EASTERTIDE FOURTH WEEK DAYS 23

01 - 06 MAY 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 01 MAY 2023: ACTS 11. 1-18; JOHN 10. 11-18 Pivot: Who am I to hinder God? Indicative: For God’s grace, there are no bounds or boundaries. All are free to receive His Holy Spirit, if there is openness and repentance 1.      “Enter the sheepfold through the gate” implies entering the Kingdom through Jesus. Jesus is the Gate and Shepherd. Faith in him makes us members of the kingdom. He knows each one of us personally. He calls us by our name. He leads us from the forefront. 2.      If we are his sheep, we must listen to his voice. We must recognise his voice. We must identify the voice of thieves, robbers and strangers. We must flee from them. We shall enter in and out through the proper gate. We shall follow only our Good Shepherd and walk the right way, shown and led by the Good Shepherd. 3.      Only following Jesus will lead us to salvation. Only in him, we find our nourishing pastures. Only in him, there is true life. This life is something deep, meaningful and abundant. And we will be granted eternal life as well. 4.      This is what Peter testifies to in the first reading. Whoever is open to the call and voice of the Lord, whoever repents and turns to the Lord, believes in him and follows him, will be joined to the sheep of the shepherd. He came for all. He does not discriminate or discard anyone. Imperative: In a world teaming with many thieves and strangers who try to steal and destroy us, we must constantly try to identify our true shepherd and follow him alone (Reflection 2 from 2022, 09 May) Indicative: We witness a culture of death in various forms. We experience a tremendous sense of lacking and missing in various aspects. It is in this context we need to adhere to the author of life and abundance 1.      “I came to give life and have it in abundance”, says Jesus. Truly we are reeling through a destructive culture of death. Violence and harm mark our days. Some may argue that life is fostered and bettered due to advancement and technology. We do not deny it. But such progress is mostly material and external. But the real culture of life is more a matter of attitude and heart. 2.      Further despite material abundance and affluence, there is a deep sense of inner lacking and emptiness. There is a real sense of lack of peace and happiness. This is due to the increasing lack of goodness and faithfulness. 3.      Therefore, the words of Jesus that he gives life abundantly are very relevant and urgent. The Lord is the good shepherd. He leads his sheep, feeds them, and grants eternal life. Thieves and robbers and strangers that Jesus mentions refer to Satan and all the false leaders and values. They appear to promote life and abundance. But in reality, they only reduce life and aggravate the sense of meaninglessness. 4.      What is needed then? Turn to the good shepherd and follow him. For this, one must repent and be converted. Only repentance of heart and conversion of life is the greatest condition to belong to the good shepherd and experience his life. All the other external requirements like circumcision, food prohibitions, and laws are not guarantees for one’s belonging to the good shepherd as his faithful sheep.   Imperative: Jesus says, his sheep do not follow the stranger but flee from him; rather they know the voice of their true shepherd, and they follow him. Is it true? (Reflection 3 from 2021, 26 April)   Focus: In the reign of God, for the embrace of God's grace, there is no barrier or discrimination    1.      Division and discrimination in the name of caste, region, religion, language, culture, etc. rule the society. There are many false shepherds, who only mislead the sheep. They are actually “thieves and robbers” as Jesus says because they are only self-seeking and self-interested. 2.      But for God, there is no such limitation or narrow demarcation. His grace is open to all, His Spirit is offered to all. That is why, circumcision or no circumcision, Jewish or Gentile traditions were not the deciding factors for the power of God. Rather the only criteria were: to Believe in Lord Jesus, to circumcise one's heart in repentance and conversion, and to lead a faithful life. 3.      In the words of Jesus in the gospel, it is to be the sheep of the one shepherd who is the Lord. It is to belong to him, to adhere to his voice and direction, to be close to him, and to follow him. To the extent we stay close and loyal to him, to that extent, we will be protected, nurtured, and led by him. 4.      Unity and fidelity, fairness, and kindness must mark any true believer and true community of Christ. All the forces of disunity and dissension, disparity and inequality, injustice and unfairness, and all the situations of evil and malice are only anti-Christ and devilish. 5.      The only reason for the present lack of authenticity is the lack of fidelity of the sheep to follow their shepherd. They leave their true shepherd and go after many false currents that easily divert and distort their focus and life. They must distinguish between the author and culture of life and destroyer of life and promoters of the culture of death.   Direction: We should be very cautious not to put ourselves against God's will and plans, lest we hinder God's own Spirit and grace   02 MAY 2023: ACTS 11. 19-26;  JOHN 10. 22-30   Pivot: Good spreads! Indicative: God never stops working. He never ceases to call us to see His hand and trust in Him. But it needs a fundamental belonging to the Lord, to recognise and believe   1.      For the first time in Antioch, the believers and followers of Christ are called Christians. It is not a mere address or name or label. It is their identity. It indicates that they radically belong to him. 2.      In the present times, many may bear the name of a Christian but do not bear the life of Christ. They may belong externally to a believing community but do not belong to the person of Christ. 3.      The unbelieving Jews were this kind. They did not believe in Jesus because they did not feel belonging to him. They did not recognise him as their shepherd and themselves as sheep. They conducted themselves as strangers. They failed to see and accept God’s own works testified in Jesus. 4.      To belong to Christ is not merely an allegiance or affinity or membership or name. It is nurturing an intimate relationship with the Lord. It is a matter of bonding. It is to share his life and mission. It is to live as the sheep of the shepherd. It is to be attentive to the shepherd’s voice. It is to grow in the knowledge and experience of him. 5.      It is to cling to him so that “no one can take them out of his hand”. And referring to the words of the first reading, it is to “remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart”. Further, it is also to share with others the same gift and treasure of faith, like Barnabas and the other apostles. 6.      They were good men, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. They set themselves on a mission “to add many others too to Christ”.   Imperative: We need not lose heart when obstacles come on the way of our faith commitment. We must remain clung to our Good Shepherd and live our faith and testify the same to others   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 10 May)   Indicative: Mere intelligence and knowledge are no guarantees for one’s faith and loyalty. What matters is personal experience and the openness to trust and adhere   1.      The Jews are annoyed with Jesus and ask him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly”. Jesus responds, “I told you but you do not believe”. There was no cloud of suspense or mystery. His own works of wonders and healings in his Father’s name are the greatest testimony of his identity. Thus, both his words and deeds were more than enough to bear witness to him. 2.      Yet why do they not believe? Jesus gives the reason as well. It is because they are not among his sheep. If they were to be his sheep, they would hear his voice, and follow him. For his sheep hear his voice and they follow him. They shall not be snatched out of his hand and will never perish. 3.       The very fact that they do not hear his voice and do not follow him but are easily snatched by evil and follow his dictates is a clear sign that they are not his sheep. 4.      But on the contrary, we see how the apostles were charged with the power of the Spirit and the fire of preaching. The hand of the Lord was with them. They were good men, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, exemplified in Barnabas. 5.      That is why they could touch and transform thousands. Many believed and turned to the Lord. There were no barriers like Jew or Gentile, male or female, free or slave. There was no suspense or doubt because the light of the Holy Spirit was enlightening them, guiding them, and confirming them in faith.   Imperative: The chosen Jews, the official believers disbelieved. But the Gentiles, “the despised” in the sight of the Jews, the unbelievers believed. This is paradoxical! This shows that only docility to accept and follow matters and not the formal allegiance or long tradition   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 27 April)   Focus: To believe is not merely a matter of external allegiance or formal adherence or doctrinal observance, but is rather to follow the way of the Lord   1.      The whole life and ministry of Jesus always evoked mixed responses and reactions. Some believed and accepted and followed. Many others disbelieved, rejected, and abandoned. 2.      The same was true with his disciples as well. Their singular mission was to bear witness to the Lord through evangelisation and healing. Accordingly, the thrust of their mission was to lead the people to repentance and conversion. 3.      There is a marked difference between those who believe and those who do not: those who believe, know their shepherd, hear his voice, and follow him. "The hand of the Lord is with them", "they turn to him", and "they are firm of heart and remain faithful to him". 4.      On the other hand, those who do not believe, do not nurture and foster this relationship. They do not remain faithful to him. They distrust God and do not accept the testimony of the works of Jesus. Despite all the testimony in word and deed through preaching and healing, they fail to discover God’s will and action. They forfeit God’s offer of grace. 5.      This is all because they are not the sheep of the shepherd. They do not belong to the one fold of the sheep, one hold of the shepherd. They do not hear his voice. They do not know him personally or experientially. What they know is merely theoretical and mechanical. They do not follow him. So, they do not receive eternal life.   Direction: What is more important is not so much knowing some doctrines and concepts, but rather knowing the Lord and following him   03 MAY 2023: I COR 15. 1-8; JOHN 14. 6-14, FEAST OF APOSTLES PHILIP & JAMES Pivot: Except through me! Indicative: What an intrinsic and inseparable union between the Father and the Son! The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father   1.      Today we celebrate the feast of St Philip and St James, two of the Twelve Apostles. Fittingly, the word of God clarifies to us the essentials of faith and the gospel. The kernel of the Gospel is that the Father and the Son are one. The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son. 2.      What Paul recounts in the first reading is not a mere history of recounting the past details. But it is a “confession of faith”. It is a personal experience of receiving faith and renewing life. It is believing the gospel and living it. 3.      It is knowing Christ. It is being convinced that our salvation is in his life, death and resurrection. It is to live for him and live like him. It is bearing witness to the Lord. 4.      The union between the Father and the Son is not just a matter of personal relationship between both of them. It is “our” matter. It is our faith and salvation. It is not a relationship, merely one-to-one, directed to each other. 5.      This relationship is crucial for us because it involves us. We see in their inseparability the immeasurable love of God turned to us. We see God’s own face holding us in the same hold of love. 6.      The Father and the Son are one because both live in each other by way of the same life and love. The Son has the same life as the Father. He loves with the same love. He speaks the same words. He does the same works of the Father. He glorifies the Father. 7.      It is because of this oneness, the Son becomes the “reflection” of the Father. Thereby whoever sees the Son, has seen the Father. Whoever knows the Son, has known the Father. Further, the Son is also able to grant everything, the greatest being eternal life. 8.      