Eighth week in ordinary time 23

29 MAY - 03 JUNE 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 29 MAY 2023: SIRACH 17. 20-24; MARK 10. 17-27 Pivot: Give up! Indicative: God wills that we all inherit eternal life. But it is not an easy task. It needs to go beyond the ordinary and the minimum 1. “How hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” Jesus states thus in the gospel. This points to the culture of our world. We are living in a world that has a mentality which is easy-going and take-for-granted. Especially things other than the worldly and material do not often receive much attention. 2. The first question that is worth-posing is: How many are really interested in God, spiritual matters, Kingdom and eternal life? How many are really concerned about the right values? How many are thoughtful and concerned about the needs and struggles of the poor and needy? 3. In that way, the desire of the young man for eternal life is praiseworthy. He stands as a contrast to many who are short-sighted and earth-bound and not heaven-directed. He is also appreciable because he is not just satisfied with the desire and intention. 4. His desire for eternity is supported by a loyal observance of God’s laws and commandments. However, it is not enough. Jesus says, “There is one thing that is lacking”. Perfection calls for more. It calls for a radical journey of the 4 D’s: detachment, dispossession, distribution and discipleship. 5. This is the kind of life that is laid out in the first reading. It is a life that is marked by penitence, turning away from sin and the error of the ungodly, and standing firm in God’s way of justice. This is a life pleasing to God. This is very challenging and strenuous. It needs God’s grace and not merely human effort. That is why Jesus says, “For men, it is impossible but not for God. All things are possible for God”. Imperative: Possessing riches in itself is not wrong. But we should be cautious that riches should not possess and enslave us in the process (Reflection 2 from 2021, 24 May) Focus: The man of today thinks that everything is possible for him. A sense of self-confidence is good. But a sense of humility to recognize his self-insufficiency is better 1. In the gospel of today, we have a rich young man who can represent many of us. First of all, we can appreciate his desire for eternal life, as he asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He asks this in humility as he kneels before Jesus. 2. He also readily acknowledges Jesus as the right teacher who can teach and direct rightly as he addresses Jesus, “Good teacher!” We must further appreciate him for his fidelity to observe the commandments from his youth. 3. Immediately, in reference to him, it is good to do a self-check. How many have this desire for eternal life? Many desire to acquire and gain many things pertaining to the world, but very little is the desire for what is beyond and lasting. 4. Do we have the humility to seek the answer for eternity? Do we have trust and faith in Jesus as the one who can give the right answer and direct us in the right way? And how many sincerely can affirm that I am following the commandments from my youth? 5. Certainly, this rich young man is not a bad man. He is religious-minded. That is why, Jesus looks upon him with love. However, the young man is still insufficient. He lacks something essential. He lacks that profound detachment, that radical self-giving, and personal intimacy with the Lord and following him. 6. He needs to get rid of a worldly mentality of acquiring, inheriting and possessing. This is indicated in his question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Eternal life is not something that can be gained by one’s own effort or merit. It is not an automatic result and reward of certain observances, even though good. 7. Eternal life and salvation is God’s grace, it is His free gift. Attachment to worldly things and possessions can be the biggest hindrance to follow the Lord personally and intimately. They can easily make one self-centred and greedy. They may make one fail in sensitivity and generosity to the poor and needy. 8. Some may argue that Jesus is not realistic and practical. He does not know how to tackle the young man. He upsets the rich young man totally. He would have advised him to be more generous and contribute huge donations and alms to the poor and the temple, etc. 9. But, the real issue here is a radical commitment to the Lord. As the book of Sirach advocates, it is a definitive turning to God, without conditions and compromises. It is a total self-giving to God and to others. All that matters is only surrender and loyalty to the Lord. Direction: It is good that we frequently question ourselves: What do I lack? But it is not in regard to the world, in terms of money, things, capacities or power, position, etc. The vital concern is, what do I lack in my journey of salvation? 30 MAY 2023: SIRACH 35. 1-12; MARK 10. 28-31 Pivot: Oblation is an entire life! Indicative: Oblations, sacrifices and offerings are good because they are the external signs of religious adherence. But they are not enough! 1. A spirit of detachment, self-offering and generosity and justice in observance of commandments and acts of charity are far more pleasing to God than all the other religious sacrifices and offerings. 