30th WEEK DAYS MASS REFLECTION 23

30 OCTOBER - 04 NOVEMBER 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 30 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 8. 12-17; LUKE 13. 10-17 Focus: Are you really free? Indicative: True freedom is not really the possibility to have one’s own way of likes and pleasures. True freedom is to be released from slavery to sin 1.      Freedom is a priced gift in human life. Nothing can match it. Slavery is always resented and resisted. The reason is it reduces human dignity and respectability. It restricts and restrains one’s scope to pursue what one likes and prefers. 2.      Slavery and bondage make the person bound and burdened. Therefore, there is always the struggle to extricate oneself from all the forces and pressures that try to subdue a person’s free spirit. 3.      The desire to be free is natural and needed. But the problem with many is a wrong understanding of freedom and false ways and means to gain it. For many, freedom is just the license to do whatever one prefers and prefers. 4.      Accordingly, freedom is equated with unbridled seeking comfort, pleasure and gratification. In concrete, it will amount to indiscipline, irresponsibility, disorder, self-gain and self-pleasure. Thus, in the name of freedom, there is so much disrespect, defiance and rebellion, so much violence and destruction. But this is all false freedom. 5.      It is in this context, God’s word and Jesus clarify to us what is true freedom. True freedom is liberation from sin and evil. In Paul’s words in Romans 8. 12-17, it is freedom from slavery to flesh; it is to put to death the deeds of the body. It is to live according to the Spirit. It is to be the children and heirs of God. It is to be led by the Spirit of God. 6.      This is what Jesus indicates in the healing of a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. Both the cause and effect of this infirmity are explicitly mentioned. The cause is Satan. 7.      This becomes clear in Jesus’ healing words: “Ought not this woman whom Satan bound for 18 years be loosed from this bond?” The effect is: that she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 8.      This is very true. Sin sickens us. It bends us to be curved and crooked. It takes away the true freedom to enjoy the health and the joy of life. We need to be freed from our longstanding sicknesses, mainly the moral and the spiritual. We need to become straight and upright in our walking.   Imperative: Sin and evil are the greatest infirmities. They make us bent and stumble. We need healing. Jesus is ever willing. Are we ready to receive his healing touch?  (Reflection 2) Thrust: Be straight! Indicative: The world of today is truly crippled in many ways. It needs the healing touch of God 1.      We are familiar with one old famous hymn, “The world stands in need of liberation, Lord.” This is exactly the urgent need of our world. It is bound by various bonds. These comprise immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolishness, deception, disobedience, and emptiness – in the light of the first reading. 2.      The gospel denotes these enslaving bonds as disabling spirits, being bent over, and not being able to straighten up. All these are the signs and effects of evil, the influence of Satan. This bounded and unfree situation is clearly indicated in the gospel by a disabled woman for eighteen years. 3.      She was bent over and could not walk straight. This is contrary to the followers of Christ. Those who follow him will not walk in darkness, will not stumble but will walk in the light, and walk steadily. It is because Christ is the true light of the world. Those who follow him are the children of light and walk in the light. 4.      To walk in the light is to walk in love in imitation of Christ who loved us and gave himself up for us. Concretely this will mean being kind to one another, tender-hearted, and forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave us. 5.      Just as the disabled woman gets healing from the Lord, we too need healing. Sin has bent us and we are not able to walk straight and steady. We need to be loosed and freed from our different bonds, enumerated above. 6.      Our greatest confidence and consolation is God’s abiding mercy. He takes the initiative, sees our plight, calls us over, lays his hands upon us, and says the same words that he uttered to the disabled woman, “My sister, my brother, you are freed from your disability.” All that is needed is to allow the Lord to touch us and heal us. Imperative: For healing, for freedom from the bonds that bound us, there is no fixed time. Any time is a good and appropriate time. Let us not bind God too with our human bonds. God is beyond all Sabbath and He is the Lord of the Sabbath 31 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 8. 18-25; LUKE 13. 18-21 Focus: Quantity is no guarantee of quality! Indicative: Often people misjudge the quality and value by the size and the quantity. But they are not always the right criteria. It is on the basis of the quality of the potential to grow and become beneficial 1.      In the gospel of Luke 13. 18-21, Jesus gives two similitudes for the Kingdom. They are a mustard seed and leaven. Two special characteristics mark them. One is their smallness and the other, their propensity to grow and have a larger effect. The mustard seed is small in size. But it grows into a big tree and shelters birds. Leaven is also little in its quantity. But when mixed with, it leavens the whole flour. 2.      Similarly, the kingdom of God may initially look small and insignificant. It may not make big impressions. But it gradually grows and spreads its branches in all its directions, inviting, including and involving all irrespectively. It offers shelter and comfort to many. It has a steady and pervasive influence like a small portion of leaven. 3.      Thereby, what implications are placed before us? First, do not go by mere appearances, by size, quantity or status. Do not judge the quality and value of things or persons by their roots and beginnings. 4.      Beginnings may be humble but they can grow big. Let us not always be stuck by what appears at the moment but let us also open our eyes wide, look beyond and envision the hidden potency and propensity. 5.      In specific reference to the kingdom, let us not wait only for big factors or opportunities to spread the kingdom of God. Let us begin small. Let us live and promote the kingdom in small little things. Let us not be impatient to expect results, quick and big. 6.      What is important is how much we are progressively and steadily growing, and how much we become more and more beneficial to many. Like the little yeast, let us also try to exert a positive influence in whichever situation we are in. As children of God and followers of Christ, we must constructively influence others’ life. 7.      In the light of the first reading Romans 8. 18-25, this implies a couple of guidelines. One is, to live in undying hope and eager waiting for our eternal destiny. Second is, to bear everything with patience with a deep conviction and faith that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 8.      Third is, to constantly cooperate with God’s Spirit who wants to set us free from our bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.   Imperative: God wants us to spread His kingdom and for sure He does not expect sudden and spectacular miracles from us. All He wants is that we do our little part with a positive and beneficial heart (Reflection 2) Thrust: Little is big! Indicative: Often people are carried away by what is big and greatness is equated with the bigness of things. But today we are reminded that small things matter 1.      St Francis de Sales said, “Perfection is not a little thing but it consists in little things.” There is an often tendency to take for granted small things in life and neglect them. In the process of seeking bigger and greater things, people lose sight of the smaller details of life and let them go off the hand. 2.      It is in this context, Jesus draws our attention to the truth that the kingdom of God consists in small little things. Its growth and spread depend not on extraordinary matters but on small ones. Two metaphors of a mustard seed and a little yeast illustrate this point. 3.      Both are little. But they have a greater effect. The small mustard seed grows into a big tree and shelters many birds. The little yeast leavens a larger portion of flour. 4.      Many of us are accustomed to the culture of the big and mighty. We need to learn to recognise the value of the small things. This applies also to the persons. We need to realise, value and appreciate every person for their basic human dignity. 5.      We need to get rid of our materialistic mentality. This treats others only on the basis of what and how much they have, in terms of money, possessions, power, position, name, talent, et cetera. 6.      Two such crucial domains where we must cultivate this mystery and value of the little are our faith life and family life. In our life of faith, let us not wait for big opportunities to manifest our spirit of devotion. 7.      Every little activity and every little practice of virtue counts a lot. Similarly, in family life too, both husband and wife should be conscious of the fact that the little is big. 8.      Love, submission, and fidelity are the essential components that make our little things great, both in our faith and family. In the present times, there is a dominant atmosphere of hatred, resentment, defiance, obstinacy, and infidelity. This is deteriorating the quality, beauty, and joy of our faith life and family life. Imperative: If only a little more love, mutual humility and submission, and fidelity and commitment increase in the practice of religion and the life of family, things will change drastically. The kingdom of God with love, justice, and peace will flourish 01 NOVEMBER 2023:  ALL SAINTS DAY, REV 7. 2-4, 9-14; 1 JOHN 3. 1-3; MATTHEW 5. 1-12 Focus: Called to be Holy! Indicative: All are called to be saints; all may not be raised to sainthood but all can rise to saintliness. All may not receive the honour of official veneration but all can strive for the honour of actual imitation 1.      Every November 01st is a great celebration. It is the earthly celebration of the feast day of the heavenly saints. What a grand celebration it is because it puts together all the feast days of all the saints! Today we are reminded of our inseparable communion with them. 2.      They stand before us as references and icons of holiness, sources of encouragement, beacons of hope, flashes of inspiration, pointers of challenge, and urges for change. 3.      They lived on the same earth beset with the same struggles. They were not born saints. They strove, struggled, and grew and became saints. They fill us with confidence, courage, and hope that we too can become saints. 4.      They inspire, guide, and challenge us and assist us to change. Status or capacity, time or space do not matter. To be holy and saintly is the call and possibility for everybody, everywhere and every time. 5.      In them, we see what we must become, what we can become and how to become. Sainthood may be a special honour granted by God to a few. But saintliness is an honour open and possible for all. They understood and followed the Beatitudes as the authentic and effective means to become saints. They became saints because they followed the Beatitudes. 6.      The beatitudes indicate that we are destined people and not people without a destiny. We are people by God’s choice and not by chance. We live and move by God’s gratuitous gift and not by a fortuitous drift. We are destined for bliss and blessedness. The Beatitudes are the pathways and roadmaps to travel the journey and pursue that path. 7.      The saints through their life by beatitudes show us that we need to lead a heaven-directed and heaven-driven life in contrast to an earth-bound and earth-pressured life. The beatitudes are contradictory values to the false values of the world. 8.      They summon us to be humble and surrendered to God, contrary to being proud and unruly complacent. This is the way of being poor in the sight of the world but rich in God’s sight. They call us to be sensitive and caring toward others, contrary to being indifferent and self-centred. This is the way to mourn with others and for others. 9.      