It is because of this communion only, Jesus is the “Way, the life and the Truth”. He becomes the most authentic giver, guide and teacher that guarantees salvation.   Imperative: Lke Philip, let us ignite our moving for God. Let us join Philip: “Show us the Father and that is enough   (Reflection 2 from 2022)   Indicative: True faith is to believe in the Lord and live his very life and mission, to know him, experience him, and follow him. A faith that does not contain these ingredients is not true and deep   1.      True faith lives close to the Lord, nurtures and enjoys a profound relationship with him, and zealously follows in his footsteps. Thus, authentic life and effective mission testify to true faith. Saints Philip and James, two of the Twelve Apostles whose feast we celebrate today are living testimonies of such true faith. 2.      They lived intimately in the company of the Lord. They followed him loyally in the mission of preaching and guiding. Philip was a missionary preacher and James was the bishop of the Jerusalem church. They bore witness to the Lord with a martyr’s death. 3.      Today’s Word of God in reference to both, places before us some fundamental directives for our own discipleship. Philip’s request, “Lord, show us the Father and that is enough” shows us clearly that the ultimate aim and striving of every disciple must be to see the Father. This is the highest priority and this alone must suffice for one’s life. 4.      And to see the Father is nothing but to see the Son and see the Father in and through the Son. One who really sees the Son sees the Father as well because the Father and the Son are one and united. To see the Son means to know him, experience him, follow him and show him to others. A true disciple must know his way and truth, experience the divine life, follow his values and do his works.   Imperative: Seeing God and showing God are our highest priorities in life and they alone will be enough. But when some other things become the topmost priorities in our life, it is a clear sign that we are failing in our essential duty of seeing and showing God   (Reflection 3 from 2021)   Focus: We are called by the Lord to keep close to him and to live faithful to him in and throughout our life. This would imply sharing the faith with others and leading them to Jesus, as the apostles Philip and James did   1.      Today we celebrate the feast of Sts Philip and James, two of the Twelve. Philip was a former disciple of John the Baptist and James, the Lesser was the brother of Jude Thaddeus, the cousin of the Lord, and the author of the Epistle of James. Philip sets himself to preaching and James was the bishop of Jerusalem. Both were martyred. 2.      What marks both is their receptivity to the Lord, their close living with him, their constant listening to him and learning from him, obeying and following him. What is notable in both is: Having experienced the Lord personally, both become the sharers and transmitters of the same experience of the Lord. 3.      Thus both lead others to Jesus. Philip leads Nathanael in particular and in general many others to Jesus by his preaching and witness. James was the bishop of Jerusalem, and thus he too leads many believers through his ministry of leadership and animation. 4.      Whatever be the variance of their mission, they both live with Jesus in a personal communion, live for him through their mission, and then shed their blood in martyrdom. 5.      In today’s gospel, the request of Philip is very striking. It reflects the mindset of authentic discipleship: “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us”. Yes, seeing God is the highest end of his life for a true disciple, and this alone will suffice. Nothing else can be equal to this grace, because nothing else can satisfy and fulfil a person’s life purpose. 6.      Today, both apostles stand before us as inspiration for imitation. Their singular devotion to the Lord and their faithful dedication to his mission are worth imitable.   Direction: A personal experience of the Lord is like a fire that does not limit itself only to the person that holds it, but it spreads rapidly to others as well, with the same inflaming effect   04 MAY 2023: ACTS 13. 13-25;  JOHN 13. 16-20   Pivot: So that you may learn! Indicative: God chose us with a purpose. It is to believe, live and make him live on through us. Life loses its meaning when we lose sight of this core purpose   1.      Jesus chose us to be his messengers. He sends us on his mission. These are the first basic things to remember always: We are specially chosen by the Lord. It is not by chance or by our choice according to our likes or preferences 2.      This fact of “divine choice” must make us aware of the sacredness of our vocation. It must guard us against all worldly interests and self-inclinations that mar the mark of holiness. 3.      It is God’s choice, not for becoming Masters and bosses. It is to spread his message and do his mission. It is for the spread of his gospel, the good news. It is for the work of his kingdom and salvation. 4.      Therefore, the spread of any evil news, the working for any petty kingdoms, based on worldly factors like caste, region, language, culture, rite, power, position, et cetera, is against our very vocation. Alas! How many indirectly betray him when we live a disloyal way of life? 5.      This divine aspect must also keep us always humble. We are mere servants and messengers, and “no slave is greater than his master, and no messenger is greater than his sender”. Giftedness and competence in the discharge of our mission should never make us proud and complacent. 6.      We can always take an example from Paul and Co. They never projected themselves in the forefront. They always drew people’s attention to Jesus Christ. Their preaching was very simple: instructive and constructive; informative and formative. The purpose was not merely some knowledge but a deep experience, leading to genuine repentance, faith and renewal.   Imperative: Jesus says, “If you understand and do this, blessed are you!” That is to be ever conscious of our identity and mission   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 12 May)   Indicative: Human intelligence and competence may assist us and carry us ahead for a while. But they will not last long and reach us long when they are devoid of God’s grace and guidance   1.      Often in life, we see many capable and talented. They rise high and ride high for some time. But when they are not humble and begin to act with pride, when they are not docile to God and surrender to Him, sooner or later they will fall and fail. 2.      This is all because no servant is greater than the master, and no messenger is greater than the sender. Jesus, the Master himself, makes himself a servant to all and serves others. Are we greater than our master? The problem with many disciples is they forget their real identity of being servants and behave like masters. 3.      A good servant remembers always that he is a servant and messenger. His life becomes authentic when he becomes an effective channel of service and message. Jesus says, if you know these things and do them, you are blessed. 4.      Paul and Co. knew these things and they did them. They tirelessly spread the message of Christ and served others. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul in his preaching gives a quick rundown of the salvation history leading to Jesus. However, it is not a mere chronological summary. It is a powerful message of God’s grace and human response and involvement.   Imperative: Many disciples of Christ would do better if they stop trying desperately to become masters in various fields. Instead, it is better that they become better servants!   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 29 April)   Focus: Preaching is not a mere narration of a bygone history but ongoing participation in the present journey of salvation   1.      Paul's preaching sums up the progressive history of salvation and looks like a simple accounting of the historical facts and thus nothing special. But it is not just that. It is a recall and reminder of God's salvific journey with humans. It does not stop with the past but continues unceasingly. 2.      Thus, it is also a forceful appeal to get involved in such a journey of faith. But this does not happen just like that. Such a convincing proclamation can come only from an irresistible conviction of one's vocation that I am called by the Lord and I am sent on his mission. It is not based on one’s ability but rooted in one’s humility. 3.      This is the same humility that is demonstrated by David and John the Baptist as well. This leads to an unfailing loyalty to the Lord, in an edifying and witnessing life. The Master Jesus teaches and leads his disciples by example. He charges them with the same spirit with which he washed their feet in humility as a servant and disciple. 4.      This is very interesting to note: he washes their feet like a slave and immediately announces that no slave is greater than the Master. It is not just one single act or instance. It is an indication and lesson that should continue. 5.      Like our supreme master, we should always be imbued with the same spirit of humility of a servant and cultivate constantly the same. No one of us should presume ourselves to be a master and treat others as servants.   Direction: If Jesus is our sole and whole master, how is it that there are many presumptuous and pretentious masters, ill-treating others as mere servants?    05 MAY 2023: ACTS 13. 26-33; JOHN 14. 1-6   Pivot: Fidelity to the Basics! Indicative: We are all destined to be with the Father in the Father’s house. And it is only through Jesus, we understand and learn the truth, know and walk the way, and live new life and receive eternal life. It is because Jesus is the “Way, the Truth and the Life”   1.      As humans, every now and then, our hearts will be troubled. The reasons can be varied. Especially, the sense of absence of God, desolation and dryness in our personal and spiritual life can disturb and dissipate us. 2.      Jesus was preparing his disciples for the moments of his physical separation from them. How to face such a situation of absence and lack of accompaniment? Jesus gives the answer as well: Have faith in God and in him. 3.      So, trust that his separation is only temporary. He will come to them soon. He will take them to be with him forever. He consoles them with many assuring phrases: “In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places”. “I will prepare a place for you”. “Where I am, you also will be”. 4.      In Jesus, we have the assurance of eternal life in eternal communion with him. This also indicates that we are people destined for something higher and beyond the earthly. So we need to always raise our sight from earth-boundedness to heaven-directedness. 5.      If we live with him now, we will live with him forever. If we follow him now, we will follow him to eternity. We need to entrust ourselves to him. We must walk his way, abide by his truth, and live his life. This is the call for us from Jesus’ declaration, “I am the way, the truth and the life”. Paul and the other apostles did this through their preaching and testimony.   Imperative: Many times, many get deviated, fall into falsity and live a culture of death. The only antidote is to live Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 13 May)   Indicative: Many hearts are troubled. Many live in constant tension and fear over many things in life. But when we believe in God, we can experience tranquillity and strength   1.      The life of the present times seems to be a constant story of trouble and turmoil. The reasons can be many and varied. It is not necessarily poverty and misery. For even the rich and capable people also feel troubled and worried. Thus, trouble and worry are common factors that affect everyone in one way or another. 2.      In such a context, the words of Jesus, “Let not your hearts be troubled” in the gospel are very comforting and soothing. He invites us to “believe in him” and follow him who is “the way, the truth, and the life”. However, he does not promise the complete vanish of all the trouble. Rather, he assures us how to be serene and untroubled even amidst all the disturbances. 3.      The assertion of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth and the life” is one of the greatest self-revelation of his identity. However, it is not so much about what he is in himself but what he is and what he does to us. They indicate to us what we must do if we want to be untroubled. 4.       We must know his way and follow it; it is the “narrow way”, uncompromising and authentic. It is not the false and broader ways of the world. We must accept and follow his truth. We must avoid falsity and duplicity and be truthful. We must live his life, a life that is divine, new, and a foretaste of eternity.   