2. The episode of the encounter of the young man with Jesus was just then over. The young man goes away sad. He was not able to accept the challenge of total renunciation and then the following of Jesus. 3. It is in this context, Peter seeks clarity about their own destiny. They stand in contrast to the rich young man. Unlike him, they responded immediately to the call of Jesus. They gave up everything. They followed Jesus. 4. In line with the first reading, they offer pleasing gifts to God, not so much by sacrifices and atonements, but by their very life. It is a life of complete detachment from the world and commitment to the Lord. 5. Peter states, “We have given up everything and followed you”. This need not mean that he is boastful about their giving up and following Jesus. Nor is he inquisitive about their reward. It is more about seeking clarity about the end and destiny of their fidelity. Their response is not futile. It is highly worthwhile and rewarding. 6. Following Jesus with renunciation brings forth already here on earth rich dividends, even in terms of material abundance and new spiritual relationships. Furthermore, it obtains the greatest reward of eternal life. 7. However, Jesus is never a false promise. He cautions realistically of the necessity and occurrence of persecutions, along with blessings. He also clarifies candidly that there cannot be guarantees or pretensions when he says, “The first will be last and the last will be first”. Imperative: Charity and justice, testified in a life of devotion and dedication are highly commendable and relishable in God’s sight (Reflection 2 from 2021, 25 May) Focus: Practice of religion in devotions, offerings and sacrifices is good. But all this must be done with a real spirit of self-offering, righteousness and gladness 1. In the first reading from Sirach, there is a very profound religious teaching that which is a check and control against shallow and superficial religiosity. Such a religiosity is very inadequate because it is limited and reduced to mere offerings and sacrifices, activities and practices. Unfortunately, this is the type of religiosity and spirituality that many believe and practice today. The consequence of such a depthless religion is obstinacy, intolerance, antagonism and violence. 2. But, today the book of Sirach teaches us rightly that being faithful to the laws and commandments, being kind and righteous surpasses all the formal offerings and rituals. It is not the religious act alone that pleases God but the heart that does that act. It is the spirit and life of humility, righteousness, self-offering to God and self-giving to others in the joy that wins God’s favour. 3. Such a life is certainly not easy. It is demanding and challenging. Especially in the sight of the world, and in human calculations, it is a big loss. What is the use of it? What is the result and fruit of it? 4. This is the concern that is implied in the question of Peter of Jesus in today’s gospel: “Behold, we have left everything and followed you”. This question follows immediately yesterday’s episode of the rich young man, who fails to follow Jesus’ invitation to give up everything and follow him. 5. In contrast to him, Peter and the other disciples readily leave everything and follow Jesus. In this context, Peter’s question is quite valid and reasonable. It is not following the Lord with ulterior motives or some interests. It is not doing something for God with some expectations. It is not giving up some things in order to gain many things. 6. In all simplicity, Peter’s question reveals a concern for assurance that it is worth following the Lord. It is far more rewarding. It is not a vain enterprise or a futile struggle. The value of following the Lord is exceedingly greater than all that is given up. The reward is an abundance of spiritual riches and relationships. And the greatest reward is eternal life. Direction: Following the Lord will become light and enjoyable if one does it with a positive mind. This means one must constantly see that what he receives is far more worthy and valuable, compared to what he loses. God’s abundant blessings and eternal life are the greatest rewards! 31 MAY 2023: ZEPHANIAH 3. 14-18 or ROMANS 12. 9-16; LUKE 1. 39-56, VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Pivot: God visits and intervenes! Indicative: Mary mediates, intercedes and recommends before God on our behalf. That shows her deepest concern. Certainly, God heeds her mediation. Joy will be the ultimate effect 1. Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth is not merely a historical, courtesy or even a charitable visit. It is symbolic, highly spiritual and missionary. It symbolizes God’s own intervention. Whenever there is a need, God visits those in need and fulfils their need. 2. In the episode of the visitation, we see a concrete occasion of God’s mighty intervention through Mary’s noble mediation. Already there is a spiritual inundation of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s presence fills and ignites Elizabeth with the Spirit. She explodes into spiritual excitement and acclamation. 