01-6th January 24

01 - 06 January 2024: holy Mass reflections 01 JANUARY 2024: NUMBERS 6. 22-27; GALATIANS 4. 4-7; LUKE 2. 16-21, NEW YEAR, MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD   Focus: Grateful and Faithful! Indicative: The New Year that we step in opens up for us new avenues with new hope and assurance, with renewed confidence and courage, for God is with us 1.      We are stepping into another new year 2024. At these first moments of the new year, let us first warm ourselves with a warm sentiment of gratitude for the whole of the last year. No doubt that it had its own woes and struggles. But it shall not blind us to the positive and the blessings. 2.       There are very many things to thank God and others for. The experiences of God’s protection, care, love, guidance, nourishment, and power that gave us the taste of success, satisfaction, joy, and strength have been constant and deep. 3.       The experiences of the goodness of others through concern and support are too numerous. We have many reasons to be grateful. The very fact that we are able to celebrate this New Year is a clear sign of God’s blessing. 4.       Of course, we want to be realistic. The New Year is not a magical rod that will vanquish all the fears and problems. It would be foolish to think so. Most of the same old challenges and burdens will travel into the New Year as well. But, what makes the difference is when we carry God also into the New Year along with all these 5.       At the threshold of this New Year, we are assured of God’s company and blessing. We hear in the first reading from the book of Numbers, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace”. 6.       This blessing by God is symbolized by celebrating the naming of Jesus and the Motherhood of Mary. Thereby we are assured that the New Year will be blessed because we are sealed and shielded by the powerful name of Jesus. 7.       We shall march forward and surge ahead because we walk in his holy name and under his sacred tutelage. The name and the power of Jesus shall be our identity, our guide, and direction, our weapon, and our security. 8.       Further, we are entrusted to the motherhood of Mary. All our New Year shall be specially mothered by her. She will take care of us with a mother’s tenderness. She will direct us closer to her divine Son. She will obtain forgiveness for our faults and wrongs. She will obtain for us the needed graces to live authentically and fruitfully.   Imperative: All that is needed to experience the newness of life in the New Year 2024 is to be constantly aware of the dignity of our vocation as the sons and daughters of God, to find him in the manger of our hearts and surrender our lives to the holy name of Jesus and the sweet mothering of Mary (Reflection 2) Thrust: Newness with new breath! Indicative: We enter another New Year. Anything new brings a lot of excitement and freshness. And we have every reason   1.      At last, we made it. We could step into another New Year. We could sail over storms and strong winds. We could cut across mountain-like boundaries and barriers. We could walk ahead along the rugged and hindered road. We reached the new shore, the new station 2024. 2.       The very fact that we have made it despite the fears, challenges, uncertainties, and vicissitudes, is a thing to rejoice about. That we are able to see the dawn of a new year in the history of our life, is something great and worth-celebrating. 3.      At this point, I place before you a few indicators for our journey 2024: Gratitude, Certitude, Plenitude, Rectitude, and Beatitude. The entry into the new year must well up within us a deep sense of gratitude to God. It is only because of His love, care, mercy, light, and power that we are in 2024. 4.       How right is the psalmist in Psalm 227: If the Lord does not build the house, in vain the labourers labour. If the Lord does not guard, in vain the guards keep vigil. Yes, if the mercy of God does not flow on us, in vain will all our efforts and plans be. 5.       So we shall thank God and we shall remain ever grateful to Him all through. Along with God, let us also be thankful to every person who accompanied us along the journey of 2023. There are so many that directly or indirectly supported us, sustained our steps, and strengthened our efforts in one way or another. 6.       The more we nurture a grateful spirit, the more life will be joyful. Because gratitude is not merely a matter of listing the favours received or great things enjoyed. Real gratitude is a blend of faith, love, and hope. 7.       One can be grateful to God because he believes in God, trusts in His goodness, and cultivates faith in good. A faithless heart can never be grateful because it does not see and recognise the good. 8.       One becomes grateful because he sees with love. He sees the presence and action of love. He sees the power and effect of love. Experiences of love lead to real gratitude. Gratitude is nothing but rejoicing over the beauty of love. 9.       A grateful heart is also deeply hopeful. Hope renews our aspirations and expectations, dreams and ambitions. Hope instils new vision, vistas, and horizons. Hope commits us to new efforts, new initiatives, and new challenges. Hope recharges us with new vigour and energies. 10.   Thus, true hope is something divine and lofty. It is not merely wishing good and aspiring high. Hope is essentially a benevolent spirit that perseveres and travels ahead and beyond. So true gratitude arises only because of such hopefulness. 11.   Then, the new year becomes new because of certitude. True it is that problems and difficulties will not totally disappear. Fears and worries will not completely leave us. But certitude leads us ahead. We are sure and certain that God will never abandon us. 12.   In the light of today’s naming of Jesus and the motherhood of Mary, we are sealed in the most sacred name of Jesus. We are safe and secure in his powerful name. No harm or evil can befall us and knock us off because we are entrusted to the divine maternity of Mary. We are assured of God’s grace. 13.   New Year is new because of the plenitude and plentitude of blessings. That is what the first reading from the book of Numbers proclaims and promises. Evil may abound but grace will superabound. Fears may assai but confidence will prevail. Failures may pull us down but successes will raise us up. 14.   Disappointments may trouble us but reinforcements will console us. Darkness may surround us but rays of light will abound around us. Falsities may frighten us but truth will lighten and enlighten us. Confusions may blur us but clarity and insight of the Spirit will clear our path. resentments and hatred may distress us but love and compassion will redress and fortress us. 15.   Aggression and violence may knock us down but meekness and tolerance will unlock the streams of peace and serenity. Selfishness may strike us hard but selfless generosity will hike us aboard. Pride and arrogance may throw us down but humility and magnanimity will row us up. Anger and fury may disturb our spirits but patience and gentleness will give us superb solace. 16.   New year is a call for a new life of rectitude. Think right, speak night, act right. Then all will be alright. Then life will turn into a beatitude for others. We not only give blessings to others. Rather, we ourselves will become blessings to others.   Imperative: With genuine gratitude, selfless surrender, and undying hopefulness, we shall walk ahead, sheltered under the wings of the sacred name of Jesus and the motherhood of Mary.   02 JANUARY 2024, 1 JOHN 2. 22-29; JOHN 1. 19-28   Focus: Nothing shall deceive us! Indicative: The world will always try in different ways to deceive us and distance us from God   1.        The temptations never vanish or diminish. They are ever prevalent and try to prevail over us. They try to deceive and detract us in subtle and disguised ways. Often the temptation for ego- ego-projection and self-glory is very strong. 2.      This is what confronted John the Baptist as well. There was a clear alluring possibility to present himself as the awaited Messiah. The people were already impressed by him and were quite disposed to accept him as the Messiah. 3.      He resists and overcomes this bait for self-glory. In all honesty and humility, he denies such presumptions. He truthfully confirms his role as the messenger and precursor who announces and prepares the way of the Lord. 4.      The same is our situation as well. Unceasingly, we are also surrounded by many deceptive forces. They discard the truth, disguise the lie as truth, and mislead us into the wrong. The remedy to resist and overcome these pressures is to constantly abide in him, to be regenerated by him. 5.      This consists in cultivating a deep spirit of humility. This does not put on airs. This is not puffed up. This seeks not undue comfort and self-glory. Rather, we should strive to do right, because that is the real way of being born of God.   Imperative: As long as we remain in God, nothing can deceive us. Being easily deceived is a clear sign that we are not truthful, and not strongly rooted in truth   (Reflection 2) Thrust: Humility and Honesty! Indicative: The world will always try in different ways to deceive us and deviate us from God and truth. In such a context, let us be convinced that as long as we remain in God, nothing can deceive us.   1.      We live in a world that is prone to lie, falsity and wrong. It is resentful and resistant toward truth and right. It constantly assails us and allures us with many temptations. They try to deceive and detract us in subtle and disguised ways. Often the temptation for ego- projection, and self-glory is very strong. 2.      This is what confronted John the Baptist as well. There was a clear alluring possibility to present himself as the awaited Messiah. The people were already impressed by him and were quite disposed to accept him as the Messiah. Thus it was a bright prospect for him to enjoy cheap popularity. 3.      But he resists and overcomes this bait for self-glory. He stands before us as a noble example of humility and honesty. In all honesty and humility, he denies such presumptions and truthfully confirms his role as the messenger and precursor who announces and prepares the way of the Lord. He identifies himself as the mere voice of a messenger in the desert. He confesses that he is not worthy to untie the sandal strap of the Messiah. 4.      What a difference and example! Many desperately seek recognition and popularity. They will try every possible means even false and wrong to become and stay popular. But here is one who is riding on popularity but who is humble, honest, and courageous enough to deny the false identities and present his real identity. 5.      Even though he knows that he may lose his fame and importance, he discards the false garbs. It is because he is clear and convinced that being truthful is more important than being important. Believe in the truth, abide in him and do what is right - this is the simple route to a  faithful life. This was his identity and mission!   Imperative:  What is really important is to be truthful and faithful, and this is possible only by being humble and docile. This is the only and the right way to be great and important   03 JANUARY 2024: 1 JOHN 2. 29 – 3.6; JOHN 1. 29-34   Focus: Know and Testify! Indicative: Those who know God and experience Him, will see Him. Those who see Him will become like Him. Those who become like Him will testify about Him   1.      John the Baptist knows and proclaims Jesus as the "Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world". He sees him as the Son of God Who is come to save the world. And he bears witness to him as the Lord and Master. 2.      Today, we too are specially called by God to become living testimonies for God. We need to personally know Him and see Him. We need to become "light to the nations", showing the Lord and leading many to Him. 3.      Here we note that to know God is not merely intellectual. To see God is not merely perceptual or empirical. The world glorifies itself in its magnitude of knowledge. But the true and highest knowledge is to know God and the height of knowledge of God is to belong to him intimately. 4.      Therefore, all such knowledge that is prone to alienate us from God, which is prone to sin and bears no testimony to God's love and power, is only empty knowledge and even evil and harmful. We can testify to the Lord effectively to the extent we ourselves personally and deeply know him and see him, and commit ourselves to show him to many and lead them to him. 5.      It implies a profound personal familiarity and connectivity with God in terms of an intimate inseparable relationship. This makes us passionately rooted in God and unflinchingly loyal to Him. 6.      This sets us to accompany others, to enlighten and guide them. This is further to lead them constantly to the same intimacy and relationship with the Lord. This mission and commitment do not stop with a mere personal closeness and relationship with God. 7.      It also sets us on a journey of following God's ways and values. Concretely, it means to part with sin resolutely,  to live righteously like God's children who know him, love him, and live his life, and to bear testimony to him, as did John the Baptist.   Imperative: Let us not content and pride ourselves with a magnitude of knowledge but be intent and stride on the rectitude of life. The more we are with God and closer to Him, the more we will be like him.   04 JANUARY 2024: 1 JOHN 3. 7-10; JOHN 1. 35-42   Focus: What are you Looking for? Indicative: There is a frantic search in the life of many. But many are not clear and sure of what they are searching for. We need a searching and attentive spirit to discover God's presence.   1.      John the Baptist knew Jesus to be the Lamb of God who carries the whole burden of sin in humanity. Accordingly, he directs the attention of two of his disciples to Jesus. Here in him, we see a true leader and guide. 2.      He could dispossess even his own followers. He does not keep his followers vehemently as his own possession but rightfully guides them to the greatest source of life. In the light of the first reading, he does not deceive them as the awaited Messiah. As one who practises righteousness, he leads them to the Righteous One. 3.      