First week of Advent season 22

28 NOVEMBER – 03 DECEMBER 2022: HOLY MASS REFLECTION 28 NOVEMBER 2022: ISAIAH 4. 2-6; MATTHEW 8. 5-11 Thrust: Faith heals! Indicative: True faith is nothing but a humble surrender. On one hand, it acknowledges the limitations of oneself and on the other hand, it recognises the unsurpassed greatness of God 1. The faith of the centurion in the gospel is so emblematic. That is why it receives high appreciation from Jesus. Jesus marvelled at his faith and acclaims his faith in public, saying, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.” 2. Now, what is the speciality of his faith that stands higher than the faith of even the chosen people of Israel? First of all, it comes from a deep trust in Jesus’ power. This trust is so deep that he believes that even from distance with a mere word, Jesus can heal his paralysed servant at home. 3. His faith is praiseworthy because it is humble. He readily admits that the power of Jesus is far beyond his own authority. It is indeed a dignified humility because it does not arise from low self-esteem or inferiority complex or self-despisal. He is fully aware that by virtue of his office as a centurion, he too possesses the authority to command and extract obedience from his servants. 4. But his authority is limited because it is confined only to the secular domain. In contrast, Jesus’ authority is divine and spiritual. It has no confines. It has power and control even over non-human forces like sickness. It can heal even beyond space, from distance, just with a word. 5. This double awareness of the contrasting authorities of him and Jesus leads him to a profound utterance of humility. He confesses, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only the word and my servant will be healed.” 6. That is why this faith-confession became exemplary as a humble confession before the reception of the holy Eucharist. The hyperbolic and exclusive praise of Jesus, stating, “with no one in Israel have I found such a faith,” is quite provocative as well. There is a provocation and challenge to the faith of Israel that faith is not their prerogative. Imperative: Faith is a matter of interior obedience and not merely exterior allegiance to a religion. It is a matter of surrender and not an inherited claim for favours (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 29 NOVEMBER) Focus: Faith is no one’s privilege or prerogative. Faith is a matter of attitude and approach. What I think of my God and how I approach Him in trust and humility is the matter 1. Jesus praises a centurion in the gospel for his faith, saying, “With no one in Israel have I found such faith”. Thereby, the first point clear is faith is not a matter of hereditary credit, not a matter of long-standing tradition. Certainly, the people of Israel were the chosen people by God. But that is no compulsivity or guarantee for receiving God’s grace. God may give His grace gratuitously but its reception depends on one’s receptivity and proper disposition. 2. Faith is that humble receptivity and conducive disposition. The centurion, even though a non-Israel had such faith and humility. If not for his faith in Jesus’ power as well as benevolence, he would not approach Jesus for healing his paralysed servant! If not for his faith, he would not tell Jesus not to trouble himself to come physically but is enough that he says a word of healing even over distance! If not for his utter humility, he would not humble himself before Jesus. He was fully conscious that he himself is a man in authority but his authority is inferior to Jesus’ authority. He professes so touchingly, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter my roof”. 3. It is the light of faith that makes him see and accept clearly the surpassing greatness of Jesus’ authority, its superior quality. His authority over his servants is human, legal, and earthly. It is something secular. But Jesus’ authority is spiritual. It comes from above, it is divine. Thereby, Jesus has authority even over sicknesses and evil powers, and with the power of his mere command even at distance, he would heal the paralysis. Direction: Let us not only appreciate the faith and humility of the centurion. Let us also emulate his example. Let us realize that we receive God’s favors not because we deserve them but only because God loves us and knows that we need them 29 NOVEMBER 2022: ISAIAH 11. 1-10; LUKE 10. 21-24 Thrust: God rejoices! Indicative: The messianic times are coming. They will abound in wisdom and joy, peace and harmony. Truly they are times so assuring and comforting 1. Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit and thanks the Father. This is significant because it includes and involves all three persons of the Holy Trinity. This shows once again the perfect oneness of the Trinity. Joy and thankfulness are there where Trinity is. They are the greatest signs of the presence and power of the Trinity. Therefore, whenever joy and thankfulness are missing, it is a clear sign that God is missing. 2. The reason for rejoicing and thanking is also clear. It is because God hides the heavenly mysteries from the intelligent and reveals them to the little children. These intelligent are worldly-wise people. These are experts concerning worldly knowledge and mundane matters. 