3. In one breath, Elizabeth acknowledges God as her Lord and Saviour. She also acknowledges and acclaims Mary as the Mother of the Saviour, the most Blessed of all women by her faith. Mary’s blessedness is confirmed by the effusion of the Spirit and joy. 4. Spirit and joy are the most authentic signs and effects of God’s presence. Where God is present, there is the Holy Spirit and joy. Mary was already bearing Jesus and so she could transmit Spirit and joy. 5. This would fill and move Elizabeth and her babe in the womb. The same Spirit and joy would reverberate in the entire being of Mary. That is why she would burst into one of the greatest hymns of Spirit and joy, namely the Magnificat. Imperative: The Visitation of Mary is not just a journey of Mary. It reminds us about God’s own constant visitation to human lives through Mary’s mediation and the carrying out of our mission (Reflection 2 from 2022) Indicative: Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth is not just an individual visit but symbolizes the very visitation of God Himself to humanity, with His gracious face, turned toward suffering humanity 1. Mary visits Elizabeth, and this visitation is very significant. It is not just a courtesy visit. It is not only a great act of charity and service to Elizabeth in need during her pregnancy. It is deeply symbolic and efficacious, as it indicates the very visitation of God Himself and its effects on humanity. 2. In the Bible through the history of salvation, the visitation of God signifies His active and liberative intervention in the life of His people. Accordingly, “God visits” signifies that God is encountering and gracing that person or that community. Today in the visitation of Mary, the same thing happens: The Saviour, conceived in Mary’s womb, visits Elizabeth and graces her and her family, who symbolizes the whole of humanity. 3. Mary is the perfect embodiment of God’s will and presence and the abode of Jesus. She bears him within and shares him with others. She nurtures him within and extends the same experience to others. What happens when God visits humanity in the person of Mary? This is what is concretely seen in the scene of the Visitation. 4. At the sight and encounter with Mary, two things happen: Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and the babe in her womb leaps with joy. Jesus, channelled and mediated, transmitted and extended through Mary, gives the Holy Spirit and joy. 5. Thus, the effects of visitation are quite clear: Holy Spirit and joy. These two are the greatest signs and testimonies of the presence and the experience of God: when we have the Lord within us, we are able to transmit Holy Spirit to others and move and fill others with the same Spirit, and we are able to ignite others with true and deep joy. 6. The visitation of Mary reminds us of our own vocation and mission. Bear Jesus and share Jesus. When we have Jesus and give him to others, we too will be able to transmit the Holy Spirit and joy to others. But whenever we spread only evil spirit and unhappiness to others, it is a clear sign that we are not bearing Jesus within us, and we do not carry God’s experience and presence. Imperative: May the Mother Mary who visited Elizabeth continue to visit us, as God’s channel of grace! May she be a model and inspiration for us! May she sustain our tiny steps and efforts in carrying and spreading God’s Spirit and joy to all others! 01 JUNE 2023: SIRACH 42. 15-25; MARK 10. 46-52 Pivot: God graces! Indicative: God’s holiness, power and goodness are boundless. His ways are unfathomable. He never ceases to accompany, strengthen and guide his disciples 1. Name is not a mere label. It connotes the individuality and identity of a person. It stands often for one’s belongingness and honour. And that is why at times we hear statements like “Keep up your name”, “Do not disgrace your family’s name”, et cetera. The name denotes something personal and important. 2. We recall that the followers of Jesus are called Christians for the first time in Antioch. Again it is not a mere title of a particular group like many others. It is the identity mark of every adherent to Christ. 3. It testifies to the deepest bond of the follower to his master. It reminds us that it is only from Christ that we derive our identity. If we do not belong to him, we cease to exist in our vocation and mission. 4. The blind man in the gospel has a name, Bartimaeus. Even his father’s name is mentioned as one Timaeus which means ‘honoured’. Apparently, this looks ironic that an honoured man’s son is dishonoured by blindness. 5. This can implicitly indicate that the blind man’s healing is not merely a physically curative act. It is indeed a spiritually transformative act. A series of decisive changes take place: No more blind but fully sighted. 6. He is no more deprived but restored. No more begging but self-reliant. No more dishonoured but dignified. No more sitting by the roadside but standing, walking and following Jesus on the way. No more desperate but full of faith and hope. Imperative: God mightily graces us in many ways. The greatest testimony of our receiving grace is living with honour (Reflection 2 from 2021, 27 May) Focus: God is within us and amidst us, He is before us and beyond us. He remains hidden and invisible but His power and love are made manifest in numberless ways. Blessed is he who is able to see! 1. Blindness is a great loss. Only one who is blind can really know how terrible it is. It is true that many of us feel so much pity for the blind people. We feel sad that they are missing so much, that they miss the colours, the beauty of life and people. We may also wonder how they can accept such deprivation and live happily. 