28th week days mass reflection of the year 22

10 - 15 OCTOBER 2022, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 10 OCTOBER 2022: GAL 4. 22-24, 26-27, 31 – 5.1; LUKE 11. 29-32 Thrust: Freedom and sight! Indicative: Only freedom enables us to see clearly and act rightly. Those who are under the slavery of sin will become blind and walk wrongly 1. Freedom is a priced gift and everyone desires it. But often many mistake freedom for licentiousness that wants to do whatever it likes. Most of the time, individual likes and preferences are not guarantees for the good and right things. They can be deviating and destructive. They can be inclinations of seeking pleasure and gratification. 2. In modern society, there is an intense craving and search for freedom. Much of this freedom may be a disguised form of new slavery. In the name of freedom, one may be getting entrapped by harmful enslavements and entanglements. Here the words of Paul in the first reading become relevant: “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” 3. Real freedom is freedom from the slavery of sin. Now sin is whatever is contrary to God, His love, and His will. Therefore, whenever one fails in faith in God, whenever one does not cooperate with God’s grace, they are not free but are slaves. In this way, the Pharisees and scribes were not free from sin because they refused to believe in Jesus. They refused to repent and mend their ways. 4. They refused to see the signs of God’s love and power manifested in and through Jesus. In fact, Jesus himself is the greatest sign of God’s love. Yet, they demand signs to prove himself. They were under the slavery of jealousy, self-righteousness, and stubbornness. Jesus rebukes them as an evil generation and they deserve it because they are so. Imperative: Let us not be seekers of false freedom which is a disguise of slavery. The more we surrender to God’s will and plans, the more we see the signs of His loving presence and action, the more we are free (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 11 OCTOBER) Focus: We are called by God with a singular mission of “bringing about the obedience of faith for the sake of Christ among all the nations” 1. In the gospel we find that Jesus’ own people reject him. The reason is, they lost the awareness of the sacredness of their call. They lost the sense of their identity as the chosen people of God. They lost sight of the dignity and duty of their mission, which is to be agents of faith among all the nations. They lost the spirit of repentance and conversion. 2. In fact, all his miracles and healings were powerful signs of God’s power and caring intervention in their lives. All his preaching and teachings were effective signs of the assurance of God’s love and mercy. And he himself is the greatest and most authentic sign of God’s love and power. Yet, still, they demand signs. They refuse to believe in him. They do not accept him. They do not repent and convert themselves. Instead, they resist, confront, criticise and persecute him. Direction: Are we any different from the unbelieving Jews who do not trust Jesus but test him? They do not accept in openness but refuse in stubbornness. They do not surrender to God in humility but demand in arrogance. Are we also the “evil generation”? (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020, 12 OCTOBER) Focus: True knowledge should lead us to transparence and acceptance and not arrogance and rejection. False knowledge leads to false freedom, which is only a disguise of slavery to sin The people in Jesus’ time did not accept Jesus’ message because they did not recognize his true identity as the Son of God and Messiah. It is because they were arrogant and closed because of their presumptuous knowledge and familiarity concerning Jesus. They demanded to prove himself through miracles. They failed to understand that faith is essentially a matter of trust and experience and not a matter of proof. Miracles are only signs that indicate and authenticate the presence and power of God. They are meant to supplement one’s openness to believe and not to generate or guarantee faith. These people of Jesus’ time stand condemnable by the people of Nineveh who repented and were converted at Jonah’s wake-up call, and also by the queen of Sheba who traveled so far to witness Solomon’s wisdom. How foolish are these people not to respond to Jesus positively, who is greater than Jonah and Solomon! Jesus sternly addresses them as an evil generation. They rightly deserve this harsh comment, because they do not repent and turn to the gift of faith in Jesus. Rather, they prefer to cling to the old slavery of heartless legalism and sin. Direction: A faith that depends only on signs and favors will very easily get disillusioned and fall into crisis. True faith never indulges in a deviating and destructive freedom 11 OCTOBER 2022: GAL 5. 1-6; LUKE 11. 37-41 Thrust: Law of freedom is purity! Indicative: True freedom should make a person clear-sighted. He would be able to see things in their due importance 1. In life, there are many concerns. But all of them are not equally important. There is a gradation of priorities. Often, this clarity of priorities is so much missing in modern society. Consequently, there is a distortion of priorities: the primary become the secondary, and the secondary become the primary; the essential are dominated by the inessential. 