Imperative: It is not proper to argue whether war and turmoil stop completely if we pray and repent and abandon sin. Rather, what we must understand is sin, lack of prayer and repentance certainly causes trouble   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 30 April)   Focus: The purpose and fulfilment of our faith are not just believing and preaching. It is bearing witness to God, to His love, and His will of salvation   1.      "I am the way, the truth, and the life": this is one of the most fundamental self-assertions of Jesus. It reveals his identity and mission. His identity is: He is the Son of the Father. His mission is salvation as the Messiah. 2.      He is the way that leads to the Father, to the eternal kingdom. He is the truth that reveals the Father, that which gives the norms to follow and walk the way. He is the life that is his own life. This in turn is the life of the Father Himself. 3.      It is the life that is not merely the natural, the physical life, but the life which is new, spiritual eternal life. He offers this new life to us and thereby we are enlivened and reinvigorated. Therefore, all those who believe and follow Jesus will be fully "alive, truthful and sojourners on the way to heaven". 4.      This attestation of Jesus is not a mere saying about who he is in his nature. It assures us about what he does in our lives and what we should do and become. We are called not to be troubled or lose heart. 5.      We shall believe in him. We shall become more and more alive and energetic. We shall be full of life and not lethargic or indifferent. We shall know the truth and follow it. We shall resist and reject all that is false and vain. We shall subscribe to truth and true values. 6.      We shall be truthful and authentic and not hypocritical and dishonest. And we shall always orient ourselves on the way to heaven. Therefore, our task like Paul in the first reading is to be constant recipients and witnesses of Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.   Direction: When Jesus is with us and for us, then there is no need to feel troubled or disturbed because he accompanies us always and orients us to reach our eternal destiny with him forever   06 MAY 2023: ACTS 13. 44-52; JOHN 14. 7-14 Pivot: A door closes and another opens! Indicative: God’s grace is always open and abundant. But it needs humility and docility to receive it and cooperate with it   1.      Let us begin with the request of Philip in the gospel: “Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us”. What a lofty desire! In a world that always desires and strives for things and goals that are mostly worldly and self-centred, this desire of Philip is very challenging and impelling. 2.      How many really want to see God? How many really ask, “Show us God”? Many see and enjoy many things of the world. But they are not really satisfied. Despite all the affluence, pleasure and comfort, many continue dissatisfied. 3.      This clearly shows that nothing worldly can satisfy the deep interior craving. It is an insatiable search for something lasting, imperishable and higher. 4.      Jesus incarnates and concretises God’s own essence and love. He shows us the invisible Father through his words and works, through his very person and life. It is because of the inalienable union and oneness of their identity. 5.      Similarly, whoever is with the Lord, abides in him and does his works, will also become the “mirrors” and “images” of God. They will certainly receive all that they need. It is this communion and power that will sustain their every step and strengthen their every effort. 6.      The Lord’s promise, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it” does not mean that there will not be any difficulties in our life and mission. In fact, the more we are committed, the more we will be tossed about by challenges. 7.      This is what we see in the case of the apostles. Opposition and persecution never ceased. But they never asked for the problems to cease. They only prayed for strength and courage. God always sustained them with wisdom and comfort and joy of the Holy Spirit.   Imperative: In our mission, at times, many doors may close. Failures may embrace us. But we shall never deter from the Lord’s mission. For God gives success in His own time and in His own way, not known to the world   (Reflection 2)   Focus: Rejection of truth is a clear sign that one is in falsity and darkness because error cannot stand the sight of truth, and darkness cannot tolerate light   1.      The oneness of the Father and the Son is the truth which the disciples need to believe. Because it is this communion which their Master tirelessly attested and testified to. It is this communion that was his driving force as well as the secret and source of all his works. 2.      Thus his works are not merely some wonders or favours, but more essentially powerful signs and testimonies of this inseparable union between the Father and the Son. The Son is so totally United with the Father that he "reflects" the Father so much so that "one who sees the Son, is seeing the Father as well". 3.      Similarly, one who is totally United with the Son, will also "resemble" and "mirror" the Son, so much so that he will do the same works of the Son. But for sure, all will not see this reflection and will not accept this testimony. Like those who opposed Paul and incited the people to reject the offer of faith, there will be much opposition and rejection.   Direction: What is rejected by the Jews, is wholeheartedly accepted by the Gentiles and they obtain the grace and mercy of God. There are no guarantees or personal merits. It is all a matter of God's benevolence and one's humble acceptance              

EASTER FOURTH SUNDAY/Good Shepherd Sunday

IV EASTER SUNDAY (GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY), 30 APRIL 2023 (Reflection 1) Indicative: God is our good shepherd. We are all His sheep. We belong to Him and we are fed and led by Him. 1. Today we celebrate the Good Shepherd Sunday.  We are reminded of our identity and duty. Our identity is being sheep to the supreme shepherd. Our duty is to walk like good sheep and to shepherd over other sheep. 2. First of all, we must always remember that God is our greatest good shepherd. He is not one among many. He is not one of the many alternatives. He is one and unique. He is the best and the highest. He is incomparable and irreplaceable. 3. Therefore, our first and primary loyalty is to the Lord, who alone is our chief shepherd. We need to seriously question whether we are faithful to the one true shepherd or the many false shepherds. How easily many forsake the true shepherd and run behind the false shepherds! How thoughtlessly many sheep are carried away by the false directions, attractions, pulls and pressures of the false shepherds! 4. Good sheep hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and they follow him. But How often we give deaf ear to the direction and leading by the Good Shepherd? How often we resent and resist and reject to follow him? How quickly we allow ourselves to be easily trascinated and misguided by the false shepherds? 5. We are not sure whether there is a deep belonging and bonding between the Good Shepherd and the sheep. How many sheep are shallow and superfical in their intimacy with the Good Shepherd? Allegiance to the fold of the good shepherd is no guarantee of our closeness and faithfulness to him. 6. Another very important note is we should be able to distinguish between our core identity and role identity. Our core identity is being sheep to the supreme shepherd. And our role identity is shepherding others. This may look rather superfluous. But this is crucial. We may do the duty of shepherding others. This means that we protect others, nourish and guide others. This is the role of a faithful shepherd. But just because we shepherd other sheep, we will not become shepherds. 7. Now some may be annoyed about this unnecessary distinction. But I believe this is very important. This can keep us always humble as sheep. Otherwise there are many who act arrogantly as shepherds. This can also remind us strongly about our duty to shepherd others. Otherwise there are many who completely forget about their mission towards others and become self- centred. Imperative: There are no two categories like shepherds and sheep. There is only one shepherd, the Lord, and all of us are sheep. Let us be true and faithful sheep. Let us hear and follow the one and the only one Good Shepherd. Let us not allow ourselves to be snatched away by the evil and perish (Reflection 2) Focus: We live in a world which often looks confused and deviated. This is exactly the situation of a shepherdless sheep 1. Today is the 4th Easter Sunday, and this is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The focus of the Word of God is, God is the Good Shepherd. This image is very powerful and significant. This implies an essential and intimate bonding. It is a covenant,  a commitment. Like a true shepherd, he protects us, is attentive and sensitive to us, deeply caring and concerned toward us. We matter a lot for him. Our safety, growth and happiness is his abiding concern. His shepherding is not a mere duty as a hirling. It is a passion. He owns us up. That is why, for our sake, for our safety and wellbeing, he goes to any extent, even to the point of dying for us. 2. This is what Jesus did for us: he protects us from every attack of the evil. He safeguards and guards us against every snare of the enemy. He directs and guides us in the right path. He leads us to the safe zones. He preserves and sustains us in clear and steady ways. He cares, nourishes and strengthens us in nurturing grounds. And, in order to  extricate us from the iron hold of the evil, he immolates his own self. In order to cleanse us from the bruises and blows of sin, he sheds his own blood. 3. Now, on this celebration of the Good Shepherd Sunday, our first duty is to understand and accept the Lord as our supreme shepherd. He is the first and the best. No other shall claim our allegiance to them. We shall not owe our loyalty and commitment to anyone else. We shall not be wooed or misguided by any false shepherd. We shall not run behind any false shepherding. 4. Therefore, on this day, first of all, we shall deepen our trust in our unique shepherd. Confide in him. Not enough. It is not enough to know and affirm what he is, or what he does. But much more important is, what we are, and what we are to him, what we do to  him. In other words, he is always a good shepherd to us. But how much are we good sheep? 5. Now, our whole identity and  the essence of our discipleship is our identity as the sheep that belong to the one supreme shepherd who is the Lord himself. The purpose and the quality of our vocation as the sheep consist in our bonding with the shepherd and experiencing the effect and the fruit of this bonding. 6. This bonding between the shepherd and the sheep is characterised by the spirit and ambience of belonging and intimacy. He is OUR shepherd and we are HIS sheep. Such an owning and closeness do not pertain to others who can be manipulators and destroyers of the sheep. 7. In the light of this image of shepherd and sheep, it is for us to check sincerely and see how much we nurture and grow, foster and testify this bonding with the shepherd. How deep is our belonging and closeness with him? How eager, attentive and prompt is our listening to him? How ready and willing we are to be guided and led by him? How loyal and committed we are to follow him and walk in his footsteps?  8. It is also a clear indication to all those who are acclaimed as shepherds of the sheep of the faithful. There may not be something invalid in it since they are sharers and collaborators with the chief shepherd. But it should be very clear that there are no co-shepherds. There is only one shepherd and that is the Lord. 9. All are only sheep. The so-called shepherds are only caretakers and stewards, at the most, "herdmen". The title of 'shepherd' or 'pastor' is nothing dignitary or status symbol or vesting with a secular power or authority. This is in no way diluting the sacredness or the merit of these stewards.  10. Certainly they are unique in being specially chosen and anointed by the Spirit and appointed as priests, ministers and leaders. But it is not a position wielding powers and rights. It is a sanctified and sanctifying obligation. It indicates more the sacred duty and ministry of shepherding, that is, loving, caring, guiding, serving the sheep and thus leading to the chief shepherd and enabling them to receive and enjoy life in full measures. Direction: One receives and enjoys the abundance of life and promotes the culture of life, only to the extent one is in a binding bonding with the Lord, the chief shepherd. 