Immediately, the two disciples leave him and follow Jesus. It is not an act of instability or defection in disloyalty, as found abundantly in today's many followers. Rather, it shows their spirit of search for what is true and higher. 4.      They were not such followers who blindly clung to John the Baptist. They would also not easily desert their loyalty with self-interested calculations. They just want to discover personally who is Jesus. They have the openness and eagerness to set themselves in search of him. 5.      They stay with him and experience him. They discover something profound. They discover the Messiah in Jesus. Their search was meaningful and successful. They found what they were searching for. In fact, they find more than what they wanted to find. 6.      They wanted to know where Jesus was staying. But they experience the person with whom they stayed. It is more than a discovery of a place or the whereabouts of a great man. This is a deeper transition and journey. Their experience goes beyond the place to the person. 7.      Still, they do not stop there. Those who truly and personally experience Jesus cannot but share it with others. They share the same experience with others and bring them also to Jesus. Andrew brings his brother Peter also to the Lord.   Imperative: True loyalty is never a blind adherence to anything lower and false but a willing search and commitment to the higher and the true. For a follower of Christ, the highest discovery is the Lord himself 05 JANUARY 2024: 1 JOHN 3. 11-21; JOHN 1. 43-51   Focus: Love and Live! Indicative: Those who love, live by God’s own life. Love is life-giving and life-saving. Hatred is life-destroying. Therefore those who hate, do not live in God and they are dead 1.      Jesus calls Philip, “Follow me”, and he follows him. The following of Jesus is like a burning fire that spreads its heat to others also. So Philip finds Nathanael and shares with him that he has found the Messiah, awaited and foretold by the prophets. It is Jesus of Nazareth. 2.      Nathanael does not hide his apprehension, stating, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Still, at the invitation of Philip, “Come and see”, he proceeds to meet Jesus. Here we can appreciate the openness of Nathanael. He is not clung to or closed within his preconceived idea about the Messiah. 3.      This is already an essential ingredient of faith. Such openness can come only from a heart without duplicity and guile. At the encounter with Jesus, this is the compliment he receives from Jesus, “Here is a child of Israel in whom there is no malice”. Indeed, the biggest and the best compliment that one can receive and that too from Jesus. 4.      The encounter is not a casual meeting. It becomes transformative. Nathanael confesses his total faith in Jesus, saying, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel”. He too becomes a disciple of Christ. 5.      Encounter with Jesus and personal experience of him cannot but transform the person. For that transformation, a guileless heart becomes a pre-requisite. And loving others becomes the effect and fruit of it. This is a quite valid process and journey. 6.      In love, Jesus died for our sake and gave us life. Therefore, whoever believes and loves Jesus will certainly have his life. This life will manifest itself in sharing the same love and life with others. One cannot love Jesus and live in him but remain without loving others. Those who hate others are destroying the life of Christ and thus they become murderers. Imperative: The beauty of Christian faith and devotion is that it necessarily leads to charity and dedication concerning others. In fact, love for others becomes even the proof and testimony of faith in Christ. 06 JANUARY 2024: 1 JOHN 5.5-13; MARK 1.7-11 Focus: One who believes, overcomes! Indicative: God is life and He shares this life with us at our creation. He continues to give us His life by re-creating us through the mission and paschal mystery of His Son   1.      God gives us eternal life and this life is in His Son. Whoever believes and abides in the Son will obtain this life. To give us this life, the Son shares our human life becoming one of us. The eternal God takes upon himself the temporary human flesh. 2.      The incarnation of His only Son is an authentic indicative of God’s condescending love for us and His eternal plan of salvation. This is an essential tenet of faith to believe in: the Son of God has incarnated himself as Jesus of Nazareth in the human womb of the virgin Mary. 3.      As John attests in the first reading, God Himself bears testimony to this truth. Wherever God steps in, it gets transformed. His sharing in our humanity is not a limitation or restriction on the infinitude of his divinity. 4.      The very fact that he subjects himself to time and space is not an imperfection. Rather, it shows his perfection to make himself part of the imperfection without losing his intrinsic perfection. Therefore, humanity does not limit or take away the identity, power and sanctity of Jesus. 5.      This is what is attested by both John the Baptist and the Father Himself in the gospel. John the Baptist declares that the power of Jesus is far-surpassing his because he is the eternal God. He pre-existed even before his earthly appearance. 6.      Further, just because Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus is not inferior to him. John the Baptist baptizes with water but Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Still further, the Father bears testimony to Jesus at his baptism, confirming, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased”. 7.      This then is the whole content of our faith and testimony: God gives us eternal life through His only Son Jesus Christ. We can receive this through our faith in Jesus and faithfulness to this faith through bearing testimony to him.   Imperative: We are destined for life in eternity. We have access to this through the incarnation of the   Son of God. And we will possess this life when we believe him and live in him          

NEW YEAR VIGIL MASS and MARY MOTHER OF GOD 24

STEPPING INTO THE NEW YEAR 2024 (31 DECEMBER 2023 – NIGHT MASS)   Focus: Focused and Renewed! Indicative: The graced life of Christmas is a constant invitation to live in a state of grace which is in contrast to a life of vice and evil. It is a call to be pro-Christ and for Christ and not antichrist   1.      One more year is finishing and slipping into the past calendar. At the end of the year 2023, many may be in the mood of recollection of the past and planning for the future. Yes, it is a double-edged mood: recollection leading to reconstruction, review leading to renewal. 2.      We shall recollect past memories and situations. It is not to regret or lament over past lapses, mistakes or failures. But it is to learn from past defects and deficiencies to grow into a better future. 3.      Perhaps it has been another hard year after the brunt of the pandemic. Perhaps, we have not yet completely recovered from our bitter and painful, failed and deprived, frightening and worrisome experiences. 4.      The reasons to be sad and upset seem to be more than those to rejoice and be calm. The spirit of joy and peace that Christmas promises does not seem to make sense in the lives of many. 5.      But, the ending of 2023 and the beginning of the new year 2024 shall reignite our dulled spirits. Nothing, however sad or bad, painful or lamentable, unpleasant and unfavourable, shall strike down our energy and zest for life. 6.      Why? The sole reason is God. The birth of Christ is not a past, bygone event. Christ who was born on Christmas day, continues to live in the new year. He walks into our journey of the new year. The Word who became flesh dwells among us, fully of grace and truth. 7.      We are reminded again that He gives us the power to become the children of God through the gift of faith. He is the Word of God, the communication of God with us, the medium through which God reveals himself to us. 8.      He is the life that becomes the light of all. He is the Light that enlightens everyone. This light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. He is the light that enlightens everyone. From his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. We all know the truth. We have been anointed by the Holy One. 9.      Therefore, we have better and more valid reasons to rejoice than to grumble and blame. The blessings and the spiritual success we experience count more than all the troubles and losses put together. Nothing shall keep low our soaring spirits. Let our review of the past help us to renew our present to build a better future.   Imperative: At the closure of the outgoing year 2023, let our prime focus be on guarding ourselves and witnessing to the Lord against antichrists. Accepting the truth and light and walking in their path shall be our fitting turning point in the year to come   (Reflection 2)   Thrust: Last hour but not lost! Indicative: We are at the end of the current year and the threshold of a new year. This shall not be a time of remorse and regret, nor shall it be a time of fear and cynicality   1.      We are on the last day of 2023 and toward the beginning of 2023. This is a contrast: the “last” and the “beginning”. In fact, we have this dialectic in today’s readings. In the first reading, we have the mention of the “last hour”, and then in the gospel, we have the mention of the “beginning". 2.       This contrast can indicate to us what we should resolve in these last hours for the coming year. As the first reading states, surely in our times too, “many antichrists have come”. Many who have been with us, went out of us. 3.       It does not refer merely to human relationships and friendships. This is mainly a matter of clinging to a genuine relationship with God and others. It is a matter of being faithful to godly and humane values. 4.       The last hour refers to a constant existential situation of struggle and battle between the godly and the ungodly, the spiritual and the unspiritual, and the new and the old. Therefore, end the old year with a sincere review and evaluation of our fidelity to Christ. Have we been on the side of Christ? Have we tended to fall among antichrists? 5.       In the light of this healthy self-check, we need to resolve to “begin anew”. Start afresh. We remind ourselves that we start the new year with Christ born for us. We have his light that will illumine our whole journey, all our paths. 6.       Let one thought continue to stir and guide us: Am I, are we - For Christ, or against Christ? In Christ or out of Christ? Near to Christ or Far from Christ? Lighted by Christ? Darkened without Christ? Born of Christ or dead, away from Christ? Anointed by Christ or tainted by the evil one? Knowing Christ or Ignorant of Christ? Experiencing Christ or being indifferent to Christ?   Imperative: He was in the world but the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. He is in me and amid us. But do I know and receive him?   01 JANUARY 2024: NUMBERS 6. 22-27; GALATIANS 4. 4-7; LUKE 2. 16-21, NEW YEAR, MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD   Focus: Grateful and Faithful! Indicative: The New Year that we step in opens up for us new avenues with new hope and assurance, with renewed confidence and courage, for God is with us 1.      We are stepping into another new year 2024. At these first moments of the new year, let us first warm ourselves with a warm sentiment of gratitude for the whole of the last year. No doubt that it had its own woes and struggles. But it shall not blind us to the positive and the blessings. 2.       There are very many things to thank God and others for. The experiences of God’s protection, care, love, guidance, nourishment, and power that gave us the taste of success, satisfaction, joy, and strength have been constant and deep. 3.       The experiences of the goodness of others through concern and support are too numerous. We have many reasons to be grateful. The very fact that we are able to celebrate this New Year is a clear sign of God’s blessing. 4.       Of course, we want to be realistic. The New Year is not a magical rod that will vanquish all the fears and problems. It would be foolish to think so. Most of the same old challenges and burdens will travel into the New Year as well. But, what makes the difference is when we carry God also into the New Year along with all these 5.       At the threshold of this New Year, we are assured of God’s company and blessing. We hear in the first reading from the book of Numbers, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace”. 6.       This blessing by God is symbolized by celebrating the naming of Jesus and the Motherhood of Mary. Thereby we are assured that the New Year will be blessed because we are sealed and shielded by the powerful name of Jesus. 7.       We shall march forward and surge ahead because we walk in his holy name and under his sacred tutelage. The name and the power of Jesus shall be our identity, our guide, and direction, our weapon, and our security. 8.       Further, we are entrusted to the motherhood of Mary. All our New Year shall be specially mothered by her. She will take care of us with a mother’s tenderness. She will direct us closer to her divine Son. She will obtain forgiveness for our faults and wrongs. She will obtain for us the needed graces to live authentically and fruitfully.   Imperative: All that is needed to experience the newness of life in the New Year 2024 is to be constantly aware of the dignity of our vocation as the sons and daughters of God, to find him in the manger of our hearts and surrender our lives to the holy name of Jesus and the sweet mothering of Mary (Reflection 2) Thrust: Newness with new breath! Indicative: We enter another New Year. Anything new brings a lot of excitement and freshness. And we have every reason   1.      At last, we made it. We could step into another New Year. We could sail over storms and strong winds. We could cut across mountain-like boundaries and barriers. We could walk ahead along the rugged and hindered road. We reached the new shore, the new station 2024. 2.       The very fact that we have made it despite the fears, challenges, uncertainties, and vicissitudes, is a thing to rejoice about. That we are able to see the dawn of a new year in the history of our life, is something great and worth-celebrating. 3.      