2. This was what happened in the early Christian communities as testified by the word of God. They were giving more importance to Jewish laws and traditions. They forget the fact that all the laws are meant to foster the freedom of the Spirit and freedom of faith. Besides, the law of Christ, the law of love, and faith in Christ surpasses every law. 3. Accordingly, it is not the physical circumcision that is binding but the circumcision of the heart. It is not a negative binding but a positive bonding with the Lord. It is a sign of spiritual adherence and belonging to the Lord. That is why Paul affirms, “For, in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for nothing, but only faith working through love.” 4. Another instance of such distortion is being so scrupulous about the external washing of hands and cleaning of the cup and the dish. It was exaggerated importance to external purification and purity. But what about the interior purity? What about the contamination of the heart by sin? Should not exterior purity symbolise and lead to interior purity? 5. Pope John XXIII was such a man of freedom and purity. Imperative: All the laws and traditions may prescribe certain external activities and practices. The intention is to make the person authentic and holistic. They should deepen the interior spirit (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 12 OCTOBER) Focus: Openness to truth leads to acceptance in faith and that leads to life in righteousness and this leads to salvation 1. In human life, there is always tension between the exterior and the interior, the exterior purity, and the interior purity. In religious circles, this struggle often leads to conflict and dichotomy, which eventually leads to mutual exclusion. In simple details, it means that the external rituals and spiritual activities fail to foster inner purity. They are meant to cleanse a person’s heart and life. They are meant to make a person pure. 2. But the sad thing is, very often the religious rituals and devotional practices fail to touch and change the interior. They remain only at the surface level. This was the real failure of the Pharisees and scribes. They cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but the inside is full of extortion and wickedness. The external ablutions are meant to indicate and induce interior purification. Just as the cup and dish are cleansed, so also our minds must be cleansed. 3. All this contradiction and failure is due to the lack of deep faith. A deep faith implies an openness to truth, the truth of God and oneself. It is to realize God’s alienable role in our life and a total belonging to him. It is to realize the futility and senselessness of our thinking and pursuits without due space for God. It is not to fall prey to lust and impurities. It is not to deify merely earthly and worldly and dethrone God. True faith includes righteousness. And faith without righteousness forfeits salvation. Direction: Knowing the truth and being truthful; Accepting in faith and remaining faithful, understanding the right, and becoming righteous are true signs of integrity. True integrity is a harmony of the exterior and interior purity (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020, 13 OCTOBER) Focus: Religious activities are not mere matters of practice, observance, and tradition but are to be means and expressions of an authentic heart and devotion As persons of faith, we certainly manifest our faith in performing some spiritual actions, devotions, laws, and precepts. It is a tangible way of expressing and living our spirit of faith. However, they cannot become cover-ups or substitutes for the lack of interior authenticity and purity or for the lack of a life of integrity. This is what happened in the case of many Jews of the time of Jesus and Paul. They were so strict about observing the law. But they did not realize that they were actually bound by it. Instead of growing in the freedom to love and serve, they became enslaved by what they themselves created. They were meticulous about circumcision of the flesh, but were they aware of circumcising their heart, cutting it off from the attachment to sin? Sadly, in the present times too, very often the exterior religious activities or obligations do not proceed from a genuine interior disposition. They also do not lead to a way of actions and life that are compatible with the spirit and purpose of these religious practices. Cleaning outside, whether of hands or of cups and of the dish, as a religious precept is good, but what about cleaning inside? Almsgiving is good but what about cultivating a heart of sensitivity and charity? It is not so much a matter of conflict between the interior and the exterior. It is not a matter of disputing which is greater. It is more of a duty to live a life of harmony and integrity. It is to nurture a pure heart and manifest a good living in honesty and loyalty. Direction: A life of integrity that integrates a pure interior and a devout exterior is praiseworthy in God’s sight; they are not rivals or competitors but friends and mutual supporters 12 OCTOBER 2022: GAL 5. 18-25; LUKE 11. 42-46 Thrust: Bear the fruits! Indicative: Those who truly belong to God will be authentic and bear the fruits of the Spirit 1. Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. It is not being judgmental and condemnatory toward others. It is not lacking in charity. It is a matter of calling for authenticity. It is a question of leading a life of integrity. All the more, when we are in a role and position of teaching and guiding others and demanding from them a right life, we should check and see whether we ourselves are trying to do and live the same. 2. This was exactly the fault of the Pharisees and scribes. They demanded so much from others but they themselves did not follow what they demanded. They taught many things but they themselves did not practice. They twisted the priorities. They gave more importance to religious traditions like tithes but neglected the most important precepts of justice and the love of God. 3. They taught people to be humble and not self-seeking. But they themselves were seeking places and powers of honour. They live hidden and disguised lives with an outer cover and garb of religiosity, like unmarked graves. 