They call us to be gentle, meek, and patient contrary to being rude, harsh, and aggressive. They call us to hunger and thirst, to passionately crave to be righteous and fair. They call us to be merciful and forgiving, contrary to being stern and grudgeful. 10.  They call us to be pure of heart, uncontaminated by guile and malice contrary to all impurity, deception, and evil-mindedness. They call us to be peace-lovers, peace-makers, peace-givers, and peace-promoters contrary to all aggression and disharmony. They call us to joyfully suffer for God and good. 11.  There is no doubt that such a life according to the Beatitudes is very strenuous and demanding. But we need not be frightened or discouraged. The Lord will himself be our rescue and refuge. And our reward is great beyond compare. It is to enjoy the abundance of the Spirit in his light and power, already here on earth and the measureless eternity thereafter. Saints are our assurances!   Imperative: Holiness is wholeness. The more we try to live as holistic and integrated persons, the more we become holy and saintly. Whoever strives to sanctify himself is a saint of sanctity! (Reflection 2)   Thrust: Blessed are you! Indicative: Blessedness is our destiny and beatitudes are our royal means   1.      What a celestial joy it is to celebrate the solemn festivity of all saints! Explicitly on this one day, we are united with the whole band of saints. We are reminded of our bond and communion with them. Through them, we are reminded of our destiny as well, that is, to be with them in heaven. 2.      All saints remind us of our own call like theirs – called to holiness. Holiness is our call and sanctification is God’s will for us. Holiness is not a privilege, reserved only to some. It is grace and gracious possibility laid open to all. 3.      But it is not a gift by chance. It should not be a gift, taken for granted and left unmerited. God does not create readymade saints. There are no predetermined, predestined saints. One becomes a saint by living. Thus, saintliness on the one hand is a gratuitous gift of God and on the other hand, is an assiduous task. 4.      It is a bounden duty of everyone to strive for sanctity. God has destined us “to be holy and blameless” in His sight for eternity. These saints encourage us that it is possible to become saints, despite our weaknesses and pressures. They inspire us to become like them, in patience and perseverance. They challenge us to guard and fight against all forces that are unholy. 5.      Beatitudes lay before us the “golden path” of holiness that leads to blessedness. Clearly, they are stark contradictions to the standards and ways of the world. The beatitudes exalt and advocate 1) “poverty” – humility, detachment, moderation, and contentment, against all greed and accumulation 2) “mourning” – being sensitive, attentive, tender, empathetic and caring, against indifference and unfeeling; 3) “gentleness and meekness – being polite, courteous, composed and serene, against being rude, impatient, hot-tempered, aggressive and hurting 4) “hunger and thirst” for righteousness – being passionate and relentless for justice and fairness, against all tepidity and feeding on unfairness; 5) “mercy” – being compassionate, forgiving and reconciling, against resentment, revenge, and retaliation 6) “purity of heart” – being clear-sighted, single-minded and clean of heart, against being contaminated and polluted, cunning and deceitful; 7) “peacefulness” – loving peace and promoting peace, against all violence and mindless agitation and anxiety 8) “persecution and insult” – bearing all misunderstanding, opposition, slander, calumny, and affliction for the sake of God and good, against seeking comfort, praise, and popularity for the sake of self. 6.      Such a way of beatitudes subjects one to tremendous struggle and suffering. But one need not lose heart because the end fruit is eternal bliss. Nevertheless, this bliss will be already foretasted here on earth, in obtaining and relishing God’s own comfort, satisfaction, mercy, an abundance of fortitude, joy, and peace.   Imperative: Sanctity is a project that is worth pursuing because its fruits are everlasting. It is always more worth to strive and suffer for something higher   02 NOVEMBER 2023: ALL SOULS DAY, WISDOM 3. 1-9c; MATTHEW 25. 31-46 Focus: Purge to surge ahead! Indicative: Our God is holy and our destiny is holy heaven. Nothing unholy or impure can live with Him eternally. Therefore, real purification is a must 1.      Every 02 November marks the special commemoration of the departed. We believe that everyone in God’s mercy is destined for eternal life and not damnation. Thus, our destiny is heaven and not hell. However, we being fragile are not worthy to be in eternity with all our sinfulness. Therefore, all need cleansing and purification. Purgatory is that condition of purgation. 2.      Where? How? How long? Such questions regarding purgatory are not within our grasp and perhaps are not crucial as well. All that is needed to know is that we have a time and situation of cleansing. 3.      Purgatory is not a place of punition but purification. It is not a punishment but chastisement. It is not harassing but cleansing. It is probation for insertion into the heavenly abode. The emphasis should be on the bliss of eternity and not so much on the misery of purgatory. 4.      Purgatory is like waiting on the right platform. A life that is not properly led is like remaining on the wrong platform. The right train arrives at the station. But the problem is that people are not on the right platform to get onto the right train. 5.      God’s grace and mercy are the right train. A life of virtue is the right platform. Often in life, we get on to the wrong platforms or wrong trains. All Souls’ day is a call to place our life rightly and travel rightly. 6.      Purgatory is then an extended “grace period”, an additional “mercy time” for reparation. It does not indicate God’s rigidity to delay our eternity. Rather it indicates His extra benevolence to grant us further chance. 7.      It is not a forced imposition by God. Rather, it is a needed self-preparation. It is a time of “refitting” ourselves, “re-equipping” ourselves to enter heaven. We need not argue how God can punish eternally for the sins committed temporarily. 8.      Rather, we can feel happy that in exchange for a short good life, He generously grants one whole eternity, and He is so concerned that He takes care to make us fit during purgatory for one whole eternity. 9.      Once again, like All Saints’ Day, on this All Souls’ Day too, we are reminded of our spiritual and fraternal communion and solidarity as God’s children and as brothers and sisters, in faith and fraternity. It is this bonding that makes us bound to pray for them, for their release from probation and raising to new life.   Imperative: Let the commemoration of the departed remind us that we need to depart one day and stand before God for His judgment. If so, it is better that we continue to judge ourselves and cleanse ourselves to fit into the heavenly mansions   (Reflection 2)   Thrust: Awaiting heaven! Indicative: Earth is the launching ground, purgatory is the transit and heaven is the landing destination   1.      Every November 02 we commemorate all souls. It teaches and indicates many truths of our Christian life. First of all, life does not end with death but continues in another form. The physical body is perishable and physical, earthly human existence is temporary. There is a spiritual body and existence that are imperishable and eternal. 2.      Whether in or without body, we are bound together in fraternal and spiritual communion, and the cessation of physicality or earthliness does not disrupt or cancel this communion. Death is a moment, a door of passage, a transition from earth to heaven, from temporary to eternal life. 3.      Heaven is our homeland proper and all are destined to reach back there. This human physical earthly existence is then a limited duration during which real preparation must be done to take us to heaven. 4.      However, as humans we are, our fragilities do not fully leave us. Our imperfections accompany us to the grave. But nothing unholy or unclean can stand before God or be with Him who is the Holy of holies. 5.      Therefore, purification and purgation must continue and be complete. We believe that purgatory is that “purgative”, “transit” and “probative” period that cleanses us perfectly to “fit us to the heavenly mansions”. Where it will be, how long, and how, such questions are beyond our human comprehension and are irrelevant as well. 6.      What is important to note is that our fraternal and spiritual bonding and obligation do not cease with death. We continue to belong to God and each other, whether alive or dead. Therefore, we continue to love the departed and be concerned for them. 7.      We continue to pray for them, recommending them to God to purge them and receive them into heaven. The prayers, holy masses, and the good works we offer on behalf of the dead should not be seen as “compensations” or “installed payments” to appease and relent God’s wrath and punishment. 8.      They are also not a “barter system” where heaven is given in exchange for what we offer on their behalf. Neither is it an “interested investment” where we buy a heaven ticket to the souls and send them to heaven so that they can be our benefactors later on. 9.      Rather the whole reality of all souls must be seen from the optic of communion and solidarity in faith and fraternity. They are clear expressions of our solidarity with them and concern for their salvation. They are also our supplication to God’s mercy to make good for what might have been lacking in their earthly life. 10.  There is nothing wrong with believing that we help the souls in purgatory because by themselves they remain helpless to help themselves. While on earth, we are able to help them, and once relieved from purgatory and received into heaven, they will be able to help us. 11.  Besides, this commemoration is an alarm bell for all of us that one day all must reach the same end of death. No one is permanent on earth. And death is not a permanent closure. Eternity awaits us. 12.  But there is the last judgment that decides the face of our eternity, whether damnation or salvation. And this differentiation is solely on the basis of one’s life on earth. Life before death determines life after death. Only a life of charity rooted in faith can qualify us for heaven.   Imperative: A life rooted in spiritual and fraternal communion and which flourishes in charity will purge us and gain us eternal victory.   03 NOVEMBER 2023: ROM 9. 1-5; LUKE 14. 1-6 Focus: Doing good is the highest rule! Indicative: Rules and traditions are good and needed because they regulate the common life and put order into it. However, no law can go against doing good to those in need 1.      Every society and religion has its own rules and traditions. All these are meant to contribute to order and well-being, both collective and personal. Very often the problem is that of extremes. Some fall to rigidity and legalism, sticking to the mere letter of the law and neglecting the good of the persons. 2.      Some others fall into over-flexibility and compromise, leading to indulgence and lawlessness. Both are not healthy and not recommendable. There has to be a balance. 3.      The ultimate purpose and objective of every rule and tradition must be the good of the society and its members. In fact, the supreme law is the larger and the higher good. No law should be subversive and destructive. 4.      A law is good when it is constructive and beneficial. This was the problem that Jesus had to confront: a rigid legalism that led to insensitivity toward the good of the human person. 5.      Jesus wanted to put things in the right perspective. Hence his apparent violation of the Sabbath law by healing on a Sabbath day a man who had dropsy. For him, doing good is the most important and nothing should stop it. Doing good has no particular seasons and occasions. Charity is beyond seasons and times. It must be always and everywhere. 6.      In fact, it is not a question of following or not following the law. The more vital issue is whether we are doing good or not. Besides, it is not merely a physical healing. It is more a liberation, a saving, a restoration of what is lost. 7.      That is why Jesus says, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?” 8.      In the face of such a hardness of heart, the feelings of Jesus were the same as those of Paul in the first reading in his letter to Romans 9. 