At this point, I place before you a few indicators for our journey 2024: Gratitude, Certitude, Plenitude, Rectitude, and Beatitude. The entry into the new year must well up within us a deep sense of gratitude to God. It is only because of His love, care, mercy, light, and power that we are in 2024. 4.       How right is the psalmist in Psalm 227: If the Lord does not build the house, in vain the labourers labour. If the Lord does not guard, in vain the guards keep vigil. Yes, if the mercy of God does not flow on us, in vain will all our efforts and plans be. 5.       So we shall thank God and we shall remain ever grateful to Him all through. Along with God, let us also be thankful to every person who accompanied us along the journey of 2023. There are so many that directly or indirectly supported us, sustained our steps, and strengthened our efforts in one way or another. 6.       The more we nurture a grateful spirit, the more life will be joyful. Because gratitude is not merely a matter of listing the favours received or great things enjoyed. Real gratitude is a blend of faith, love, and hope. 7.       One can be grateful to God because he believes in God, trusts in His goodness, and cultivates faith in good. A faithless heart can never be grateful because it does not see and recognise the good. 8.       One becomes grateful because he sees with love. He sees the presence and action of love. He sees the power and effect of love. Experiences of love lead to real gratitude. Gratitude is nothing but rejoicing over the beauty of love. 9.       A grateful heart is also deeply hopeful. Hope renews our aspirations and expectations, dreams and ambitions. Hope instils new vision, vistas, and horizons. Hope commits us to new efforts, new initiatives, and new challenges. Hope recharges us with new vigour and energies. 10.   Thus, true hope is something divine and lofty. It is not merely wishing good and aspiring high. Hope is essentially a benevolent spirit that perseveres and travels ahead and beyond. So true gratitude arises only because of such hopefulness. 11.   Then, the new year becomes new because of certitude. True it is that problems and difficulties will not totally disappear. Fears and worries will not completely leave us. But certitude leads us ahead. We are sure and certain that God will never abandon us. 12.   In the light of today’s naming of Jesus and the motherhood of Mary, we are sealed in the most sacred name of Jesus. We are safe and secure in his powerful name. No harm or evil can befall us and knock us off because we are entrusted to the divine maternity of Mary. We are assured of God’s grace. 13.   New Year is new because of the plenitude and plentitude of blessings. That is what the first reading from the book of Numbers proclaims and promises. Evil may abound but grace will superabound. Fears may assai but confidence will prevail. Failures may pull us down but successes will raise us up. 14.   Disappointments may trouble us but reinforcements will console us. Darkness may surround us but rays of light will abound around us. Falsities may frighten us but truth will lighten and enlighten us. Confusions may blur us but clarity and insight of the Spirit will clear our path. resentments and hatred may distress us but love and compassion will redress and fortress us. 15.   Aggression and violence may knock us down but meekness and tolerance will unlock the streams of peace and serenity. Selfishness may strike us hard but selfless generosity will hike us aboard. Pride and arrogance may throw us down but humility and magnanimity will row us up. Anger and fury may disturb our spirits but patience and gentleness will give us superb solace. 16.   New year is a call for a new life of rectitude. Think right, speak night, act right. Then all will be alright. Then life will turn into a beatitude for others. We not only give blessings to others. Rather, we ourselves will become blessings to others.   Imperative: With genuine gratitude, selfless surrender, and undying hopefulness, we shall walk ahead, sheltered under the wings of the sacred name of Jesus and the motherhood of Mary.    

HOLY FAMILY FEAST 23

HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2023 Focus: Christ grows in family! Indicative: The holy family is model for every faithful family. A family that resembles the holy family will be the abode of joy and peace 1. The immediate Sunday after the holy Christmas is the Holy Family Sunday. Is it a clear indication that the Saviour who is born on earth, must be born in every family, and must be nurtured and taken care by every family? 2. Christ must grow day after day in every family. Christ must “live” in every family, and those greatest Christmas gifts of hope, light and joy must continue to “incarnate” in every family. Every family takes the place of the holy family, and every family can be a holy family, in so far as it embodies the same values and disseminates the same ambience. 3. Our reflection on Holy Family is simple and focused: what does the Holy Family teach the families of today? First of all, how lovely it is to think that the Holy Family perfectly represents the holistic nature of God: paternity, maternity and fraternity. 4. Yes, God is fatherly, motherly, and brotherly, each represented by Joseph, Mary and Jesus. The love between the Father and the Spirit “generates” and “nurtures” the Son, and so also the holy love between Joseph and Mary “regenerates” and “fosters” the son Jesus. 5. Thus, the Holy Family resembles this divine nature, and represents the divine face. Accordingly, in Joseph, we see the fatherly care, guardianship and owning up responsibility for the family, for Mary and Jesus. In Mary, we see the motherly tenderness, affection, and sense of support and standing together with the husband and son. In Jesus, we see the fraternal and filial devotion, openness, trust, belongingness and loving submission. 6. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of many a family of today is, the “loss of this divine and human face”, the loss of love with God, and loss of love with the others in the family. When a family loses this “divine touch” and “human reach”, then there is no beauty, joy and peace. In our times, the life of many families is a story of tension, dissatisfaction and unhappiness, because of the continuous replay of irresponsibility and strife. 7. Why a family becomes a place to avoid or escape from, instead of a refuge to turn to? Why a family becomes a misery, instead of a beauty? Why family life becomes a burden, instead of a lightening experience? It is not enough to glorify the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. But it is more important to verify and rectify the quality of each family in the light of the Holy Family. 8. A husband’s duty is not over, by just earning some money, and ensuring the material wellbeing. A wife’s duty is not over, by just managing the house chores or partnering in the financial concerns. What matters most is, how much they are loving companion and partners, in mutual love, respect, care and forbearance? 9. It is not a wonder that in spite of all increase in education and progress, the bonding between husband and wife is very much “thinning”, with no real vibrations of communication and communion. 10. A parent’s duty is not just over, by giving the children some money, a good dress, a good education, a good job and a comfortable life. Much more than that, how many parents give their children sane values of life, give God, faith and kindness? 11. How many parents teach and make their children to be good human beings? Those parents who are responsible for their children to become irresponsible, without devotion and morals, are the biggest “failed parents”. 12. A son’s or daughter’s duty is not over, by just getting well-educated and well-settled in life. How sad it is that a good number of children turn so ungrateful, disrespectful and even harmful towards their parents! 13. A son or daughter who becomes the cause of sorrow of the parents, is a disgrace before God, even if is rated high before the world. Such children are a great “misery” and “failure”, even if they ride on glory and success. 14. An “about-turn” is then the need of the day: Turn to God, and turn to each other. Return to God’s heart, with faith; Return into each other’s heart, with love! See your partner’s face and heart. See your children’s face and heart. See your parents’ face and heart. Do it daily. Then surely, your face and heart, and the whole face of life and family, will change! Imperative: Nurture within you and foster around you a little more spirit of family and be faithful to the family values. Then you will really see that Christ will be surely born there! (Reflection 2) Thrust: Love needs a family! Indicative: Love that is born from heaven needs to be nurtured and fostered in a family. The health of an individual and society itself depends on the quality of a family 1.      Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, the family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. It comes during the Christmas Octave between Christmas and the New Year. It is usually the immediate Sunday after Christmas. But since this year the New Year falls on Sunday, the holy Family festivity is celebrated on the 30th. 2.      This placement is very significative. The Saviour born is part of a family. God lives in the family and family becomes the abode of the Lord. The family is that nucleus, that locus, that ambience that shelters, sustains, nurtures, and grows God. It is this family that gives the identity to Jesus. It is where the Incarnate Saviour is loved and cared for. 3.      The Holy Family is the model and guide for every family. Every family must be a sacred abode where God lives. Every family must become a point of reference and a sign of the identity of God. Every family must love, care for, nurture, and foster God. 4.      For our practical reflection, we can think of 4 pillars on which the edifice of the Holy Family was built. They are namely: Communion, Compassion, Cooperation, and Commitment. It is precisely these which are most lacking in most families. 5.      There was deep communion between Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. They were one in heart and spirit. They were knit together by the sense of oneness - belonging to one God, to each other, adhering to one holy will of God. It is this spiritual communion with God and fraternal communion with each other that bound them together always and guided them all through. 6.      In contrast, how thin and brittle is the thread of oneness and unity in modern families! Alas, some families behave as if they are aliens and strangers, so separated and divided, living under the same roof, but so aloof and distant from each other! 7.      There was genuine and profound compassion reigning in the Holy Family. They had concern, attention, and care for each other. They nurtured deep respect for each other. Every thought, word, and action was truly permeated by a profound sensitivity and tenderness for the other. They felt for each other. They experienced the struggle of the other as their own. They always guarded themselves against anything that is offensive and hurting. They had a keen sense of appreciation and encouragement toward each other. 8.      In contrast, how less is the spirit of compassion in many modern families! What a height of resentment, hostility, and apathy, as if they are enemies and rivals to each other! What indifference and insensitivity as if they are strangers to each other! Often, there isn't even a single word of comfort and consolation, appreciation, and encouragement. Instead, often there are deliberate attacks of troubling, annoying, aggression, insults and humiliation, discouragement, and despising. 9.      In the Holy Family, their communion and compassion led them to authentic and constant cooperation with each other. In fact, real cooperation means not only doing the same work, but much more working together in the same spirit, with one focus and zeal. They shared their struggles, they shared their duties and responsibilities. They worked together for one and the same will of God, for one and the same family. 10.  In contrast, how less is the spirit of cooperation in many families! The way some families fight and block and damage each other's work gives the impression whether they forget that they are one family and must work for one family, to guard it, build it, and foster it. Whether they are trying to save and construct the family or destroy it, we must wonder. 11.  And some families, forget about cooperation; at least even the minimum communication is not there. There are families where you can count the number of words that the members speak to each other. How can there be communion, compassion, and cooperation where there is no communication? Many speak hours and volumes with others outside the family, but they cannot speak at least a few alphabets with their own family members. 12.  There was perfect commitment to each other in the Holy Family. Each was ready to struggle and sacrifice for the sake of the other. The good and the happiness of the other was the main concern of each of them. Imperative: The spirit of the human family based on hearty communion is the foundation for the spiritual family. One who is a family person can easily be a loving and effective member of the spiritual family as well  

Prayer for the youth of today

Dear Heavenly Father, We come before you today with hearts full of hope and gratitude for the vibrant youth of our time. Bless these young souls with wisdom to navigate life's challenges, courage to face uncertainties, and compassion to understand the world around them. Grant them the strength to embrace diversity, the resilience to overcome obstacles, and the vision to shape a future filled with justice, kindness, and understanding. May their journey be guided by values that promote peace, empathy, and the pursuit of knowledge. As they embark on their unique paths, surround them with supportive friendships, loving families, and mentors who inspire and guide. Instill in them a passion for justice, a thirst for knowledge, and a heart that seeks to make a positive impact in the lives of others. May the youth of today be beacons of light in a world that sometimes seems dark. Help them to cultivate empathy, kindness, and a sense of responsibility towards one another and the planet. In times of doubt, grant them faith; in times of sorrow, grant them comfort. May they find joy in their journey, fulfillment in their endeavors, and purpose in their lives. Amen.

