31st WEEK DAYS MASS REFLECTION 23

06 - 11 NOVEMBER 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS   06 NOVEMBER 2023: ROM 11. 29-36; LUKE 14. 12-14 Focus: Give without return! Indicative: There is an overriding spirit of receiving, grabbing, and profiting. The spirit of giving and sharing is declining 1.      We are dominated by a culture of calculation, accumulation, and manipulation. Behind every move and action in life, there is a pre-thought of estimating and evaluating the gain and the loss. Against such a mentality, today Jesus advocates the spirit of giving without expecting a return and repayment. 2.      He uses the simple metaphor of a dinner or banquet. It is quite normal that we invite our friends or relatives or who are important to us in terms of position or usefulness. There is always an element of expectation. It may not be always a material benefit but at least in terms of maintaining goodwill, and receiving recognition and appreciation. 3.      Here the point is not about whom to invite or not to invite. It is also not a directive to stop inviting all our near and dear ones. Rather, it is a call to purify our spirit of giving. Give selflessly without any self-interest. Give with real concern for the needs of others. Give with a genuine spirit of generosity and sharing. 4.      The reason for giving is not self-interest or self-orientation but is other-orientedness. The first reading makes this very clear. St Paul exhorts us: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit… Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others” 5.      At times we may also give or organise something in order to display our greatness, make a show, and good impressions. There can be an implicit feeling to show our importance. That is why St Paul reminds us, “In humility count others more significant than yourselves” Imperative: Let every action of ours proceed from a sincere love for Christ, and a fraternal spirit of accord and benevolence (Reflection 2) Focus: A good is meritorious when is done without expecting any return   1.      Jesus is truly radical and those who follow him also must be radical. Jesus proposes today, not to invite for a meal any friends or relatives or wealthy people but the poor and the low-rated. This is really challenging and looks impractical. 2.      In fact, many do not do it. Two reasons stand out: the fear of breaching the social customs, traditions and conventions and the deep human tendency to expect returns. Many times these two factors hinder so much in following the right and doing the good, even though we know it and even want to do it. 3.      We do not want to lose the good impressions and we want to satisfy ourselves by a return. St Charles Borromeo chose the unconventional road, standing firm in reforming the church during the counter-reformation. Direction: Do good, not because you need it for impression or recognition or return; rather because others need it and it does good to them   07 NOVEMBER 2023: ROM 12. 5-16ab; LUKE 14. 15-24 Focus: The grace of God is ever available. But we9 shall be deprived of it if we take it for granted and do not respond   1.      Belongingness is our essential nature. It is twofold, to God and one another. This idea of inseparable belongingness and communion is forcefully brought out through the metaphor of the body and its parts in the first reading. 2.      We are many but are all one Body in Christ. So essentially we are connected to the one and the same Body and at the same time also connected to one another. As one Body, it is one grace given gratuitously to each one of us. God is always merciful and generous.  He never ceases to offer His grace in abundance. He gives different gifts. 3.      As recipients of His abundant grace, we need to be fully responsible, receptive, cooperative,  intensely fervent and committed concerning these differing gifts. Whether it is prophecy, ministry or teaching, everyone must act to the full extent in proportion to the grace given. 4.      Lack of receptivity and active implementation will result in a just judgment by God. This dialectic of the divine offer and human response is vividly presented in the parable of a wedding banquet in the gospel. 5.      God wants to nurture us and treat us royally with a banquet. He goes on inviting us to be in His presence and relish its richness in various ways through frequent opportunities. But as it is the typical tendency, often selfless benevolence and generosity are not duly valued and appreciated for their worth. 6.      We are so engrossed in our worldly affairs and preoccupations that we fail to respond positively and cooperate actively to God's grace. We have plenty of excuses for why we cannot go to His presence and sit with Him. 7.      So foolishly we misjudge our priorities and neglect God's voice and closeness. We do not realize how precious is the treasure we are forfeiting. The time will come when we will be rejected and stand dejected.   Imperative: In fact, it is not God who excludes us from the reign of His presence and blessings but we ourselves deliberately keep ourselves out   08 NOVEMBER 2023: ROM 13. 8-10; LUKE 14. 25-33 Focus: Discipleship is dear! Indicative: Following Jesus and being a disciple of him is not an easy task. The cost of discipleship is high. It demands a spirit of total detachment and commitment 1.      