1-5: “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart”.   Imperative: Mere observance of the law is no good. Adherence to the good of others is the real observance of the law. Altruism is the supreme principle and norm of all religion and life   (Reflection 2)   Focus: Very often, our kindness is conditioned by moods and seasons. It is also often according to convenience or profit. But blessed are they we are relentless and selfless!   1.      Often, Jesus gets into a problem with the Pharisees and scribes, the big people in his society. The main issue is his violation of the Sabbath rule as in today’s gospel. They cannot digest the fact that he heals on Sabbath day, which is strictly a day of rest, abstaining from any work. 2.      The purpose of Jesus is not to poke and provoke them, or irritate and annoy them. Neither he has contempt and disregard toward the laws. His intention is also not to popularize himself as a rebel, as some would do. They would project themselves as ‘saviours of the time’ and simply oppose and challenge anything of the authority or the system. 3.      Jesus certainly respects the laws and the traditions. But for him, always what matters the most is true piety and deep benevolence. Love for God and kindness to others are the supreme laws of life. 4.      Everything in life should be directed to these ends and foster the same. No reason is good and valid enough to prevent one from doing good. A law that fails to do good is not worth following. In fact, every healing is not merely an act of physical good and health. 5.      It is a liberation from one’s bondage. It is the restoration of one’s lost dignity. It is ushering in a new life. That is why, Jesus has absolutely no qualms or inhibition about healing a man of dropsy on a Sabbath day.   Imperative: Many times, many make lame excuses for not being good and doing good. They go on explaining and justifying why they are not able so. But mostly, what is lacking is a good heart and concern for others   04 NOVEMBER 2023: ROM 11. 1-2, 11-12, 25-29; LUKE 14. 1, 7-11   Focus: Honour is not in ranks or titles! Indicative: Everyone seeks to be honourable and honoured. But real honour does not come from places of honour. Rather real honour comes from character. Thus, one who has an honourable character is always humble 1.      “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he humbles himself will be exalted”, this is one of the outstanding and popular teachings of Jesus. He brings our attention to humility. Humility is not just one of the many virtues. 2.      It is the link for all the virtues. It is the bottom line, the base, the foundation on which all the other virtues are built. Without humility, all the other virtues lose their charm and credibility. 3.      Jesus, being a guest of honour at a leading pharisee’s house, watches them seeking places of honour. He seizes upon the opportunity to offer a lesson on humility. Many think, the more you are highly placed, the more you have to maintain high. You need to carry and present yourself high. 4.      But Jesus makes it clear that the more one is high in power and position, the more he must be humble. In fact, a person does not become honourable by his honourable place or position, but by his honourable character. Powers and positions are external and they do not replace a person’s internal character. They can be concrete means of expressing a good character. 5.      In fact, true honour comes not from the position to the person. Rather it must go from the person’s honorability to the position. In that sense, it is the person that gives honour to the chair and not so much the chair that gives honour to the person. External honours must complement the inner honour of the person and not substitute or cover up for what is lacking internally. 6.      True humility can come only from a genuine awareness and repentance over one’s fragility and unworthiness. It also has an overwhelming acceptance of God’s holiness. This double awareness is corroborated by the ready recognition of others’ goodness and greatness. When this threefold humility is present, then surely a person becomes pleasing in God’s sight and God exalts him. 7.      St Charles Borromeo whom we commemorate today, stands tall for this humility, focus and commitment. He was an outstanding reformer during the counter-reformation, especially the founding of seminaries for the education of priests.   Imperative: It is high time that the church learns to stop the malicious musical chair for power and position, seeking a false dignity and honour in them. They should realize that real honour comes from a sound character and not from honours (Reflection 2) Thrust: Honours or honour? Indicative: It is a wrong idea that honours and positions are considered marks of honour and dignity. Real honour does not come from honours but from an honourable character 1.      God chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. But what a contrast it is that people of the world choose to be unholy and blameworthy! God chose us for heaven but people choose the world. God chose us for eternal life but many seek temporal life and its fulfillment. This is certainly a spirit of low and lowered choices. 2.      This contrasting and lowered choice can be indicated by the invitees to a pharisee’s house in the gospel. They were crazily seeking places of honour. This is because of the common misconception that a person’s greatness and honour are seen by the place or position he occupies. 3.      In such a context, Jesus makes it clear that positing and seeking honour in places or ranks or titles or posts is wrong. Real honour must come not from the place but from character. What is important is not the place of the person but the person who occupies that place. 4.      A person should not be adjudged or rated high or low on the basis of honours. The only criterion must be his honourability. We become honourable when we try to live honourable lives. We will be honoured by God himself when we seek to honour him. And we can bring honour to God only when we humble ourselves in humility and exalt God in surrender and loyalty. 5.      This positive honouring is seen in St Paul. He always chose not to do honour to him but to God. He accepted all his suffering and persecution as a way of honouring God in his body. He never chose what was self-oriented but was always God-oriented. He had no preferences except the preferences of God. Direction: Whether we live or die, let our only choice and effort be to do God’s will, to please Him, and bring glory to Him through bringing many to God       

30TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A 23

30th SUNDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2023, EXODUS 22. 21-27; 1 THES 1.5c-10;  MATTHEW 22. 34-40 Focus: Love with a double focus! Indicative: In a world which is both love-barren and love- hungry, which abuses love so much and also needs it so much, true love alone is the greatest remedy 1. Love is the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” 2. Love is the summary and quintessence of all discipleship. It is the supreme command of the Lord to every disciple, a Law which all must obey and follow, an indispensable norm which must guide the whole life of a disciple.  3. Jesus puts together love of God and love of neighbour as one single commandment. In fact, they are not two separate commandments which can subsist, one without the other. Rather they are two inseparable aspects of one and the same Law of love, and are mutually inclusive.  4. Love of God and love of neighbour support and complete each other. One without the other is incomplete and deficient. They are also mutually authenticating, in the sense, that one reveals and bears witness to the other. One cannot claim to love God totally but refuse or fail to love the other. In the same way, one cannot love the other wholeheartedly but has no love for God: 5. “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 Jn 4. 12); “God is love. 6. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 Jn 4. 16); “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. 7. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 Jn 4. 20-21). 8. Now, How to love God? In what measures? The love that is demanded of a disciple is Total and Entire. It is with the totality of one’s faculties, capacities, intentionality, and will. It is with the whole being, the entire person. 9. There are no portions, no fractions, no proportions, no concessions, no conditions, no percentages, no ratios. The command to love is imperative and not facultative. Jesus is never convinced or satisfied with half-measures.  10. True it is, one cannot expect perfection soon, as discipleship is a journey of progression and maturation on the road of perfection. But this does not mean that a disciple can continue with compromising steps. 11. Jesus is very clear about the uncompromising nature of discipleship. “One is either for him or against him”. There is no neutral stand. “You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and wealth”.  12. To follow Jesus is a fundamental option. In an authentic discipleship, there is no room for compromises or convenient adjustments. In true and full love for God, there is authenticity, intensity, depth and dedication. 13. Discipleship is loving God in full measures. It is to love God without measure and without reserve. 14. Then, How to love the neighbour? In what manner?  15. With regard to loving the neighbour, the manner in which one must love, is indicated. “Love your neighbour as you love yourself”. Everyone loves one’s own self. 16. Here we need not enter into discussion about self, about its quality whether positive or negative, about Jesus’ injunction to deny self, etc. What matters in the context is the fact that there is self-love in everyone. 17. The only difference between a true disciple and not-a disciple is, the disciple sublimates his self-love to God’s love which constantly controls and regulates his self-love, so that the end result is positive and productive. 18. The reference to the “Golden Rule” (Lk 6. 31) prescribed by Jesus can be of help in this context: “Do unto others what you want them do to you”. 19. Certainly everyone wants to be understood, accepted, respected, loved, comforted, appreciated, encouraged and supported. If so, to love the other as one loves one’s own self demands that we should also understand, accept and respect others. Imperative: Let love be genuine and deep. Let love be our passion and devotion. Let it be our norm and test. Because then, the society can be healed. (Reflection 2) Punch line: Nothing greater! Guideline: In a world that is often love-starving and love-hungry, love alone is the fittest and greatest response remedy to repair the damaged face of life and to resurge it with a fresh glow   1.      A lawyer in the gospel asks Jesus a question, “What is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus’ answer is Love. It is double-packed: love for God and love for the neighbour. It is a love for God with the totality of the person, that is, heart and soul, and mind. 2.       Therefore, we should love God with all and the fullness of our faculties. There cannot be portions or fractions, or conditions or concessions. It is to love God without measure and reserve. It means that God becomes our all and our whole. 3.       This means that God becomes our topmost priority. He is not a mere abstract concept, not an idea or issue about which we have some knowledge. God is not merely an intellectual concern.  4. God becomes a concern of life, someone very personal, someone for whom we nurture profound feeling and sentiment, someone with whom we relate passionately and intimately. Thus, God becomes a vital concern of emotion, experience, relation, and commitment. 4.       This invites us then to check our frequent tendencies to make God more an object of devotions and religious activities. Instead, we must discover and experience Him as a subject who loves us and needs to be loved. 5. As long as God is treated as an alien and pushed out of the inner circles of the heart and the territories of life, love for God will remain only shallow and fails to affect us. 6.       The commandment of love will be incomplete if we close it only with love for God. It necessarily opens up to love for neighbour. Love for God never encloses itself within itself. It is not an individual affair with God. 7. Rather, love for God finds its concrete expression in love for neighbour. A love for God that does not lead one to love for neighbour is shallow and can even be a farce. 8. This love for neighbour must be such that it loves the other as one loves his own self. In other words, in a true love of neighbour, there is no ego, no ego-interests. It is selfless. Lifeline: The world that feels sick, and wounded, can be healed only with the power of love. While love for God elevates our spirits to a heavenly life, love for others commits us down to the earth  