3. But they are not familiar with nor are they interested in the divine matters. Especially they do not know the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son and that between the Son and his chosen ones. 4. Instead, the little ones are those who are humble and submissive. They are open, docile, and receptive to God’s promptings and works. That is why God reveals the spiritual depths to them. They open their inner eyes to see the hand of God. They open their inner ears to hear the voice of God. Thus they are truly blessed. 5. In fact, bliss and joy is the greatest gift of the Messiah. When he comes, he ushers in and establishes the messianic times. Those times are times of the Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. 6. The messianic times are times of justice, righteousness, and equity. He shall not judge by appearances or peripherals or hearsay. He renders justice to the poor and the meek. But he metes out punishment to the wicked. 7. Further, the messianic times are times of peace and harmony. There will be no hatred or enmity, no aggression or violence, whereby wolf and lamb, calf and lion will dwell together. They will not hurt or destroy each other. Imperative: God’s presence is truly there where the signs of the messianic times are in full play. And the most authentic sign is the knowledge of the Lord that fills the whole earth just like the waters cover the sea 30 NOVEMBER 2022: ROMANS 10. 9-18; MATTHEW 4. 18-22, ST ANDREW Thrust: Called to follow! Indicative: God calls us anywhere or at any time. Especially He may call us in our own ordinary situations, amidst our normal duties. What is important is that we hear and receive his call 1. 30 November marks the feast of St Andrew, the brother of St Peter, and one of the Twelve Apostles. He was called directly by the Lord to follow him. He left everything and lived with Jesus. After Pentecost, he became a missionary and was martyred in Greece on a cross. This was especially known as “St Andrew’s cross” because it was in the form of an “X”. 2. One first thing to note is that Jesus calls him while he was on his usual duty of fishing. There was no specially created situation. There was no special ambience of prayer or silence. From this, we can understand that God’s call can come to us anywhere and at any time. 3. We need not wait for special or specific moments. Especially his voice may call out to us while we are engaged in our normal duties. This calls us then to be attentive and alert so that we can see him and hear his voice and respond to him. We may miss him if we wait only for special occasions. 4. His call is a call for something higher. It is no more fishing of fish but fishing of souls. His dignity is raised. He is elevated to a new way of life. A profit-oriented profession turns into a selfless vocation. Working for livelihood changes into working for the life in eternity. Family concerns give way to the concerns of the larger family of God, the kingdom of God. 5. His response to Jesus’ call to follow him is very prompt and radical as well. There was no delay or hesitation. There was no process of discernment. Jesus just calls him, “Follow me,” and immediately he follows him. 6. What is further worth-noting is the spirit of renunciation and detachment. He leaves the nets, the family, the house, and all that is dear and precious. He does not carry them with him. He decisively parts with all that is old and is willing to plunge into a new way of life. There is nothing that he clings to or is attached to. 7. The gospel of John (John 1. 35-42) depicts a different story of his call. He was a former disciple of John of the Baptist. As John the Baptist points to Jesus passing by, “Look, here is the Lamb of God,” he immediately begins to follow him. Jesus turns to him and asks him, “What are you looking for?” 8. Andrew responds with another question, “Where do you stay?” Jesus invites him, “Come and see.” He goes, sees, and stays with him that night. It was not just a casual stay as a guest. Something profound and dramatic happens. He experiences Jesus personally as the Messiah. That is why he brings his brother Peter to Jesus, telling him, “We have found the Messiah.” 9. Here too, though the external details vary, the essentials are similar. His call begins with an initial search for Jesus’place (‘where’). But it turns into a life-changing experience of the person (‘Messiah’). His allegiance changes. He already shares the effect of his following Jesus by leading Peter too to the same Lord. Imperative: God always calls us for a higher purpose. That is the same as the Apostles’. It is to become fishers of souls. For this, we need to decisively part with the old ways and attachments and securities. We need to launch upon a new and radical way of life in following Jesus (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021) Focus: Whom God calls, how and when, and where He calls may be different. But why He calls is very clear. It is to follow Him and win souls for God 1. Today we feast St Andrew, one of the Twelve Apostles. He was a fisherman and the brother of Simon Peter. Jesus calls him while he was fishing, saying, “Follow me, I will make you fishers of souls”. There is both the purpose and the end effect of his call. The purpose is to follow the Lord intimately in his footsteps. He would live with the Lord, share the same space, table, and mission, and spend time together. He would listen to his master, learn from him and grow through his teaching and guidance. 