Jesus draws our attention to the cost of discipleship. There may be cheap disciples but the discipleship is never cheap. It is costly in the sense of being precious and strenuous as well. It is not for namesake or fun sake or convenience sake. It is for the sake of him who loves us so much and calls us to love him and follow him in his life and mission. 2.       For a true disciple, to love his Lord and master is the greatest and the highest priority. Nothing or no one must come on his way. Even one’s own family members, however dear and close they are, cannot take the place of God. One should be ready even to detach himself from his family if it obstructs his attachment to the Lord. One must even hate his family if they run contrary to his love for the Lord. 3.       Thus, following the Lord demands a wholehearted detachment. It is threefold: detachment from one’s own family, from money and material possessions, and from one’s own life. Often, family attachments, and excessive attachment to one’s life and the material things constrain, reduce and even substitute the attachment to the Lord. 4.       Instead, we must cultivate a personal attachment to the Lord; an attachment to the one spiritual family of God’s children; a striving for the true riches, the spiritual riches, of which love is the greatest; and love for eternal life, even to the extent of death. 5.       Following the Lord is like building a tower. Building a tower needs meticulous planning, discerning, and pursuing. In the same way, discipleship cannot be a casual matter. It must be well-reflected, well-discerned, and well-pursued. Further, it is like going to war. It needs thorough preparation, both by training and by a sufficient army. Imperative: How sad it is that many disciples are not aware of the cost of discipleship! They easily and conveniently lose sight of the requirements to live it. Discipleship is not cheap but dignified. (Reflection 2) Focus: Detachment is the essential condition for discipleship   1.      Discipleship is a free gift from God, in the sense that He extends His call irrespectively with no discrimination. However, One who adheres to His call must also fit himself for the new venture. 2.      Topmost priority to Jesus, unconditional love for him, unflinching zeal and commitment to His mission are the indispensable traits of a true disciple. 3.      But these are possible only when one is prepared to be totally detached from one's self and from one's family. In fact, these two are the greatest areas which a person holds so dear and precious and is deeply attached. 4.      The issue is not the good or bad of family attachments but an unreserved and unrestricted love and attachment to Jesus. Excess love for family and self will be real hindrances to the "freedom" and "unconditionality" of loyalty, demanded by discipleship.   Direction: Discipleship is not a fun, not a part-time enterprise but a serious lifelong commitment which needs to estimate the cost and be duly prepared   09 NOVEMBER 2023: EZEK 47. 1-2, 8-9, 12; 1 COR 3. 9c-11, 16-17; JOHN 2. 13-22, Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Focus: Rekindle the fire of the sacred! Indicative: In a modern culture that is intensely ridden by secularity and profanity, we need to resurge the sense of the sacred 1.      09 November marks the anniversary of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the Mother and Head of all churches. This holy occasion calls us to turn our attention to the temple and holiness. All three readings point to this aspect. The temple of God is a holy place and we should conduct ourselves with reverence and dignity. 2.       The first reading from Ezekiel through the symbolism of temple water indicates the greatness of the temple. It is the source of the water of God’s grace that enlivens, refreshes, nourishes, and heals everything it comes across. 3.       Thus, the temple is not merely a place of worship, a place where we perform some religious ceremonies and activities. It is much more than that. It is the ambience of divine presence, guidance, and empowerment. 4.       The temple is primarily where God reigns in all His holiness and greatness. Therefore, every time we are in the temple, we must experience this atmosphere of sacredness. Today, in the name of socialization or involvement, our churches seem to be reduced to gathering halls, function halls, cultural centres, stage management shows, et cetera. 5.       Any such move that reduces the sense of the holy displeases God. It may invite the same wrath of God as in the case of Jesus cleansing the temple. The temple also signifies our own person, in the light of the second reading from 1 Corinthians 3. 9-11, 16-17. We must be always conscious that we ourselves are the holy temples of God because we carry His own image and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. 6.       Therefore, all the traces of impurity and unholiness, wickedness, and negativities are nothing but desecration of the human temple of God. And all commotion and noise, all acts of commercialization, and mere socialization of our churches are turning the house of prayer into centres of trade.   Imperative: Loss of the sense of the sacred is not only a matter that pertains to religion. It leads to the loss of the basic sense of dignity and reverence toward life and human persons themselves. (Reflection 2)  Thrust: Sense of the Holy! Indicative: The Temple is a holy ambience of God’s special presence and grace. It is different from other places and times by its sense of holiness and serenity 1.      