TWENTY FIRST WEEK DAYS MASS REFLECTION 23

28 AUGUST – 02 SEPTEMBER 2023: HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 28 AUGUST 2023: 1 THESS 1. 2-5; 8-10; MATTHEW 23. 13-22, ST AUGUSTINE Punch line: Hypocrisy – never a good taste! Guideline: Hypocrisy is not a capacity but a weakness; it is not a virtue but a disease   1.      We have a series of rebukes of Jesus against the Pharisees and Scribes. Why? For their hypocrisy. We can trace out some of the components of this hypocrisy: as leaders and teachers, they are supposed to be guides for the people. 2.       They should show them the way to the kingdom and guide them on the same. Instead, with their empty knowledge and incongruent and dishonest life, they shut the kingdom. They themselves do not enter, nor allow others to enter. They even become a hindrance. 3.       Then there is a shallow practice of religion: they convert someone to religion, but do not nurture and sustain them in the real converted life; instead, make him worse than before. They forget the essential truth that evangelization is not a matter of adding to the number of believers. It is adding to the quality of life. Conversion is not a matter of a change of religion but a change of person. 4.       Further, their hypocrisy is seen in their falsity in twisting the practice of swearing to their advantage. Swearing by the gift on the altar and by gold in the temple would become more binding than the altar, the temple, God, and heaven. But in fact, it is the altar, temple, God, and heaven that give value to the gift and gold. 5.       In contrast to this pharisaic hypocrisy, we have authenticity and integrity of life in the apostles and believers of the early church, depicted in the first reading from 1 Thessalonians 1. 2-10. They were indeed men known for their “work of faith, a labour of love and steadfastness in hope”. They proved themselves to be “men of the word of God and faith”. They “turned to God to serve Him who alone is living and true”. 6.       There is no use of volumes of reflection on the hypocrisy of those Pharisees and scribes. It is better to see the very same branches of hypocrisy well-spread in the present followers as well, especially the leaders and authorities. 7.       Serious questions can be disturbing: whether we are opening wide the doors of the kingdom or shutting them? Whether we are guiding the people to God or misguiding them away from God? Whether we diminish the sacredness of the holy altar, the temple, God, and heaven for monetary gains? Whether we have reduced the practice of religion to quantity and numbers? 8.       In this context, St Augustine whom we commemorate today challenges us to be an authentic and committed seeker of truth. He sought truth relentlessly, discovered the greatest truth in God and became passionate for Him. Once experienced, he never turned away.   Lifeline: It is better to be simple followers than to be acclaimed guides who are foolish and blind.   (Reflection 2)   Thrust: Woe to the hypocrites! Indicative: Hypocrisy has become a trademark today in every sphere of life. What is sadder is that it is considered by many as an ability 1.      In the gospels, time and again Pharisees and scribes are presented as the brand ambassadors of hypocrisy. Consequently, they come under heavy rebuke by Jesus. Their hypocrisy lies in their incongruent way of life. Their appearance and words look religious but their intentions and motives are contaminated. They preach one thing but practice the opposite. 2.       They are blind and unworthy guides. They are blessed with great knowledge and leadership. They must use them as the key to open wide the doors of the kingdom and lead the people inside. Instead, they shut the doors and hinder the people. 3.       They twist the teachings to their advantage. Their greatest sin is on both fronts. That is, they themselves do not enter the kingdom and they do not allow others also to enter. 4.       Contrary to these hypocritical and inauthentic leaders, we have the Thessalonians in the first reading. Their faith was growing abundantly. Their mutual love was increasing. They demonstrated true faith and steadfastness, enduring all the persecutions and afflictions. Thus, they strove to live worthy of the kingdom of God. 5.       This is their merit: they led a life of faith. And by such faithful life, they also led others to faith. They tried to enter the kingdom and also inspired others to enter the same. They conducted themselves to be worthy of the righteous judgment of God, unlike the Pharisees and scribes.   Imperative: Where do we stand: Like the loyal Thessalonians or the hypocritical Pharisees and scribes? Do we walk the Lord’s way and lead others too? Or do we also tend to be blind and unworthy guides? 29 AUGUST 2023: 1 THES 2. 1-8; MARK 6. 17-29, MARTYRDOM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Punch line: Live and die for the Lord! Guideline: To live for the Lord is to be committed to truth. This will lead one even to die for Him 1.      Today we commemorate the martyrdom of John the Baptist. What stands him out is his passion for his mission. His mission was to bear witness to the truth. Truth is both the person of Jesus himself and the way of Jesus. 