2. Such human emotion is good toward others. But do we realize and appreciate how blessed we are to have sight, to be able to see? Do we also act responsibly on what we see? Do we have a sense of discretion regarding what to see and what not to see? 3. Jesus in the gospel heals a blind man by the name Bartimaeus. This blind man can teach us simple but useful lessons for our life. His blindness reduces him to a beggary, sitting by the roadside. He hears of Jesus’ coming. He does not want to miss the chance of healing. 4. He cries out pleading with Jesus to have mercy on him. The rebuke of the annoyed people to keep quiet does not silence his voice nor quieten his desire for healing. He persists all the more in his cry for help. His perseverance catches the attention of the Master and wins his mercy. He is called by Jesus. 5. When told that he was called by the Master, we can note some notable actions on his part. He throws off his mantle. He springs up. He comes to Jesus. Already the very call by the Lord itself ensures him the recovery of his sight. He no longer feels the need of his mantle. He needs no more to sit, stuck to the ground. 6. That is why he springs up and moves to Jesus. Here too, at the encounter with Jesus, he is quite clear about what he needs. Asked by Jesus, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he is prompt to answer, “Master, let me receive my sight”. 7. His faith is rewarded. Jesus heals him saying “Your faith has made you well. Go your way”. He is no longer blind. He is able to see, able to see and walk the way. His sight is not only physical. His sight is whole and holistic. He is able to see the Lord. That is why, instead of going his way, he follows Jesus on his way. Direction: Much more than the exterior, physical sight, today we are invited to shift our attention to our interior sight. To be empathetic toward the blind is good, but let us recognize our own blindness toward God and toward others. Failing in faith is spiritual blindness; failing in fraternal perspective and goodness is fraternal blindness; failing in moral values is moral blindness 02 JUNE 2023: SIRACH 44. 1, 9-13; MARK 11. 11-26 Pivot: Never blotted out! Indicative: Our God is a God of sanctity and fidelity. He expects the same from us. He provides us with whatever is needed for our growth and productivity 1. The gospel narration is dramatic and message-driven. It contains a few diverse happenings. One is, Jesus curses a fig tree. Jesus was hungry. He looks for fruits on a fig tree. He finds none. He curses it and it dries up. 2. Realistically, it was not the season and the fig tree cannot be expected to bear fruit. It was not its fault. Jesus knows it. Still, why did he expect fruit? Why did he curse it? Obviously, this act is very indicative and message-giving. We are expected to be productive and fruitful. Often we are “found with nothing but leaves”. Therefore we will be liable to God’s judgment and curse. 3. Another action is Jesus chasing out the traders in the Jerusalem temple area. Apparently, again Jesus looks unrealistic and unnecessarily invites trouble. Why could he not understand that any religious place will involve some kind of “commerciality”? 4. Why could he not realise that he was just moving to the prime time of his ministry? Any such controversial act would incur the wrath of the authorities. And he would become unpopular and thus lose all his bright prospects. 5. Again, it is a symbolic act of “cleansing the temple” – reconsecrating the desecrated temple, and restoring the sanctity of the temple. It is restoring the temple to its original purpose of being the house of God and an abode of prayer. God’s temple cannot be turned into a den of thieves! 6. Further, Jesus insists on the power of prayer and faith. Jesus uses positive the negative act of cursing the fig tree. The word of Jesus had the power to make things happen as per his word. In the same way, if only the followers of Jesus too have faith, things will happen. Imperative: Many live and many die. But some go on living even after death because of their virtuous life. This is the only way that our glory will not be blotted out (Reflection 2 from 2021, 28 May) Focus: Many are born and many die as well. Birth and death in themselves, are natural and normal. But how well we live in mercy and righteousness will make us live beyond death in people’s memory and hearts 1. The first reading from the book of Sirach sings the praises of some of our famous ancestors. They died physically but they continue to live on because of their merciful and upright lives. Their memory remains unerasable. 2. In reference to the fig tree in the gospel, they are truly the fig tree that bears fruits always in season and out of season. In the gospel, Jesus looks for figs on a fig tree but finds none and curses it. It is pointless to argue how Jesus can curse the fig tree, knowing well that it is not the season for bearing fruit. 3. The point is no more that particular fig tree. The whole matter is symbolic. The fig tree stands for each one of us. And we are expected to be productive and fruit-bearing. We cannot just remain with leaves. 