Today we are living in a dominant culture of externality and pomposity. There is a decline in the sense of interiority and simplicity. Consequently, we see huge churches with so much decoration and beauty. No doubt that the holy place of God must be splendid and elegant because the God of glory dwells there. 2.       But what is essential is not the beauty or decoration or splendour or pomp. All these externals must help to create an ambience of devotion and prayer. Temple should evoke in those present a sense of the holy, the nearness of God, God’s assurance and comfort, His light and guidance, His nourishment and strength, His direction and serenity, and also unity and fraternity. 3.       The prophet Ezekiel indicates this divine presence and action through the symbolism of the temple water. It has the efficacious power to refresh, enliven, nourish and heal. 4.       Therefore, our temples should be not only magnificent structures and huge spaces for the animation of some ceremonies and organisation of some events and celebrations. Much more they should be abodes of unity, surrender, and serenity, and springs of strength and renewal of souls and relationships. 5.       A serious question tag hangs around us about the sacredness of our churches and temples. It is not untruth that at times our churches become “houses of trade”. There is a lot of noise and commotion. 6.       Market values and Business spirit seem to reign there. Many go to church and go away without even an ounce of difference and change. They just mechanically go through the motions. They take care that nothing touches them. 7.       Perhaps the reason is given in the first reading. We have lost the sense of interiority and personal sanctity. Many have lost sight of the truth that “we are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in us.” Many fail to look into this interior castle of God and abode of sanctity. It is these personal temples that make the one community of God’s temple. Imperative: We need to reawaken this triple sanctity of the temple, the community, and the human person. When our communities and each of us become more holy, our temples become truly houses of God 10 NOVEMBER 2023: ROM 15. 14-21; LUKE 16. 1-8   Focus: Diligent for eternity!  Indicative: Our earthly is temporary and so it has limited durability. There is destiny and the destination of eternal life. Therefore, there is a compulsory moment of departure from the earth and a day of reckoning and judgment 1.      In the gospel, Jesus speaks of a dishonest steward who gets dismissed from his stewardship because of his mismanagement. On his dismissal, he manipulates the accounts of the debtors, reducing the measures of what they owe to pay. He favours them so that he can be favoured by them in his bad times. Strangely, the master praises this steward. 2.       Here let one not pick up the wrong message that dishonesty, deception, and manipulation are justified and appreciated. Not at all! One cannot expect that from Jesus. He may condone weakness and incompetence but never fraud and unaccountability. 3.       What is complimented and made imitable is not his dishonesty but his foresightedness. He is so well-prepared to meet his future. He does not sit back to lament and curse over his dismissal and the consequent misery. Immediately, he jumps into action. He has a vision and plans about how to face his impending difficult situations. 4.       If that steward is so far-sighted, foresighted, and well-prepared for a temporary future, how much more we must be clear-sighted and well-prepared to encounter our eternal future? If he is so shrewd about mere earthly riches, how much more we must be wise and discerning regarding our heavenly riches? 5.       If he is so judicious in dealing with material goods and accumulating them for a short future, how much more we should be assiduous in piling up spiritual goods for an unending eternity? If he made use of the temporal goods to do favour to others and to win their favour, how much do we make use of our various resources to do good to others? 6.       In contrast to this dishonest steward in the gospel, we have an honest steward in the person of Paul in the first reading. He is an authentic, faithful, and committed steward. He is ever conscious of his special vocation and mission, gifted by God. 7.       That is to be “a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God”. Unlike the dishonest steward, Paul feels every reason “to be proud of his work for God”. Imperative: In a world where there is so much dishonesty and manipulation concerning material things, we need to recapture the spirit of a responsible and accountable steward. We shall not have reason to face disgrace from the master!  (Reflection 2) Thrust: Lay up treasures! Indicative: Often short-sightedness in life leads to short-term goals and shortcuts. The remedy is to be far-sighted and strive for what is more lasting 1.      Many suffer from shortsight. They do not have long-term vision and higher goals. Even if some have goals, they may be worldly, in terms of material progress or social upcoming. Thus, there is no guarantee of the quality of the goals. 2.      Accordingly, many do not also bother much about the fairness of the means they employ to achieve their goals. They easily follow shortcuts and are guided by deceit and manipulation. In this context, through the example of a dishonest steward, Jesus drives home to us the need for foresight, and focus on our eternal destiny. 3.      