34th WEEK DAYS MASS REFLECTION 23

27 NOVEMBER - 02 DECEMBER 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 27 NOVEMBER 2023: DAN 1. 1-6, 8-20; LUKE 21. 1-4 Focus: Give without measure! Indicative: Giving may be considered as loss and deprivation in the sight of the world. But in the sight of God, every act of giving is gaining God’s favour and abundant riches 1.      Many do not want to give because they think it reduces what they have. They feel deprived of what they can enjoy for themselves. For them, every act of giving is a loss, reduction and deprivation. That is why many are driven by a spirit of grabbing and accumulating. This is truly a culture of greed and manipulation. 2.      In contrast to such a culture, we have an imitable example of a poor widow in the gospel. In comparison to the other rich people, she gives very little to the temple treasury – just two copper coins. As number and quantity, it is very insignificant and ignorable. But it comes from an abundant heart, out of the abundance of love, trust, joy and generosity. 3.      In the first reading from Daniel also, we have a similar story in the case of Daniel along with his three companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They demonstrate the same spirit of giving. It is not merely a matter of giving something. It is much more. 4.      It is a self-giving to God. They give themselves to God in faith and surrender. They give their loyalty to God. Even in slavery under a pagan king, they did not give up their trust and obedience to God’s ordinances. We are told that they resolved not to defile themselves with the food or the drink of the king. 5.      Apparently and practically, every giving will cause some inconvenience and loss. The poor widow loses her means of sustenance, her security for tomorrow. The four young men lose their chance to enjoy rich food, to become strong and fit. They had to content themselves with mere vegetables. They also stood the danger of penalty for defying the king’s order. But their selfless giving with faith in God pleases God and is rewarded. 6.      The poor woman merits appreciation by Jesus himself. And the four youths are given surpassing wisdom, understanding, learning and skill. They win the king’s favour. They become beneficial and exemplary for others. They will become later the channels of testimony to Yahweh, the true God, before the pagans. Imperative: Those who are greedy and self-centered and refuse to give, do not realize what an immense grace of God they are losing. The more we give, the more we will be given (Reflection 2) Focus: The humble and the generous are specially loved, blessed and recompensed by God. It is better to win God’s favour rather than the human’s 1.      The world may consider the humble and the benevolent people as foolish imbeciles who do not understand the ways of the world, who do not keep pace with the times, and who are not smart enough to make a prosperous life. 2.      The reason is simple: they are a contrast to those of the world, and their values are quite in contrast to those of the world. They are a contradiction, a question mark, and a stumbling block by their culture of giving, sacrificing, and altruism, to a world steeped in a culture of grabbing, hoarding, and self-profiting. 3.      But only such people are pleasing to God and they are truly appreciated by Him. The poor widow in the gospel is one such. She is a great testimony of a culture of giving – giving lovingly, trustingly, willingly, promptly, totally, generously, cheerfully, magnanimously, and humbly. 4.      With the simplest love for God and deep trust in His providential care, she gives away the whole of what she has. She does not keep back anything. She gives in full measure and gives so joyfully. She gives without making a show. 5.      Can she prick us a little bit to awaken from our deep-rooted selfishness and indifference? Can she inspire us a little bit to resist our greed and grabbing nature and become a little more generous and sharing?   Direction: It is not the quantity or the position of giving that matters but the disposition and quality of heart.   28 NOVEMBER 2023: DANIEL 2. 31-45; LUKE 21. 5-1 Focus: Be not deceived! Indicative: Worldly glories and human accomplishments may stand tall and great for some time. They may bring honour and popularity for a while. But nothing of these will stand long 1.      The temple of Jerusalem was a symbol of pride for all the Jews for its splendour and magnificence. But all this vanished as it was destroyed in 70 AD. No glory and grandeur could spare it from the destruction. This is a stark indicator to all of us about the transience of anything worldly. Everything of this world and earth will pass away. It is futile and foolish to place our trust in them and seek glory from them. 2.      The Jews pride themselves as the chosen people, as people of God and people of the temple. They forget the fact that it is not their race or the temple or city or their law or rich heritage that makes them great before God. Nothing of these would be guarantees to obtain God’s grace. Nothing of these would come to rescue in time of trial. Ultimately it is only fidelity to God and walking in His ways. 3.      This is the same message that is conveyed through Daniel’s interpretation of the king’s dream. All the earthly kingdoms based on human power and ability will be destroyed. But the kingdom that is set up by God shall never be destroyed. This is the messianic kingdom, the kingdom of God, the reign of God. 4.      