EASTER FOURTH SUNDAY 23

4th EASTER SUNDAY, GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 2023 (Reflection 3) Pivot: True to our identity! Indicative: God has chosen us to be saved and live abundantly during this life and then live in eternity 1. This 4th Sunday of Easter is celebrated as Good SHEPHERD Sunday. Thereby we are called to focus our entire attention on what God is to us, and what He does in and to our life. 2. This focus is very important because very many times, many are so much caught up with the worldly concerns and mundane interests and neglect God. For many, God does not matter much in their lives. He is kept as a stranger outside the demarcation of their life. 3. In such a prevailing context of indifference toward God and estrangement from Him, we need to rediscover that our God is a living and loving God. He lives and in His love, shares His very life with us in abundance. In the same love, He forgives our sins through the cross and death of His own Son Jesus Christ. He cleanses us. He sanctifies us through the gift of the light and power of the Holy Spirit. 4. Therefore, we need to deepen our awareness of this identity and intimacy of God. God is not an abstract concept but a living reality. He is not a stranger but an inseparable Lover, Saviour, Sanctifier and Fulfiller of our lives. 5. He is not a heartless judge and punisher but a merciful Forgiver. He is not an evasive escaper who abandons us to the fate of our sin but a deeply sensitive empathiser who suffers on our behalf and remote the weight and penalty of our sin. 6. All this realisation, rediscovery should lead us to a rejuvenation of our dull and tepid spirits. We should be led to recommit ourselves to a passionate relationship with God, the good Shepherd. 7. It is here we must realise that this calls us to focus on our own identity as sheep to the Shepherd. If God is our Good Shepherd, then what should be our response and duty? Realise that we are the sheep and live this identity in the full measures. 8. Numerous ingredients of being good sheep are outlined. Listen attentively to the voice of God. Reflection deeply on His merciful love. Be cut to the heart. Repent with genuine anguish for having strayed from God. 9. Be sensitive to be touched and arouse the self-critical question, "What shall we do?". Hear the voice of the Shepherd. Know him. Listen to his voice. Identity our Good Shepherd different from the false shepherds and thieves. 10. Make conscious efforts to insulate ourselves against all the pressures and deviations of the evil generation. Grow in intimate relationship with the only Shepherd. Be loyal to him. 11. Always look upon our Good Shepherd and follow his good example in his steps. Like him, never cease to do good. Be ready and happy to suffer for the sake of God and good. Endure in time of suffering just like Him. He did not revile when he was reviled. He did not curse or retaliate when he was blamed and persecuted. Imperative: Let us be deeply conscious of God as our Good Shepherd. Let us love him and live as Good Sheep. Let us live our life in full measures

THIRD WEEK OF EASTER 23

24 - 29 APRIL 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 24 APRIL 2023: ACTS 6. 8-15; JOHN 6. 22-29   Pivot: Not for the perishable! Indicative: There is always a contrast between people of God and people of the world   1.      The people of God are always filled with the Spirit of the Lord. So they believe in the Lord. They are filled with wisdom. It is a wisdom that speaks the truth that no others can contest or defeat. The people of God are also filled with the power of the Spirit that emboldens them against all resistance and persecution. 2.      Stephen represents these people of God. They cling to Jesus. They remain loyal and committed to him. They seek and work for food that is imperishable and conduces to eternal life. This food symbolises all that nourishes and strengthens us. It implies grace, God’s word and the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. 3.      On the other hand, people of the world are marked by many negative features. They do not tolerate the truth spoken with the wisdom of the Spirit. They resent and resist it. They distort the truth as blasphemy, anti-religion, anti-law and revolting. 4.      Consequently, they instigate the simple people, stir up false emotions, accost, seize and bring before the Sanhedrin and present false witnesses. And in the gospel, these people of the world look for Jesus with shallow motives. They search for him, not for the food that endures for eternal life but for the food that perishes, that gives only temporary satisfaction. 5.      As human beings belonging to the world, we too may be pulled and at times driven by temporary and worldly interests. We may not be able to completely eliminate all the worldliness. However, like those people, we must be open to know what we are doing, and what is wrong with what we are doing, so that we can know what we can do and change for the better.   Imperative: Faith is a matter of a relationship with God and an entire life of loyalty. If we believe truly, we must persevere and strive for the higher and lasting things   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 02 May)   Indicative: Those who are on God’s side will be full of grace and power. The people of the world cannot withstand and defeat their wisdom and Spirit   1.      Evil is always against good, falsity is against truth and Satan’s way is always against God’s way. That is why, those who were religiously stubborn and distorted could not tolerate Stephen who was filled with God’s grace, power of the Spirit, and wisdom, and was preaching God’s way and was doing wonders and miracles. 2.      Their blameworthy human knowledge could not stand before his Spirit-filled proclamation. So, crookedly they fabricated false witnesses, blamed him for blasphemy, and stood him as an accused before the Council. What hypocrisy! 3.      The main purpose of the preaching and miracles of Jesus was to reignite in the people the power of wisdom to discern and enable them to follow the right values. Why? People are not still able to distinguish between material and spiritual, temporal and eternal, perishable life and imperishable life, cheap works and divine signs. They are lacking the wisdom to discern. Consequently, they are inclined and succumb to what are worldly, temporary, and showy displays. 4.      That is why Jesus is sternly warning: it is futile to toil for what perishing food that can fill the stomach and satisfy only for a while. Rather strive for imperishable food that gives eternal life. Only God and the Son anointed and sent by God can give it. Therefore it is wise to trust Him totally. 5.      The people who had stomach-full searched for Jesus with motives of physical satisfaction and temporary gain. So the Lord admonished them to turn and raise their sight, and perspective and search for higher motives and realm.   Imperative: What about us? What is our search and race for? What are our values and what is their level? What things give us satisfaction?   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 19 April)   Focus: The quality of life and its direction depends on the height and the propriety of the goal and the purpose   1.      We often find that the life of many is not qualitative and it is not well-directed. We find them often in wrong pursuits and faulty ways. It is all because they have faltered in the very purpose of life: they have set wrong goals and targets, and accordingly, they seek satisfaction and the fulfilment of life in shallow and superficial matters. 2.      It is such people that Jesus sternly and directly warns: Do not work for the worldly and material things which do not last long but perish; rather strive for what is imperishable. What can obtain for one eternal life thereafter? What can also here and now give a sense of meaning and fulfilment? It is only the Lord, it is only faith in him and love for him, it is only in being loyal and committed to his mission, and striving for eternity. 3.      Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles stands as an emblem of this unearthly concern. It is this concern of the above and the spiritual, the “supernatural focus” that distinguishes Stephen from others. They were caught up with the below, the unspiritual, and the earthly leanings. This lofty focus endows him with wisdom and passion that none else can resist or match. 4.      Only such wisdom makes one clear of the priorities in life. Only such fire makes one ablaze in the midst of all tepidity and lethargy. And only such passion makes one undaunted and indefatigable amidst all adversities and evil forces.   Direction: It is not enough to work hard, but it is more important to discern what one is working hard for. It is not enough to be intelligent to do well in many affairs of the world, but it is more important to be wise to be concerned about the higher concerns   25 APRIL 2023: 1 PETER 5. 5-14; MARK 16. 15-20, FEAST, ST MARK   Pivot: A mission commissioned! Indicative: Our call is to follow the Lord and do his mission. For sure he will accompany us, empower us and accomplish his mission through us   1.      We celebrate St Mark’s feast. He was a disciple of Peter, a cousin of Barnabas, and a companion of Paul on his first missionary journey. He is one of the four evangelists. He died a martyr’s death, being dragged through the streets of Alexandria. 2.      Rightly in tune with the festive theme, today’s liturgy of the word of God focuses on mission. Mark was clear, convinced and committed to the Lord’s mission. It was a mission by word and deed. He preached the word. He wrote the word. He also lived it on his way of virtue and teachings of the Lord, accompanied by signs and wonders. 3.      In the words of Jesus, it is the mission of “going into the whole world”, “proclaiming the gospel to every creature”, and making others “believe, be baptised and be saved”. Therefore, our mission cannot be “restrictive”, either by place or people. It is a universal and expansive mission. This is indicated by the phrases, “whole world” and “every creature”. 4.      It is a mission to proclaim the gospel. We should proclaim only gospel and not anything evil. It is a mission of leading all to faith and salvation. Therefore, anything that leads away from faith and leads to destruction, is not true to the mission. 5.      What will be some conditions and features of a missionary and fidelity to the mission? The first reading enumerates some of them in terms of virtues. A life of mission is a life of virtue. The mission is not only doing something but living as someone of Christ. 6.      One fundamental condition of the mission is humility, as Peter exhorts us, “Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for God opposes the proud but bestows favour on the humble”. 7.      Surrender is another condition” “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you”. Vigilance and alertness is another requirement: “Be sober and vigilant”. Resistance to evil and steadfastness in faith is the other condition. 8.      What will be some effects of the power of this mission? The power over evil, to drive out the demons, the ability to communicate and proclaim, by speaking new languages, being shielded from what is harmful, and the power to heal.   Imperative: The greatest effect and sign of God’s power in our mission is that the Lord will himself “restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us”   (Reflection 2 from 2022)    Indicative: Those who are touched by the power of the risen Lord will be led by the light of his Spirit and spread the same light and power to others in word and deed   1.      Today on 25 April we celebrate the feast of St Mark. He is one of the four evangelists. He was a close associate of Peter. He acted as Peter’s scribe and recorded his teaching and preaching in his gospel. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey. Though not a direct disciple of Jesus, surely he knew Jesus and all the more confirmed by Peter. 2.      He worked for the spread of the faith. He is known to have founded the church at Alexandria. He was martyred by pagans who tied a rope around his neck and dragged him through the streets until he died. 3.      Mark’s gospel forms the basis for both Matthew and Luke. He is not concerned about the details but centres on one’s personal choice to act. “Immediately” is a frequent characteristic expression in Mark. This is not a mere technical expression. Rather it shows the sense of urgency of the mission. In the mission of the Lord, there is no time to waste. There must be “haste and promptness”. 