29th WEEK DAYS MASS REFLECTION 23

23 - 28 OCTOBER 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 23 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 4.20-25; LUKE 12.13-21 Focus: Vanity of vanities! Indicative: Intelligence, knowledge, competence, big money, position, and fame are no guarantees for wisdom. They can often lead one to vanity and shallowness 1. In the gospel, Jesus narrates a parable of a rich fool. The parable of the rich fool is not just one story among many, narrated by Jesus. But it is a live story because there are many such fools today and none of us is exempt from such foolishness to some degree or other. 2. It is not a soft lesson but a serious warning! It is not only the fate of the rich man in the parable but the fate of each present fool. Jesus is very clear and stern: "It is the fate of those who are rich in the sight of the world, but not in the sight of God". 3. Just imagine the miserable fate of the rich fool. One who toiled so hard but could not enjoy the fruits of his labour; one who made fantastic plans but did not have the future to implement them; one who had abundance for generations but had no life to enjoy it; one who had the intelligence to acquire for the passing world but failed to procure for the eternal life; one who thought all for himself to possess and enjoy but had to leave to others to own and enjoy. 4. How similar is the life and fate of many in our times? So many are slaves to money and pleasure. So many spend their whole time and energies with the least concern for family and good human relationships. So many scorn the right values for the sake of profit and self-interest. So many defraud and cheat to amass wealth and to maintain shallow and false status and dignity. So many are much bothered about the temporary and temporal but neglect the spiritual and eternal. Are these not traces of folly? 5. How to eliminate such signs of folly? Grow wise. First and foremost, realize that the worth and beauty of life do not consist in greedy accumulation, material abundance, or economic affluence. Rather life is beautiful and meaningful in the richness of heart, in the abundance of goodness, in the growth in virtues, and the orientation toward heaven and eternity. Not goods but good, not greed but the need for good, should be the motto of life. 6. Now How to grow wise? The answer too is given in the parable: "Become rich in God's sight". Become acceptable and pleasing to God. It is better to obey and surrender to God rather than succumb to evil. 7. The answer is quite straight in the Wisdom spirituality: "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov 1. 7). So the more one has a loving reverence towards God, the more one becomes wise. The more devotion increases, the more wisdom increases. The more spirituality, the less temporality. 8. Therefore the crucial reason for the misery of today's society is very clear: on the one hand, the increase of greed and materialism; the decrease of God and altruism, on the other hand. Let us not evade the issue or find temporary solutions or shallow remedies in worldliness. The only solution, remedy, and antidote are God and good! Imperative: Those who set their hearts on higher things, will also live higher lives. To be practical and to be concerned about the present life does not mean to be earth-bound and to be guided by lesser motives (Reflection 2) Thrust: You, fool! Indicative: The meaning of life is to be found not in the material abundance but in the spiritual 1. The gospel presents to us the parable of the rich fool. In the Bible, foolishness or folly is not merely an intellectual matter. It is a matter of whole life. It is a way of living, a mode of being. There is always a contrast between folly and wisdom. 2. Foolishness is a way of life that walks in trespasses and sins. It is to follow the course of the world. It is to follow the counsels of Satan. It is to follow the spirit of disobedience. It is to live in the passion of our flesh. It is to carry out the desires of the body and mind. The consequence is to become the children of wrath and death. 3. On the contrary, to be wise is to lead a way of life that is in tune with God’s grace and mercy. It is to be alive together with Christ, from our death by sin. It is to be saved through faith. It is to walk in good works. The consequence is immeasurable riches of grace in kindness and eternal life, being seated with him in the heavenly places. 4. Some signs of folly are manifest in the rich fool also. They are: excessive trust in himself and worldly things; forgetting the impermanent nature of life, and reducing the value of life only to material enjoyment. In sum, foolishness is piling up riches in the sight of the world but not in God’s sight. Imperative: It is better to gather riches for heaven in wisdom living a life of spiritual abundance and fraternal kindness 24 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 5. 12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; LUKE 12. 35-38 Focus: Be alert and ready! Indicative: We are called to be servants in the service of the Master. We need to be alert and faithful! 1. Christ Jesus is our Saviour who brought us liberation from sin and death and brought us grace and eternal life. He reversed the story of the fall of the first man by his obedience to God’s will, the life of righteousness, and death on the cross. Through him, the superabundance of grace surpassed the abundance of sin. Therefore, we are called to remain obedient to this Lord of ours and faithfully follow him. 2. This following becomes possible when we surrender ourselves to him as humble servants. We must always bear in mind that we are his servants in his service. As good servants, we must be totally docile to him, alert and prompt to attend to him. Never shall we be found unalert and unprepared! Never shall we miss his coming! We never know when or how he comes, when he knocks on our doors. 3. Blessed are we whom the master finds awake when he comes! Blessed are we if open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are we who will gird ourselves and have the master sit at the table and serve him! Alas! How unaware, unalert, unready, and lethargic many servants of today are! 4. Certainly, many are caught unawares when the master comes and knocks on the door of their hearts, lives, families, and communities! Many do not have the patience and receptivity to wait on the master in eager docility! Many are so busy that they cannot spare time to serve the master at the table. Many are so meticulous with their time sense that they cannot simply “waste” their time in useless and uncertain waiting! Imperative: When the master comes and knocks on the doors, how many will be present indoors, how many will be prompt to open to him? First of all, how many will happily open the door to him? (Reflection 2) Focus: We are noble people with dignity. We are God’s own household. Therefore, be alert and prepared so that We are found worthy and faithful by the Master. 1. We are living in a world where everyone wants to be a master, on top of the world. There is also a great increase in dishonesty, deception, and infidelity. To such a world, Jesus proposes the model of a servant. 2. A good servant is humble and docile to the Master and serves the Master honestly and faithfully. He is not so entangled with worldly affairs, so as to lose sight of the Master. He is always conscious of the likes and needs of his master. He is ever patient and consistent in waiting on his master and is prompt to attend to him in wholehearted service. 3. How lamentable it is that today we have an increasing breed of pseudo and shallow masters! We have acclaimed and professed professional servants who bother the least to be attentive, alert, prepared, and prompt to serve the Master. God touch and transform these self-swollen masters in the disguise of servants! 4. Such a true spirit of a humble and faithful servant is possible, only when we remain deeply conscious of the nobility of our call. In Christ, we rediscover and regain our peace. That means, to live in a spirit and bond of unity, humility, and loyalty like a true servant, being obedient to the Master and benevolent toward other fellow-servants. Direction: A faithful servant is dressed for the Master's service and not addressed for power and self-service 25 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 6. 12-18; LUKE 12. 39-48 Focus: Holy slavery! Indicative: Disobedience to God and obedience to sin may bring quick results and temporary gains and pleasures but it will lead to eternal ruin 1. An interesting contrast is made between the slavery of sin and the slavery of righteousness. Both are slaveries but with a difference. The former is disobedient slavery and the latter is obedient. 2. The result of the slavery of sin is death and damnation. But the result of the slavery of righteousness is life and salvation. In the former, there is only subjugation. In the latter, there is true freedom and rejuvenation of the spirit. 3. If we are obedient slaves of righteousness, then how will we be? The gospel makes this clear through three simple images: householder, steward, and servant. We will be householders alert, watchful and fully prepared to meet any unexpected encounter with the Lord. 4. We will also be like faithful and wise stewards, set over God’s household to “give them their portion of food at the proper time”, that is to take responsible care of the household. 5. We will also be honest and duty-conscious servants. Such head-servants will not let themselves into loose living, ill-treating their fellow servants and not acting according to their master’s will. We will always carry the spirit of accountability, knowing fully well that “to whom much is given, much will be required”. 6. How true it is that many times many fall into the disobedient slavery of sin leading to ruin! How often many fail to be watchful and careful householders! How often many fail to be faithful and wise stewards not responsible toward the household of God entrusted to their care! How often do we fail to prove ourselves as sincere and dutiful servants who are also respectful and benevolent toward our fellow servants? Imperative: The Lord gives a marvellous synthetic image of a householder who has the attitude of a steward and who works and does his duties like a servant. We are caretakers who are to serve God’s household (Reflection 2) Thrust: Be wise Stewards! Indicative: Many times God’s grace is taken for granted. They behave as if grace and salvation are their prerogatives just because of a religious tag. They are wrong 1. In the world of today, there is so much manipulation and infidelity. The church too is infected by this. There are increasing tendencies and cases of the decline of honesty and corrosion of values. In such a context, the word of God reminds us that we are servants and stewards and not masters and bosses. That is why Paul attests that his ministry is that of “stewardship of God’s grace given to him for the people” (Eph 3.2-12). 2. We should mark a few of the keywords: ‘Stewardship’, ‘God’s grace', ‘given by’, and ‘given for.’ Each expression is significant. Stewardship implies humility, responsibility, diligence, and loyalty. In the case of a good steward, there is no room for dishonesty and deception. 3. A good steward is humble because he knows that all that he has and does is given and not his own. It is not for self or self-interests. It is for others. And it is not entangled with mundane things but with God’s grace. 4. In the teaching of Jesus, this stewardship becomes more clear. It is very interesting to note that manager, steward, and servant are interchangeably used. Thereby we may take a cue that a faithful and wise manager or steward is a faithful servant. 5. God with trust and benevolence has entrusted to us the immensity of His grace. We are the dispensers of His grace. Therefore, we must be ever ready and alert so that we are not looted by the evil thief. On the contrary, we must be prepared to meet the Lord whose coming too is unexpected. 