Therefore, in the face of such perishability and passability of worldly things, what must be our response? Firstly, to take heed not to be led astray by worldly pomp and glory. Secondly, not to go after false prophets and false teachings. Thirdly, not to be frightened by disastrous events like wars, tumults, earthquakes, famines and pestilences. Fourthly, to be firm and persevering in living our life faithfully. Imperative: Let us not bother too much about when will be the end, or what will be the signs of the end. Rather let us be more concerned about living a life that is worthy of meeting the end (Reflection 2) Thrust: Beware of the times! Indicative: The end times are sure to come. We need to become aware of their nature and get prepared 1.       Today’s readings focus on the theme of “time”, especially the end times, before-the-end times, that is the present time and after-the-end times, that is the time of reckoning, judgment of reward, or punishment. End times are sure to come. But what kind? What will happen at the end times? How is it characterized? 2.       First of all, the end times will be “testing” times. Those who are faithful to God will be put to test and trial. They will be hated, persecuted, and delivered to prison, even by their own families. The end time will be “chaotic and destructive” times. Divisions, wars and tumults, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences will increase. Human pride and glory especially in their mighty structures and achievements of splendour and pomp will be brought low. 3.       The end times will be “misleading” times. These are times that falsify things, distort the truth, and deceive and lead astray. The Lord himself warns: “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he’, and ‘the time is at hand!’. It is deception concerning self-claims of self-glory and future predictions. 4.       How should we respond to these times? What should be our response concerning these end times? First of all, a sense of “Awareness”: We must be aware that there will be end times. Be aware that the end is bound to happen. Do not take things and life for granted. 5.       Then, “do not be led astray.” Do not go after false promises, assurances, and predictions. Do not be deceived by empty rewards. Do not confide in the earthly glories and successes and do not be carried away by them. Do not lose sight of the perishability of earthly and human pride. 6.       “Do not be terrified” and lose heart at the adversities and afflictions. Rather confide in God’s protection and care, guidance, and power. Then what will be after the end times? There will be a time of divine judgment and reckoning.   Imperative: If only we become wise not to place our excessive trust in material glories and not to be led astray but confide in God and live a life of witness, we will be truly rewarded with eternity   29 NOVEMBER 2023: DAN 5. 1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-29; LUKE 21. 12-19 Focus: Put to test but not lost! Indicative: Fidelity to truth and to the Lord will certainly bring a lot of opposition and persecution upon those who stand for truth and God. But it is worth standing! 1.      Following Christ and his values is not an easy task. It will invite many adversities and afflictions. For that matter, anyone who stands for God and good will come across suffering and persecution. The simple reason is a world whose values are shallow and compromising cannot accept such contrasts and challenges. 2.      The same will be the fate of the disciples of Christ. If they are truly faithful to their master, then they too will have the same fate as their master – opposition, persecution, trial, and death. In the gospel, Jesus predicts what would befall his disciples because of their fidelity. They will be unjustly opposed, arrested, put to trial and persecuted. They will be betrayed even by their own family and even put to death. 3.      People of the world turn and rise against the people of God. A sample of this we see in the first reading. King Belshazzar along with his household and a number of his lords commits a sacrilege by drinking from the holy vessels of the temple of Jerusalem. He has lifted himself against the Lord of heaven. They have praised the gods of silver and gold, etc. while they do not honour the true God in whose hand is all breath and all our ways. 4.      Similarly, there are many who divinize the merely earthly and the worldly. They desecrate and profane the sacred. They do not honour and adhere to the true God but pose themselves against Him. Naturally, these cause trouble for the true followers. 5.      In such times, what must the followers do? Do not be disturbed or waver in your minds. But trust and confide in God’s minute care because “not a hair of our head will perish”. Besides, He will supply the wisdom to confront and defeat the enemy. Endure to the end. Be convinced of the just judgment of God. 6.      As in the case of the king, there will be for sure a “writing on the wall” against all who do evil. The same words of judgment, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin” will apply to every evil-minded. God numbers the days of every evil kingdom and brings it to an end. Evil people are weighed in the balances and found wanting. Their kingdom, that is all that they possess and hold dear will be dispersed. Imperative: The times of suffering and persecution are not fighting a losing battle. It is indeed an opportune time to bear testimony to our faith and love for the Lord (Reflection 2) Thrust: Nothing to fear! Indicative: It is wise that we remain aware of the hard and challenging times in the journey of our faith and goodness. Adversities and afflictions are bound to confront us. But no need to be panicky 1.      