11th WEEK DAYS MASS REFLECTION 23

19 - 24 JUNE 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 19 JUNE 2023: 2 COR 6. 1-10; MATTHEW 5. 38-42 Highlight: Witness by Contrast! Thrust: The ways of the world are always contrary to the ways of God. It needs a change of heart to rise above the ways of the world. It needs the courage of the Spirit to be loyal to the ways of God 1. The ways of the world are always in contrast to the ways of God. In such a context, Jesus invites us to follow a new set of rules, a reversal of the values. 2. It is no more grudge, revenge, and retaliation but forgiveness and reconciliation. It is no more an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Rather it is offering another cheek as well to the one who strikes on one cheek. It is no more avarice or profit-seeking, but concern for the need of the other. 3. It goes even to the extent of forgoing one's own due and rightful gain. Thus, it is to be generous enough to give away the cloak as well to the one who sues for a coat, or to give readily to the one who begs or borrows. 4. This is exactly what Paul and the other apostles lived: they suffered but they always rejoiced in the Lord. They were persecuted but remained strong and loyal. They were slandered but stood truthful. They were despised as poor but they were so rich spiritually and enriched others. 5. As Paul enumerates in the first reading from his 2nd letter to the Corinthians (6. 1-10), what they faced was a series of afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labours, watching and hunger. 6. But what they showed was great endurance by the Holy Spirit, the power of God, genuine love, knowledge, forbearance, kindness and truthful speech. They fought and conquered the forces of evil, not by revenge and retaliation but with the weapons of righteousness. 7. They put no obstacle in anyone’s way. They never conducted themselves blameworthy in their ministry. But they presented themselves as commendable servants of God. This indeed is a life of witness by contrast. Practice: The value and meaning of life and all the more the life of a disciple of Christ is not in aggression and retaliation but in forbearance, reconciliation and condescendence (Reflection 2 from 2022, 13 June) Indicative: There is always a sharp contrast between the people of God and the people of the world. The former often seem to be losers and despised and the latter, winners and victors. But in God’s sight, it is the reverse! 1. There is a devastating prevalence of false values. Against such a worldly mentality of false values, Jesus proposes a contrast-set of values. It is not the spirit of unforgiveness, grudge, and retaliation that seeks “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". But it is Christ’s spirit of forbearance and forgiveness that offers the other cheek also to the one who slaps on one. 2. It is not the spirit of greed or profit or self-interest. But it is the new spirit of sensitivity and generosity that gives readily to those who beg or borrow. It is not the spirit of fighting for rights suing you to take away your tunic. 3. But it is the contrast-spirit of giving up one’s legitimate rights and parting with the cloak as well. It is not the spirit of becoming so calculative and refusing to walk a mile with the other. But it is the generous spirit of walking an “extra mile”. Imperative: What are the values that are taking hold of me and guiding me? Is it greed or generosity? Is it retaliation or reconciliation? Do I resemble Christ and his true disciples? 20 JUNE 2023: 2 COR 8. 1-9; MATTHEW 5. 43-48 Highlight: Be perfect! Thrust: The outstanding difference between God and man is the depth and extent of God’s mercy which forgives, loves and helps even the greatest enemy 1. We are living in a world of three dominant trends, namely, comparison, competition and imitation. These prevail even from very childhood itself. It can be concerning anything, be it a simple dress, education, opportunities, skill and talent, intelligence and competence, social status, earning money, power, position, popularity, et cetera. 2. Everyone tries for excellence and perfection. But this is mostly to outsmart and out-beat others. Thus, unfortunately, these tendencies to compare, compete and imitate are mostly concerning worldly things and self-interests. Accordingly, the pursuit of perfection often degenerates into selfishness, jealousy, greed, deception and corruption. 3. It is in such a context, Jesus is proposing today the best and perfect model to compare with, compete with and imitate. It is God the Father Himself. “Be merciful AS your heavenly Father is merciful”. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. 