6. As good servants and stewards, we must be fair and benevolent toward other servants. We cannot ill-treat them. Nor can we engage and entertain ourselves in worldly pleasures and preoccupations. Imperative: One who is given and has more, will be more accountable. If God has blessed us with immense grace, then we need to be more graceful. But often, this is missing 26 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 6. 19-23; LUKE 12. 49-53 Focus: Blazing fire! Indicative: Living for God will certainly contrast with those who live for the world and evil. This will lead to opposition and division 1. Love for Christ and following him calls for a radical and committed stand. It involves a life of righteousness for sanctification. It will transform persons into slaves of God. But this slavery is something meritorious and dignified. It endows them with new freedom. Such conviction and commitment, such freedom and purity are in direct contrast to the impurity and iniquity of sin. 2. This contrast will automatically land the followers of Christ into situations of opposition, division, and loss of peace. It is not that they make themselves causes and agents of division and unrest. 3. It is caused by the resistance and refusal of those who oppose them. In a world of duplicity, when men of God live with integrity, for sure it would cause division and disturbance. When convictions are upheld in contrast to compromises, for sure there will be division and loss of peace. 4. When some are on fire with love for Christ, it will automatically disturb those who are tepid and whose fire is under ashes. A true follower of Christ cannot side with the false values of a mediocre man. A fundamental option for Christ will certainly put one at odds with the rest. 5. One need not feel bad or guilty about it. Such division and disturbance are not negative that are consequences of evil and inauthentic lives. The division and discord caused by fidelity to Christ are the natural outflows of the unswerving adherence to him. In the name of maintaining peaceful and undisturbed relationships, one should not give up values and fall to compromises. Imperative: Many play safe because they do not want to get into any trouble and be disturbed. They want to be in peace. But they do not realize that such peace is only false and not godly. A peace that comes because of compromise is a cheap peace! (Reflection 2) Thrust: Be on fire! Indicative: A true follower of Christ must be a “man on fire.” With this fire, he must set ablaze the whole world 1. “I came to cast fire on the earth.” ‘I came to bring division and disrupt peace'. What is this fire? It is love for God. It is to be ever consumed with a burning passion. It is being rooted and grounded in love. It is to comprehend and live the fullness of love, and that is the breadth, length, height, and depth. 2. Now, this fire of love on one hand dispels false layers of unity and peace. For many unity is mostly narrow demarcations based on religion, region, caste, culture, rite, et cetera. Social justice is confined only to promoting self-interests or group interests. 3. Accordingly, we see people actively living and promoting division and disunity. What a contradiction and absurdity it is! We who are supposed to be promoters of unity become ruthless champions of disunity. 4. Further, peace is often equated with the absence of fear, tension, and demands. What many seek and enjoy is only a false peace. False peace is highly contrary to God’s grace. False peace avoids any risk, any trouble, and looks for what is convenient and self-profiting. 5. But Jesus assures and ensures real unity and peace. Real unity is nurturing oneness and the communion of a spiritual family that is bound by the only norm of “hearing and doing God’s will (cf. Mt 12. 46-50). And his peace is an interior godly peace that stands firm amidst all evil. 6. In this sense, commitment to Jesus will certainly trigger disagreement and difference, leading to division, conflict, disruption of convenience, and peace. Imperative: Commitment to God and His kingdom of values and relationships is a fundamental choice. We should be prepared to face the challenges and stand firm 27 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 7. 18-25a; LUKE 12. 54-59 Focus: Discern the signs! Indicative: Men of today claim to be intelligent and capable persons who can unravel and control so many things of nature. But how much are they able to control and direct themselves? 1. People of today pride themselves on their ability to discover and control many things. They claim to read the signs of time and organize their life accordingly. They believe that they are competent experts in understanding and interpreting the realities. They also strongly think that they enjoy abundant freedom. 2. There is certainly no doubt about progress and advancement. But such a development is only uneven and ill-proportioned. There is no holistic growth. Especially in terms of integrity and spirituality, social responsibility, and commitment, there is so much inadequacy and failure. 3. The word of God in both readings brings our attention to this disharmony and disproportion. In tune with the words of Paul in the first reading, men may be externally free, that is they are not under any form of slavery. But how much they are under the slavery of sin? Sin dwells in them. They do not do the good they want, but the evil they do not want is what they do. 4. This is the same tone of Jesus. He questions the dichotomy and shallowness of people’s abilities. Many are capable of reading the signs of the time in terms of seasons and climatic conditions of nature like heat and rain. 5. But why do not understand and judge for themselves what is right? While they try to gain control over external things, why don’t try to gain control over themselves and their lives? 6. In specific reference to his mission, why don’t the people understand God’s invitation to realize and repent over their sinfulness? Why do they resist and reject his call to free themselves from sin and turn to God? Why do they lose sight of the eternal damnation that will be the result of such unbelief? Imperative: Human intelligence and capacities are good and useful as they help to increase our understanding and ease of living. But how much do they help us to understand and live better as good human beings? (Reflection 2) Focus: Human intelligence and knowledge should be raised and oriented to a higher level beyond the earth and mere secular concerns 1. Certainly, commendable is human intelligence which acts brightly from simple common sense to great scientific and technological progress. In his intelligence, man is able to read and ascertain seasons and times, assess many practical situations, and dissolve many complexities. 2. He is able to regulate and master many conditions to his advantage and ease of life. But how much this great sense and intelligence is used for something higher and loftier? Most of the considerations and efforts are often earth-bound and are driven by worldly motives and gains. 3. How is it that man who acts cautiously and judiciously in earthly and transient matters, fails to act wisely and diligently toward the spiritual and eternal concerns? Devoid of focus, foresight, and heaven-directedness, man runs the risk of eternal judgment and condemnation. 4. In the gospel, Jesus very strongly objects to such a shallow human enterprise. This is truly the shallowness and superficiality of the present times as well. They are able to read, understand, interpret and assess, and thus control the seasons and times. But how sadly they fail to recognize the signs of the times and learn and grow from them! 5. They gain mastery over the forces of nature, but they become slaves to the pressures of their own nature. They claim and pretend to be masters and freemen. But little do they realize that they lose the true interior freedom in the name of the very freedom they seek. 6. The freedom which they glorify is nothing but a disguised yoke of slavery to sin and evil. In fact, to truly read the signs of the times is “to live the vocation we have received. It is to be humble, kind, patient and to bear one another in love”. Direction: We live often in a world of shallow intelligence and superficial knowledge because they are so short-sighted and so badly limited to the material concerns 28 OCTOBER 2023: EPH 2. 19-22; LUKE 6. 12-16, SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE Focus: Strive to live up! Indicative: Our vocation always carries with it a profound sense of sacredness because it is the Lord’s choice. It is always his gratuitous grace that we must constantly strive to live up 1. Today we celebrate the feast of two of the Twelve Apostles of the Lord, namely Saints Simon and Jude. Simon was a zealot, an anti-Roman nationalist group member. Jude was a cousin of the Lord and author of the epistle of Jude. They preached in Mesopotamia and Persia. They were chosen from among many disciples and named apostles. 2. This is the first thing to note. We are chosen by the Lord. This implies that it is God’s initiative, His free gift. It is not like the other professions where one qualifies himself by fulfilling the requirements. But our vocation is not due to our qualifications or competence. It is not because we deserve it. Rather he qualifies us by choosing us lovingly. 3. He calls us by name. This implies that our vocation is something deeply personal. Each one is related personally to the Lord. Every called person is intimately united with the Lord by an authentic life and is fervently committed to him by an effective mission. 4. Unity is our identity mark as disciples at his feet and apostles on our feet. Being his disciples in prayer and being apostles on his mission must always go together. That was what Jesus did: In communion with the Father and in Commitment to His will. Our constant striving is to be joined to the Lord as the cornerstone and grow into a holy temple in the dwelling place of God in the Spirit. 5. However, this spiritual communion is not enough. Fraternal communion is also a must. We are no longer strangers and sojourners, not only toward God but also toward one another. We are fellow citizens and members of one and the same household. Direction: Our life and mission can become more credible and effective if there is more spiritual communion and fraternal communion. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are his disciples in intimacy and his apostles in vibrancy (Reflection 2) Thrust: Well-founded and firm! Indicative: We all belong to the one house of God whose cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. Apostles are the foundation on whose faith this dwelling place is built 1. Saints Simon and Jude are celebrated on 28 October. These are two among the Twelve Apostles. Simon was an ex-zealot and Jude was a cousin of the Lord. The first thing to note is that among many disciples the twelve apostles were specially chosen and named as apostles. Thereupon, the apostles lived with him, were taught by him, and accompanied him. 2. In sum, they shared their entire life with him. They enjoyed personal intimacy with him. They were specially trained by him in wisdom and faith. They listened to him attentively. They were enlightened and guided. They were nourished and strengthened. 3. What marks them is while their master was alive with them physically, they witnessed his life and mission personally. After his death, they became witnesses to the same life and mission of their Lord. They were so touched by their master and empowered by the Holy Spirit that they bore witness to him even by their martyrdom. 4. Their faith and mission are our rich heritage. We are well built on the foundation of their faith. We are reminded that we are all fellow citizens in the same household of God. Jesus himself is the cornerstone. We can be sure that this spiritual structure will not crumble or collapse because it is God’s own structure built on the apostles. 5. Their life of faith and mission also indicates to us that we are also sharers of the rich legacy. We also shoulder the same mission of proclaiming God’s word and healing sicknesses, both the exterior and the interior. Imperative: We are also called and sent to continue the same mission of the apostles. We need to be powerful proclaimers and healers like the master and his apostles. But does power come out from us whenever we are on his mission?