4. All this shows that they were not led by the Spirit but by the flesh. We have a clear contrast between the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit in the first reading. They are clearly led by the flesh because they do the works of the flesh. Vices like impurity, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, rivalries, dissensions, and divisions reign over them. 5. This is the reason why they could not feel at home in the presence of Jesus. They resented and resisted because he not only preached by word but also lived by example. So his life of authenticity was a great question mark to their hypocrisy. They felt poked and provoked, questioned and challenged by his life of integrity. Imperative: As long as we are in the realm of the flesh, we will do the works of the flesh. They will go contrary to the fruits of Spirit that will get us to inheritance (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 13 OCTOBER) Focus: There is no doubt that God is boundlessly kind, patient, and merciful. But all this must lead us to sincere repentance and change of life. One shall not forget the righteous judgment of God! 1. In the light of the gospel, Hypocrisy is one thing that Jesus could never tolerate. He would understand and forgive even the greatest sinner and weaknesses but not hypocrites. In the gospel, he rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for this hypocrisy. He exposes a series of its layers. 2. One is, they insist on external religious obligations like tithe but they totally neglect the more important precepts like justice and the love of God. Second, they lack humility and seek self-glory by craving for the best honors. Third, they are like graves that symbolise lifelessness and emptiness but are hidden underneath. Fourth is, they are so demanding and exacting toward others, loading others with hard and unbearable burdens, but they are so lenient and self-indulgent toward themselves. They do not do what they demand others to do. 3. What then is the remedy? First of all, we must become deeply conscious of God’s righteous judgment: He will render to every man according to his works; He shows no partiality on the basis of worldly honors or even religious allegiances; there will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, but glory and honour and peace for everyone who does good. Therefore, shun hypocrisy; melt the hard and impenitent heart. Stir up sincere repentance and change life. Direction: The fact that we belong to Christianity and perform some religious obligations, or that we occupy some honours, or that we have great knowledge and even teach, guide and rule over others is no guarantee of a favourable judgment of God. All that matters is a repentant heart and a transformed life! (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020, 14 OCTOBER) Focus: Hypocrisy is a biggest block in one’s journey of conversion. It is a clearest counterpart of immorality and infidelity Jesus is heavy in his tirade against the Pharisees and scribes. The reason is quite obvious. It is their cut-throat hypocrisy. It is all the more deplorable because it is disguised under religious garb. Such hypocrisy shelters itself in an inauthentic heart. There is a sharp contradiction between what they religiously teach and perform and what they actually live and do. They are prompt in giving alms but neglect justice and love. They crave honour by best seats and salutations but do not live with honour and humility. They pretend to be rigorous religious leaders by meticulously insisting on the laws but they themselves do not follow the spirit of the law. And the real spirit of all law is fidelity and love. God is highly displeased with such an inauthentic life. Direction: Let us get rid of our inauthentic and hypocritical selves. Let us grow a little more humble, honest, and converted. Let us learn to operate more and more in the realm of the Spirit and not the realm of the flesh 13 OCTOBER 2022: EPH 1. 1-10; LUKE 11. 47-54 Thrust: To be holy and blameless! Indicative: In life, the awareness of purposes is very important lest it will deviate us from the right path 1. In the first reading, we are reminded of the purpose of our life. That is to be holy and blameless before Him. It is for this that He chose us before the foundation of the world. This is our eternal destiny. We can lead a good and faithful life if we are always aware of this our eternal destiny and purpose of life. 2. People lose the sense of direction and go off track when they lose the sense of purpose of life as a whole and also the purpose of different things in life. This is what happened in the case of the Pharisees and scribes. They lost sight of the purpose of their various religious practices and laws. They did not bother about the spirit behind them. They concentrated only on their external performance of them. 3. They followed the laws meticulously but missed the purpose of them. Laws are meant to be guides that discipline us, restrain and regulate us and guard us against deviations. But they reduced them to credit cards of righteousness and guarantees of piety. 