4. God has a contrasting and disconcerting style of functioning. He loves and forgives even the most destructive enemy. He is benevolent and equitable to “let His rain and sunshine upon all, both the good and the bad”. 5. Therefore, our model is God Himself in His compassion, mercy, and perfection. We are thereby invited to put on God’s own mindset. 6. That is, to cultivate a selfless love even to embrace the enemy, to bless them, to pray for them, to be courteous to all and to help all, to show equity toward all without any discrimination. 7. This is the excellence for which St Paul praises the churches of Macedonia, where he refers to their generosity to support others. Practice: It is good to be just in following and demanding what is lawful, rightful, and reasonable. But it is better to be loving in being merciful and compassionate. A “dry justice” condemns, while a “fertile charity” condones (Reflection 2 from 2022, 14 June) Poker: Our perfection is so imperfect! Indicative: God not only teaches us and demands from us a life of sound values. But He Himself follows them and sets an example for us. He is a God who does what He says 1. “You be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”, exhorts Jesus in the gospel. He proposes God the Father Himself as the model of perfection. 2. Perfection is a catchword and is the target and goal of many. Many aspire to and strive for perfection. But mostly it is a perfection concerning worldly matters and interests. Mostly, people seek perfection in intelligence, competence, talent, and skill. 3. Accordingly, perfection is equated with excellence and success. One is perfect when he excels and succeeds in a particular aspect or field of life. The problem with this kind of understanding of perfection is, that it is very partial, limited, and shallow. 4. For example, one may be perfect in his job, profession, business, art, or capacity. But he may be miserably imperfect and morally inadequate in all the other things of his life. That is why they are not worth-imitable for a holistic life. 5. It is in this context, Jesus places before us the model par excellence – God Himself. In which way God is perfect and His perfection is the model? His perfection is holistic. It is a perfection of virtue and value. 6. Jesus clarifies this in the gospel. It is a perfection of love that loves even the enemies; that prays even for those who persecute us. It is a perfection that greets and is courteous even to strangers. It is a perfection that is equitable to all without any discrimination because He lets His sun shine and rain fall both on the just and unjust. It is a perfection that does good selflessly without expecting any return or reward. Imperative: What is the type of perfection we are seeking? Where are the best of our efforts directed? Is it to perfect ourselves in some competence and skill only? How keen are we to become perfect in the path of virtue and character and commitment? 21 JUNE 2023: 2 COR 9. 6-11; MATTHEW 6. 1-6, 16-18, St Aloysius of Gonzaga Highlight: Not for a show but follow! Thrust: Seeking recognition and reward for one’s goodness or good works may be natural to some extent, but excess seeking would make even the good a shallow show 1. There may be some who are indifferent and not much bothered to be engaged in doing good works or spiritual practices. But there are some others who may do actively something good and spiritual but with an impure motive of seeking recognition and applause. This takes away the merit and beauty of their good practice. 2. Jesus in the gospel warns of such people, especially about prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, which are the three fundamental pillars of the religion. The fault is not doing them because they are praiseworthy and highly recommendable. 3. The fault is doing them with an impure heart with a lot of negativities and without any desire and decision to change for the better. We must always remember that ultimately all our external practices must deepen our interior purity leading to clean and selfless action and living. 