The Word of God always invites us to be men and women of faith, to remain firm and steadfast. But it makes no false promises and assurances in the sense that faith will be a shield against any difficulty. The Lord himself shatters all such false guarantees. These give the wrong impression that if you have faith, you will escape the wrath. 2.      In fact, the Lord warns us that the more we are faithful, the more we will face opposition, and go through suffering and persecution. There will be rejection and abandonment by our own people. These are truly the testing and trying times. But we need not be frightened or lose heart. We need not be preoccupied and overanxious as to how to face such a situation. 3.      Rather, let us place our entire trust in God and abandon ourselves to Him. Let us confide in his assurance, “I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Let us rest assured in his protective care that “not a hair of your head will perish.” 4.      Let us be people filled with holy hope that endows us with a positive and higher perspective. We shall not sink into despair or hopelessness. But we shall look at all these as “our opportunity to bear witness.” We shall remember that gold is tested in the fire to prove its purity. In the same way, the strength and the quality of faith and faithfulness are tested in the crucible of suffering and perseverance. 5.      Let us also be charged and encouraged by the hope in the reward of eternity. The Lord promises, “By your endurance, you will gain your lives.” Let us be sure that if we conquer the beast (of evil) as in the first reading, we too will sing the song of the Lamb, in his heavenly presence. Imperative: Our endurance will be our witness and for sure it will bring us eternal rewarķ 30 NOVEMBER 2023: ROMANS 10. 9-18; MATTHEW 4. 18-22, ST ANDREW Focus: Called to follow! Indicative: Whom God calls, how and when, and where He calls may be different. But why He calls is very clear. It is to follow Him and win souls for God 1.      Today we feast on St Andrew, one of the Twelve Apostles. He was a fisherman and the brother of Simon Peter. Jesus called him while he was fishing, saying, “Follow me, I will make you fishers of souls”. There is both the purpose and the end effect of his call. 2.      The purpose is to follow the Lord intimately in his footsteps. He would live with the Lord, share the same space, table, and mission, and spend time together. He would listen to his master, learn from him and grow through his teaching and guidance. 3.       Then, there is also the consequence of this purpose. It is fishing souls for God. It is bringing people closer to God. It is making people be touched and transformed by God. It is doing the work of God Himself who is the supreme fisherman of human souls, the greatest attracter and inducer of humans to merge with the divine. 4.       It is because they share the same life that He gifts to them. Sin has alienated them from God’s paradise of eternal communion. Sin has thrown them into an immense sea where they feel totally entrapped and immersed; where they find no way out. 5.       It is in such a sinful situation of lack of relation and direction toward God and others, the Lord chooses Andrew to reset the lost bond and restore the lost grace. Thus, following the Lord and fishing the souls is not merely becoming disciples and doing some evangelisation. It is an intimate and radical sharing in God’s own eternal duty and commitment. 6.       Andrew along with the others called, promptly responds to this divine plan. Perhaps for sure, he might have not understood the full implications of that call. But what is appreciable is his promptness to accept the call. Thereupon he renounces all that belongs to him and clings to Jesus. It was not for a few days or a few years. It was a life-long following and mission. 7.       This life-long apostleship is sealed by a personal relationship. And this relationship is marked by depth, constancy, intimacy, loyalty, and commitment. All these are soaked into a passionate love for the master, which goes to the extent of dying for him.   Direction: Every celebration of a saint and all the more that of an Apostle like Andrew must remind us that ultimately our call is a relationship with God that is deep and intimate and a commitment to His mission that is committed and self-offering.  (Reflection 2) Indicative: God calls us anywhere or at any time. Especially He may call us in our own ordinary situations, amidst our normal duties. What is important is that we hear and receive his call 1.      30 November marks the feast of St Andrew, the brother of St Peter, and one of the Twelve Apostles. He was called directly by the Lord to follow him. He left everything and lived with 2.       One first thing to note is that Jesus called him while he was on his usual duty of fishing. There was no specially created situation. There was no special ambience of prayer or silence. From this, we can understand that God’s call can come to us anywhere and at any time. 3.       We need not wait for special or specific moments. Especially his voice may call out to us while we are engaged in our normal duties. This calls us then to be attentive and alert so that we can see him, hear his voice and respond to him. We may miss him if we wait only for special occasions. 4.       