2.       In other words, his mission was a fearless faithfulness to truthfulness. For John the Baptist, to be faithful is to be truthful. And to be truthful is to be totally and always committed to what is just and holy. 3.       That is why he is qualified as being just and holy. In fact, these two features characterize the two essential aspects of a faithful and truthful person. Being holy indicates one’s disposition and relationship with God, and being just indicates one’s disposition and relationship toward others. 4.       When one is right in this twofold relationship, then he is truly truthful. Accordingly, in his holiness and justice, he would not condone and compromise with the unholy and unjust action of Herod having Herodias, his brother’s wife. He denounced it and thus incurred the wrath of Herodias. She would treacherously get him beheaded. 5.       His martyrdom shows us the nature and price of fidelity. There is no faithfulness without truthfulness. There is no truthfulness without a sense of holiness and righteousness. 6.       Herod, Herodias, her daughter, and the royal guests at his birthday party were all the agents of the murder because there was no truth in them. They were party to evil because they were not just and holy. 7.       They lacked fidelity because they compromised truth with falsity, holiness with impurity, principles with pleasures, and justice with injustice. Today, many are no different from this bunch of evil promoters. Whenever we fail to be committed to truth, fail to be just and holy, and compromise the right values for the sake of pleasure and profit, we too are on the side of evil.   Lifeline: On which side we are - On the side of John the Baptist, standing erect and firm for truth and the Lord? Or, on the side of Herod and co. for the sake of self-interests and self-glory? (Reflection 2)  Focus: The apex of one’s vocation is testimony by an entire life even to death   1.      We see the apex and height of the living of vocation in the gospel in the person of John the Baptist. The apex of one’s vocation is testimony by an entire life even unto death. Today stands before us tall and loud John the Baptist with his martyrdom. 2.      Two expressions stand him out: just and holy. He is just because he does not compromise with and support evil; he is not afraid to speak the truth and denounce evil. He is holy because there is no other interest, except the holy will and good pleasure of God. 3.      He is totally focused and committed to the way of the Lord; he is fully filled and guided by the Spirit, and he puts God and His will in the first place, over and above all human considerations and likes. 4.      Therefore, courageously and promptly he offers his own life in martyrdom as a testimony. Thus we see a recognition of his vocation, passion for the Lord, commitment to the mission, the holiness of life, justice and courage in action, and perseverance till the end.   30 AUGUST 2023: 1 THESS 2. 9-13; MATTHEW 23. 27-32   Punch line: Integrity is harmony! Guideline: The integrity of a person is harmony between the interior disposition and thought, and the exterior behaviour and action   1.      The tirade of Jesus continues against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. Before dwelling on their hypocrisy, we shall divert our attention to the person of Jesus himself. What makes him denounce it? Two reasons can be: one is his own integrity and honesty. The other is, that he is completely free from self-interest or ulterior motive. 2.       These make him intolerant of hypocrisy. He cannot be at home and at ease with any lack of integrity. He feels disturbed and anguished. It is this integrity that makes him truthful and courageous. 3.       He not only feels bad and sad about hypocrisy but also speaks and acts against it. He is not afraid to displease them or become unpopular. For he has no other motive than upholding the truth and pleasing God. 4.       Today, many are quite aware of the dominance of hypocrisy. It is their own and also of others. But many are not honest and humble to accept it. Instead, they try to hide it or cover it up. And many are also not ready and bold enough to denounce it prevailing in the persons or communities or system itself. They are afraid. 5.       The reasons can be many: they have their own loads of loopholes that can be tools for a counter-attack. Or, they are afraid of consequences that can be testing or penalizing. Or, they are afraid of losing some favours. 6.       With this integrity and selfless motive, Jesus defies two notable ingredients of hypocrisy. One is a dichotomy between the exterior and the interior. They appear externally beautiful like the whitewashed tombs but are interiorly so ugly and unclean. Externally they are so righteous, but internally they are full of iniquity and falsity. 7.       The second trace of hypocrisy is self-righteousness. This means they rate themselves better than others. They claim that they would have not resisted or killed the prophets of the old like their forefathers. 8.       