2. Then, there is also the consequence of this purpose. It is fishing souls for God. It is bringing people closer to God. It is making people be touched and transformed by God. It is doing the work of God Himself who is the supreme fisherman of human souls, the greatest attracter and inducer of humans to merge with the divine. It is because they share the same life that He gifts to them. Sin has alienated them from God’s paradise of eternal communion. Sin has thrown them into an immense sea where they feel totally entrapped and immersed; where they find no way out. 3. It is in such a sinful situation of lack of relation and direction toward God and others, the Lord chooses Andrew to reset the lost bond and restore the lost grace. Thus, following the Lord and fishing the souls is not merely becoming disciples and doing some evangelisation. It is an intimate and radical sharing in God’s own eternal duty and commitment. 4. Andrew along with the others called, promptly responds to this divine plan. Perhaps for sure, he might have not understood the full implications of that call. But what is appreciable is his promptness to accept the call. Thereupon he renounces all that belongs to him and clings to Jesus. It was not for a few days or a few years. It was a life-long following and mission. 5. This life-long apostleship is sealed by a personal relationship. And this relationship is marked by depth, constancy, intimacy, loyalty, and commitment. All these are soaked into a passionate love for the master, which goes to the extent of dying for him. Direction: Every celebration of a saint and all the more that of an Apostle like Andrew must remind us that ultimately our call is a relationship with God that is deep and intimate and a commitment to His mission that is committed and self-offering. (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020) Focus: Vocation is not just a state of life or a profession but is a sacred way of life of God and is consecration to Him and concentration on good 1. Today, we celebrate the feast of St Andrew, one of the Twelve apostles. His call is also a roadmap for every disciple, for his own personal journey of discipleship. As a true disciple, Andrew “listens” to the invitation of Jesus to follow him. There is no second thought, no hesitation, no calculations, no weighing pros, and cons. 2. His response is instant and prompt. “At once”, he “gives up” everything. This is indicated by his ‘leaving the nets’, which were the means of his livelihood, a source of life security. And then he “follows” Jesus. We are not sure whether he really understood the meaning and the implications of Jesus’ call. 3. Perhaps, he might have not even given a thought to the deeper significance of “becoming fishers of people”, or “fish for people”. What he understood might be that his life is going to be different from its old way and style. Jesus calls him and he follows him – this is all that mattered to him. 4. Today his feast and his call is a timely call and caution for all of us. For we are truly living in times that are losing the sense of vocation. It is just reduced to worldly terms like any other secular affair. And we see the sad consequences of this " stripping" of its essential content of the holy. 5. For a Christian, be it the call to the priesthood or religious life, or lay life, it is always sacred. It is God who calls. The same Lord who called Andrew and others to be with him, to follow him, and to bear witness to Him, continues to call each one of us. His call invites us constantly amidst our ordinary and usual preoccupations and engrossing activities and to "step out" of them, just as he called Andrew and his companions. 6. It is not a loss but a huge gain, a grand "elevation" of life, to a matchless dignity of "being fishermen of souls" from the mere being fishermen of fish. From our part, what is expected is to "detach ourselves from everything and to follow him", like Andrew. Unless one is ready to renounce and follow the Lord, the value of vocation cannot be lived out. Direction: The charm, value, and joy of vocation is being lost because the sense of the sacred, detachment and commitment is being lost 01 DECEMBER 2022: ISAIAH 26. 1-6; MATTHEW7. 21, 24-27 Thrust: Build on the rock! Indicative: Heaven is our eternal house and city. Only those who build on God their houses of earthly life can enter that heavenly dwelling 1. In today’s word of God, we have two metaphors, two key actions, and two sets of contrasts. The two images are the kingdom or the city and the other is a house. The two actions are “entering” and “building.” The two contrasting sets are the foundation of rock and the foundation of sand, and wisdom and foolishness. 2. Heaven is that kingdom or city. It is our destiny and we are to enter it. But who can enter it? Only the righteous that keep the faith; only they whose mind is stayed on God; only they who trust in God; only they who do the will of the Father. 