4.      Mark presents Jesus as the “Lion of Judah”. This is in contrast to the devil, the “roaring lion” in the first reading from 1 Peter. The first lion rescues and saves from harm and death. The second lion devours and destroys. The purpose of Mark’s gospel is exactly the purpose of God’s call, as stated in the first reading. It is to “restore, confirm, strengthen in faith and establish us in eternal glory”.    Imperative: We are commissioned with the Lord’s own mission. We are empowered by his own Spirit to accomplish this mission   (Reflection 3) Focus: Those who experience the Lord, cannot but be his witnesses through life in its entirety and integrity   1.      As we celebrate today the feast of Saint Mark, one of the four evangelists, we are once again reminded of one essential trait of a true disciple of Christ. That is namely to be an evangelist. But here, we must understand the term ‘evangelist’ in its holistic sense. 2.      It should go beyond the restricted sense of one who wrote the gospel. It is also not only one who preaches about Christ, as some preachers make it be. To be an evangelist truly means “one who carries the good news”. 3.      Accordingly, an evangelist is one who bears witness to the Lord, through the word (proclamation), through the mission (missionary journeys/walking and working for the Lord), through enlightenment, animation, guidance and renewal (writing the gospel and laying directives of discipleship), and through an edifying and testifying life (life in the footsteps of the Lord through discipleship to Peter, and dying for the Lord).   Direction: Humility and witness are the two greatest marks of a true disciple and these are the two equipments for effective fulfilment of the Lord’s mission   26 APRIL 2023: ACTS 8. 1b-8: JOHN 6. 35-40   Pivot: Persecuted for God! Indicative: God does not will anyone to perish. He wants everyone to obtain eternal life. And this is possible through His beloved Son   1.      Jesus alone is the source of salvation. He is the bread of life. He is the one who nourishes and strengthens us as the bread. He also makes us live for eternity. Those who believe in him will never be hungry or thirsty. This means those who seek and confide in God will not be “frustrated” or “dissatisfied”. They will not be misled or tormented by the forces of death. They will be the promoters of the culture of life. 2.      Strength and growth, perseverance and fidelity are the hallmarks of the life of God. That is why the more the early Christians were persecuted, the more they became strong and grew more. They became persevering and faithful. 3.      We must see the guts of the apostles. There was widespread persecution. It was also spearheaded by Paul before his conversion. They ran the risk of unjust imprisonment, even to the extent of death for the sake of Jesus. 4.      But no amount of intimidation or imprisonment, persecution, or dispersion could arrest the unsurpassed work of the Lord. Along with the wisdom and courage to preach about Jesus Christ, Two things stand out in the early Church: the power of healing and the exceeding joy.   Imperative: Jesus is our courage and strength. Therefore those who believe in Jesus shall come out of the “scattered” mind. They shall be bold and strong to face any opposition and persecution   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 04 May)   Indicative: Troubles and trials will come in the way of following Christ. But nothing can destroy faith or stop the spread of God’s reign   1.       The history of the spread of the faith and the establishment of the church is very interesting and paradoxical. The more the church was persecuted, the more it grew. The more the followers were intimidated, the more they stood bold and firm. The more they were scattered, the more they were united in one faith and mission. 2.       They were wounded but they gave healing to others. They were imprisoned but they liberated others from slavery to sin. They were insulted and defamed but they gave new dignity to others. This is all because they believed in the Lord and clung to him. They hungered and thirsted for him who said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst”. 3.       Jesus clearly declared the purpose of his coming. That is to do not his will but the will of the Father who sent him. And the will of the Father is not to lose anyone but gain everyone so that they will gain eternal life. The disciples and the believers are that precious gain. They receive the gift of faith and obtain eternal life. 4.       The apostles and the disciples were convinced of their call and mission. Their only focus was to believe in the Lord and resemble him both in life and mission. Accordingly, they would constantly strive to gain all for the Lord so that no one would perish.   Imperative: The Lord clearly says that it is God’s will that no one is lost. But if someone is lost, it clearly shows that it is one’s own free choice to reject the life offered by God. For God never rejects anyone.   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 21 April)   Focus: The war between God and Satan, the struggle between good and evil, the opposition between faith and unfaith never ceases, but the evil can never permanently destroy the good   1.      God’s will and ways are always mysterious, in the sense, we may not always understand the sense and logic behind them. But one thing is sure: His ways are always productive and constructive seen in the whole picture of life and faith. It only needs a holistic vision of faith. 2.      In themselves, persecution in Jerusalem and scattering into different places are sad and destructive factors. But they become productive means of germinating faith and constructive occasions of gathering faithful to the Lord, through preaching and miracles. No amount of persecution could intimidate their faith or shake their conviction. 3.      This is the beauty and the power of faith. On one hand, anti-Christ forces like Saul were ravaging and persecuting the church. They were trying in every way to suppress the spread of the believers. But on the other hand, apostles like Philip, persisted to preach and heal, and the believers continue to grow in numbers as well as in the firmness of faith. 4.      They truly inherited the spirit of their Master Jesus who is the bread of life. He came from the Father. He had only the singular purpose and mission of “fulfilling the will of the Father”. It is this through “offering eternal life to all” without exception, and “never losing anyone”. However, unfortunately, there are many who reject faith and thus reject life itself.   Direction: God’s will and salvation should alone be our strengths and driving forces, because God will always sustain our every effort on His behalf, and no other forces or fears would crush us      

EASTER THIRD SUNDAY 23

23 APRIL 2023: 3RD SUNDAY EASTER Acts 2. 14, 22-23; 1 Pet 1. 17-21; Luke 24. 13-35   Pivot: Experience leads to witness; Personal Vision leads to mission Indicative: Our life of faith is like a journey. There will be times when things look dark and without hope. But for sure the risen Lord will accompany us, enlighten us and stabilize us in our faith so that we can become witnesses   1.      The two disciples on the way to Emmaus symbolise most of us. The same features and factors are found in us: “looking downcast”, “prevented from recognising the Lord”, “foolish”, and “slow to heart to believe”. 2.      They did not have the patience to wait for the Lord in Jerusalem. They could have remembered and believed in what the Lord foretold about his rising, what some women and some others attested about his rising, and they would have spent their time in faith, hope, prayer, patience and eager expectation 3.      Instead, they go away from Jerusalem. It is symbolic of their moving away from the centre of their life. They lose their focus. They allow themselves to fall back and deviate from the main track and rhythm of life. 4.      Similar is our journey of faith many times. Many times we subject ourselves to situations of dissipation, dull and shallow faith, failure to see and accept others’ genuine experience and testimony, foolishness, lack of hope, moving away from the centre, loss of focus, and relapse into old ways and deviations. Consequently, we fail to recognise the Lord and continue hard of hearts and incredulous. 5.      How to remedy this? Realise deeply the precious gift of our faith. This implies, realise the immense value of God’s love and sacrifice; the incomparable and imperishable treasure of salvation wrought by the precious blood of Christ who offered himself as the spotless unblemished lamb. 6.      So be ceaselessly aware that we are ransomed, liberated and transitioned from false conduct of sin. Realise the Lord is constantly walking with us. Be open and docile and listen to his teaching and instruction. Stay with him. Experience the intimacy of a relationship with him. Share the table with him. 7.      Then there will be tremendous effects of the risen Lord. Our hearts will start burning. We will realise his presence. We will once again return to the centre from our diversions and deviations. And we will share the same encounter and experience of Jesus with others.   Imperative: We are called to manifest truly the Lord’s resurrection in our life. This is done only through becoming authentic, bold and passionate witnesses before others, and conducting ourselves with reverence during the time of our sojourning   (Reflection 2 from earlier reflections)   Pivot: Hearts burn! Indicative: When the Lord is with us, when he walks with us, and when he speaks to us, surely our hearts shall be set ablaze and we shall recognise him   1.      We all are crippled. The gospel presents us with another kind of crippling, other than the physical. It is spiritual crippling. It is the “crippled faith”. This is seen in the case of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. Their faith was truly crippled. The Lord himself indicates this spiritual crippling as he rebukes them, saying, “How foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe what was already foretold!” 2.      The effects of this spiritual crippling are clear: They were prevented from recognising the Lord. They were overpowered by the human realm and human factors like sorrow and disappointment. They too needed healing to cure this spiritual crippling. This consists of listening to the Lord, staying with him, and sharing the (Eucharistic) table with him. 3.      Constantly we are called to be healed and heal others from various forms of crippling. This is possible only with the power of the Lord. If only we have deep faith in the Lord, we can receive his great power and give it freely and abundantly to others. 4.      This is our mission. Our mission should be of both word and deed: not only speak healing words but also assist them concretely to raise up and make their walking strong and straight. Help the people become strong and steady. 5.      We must try to make our mission more holistic and not merely material. Restore the lost human dignity and joy of life. For this, what is needed is to rise above our moments of disappointment and loss of hope. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus experienced this low condition. But they were rejuvenated once they allowed the Lord to accompany them. 6.       Like the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, we too may be totally disappointed and dejected. We may be so confused and disturbed. Our hopes and expectations may be shattered. Our faith may be shaken. We may not even recognize Jesus walking with us. 7.       But we must not lose our faith. We need to keep it awake and alive. We need to foster that spiritual power of the risen Lord. For this, what is needed is to listen attentively to the words of Jesus who constantly walks along with us, and to recognize his presence in the Holy Eucharist. 8.       Our eyes should be opened and our hearts should be inflamed. Thus, we must ourselves be touched and reconfirmed by the risen Lord. Allow the Lord to stay and share with us, speak to us, let our hearts burn within us, open our eyes and recognise him, and heal us.    Imperative: It is a simple principle that we cannot give others what we ourselves do not have. If we fail to give the world the healing touch that it needs, is it because we ourselves lack it?  

