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