3. Therefore, it is not enough to say “Lord, Lord.” But it is more important to do God’s will. It is not enough to recite bundles of prayers or make loud acclamations or shout excited slogans. Rather all these should complement doing God’s will, and not substitute it. 4. Our life is like a house. And two kinds of foundations are available before us. One is the foundation of rock, and the other is, that of sand. God, trust in him, and doing his will is the first kind of rock. 5. World, trust in it, and following the wrong ways of the world are the second type of foundation. Both houses face the same happenings and difficulties, namely rain, floods, and winds. But their fate is different: the house on the rock stands firm and unfallen; the house on the sand collapses. 6. However, all these factors are interconnected. Those who wisely build their house on a rocky foundation will enter the kingdom. But those who foolishly build their house on a sandy foundation will be denied entry. Imperative: Be wise. Trust in God. Build your life on the rock of faith. Do not be content with mere words but be a doer of God’s will. Then you will surely enter God’s kingdom (REFLECTION 2) Focus: Faith is not an occasional matter of pleading with God in times of need, but constantly leading a life of wisdom 1. Faith is often reduced to intellectual assent or emotional satisfaction or material fulfilment. Thus it is sporadic, in the sense of being time-bound, depending on the needs and difficulties. But true faith is far beyond. It is constant and consistent. 2. It is a daily matter of living "wisely" discerning between the two foundations of rock and sand, and being clear and firm to build the house of life on the foundation of rock. To build the house on a sandy foundation is to steer and lead our life in conformity to the gains and pleasures of the world, with a total neglect of sound values and falling to compromises. 3. This is truly those who are limited only to mere statements and acclamations of "Lord, Lord" but do "not do what God wants". Instead the wise build their house of life on the rock foundation of God and godliness. 4. It is they as in Isaiah, who are "firm in their purpose and put their trust in God", and as in the gospel who "do God's will". For sure, God protects and defends their house, and will "give perfect peace". Direction: An intelligence and knowledge that build life on loose foundations, are vain and shallow and will certainly lead to frustration and ruin. (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 02 DECEMBER) Focus: Worldly things and interests alone do not make life happy and fulfilled. It is only trust in God and living a God-centred life that gives meaning and beauty to life 1. The present world seems to be more of a “wordy” world. This means that it indulges more in words and engages less in actions. It tries to allure or deceive with great words but does little to follow those words. Words often do not translate themselves into actions. People know and say many words but they do not practice them. Talk is big but living is little. 2. Thus often there is so much contradiction between words and the corresponding actions. This is very evident in the case of politicians. They make tall promises but bother little to implement them. Consequently, a lot of deceptivity and dichotomy rules life. It is this gap between words and actions that Jesus points to in today’s gospel. He states clearly: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”. 3. Those who ensure that words become deeds, those who live what they believe, and those who practice what they profess are really wise. They are like that wise man who builds his house on the rock. Whatever be the adverse situations like rain, floods, and winds, nothing can make it fall, because it is founded on a rock. But those who live dichotomous lives where great words do not correspond to good actions are like that foolish man who builds his house on sand. Any unfavorable experience would easily cause his fall. 4. Therefore, be wise. Trust in God. Trust in Him as the one who “sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Trust in Him forever for He is an everlasting rock. Trust Him who would keep them in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him”. Be wise not to give excessive importance to the earthly and worldly, but rather give priority to God and spiritual concerns and the demands of kindness. Direction: Let us become wise to foster an integral life that makes a harmonious blend of good words and good actions. Let us not be mere hearers of the word of God but doers of it as well 02 DECEMBER 2022: ISAIAH 29. 17-24; MATTHEW 9. 27-31 Thrust: The blind see! Indicative: Many suffer from interior blindness. They are not able to see the way. Therefore, either they do not walk the way or they stumble if they walk 1. Jesus was the awaited Messiah. The messianic times foretold in Isaiah would be fulfilled in him. His coming will usher in a restoration of fruitfulness and faithfulness. “In that day, the deaf shall hear… and the blind shall see.” “The meek shall obtain fresh joy and the poor shall exult.” There will be no more shame or distress. It will be a time of renewed sanctification. However, on the other hand, it will also be a time of divine justice. The ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who do evil shall be cut off. 2. Jesus and his mission fulfill all these messianic gifts and predictions. The healing of two blind men in the gospel is a concrete testimony to this. But what is noteworthy is that this divine gift of healing necessitates a response, cooperation from the human part. 3. This response is seen in the faith of the two blind men. Faith is the condition for God’s action. However, this does not mean that faith conditions or restricts God’s action. It only indicates that faith is required for the reception and experience of the effect of God’s grace. 