4. Similarly, they built beautiful tombs in honour of the prophets who were killed by their ancestors. But the purpose is not so much to honour them, to make reparation for the sin committed, or to follow their example. It was more to cover up the wrongdoing and divert the attention of the people from the wrongdoing. 5. Further, they had excellent knowledge of the scripture and tradition. But they did not accomplish the purpose. It was meant to teach and guide the people and take them to the kingdom. Knowledge was like a key given to them to open the doors of the kingdom to all. But instead, they would distort the teachings to suit their convenience and advantage. Thus, they hinder those who want to enter the kingdom. Imperative: Hypocrisy is not merely a wrong perspective and approach. It is a total failure in living the fundamental purpose of our life, which is to be holy and blameless (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 14 OCTOBER) Focus: God is just and righteous. But this does not mean that He judges and condemns us heartlessly according to our sinfulness. His justice contains mercy! 1. As already noted earlier, Jesus is never at home with hypocrisy. In today’s gospel, he exposes two other layers of hypocrisy, in direct reference to the scribes and lawyers. One is the “diversion technique”. The other is, the “deviation technique”. The diversion technique simply means that they try to cover up a serious wrong with some pleasing external act. Concretely, it refers to their building beautiful tombs of those prophets whom their ancestors killed. 2. It is not because they really honour those prophets or feel sorry for such murderous acts. It is also not because they want to do reparation for their past sins. It is nothing but a diversion technique: they just want to divert the attention of the people from the gravity of the sin by the apparent honour. Their intentions and motive are clearly hypocritical. If they really honour the prophets, then why did they allow the killing of John the Baptist? If they honour the prophets, then why do they not accept and believe Jesus? 3. The second trace of their hypocrisy is the deviation technique. Instead of using their knowledge for guiding the people, they use it for twisting the principles and misguiding them. It is like closing the doors of the kingdom. They take away the key and thereby neither they enter nor they allow others to enter. 4. But all this honest critique of Jesus leads to a totally opposite reaction and consequence. It should create in them a spirit of self-critique and self-discovery and repentance and thus conversion. Instead, they would become more stubborn in their self-righteousness, and hostile and malicious to provoke him and catch him in some wrong. Direction: Hypocrisy is a clever disguise for self-righteousness. Unless one tears off the garb of self-righteousness, and surrenders to God’s merciful righteousness in humility, one cannot receive God’s grace. (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020, 15 OCTOBER) Focus: Doing wrong is already bad. But hiding it or justifying it or glorifying it is worse. Doing bad is enough bad, but not tolerating anyone doing good, and not allowing them to do good, is the worst Jesus’ hard rebuke of hypocrisy continues. He exposes two more aspects of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. One is, “religiosizing” or “spiritualising” the killing of the prophets of the past by building monuments in their honour. Thereby they cleverly mitigate the gravity of the wrong. Another aspect of hypocrisy is: they become blocks and hindrances to the people entering the kingdom, instead of becoming guides and animators. Their knowledge should be like the key that opens up the door of the kingdom to the people. Instead, they use this key of knowledge to close the door and misguide the people. They themselves do not enter and even prevent others to enter. But very sadly, this rupturing of God’s eternal design continues even now. People in the name of religion can shamelessly become unholy and blameworthy. Even inhuman and selfish acts and behaviour can be spiritualised as a matter of religiosity. Knowledge and competence are often used, not as keys to open up a new society of love and peace, but as keys to shut the doors. Direction: Not walking the right way is serious enough. But misguiding others in the wrong way is abominable. Blocking those who try to walk the right way, and persecuting them, is detestable 14 OCTOBER 2022: EPH 1. 11-14; LUKE 12. 1-7 Thrust: Destined for inheritance! Indicative: We are called and chosen for an eternal inheritance. Therefore, we must live worthy of our call, in trust and authenticity, shunning all hypocrisy and fear 1. The first reading reminds us that we are predestined according to God’s purpose. And this destiny is the inheritance of eternal life. This inheritance is obtained in Christ through the gospel of salvation by the promised Holy Spirit. Therefore we need to live a life that will make us worthy of this immeasurable inheritance. 2. This prescribes a certain way of life with certain components. First, shun hypocrisy. This is compared to the leaven of the Pharisees. A little leaven can leaven the whole flour. In the same way, if we are not cautious, the leaven of hypocrisy that surrounds us can easily wrongly influence and change us adversely and negatively. 3. Second norm: Fear God rather than the world. Many times many are afraid mostly for worldly reasons, concerning guarantees and securities. They are more worried about losing some benefit or facing suffering and death even. But Jesus exhorts us, “do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.” 