CHRISTMAS 2023

25 – 30 DECEMBER 2023: HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS CHRISTMAS 2023   (REFLECTION 1) Christmas: A Culture of Giving Thrust: Give and love to give! Indicative: Christmas is not a matter of receiving but a matter of giving. It is not so much how many blessings, gifts, and happiness we receive at Christmas but how many blessings and happiness we give to others 1.       Very often, the joy of life is seen and measured in terms of receiving. People feel happier when they receive more. Many are accustomed to such a culture of receiving and getting. This leads to a harmful spirit of greed and avarice, deception, and corruption. 2.       This further results in grabbing, profiting, and accumulating. To such a society and culture, Christmas comes as a strong contrast and challenge because it is all about giving. The birth of Christ is a matter of giving! 3.       John 3. 16 very clearly affirms: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son as a ransom for the salvation of the world”. The birth of Christ as one of us, as human person, is the clearest sign of this spirit of love and giving. God loves us so much. That is why He gives His very self for our sake. That is why Phil 2.6 attests, “Even though Jesus is equal with God, yet he did not cling to his equality, as a thing to be grasped; rather he emptied himself”. 4.       God gives us his presence, his solidarity, and his closeness. He gives our life the lost dignity, the lost vigour, the lost joy. He embraces our fragile human nature. Thereby God shows clearly that our human life is not something despicable and miserable. 5.       It is something beautiful and honourable. We may fail and fall to sin. But We can be raised. For this, by sharing our human life, he wants to give us back that divine life lost due to sin. 6.       Through his birth on earth, he gives us the greatest assurance that he is Emmanuel, God-is-with us. He never abandons us however weak and imperfect we are. He gives us his light to dispel the shades of darkness. He gives us his energy to make us more vibrant. He gives us his healing to make us sane and healthy. 7.       He gives us his guidance to lead us on the right path. He gives us his comfort to boost our drooping spirits. He gives us his support to raise us up. He gives us his power to rejuvenate our dull hearts. He gives us his courage to cast away the tides of fear and discouragement. He gives us peace amidst all trouble and turmoil. He gives us his own joy to shatter the pangs of pain and sadness. 8.       His whole life has been an unceasing act of giving. He gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the dumb, walking to the lame, healing to the leprous and paralysed, and life to the dead. He gives good news to the downcast. 9.       As the culmination of all this giving, he gives us his own life, his total self on the cross. He gives us himself totally to the extent of dying. He washes away our sinfulness through his own blood. Thereby, he gives us a mighty share in his own eternal life. 10.   Therefore, Christmas becomes grand not only with our exchange of gifts, decorations, food, and drink celebrations. Such grandness will be only short-lived, limited to a few hours or days. But the joy of Christmas will be deep and last long if we imbibe the same spirit of Christmas. 11.   So relive the spirit of love and giving. Learn to give. Give your time, your love, your talents, your energies, your resources, your goodness, your patience, your gentleness, your tenderness, your warmth, your understanding, your forgiveness, your appreciation, and your encouragement. Give your very self. 12.   Give generously! Give lovingly! Give trustingly! Give willingly! Give promptly! Give wholeheartedly! Give generously! Give joyfully! Give humbly! Give magnanimously! This will be a real Christmas! Imperative: Our celebrations become meaningful only when we are truly imbued with the spirit of loving and giving. This is the only fitting remedy to the maladies of the world!   (REFLECTION 2): Christmas: Celebrate Life   Thrust: Celebrate Life! Indicative: The Christmas celebration is not just a commemoration of a past event of the birth of Christ. It is the rebirth of divinity among the humanity   1.      Christmas is indeed a feast of joy! But where is that spirit of Christmas? Battered by fears, shattered by afflictions, tormented by temptations, fragmented by divisions, intimidated by the power of Satan and dominated by the force of evil, tested by falsity and dishonesty and exhausted by the fierce struggle against sin, cowed down by corona – 2.      Many have lost the spirit of Christmas. Precisely it is in this context that we should celebrate Christmas. We should rediscover, recapture and relive the lost spirit of Christmas. 3.       First of all, it is a birthday celebration. Our Saviour Lord is born. It is the celebration of a new life: a new babe is born on earth. A new life has erupted. This is the very meaning and purpose of the birth of Christ. 4.       It is not merely the birth of another human. Rather it is the birth of a new humanity. In his birth, we see the “rebirth” of humanity tainted and fainted by sin. Therefore, Christ being born would firmly imply that we must be constantly reborn. 5.       Usually, any birthday is a matter of that person being born, what he should become, how he should grow, et cetera. But the birth of Christ is a matter totally different. If he is born, the question is: what must happen to others, how others should grow, what they should become. Thus, the birth of Christ is a challenge for the rebirth of all. 6.       His birth is a call to live life to the full, to celebrate it with joy. This means we must foster a culture of life. We must insert into it a little more life-sap, energies and gifts, and enthusiasm and assiduity. 7.       It is not just remembering that God was born but reminding ourselves that we must be reborn. Christ's birth will be just another piece of history unless it makes a pass into my own story. 8.       Sadly, we are surrounded and tormented by a viral and vicious circle of death. From day to night, we see and experience the evil effects of such a culture of death. This shows itself in all the forces that block, suffocate and harm the value, beauty, energy, and joy of living. 9.       The increasing spirit of grudge and revenge, hostility and hatred, aggression and violence, death and destruction make life devalued, ugly, vulnerable, and burdensome. Life is dying! 10.   Christ’s birth then is a new birth of beautification against all disfiguration, a resurgence of dignity and honour, recharging with new vigour and enthusiasm, a refilling of joy against all bouts of pain and suffering. 11.   His birth must breathe new life into a life that has lost its rhythm and charm. Therefore, the only way to celebrate Christ’s birth meaningfully and joyfully is to live reborn. The more we live lives with value, beauty, energy, and joy, the more the purpose of Christ’s birth is fulfilled.   Imperative: The whole mystery of incarnation becomes relevant when it is not only a memory of the birth of Christ but the rebirth of everyone. It is the incarnation into our life of the same spirit of incarnate Christ.   26 DECEMBER 2023: ACTS 6. 8-10; 7. 54-59; MATTHEW 10. 17-22, FEAST OF ST STEPHEN Thrust: Love lives and dies for the beloved! Indicative: True love transforms the whole person and life. One who loves the Lord lives for him and dies for the sake of the same love 1.      In the Christmas Octave, immediately after the holy Christmas, on the 26th we celebrate the feast of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death. His confession of faith in the Lord was misconstrued as blasphemy. Consequently, he was killed according to Jewish law. 2.      Does it not look odd that soon after the greatest birth of the Saviour, there is a death? It is perfectly right because, for us believers, death for God is life to heaven. Death for the sake of faith and love is a birth in heaven. That is why we usually celebrate the death days of the saints as the feast days. 3.      Stephen’s martyrdom is the logical consequence of his faith. It is the greatest sign of witness to his passionate love and unswerving loyalty to the Lord. His death bears testimony to the intensity of his commitment. His death shows how much he loved the Lord, and how he lived for him. 4.      His death was not just a one-time happening. His death synthesises one whole life of witness. As we are told, he was already one of the seven deacons who shared the burden of the apostles in serving the community. 5.      He was “filled with faith and the Holy Spirit”. He was “full of grace and power”. He “was doing great wonders and signs among the people”. He was filled with the Wisdom of the Spirit that no one could “withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking”. 6.      He was filled with the fortitude of the Spirit that nothing could frighten or intimidate his loyalty to the Lord. Even in the face of death, about to be stoned, he would gaze into heaven and see the glory of God”. 7.      He confided totally in the words of his Master, who said, “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you”. 8.      He was fully imbued with the Spirit of his Master and he imitates him even in death. He forgives his enemies during his dying moments, just like his Master and Lord. His love for the Lord fills him with wisdom and courage to face suffering and death as an honour and grace.   Imperative: Passionate love for God is seen in a witnessing life. It is a life that lives wisely, courageously, and mercifully.   (Reflection 2)   Focus: When one experiences the love and power of God, nothing will deter him from bearing witness to Him. Love is so powerful that not even death can hold it back   1.      Stephen was the first martyr as a follower of Christ. It is so interesting and inspiring. With Christmas, Christ from heaven is born on earth. With his martyrdom, Stephen is born from earth to heaven. 2.      Stephen was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. He was chosen to be one of the seven deacons and was totally dedicated to the service of the early church. What marks him is not only his personal qualities and virtue, not also his services. 3.      It is much more his deep personal experience and bonding with the Lord. He had a passionate love for the Lord. It is this which makes him unswervingly loyal to him, even to the point of death for his sake. 4.      His passion and loyalty are such that he is totally imbued with the very same spirit of Jesus. This makes him imitate Jesus in forgiving even his enemies during his dying moments. His love for the Lord fills him with wisdom and courage to face suffering and death as an honour and grace. 5.      One can vividly see a deep passion for the Lord in Stephen. But Passion for the Lord is not a matter of feeling or devotion, but much more. It is giving topmost priority to Jesus, and loving him as the greatest treasure. 6.      It is to cling to him, come what may. It is to be deeply convinced that there is nothing greater than him, not even life. It is to imitate his virtues. It is to follow him even to the extent of death. It is to bear witness to him, with unflinching zeal and courage. One who is not ready to die for Christ, cannot live for him.   Direction: It is not a fate of misery but a grace of glory, if only we can suffer something for God and good. Suffering for God and good is nothing detestable but honourable.   27 DECEMBER 2023: 1 JOHN 1. 1-4; JOHN 20. 1-8, ST JOHN THE APOSTLE Focus: Contagious Love! Indicative: True Love is so contagious that it touches and transforms all and whole. If only everyone tries to be a little more affected by this positive contagion, people will become more sane and healthy 1.      The celebration of Christmas is a celebration of love. During this Christmas octave, we continue to be under its powerful spell. Joy is dancing around vibrating in the whole atmosphere. This love continues to surround us as we celebrate the feast of John, the beloved disciple. This is a dominant and significant qualification that is given of him. He is “the apostle of love”. And he is one who draws our focus on God as Love. 2.      It is a love that is rooted in a very deep personal intimacy with the Lord. This is very evident in John’s words in his first letter in the first reading: “We have seen with our eyes, we have heard, we have looked upon and touched with our hands. Consequently, there is also a mission that is to proclaim to others the same Lord and word of life and testify to it. 3.      