His call is a call for something higher. It is no more fishing of fish but fishing of souls. His dignity is raised. He is elevated to a new way of life. A profit-oriented profession turns into a selfless vocation. Working for livelihood changes into working for life in eternity. Family concerns give way to the concerns of the larger family of God, the kingdom of God. 5.       His response to Jesus’ call to follow him is very prompt and radical as well. There was no delay or hesitation. There was no process of discernment. Jesus just calls him, “Follow me,” and immediately he follows him. 6.       What is further worth-noting is the spirit of renunciation and detachment. He leaves the nets, the family, the house, and all that is dear and precious. He does not carry them with him. He decisively parts with all that is old and is willing to plunge into a new way of life. There is nothing that he clings to or is attached to. 7.       The gospel of John (John 1. 35-42) depicts a different story of his call. He was a former disciple of John of the Baptist. As John the Baptist points to Jesus passing by, “Look, here is the Lamb of God,” he immediately begins to follow him. Jesus turns to him and asks him, “What are you looking for?” 8.       Andrew responds with another question, “Where do you stay?” Jesus invites him, “Come and see.” He goes, sees, and stays with him that night. It was not just a casual stay as a guest. Something profound and dramatic happens. He experiences Jesus personally as the Messiah. That is why he brings his brother Peter to Jesus, telling him, “We have found the Messiah.” 9.       Here too, though the external details vary, the essentials are similar. His call begins with an initial search for Jesus’place (‘where’). But it turns into a life-changing experience of the person (‘Messiah’). His allegiance changes. He already shares the effect of his following Jesus by leading Peter too to the same Lord.   Imperative: God always calls us for a higher purpose. That is the same as the Apostles’. It is to become fishers of souls. For this, we need to decisively part with the old ways and attachments and securities. We need to launch upon a new and radical way of life in following Jesus 01 DECEMBER 2023: DAN 7. 2-14; LUKE 21. 29-33 Focus: End is near! Indicative: Problems and persecutions, terrors and destruction may cause some fear and worry. But as children of God and followers of Christ, they shall not shake our faith or throw us into dissipation 1.      No one’s life is easy and all pleasant. Every life will have its own tales of worry and grief. All the more, the strange logic of life in this world is those who are on the side of God and good will certainly suffer. It is the cost of the high and godly. It is the price that is to be paid. 2.      On the other hand, life on earth is also beset with a lot of unfavourable and adverse natural reversals and happenings. Different explanations may be given. Most of the human suffering like poverty, dehumanization, etc. may be due to human wickedness and selfishness. 3.      Most of the natural suffering caused by natural calamities may be partly due to the human upsetting of the environmental balance and harmony. However, suffering remains always a mystery that cannot be fully grasped. 4.      Whatever the cause of suffering, suffering is a reality. For a follower of Christ, suffering for his faith and for the sake of the good of others is always an opportunity to persevere in patience and hopefulness. Adverse situations do not mean that evil dominates God and good. They are testing grounds. They are indicators that “the kingdom of God is near”. 5.      The victory of evil and the defeat of good are only temporary. For, as we hear Daniel in the first reading, “To him belongs all dominion, glory and kingdom; all peoples, nations and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom is one that shall not be destroyed”. 6.      “Heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will not pass away”. Therefore, when all these adverse things happen, understand that it is all part of the process. Just as the fig tree’s different stages show the different seasons, so also all the occurrences in life are pointers toward the kingdom of God. Imperative: The negative and unfavourable experiences in life shall not distract or distort us from God and His kingdom. Rather, they work as timely triggers that press our attention on our destiny (Reflection 2)   Thrust: Newness adorned! Indicative: Suffering and Destruction are unpleasant, undesirable, and frightening. But we can look beyond them as a threshold for newness7 and eternity of life 1.      Death and life are quite evident realities in our human life. Life ends when death comes. Thus death marks the end of life. This is the natural human reality. But for us believers and followers of Christ, it is a totally different perspective. Death is not a complete cessation of life but a continuation of life in a different way and form. 2.      Death is the point of transition and passage from one kind of life to another. Life changes but continues. Death is the bridge where one walks from temporal earthly existence to the eternal heavenly presence. 3.      Death is the point of movement from temporality to eternity, from perishability to imperishability, from the physical to the spiritual realm, and from the earthly domain to the heavenly domain.  This movement and transition happen at God’s judgment. At death, all are subject to divine judgment. 4.      