4. In this context, we must constantly check and see whether our prayers are helping us to grow in the spirit of closeness and communion with God, surrender, and loyalty to Him, in dedication and witness to Him. 5. We must examine whether our almsgiving fosters in us a consistent spirit of sensitivity and charity towards the needs and difficulties of others; whether our fasting enhances the spirit of self-discipline and restraint within us. 6. Therefore, all our spiritual or good activities must proceed from a heart that is genuine and gives generously and cheerfully. They must be produces of an abundant harvest of righteousness. We must bear in mind that we receive as we give. 7. If we give generously, we will also receive abundantly. If we give only little and that too reluctantly, we will also receive little. That is why, St Paul affirms: he who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. God loves a cheerful giver and He will enrich in every way every great generosity. Direction: It is not proper to disregard and discard all religious practices, arguing that they are not bringing out any concrete change in life, or that the spirit and heart are more important than all formal actions. It is better that both the interior purification and exterior transformation take place (Reflection 2 from 2022, 15 June) Poker: Devotion and charity on publicity! Indicative: Goodness and holiness are matters of genuine devotion and dedication. They should be spontaneous outflows and expressions of authenticity and not tools for publicity 1. We are living in a culture of publicity and cheap popularity. The sale and the use of a commodity often depend not on its quality but on the knack of publicity. Thus often, a thing or a person is rated successful on how much that one is recognized, publicized, and popularized. That is why we find a lot of duplicity and a mad craze for cheap popularity. 2. Jesus cautions us against such a tendency of hypocrisy. He says very plainly, Do whatever you do, not for recognition, applause and reward; but do it spontaneously from a genuine and devout heart. The sole motive in doing any spiritual or fraternal act is pleasing God and being faithful to our religious duty. 3. Jesus discusses this referring to the three essential religious practices, namely, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We need to pray, not for the sake of impressing others that we are spiritual and prayerful. But we pray in order to experience, exercise, express, and enhance our intimate relationship with God. 4. We need to give alms to the needy, not for getting applauded for our generosity. But we do charity so that those who are in need are helped and bettered. It is out of our sensitivity and concern for the poor and not for a good certificate. 5. Similarly, we need to fast, not because we want to be praised for our sense of rigour and sacrifice. Rather, we fast so that we become more self-restrained and self-disciplined. It is out of our spirit to give priority to the spiritual over the material. Imperative: There is no devaluing the importance of religious practices like extra prayers, fasting, and alms. But we must constantly check on the motive and effect of them. Is it really to practise and foster devotion, discipline, and charity, or to make a show? 22 JUNE 2023: 2 COR 11. 1-11; MATTHEW 6. 7-15 Highlight: Quality and not mere quantity! Thrust: The quantity of words in prayer is not a necessary sign and guarantee of the quality of prayer. What matters is the quality of the heart 1. In the gospel, Jesus directs our attention to our power-source, namely prayer. What decides the quality of prayer is not the quantity of words but the quality of heart. It is the disposition of the heart with the right spirit. 2. Accordingly, a spirit of forgiveness and not storing grudge is the right disposition and quality of heart. It becomes an essential pre-requisite and condition for God to accept our prayer. In this context, Jesus offers us the sublime model prayer, 'Our Father'. 3. It is not one prayer among many. It is in a way the quintessence of prayer. It recognizes and reminds us that we are one family of God's children, bound by filial devotion and fraternal concern. We need to abide by His holy will and establish His kingdom. 4. We must inculcate a constant spirit of dependence on God and contentment with the minimum. We must earnestly resist all inclination to evil and especially all the rush for unforgiveness. 5. In fact, the prayer ‘Our Father’ evidently teaches us what to pray for. But in the same token, it also implicitly cautions us against the possible onslaughts of the evil one. One is the spirit of disunity and division that disrupts the spirit of one family of God’s children. 