But actually, they are worse than those before. Because in their own time, they persecuted and murdered prophets like John the Baptist, and later Jesus himself. Further, so devoutly they build tombs and erect monuments in honour of the dead prophets. This is more to cover up their guilt and to project themselves as devout and just persons.   Lifeline: No doubt there is much evil and hypocrisy. This is certainly worth denouncing, and worth combating. But such criticism must proceed only from the integrity of life and selfless motive   (Reflection 2)   Focus: Authenticity and witness of life are the hallmarks of a good disciple of Christ; Any trace of hypocrisy is a clear counter-witness and counter-productive   1.      A clear contrast is presented between the true disciples of Christ in the first reading, in the person of Paul and others; and the false guides in the gospel, in the persons of Pharisees and Scribes. The true disciples are assiduous and self-supportive and never burden others. 2.      They are holy, just, and blameless. They lead the people by example. They do not place demands on the people, those which they do not follow. They present themselves as models to follow, and this can come only from the deep sincerity and integrity of life. 3.      In contrast, we have Pharisees and Scribes who are hypocrites. They are like whitewashed tombs, with a clean exterior but a corrupt interior. They venerate the prophets and the righteous whom their ancestors killed in the past. 4.      They attest presumptuously that they would have never acted thus wrongly; but at the same time, they persecute and terminate the prophets and the righteous in their own time, like John the Baptist and his own self.   Direction: One may wear a good look in dishonesty and deceit, but God lays bare everything. One may create the best impressions by his worldly cleverness and tact, but God reads and knows the heart   31 AUGUST 2023: 1 THESS 3. 7-13; MATTHEW 24. 42-51   Punch line: Alert and at service! Guideline: This life is a transit. The kingdom of heaven is our destination. The spirit of a responsible servant is our travel requirement. We are called to be watchful and faithful   1.      There is so much uncertainty and unpredictability in our human life. For sure, we do not know what is in store regarding many things. And we also do not have control over many things. Therefore, what is expected is a sense of alertness and watchfulness, preparedness, and readiness to face reality. This is all the more true about death and judgment and our eternal destiny. 2.       Many times, many are caught unaware and unprepared regarding these ultimate realities.  It is really sad that many who are so calculative, meticulous, well-equipped, and super-prepared concerning worldly affairs and pursuits are found to be so reckless and unready concerning what is above and beyond the world. 3.       It is in this context that Jesus presents before us the image of a faithful and wise servant. Thereby, he urges us to be watchful, responsible, ready and prepared for receiving the master, serving him and also taking care of his household, possessions and fellow servants. 4.       The first reading from 1 Thessalonians 3. 7-13 clarifies further this servant figure. He stands firm in the Lord. He becomes a cause of joy for others before God. He strives to increase and abound in love with one another and all men. He remains established with heart unblamable in holiness before God at Jesus’ coming.   Lifeline: In the present times, talk and writing about servantship and service abound. But the reality does not correspond much to this. Unless the church is purged of its ugly heads of double-face, arrogance, and self-glory, the dignity of a servant role cannot be resurged.   (Reflection 2)   Thrust: Be ready!  Indicative: Human life is very precarious. It always surprises us with sudden twists of events and upset expectations. Therefore, we need to be conscious, cautious, and judicious   1.      “Be faithful and wise servants!” This is the call of Jesus. This implies in the first place our identity, role, and duty of being servants. We are not masters or bosses. We have only one Master, the Lord Jesus, and we all are his servants. Therefore the meaning and worth of life consists in being faithful to our identity and duty. 2.       How to be faithful and wise servants? Both readings present us with some basic features of such servants. Stay awake: We need to be awake and alert so that we are not caught unawares. We need to guard against all the onslaughts of the evil intruder. We need to be always prepared and ready to receive the master at any time. 3.       A wise servant will not be lethargic, neglecting his responsibility for the household. He will not be foolish to procrastinate his duties. He will not waste his time or freedom or the authority over the household in worthless and unbecoming pleasure-seeking and abuse of the blessings. 4.       He will strive ever not to lack in any gift, and to be enriched in Christ in all speech and knowledge. He will always be conscious of his being sanctified in Christ Jesus. He will pursue his vocation which is to be saints together with all his fellow brethren. Accordingly, he will conduct himself guiltless before God. 5.       