There is also a clear purpose: so that others too may have fellowship with us because we ourselves have fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And that our joy may be complete. 4.      Thus, the picture is complete: there is an intense passionate love for the Lord. This manifests in inseparable intimacy. This personal communion leads to a committed mission of bearing witness to him in word, both proclaimed and written and life example. 5.      This should be so for every believer and follower of the Lord. Love the Lord and be loved by him. This feeling, experience and relationship of loving the Lord and being loved by him, fosters the most profound warmth, confidence, vibrancy, joy and commitment, leading to a life of love and witness. This is what is seen in St John.   Imperative: We need not do extraordinary things for God. Just love Him and love passionately and it will do the rest.   (Reflection 2) Thrust: Long live Love! Indicative: The birth of Jesus is God’s visible testimony of His love for us in sensitivity and solidarity. Our fitting response is to receive and live this love   1.      The Christmas mood still hovers over us during this Christmas Octave. The celebration of John’s feast once again strongly reminds us of Christmas as Love-feast. God loves us so much and so He gives His only Son as His most precious and incomparable gift to us. 2.      Our birth is already a gift from God. The life that we enjoy is a share, an extension of His very life. But God is not satisfied with that. He wants to show it much more directly and intensely. That is why He incarnates His only Son. He takes our flesh. He is born as one of us. Thus, the birth of Christ is the “fullness of life”, a “heightening of our birth”. 3.      His birth is the greatest testimony of his sensitivity toward our sinful life and his solidarity with us. When our life gets tainted by sin and loses the fullness of life, he becomes like us. Thereby he wants to remove those stains. He wants to restore us to our original beauty and dignity. 4.      St John, the Apostle of love whose feast we celebrate today indicates how we must receive this “birthing love” of God amidst us and how we must respond to it. If you want to experience and relish this incarnate love of God, then incarnate the same love in and through us. 5.      This implies a double duty and challenge: first of all, to experience personally his love and then share the same with others. How did John experience Jesus’ love personally? He stayed and lived with him in intimacy and inseparable communion. 6.      This sense of intimacy is so deeply manifest in his intimate and personal expressions. He could say confidently and convincingly: “The life was made manifest, and we have heard it, we have seen with our eyes, and we have looked upon and touched with our hands”. 7.      This personal experience of the Life of God leads to a duty to “testify to it and proclaim to others”. This implies it is a twofold mission: in word and life. The whole purpose is to promote and foster the same “fellowship with the Father and the Son” through the Spirit. 8.      That is what St John did. He bore witness to that love that he himself experienced, by word, both proclaimed and written and by his life example. He lived a life of love.   Imperative: We can experience the abundant love of God only when we try to live in an intimate relationship with him and bear testimony to it in word and deed   28 DECEMBER 2023: 1 JOHN 1.5 – 2.2; MATTHEW 2. 13-18, HOLY INNOCENTS   Focus: Love that dies but lives on! Indicative: True love dies for the sake of the loved one. It is better to die for love rather than live in hatred 1.      On 28th December we commemorate the death of the holy innocents. It looks strange that soon after the greatest birthday at Christmas we celebrate a series of deaths, of St Stephen on the 26th and today on the 28th, the holy innocents, on the 29th, St Thomas Becket and on the 30th, St Anysia. 2.      Their death in fact is a birth to heaven. God came down from heaven so that we can go to heaven. He shared in our human life so that we can share in his eternal life. He became like us in our human misery so that we become like him in his divine glory. Every martyrdom for the sake of Christ is a new birth, a rebirth into heaven. 3.      The children below two years of age get killed by Herod. It was a part of his desperate attempt to terminate the child Jesus. The newborn, the prophesied messiah would be a threat to his power and authority. His wrong understanding of the messiah and his clinging to power lead him to this merciless murderous act. The children become the helpless victims of his cruelty. 4.      Why did Herod act so? The first reading from 1 John gives us the answer. It is because the light of God is not in him. He walks in darkness. He does not live according to the truth. He is steeped in a false life. He has no fellowship with God or with others. 5.      On one hand, Herod stands before us as a negative example and on the other hand, the innocent children as a positive example. Herod serves as a caution for us not to walk in the darkness of sin or falsity, not to go against our fellowship with God and others and not to do harm to others. 6.      The innocent children show us that life is meaningful and meritorious to live and even to die for the sake of Christ. Even though they did not die consciously and out of a free choice, what is important is that their life was offering on behalf of Christ. By their death in the place of Jesus, they in a way “saved” and “spared” the life of the Savor, the giver of life himself. 7.      This also indicates that any suffering in the name of Christ, for his sake and on his behalf, whether voluntary or forced, whether conscious or unconscious, is certainly meritorious and rewarding. God needs all of us and each one of us can help God in our own little way in fulfilling his holy designs. Imperative: In life, the reasons for all the problems and sufferings may not be always clear and reasonable. But it is always better to live through them in a spirit of forbearance and courage (Reflection 2) Thrust: Love bears witness! Indicative: God loves us unconditionally and so He subjects himself to the limitations and vicissitudes of the human condition. Thereby our life should be an act of unconditional love for him 1.      We remember today the death of the holy Innocents. King Herod kills all male children of two years or under. It was the height of his cruelty out of desperation and power-mongering. He perceived a potential threat to his throne in the newborn Messiah. He wanted to decimate the would-be king already at birth itself. 2.      In fact, this shows the devastating inhumanity and wickedness of Herod. It is totally beyond bounds. First of all, there was no need to kill all the male children. It would be enough to identify the child Jesus and kill him only. 3.      Secondly, there was no need to kill all two-years or below because clearly Jesus just born would not be two-years old or just below. Thirdly, there was no need to be in such a mighty hurry to kill Jesus because he would not grab his throne immediately as an infant himself. 4.      Finally, such cruelty was utterly senseless and purposeless. What is the use of killing all the other children just for the sake of one child? What does he gain from such a massive massacre? It was more an act out of frustration and fury. It was a repugnant reaction leading to violence and destruction. 5.      We need not content and absolve ourselves with cursing Herod. There are many Herods today. They act like Herod whenever they give vent to heartless and merciless anger and fury, aggression and violence, harm and destruction. They are more than Herod when they act inhumanly and treacherously for the sake of power and position. 6.      Perhaps, there are also Herods who kill unborn babies for various reasons. One may argue and justify such acts in the garbs of modernity and unbridled freedom and choice. But in the heart of conscience, nothing can be a pretext for such inhuman cruelty. 7.      We get the reason for this “Herod-ness”. This “herodness” happens when one has no light of God in him, has no fellowship with God, no cleansing from sin, and thus walks in darkness. There are traces of a “herodic” mentality in every one of us. 8.      Today’s innocent children show us a contrast to Herod. Herod destroys life. These children ‘save’ and ‘sustain’ life by dying “in the place” and “for the sake” of Jesus. The point here is not why the innocent should die for Jesus for no fault of theirs. 9.      The death of the holy innocents also indicates that we need not do great and extraordinary things to show our fidelity to the Lord. Even in our littleness, even in our silence, even in and through our unrecognised and insignificant lives, we can “protect” and “safeguard” the life and values of Christ. 10.  This can be very indicative of our own reality. It is a fact that a numberless suffer and die innocently and unjustly. Perhaps at times unconsciously we ourselves may be the causes and agents of it. Are we aware of it? What do we do in the face of innocent suffering? What are our efforts to alleviate such pain and injustice? Imperative: The holy Innocents died so that the Saviour could escape death and live on so as to give life to many. What do I do to ‘shield’ the Lord and promote life 29 DECEMBER 2023: 1 JOHN 2. 3-11; LUKE 2. 22-35   Focus: Truth is truthfulness Indicative: Truth is not merely a matter of intellect and commandment is not merely a matter of legality. For us as the followers of Christ, knowing the truth and following commandments is a matter of faithful life 1.      For many, knowing is only an intellectual capacity and exercise. There is no guarantee that such knowledge affects and changes the life of a person. But for us, the disciples of Christ, knowing is believing and living, abiding in him and following. That is why, St John in the first reading attests that the test for knowing God is to follow his commandments. 2.      Now what are these commandments? Loving God and loving the other. This is the only way to know and follow the truth. One who does not follow this double-pronged love, is not in truth and is a liar. Further, this is the only way to know the light and walk in the light. Jesus is the light and one who does not know and believe and follow him, is not in the light. 3.      If one is truly walking in the light, that is following Jesus, then it must be shown and testified by his love for his brother. Therefore, knowing, believing, abiding in the truth and walking in the light are all essentially connected to loving God and loving the other. 4.      The beauty of the Word of God is that concepts like truth and light are understood in terms of experience, relationship, loyalty and commitment. They are not conceptual or abstract. They are always in reference to Christ. That is why Simeon, a righteous and devout person who encounters the child Jesus in the temple at his purification ceremony, blesses and declares Christ to be the light of all. 5.      The purification and presentation of Jesus as per the Jewish custom is not merely a fulfilment of the custom, but much more a symbolic act. His presentation symbolizes his self-offering for humanity. His purification indicates the purification of the sin-infected humanity. This purification in terms of truth and light would mean abiding in truth and walking in the light. In other words, it means to be faithful to Christ and to love the other. 6.      Those who are with Christ and for Christ will certainly be pierced by a sword of sorrow like Mary. She became a sharer in the divine plan of salvation along with her Son. Therefore she becomes also a partaker of his own struggle against falsity and darkness. Imperative:  Christ is both the truth and the light. He calls for a truthful and authentic life. He also gives us the light to see the path and walk it. Such a life in concrete implies a life of devotion and righteousness like Simeon and a sword of suffering like Mary (Reflection 2) Thrust: Light in darkness! Indicative: The Lord is born for us and amidst us. He is the light that dispels darkness. He is the truth that disperses the shades of falsity. Those who believe him must live in light and truth 1.      