4. Rather fear Him who has the authority both to kill the mortal bodies as well as to cast into hell. The point here is not the frightening and ruthless power of God to terminate our life and throw us into hell. It is rather the unsurpassable and benevolent reign of God over us. It refers more to our bonding and binding obligation of adherence to Him. 5. Third norm: Let this fear be not something negative but a positive fear that springs from reverence and love. When there is love, there is fear to offend that person; it is a fear of not doing anything that is contrary and displeasing to that person. It is a fear that issues from deep confidence in God’s magnanimous care for us. This becomes clear from Jesus’ words, “even the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Imperative: In a world that constantly besets us with many negative influences, there is every possibility and danger to be led astray. So let us remain firm and well-guided with fear of God and His strength (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 15 OCTOBER) Focus: We must always bear in mind that grace and salvation are always gratuitous gifts of God. We can never claim them on the basis of our merit or performance. Faith and surrender is the only fitting attitude! 1. Salvation is our destiny and grace is the way to attain it. And faith is the condition to obtain it. True faith reminds us that ultimately grace and salvation are God’s generous gifts that we do not merit or deserve. Therefore, it is not the works that make us righteous or bring us salvation. Abraham was counted righteous before God not so much for his works but for his faith. In fact, his righteous life, highlighted by his prompt readiness to sacrifice even his only son Isaac, is nothing but an authentic expression, a natural outflow, and a testimony of his profound faith. 2. The Pharisees and scribes lost sight of this gratuitous nature of grace and salvation. They were so self-righteous as to think presumptuously that they merit and acquire grace and salvation due to their observance of the law and good works. They failed to understand that works without faith and surrender are shallow and superfluous. It is like flesh without life. 3. This led them easily into legalism and hypocrisy. That is why there was a sharp chasm between their intention and action, their heart and deed, their interior and exterior. This dichotomy is so contagious like “leaven”. The Lord warns us of this leaven of hypocrisy, so as not to be infected and vitiated by it. 4. He indicates to us that hypocrisy may work for some time before men but not before God: ‘Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, it is better to live accountable toward God, rather than admirable before the world. 5. That is why, Jesus exhorts us, not to fear the world that can only harm us externally or physically. Rather, fear God who has total control over our lives, and even our destiny of eternity. Besides, why fear when He takes deep personal care of each one of us? He who cares even little sparrows, He for whom even the hairs of our head are all numbered, will He not care us? Direction: Following the Lord is a strenuous task that will beset us with numerous trials and fearful experiences. But nothing to fear, because the Lord has total control over everything. He will steer the course of action and especially the end is with Him. (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020, 16 OCTOBER) Focus: Christian life is a constant call to bear witness in word and deed. Certainly, it is a tough task. But there is no need to worry or be frightened, for God is always with us The Word of God today constantly reminds us that we are people, specially chosen and destined by God. In simple, it is to inherit redemption and to become God’s own possession. Accordingly, we exist and live for the praise of His glory. This is in perfect accord with the eternal purpose and will of God for us. In accomplishing this, for sure, we will come across many opposing and crushing forces. Like the leaven of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, which Jesus mentions in the gospel, we too will confront prevailing hypocrisy and deception. And this has a devastating pervasive influence, vitiating the whole atmosphere of our human society. So, as Jesus cautions us, we need to be cautious, judicious, and firm. The evil time and again will worry and scare us, casting so much fear and loss of hope into our hearts. But we need not lose heart and hope, because God meticulously takes care of us. He who takes care of even small creatures like sparrows, will He not take care of us? We are people of respect and dignity. He will not let us down. He will keep a count even of our hairs. To the extent we are faithful to God, to the extent we bear witness to Him, to that extent we will experience the light and power of God. Is it not foolish to save our bodies but lose our souls? Is it not unwise to have fear of those who can harm us only externally but have no fear of God who can change our destiny entirely? 15 OCTOBER 2022: EPH 1. 15-23; LUKE 12. 8-12 Thrust: A faith that acknowledges! Indicative: A life of faith implies and summons us to be committed to what and to whom we believe 1. We are living in a world where people tend to be non-committal. Even if they make a commitment, they do not want long-term or life-long commitment. The mentality is “as long as it works,” as long as something is convenient and suited to my likes and needs. This affects all areas of life, whether it is marital, social or political, or economic. 