29th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A 23

29th SUNDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTION ISAIAH 45.1,4-6; 1 THES 1.1-5b; MATTHEW 22.15-21 Focus: Uncompromisable! Indicative: In life, there are different duties and interests. But God remains the highest priority 1.      In today’s gospel, the disciples of the Pharisees and the Herodians pose a question to Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not”. Their intention was clearly malicious, so as to entrap Jesus in his speech. However, this brings to the fore a valid and existential challenge and struggle. 2.      One great problem of today’s life and lifestyle is the tension between secular concerns and spiritual concerns, between the world and God and between earth and heaven. Sadly, often this tension leads to conflict as well. 3.      The answer of Jesus is quite characteristic of his divine wisdom: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”. This indicates the right direction and action. This directive of Jesus makes clear some essentials for our life. 4.      First of all, one should not pose earthly duties and godly duties as opposites or mutually exclusive. They complement each other. True dutifulness comprises both aspects, the earthly and the heavenly. One’s fidelity and obedience to his legitimate duties and authorities can enhance his fidelity and obedience to his spiritual duties and God, and vice versa. 5.      Second, both extremes should be avoided. That is, in the name of fidelity to earthly duties, one should not fall into worldliness. On the other hand, in the name of spiritual duties, one should not fall into a shallow pietism. 6.      Both are defective. The former, the worldliness neglects and fails in the duties toward God and the higher concerns of life, the non-material and the after-life. Worldliness becomes too narrow, short-sighted and earth-bound, reducing life only to the temporary and temporal. It seeks happiness in fleeting pleasure and gratification. 7.      On the other hand, superficial pietism neglects one’s legitimate obligations toward family, society and responsibilities connected to work. It makes one evasive and non-committal leading to irresponsibility and escapism. 8.      There should be clarity and no confusion. Priority should be to God and the spiritual. They are non-negotiable and non-compromicable. No amount of temporal duties should make one lay aside one’s spiritual duties. Similarly, no allegiance to any human authorities should come in the way of one’s submission to God. 9.      Today, it is very saddening to note that God is pushed out of the lives of many. Many feel that they do not need God. They think that He is for the weak, the troubled, the poor, the needy and the irrational. Many presume themselves to be self-sufficient and autonomous. They try to manage their life without God. Today, “not to believe in God” has become a fashion and a sign of ultra-modernism. 10.  It may sound naïve or primitive spiritualism. But the truth is, most of the ills and evils of the present world are due to the “missing” of this God-element. We must realise that God is not an alien or an other-worldly super-being. 11.  True it is that there are some aberrations. There are some who domesticate God to some name or place. They reduce religion to some fanatical beliefs, rituals and norms. They hold to a spirituality that is irresponsible and uncommitted to one’s lawful duties. 12.  The truth is that true God is with man and for man. True religion is humane and humanitarian. True spirituality is profound and oriented to higher ideals, values and pursuits. Imperative: We ought to rediscover and rejuvenate the lost touch of God and spirituality. It is to live a life that includes “work of faith, the labour of love and endurance in hope”

28 th week days mass reflection of the year 23

16 - 21 OCTOBER 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 16 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 1. 1-7; LUKE 11. 29-32 Focus: Evil generation! Indicative: We are called by God with a singular mission of “bringing about the obedience of faith for the sake of Christ among all the nations” 1.      St Paul at the very beginning of his letter to the Romans clarifies certain essentials like his vocation, his identity, his mission, the ingredients and the aim of this mission, et cetera. It is Christ who grants the grace of vocation. It is a consecration, being set apart for a specific purpose. 2.      It is a call to belong to Christ and to be a servant of him. This is the vocation and identity. And this is for a mission, and that is to be an apostle, to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations. 3.       Accordingly, Paul is ever conscious of this call. He underwent a sincere and sacred experiment and experience of repentance and conversion. He is always open and docile to the dictates of his master. He is fully sensitive to sense every sign of God’s grace. He believes and experiences Christ as the supreme channel of grace and also as the greatest sign from God. 4.       But, in contrast, in the gospel, we find that Jesus’ own people reject him. The reason is, they lost the awareness of the sacredness of their call. They lost the sense of their identity as the chosen people of God. They lost sight of the dignity and duty of their mission, which is to be agents of faith among all the nations. They lost the spirit of repentance and conversion. 5.       In fact, all his miracles and healings were powerful signs of God’s power and caring intervention into their lives. All his preaching and teachings were effective signs of the assurance of God’s love and mercy. 6.       And he himself is the greatest and most authentic sign of God’s love and power. Yet, still, they demand signs. They refuse to believe in him. They do not accept him. They do not repent and convert themselves. Instead, they resist, they confront, they criticize and persecute him.   Imperative: Are we any different from the unbelieving Jews who do not trust Jesus but test him? They do not accept in openness but refuse in stubbornness. They do not surrender to God in humility but demand in arrogance. Are we also the “evil generation”? (Reflection 2) Focus: True knowledge should lead us to transparency and acceptance and not arrogance and rejection. False knowledge leads to false freedom, which is only a disguise of slavery to sin 1.      The people in Jesus’ time did not accept Jesus’ message because they did not recognize his true identity as the Son of God and Messiah. It is because they were arrogant and closed because of their presumptuous knowledge and familiarity concerning Jesus. 2.      They demanded to prove himself through miracles. They failed to understand that faith is essentially a matter of trust and experience and not a matter of proof. Miracles are only signs that indicate and authenticate the presence and power of God. 3.      They are meant to supplement one’s openness to believe and not to generate or guarantee faith. These people of Jesus’ time stand condemnable by the people of Nineveh who repented and were converted at Jonah’s wake-up call, and also by the queen of Sheba who travelled so far to witness Solomon’s wisdom. How foolish are these people not to respond to Jesus positively, who is greater than Jonah and Solomon? 4.      Jesus sternly addresses them as an evil generation.  They rightly deserve this harsh comment, because they do not repent and turn to the gift of faith in Jesus. Rather, they prefer to cling to the old slavery of heartless legalism and sin. Direction: A faith that depends only on signs and favours will very easily get disillusioned and fall into crisis. True faith never indulges in a deviating and destructive freedom 17 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 1. 16-25; LUKE 11. 37-41 Focus: Interiorly clean? Indicative: Openness to truth leads to acceptance in faith and that leads to life in righteousness and this leads to salvation 1.      In human life, there is always the tension between the exterior and the interior, the exterior purity, and the interior purity. In religious circles, this struggle often leads to conflict and dichotomy, which eventually leads to mutual exclusion. 2.       In simple details, it means that the external rituals and spiritual activities fail to foster inner purity. They are meant to cleanse a person’s heart and life. They are meant to make a person pure. 3.       But the sad thing is, very often the religious rituals and devotional practices fail to touch and change the interior. They remain only at the surface level. This was the real failure of the Pharisees and scribes. They cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but the inside is full of extortion and wickedness. The external ablutions are meant to indicate and induce interior purification. Just as the cup and dish are cleansed, so also our minds must be cleansed. 4.       All this contradiction and failure is due to the lack of deep faith. A deep faith implies an openness to truth, the truth of God and oneself. It is to realize God’s inalienable role in our life and a total belonging to him. 5.       It is to realize the futility and senselessness of our thinking and pursuits without due space for God. It is not to fall prey to lust and impurities. It is not to deify merely earthly and worldly and dethrone God. True faith includes righteousness. And faith without righteousness forfeits salvation.   Imperative: Knowing the truth and being truthful; Accepting in faith and remaining faithful, understanding the right, and becoming righteous are true signs of integrity. True integrity is a harmony of the exterior and interior purity (Reflection 2) Focus: Religious activities are not mere matters of practice, observance, and tradition but are to be means and expressions of an authentic heart and devotion 1.      As persons of faith, we certainly manifest our faith in performing some spiritual actions, devotions, laws, and precepts. It is a tangible way of expressing and living our spirit of faith. However, they cannot become cover-ups or substitutes for the lack of interior authenticity and purity or for the lack of a life of integrity. 2.      This is what happened in the case of many Jews of the time of Jesus and Paul. They were so strict about observing the law. But they did not realize that they were actually bound by it. Instead of growing in the freedom to love and serve, they became enslaved by what they themselves created. They were meticulous about circumcision of the flesh, but were they aware of circumcising their heart, cutting it off from the attachment to sin? 3.      Sadly, in the present times too, very often the exterior religious activities or obligations do not proceed from a genuine interior disposition. They also do not lead to a way of actions and life that are compatible with the spirit and purpose of these religious practices. 4.      Cleaning outside, whether of hands or cups and of the dish, as a religious precept is good, but what about cleaning inside? Almsgiving is good but what about cultivating a heart of sensitivity and charity? 5.      It is not so much a matter of conflict between the interior and the exterior. It is not a matter of disputing which is greater. It is more of a duty to live a life of harmony and integrity. It is to nurture a pure heart and manifest a good living in honesty and loyalty. Direction: A life of integrity that integrates a pure interior and a devout exterior is praiseworthy in God’s sight; they are not rivals or competitors but friends and mutual supporters 18 OCTOBER 2023: 2 TIM 4. 10-17b; LUKE 10. 1-9, ST LUKE, THE EVANGELIST Focus: Holistic Witness! Indicative: The Christian life is a constant call to bear witness in word and deed 1.      Today we celebrate the feast of St Luke. As we know, he is one of the four evangelists who authored Luke’s gospel and Acts of the Apostles. He was a companion to Paul on some missionary journey. He receives his knowledge of Jesus and imbibes his spirit from Paul. His gospel is not a mere story of Jesus about what he said and did. Rather it is a journey into the very person of Jesus and oriented to the destiny of heaven. 