In today’s gospel, we have the purification ceremony of Jesus. This has two symbolic aspects: one is, the self-offering to God and the other is the purification of the offered. By offering the child in the temple to God, the child is symbolically offered and surrendered to God. And as offered to God, the child needs to be constantly purified and remain pure. Only thus, what is offered becomes a worthy offering. 2.      In the case of Jesus, in no way he needs this ceremony. Because there is no need to offer him to God. His very birth is a great act of self-offering to God. He is already and always offered and surrendered to God. Besides, there is absolutely no need for purification because he is the purest and the holiest Son of God. 3.      However, born as a human, he fulfils the human requirements. And this ceremony is necessary because it is symbolic and pre-figurative. This purification ritual shows that he came to us as an offering from God and his whole life will be a total offering and sacrifice to God. Further, through this self-offering and self-immolation, he will bring about the purification of all. 4.      Now we will be purified and pure if we too make ourselves worthy offerings to God. How to do so? The first reading gives us some simple guidelines. They are namely, Know him. Love him. Live in him. Follow his commandments. That would mean: Abide in truth. Walk in his light. Love the other. 5.      If we say that Christ is born for us and he is our Saviour but we do not allow him to live in us and save us, then we are lying. If we say that Christ is the light and our light and he dispels our darkness but walk and stumble in darkness, then we are not yet lighted. If we say that we love him but do not love the other, then his love does not abide in us. 6.      Therefore, we need to become like Simeon who waits patiently for the encounter with the Lord. For this, he lives a whole life of preparation in being “righteous and devout”. Further, we need to become like our sweetest Mother Mary who allows a “sword to pierce through her soul” all through her life. That is, to live a life of surrender to God’s will which will surely bring forth a sword of suffering and affliction. Imperative: Knowing God is not something intellectual or conceptual. This is a knowing that is perfected in loving, experiencing, and living worthily 30 DECEMBER 2023: 1 JOHN 2. 12-17; LUKE 2. 36-40 Focus: When love declines! Indicative: Many may wonder why the love for God is declining rapidly even though knowledge and capacities are increasing. The only reason is that love for the world is increasing at jet speed. 1.      Many do not realize that love for God and love for the world are not compatible. Love for the world does not mean simply living in the world. It is being tainted by the false values and deviating and destructive spirit of the world. It is being enslaved to the evil one. It is being driven by the sexual and sensual desires and urges. It is being arrogant. 2.      Naturally, these are contrary to our love for God and take us away from God. If so, then each person, according to his age and stage of life must fight against such pulls and pressures of the world. 3.      That is why John in the first reading addresses each category, like the children, the fathers, and the young. He has specific directives for each. The children ought to know the Father, especially his forgiveness. The fathers too ought to know the Father, especially in his eternity. The young people must be strong, abide in the word of God and overcome evil. 4.      Whatever be the directives directed to each section, what is common and binding on all is to love God and resist the love for the world. Know God, Overcome evil and do always the will of God. Anna, the prophetess in the gospel, stands as a model for such perseverance and fidelity to God. 5.      After the death of her husband after 7 years of married life, till 84 she has totally dedicated her life to the service of the temple and worship of God. Nothing of the world could attract and deviate her. She was full of love for God and was obedient to him with prayer and fasting night and day. 6.      Child Jesus himself is presented as an example of how to live our life. He grew, became strong, and filled with wisdom. The favour of God was upon him. This is how each one must live. We must grow constantly stronger and stronger, in wisdom and being pleasing to God. Imperative: Do you want to win God’s favour? Then, love him, do his will, do what pleases him, abide in his word and overcome evil. Rise above the pressures of the flesh and senses (Reflection 2)   Focus: A true Christian life is one, centred around God, and is different to the world.   1.      CHRIST came into the world, to revive the life that is infected by sin. But it will be effective only if we are fully open and responsive. We need to guard ourselves against the evil forces and standards of the world. 2.      We need to grow in the knowledge and experience of God. We need to cultivate the right values. Our age and stage may be different, as John in the first reading addresses children, the young and the fathers. The duties and the capacities of each section may be different. 3.      But our grace is the same, our salvation is the same, and our faith demands are also the same. All without exception are called not to love the world and to be trapped by its snares. This implies that we should guard against the craving of the flesh, the greed of the senses and the arrogance to dominate and to feel superior. 4.      Instead, we need to love the Father, consistently strive to do His will, allow the word of God to live in us, and overcome evil. Further, like Anna, in the gospel, we need to focus our attention always on God and centre our daily life around the temple. 5.      Serving God in personal presence, in prayer, in spiritual activities, and transmitting God's love and mercy to others is the fitting way to continue the spirit of Christmas.   Direction: We belong to God and so we shall not long for what belongs to the world. The more we fall in love with the world, the more we will be fallen  

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 23

 4TH SUNDAY ADVENT, 24 DECEMBER 2023, LUKE 1.26-38 Thrust: Fear not, for God is with us! Indicative: God has wonderful plans for us. At times and often, how he executes them may not be clear and even confounding. But no worry! 1.      The other day, through His angel, God encountered Zechariah and revealed His plan for the birth of John the Baptist in the womb of the barren Elizabeth. Today, God through His angel encounters the virgin Mary and reveals His plan for the birth of Jesus, the Saviour in her virginal womb. 2.      But if we analyse a little, the immediate consequences of such a happening, that is the birth of a child, are contrasting. In the case of Elizabeth, it is in fact, a great grace, a matter to rejoice. Her barrenness would be eliminated. But in the case of Mary, it is a matter of disgrace. Her dignity and integrity would come under suspicion. 3.      Here comes the great depth of Mary’s faith. Once she knows that it is all God’s plan, there is no more question. No argument, no reluctance, no hesitation. No seeking concession. No request for making things clear to her husband and family. No worries at all about the future consequences of a suspected pregnancy. 4.      Her faith comprises profound humility, wholehearted docility, and an unreserved surrender. She declares emphatically, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word”. 5.      A little note on the Salutation of the Angel to Mary: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you”. Mary is worthy of the salutation by God Himself. She is full of grace. In a world where sometimes it is difficult to have even a fraction of grace, Mary stands as the fullness of grace. She is full of grace because the Lord is with her. 6. In reference to the first reading, we can also draw another pointer for reflection. "God wants to dwells amidst us and with us". He needs a residence. But He is not much interested in material structures, however splendid they are. Primarily, He wants to reside in human hearts and communities. The whole incarnation is nothing but God residing in us and with us! Imperative: Like Mary, we are also called, not to be afraid when things go wrong or remain unclear. Being free is possible only when we find favour with God (Reflection 2) Focus: If only we cooperate! Indicative: Miracles happen when there is a combination of God’s grace and action and human reception and cooperation   1.      God sends His angel to Mary with His plan of incarnation for salvation. He seeks and awaits her approval. This is precisely the nobility and magnanimity of God: Even though He can do very well without us, He wants to involve us and wants us to be His collaborators and sharers. It is only because He loves us. True love values others and respects each person’s dignity and honour. 2.       How noble and magnanimous we are, being His children? How much do we see all others as persons of dignity and respectability? How much do we treat others with respect? How often and how easily do we despise others, showing false greatness and sticking to our own ideas, opinions, and prejudices? 3.       Then from the part of Mary, what humility, docility, and surrender to God’s grace and plan! What humility! She does not get puffed up that God Himself is standing at His door for her approval. She does not forget her finitude as a creature before God’s infinity. In all humility, she is aware that the offer of her divine maternity is not her merit or greatness but God’s love and care. 4.       What docility! She does not contest, argue, reject or doubt God’s plan. Even her question, “How it is possible to bear a son without rapport with her spouse” is a quite normal and legitimate question expected from a simple teenage girl, brought up in faith and morals. 5.       Perhaps bearing children outside the marital bond may not be a big issue for many in our modern society. But for her society and tradition, certainly, it was a matter of immorality and infidelity. But in her docility, she risked being labelled immoral and unfaithful. For her, what mattered the most was God’s plan and salvation of all, and not her human thinking and reputation. 6.       Then what surrender!: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Be it done unto me according to your word!” Often we are so accustomed to these words of Mary that we take for granted and take light the immensity of Mary’s act of acceptance. 7.       It needed the guts of the spirit to utter such words of total surrender. What surrender! She has no discussion, no conditions, and no suggestions. She does not clarify how God would safeguard her reputation, or how God would let others know about her virginity and innocence despite conception. 8.       She does not request God at least to convince her spouse. She is not much worried about the myriads of uncertainties and risks that await her. Her only concern was to do God’s will and an unconditional ‘Yes’ to God’s will. 9.       Now it is not enough to admire Mary for her humility, docility, and surrender. What about our humility, docility, and surrender? A little talent, a little capacity, a little money, a little position, how much we become arrogant? Even concerning spiritual gifts, how easily do we succumb to the feeling that I am better than others, I am greater than others? 10.   How docile we are? Even though many times God proposes, inspires, advises, and admonishes many things, how much we can be obstinate and fixated, clinging to our own ideas and calculations? Do we give more importance to our human intelligence, reasoning, and decisions, rather than God’s wisdom and promptings? Do we know better than God? Can we do better than God? 11.   How often do we lack the spirit of surrender? We try to convince God that it is not right and possible to do His will. We have a hundred and one reasons to explain and justify why we cannot surrender to God’s ways. 12.   We fail to surrender only because self-interests become the centre of our whole thinking and not God’s will and the good of others. We may allow ourselves to be carried away by what is false, what is ignominious, what is unjust, what is impure, what is inaffable, what is dishonourable, what is vice and harmful.   Direction: Today let us pray that we may become more and more humble, docile, and surrendered like Mary because only thus, we can receive the Savior and experience his saving touch.