2. The same uncommitted mentality affects the religious or spiritual sphere as well. This is indicated by Jesus’ words in the gospel. He speaks of acknowledging him or denying him; bearing witness to him or evading any stand and risk. 3. Jesus’ words make it clear that religion is not merely a matter of subscribing to some doctrines and traditions. Rather it is essentially a matter of living a way of life, a commitment to follow Jesus. It is a personal relationship and binding. However, it is not merely a private matter of loyalty to an individual Jesus. 4. Rather, it is a commitment to the divine itself. In other words, committing to Jesus would imply committing to the presence and power of God itself. It is accepting and committing to the spiritual realm in human life. In this sense, true faith is a call to live a life that is not earth-bound and limited to the material and worldly. Rather, it is to live a Spirit-oriented life. 5. This would imply in the light of the first reading to live according to the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. It is to have the eyes of our hearts enlightened, to know and inherit the riches of His glorious inheritance, to experience the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ. 6. Understood in this way, denying and non-committing to the spiritual power of God will amount to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit itself. It is not a matter of denying the name of God but denying the very spiritual power and action of God in our lives. 7. St Teresa of Avila whom we commemorate today iconises this divine courage and commitment. Amidst tempestuous trials, she stood firm to reform her Carmelite order. This strength she derived from her intimate mystical experiences of the Lord. Imperative: Many mistake religious adherence only as being bound to certain names of God or rituals. They forget that it is essentially a commitment to live in the spiritual realm, under the influence of the Holy Spirit (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2020, 17 OCTOBER) Focus: Owning up God and testifying to our belonging to the Lord, is a fundamental sign of faith. A Faith that falls to compromises and lives away from God, is nothing but a fake faith Today in the name of modernity, many feel shy and even ashamed to let others know about their adherence to God and religion. Some others do not adhere because they nurture a heightened sense of complacency that they do not need. Some others remain indifferent because they are afraid of any possible risks and troubles. Many faithful have become nominal and the faith of many became very shallow and superficial. For many, faith and prayer are matters of some devotion or tradition or means of some divine assistance and consolation. For some, God is more a concern at one’s convenience and will. But today the Lord is very clear that failure to accept him and own him up is very grave, which results in God’s own disowning us. The reason is, it is not merely a failure to recognise Jesus in flesh and blood but to identify the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit that is working in and through Jesus. It amounts to a rejection of the very nature of the power and wisdom of God. Those who are rejecting and standing against the Holy Spirit, are actually blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. It is denying the very spiritual presence and power of God Himself. In the gospel, the matter is not that denying Jesus is pardonable while denying the Holy Spirit is not so. It is a caution against the lack of light to see clearly and reject God in his holy and spiritual ways. God ceaselessly acts through His Spirit, who enlightens us and emboldens us to stand firm and wise. Direction: Those who confide in God, can stand serene, because God Himself will personally protect them, guide them and strengthen them. (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 16 OCTOBER) Focus: Those who see only with the eyes of the world cannot see beyond and cannot live beyond. But those who wear the optic of faith, will rise beyond the merely earthly and strive for the above 1. Faith is essentially a matter of fidelity. Still, this fidelity is not only to some beliefs and truths. Much more, it is fidelity to the person of Christ. It is a personal love, loyalty, and commitment to his life and mission. Therefore, this faith makes us live a life of righteousness. Such a life constantly pushes us into situations of adversity and persecution. It is in such situations we need to profess our adherence to the Lord and acknowledge him before all. 2. This then calls us to be men of courage and hope: the courage to face the present ordeals with the hope for future glory, even hoping against hope. Our judgment and destiny depend on our extent of fidelity. If we acknowledge him now, we will be acknowledged for heaven then. But if we deny him now for fear or convenience, then we will be rejected then. It is not that God is conditioned by our response. Rather, it implies that our life and our destiny depend on our freedom: it is we who are deciding and shaping our destiny here and now. 3. In freedom, we are called to be fully open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We must cooperate with His plans and designs. We must allow him to direct us. We must confide in his enlightenment and guidance. We must stand solid with the courage with which he emboldens us. It is in this sense that we must understand the words of Jesus in today’s gospel referring to the Holy Spirit.