Further, one notable quality of a faithful servant is his responsible benevolence toward his fellow servants. A servant is rated good not only based on his obedience toward the master but also based on his benevolence toward others. He is a failed servant who fails in his kind treatment toward others.   Imperative: A Sense of stewardship and Benevolence toward others is the determining criterion for a wise and faithful servant. We must remember that benevolence is not a favour done at one’s will but is an essential responsibility   01 SEPTEMBER 2023: 1 THESS 4. 1-8; MATTHEW 25. 1-13   Punch line: Vigilant and diligent! Guideline: Vigilance and diligence are fundamental to a true follower of Christ. It is not enough that we set out on the journey of following. We need to be ever-alert and focused on the master   1.      The parable of ten virgins is another familiar parable. Five of the virgins are wise and the other five are foolish. Obviously, the apparent and direct theme is to watch and to be ready. But we shall take a slight shift from this theme, though watchfulness and readiness will be the prevailing theme in the eventual analysis. 2.       What distinguishes between the five wise and the five foolish is wisdom. Both the groups took lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. But the wise took additional oil with them, while the foolish did not. 3.       The foolish were overly certain about the arrival of the bridegroom. They could not foresee any delay. Accordingly, they had oil just enough till the expected arrival. They were not prepared for the delayed time of waiting. Their oil was consumed. They had no more oil left. 4.       They had lamps but not the oil to keep them burning. They had the desire to meet the bridegroom. They had their lamps with them. They set out also to meet him. But nothing of these would make their lamps lit. Their lamps were extinguished. They miss the bridegroom as they go out to buy oil. 5.       On the other hand, the wise were realistic and foresighted. Accordingly, they would expect a delay and be prepared to meet that situation. They carried extra oil with them. They could keep their lamps burning despite the delay. They could go in with the bridegroom to the marriage feast. 6.       It would be silly to argue here about the lack of charity of the five wise virgins who refused to share their oil with the other five. The point here is not charity or sharing. The point is a failure in wisdom. Many may have lamps of faith. But that is not enough. They may also have oil which is enough for a while. This is the oil of fervour and enthusiasm. 7.       This shows that their burning is time-bound and short-lived. These are those who are satisfied with the minimums. They are satisfied with the observance of minimum obligations of some religious activities and traditions. The fire of their faith burns for some time. Then, gradually as time passes, it dwindles and extinguishes. 8.       What is needed then is a constant carrying and steady supply of oil. A true follower may have the desire to encounter the Lord and celebrate the feast with him. He may also set out with the lamp of faith. He may also have a little oil of enthusiasm for a while. 9.       But that will not suffice. The lamp of faith must be constantly supplied with the oil of fervour and vigour. His faith must be ever-burning. There can never be any tepidity, lethargy or carelessness. In the light of the first reading from 1 Thessalonians 4. 1-8, it would mean to live a life of holiness that pleases God. Concretely it means avoiding all kinds of uncleanness and unchastity.   Lifeline: How sad it is to find the door shut and not opened, after all the preparation, eager longing, and setting out to encounter the Lord! A little more foresightedness and fervour will help us on this encounter and celebration   (Reflection 2)   Thrust: No enough oil! Indicative: Life is like a lamp. It has to be burning always. There will be times when its fire may be dwindling due to a lack of sufficient oil. But we need to be ready with the supply of extra oil   1. Wisdom is one dominant theme of today’s word of God.    This is illustrated through a very practical parable in the gospel, the parable of ten virgins. All the ten go to a wedding by invitation. All of them carry lamps. But five of them are wise to carry extra oil with them, while the other five are foolish not to carry any extra oil. 2. The bridegroom’s arrival gets delayed. The foolish virgins’ lamps get extinguished because of the lack of oil. But the lamps of the wise virgins can burn because of the procured extra oil. The foolish miss the bridegroom as they go out to buy the oil and thus they miss the celebration as well. But the wise virgins celebrate together. 3. Thereby, we are taught that we need to go by the wisdom and logic of God and not of the world. We need not only the lamp of allegiance to a religion or the minimum oil of faith and some religious practices. We need much more of the surplus oil of fervour and enthusiasm. We should never become tepid and lethargic. We should never allow our lamps to go off. We should keep burning.   