Thus death becomes the decisive moment for one’s destiny, either redemption and eternal bliss, or damnation and eternal hell. There is no point here in arguing about why God can condemn some to eternal hell without any mercy. The issue here is that “each one is judged according to what they have done” on this earth. The book of life will be opened and heaven or hell is decided based on name or no name in the book. 5.      Numberless opportunities are given to everyone. So many signs and indications are provided to us to understand and accordingly take proper actions. Just as the fig tree and other trees begin to grow and bear fruit according to the season, so also we must continue to flourish and fructify progressively. 6.      We are able to read and know and interpret the seasons. In the same way, we must be attentive and alert to understand the message and cautions of the times. We must know that all these signs indicate that the kingdom of God is near. We shall not be stuck up with the adverse turns and destructive elements in life. Rather we shall focus on what is beyond. 7.      Beyond destruction, there is reconstruction. Beyond the darkness, there is perpetual light. Beyond defeat, there is victory. Beyond failure, there is a success. Beyond suffering, there is glory. Beyond sadness, there is joy. All the testing and difficult times are an orientation and an opening to “a new heaven and a new earth.” Imperative: No difficulties and afflictions in life should take away the joy of our hope in the future things. We must be firmly convinced of our eternal destiny. There is life in heaven that never ends after the life that ends on earth 02 DECEMBER 2023: DAN 7. 15-27; LUKE 21. 34-36   Focus: Viligant and diligent! Indicative: Perishability is a bounden truth of earthly human life. Everything that is earthly will perish and pass. Only God and His kingdom remain!   1.      It is really ironic that the human brain that is able to see, calculate, and plan for centuries ahead, fails to see beyond its own death. He who achieves much does not remember much that all that is physical and material is perishable. 2.      Consequently, often man engrosses himself in what is on earth. He becomes so earth-bound and life becomes so short-sighted. In Jesus’ own words, “hearts get weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life”. 3.      These words of Jesus mean a lot. There is a warning to guard against the danger of making our hearts heavy and burdened with worthless weights. There is an invitation to make our hearts light getting rid of all unnecessary loads. Jesus is also very clear about what makes us weighed down. He lists out three main factors: dissipation, drunkenness and cares of this life. 4.      Jesus is very practical and realistic. He knows very well that these often make our lives joyless and burdensome. We often fall into bouts of dissatisfaction, discouragement, emptiness and depression. There is also an increasing drink-culture. 5.      However, drunkenness can be understood as a comfort and pleasure-seeking culture and can indicate an easy-going and compromising life. It is being “drunk with worldliness”. And then there is always the trap of over-anxiety about the preoccupations, pursuits and interests of the world. 6.      What then is the remedy? Be constantly aware that the end is sure but sudden and unexpected. Therefore, be prepared. Watch at all times. Pray ceaselessly to become strong to stand firm, and to stand worthy before the judgment of God.   Imperative: Watchfulness and prayerfulness in faithfulness and goodness are the antidotes for a worrisome life amidst the pulls of pleasures and pressures   (Reflection 2)   Thrust: Get ready! Indicative: Behold, the Lord is coming soon. Therefore, be prepared and ready so that we are not caught unawares and shocked 1.      We have a series of admonitions from Jesus. They concern our preparation to meet the end times and God’s judgment. The day of judgment and reckoning will be sudden and unexpected. It will come like a trap. It will spare no one and none can escape it. 2.      Therefore there should be a fitting preparation. How? We must follow three main directives: Be watchful. Be awake. Pray at all times. Many times many get entangled with the affairs of the world. Their hearts become weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and cares of this life. 3.      This implies unnecessary worries and tensions that dissipate us, pleasures and gratifications that keep us drunk and blurred, and unworthy worldly affairs and pursuits that deviate and divert our focus. 4.      This is exactly the situation of a defocused and harmful “immersion” of which Jesus warns us in the gospel. He cautions: Don’t immerse yourselves in a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares. 5.      The danger and the undesirable consequence is that we will be caught unawares like a trap, before God on the day of judgment. To counteract this destructive immersion, what is needed is a constructive “inversion” into God. This implies to be ever attentive and on guard, to be ever watchful and praying. 6.      Our watchfulness and praying will guard us against such harmful leanings. They will keep our hearts light, sober, and unpreoccupied. They will give us the strength not to succumb and fall prey to such temptations and negative pressures. They will make us stand worthy before the Lord. Imperative: What a foolishness it is that man loses one whole eternity for the sake of a fraction of temporality, that he loses the immensity of bliss in exchange for a shallow pleasure!