EASTER SECOND WEEK 23

17 - 22 APRIL 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 17 APRIL 2023: ACTS 4. 23-31; JOHN 3. 1-8 (Reflection 1): Focus: One can resist human powers but no one can resist and destroy the power of God 1.      The post-resurrection acts of the apostles are totally transformed, contrasting and startling in reference to their life before. There is an incredible boldness, incomparable wisdom and awe-evoking signs of miracles. 2.      This is all due to the power of the risen Lord, the anointing by the Holy Spirit. It is this risen experience that transforms them into witnesses both in word and deed. In the words of Jesus in the gospel, the apostles are truly those “reborn” of ‘water and spirit’. 3.      They are regenerated from above, in whom “the wind blows where it wills” in irresistible freedom, spontaneity and effect. If we too want and need to be his witnesses, then we too need to be reborn and born from above, totally receptive and cooperative to the action of the Spirit. Direction: It is fear that inhibits and hinders one from being deeply loyal and committed to anything, be it a human cause or divine. It needs conviction and courage to stand for and accomplish anything worthwhile (Reflection 2) Pivot: Rise above! Indicative: The power of the Risen Lord, the power of the Spirit is irresistible and unrestrainable. It regenerates and recreates the person 1.      The risen Lord causes new birth and gives new life to those open and receptive. In the gospel, Nicodemus is one such example of openness. He was a Pharisee and a ruler of Jews. Already we can draw an indicator from this. 2.      There are also some good people among the Pharisees and authorities. We need not categorise people or be carried away by labels. Goodness or badness does not necessarily depend on categories. Rather it depends on the openness to truth and humility to see and accept. 3.      Nicodemus goes to Jesus at night and this indicates his spirit of the search for truth. Already there were some essentials of faith in Jesus: he acknowledges Jesus as a teacher who has come from God. He sees the signs as due to God’s being with him. 4.      He makes a transition from imperfect to perfect faith. He is led to authentic faith. He is enabled to see above the merely physical, human and earthly realm to the divine, spiritual and heavenly realm. 5.      This is testified in Jesus’ words: “Unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom”. “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, one cannot enter the kingdom”. The Spirit is signified by “wind” and it is free and unconditioned because “the wind blows where it wills”. 6.      Though we cannot see visibly, the presence, power and effect of the Spirit are felt and experienced. Thereby we are reminded that we shall not merely go by sense perceptions. God’s action is invisible but effective. 7.      It is the Spirit that causes regeneration and rebirth. Now what will be the effects of rebirth? One who is reborn will rise above the earthly realm and operate in the spiritual realm. He will act freely and unconditioned. 8.      These are the same effects concretely operative in the case of Peter and John and the other Apostles in the first reading. They are filled with the spirit of prayer. They are filled with the Holy Spirit. They are filled with boldness. They spoke the word of God passionately. They bore witness to the Lord undauntedly. What is further remarkable is: they prayed amidst difficulties, but not to remove them; rather face them with boldness. Imperative: The risen Lord effects new birth in us. Therefore we should live a new life, that is a life of perfect faith, led by the Spirit, living in the spiritual realm 18 APRIL 2023: ACTS 4. 32 –37; JOHN 3. 7b-15   Pivot: A Contrast spirit! Indicative: Those who are reborn will rise above   1.      The effect of the risen Lord is a new birth. Concretely, it will lead to a new life that rises above the earthly realm. Those who experience the risen Lord will receive great power and great favour. They will bear witness to this new life, welling up to eternal life. 2.      They will live a life that is in contrast to the spirit of the world. This is what is seen in the early Christian community. They were of one mind and heart in contrast to the divisive spirit of the world. 3.      They had a collective spirit in contrast to the ego-centred spirit of the world. They had no spirit of privatization and no claim for private property. Instead, they had everything in common. In contrast to the spirit of hoarding and accumulation, they were detached and ready to dispossess their belongings. 4.      In contrast to greed and excessive craving for profit and gain, they had the spirit of generosity and sharing, so that there was no one in need. This was not just a material matter. It was truly a matter of a changed life, a new life, transformed by the risen Lord. It was a total change that affected the whole life and person and had a deep impact on the community as well.   Imperative: Person and community are two separate and exclusive entities. One affects and changes the other. Good people make a good community. And a good community helps to make good persons   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 26 April)   Indicative: True faith must be seen in a life of communion and witness. Faith that is limited only to some religious activities but lacks fraternity and edification is shallow   1.      The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives a vivid description of the early Christian community. How exemplary and edifying it was! One mind, one heart, one spirit, one Lord, one faith, one mission, one witness, and one spiritual treasure. There was no room for the egoism of ‘I’. The sense of oneness as ‘We’ and ‘Our’ was the real testing criterion of their faith. 2.      Their life testifies that spiritual riches are far more important than material riches. That is why there was no lacking or scarcity at all. Be it materially or spiritually, it was all abundance. Such a life was possible only because of the Spirit. This is the “rebirth” that Jesus speaks of to Nicodemus when he says, “You must be reborn anew”. 3.      The Spirit must reside in us and constantly guide us. We must allow ourselves to be guided by the “free wind” of the Spirit (The wind blows where it wills). Those who experience the freedom of the Spirit will not be conditioned by greed or attachment to worldly things or values. 4.      The early Christian community experienced this freedom and rebirth of the Spirit. That is why they were detached from their earthly possessions. They freely sold away their goods and generously shared them with others. Imperative: How edifying and worth imitating is the early Christian community! What a spirit of unity, equity, and sharing! How far from this ideal are many Christian communities of today?   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 13 April)   Focus: When the interior freedom is not there, the exterior freedom can easily become deviant and even pernicious   1.      Freedom is one of the greatest assets of a human being. But today more than ever, this freedom is misunderstood. It is wrongly equated with indulgence and pleasurability. Thus very often freedom becomes destructive. 2.      This is truly false freedom because it is not positive or productive. Further, instead of freeing the person, it only enslaves the person, with subtle and unconscious bondages. It is this false freedom that enslaves many to greed and accumulation. 3.      It leads many to gratify themselves with compromises and false values. In other words, the lack of inner freedom leads one to undue craving and attachment to money and material possessions. Detachment and true freedom go together. 4.       The apostles obtained, nurtured, and manifested this true freedom, the freedom of the Spirit. This is the productive freedom that makes the early Christian community to be deeply detached from worldly possessions. 5.      This is the altruistic freedom that shares generously with the needy. This is the constructive freedom that builds a community with one heart and mission. This is the transcending freedom that makes each of them a living testimony to the risen Lord. 6.      Selling off the properties in the spirit of detachment, and distributing them in generosity are the hallmarks of true disciples of Christ and a true Christian community. This model of the early Christians and their community is really edifying, inspiring, and worth imitating. 7.      This is also a great challenge to many of the modern followers of Christ and the Christian communities, which are far from these ideals. A good number are deeply engrossed in a suffocating spirit of greed and accumulation, deceit and manipulation.   Direction: Let us raise our level and perspective of thinking and living from the merely earthly and below to what is heavenly and above. Otherwise, we cannot enjoy the freedom of the joy and power of the Spirit and the life of God   19 APRIL 2023: ACTS 5. 17-26; JOHN 3. 16-21    Pivot: Light or darkness! Indicative: God never wants us to perish. He is always offering us His own life. Be lightened to see the truth and receive and live His life   1.       God who loved the world and sacrificed His only Son, gives the gift of faith, salvation and eternal life. This gift from God calls for a choice. This is the choice to be made: Accept the new life in faith, come to light, dispel the shades of darkness, be enlightened, and do the works of light. 2.       But the priests and the Jewish authorities made a choice against the life, truth and light offered by God. Thereby, they prefer to live within their prisons of legalism, self-righteousness, hypocrisy and stubbornness. Consequently, they continue to oppose the way of Jesus. 3.       They are filled with jealousy at the rising fame of the apostles, and the spread of faith in Jesus. So they put them in the public jail. But they do not realise that nothing can block the power of the Lord. No doors of prison can imprison the followers of Christ. That is why the apostles would walk out freely despite the secure lock and tight guard. 4.       The Lord opens the doors of the prison, through his angel, and sets them once again on the mission of preaching and bearing witness. This shows very clearly that it is foolish to put hurdles in the way of God. 5.       Let us not blame God that He judges and condemns us mercilessly. Because He is merciful only, He sacrificed His own Son as our ransom for our salvation. It is actually an auto-judgment. It is we who condemn ourselves by our rejection of His life, light and truth.   Imperative: Be open and receive His life in faith. Allow Him to enlighten you with His light. And see the truth and walk the way of truth in authenticity and integrity   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 27 April)   Indicative: God always offers us His grace. He shows us His love in manifold ways. It is left to us to make a free choice between grace or sin, salvation or damnation   1.      The apostles were on fire for the Lord. Their preaching was like a storm that shook all. This was all because they truly understood and experienced God’s love. It is a love that gives totally and selflessly. God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son for its salvation. He wants to save but sadly many prefer destruction. He wants to give light and enlighten our lives. But many still prefer darkness. 2.       The Jewish authorities were under the power of darkness. They refused the light of the Lord. They jealously reject the faith preached by the apostles. They arrest and imprison the apostles. But how foolish they were to think that they could stop the power of the Lord! How blinded they were that they did not realise that no prison wall and no authorities can block the power of God. 3.       Today there is so much hatred and selfishness. God’s sacrificing love must be a lesson and challenge for us. We must confide in such love of God and imbibe the same spirit. We must heal the world with cool streams of love and altruism. In a world that continues to stumble in the ways of darkness, we must be the bearers of the light of Christ. 4.       Further, against a prevalent storm of judging and condemning, we must spread the gentle breezes of empathy and forgiveness. Our purpose shall not be to show and prove how bad a fellow is. Rather it is to recognise and reinstate the confidence in how good a person can be, for Jesus came not to condemn but to save. 5.       Still further, we must inherit the same spirit of courage and commitment of the apostles. Nothing could intimidate them or stop them. They were focused and determined. They were convinced and committed.   Imperative: In a world that is fragmented and tormented by a culture of hate, darkness, and destruction, we need to revitalise the power of love, light, and new life of the Lord   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 14 April)   Focus: The man of today reels under the weight of defeat and loss, only because he deliberately fights against good and thus against God Himself   1.      The Jewish authorities were not fools or ignorant. They knew very well that the apostles were authentic witnesses to Jesus Christ. If only a little open and humble, they would also know that Jesus Christ is the Life, the Truth, and the Light. They would know that it is the very power of God that was acting in and through the apostles. 2.      But the human jealousy and the evil incline pose them as opposed to that very power of God. Consequently, they would not realise that they were opposing not mere individuals, but God Himself. God brings them to their senses again and again that no stone walls of a prison, no chains of threat and persecution could restrain the apostles from preaching Christ openly and publicly. 3.      Thus there is a clear contrast between the apostles and the unbelieving Jews: the apostles believe and experience the saving love of God through Jesus, who offers to the sin-laden humanity life, truth, and light leading to salvation. They receive the life and live the life of God, they adhere to the truth and live truthfully and they open themselves to the light and become enlightened and radiant. 4.      On the contrary, the obstinate Jews refuse God’s life and become lifeless spiritually, they content themselves with falsity and prefer to walk in the dark. They hate the light, love darkness, and do the works of evil. Thus, they deliberately forfeit the grace of God. They throw away the love and forgiveness of God that offer a renewed life. Thus, while the believers merit salvation, the opponents deserve judgment and condemnation. In fact, it is auto-judgment and not a judgment imposed by God.   