SECOND WEEK DAYS OF ADVENT 23

11 - 16 DECEMBER 2023 HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 11 DECEMBER 2023: ISAIAH 35. 1-10; LUKE 5. 17-26 Focus: Rise and go home! Indicative: In a life that is tormented by so much infirmity and deformity, of various kinds, we all need healing; we need a new lease of life. That is possible only with God 1.      Jesus heals a paralytic in the gospel. But in healing, he utters not only words of physical healing but also words of forgiveness. He says, “Your sins are forgiven”. That invites a lot of criticism from his opponents and they blame him for blasphemy. Thereby, Jesus makes it very clear that what is more important is inner healing, spiritual healing, and healing from sin. 2.       Sin paralyzes us and so we need to be reactivated and rejuvenated from our passivity and tepidity. Jesus says, “Rise and walk; go home”. We need to rise from our spiritual paralysis. We need to walk actively in the path of the Lord. We need to go home – to be reconciled and reunited with the Father and also to be in affable and benevolent relationships with our brethren. 3.       Thus, the healing that Jesus brings is not merely a physical act. It affects the whole life and person. It brings a new life. It restores the lost dignity, energy, and joy. This is exactly the messianic gift – holistic healing and renewed joy. 4.       Jesus in this way becomes the fulfilment of the messianic prophecy in the first reading from Isaiah: “The eyes of the blind are opened, the ears of the deaf are unstopped, the lame shall leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy”. 5.       Truly, Jesus, the Messiah “strengthens the weak hands, makes firm the feeble knees. Sorrow and sighing flee away, and joy and gladness shall flow”. The dry land and wilderness shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom. 6.       They shall turn into springs and streams of water, and produce. Yes, Jesus makes a total difference in our lives, if only he is allowed to enter into our life, take control of it and direct it. With him in control, things will not be the same.   Imperative: Let us constantly listen to the assuring words of God, “Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance against evil, with recompense. He will come and save you” (Reflection 2) Thrust: Come to the Lord! Indicative: The coming of the Lord is transformative. It heals and renews everything. He will bring forth an abundance of joy and new vigour 1.      As we move toward the holy Christmas, these Advent days instil into us immense hope and comfort. The first reading from Isaiah is full of promises for a glorious future with the advent of Messiah. We need not fear or feel weak because our Saviour comes to save and recompense us. 2.      We shall see the glory and power of our God. These glory and power are not self-confined or self-seeking. They transform what is lowly and glorify what is miserable. They ignite new hope and joy in everything. The eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf shall be opened. The lame shall leap like a deer and the mute sing for joy. 3.      It is not merely physical healing. It is an integrated wholeness. The way of life shall change. It will be the “Way of holiness”, where people live clean, do not go astray, and are ransomed and redeemed. Further, it is not only limited to humans. It transforms the whole creation. For streams shall flow in the desert, wilderness, and barren ground, turning them into springs and pools. 4.      Therefore, a healing and transforming touch leading to wholeness and holiness shall be the abiding sign and effect of the Messiah. Jesus embodies this. He infuses comfort and new hope into the dispirited hearts. He heals many sick. But his healing is not just physical. It is holistic. It transforms the whole person and life. 5.      It restores the lost dignity and adds new joy. Sorrow and sighing flee away in his presence. This is concretely illustrated in the healing story of a paralysed man. He heals him with powered words, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home”. But he does not stop there. He pronounces, “Man, your sins are forgiven you”. 6.      This sounds blasphemous to the Pharisees and scribes. But Jesus wants to make clear to them two things: that he has the power to forgive sin; and that real healing is the release from sin. In fact, sin is the greatest sickness. It is from sin we must rise and walk in the way of the Lord. Imperative: Let the comforting words of Isaiah vibrate in our hearts: Be strong and fear not. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. For your God is coming 12 DECEMBER 2023: ZEC 2.14-17; LUKE 1.39-47, FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Focus: To Jesus through Mary! Indicative: Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth is not just an individual visit but symbolizes the very visitation of God Himself to humanity, with His gracious face, turned toward suffering humanity   1.      Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the day of apparition in Mexico in 1531. Truly the words of the first reading from Zechariah fit Mary. She is that daughter Zion, through whom God is coming to dwell among His people and makes them His own whereby they shall be His people. 2.      This mediatory or representative role of Mary is deeply shown in the gospel text of today in the event of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Mary visits Elizabeth, and this visitation is very significant. 3.      It is not just a courtesy visit. It is not only a great act of charity and service to Elizabeth in need during her pregnancy. It is deeply symbolic and efficacious, as it indicates the very visitation of God Himself and its effects on humanity. 4.      In the Bible through the history of salvation, the visitation of God signifies His active and liberative intervention in the life of His people. Accordingly, “God visits” signifies that God is encountering and gracing that person or that community. 5.      Today in the visitation of Mary, the same thing happens: The Saviour, conceived in Mary’s womb, visits Elizabeth and graces her and her family, who symbolizes the whole of humanity. 6.      Mary is the perfect embodiment of God’s will and presence and the abode of Jesus. She bears him within and shares him with others. She nurtures him within and extends the same experience to others. 7.      What happens when God visits humanity in the person of Mary? This is what is concretely seen in the scene of the Visitation. At the sight and encounter with Mary, two things happen: Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and the babe in her womb leaps with joy. Jesus, channelled and mediated, transmitted and extended through Mary, gives the Holy Spirit and joy. 8.      Thus, the effects of visitation are quite clear: Holy Spirit and joy. These two are the greatest signs and testimonies of the presence and the experience of God: when we have the Lord within us, we are able to transmit the Holy Spirit to others and move and fill others with the same Spirit, and we are able to ignite others with true and deep joy. 9.      The visitation of Mary reminds us of our own vocation and mission. Bear Jesus and share Jesus. When we have Jesus and give him to others, we too will be able to transmit the Holy Spirit and joy to others. But whenever we spread only evil spirit and unhappiness to others, it is a clear sign that we are not bearing Jesus within us, and we do not carry God’s experience and presence.   Imperative: May the Mother Mary who visited Elizabeth continue to visit us, as God’s channel of grace! May she be a model and inspiration for us! May she sustain our tiny steps and efforts in carrying and spreading God’s Spirit and joy to all others!   (Reflection 2) Pivot: God visits and intervenes! Indicative: Mary mediates, intercedes and recommends before God on our behalf. That shows her deepest concern. Certainly, God heeds her mediation. Joy will be the ultimate effect 1.        Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth is not merely a historical, courtesy or even a charitable visit. It is symbolic, highly spiritual and missionary. It symbolizes God’s own intervention. Whenever there is a need, God visits those in need and fulfils their need. 2.        In the episode of the visitation, we see a concrete occasion of God’s mighty intervention through Mary’s noble mediation. Already there is a spiritual inundation of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s presence fills and ignites Elizabeth with the Spirit. She explodes into spiritual excitement and acclamation. 3.        In one breath, Elizabeth acknowledges God as her Lord and Saviour. She also acknowledges and acclaims Mary as the Mother of the Saviour, the most Blessed of all women by her faith. Mary’s blessedness is confirmed by the effusion of the Spirit and joy. 4.        Spirit and joy are the most authentic signs and effects of God’s presence. Where God is present, there is the Holy Spirit and joy. Mary was already bearing Jesus, so she could transmit Spirit and joy. 5.        This would fill and move Elizabeth and her babe in the womb. The same Spirit and joy would reverberate in the entire being of Mary. That is why she would burst into one of the greatest hymns of Spirit and joy, namely the Magnificat. Imperative: The Visitation of Mary is not just a journey of Mary. It reminds us about God’s own constant visitation to human lives through Mary’s mediation and the carrying out of our mission 13 DECEMBER 2023: IS 40. 25-31; MATTHEW 11. 28-30, ST LUCY Focus: Why carry burdens? Indicative: In a life of stress and strain, the best and lasting relaxation is found not in passing gratifications and shallow pleasures but only with the Lord and in learning from him and becoming like him 1.      The world of today more than ever seems to be devoured by the monsters of stress and worry. Tiredness and exhaustion have become the trademark of modern man, without any exception. It is not necessarily the physical but rather the mental. 2.      Everyone seems to be under some weight and often feels life to be burdensome. The fact is everyone is busy and busy all the time, but many times many really do not know what they are busy with and why they are busy. 3.      It is in such a context and moments, that the words of Jesus, “Come unto me all those who are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest” are very consoling and elevating. But what is interesting is: he is promising rest, not in inaction, not in idling, not in discarding all work and duty. It is a positive struggle, a productive pain. 4.      Rather, we will feel light and relaxed, by taking up his yoke, his burden. It is his gentleness and humility, which are certainly burdens in the sight of the world. To the extent we learn and grow to be gentle and humble, we will be light-hearted and spirited, despite all the exhausting burdens that beset us. Imperative: Let us refrain from exhausting ourselves in unworthy pursuits. Let us rein our frenetic lives and steal some serene moments at the Lord’s feet. Let us experience life as light and pleasant by learning to be gentle and humble.   (Reflection 2) Thrust: Strong in the Lord’s strength! Indicative: Stress and strain are common to all. No one is exempted from them. But when we surrender them to God, we will find them bearable and find a new vigour to move ahead 1.      No doubt that the world is under heavy loads, in the form of worry and misery. Many feel pressed under the burden and labour of life. Many feel restless and exhausted. It is in this context, Jesus invites, “Come to me, all who labour and heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. These words are really comforting and reinforcing. 2.      Normally we see many who do not feel concerned at all. They evade listening to others. They do not have even a word of assurance or comfort. They do nothing to alleviate their pain. In such an indifferent culture, the concern and magnanimity of God toward us is something highly praiseworthy and imitable. 3.      Jesus says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest”. From this, two fundamental things are clear: one is, that rest is very important in life and it is very much lacking as well. Second is, that it is only in coming to Jesus, that one will experience the rest. Rest is not only relaxation or pause from work. Real rest is to be free from needless worry and tension and enjoy the serenity of life. 4.      Words of Jesus make it clear that rest is not equal to laziness or evasion of duty. Rest is more a matter of attitude and approach. It is to be balanced and composed even amidst all the burdens. It is to nurture and carry a calm and serene frame of mind. In the thought of St Francis de Sales, rest is holy equanimity. Real rest is a spiritual strength. Hence Jesus’ words, “You will find rest for your souls”. 5.      In that sense, to be restful means not to feel exhausted but to be ever renewed in strength. It is because strength and energy come from the Lord. That is why we hear in the first reading from Isaiah: “He gives power to the faint and strength to those without might”. “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall run but not be weary. They shall walk but not faint”. 