Imperative: Beautiful lamps will not suffice to keep the fire burning. We need the fire of passion to follow the wisdom and power of God in contrast to the worldly pressures and standards   02 SEPTEMBER 2023: 1 THESS 4. 9-12; MATTHEW 25. 14-30   Punch line: Talent to become a gift! Guideline: In life certainly, there are differences between persons regarding various aspects and factors. But these need not be taken as causes or grounds for discrimination   1.      The parable of talents is another rich parable. The master gives three of his servants some talents, namely five, two, and one respectively. The one with five talents trades with them and doubles them to ten. The second with two too trades with them and makes another two. The third with one just buries it in the ground and keeps it safe. 2.      On their master’s return, each one submits the accounts. The first one gives five + five, the second two + two, but the last one only one. The first two are praised and rewarded, while the last one is punished. This in sum is the parable. 3.      The first fact to note is the difference in the distribution of talents. All are not given equally. And this shall not be a big issue. Let our concern not be why there is a difference. Why God does discriminate? The difference is a quite natural phenomenon. 4.      Equality or parity does not mean uniformity and total sameness in quantity or number of things. The difference is not a matter or cause for division but is a ground of distinction. It can be a seedbed of richness, soil for a variety of possibilities. Thus, it can be a prompter toward mutual enrichment. 5.      Having more talents shall not be a cause for self-glory, self-conceit, and arrogance. Similarly, having less talents shall not be a cause for dissipation or jealousy. Each one shall try to discover what are his aptitudes or potencies or propensities. Accordingly, he shall tap on them, use every opportunity, and work diligently to enhance them and bear abundant fruit. 6.      No one shall lament or complain about their talents. In the light of the first reading from 1 Thessalonians 4. 9-11, we can draw some simple lessons: Instead of crying over what one does not have or what the other has, he will do better “to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, so that you may command the respect of others, and be dependent on nobody, and to do so more and more”. 7.      And the greatest talent and gift is love, and in this, there is never a lack. God gives everyone abundance. He also teaches all to love one another. We are called to do so more and more. We will be making the same mistake as the third servant. He lays his one talent buried, unused and unproductive, while the other two do more and more.   Lifeline: Life itself is the biggest love gift, packed with multiple talents and possibilities. We need to relentlessly search to make them productive and abundant in a life of virtues and benevolence   (Reflection 2)   Thrust: Talents to use! Indicative: Life is a big blessing with many talents. We need to constantly discover and make use of them. Laying them buried, and disused will invite God’s judgment   1.      In the gospel, Jesus presents us with another rich parable, namely the parable of talents. First, let us not focus on the secondary issues. We shall not argue about the difference in the distribution of talents. The three servants in the gospel are not given the talents equally. Rather, they are given differently, 5, 2, and 1 respectively. 2.       But that is no issue. The difference is not discrimination or disparity. Differences are a fact of life. Differences in themselves are not always wrong. What comes out of them and what we make of them is the main matter. They need not be causes of discrimination, fear, resentment or suspicion or jealousy or arrogance. The difference can be a matter of distinction, diversity, and richness. Equality is not uniformity. 3.       As a principle, everyone must constantly try to discover and foster one’s talents. For this, one must always search for opportunities and make use of them. We need to always remember that we need to become more productive, beneficial, and effective. And this needs a spirit of hard work and a benevolent and responsible heart. Burying our talents is blameworthy and punishable. 4.       There is often unhealthy and even harmful competition with regard to the number and kind of talents. This is because every talent carries some aspect of competence and recognisability. But we should avoid both jealousy, on the one hand, and pride on the other hand. 5.       Talents should never be used as springboards for excessive recognition, cheap popularity, and self-glory. They should always be put to the best use for the maximum benefit of others and the effectiveness of the mission. 6.       Finally, we should bear in mind that talents are not absolutes in life. We should not attach too much importance to them. In the present times, there is an exaggerated tendency to make too much of talent. Thus, often the quality, efficiency, and success of a person are measured in terms of talents.   Imperative: Talents should not become substitutes for the character and goodness of persons. Rather they should complement the person’s better conduct and helping nature.