4. Jesus elicits this “profession of faith” from them. Thereby he indicates to them that healing and God’s grace are not to be taken for granted. They shall not expect healing to take place automatically. Every intervention of God’s grace requires a proper disposition. 5. Hence Jesus’ question, “Do you believe that I can do this?” and they confess, “Yes, we do believe.” Thereupon, Jesus touches their eyes. Here we see the personal touch and concern of Jesus. 6. Further, we also see here the humility and the magnanimity of Jesus. He shifts the whole credit to their faith, as Jesus says, “According to your faith may it happen to you.” For sure, Jesus is not like many of us who do little but want to steal the whole show because we are too greedy for self-glory. In contrast, Jesus warns them, “See that no one knows about it.” Imperative: The same mission of giving sight to the blind is entrusted to each one of us. There is so much darkness of sin that blinds many. We must heal their blindness and open their eyes. But for this, first of all, we should be clear-sighted (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 03 DECEMBER) Focus: The real joy of a follower of Christ is when he does what pleases his master. And the master is well pleased when his disciple does good to others and thus brings them to the good path of the true God 1. Prophet Isaiah in the first reading foretells the days of the Messiah: In that day the deaf shall hear, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain the fresh joy of the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult. Those who go astray in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction. 2. These prophecies come true in Jesus in the gospel. The deaf hear, the blind see, the strayed are brought back and the ignorant are enlightened. Truly the humble experience the joy of the Lord. He is the Messiah and he fulfills what was foretold of him. 3. There is a concrete instance of the healing of two blind men in the gospel. With faith, they come to Jesus. Jesus makes them confirm their faith once again. He asks them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” As they say, “Yes, Lord”, he touches their eyes and restores sight. 4. We see the real nature of their healing in what follows after. It is not merely a physical sight but spiritual sight. They see God’s hand in Jesus and they begin to spread about him even though Jesus strictly warned them not to speak of it. 5. How many are really able to see the Lord, his love, and his power? How many realize their blindness? How many approach the Lord for healing? How many allow him to touch and heal them? Especially when things go wrong, when difficulties and sufferings surround us, can we really affirm our faith and say, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are able to do this”? 6. St Francis Xavier whom we venerate today is in a way similar to the blind men after receiving their sight. He received a new light, a new sight of faith, a new vision of life, being enlightened by St Ignatius of Loyola. And once lighted up, he began to spread the same light with tireless vigor in many missions in Asia, especially in India. And at the end, at the vital age of just 46, he was martyred in his battle against darkness. That is why he is honored as the patron of missions in India. Direction: The real greatness of faith is not only receiving healing from the Lord but living and spreading the effect of that healing. This consists in bearing witness to the light of Christ amidst all situations of darkness (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2020, 04 DECEMBER) Focus: When we allow God to enter into our life and intervene in the course of our situations, the face and tone of life will not be the same 1. As the Word of God speaks, situations of deafness and blindness, disgrace and shame constantly surround our life and abound as well. There are moments and conditions where we ourselves indifferently remain deaf and blind, when we throw ourselves into situations of disgrace and shame. 2. There are also times when we are forced not to hear, not to see, and not to be honorable and gracious. Certainly, both kinds of situations are not desirable. In such times, how comforting it is to be assured that there is someone by our side in our times of struggle and sorrow! We must remember that we have a God who never neglects us. 3. He thinks of us even before we think of ourselves. He understands our needs and struggles even before we realize them and cry for help. He will brighten our dark shades. He will knock away our disgrace and shame. He will strike hard against all the injustice and deceit. He will remove the cloud of sorrow, wipe away our tears, and change our lives into springs of joy and happiness. He will heal all the blind and the deaf. He will stand by the side of the poor and the simple. He will fill the saddened hearts with renewed joy. 4. All that is needed is to trust Him. We need to open our eyes and see the love and might of God working in our lives. We need to get rid of our blindness. Yes, we need healing. We need to realize that we need healing. We need to affirm our trust in God's healing of us. God is ever ready to render us healed. 