6.      To experience such rest, what has to be done? Take the yoke of the Lord and carry it with gentleness and humility. Yoke is anything and everything, big or small that lays a holy burden upon us. To carry the yoke means to carry God’s commandments. They are not crushing burdens but liberating experiences. Imperative: The yoke of dutifulness and faithfulness is always put upon us. But it is not a burden that makes our life burdensome. It is a positive transformer that makes our burdens of life light and easy 14 DECEMBER 2023: ISAIAH 41. 13-20; MATTHEW 11. 11-15 Focus: Fear not, I will help you! Indicative: God never ceases to assure us of His unfailing love and mercy toward us. He assures us that He will transform our desperate situations into joyful and productive experiences through His intervention 1.      In the gospel, first Jesus praises John the Baptist as “the greatest of all born of women”. But immediately he praises anyone “least in the kingdom of heaven as greater than John the Baptist”. This is in no way belittling John the Baptist. 2.       The emphasis here is on belonging to the realm of the kingdom, on the spiritual birth. John the Baptist was great because already in his mother’s womb, he could encounter the Savior who was in Mary’s womb. He could be moved by the Holy Spirit. He could leap with joy in the vicinity of Jesus. 3.       In fact, Jesus is showing us the true greatness of John the Baptist. He is great not just because he was miraculously borne in his mother’s womb. Much more, because he encountered already the Saviour. 4.       He was already anointed by the Holy Spirit. Further, for the sake of the kingdom, he confronted violence and faced death. True to the words of the first reading from Isaiah, he was made a threshing sledge to thresh the people to the right path. 5.       Therefore, anyone who encounters Jesus, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and commits himself to the spread of God’s kingdom amidst all violence and destruction will be certainly great in the kingdom of heaven. 6.       Thus, it is not a matter of birth or lineage that makes one great. It is not the birth but rebirth. It is not the lineage but belongingness to Jesus. All that is needed is to place total trust in God’s assurance. God promises this: “I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand. Fear not, I will help you”. Imperative: The promises of God should reinvigorate our drooping spirits. The Lord repeatedly says, “Fear not. I will help you” (Reflection 2) Focus: For those who trust in God, life is never a loss or misery, but is ever a rediscovery of hope and joy 1.      Listen then if you have ears, so ends Jesus today’s gospel passage. Yes, we need the inner ear of faith to constantly listen to what God ceaselessly repeats into our ears. Endlessly he drills into our hearts how much he loves and cares for us, how much he assures us and instills confidence and courage into us. 2.      The very same words that he pronounces through his prophet Isaiah to his people are repeated today to all of us as well: “I am the Lord, your God. I strengthen you and tell you, do not be afraid; I will help you”. 3.      He knows that we are small and weak. He knows that our enemies, the evil forces are strong, violent, oppressing, and frightening. But it is not our strength that will be in action. It is his unsurpassable power that will prevail over all the hostile forces. 4.      He will change the dry land into flowing springs, deserts into pools of water, and barren land into forest. These are God’s promises. They are never empty or shallow or unreliable like those of men or many leaders. 5.      He says to the people of Israel: Fear not, I am your assistance. I will make you a thresher, new and with sharp double teeth. You will thresh hills and mountains, crushing them and reducing them to chaff. You will winnow them. 6.      These words apply exactly to John the Baptist. Like Elijah, he lives as a true prophet, passionate, courageous, and faithful. He urges people to repent and to be converted. But on our part, what is needed is to understand this and do our part in humility, courage, and dutifulness like him. Direction: We are really blessed that we are rated even greater than John the Baptist himself, the greatest born of women if only we strive sincerely on behalf of the kingdom of God I 15 DECEMBER 2023: ISAIAH 48. 17-19; MATTHEW 11. 16-19 Focus: Defective perspective! Indicative: Those who are self-centred and narrow-minded cannot understand and respect others. because the whole world is what they think and what is convenient for them 1.      Accepting and respecting others, working and accomplishing together with others demands a minimum openness and flexibility, humility, and fraternity toward others. Very often such spirit is lacking. Consequently, we find a lot of prejudice, stubbornness, and negativity. This fails to recognize others’ worth and to respect their freedom. 2.       People of such type expect all others to “dance according to their tunes”. They want the whole world to revolve around their ideas. They demand that all others must walk by their dictates. This is typical of the people of Jesus’ time. In Jesus’ own words, they are like the “children who say to others, “We piped to you, and you did not dance, we wailed, and you did not mourn”. 3.       They were so stubborn and negative-minded and so neither the austerity of John the Baptist nor the flexibility of Jesus would satisfy them. They labelled John the Baptist as a possessed man and Jesus as a self-indulgent man. These people do not see the heart or the intention or the goodness or the situation of others. They just want others to think, feel and do what they like. 4.       This is the same problem that God has faced in the Old Testament as well. See how God sighs with a pained tone of lament: “O that you had hearkened to my commandments!” It is the same anguish with which Jesus laments and weeps over Jerusalem in Matthew 23. 37-39 or Luke 13. 34-35: 5.       “How often have I ‘desired’ to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”. This is the same agony of heart with which he weeps over Jerusalem in Luke 19. 441-44: “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes… you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God”.   Imperative: Why does grace fail to bring about any effect and fruit in us? Why does the required change and transformation not take place? It is not the failure or incapacity of God’s grace. It is our failure to be sensitive, receptive, and cooperative (Reflection 2) Thrust: Dancing to one’s tunes! Indicative: Many suffer from prejudices and biases. This leads to stubbornness. Consequently, they fail to see and accept others as they are 1.      The openness deficit is one serious deficit that leads to many other evils. Many are not open to see, accept, appreciate, and support the good in others. They also do not see, respect, and accept the validity of others’ opinions and ideas. They are clouded by various prejudices and cannot behold reality. Their ego, pride, and self-righteousness close their heart and vision. 2.      Hence, they become intolerant, pessimistic, and negative toward others. They not only fail to see the good but even misinterpret it as bad. They twist the truth and present it according to their wrong perception and perspectives. 3.      This is exactly what Jesus rebukes in the gospel. Jesus comes down heavily on the people of his time. They are like the above-mentioned. They are like children who demand others to dance or mourn according to their tunes. They expect all others to move as they want. They want all others to see as they see. 4.      They are stuck with their own judgments and assessments. That is why they blame John the Baptist’s austerity as demon-possession, and Jesus’ solidarity and flexibility as looseness. They are perpetual fault-finders and nothing and no one can satisfy them. The reason is quite simple: they capsule all others in their own self-demarcated misconceptions. 5.      However, their prejudiced judgments and reactions do not change the truth. For “wisdom is justified by her deeds”. The criticism against John the Baptist and Jesus does not take away the truth of their authenticity. The problem is not theirs but that of the wrong perception. 6.      Therefore, the remedy for this “perspective-defect” to God’s commandments and striving to follow them. We should get rid of our erroneous perspectives. We should put on the mindset of God, adhering to his teachings and ways. Then the reward will be great. Peace and righteousness, posterity and longevity of life will be abundant. Imperative: If only we throw away the worthless baggage of our prejudices and misconceptions and self-demarcated judgments; if only we are a little more open and accommodative to see, understand and appreciate the value of others, better wisdom and right judgment will prevail 16 DECEMBER 2023: SIR 48. 1-4, 9-11; MATTHEW 17. 9a, 10-13 Focus: To Regain and Restore! Indicative: God never ceases to come to us or act in our lives. But very often many do not recognize this. And so they complain or conclude that God is no more active or caring 1.      Today’s readings highlight the figure of Elijah. Undoubtedly he was an outstanding prophet. Glorious was his mission and wondrous were his deeds. He stood for God against false gods. He did the work of God amidst all challenges. 2.       He was zealous amidst all mediocrity. His fire was burning the hearts. He was a calmer of the wrath of God. He was a restorer of the estranged and strayed. He was the benefactor of God’s abundant blessings to the humble. 3.       John the Baptist very much resembles Elijah. In fact, he is the Elijah of the New Testament. Like Elijah, he is fiery with his urge for repentance and conversion. Like Elijah, he is on the mission of restoring all things. But, sadly people did not accept his message. They also did away with him. 4.       Similar would be the fate of Jesus as well. He came to restore the lost dignity and the lost relationship with God and with one another. But people did not recognize his divine identity. They were not pleased with his teaching and also his way of life. 5.       They felt challenged and questioned. He was a question mark to their hypocrisy and shallow authority. He posed a threat to their compromising and dichotomous life. 6.       Therefore, they would reject him, persecute and kill him. What is our response and responsibility in the face of their fate and destiny? It is not only knowing about their mission and the eventual fate meted out to them. It is not only to feel sad about their sad end. It is not only to feel angry and condemn them. 7.       Now, how often do we too fail to know and recognize Jesus and also various other prophets? How often do we take for granted God working in and through them? How often do we neglect and even reject God’s invitation for repentance and transformation?   Imperative: Be restored! This can be one recurrent message of the holy Advent. Yes, it is the right time to restore our broken grace, broken virtue, broken relationship with God, and our broken loyalty to Him. (Reflection 2) Thrust: Men on fire! Indicative: Those who love God and are loyal to Him, will be on fire. They live for God and do His will passionately and resolutely come what may 1.      Prophet Elijah was an outstanding figure in the Old Testament. He performed wondrous deeds. He enjoys a glorious name and reverence in Israel. But apart from these factors, what makes him commendable is his passion for God and his focus on his mission. 2.      He would contest with the followers of false gods and defeat them. And he would turn back the wavering and strayed people to Yahweh, the true God. Thus, his mission was precisely one of restoration. That is, restoring the lost relationship within the community, and with God. 3.      In the New Testament, John the Baptist would resemble Elijah, in his passion for God, and fierce defence of God’s ways. Nothing and no one would intimidate him or deter his commitment to his mission. 4.      John the Baptist tried with conviction and courage to correct the wrong and restore the original sanctity and fidelity. But sadly, the people could not stomach his truthfulness. Their hypocrisy and shallow spirituality would not appreciate and support his authenticity and depth of spirituality. 5.      That is why they did to him whatever they pleased and did away with him. The fate of Jesus too was no different. His integrity of living and zeal for God would challenge and expose the shallowness of their religion and spirituality. Therefore, they would also do away with Jesus as they do with John the Baptist. Imperative: A genuine seeker of truth would not hide his false layers. He would never suppress truth and adherents of truth. He would not succumb to the pressure of falsity. For what matters the most for him is fidelity to the Lord