6. Second is desecrating and disgracing God’s holy name by unholy lives, by not living up to His holy name. Third is promoting one’s own will and interests, that is, one’s petty kingdom, against the one kingdom of God and His holy will. 7. Fourth is a sense of greed and accumulation leading to discontentment. Fifth is harbouring grudges and an unforgiving spirit. Sixth is easily falling prey to the temptations of the evil one. This is similar to what the serpent did to Eve and Adam. 8. This is what St Paul warns the Corinthians about being led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. As he attests, we must constantly be conscious that we are “betrothed to Christ to present ourselves as a pure bride to her one husband”. Practice: The Our Father is not merely a well-articulated or condensed prayer. It synthesizes the whole spirit of a praying heart. It lays bare that spiritual concerns are the priority in life. This essentially includes primacy to God and the Propensity of fraternity. (Reflection 2 from 2022, 16 June) Poker: Efficacy of prayer is not a multiplicity of words! Indicative: Quantity is not always a guarantee of quality. There is no guarantee that the more words I use in my prayer, the more efficacious it is. It is the devout heart that qualifies a prayer 1. Often, many feel that the size of prayer shows its quality. Accordingly, the more words I am able to use, the better way I articulate them, and the longer I engage myself or others in prayer, the more I am rated as successful in praying. But this is wrong thinking. 2. We do not deny the need for words in prayer. Words can be very helpful as they can motivate and inspire others to pray better. The wrong choice of words or poor use of them can be very annoying and even distracting. 3. However, the point here is again about the motive and effect of the words in prayer. If words are used simply for the sake of impressing others with my capacity and skill of praying, then it fails to be effective. 4. Words are only tools and channels that carry and transmit something deeper. They must be transmitters of a profound spirit and relationship. They must lead to a renewed way of living. 5. In this context, Jesus teaches us the sublime prayer, ‘Our Father’. It is the prayer of prayers. It is not one prayer like many others, but the real spirit and essence of all prayers. It shows us what it means to pray, when we pray what we do, and what we pray for. 6. It is not a matter of reciting a particular prayer called ‘Our Father’. Rather, it is a matter of reminding ourselves of the spirit that must permeate us whenever we pray. 7. Accordingly, whenever we pray, we must be pervaded by a spirit of unity and family, We must remember that God is our one Father and we are all His children and brothers and sisters of one family. 8. We sanctify His name not only by praising His name but much more by living up to His name. We do not bring disgrace or shame to His holy name. 9. We pray for His kingdom. It is everyone’s duty to spread God’s reign of love, justice, and integrity. We commit ourselves to do His holy will. We realise our nature of dependence on Him and trust in His providential care. Very especially we make sure that we are open to forgiving and reconciling. We also become cautious and resistant to all evil assaults. Imperative: Praying is not only a matter of reciting some prayers, or uttering some words. Praying is essentially a matter of experiencing and deepening our spirit of family and unity, fidelity and surrender, dependence and contentment, spiritual rigour and valour, and forgiveness and reconciliation 23 JUNE 2023: 2 COR 11. 18, 21-30; MATTHEW 6. 19-23 Highlight: Treasure to store up! Thrust: The eye is the lamp of the body. It directs the body. In the same way, the perspective or inner vision is that eye that directs one’s life. Wisdom is that sight that helps one to discern between what is worth-seeking and what is worth-discarding and to follow what is worth 1. In the gospel, Jesus directs our attention to one greatest temptation that strikes many. That is, seeking and accumulating treasures on earth. It is foolish because they are temporary and transient. 2. The earthly treasures are unreliable and unstable and liable to loss and ruin. If not careful, they will easily distort one’s clarity of vision and deviates from his way of life. Those who place their trust in them are like those whose eyesight is blurred and who stumble in darkness. 3. Therefore, we need the light of wisdom that gives us sound eyesight. Wisdom is that sound eye that makes us see and realize that the treasures of heaven are far more worth than the treasures on earth, and they alone are worth-seeking. They are imperishable and permanent. 4. Wisdom not only gives us clarity of priorities but also enables us to pursue the treasures of heaven with perseverance to the end. It is this wisdom that overwhelmed St Paul so that he was maddened and possessed with a passion for Christ. 