2.       Through numerous parables, Jesus is presented as the Lord of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. His gospel is known to be a gospel of the poor, of the Holy Spirit, of mercy and joy. These are not merely some dominant themes for knowledge but are indicators of God’s own nature. In them, we see what God is to us, how He is benevolently turned toward us, and how He intervenes in our lives. Thus, they are also directions for a profound experience. 3.       Further, they are also invitations and inspirations to dispose ourselves to God’s action. Thus, from our part, we are called “to be poor”, “to be open to and led by the Holy Spirit”, to repent and be converted to receive His mercy and forgiveness and to experience God’s own joy. 4.       This is how these themes become very strong and convincing. Another overwhelming theme is that God is the physician and the healer to cure wounded hearts. It is not this or that miracle of healing from different ailments. It is the fundamental healing from the infection of sin. It is a rediscovery and recapturing of the lost grace. 5.       St Luke experienced this abundance of grace and he bore witness to it through his mission and writing. His feast should be a summon for us to be witnesses to the Lord in word and deed.   Imperative: God’s love which is merciful and forgiving, heals us and fills us with the Holy Spirit and the end result is a joyful witness   (Reflection 2) Thrust: Called and responded! Indicative: To be faithful to our vocation is to live ever for the Lord and do his mission with selfless commitment   1.      18 October is the feast of Saint Luke, one of the four evangelists. He was a physician by profession. He accompanied Paul on some part of his missionary journey. His gospel is known for the touch of mercy and the joy of healing. The most treasured parables of forgiveness like the lost sheep and the prodigal son are found in Luke. 2.       The gospel text draws our attention to the sense of mission that filled and animated Luke himself. Some of the fundamentals of the mission can be picked up. First of all, the mission is the work of the Lord and not a private affair. It is he who appoints us and sends us. 3.       To work on his mission is to become worthy, hardworking, and faithful labourers in his harvest. It is an enormous task because the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. It is to be lambs among wolves. This implies that we should be prepared to confront the wickedness of the world but remain gentle and uncontaminated. 4.       It is to nurture a spirit of detachment, not clinging to material guarantees. For, our greatest equipment is God’s own power and spiritual abundance. It is to be focused on the Lord’s mission, and not get distracted or waste time in greetings and useless talking. There is no time to waste over trivials. 5.       Further, our mission is to be ambassadors of peace. It is to give healing to the sick and usher in God’s kingdom   Imperative: Mission is not only doing some activity. It is not even to be fully equated with ministry. It comprises the holistic life of a witness   19 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 3. 21-30; LUKE 11. 47-54 Focus: A perilous virus! Indicative: God is just and righteous. But this does not mean that He judges and condemns us heartlessly according to our sinfulness. His justice contains mercy!  1.      Jesus is never at home with hypocrisy. In today’s gospel, he exposes two other layers of hypocrisy, in direct reference to the scribes and lawyers. One is the “diversion technique”. The other is the “deviation technique”. The diversion technique simply means that they try to cover up a serious wrong with some pleasing external act. Concretely, it refers to their building beautiful tombs of those prophets whom their ancestors killed. 2.       It is not because they really honour those prophets or feel sorry for such murderous acts. It is also not because they want to do reparation for past sins. It is nothing but a diversion technique: they just want to divert the attention of the people from the gravity of the sin by the apparent honour. 3.       Their intentions and motives are clearly hypocritical. If they really honour the prophets, then why did they allow the killing of John the Baptist? If they honour the prophets, then why do they not accept and believe Jesus? 4.       The second trace of their hypocrisy is the deviation technique. Instead of using their knowledge to guide the people, they use it to twist the principles and misguide them. It is like closing the doors of the kingdom. They take away the key and thereby neither they enter nor they allow others to enter. 5.       But all this honest critique of Jesus leads to a totally opposite reaction and consequence. It should create in them a spirit of self-critique and self-discovery and repentance and thus conversion. Instead, they would become more stubborn in their self-righteousness, and hostile and malicious to provoke him and catch him at some wrong.   Imperative: Hypocrisy is a clever disguise for self-righteousness. Unless one tears off the garb of self-righteousness, and surrenders to God’s merciful righteousness in humility, one cannot receive God’s grace. (Reflection 2) Focus: Doing wrong is already bad. But hiding it, justifying it or glorifying it is worse. Doing bad is enough bad, but not tolerating anyone doing good, and not allowing them to do good, is the worst 1.      Jesus’ hard rebuke of hypocrisy continues. He exposes two more aspects of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. One is, “religiosizing” or “spiritualising” the killing of the prophets of the past by building monuments in their honour. 2.      Thereby they cleverly mitigate the gravity of the wrong. Another aspect of hypocrisy is: they become blocks and hindrances to the people entering the kingdom, instead of becoming guides and animators. 3.      Their knowledge should be like the key that opens up the door of the kingdom to the people. Instead, they use this key of knowledge to close the door and misguide the people. They themselves do not enter and even prevent others from entering. 4.       But very sadly, this rupturing of God’s eternal design continues even now. People in the name of religion can shamelessly become unholy and blameworthy. Even inhuman and selfish acts and behaviour can be spiritualised as a matter of religiosity. Knowledge and competence are often used, not as keys to open up a new society of love and peace, but as keys to shut the doors. Direction: Not walking the right way is serious enough. But misleading others in the wrong way is abominable. Blocking those who try to walk the right way, and persecuting them, is detestable 20 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 4. 1-8; LUKE 12. 1-7 Focus: Grace is gratuitous! Indicative: We must always bear in mind that grace and salvation are always gratuitous gifts of God. We can never claim them on the basis of our merit or performance. Faith and surrender is the only fitting attitude! 1.      Salvation is our destiny and grace is the way to attain it. And faith is the condition to obtain it. True faith reminds us that ultimately grace and salvation are God’s generous gifts that we do not merit or deserve. 2.       Therefore, it is not the works that make us righteous or bring us salvation. Abraham was counted righteous before God not so much for his works but for his faith. In fact, his righteous life, highlighted by his prompt readiness to sacrifice even his only son Isaac, is nothing but an authentic expression, a natural outflow, and a testimony of his profound faith. 3.       The Pharisees and scribes lost sight of this gratuitous nature of grace and salvation. They were so self-righteous as to think presumptuously that they merit and acquire grace and salvation due to their observance of the law and good works. They failed to understand that works without faith and surrender are shallow and superfluous. It is like flesh without life. 4.       This led them easily into legalism and hypocrisy. That is why, there was a sharp chasm between their intention and action, their heart and deed, their interior and exterior. This dichotomy is so contagious like “leaven”. The Lord warns us of this leaven of hypocrisy, so as not to be infected and vitiated by it. 5.       He indicates to us that hypocrisy may work for some time before men but not before God: ‘Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, it is better to live accountable toward God, rather than admirable before the world. 6.       That is why, Jesus exhorts us, not to fear the world that can only harm us externally or physically. Rather, fear God who has total control over our lives, and even our destiny of eternity. Besides, why fear when He takes deep personal care of each one of us? He who cares even little sparrows, He for whom even the hairs of our head are all numbered, will He not care us?   Imperative: Following the Lord is a strenuous task that will beset us with numerous trials and fearful experiences. But nothing to fear, because the Lord has total control over everything. He will steer the course of action and especially the end is with Him. (Reflection 2) Thrust: Destined for inheritance! Indicative: We are called and chosen for an eternal inheritance. Therefore, we must live worthy of our call, in trust and authenticity, shunning all hypocrisy and fear 1.      We are predestined according to God’s purpose. And this destiny is the inheritance of eternal life. This inheritance is obtained in Christ through the gospel of salvation by the promised Holy Spirit. Therefore we need to live a life that will make us worthy of this immeasurable inheritance. 2.       This prescribes a certain way of life with certain components. First, shun hypocrisy. This is compared to the leaven of the Pharisees. A little leaven can leaven the whole flour. In the same way, if we are not cautious, the leaven of hypocrisy that surrounds us can easily wrongly influence and change us adversely and negatively. 3.       The second norm: Fear God rather than the world. Many times many are afraid mostly for worldly reasons, concerning guarantees and securities. They are more worried about losing some benefit or facing suffering and even death. But Jesus exhorts us, “Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.” 4.       Rather fear Him who has the authority both to kill the mortal bodies as well as to cast them into hell. The point here is not the frightening and ruthless power of God to terminate our life and throw us into hell. It is rather the unsurpassable and benevolent reign of God over us. It refers more to our bonding and binding obligation of adherence to Him. 5.       Third norm: Let this fear be not something negative but a positive fear that springs from reverence and love. When there is love, there is a fear of offending that person; it is a fear of not doing anything that is contrary and displeasing to that person. It is a fear that comes from deep confidence in God’s magnanimous care for us. This becomes clear from Jesus’ words, “even the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”   Imperative: In a world that constantly besets us with many negative influences, there is every possibility and danger to be led astray. So let us remain firm and well-guided with fear of God and His strength 21 OCTOBER 2023: ROM 4. 13, 16-18; LUKE 12. 8-12 Focus: Disowning and disowned! Indicative: Those who see only with the eyes of the world cannot see beyond and cannot live beyond. But those who wear the optic of faith, will rise beyond the merely earthly and strive for the above 1.      Faith is essentially a matter of fidelity. Still, this fidelity is not only to some beliefs and truths. Much more, it is fidelity to the person of Christ. It is a personal love, loyalty, and commitment to his life and mission. 2.       Therefore, this faith makes us live a life of righteousness. Such a life constantly pushes us into situations of adversity and persecution. It is in such situations we need to profess our adherence to the Lord, and acknowledge him before all. 3.       