Direction: One need not lament and blame God sternly judging and condemning humanity. It is, in fact, an auto-judgment and condemnation, in all freedom and choice. God does not force anyone to sin and be liable for the judgment   20 APRIL 2023: ACTS 5. 27-33; JOHN 3. 31-36   Pivot: Obey God rather than men! Indicative: The Apostles continue to work for the Lord. They proclaim about him. They ceaselessly remind the Jews that Jesus is the Saviour and author of new life. They also hold the unbelieving Jews and Jewish authorities accountable for the death of Jesus   1.      “We must obey God rather than men”. What a sublime principle! Today if only men follow this norm of life, how different and changed life will be! How does this difference come? It is because “God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him”. 2.      When there is Holy Spirit, there is enlightenment and empowerment. This will equip one with clarity and solidity. The light of the Spirit makes things clear so that we can distinguish and discern between priorities and make the right choices. 3.      In the light of the gospel, it is to believe unshakably in Jesus that he is totally one and united with the Father; that he is loved by the Father; that everything is given to him; he comes from above and is above all; he is sent by God and speaks the words of God. 4.      And his testimony is trustworthy even though not accepted by all. And to all those who believe in him, he gifts his Holy Spirit. This is seen in the case of the Apostles. They were filled with the light and power of the Spirit. 5.      The Holy Spirit also strengthens us so that we become firm and convinced, courageous and persevering, loyal and committed. And the greatest act and effect of the Holy Spirit is “bearing witness to the Lord”. Thereby they become heavenly and above and they bear testimony to the things above.   Imperative: If we really belong to God, then we must rise above the things, earthly and below, and live in the realm above   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 28 April)   Indicative: There are certainly differences in the quality of life. But these differences are not because of the differences in the degrees of intelligence or competence or affluence or influence. It is more a matter of difference in perspectives   1.      Often we find a lot of differences in how people live their lives. Some live qualitatively while others live worthlessly. Some live with a higher purpose while others live with low ambitions. It is not because of different capacities or standards of living. It is all a difference in the height of perspectives. 2.       In the words of Jesus in the gospel, it is all a difference between “the above” and “the below”, between the “heavenly” and the “earthly”. Those who look up to heaven, and raise themselves to the above realm, will assess things and persons from a higher perspective. They are not earth-bound but heaven-directed. 3.       It is this higher motive and perspective that transforms the apostles into witnesses of the Lord. They are emboldened and empowered. They are not bothered about the punishment by the authorities for the sake of their faith. That is why they boldly defy and disobey the explicit order not to preach about Jesus Christ. 4.       They had the guts to challenge the authorities. They stood firm and continued their mission despite opposition and persecution. It is because they were filled by the Spirit of the risen Lord. They affirm with conviction that they will never stop their witness because it is Lord’s own mission mandate. They make it very clear, declaring, “We must obey God rather than men”.   Imperative: Obedience to God was the apostles’ highest priority and not pleasing the world. In our times, where is that obedience, courage, and commitment?   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 15 April)   Focus: Those who are guided by human fragilities like jealousy, pride, stubbornness, and false prestige operate on the human level and become resistant to every good   1.      The Jewish authorities are entangled in the earthly realm. They are not able to rise above. They are totally overpowered and guided by human jealousy, self-interests, and cheap motives. They vehemently resent and reject the apostles’ preaching. They resist the power of their witness to the risen Lord. 2.      They desperately try to suppress their irresistible ministry and the increasing numbers of believers. They even forget that they may be placing themselves against God Himself. They suffer from a guilty conscience. Instead of repenting and changing their lives, the authorities all the more want to terminate the truth that goes on pricking and disturbing them. 3.      Thus, they decide to kill the apostles. Simultaneously, they also throw away the eternal life, offered by the Son. It is not merely the rejection of an individual called Jesus or the rejection of a new religion called Christianity. It is in fact the rejection of the grace of God itself, and the rejection of a new way of life. 4.      It is in this context, that the bold assertion and conviction of the apostles is an eye-opener, challenge, and guiding norm for all of us: “We must obey God rather than the humans”. This obedience ennobles and enables them to be witnesses to the Lord, risking their own lives. 5.      The apostles believed in the Son, as sent by the Father. They bear testimony to the Son just as the Son bears testimony to the Father. In consequence, they may face death at human hands but they will obtain eternal life at the hands of God. 6.      Ultimately, only obedience and witness are the greatest directives for a true follower of Christ. It is good to check and see on whose side we are: the unbelieving Jews or the faithful apostles.   Direction: Unfortunately, often the norm for the decisions and actions of many is obeying and pleasing the world and not God and good. Accordingly, they have to render a strict account to God   21 APRIL 2023: ACTS 5. 34-42: JOHN 6. 1-15   Pivot: God’s power is irresistible! Indicative: Many times, in our corrupt and degenerating world, many evil forces try hard to resist and arrest the good. But we must bear in mind that nothing can suppress good because every good comes from God   1.      We must appreciate the wisdom of Gamaliel. His logic is divine and simple: if the work of the Apostles about Jesus is God’s work, no human powers can stop it or destroy it. If it is merely human, then it will die by itself. 2.      Therefore, when we try to oppose or suppress anything good, we must realise that unconsciously we may be putting ourselves and fighting against God Himself. There is a lot to learn from this wise counsel of Gamaliel. 3.      Very many times, many vehemently try to destroy the good because of human factors like jealousy and arrogance or selfish motives. But they are totally unaware that they are running a serious risk. That is becoming rivals and enemies of God Himself. The reason is simple: all good is godly and divine while all evil is devilish. 4.      There is again a lot to learn from the Apostles. Evidently, it is their loyalty and perseverance in their faith and witness amidst all threats and persecution. But apart from this, it is their perspective and approach toward suffering itself. 5.      They do not resent the adversities. They do not try to run away from them or evade them. They do not lament that they are treated unjustly. They do not condemn their opponents that they will meet with grievous consequences. They do not even call upon God for help to save them from their distress. 6.      Instead, they feel great. They consider it a great honour and privilege to suffer for God. Therefore their reaction is abundant joy. They rejoice over their suffering for the sake of the Lord. 7.      This is also the perfect attitude of synodality that we are celebrating these recent times. There is “communion, participation and mission”. In the first reading, the Apostles experienced these norms in their testimony to the Lord. 8.      In the gospel, these are seen concretely in the miracle of the multiplication of loaves. The Apostles become sharers in the Lord’s intervention. They become actively involved in the whole process. 9.      Some of the components are: facing the issue, analysing the difficulties involved in the issue, assessing its gravity, seeking different possibilities to resolve the issue, pooling together the available resources, placing them at the Lord’s disposal and thus leaving it trustfully for his miraculous intervention, distributing them and finally collecting and preserving the leftovers.   Imperative: Our whole perspective toward adversities and afflictions must change. We must not be evasive or depressive or aggressive in times of difficulty. Instead, we must rejoice for being found worthy to become partakers in the same lot of the Master and for his sake   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 29 April)   Indicative: God is always sensitive to our needs and problems. He never abandons us to our fate, to struggle by ourselves. He intervenes at the right time and changes the situation   1.      The gospel narrates the miracle of multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand. It is not a mere miracle that displays the power of Jesus. It is a testimony of the care and concern of God for the suffering humanity. There is so much hunger and sickness. The world is hungry for healing and health, for feeding and nourishment. 2.       It is notable that it is Jesus who senses the need of the hungry people and asks, “How are we to provide bread for them to eat?” God always takes the initiative to enter into our difficult situations and alleviate our pain. 3.       However, God wants our contribution to join with His action. What we contribute may be very little. Five loaves and two fish will be nowhere to feed five thousand. But there is nothing to worry about. All that is needed is to pool together all our available resources and place them at the Lord’s disposal. We need to submit to him what we have. Once touched and blessed by him, even our very little becomes big and more. 4.       When we cooperate with God’s grace, our little will become abundant. It will not only give what is sufficient to remove the need but will also lead to ‘reserve’. Not only the five thousand are well-fed but also twelve baskets still remain with leftovers. 5.       This is the spirit of cooperation that drove the apostles in their mission. They trusted not in their human capacities or resources but in God’s mighty power. They knew that they were doing God’s work and so nothing would stop them. 6.        The wise Pharisee, Gamaliel too realises this. That is why he wisely counsels the other authorities not to put deliberate obstacles in the way of the apostles. For, if is really God’s work, they would be opposing God Himself. If it is not God’s work, they need not stop it. Their mission will die by itself in course of time.   Imperative: Even amidst trials and afflictions, the apostles would rejoice. The more they were persecuted, the more they were happy and strong. For they considered it a great honour to suffer something for their Lord   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 16 April)   Focus: We must always remember the simple principle in life: If something is God’s will, nobody can resist it; if it is not God’s will, nobody can assist it   1.      How wise is Gamaliel! He appeals to be judicious and discerning concerning religious issues and matters of faith! He provides a simple criterion to test whether something is of God or not. And that is perseverance and durability: 2.      Accordingly, if something comes from God, it will last despite all the obstacles and struggles; if it is merely a human enterprise, it will vanish sooner or later. What a difference in quality and beneficiality can there be if only God’s holy will becomes the deciding criterion for every process of discernment and implementation! 3.      Alas, very often human calculations and pretentious intelligence become normative for most of decisions and actions. That is why great human enterprises easily fail and collapse because they are not of God. 4.      A disciple of Christ must have the spirit of trust and surrender. They should always believe that God never abandons them. God comes to their rescue, in every sort of difficulty. It can be the suffering because of their faith or can be a need like hunger as in the gospel. 5.      Whatever the kind of problem, unfailing faith is most important. It is this faith that makes the apostles stand bold and firm, and rejoice even amidst affliction. What a faith it is: they are not upset or ashamed. But they feel great and honoured to suffer something for God! 6.      The gospel episode of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand also presents another faith situation. True faith cooperates with God’s grace. In the Acts of the Apostles, this cooperation is seen in their perseverance. 7.      In the gospel, it is seen as a happy offering to God at His disposal. It indicates a willingness to place at the Lord’s disposal our very little - five loaves and two fish. It is to surrender the whole “needy and desperate situation” to the Lord’s concern, trusting in his benevolence and power as well.   Direction: Miracles still happen not because our faith is great or our contribution is mighty, but only because God’s love and power are abundant to meet and satisfy our needs   22 APRIL 2023: ACTS 6. 1-7; JOHN 6. 16-21   Pivot: Do not be afraid! Indicative: The journey of faith is not smooth sailing. There will be strong winds blowing against. But nothing to worry about! The Lord comes to us   1.      What a sense of clarity of priorities the Apostles had! They knew what was their priority. Prayer and ministry of the Word are more important than serving at the table. We do not undermine the value of serving at table because it is a concrete expression of fraternal communion and sharing. However, it should not lead to neglecting the word of God. 2.      Perhaps, this is one main thing lacking in the present-day Church. There is an acute lack of clarity of priorities. Whether it is the lay faithful or consecrated ministers of God, often there is a lot of confusion and distortion of concerns and priorities. 3.      Consequently, often secular interests, worldly preoccupations, and organisational and administrative concerns take the upper hand over spiritual concerns and animation of faith and communities. 