against the evil which is ever waiting to pounce upon us with more army, with “seven more spirits”.

Direction: It is not enough to empty the heart off the evil spirit, but is much more important to fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit, lest we be re-filled by the evil more powerfully

 

(REFLECTION 4 ON OUR LADY OF ROSARY FROM 2020, 2021)

 

Focus: Holy Rosary is not a magical rod or miraculous talisman that automatically works wonders. It is a symbol of faith and docility. It is a holy weapon and instrument of grace against the evil one

 

1. Today we venerate Our Lady of Rosary, a feast installed as a commemoration of great victory over hostile forces against faith. The commemoration of Our Lady of Rosary serves as a great assurance. Mary confirms that God is always benevolent and attentive to us. When people in the fear of their enemies and the impending defeat interceded to the Mother, she promptly intervened, mediated God’s power, and thus granted victory to the believers. Holy Rosary is offered to us as a powerful weapon against the enemy.
2. We must rediscover the proper value of the holy rosary and the power and effect of reciting it. It is not mere praise and exaltation of Mary, as many wrongly think. It is in fact giving glory to God Himself who works His grace in and through Mary who cooperates with His grace in humility and surrender. She is great and glorified because she glorified God. She is powerful in her intercession and mediation because of the power of God to which she totally surrenders herself.
3. It is worth highlighting the mediatory power of the Mother’s intercession. In her, we have a secure refuge and sure guidance against evil forces. It is because of her intimate communion with the Lord and her profound maternal affection and care for us. The holy rosary, as some scoffers accuse, is not a mindless and repetitious glorification of Mary that thwarts the uniqueness of Jesus or divinity of God.
4. The holy rosary is a meaningful remembrance of Mary’s docile collaboration with God’s grace and His salvific plan. It is in fact exalting God’s own grace in exalting Mary. The holy rosary is a powerful and insistent weapon against the devil and its evil proposals. It is an ever-flowing fount of strength from where we derive our inspiration and energy for charity, like the Good Samaritan.

 

Direction: Our devotion to Mary should not be seen as an appendix or a threat or a rival to our faith in God but as an integral part and support

08 OCTOBER 2022: GAL 3. 22-29; LUKE 11. 27-28

Thrust: Being blessed!

Indicative: Real greatness is liberation from the imprisonment of sin. Sin takes away our freedom and brings upon us curse

1. There is a constant fight and war between God and Satan, good and bad. It is a fight that God owns up on our behalf. He justifies us by faith. Through Jesus, we are reconciled, cleansed and made God’s children. Thereby we put on Christ. Thus, we become God’s royal inheritance without any discrimination.
2. That is why Paul affirms this perfect equality, saying, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus… heirs according to promise.”
3. This is the right blessedness that Jesus utters and offers. To the one who acclaims, “Blessed the womb that bore you,” intending to praise his mother Mary, Jesus clarifies that true greatness does not come from allegiance to a region or religion, or physical lineage or cultural heritage.
4. Apparently, there is a belittlement of his mother. But actually, there is an elevation in the right perspective, for the right reason. Mary is great and blessed not by the mere physical belonging and allegiance as the mother of Jesus. She is blessed because she “hears the word of God and keeps it.”
5. Thereby, all of us are exhorted to seek such blessedness by the Spirit. It is a blessedness by our spiritual bonding and communion. The ultimate criterion to belong to Christ and his family is to listen to God’s voice and will and follow it.

Imperative: Blessed are those who become God’s children, not by tradition but by devotion and relation, direction and dedication

(REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 09 OCTOBER)

Focus: Greatness or blessedness does not come from birth or lineage. It does not depend upon physical relationships. Rather, one is blessed if he is born of God and exercises spiritual relationships 

 

1.       When the children do great, automatically the credit and praise go to the parents. Similarly, looking at Jesus, someone extols his mother, saying, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked”. Immediately Jesus declares, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it”. Here, it is not a dishonor to his mother, not a disowning of his belonging to his mother. Rather, it is a reallocation of the true greatness of his mother. Jesus wants to show clearly what is the true greatness of his mother. He wants to show her blessedness on a different level higher than the merely physical.

2.       Mary is great and blessed not just because she is the physical mother of Jesus. She is blessed because of her spiritual fecundity. She constantly gives birth to the spirit of Jesus. She “hears the word of God and keeps it”. As Joel 3. 12-21 affirms, Mary totally believed that the “Lord is a refuge to His people, a stronghold to the people of Israel”. She believed in the benevolent promises of God who assures: “And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk...”

3.       Mary was a perfect disciple, one who hears God’s word attentively and follows it diligently. She is truly that wise person in Matthew 7. 24-27, one who builds his house on a foundation of rock. No floods, no rains, no winds can make it collapse because it is solidly founded on a rock. Mary remained firm like a rock even amidst storms of life. She is blessed because all through her life, hearing the word and keeping it was the norm and guiding force of her life.

Direction: In a world that seeks greatness based on affinities and allegiances of caste, region, religion, culture, status, position, et cetera, Mary’s greatness was her spiritual tenacity and holistic integrity   

 

(REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020, 10 OCTOBER)

Focus: Blessedness is a matter of belonging to the Lord by a personal commitment, and not merely by lineage or membership

Who is blessed? Who is great in the sight of God? Greatness, whether secular or spiritual, is often calculated in terms of one’s relationship by blood or affinity or by favor. So and so is great because he is a relative of that great man or favored by him. But in the spiritual realm, there is no such measurement. One does not become great, just because he is a member of the church by name, or holds a great office. One becomes blessed only by his or her spiritual tenacity, maturity, and connectivity to the Lord. That is, the only criterion for measuring one’s blessedness is hearing God’s Word and accordingly doing God’s will. No other criteria matter. Mary is great, not only because of her relation to Jesus as his mother. But her true greatness is in her unfailing adherence to God’s Word and God’s will. It is foolish that people seek greatness in titles or influence or status. 

 

Direction: No one becomes great in the sight of God unless great is his attentiveness to God’s word and great is the following of God’s will.