Apparently what is praised is the dishonesty of the steward. He was dismissed because of his mismanagement. But he ensures a secure future by manipulating and reducing accounts of the debtors in their favour and winning their favour. But actually what is praised is his shrewdness and farsightedness. 4.      This foresight includes certain components. They are namely, promptness to jump into action without being bogged down by his ousting;  his focus and concern for a secure future; awareness of his own inability to work hard or to beg; sharp thinking and planning to meet the uncertain and insecure future. 5.      If the dishonest manager was so focused and prepared regarding his temporal future, how much more we should be focused and prepared concerning our eternal destiny? How easily do we neglect the essential and eternal in preference to the secondary or unworthy interests and pursuits? Imperative: Leaving aside the foresight of the manager, do we also succumb to false means and manipulative methods to ensure our safety and security?   11 NOVEMBER 2023: ROM 16. 3-9, 16, 22-27; LUKE 16. 9-15   Focus: To be worthy is to be trustworthy! Indicative: Dishonesty may bring quick gains but it is ruinous and abominable in the sight of God. Honesty and fidelity alone are the hallmarks of a true follower of Christ 1.      We are living in a world where dishonesty and deception, greed and accumulation, manipulation and corruption have become the norms of life and order of the day. These false values are not only tolerated and accepted but even justified and glorified. On the other hand, honesty, moderation, and generosity are looked down upon as signs of incompetence and lack of worldly wisdom. 2.       It is in such a context Jesus once again insists on fidelity. It is not merely adherence to certain religious precepts or practices. True fidelity comprises the whole life and affects the whole person. 3.       A man of fidelity is essentially an honest person. He is honest in whatever is entrusted to him. He does not fail the trust of his master. Whether big thing or small thing, his only concern is to be transparent and accountable before his master. 4.       Fidelity implies wisdom and discernment. A man of fidelity discerns wisely the value and use of earthly and material things and riches. He makes use of them for doing good and for gaining heavenly riches. The material things do not blur his vision but help him to see their positive worth. 5.       This is what is implied when Jesus says, “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon”. By no means it means that we should acquire money unrighteously and use it to win friends. The point here is that we should use even worldly things for the sake of doing good to others. 6.       Further, our attitude toward money is never that of love and slavery. Money and things are never to be loved. They are to be used for need and good. There is no question of serving them. Rather, they should serve our good purposes. 7.       When we begin to love and serve money and material things, we become lovers and servants of them. But we are lovers and servants of God. Therefore, our love and service pertain only to Him and to the good of others. In the name of being intelligent and tactful, many serve both God and money. They fall to compromises. It is nothing but infidelity and doublemindedness.   Imperative: The lovers of money may justify themselves before men; they may please and win them by a deceptive use of it. But God knows their hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Reflection 2) Thrust: Win friends! Indicative: Fidelity is a value that is on the decline. Not many take it seriously. The simple reason is that it brings no visible or practical gains 1.      Greed is one root cause of many evils. It leads to dishonesty, deception, and corrosion of all right values and relationships. Money and material well-being are good. But the excessive craving for them and attachment to them is pernicious. They rupture the goodness of the heart and the genuineness and beauty of relationships. 2.      One who is greedy becomes a slave to the very things for which he is the master. Wealth and material things are kept at our disposal so that we make use of them for good purposes. They are meant to serve and help others. They are never for self-interests or wrong pleasures. 3.      Our main focus is God, spirituality, and eternity. Our binding values must be honesty and fidelity. Jesus clearly cautions us to guard ourselves against the spirit of avarice and accumulation. Greed is an untold slavery and undignified servitude. It breaches our holy servantship to God. It makes us neglect our striving for true, spiritual, heavenly riches. 4.      The material riches and possessions in themselves are not wrong. Having them in itself is not sinful. But the way they are acquired, the purpose for which they are used, and the effect of them where they lead us – these are very important. 5.      If deceptive means are employed to acquire them, if they are used for unworthy pleasures, self-glory, and suppression of others, and if they make one arrogant and manipulative, then they are very destructive. 6.      As St Paul testifies in his letter to the Phillippians (Phil 4.10-19), we must always cultivate a spirit of contentment and moderation in all situations. How convincingly he attests: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Imperative: Let us constantly nurture the spirit and culture of honesty and fidelity, contentment, and moderation. It will make us increase our heavenly riches and acceptable in God’s sight