4.      That is why a great amount of time, money and energy is spent on organising different activities, conducting monetary transactions and supervising material tasks, rather than building, renewing and reinforcing the interior spirit, faith and family relationships. 5.      The wisdom of the Apostles must dawn on each one, saying, “It is not right to neglect the word of God and prayer to serve at the table”. 6.      It is also a call for living a synodal church. The Apostles do not monopolise the whole authority by themselves. They are not scared to “decentralise” and “delegate” their authority. Instead, they happily appoint seven deacons to serve at the table. 7.      What is notable is: though serving at the table is subservient to the higher priority of the Ministry of the Word, it is not of less value. It is also a great “spiritual” ministry. That is why, it too needed men of the Spirit, faith and wisdom. 8.      This indicates that every ministry in the church is spiritual and valuable. There is nothing strictly material and spiritual. All are sacred. There should not be any despising and dominating attitude. Instead, there should be an atmosphere of mutual respect and collaboration. 9.      Finally, in our synodal journey. we should be prepared to face some storms and unfavourable situations. These may be in the form of misunderstandings and conflicts between the Hellenistic and Jewish Christians as in the first reading. 10.   Or, these may be in the form of strong winds of problems and challenges as in the gospel. There is every possibility to be afraid. It is in such moments we shall hear the assuring voice of the Lord, “It is I. Do not be afraid”.   Imperative: When the Lord is with us, our fear will subside, the storms against our sailing will subside, and we will arrive at the shore safely. All that is needed is clarity, wisdom, surrender and commitment   (Reflection 2 from 2022, 30 April)   Indicative: Even the best of the people, good and holy will face the same human problems. Faith makes no exemption from afflictions. It is how we face and respond that is important   1.      The sail of the lifeboat will not be always smooth and safe. The waters become rough at times and strong winds will hit the boat. The movement looks weary and burdensome. In such moments of fear and anxiety, we may not even recognise the presence of the Lord. It is in such moments, that Jesus comes to us and assures us, “It is I; do not be afraid”. 2.       The apostles in the first reading experience one kind of this rough weather. It was in the form of misunderstanding and dissension in the believing community. The Hellenists felt discriminated against and neglected by the Hebrews in their daily distribution. 3.       It is here they experience the wisdom of the Spirit. They make the right discernment concerning their priorities. They realise clearly that the ministry of prayer and preaching the Word is more important than serving at the tables. They realise that their primary duty is to bear witness to the Lord while serving can be done by others as well. 4.       Subsequently, seven deacons are chosen and appointed for the ministry of serving. This too is not an arbitrary choice. They were men of repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom. This also shows that every ministry in the church is important and needs some spiritual gifts. 5.       The whole episode also shows the spirit of collegiality of the apostles. They do not want to have total control. They do not want to dominate the whole show. They are ready to share and distribute their power to others. They are ready to detach themselves from their power and authority.   Imperative: Problems are bound to come on our mission. They can be of different kinds. But what will be our response and approach? Do we get frightened or discouraged or agitated? Do we get into arguments and overassertive?   (Reflection 3 from 2021, 17 April)   Focus: At times, in life, strong winds will be blowing and hitting the lifeboat. We may be frightened. It is in such times, we must attentively listen to the Lord’s assurance, “It is I; do not be afraid”   1.      Surely, in life difficulties and challenges will come upon us. They can be of different kinds, sometimes, human, sometimes, natural. In the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles faced the problem of misunderstanding, displeasure, and division – a human situation of injustice and unfairness. It is a matter of conflict between the Hellenistic believers and the Hebrews. 2.      In the gospel, it is a natural difficulty due to heavy wind in the sea against the boat – a situation of fear and tension. But, they did not get lost or frustrated by the problematic situation. They confronted and addressed it. The apostles prayed. They turned to God. They sought the light of the Spirit. They obtained wisdom. They discerned the clarity of priorities. 3.      Accordingly, they devote themselves to prayer and ministry of the word, while they choose 7 deacons to do the serving at the tables. They know that both the ministries, of the word and the service, are important. But they also realise that their priority as apostles is spiritual ministry. This cannot suffer at the hands of the other ministry. However, they do not undervalue its importance. Therefore, they pray to the Holy Spirit and choose men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. 4.      Similarly, in the gospel, the apostles get frightened by the strong wind. But, they listen to Jesus’ directive not to be afraid but to confide in him. They gladly take him into the boat, and the boat has a smooth sail to the shore. 5.      It is not wise to expect a no-problem situation in our life. Our faith is not foolproof or shield or guarantee against all problems and adversities. When faced with problems, the first recourse should be to God.

II SUNDAY OF EASTER

EASTER II SUNDAY: DIVINE MERCY, 16 APRIL 2023 Acts 2. 42-47; 1 Peter 1. 3-9; John 20. 19-31 (Reflection I)   Indicative: Why this Divine Mercy Sunday immediately after Easter Sunday?   1.      The purpose is well-reflected. If peace is the greatest gift and fruit of Easter (as we hear it in the gospel), that peace is the effect of mercy. Peace will be experienced, obtained, shown and fostered only in mercy. 2.      In other words, mercy becomes the most concrete, authentic and effective sign and expression, witness and testimony of peace. In fact, peace and reconciliation were possible, only because of divine mercy. And peace will be possible, only because of continued mercy. 3.      When you are merciful, you will be peaceful, and when you are peaceful, you will be merciful. Thereby, mercy is both the cause and effect of peace. In sum, Easter peace calls us to constantly live the power of God’s mercy, and our own mercy towards others. 4.      Now what it means to live mercy, both concerning God and others? In the first place, trust in the mercy of God. Never lose faith in His mercy. For, God will never let us down, never discard us, despise or reject us. He will never condemn us. Cross, crucifixion and resurrection are the greatest testimonies of His unfailing and unconditioned mercy. 5.      He who descended from heaven, to transcend us to heaven – Will he leave us, crushed to the ground? He who embraced our human fragility, to race us to nobility – Will he abandon us to our frailty? He who accepted earthly misery, to raise us to heavenly glory – Will he forsake us, stuck to our misery? He who went through our own struggles, sufferings and adversities – Will he reject us to suffer all alone? He who bore the cross on our behalf – Will he desert us to carry our own burdens, all by ourselves? He who died for our sake – Will he not save us from the power and forces of death and evil? He who rose to be alive with us forever – Will he not walk, sustain and empower us, to live a new resurrected life of faith, hope and charity, blossoming in joy and peace? 6.      As St. Paul exclaims: our sin may abound, but his grace always does super-abound. Our fragility may pull us down, but His strength will always lift us up. His fidelity is always greater than all our infidelities. His might is always stronger than all our weaknesses. His light is always brighter than all our darkness. His holiness is always purer than all our impurities. His healing is more relieving and restoring than all our wounds and infirmities. His guidance is more clear leading than all our misguidedness. His sentiment is warmer and more capturing than all our resentment and grudge. His tenderness is more touching than all our harshness and hardness. His warmth is hotter and more vibrant than all our indifference and tepidity. His conviction is more firm and stable than all our wavering and compromise. His humility is more impelling than all our pride and arrogance. His self-emptying is more filling than all our self-serving. His altruism is more serving than all our egoism. His generosity is more out-reaching than all our greed and accumulation. His integrity is more authentic than all our hypocrisy and dishonesty. His mercy is more powerful than all our aggression, retaliation and revenge. His love is more stimulating than all our hatred. His forgiveness is more comforting than all our sinfulness and refusal to forgive. His nobility is more pressing than all our vulnerability. 7.      Therefore, trust in His mercy. Confide in the power of His mercy. Then live the same mercy to others. This means, showing the same rules of God’s mercy, which we have enumerated just above. So let us be faithful, even amidst infidelity. Let us be stronger even amidst all our weaknesses. Let us be brighter even amidst all darkness. Let us be holier even amidst all unholiness. Let us be more healing even amidst all the hurts. Let us be more guided even amidst all the misleading. Let us be more tender even amidst all rudeness. Let us be more warm even amidst all coldness. Let us be more convinced even amidst all compromise. Let us be more humble even amidst all arrogance. Let us more sacrificing even amidst all selfishness. Let us be more sharing even amidst all accumulation. Let us be more honest even amidst all manipulation. Let us be more merciful even amidst all aggression and violence. Let us be more loving even amidst all grudge and hatred. Let us be more patient even amidst all anger and irritation.   Imperative: Be merciful as your heavenly Father is. Let mercy train your hearts and life, so that peace may reign in your hearts and life.    (Reflection 2):   1.      Peace is an urgent need: We are living in a world, which is recurrently haunted, tormented and wounded by mindless bouts of violence, destruction and death. There is a desperate need for peace. In such a context, peace becomes a word which is so heartening to hear, a gift that is so desirable. In fact, the value of peace becomes impressive, in the light of ‘What does peace do?’ Peace subsides fears. Peace instils confidence and courage. Peace comforts the discouraged and tired spirit. Peace brightens the darkened moments and uplifts frightened hearts. Peace forgives sins. Peace heals and restores health and tranquillity. Peace renews and re-energizes the dull and the inactive into a fiery fervour. Peace strengthens and confirms one who believes, in faith and mission. This is what we see in what the Risen Lord effects in the apostles and through them in the lives of many. 2.      Jesus restores peace! To a peaceless, disturbed and peace-hungry world, the Risen Lord gives peace. “Peace be with you!” is the greeting of the Risen Lord in his apparition to his apostles. Peace is the greatest Easter gift. He pronounces this blessing thrice, which is very significant. It denotes perfection and completeness. Thus, it is a peace that is whole and entire, and not partial, in bits and pieces. This is already a very comforting indicator and assurance for us: God always blesses us beyond measure: “I came to give you life, and life in its full measures” (Jn 10.10); “I tell you these things, so that my joy be in you, and that joy be complete” (Jn 15.11). Unlike humans, there are no calculations, no conditions, no fractions, no portions, and no percentages, in God’s grace. 3.      Why no peace? So if God gives us His grace fully, two immediate questions can be posed: Why we do not experience it fully? And why we do not transmit and share it with others fully? Two can be the obvious reasons which restrict and reduce the reception and effect of God’s grace and peace: human fragility and evil dominance. It is human fragility, seen in instability, infidelity and lack of firmness and commitment; it is evil dominance, seen in distorted values and pressuring pleasures of the world, which are clearly the handiworks of the Malignant. These human fragility and evil sway in turn lead to the loss of love for God and loss of ardour for good. 4.      What is needed to obtain peace? But what is needed to experience such a gift of peace? The simplest and greatest requirement is FAITH. This answer comes from the situation and response of Thomas in the gospel. What is this faith? It is a faith, “to believe even without seeing”, a faith “to trust unconditionally all that the Lord has promised”, a faith “to confide in the Lord’s presence and action, even amidst contrary situations and disconcerting experiences”, a faith “to go beyond the merely physical, perceptible and visible experiences and favours, a faith “not to easily rule out the richness of others’ faith experiences and testimonies”, but at the same time, “not to be passively content with others’ faith”, but “to long for a deep and personal encounter with Jesus”, a faith “to surrender totally to the Lord”, once encountered and confirmed in personal experience, a faith “to forgive without bounds”, and a faith “to bear witness to the same faith” in word and deed in proclaiming Gods’ grace and healing. Can we then grow faithfully and thus live peacefully? 5. Peace flows from divine mercy and our mercy! It is here that we find the link with divine mercy, as we celebrate this second Easter Sunday as the divine mercy Sunday. The reason is quite simple. God in His love is so merciful to us and gives us His peace. Thus peace is the effect of divine mercy. Faith is the response to this divine mercy, and our own mercy and compassion for others is the concrete effect of His peace. In other words, this peace demands on our part a deep faith as its foundation and mercy as its expression and authentication. There is no peace without faith in God and mercy for others!