5. We need to run behind Him persistently, crying out to Him to help us. Not that He is unaware or indifferent. If it is our need, we must feel it and seek him to attend to it. We must approach him in trust and submit to his touch. And once healed, we must also bear witness to him. Direction: As long as we are blind to God, we are blind to our own selves failing to see our person and life which are certainly in need of healing. Regain the sight and then we will see the marvels of God and life 03 DECEMBER 2022: ISAIAH 30. 19-21, 23-26; MATTHEW 9.35 – 10.1, 5a, 6-8 Thrust: Passion with no bounds! Indicative: The mission of Jesus is without bounds and boundaries. And it requires a real passion without bounds and boundaries 1. Today we celebrate solemnly the feast of St Francis Xavier, the patron of India. The word of God in both readings fits him. The first reading is replete with exuberant hope whereby things will totally turn out to be joyful from the pit of misery. 2. Certain expressions make it clear: “The produce of the ground will be rich and plenteous.” “Livestock will graze in large pastures, and the oxen and the donkeys will eat seasoned fodder.” “On every mountain and hill, there will be brooks running with water.” “The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold.” “The Lord binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds.” 3. It is for such a mission of actualising such comforting and renewing times that St Francis Xavier was chosen and sent. He was called to work as a ‘great labourer’ in the plentiful harvest. In his life and preaching, he always showed the people, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 4. Like the Twelve, Francis too was empowered to heal those sick by sin, raise the dead from their spiritual-moral death, cleanse lepers from their impurities and defilements, and cast out demons, those evil forces that surround and fight against us. 5. Like his Master, he too had compassion for the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. They were truly harassed by sin and they feel helpless. Therefore, he would work tirelessly to remove their burden of sin and despair. Imperative: St Francis Xavier remained faithful to the end. Thus he even embraced martyrdom joyfully. He ceaselessly laboured for his master selflessly, never expecting any reward. Can we imitate him? (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 04 DECEMBER) Focus: Every man of God and every disciple of Christ is called to work for God’s kingdom which is a harvest of abundant compassion and good fruits 1. One unparalleled feature that marks the whole life and mission of Jesus was his compassion. It was his compassion that permeated and steered all his teaching, preaching, and healing. It was compassion that drove him to be one with the sick and the needy, the despised and depressed. In fact, his very incarnation is nothing but the greatest testimony of this unbounded compassion. 2. In our modern world, this is one most lacking thing. Selfishness and indifference are overriding concerns. Besides, often compassion is not understood in its full sense. Mostly it is limited only to some passionate feeling of pity or sympathy. But in Jesus, we see the real soul and the drive of compassion. 3. He is deeply sensitive to the struggles and needs of others. We are told: he had compassion for the crowd, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Yes, he feels deep within for them. He becomes one with them and suffers together in empathy and total solidarity. This is the real com-passion that is, suffering together. 4. However, that does not stop there. His compassion is also alleviating. He removes the pain of the other and grants relief and comfort and new vigor. Thus, he teaches, preaches, and heals. He is the perfect replica and fulfillment of the words of the prophet Isaiah about God’s compassion in the first reading. 5. As he comes and intervenes, “You shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you. He will bind up the hurt of his people; he will heal the wounds inflicted by his blow. You shall be guided rightly; there will be abundance”. 6. This mission of compassion is not just limited to him alone. It does not finish and stop with him. It continues. And we, his disciples are the ones called to continue the same mission of compassion. That is why he says to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out the laborers into his harvest”. They promote the same mission of preaching and healing and bringing back the lost sheep. Further, in carrying out this mission, they are not left to themselves to struggle. They are empowered by their own power. Direction: The disciples of Jesus who labour for the harvest of God’s kingdom are not paid workers. They work freely and generously because it is their duty and response out of gratitude. For “they received without paying; therefore they give without pay”