5. Nothing could stop his undaunted spirit. No labours, no imprisonments, no beatings, no lashes, no stoning, no shipwreck, no dangers of all sorts, no sleepless nights, no toil and hardship, no hunger and thirst, no exposure to cold, no pressures, no anxiety for the churches, no weaknesses – nothing of these would discourage him or decrease his spirit of determination and dedication, conviction and commitment. Practice: One who is wise will know clearly that the treasures of heaven are the greatest priority in life. It is very sad the inner sight of many is blurred because they are not rooted in God. Consequently, they are misled by the pursuit of the impermanent earthly riches (Reflection 2 from 2022, 17 June) Poker: Where pleasure is the treasure! Indicative: The spirit of accumulating, hoarding, and treasuring material things is very prevalent. But all this is vanity and folly because all on earth is corruptible and nothing of these lasts. Therefore, discern what is a true treasure that is lasting 1. Often, the heart of many is deviated and distorted and eventually destructed. It is because it has become the hub of false or inadequate treasures. A treasure is something that one holds precious and intact. One remains clung to his treasure and never lets his treasure snatched away from him. 2. Accordingly, a treasure demands one’s total attention. concentration and preoccupation. In the face of a treasure, all other things lose their importance. Therefore, the quality and the nature of the treasure determine the quality of the heart and also the quality of life. 3. For example, if my treasure is only earthly and worldly, then my whole struggle and effort will be to acquire and accumulate as much money, possessions, power, and position as possible. Consequently, my whole sight and vision will become so earth-bound and low. 4. I will not be able to raise my eyes to heaven or the higher things of life. I will become disinterested and negligent toward the heavenly, the spiritual, and what is really lasting. I will become least bothered about the right ethics or relationships. 5. In this context, how to extricate ourselves from this web of false treasures and deviated hearts? Purify the perspective, and rectify the inner vision. Jesus indicates this by the metaphor, the image of the “eye”. He says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness”. 6. Here, the eye stands for our perspective, our outlook, and our inner vision. Therefore, what is needed is to change our perspective, to brighten and heighten it. 7. This happens when our perspective becomes wise. Wisdom is the light of our perspective that discerns between the earthly and the heavenly treasures and makes our hearts seek the real treasure. Imperative: What is my treasure in this life? Where is my heart set? What are the concerns and interests that consume most of my time and energy? How defective is my perspective, how deviated is my heart, and how shallow are my treasures? 24 JUNE 2023: ISAIAH 49. 1-6; ACTS 13. 22-26; LUKE 1. 57-66, 80, Nativity of John the Baptist Highlight: Destined for Eternity from eternity! Thrust: Our life is not a haphazard or fortuitous existence without a goal and direction. It is a gratuitous and gracious gift of God 1. Today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist. His is the only birth we celebrate besides the birthdays of the Lord and the Mother. That alone shows the singular importance that is accorded to him. 2. The words of prophets Jeremiah 1. 4-10 and Isaiah 49. 1-6 are true and applicable to his birth and mission. 3. He has been eternally destined by God to be his precursor, who prepares the way for the Messiah, who preaches repentance and converts many to the way of the Lord. He was called and named by the Lord from the mother’s womb. He was made like a sharp sword and like a polished arrow. He was the chosen servant of God. He was made as a light to the nations. In him, God is glorified. 4. The second reading from Acts 13. 22-26 also indicates that John is a man after God’s own heart who will do all his will like David. God Himself would be his shield and guide. He would hide him in the shadow of His hand and in His quiver. Hence no fear! 5. The birth of John the Baptist recalls and reminds us of our own Christian vocation and mission. This can be summarized in three essential aspects: destiny, consecration, and empowerment. 6. We are destined for eternity, destined to be heirs of heaven. In the pursuit of this destiny, we are consecrated to be His own, to be the disciples of Christ on his mission. In carrying out this mission and living out of the life of grace, we are empowered with His own power that emboldens us and illumines us amidst all fears and evil forces. 7. John the Baptist lived and accomplished his destiny, consecration, and empowerment by his undistracted focus, humble surrender, and unflinching loyalty. Practice: Life will be joyful and fulfilling to the extent we are profoundly aware and live our project of destiny, consecration, and empowerment in focus, surrender, and commitment