This then calls us to be men of courage and hope: the courage to face the present ordeals with the hope for future glory, even hoping against hope. Our judgment and destiny depend on our extent of fidelity. If we acknowledge him now, we will be acknowledged for heaven then. 4.       But if we deny him now for fear or convenience, then we will be rejected. It is not that God is conditioned by our response. Rather, it implies that our life and our destiny depend on our freedom: it is we who are deciding and shaping our destiny here and now. 5.       In freedom, we are called to be fully open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We must cooperate with His plans and designs. We must allow Him to direct us. We must confide in his enlightenment and guidance. 6.       We must stand solid with the courage with which he emboldens us. It is in this sense that we must understand the words of Jesus in today’s gospel referring to the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ words that the Holy Spirit will teach us what we ought to speak in the face of opposition are understandable. 7.       But his words that “everyone who speaks against the Son of man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven” seem to be rather unclear and misleading. 8.       Does it mean that we can dishonour and reject Jesus but should not do so toward the Holy Spirit? Does it mean the sins against Jesus are lighter and are forgiven, while the sins against the Holy Spirit are serious and not forgivable? Is it making a difference between the Second and Third Persons of the Holy Trinity? 9.       I believe that such a doctrinal concern is not required now. Perhaps, what Jesus intends is: one may deny him as a human person and deny his powers in a human way. But one shall not deny the spiritual power and action of God, symbolized by the Holy Spirit. 10.   One shall not deny God’s power in the blind eagerness to deny human power. In their hostility toward Jesus, let those people not reject the very power of God working through him. Therefore, they should seriously discern whether they are opposing God Himself in opposing him.   Imperative: At times, due to our human weaknesses like jealousy, prejudice, and arrogance, we put ourselves directly against God. Let us not fail to accept and appreciate His spiritual power, His interventions, and His ways of assisting us (Reflection 2) Thrust: A faith that acknowledges! Indicative: A life of faith implies and summons us to be committed to what and to whom we believe 1.      We are living in a world where people tend to be non-committal. Even if they make a commitment, they do not want a long-term or life-long commitment. The mentality is “as long as it works,” as long as something is convenient and suited to my likes and needs. This affects all areas of life, whether it is marital, social, political, or economic. 2.       The same uncommitted mentality affects the religious or spiritual sphere as well. This is indicated by Jesus’ words in the gospel. He speaks of acknowledging him or denying him; bearing witness to him or evading any stand and risk. 3.       Jesus’ words make it clear that religion is not merely a matter of subscribing to some doctrines and traditions. Rather it is essentially a matter of living a way of life, a commitment to follow Jesus. It is a personal relationship and binding. However, it is not merely a private matter of loyalty to an individual Jesus. 4.       Rather, it is a commitment to the divine itself. In other words, committing to Jesus would imply committing to the presence and power of God itself. It is accepting and committing to the spiritual realm in human life. In this sense, true faith is a call to live a life that is not earth-bound and limited to the material and worldly. Rather, it is to live a Spirit-oriented life. 5.       This would imply in the light of the first reading to live according to the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. It is to have the eyes of our hearts enlightened, to know and inherit the riches of His glorious inheritance, to experience the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ. 6.       Understood in this way, denying and non-committing to the spiritual power of God will amount to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit itself. It is not a matter of denying the name of God but denying the very spiritual power and action of God in our lives.   Imperative: Many mistake religious adherence only as being bound to certain names of God or rituals. They forget that it is essentially a commitment to live in the spiritual realm, under the influence of the Holy Spirit  

28TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A 23

28th SUNDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2023, ISAIAH 25. 6-10A; PHILIPPHIANS 4. 12-14, 19-20; MATTHEW 22. 1-14 Focus: Super-nourished! Indicative: God always wants to feed and strengthen us with the choicest nourishment but it needs a willing and receptive response   1. Truly powerfully comforting and soul-soothing are the words about God in the first reading from prophet Isaiah. "The Lord God will wipe away tears from every face, He will remove the reproach of His people from the face of the earth. This is the Lord God for whom we looked. He has come and saved us".   2. Are these not words that assure and lift up our drooping spirits? He will feed us with the choicest food and drink and take away the veil of our sadness, He will grace us again with renewed dignity, He will liberate us from the snares and assaults of the evil one.   3.Certainly, in a struggling situation of want and deprivation, disgrace and shame, anxiety and sadness, entanglement and enslavement, this benevolent intervention of God which relieves and retrieves, is truly heart-embalming.   4. God wants constantly to raise us up, into a new realm of abundance, taste, honour, liberation and joy. Even though we are unworthy and undeserving, yet He treats us with so much respect and concern. He never ceases to invite us for the royal and sumptuous banquet, ever making us aware of its immensity and not-to-miss quality.   5. This banquet prepared by God can refer to the sacramental Eucharistic banquet of love and communion with God, to the fraternal banquet of unity and charity, and also to the eschatological banquet of eternal life. Thereby, we are ceaselessly called to feed ourselves on the Eucharistic Lord and to grow in deep intimacy and union with him. We are also called to nurture and foster the spirit of fraternal duty and joy. Further, we are also called to be ever conscious of our heavenly banquet and to strive hard to become sharers of its richness.   6. In response to such a lavish generosity of God, there can be different responses in the light of the gospel. First, there are some who evade and keep away from it. They give all lame excuses, which are often the worldly preoccupations and self-interests. Shrouded and blinded by the self-centred pursuits, they lose sight of the incomparable value of the royal banquet.   7. Secondly, there are some who not only not respond positively, but even violently react toward God's invitations and messages. They become malicious and pernicious, for no reason. Perhaps, the benevolence of God the King itself becomes irksome and disturbing for these, and so they resent and try to eliminate anything connected to God. They realise very little that it is no favour to God but for their own benefit. These are the ones who are so resentful and hostile toward the church or true religion and any spiritual activities or directives of God.   8. Finally, like the wedding guest without the wedding garment, there are those who take for granted God's rich offers, those who take light the immense value of the banquet of God's feed through numerous gifts and blessings. They are greatly blessed, finding entrance to the banquet hall. They enjoy the honours and privileges, of being shares of God's banquet of blessings. But they do not bother to put on the wedding garment.   9. Already they do not deserve that honour, which is mercifully bestowed by God. They completely forget their essential duty of trying to merit what is gifted to them unmeritedly. What they were before being privileged, is one thing. But what they should be after being honoured, is quite another thing. And the people of this category fail to note this essential difference, and fail to live up to their new honour.    10. This is exactly the case of all those followers of Jesus, whether they are authority, priests or religious or lay people. They do not live up to the new dignity, which is the wedding garment of holiness and benevolence. They do not try at all to merit what they are generously given without their merit    11. Rather, they continue as in the old. They are at a wedding without the wedding garment. They perform rituals of holiness without growing holy. They bless many without becoming blessed. They preach and instruct others, but without being touched and without practising. They guide others but themselves live misguided. They demand values from others but they themselves are without principles and values.   12. Where are we? How foolish we will be to forfeit God's grace and spiritual banquets, in preference to shallow interests and lesser gains! How sad it is that receiving God's messages incessantly, we continue resentful, negative, and hostile, aggressive, manipulative, and harmful? What a loss it is that we go about our sacred duties and treat our blessings and honours in a very casual and mediocre way,    Imperative: What an irony it is to be Enjoying the greatest privileges, but not trying at all to make oneself "fit" and "equipped" with the wedding garment of renewal and virtue! (Reflection 2) Focus: God always invites us to go to him, to experience his nearness and closeness, and to share in his banquet of love. It needs a willingness to respond to his invitation   1.      The scene of the wedding banquet in the gospel, Matthew 22. 1-14 represents the approach of our present society toward God. God, like the king in the story always invites us to be sharers in the joy of the wedding feast of his Son. Through His Son Jesus, He wants to rejuvenate our life. He offers salvation to all, and salvation is nothing but sharing God’s own joy. 2.      If sin has cast a veil of gloom over humanity, God wants to replace it with a wedding garment of joy and recharge. In general, life itself is the biggest banquet of God’s love and mercy, and also of fraternal sharing and joy. God continues to send His invitation for this celebration through various servants. These servants may be all the ways and means that channel us His grace. They may be in the form of the different spiritual and fraternal moments and activities of communion. They constantly try to motivate us, inspire us, illumine us, purify us, guide us, solidify and sanctify us. 3.      Nevertheless, the Holy Eucharist is the greatest banquet that is set before us. It stands for us as the immense fount of an abundance of new life through God’s own love, light, strength, and joy. And what is notable is He invites us even though we are unworthy and do not deserve it. 4.      But, sadly the responses to this divine invitation are often varied and negative. Many do not realize the value of this banquet. They are indifferent. They take it lightly. They are preoccupied with many worldly affairs and are engrossed in them. Some not only refuse to respond and share in God’s presence and fraternal communion but also directly oppose and do harm. 5.      And even with those who respond and are present also, there is no guarantee of a good disposition and heart. They may not bother to put on the wedding garment. They do not try to make themselves worthy participants.   Direction: What is our response to God’s unceasing invitation to celebrate life and the Holy Eucharistic banquet? Are we so much carried away by worldly pleasures and pressures that we forfeit the grace and joy of this celebration of communion with God and with others?