4. There is no time and season but we need to be ever-fruitful. Our good deeds must never cease. Our productivity in faith and righteousness must never fail. At no point or moment in time, our spirit must wither. We must be ever vibrant and fecund. 5. Such productivity and fecundity are possible only when we remain as houses of prayer and not as a den of robbers. Jesus’ cleansing of the temple too is symbolic. Our heart, our life, our person, our family and our community is the temple. They need to be abodes of God, temples of prayer. God must reside there. His Spirit must reign within us. 6. They should never become like dens of robbers that comprise wrongdoing, dishonesty, cheating, threatening, intimidating, violence, harm to others, etc. Instead, we need to be vessels of deep faith even to believe in moving the mountain, and carriers of genuine forgiveness. Direction: For faith and goodness, for bearing fruits of good actions, there are no seasons or propitiating times. We are called to be productive and fruitful always and everywhere 03 JUNE 2023: SIRACH 51. 12-20; MARK 11. 27-33 Pivot: Seek her! Indicative: God is a God of wisdom and it is only in wisdom that we can know Him. Pretensions and spiritual obstinacy will block such wisdom 1. Jesus spoke and acted with authority. Obviously, it was not any official or juridical authority. it was an authority that was profound, convincing and challenging. In the light of the first reading, it was a godly authority, rooted in wisdom. 2. It was this wisdom that gave him the depths of God’s mysteries and clarity of insight that no opponents could contest, leave alone defeat him. It is an authority rooted in his communion with God and the authenticity of life. 3. Again in the light of the first reading, it is the wisdom that directs the soul and gives one cleanness of heart. It is the wisdom that keeps the feet to the level path. It makes one resolutely devoted to herd the good that one persistently strives for. 4. Therefore all of us must seek such wisdom so that we too will experience and exercise real authority. Our authority will also be Jesus-like only when it is soaked into the same wisdom. 5. Unfortunately the authority of the present times is mostly defective and corrupted because it lacks wisdom. It is an authority that is crooked and pretentious, unlike a wise authority that is clear and level-headed and authentic. Imperative: How blessed life will be if only we delight in wisdom, pray for her humbly before the temple, seek her until the end, and make her flourish “as a grape soon ripe”! (Reflection 2 from 2021, 29 May) Focus: Men of today restlessly seek knowledge and competence, and they are happy that they are able to master them. But they do not realize that it is better to be seekers and servants of wisdom, because wisdom alone adorns and fulfils life 1. In the first reading from Sirach, we have the image of a seeker of wisdom. He prays for her. He searches for her to the end. He directs his soul to her. Through purification, he finds her. He finds delight in her. He follows her steps. He inclines his ears to her and receives her. He finds much instruction from her. He progresses with her. He lives according to wisdom. Accordingly, he is disciplined in his conduct. He is never put to shame. And he is zealous for good. 2. In the gospel, this is the same wisdom that is personified in Jesus. Jesus is the power of the wisdom of God. His wisdom and authority are divine. That is why he confounds and overcomes his opponents. It is this divine authority that preaches irresistibly and heals miraculously. 3. But unfortunately the unbelieving Jews lack the gift of faith to see, appreciate, accept this divine grace and cooperate with it. They operate only with human intelligence and knowledge. They think only in human terms of power and authority that comes from positions and offices. They fail to see in Jesus one who embodies and personifies God’s own wisdom and spiritual authority. 4. They were caught up with the mere letter of the law and did not see the spirit of it. Consequently, they could see Jesus only as the violator of the law and not the renovator and fulfiller of the law. They were worried so much as if so much bad was happening to the religion and the tradition. In the process, they could not rejoice over the immense good done to human persons and the religion itself. 5. Certainly the tact and trickiness of Jesus is appreciable: he counters and silences the scribes and elders who question him, “By what authority are you doing these things?” He puts them a counter-question: “Answer me whether the baptism of John is from heaven or from men?” 6. They will be caught either way: if they say, from heaven, then their unbelief will be exposed and blamed; if they say it is from men, then they will invite the ire and rage of the people who hold John to be a prophet. Therefore, they admit that they don’t know. 7. Jesus tells them that he too will not tell them by what authority he does all that he does. But here, much more than this wise shrewdness of Jesus, what is exposed is the stubbornness, closed-mindedness and double standards of the unbelieving Jews and authorities. Direction: Let our constant prayer and search be for wisdom, because once we obtain her, then they will be faith, docility and honest living by a spiritual authority