8-13 January 24 mass reflection

08 - 13 JANUARY 2024, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 08 JANUARY 2024: BAPTISM OF THE LORD 2024):  ISAIAH 42. 1-4, 6-7; ACTS 10. 34-38; MARK 1.7-11   Focus: Baptised and Commissioned! Indicative: The baptism of Jesus is an indication of the identity and mission of Jesus. Thus, it is also a confirmation of the same The Baptism of the Lord outlines four aspects: 1) Indicates the radical mission of Jesus 2) Such a mission is rooted in his communion with the Father 3) Initiates his mission 4) Reminds our own baptismal consecration and mission   1.      The event of the baptism of Jesus indicates his “radical mission”, which is a mission of salvation or redemption. Originally, in the Biblical context, saviour or redeemer connotes the idea of one who acts on behalf of or in favour of someone in slavery or in debt, or who is a victim of injustice. 2.      Accordingly, a redeemer renders justice by winning over the opponent or relieving or liberating, with a ransom. In fact, the English term “redeem” evidently means to “make one deemed again”, or to restore the lost dignity. Thus, Jesus undertakes this mission of salvation or redemption from a situation of misery and bondage. 3.      So, Jesus’ mission implies an unending story of God’s mercy and compassion toward humanity, which is a victim and slave of sin. It implies his condescending forgiveness of their sins. Further, it also indicates their liberation. This is done through his identification with them, his solidarity with them, and his expiation for them by self-immolation. 4.      Now, how this mission is denoted by his baptism? Baptism was needed for those who are beset by sin, who need conversion, forgiveness, and purification. But, Jesus, the Son of God, did not need to be baptised, because he is sinless. 5.      But still, he allows himself to be baptised because he keeps himself in our place, he carries our burden of sin, he shares our human weakness, and he gets into solidarity with us in our human situation of fragility. 6.      His baptism confirms his communion with the Father, in which his mission is rooted. The obvious signs and testimonies of this communion are: the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the attestation of the Father from heaven, “You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased”. 7.      Jesus’ baptism initiates his “concrete mission”, which manifests itself in preaching and healing. This is a holistic mission, viz. of heart, word, and deed, namely, conversion of heart, announcing the good news in word, and healing in deed. His baptism marks the beginning of his ministry. So, on receiving baptism, Jesus immediately plunges into his relentless Kingdom-mission. 8.      Jesus’ baptism reminds us of our own baptism and challenges us to renew and live our baptismal consecration. Our baptism is not merely a ritual or a tradition. It is an insertion into the very life of Jesus. 9.      It is incorporation into the mystical body of Christ, the community of the Church. It is an imitation and resemblance of Christ. It is consecration to God. This can imply four aspects: We belong to God; we are totally owned/possessed by God; we remain loyal to God and His kingdom; we bear witness to Jesus and his values, through sharing in his own mission. 10.  What does the baptism of Jesus mean for us today? Is it only a commemoration of a past event in the life of Jesus or the history of the church? Is it only an instance that marks the start of Jesus’ mission? How does this feast summon us to “be daily baptised”, i.e. be charged and animated by the Holy Spirit and fire? 11.  How do we constantly strive to grow into the person and life of our Master? How do we grow into spiritual and fraternal communion with the community of the Church? How are we loyal and committed partakers and perpetuators of the same mission of Jesus, which is liberation and integration?   (Reflection 2)  Thrust: Chosen and committed! Indicative: The feast of the Baptism of the Lord indicates on one hand his commitment to the mission of our salvation and on the other hand our own commitment to live our baptismal consecration 1.      Today Jesus is baptised. It is not a mere traditional ritual. It is symbolic. It symbolizes three essential aspects: the purification of sins; Insertion into the chosen fold; and initiation into the mission of repentance and conversion. 2.       “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased”. Firstly, this indicates and confirms Jesus’ identity. Secondly, it indicates the kind of relationship with his Father. He is the beloved Son of the Father. There is an intimate and pleasant relationship between them. 3.       All the above-mentioned 3 aspects are clear in Jesus’ baptism. Though sinless, he allows himself to be baptized. Thereby he symbolises our own purification. In our place, he humbles himself, to be counted one among us, the sinful lot. Thus, his baptism shows the utmost need for our purification, the cleansing from sin. 4.       His baptism shows that he inserts himself in the chosen fold of God’s people. His baptism incorporates him into our human family. He makes himself a willing sharer in our human reality, especially our sin-infection and the struggle for liberation from it. 5.       His baptism is the starting point, the launching pad for his mission. His getting into the water for baptism is getting into the waters of the mission. His being baptized is being sent on the mission of cleansing by repentance and conversion. The voice from heaven affirming Jesus’ belonging to the Father is conferring His Spirit for the God-sent mission. 6.       All that is spoken in the first reading and the second very much applies to him. Jesus Christ is the chosen one, well-pleasing to God. God is with him. He is anointed with the Spirit and power. His mission is a mission of justice. 7.       There is no partiality but fairness and equity. It is a mission of being a Covenant of the Lord, Light, and Restoration of sight to the blind and Freedom to the prisoners and captives. 8.       Baptism of the Lord also reminds us of our own vocation and mission. it makes us aware of what we are and what we are to do. We are chosen. He formed us. He grasped us by the hand. He upholds us. He puts His Spirit upon us. Such is our closeness. 9.       But that does not stop or end there. All this is directed to a mission. We are set as a covenant. We are appointed as a light for the nations. We are sent to liberate the people from their different enslavements. Thus all this is to establish the reign of Justice and Liberation.   Imperative: We need to live our baptism. It is not merely to recollect the ritual. It is to re-live our baptismal consecration, that is to repent, be converted and transform many others 09 JANUARY 2024: 1 SAMUEL 1. 9-20; MARK 1. 21-28 Punch Line: Authority: Not subjugation but Submission! Guideline: In a time of degenerating authority, we need to rediscover and recapture the right spirit of authority and learn to exercise the same type 1.      It is not a sweeping judgment to say that today authority is getting corrupted. It is becoming synonymous with manipulation, discrimination, and domination. 2.      The real spirit of authority which is nobility and dignity of character is corroding. The real purpose of authority which is service and benefit of others is sidelined. 3.       It is in this context the word of God is resurging the true authority. True authority is to be seen in terms of spiritual tenacity, moral credibility, and authenticity of life. 4.       This is what we see in Hannah in the first reading from 1 Samuel and in Jesus in the gospel of Mark. Hannah was persistent in her prayer. She was spiritually so profound and totally surrendered to God. 5.       Jesus was totally united with his Father, spiritually vibrant. He was integral and credible. He was so authentic without any trace of duplicity. 6.       This was his real authority and not merely the divine power to work some miracles. This was the authority that made him different and distinct from others in authority. 7.       Jesus’ authority was thus holistic, both in words and deeds. That is why he could teach and preach powerfully and also could heal and exorcise authoritatively. This type of authority is a serious warning and challenge to those in authority in our present times. 8.       How sadly the authority of today is mostly devoid of spirituality, morality, and authenticity! How many today turn their authority into a tool for self-projection, self-promotion, and self-glory? How much does authority degenerate into a means for subjugating and overpowering others?   Life Line: Unless the present authority regains that lost touch of spiritual fervour and moral authenticity, it will not be powerful enough to demolish evil and establish good (Reflection 2) Thrust: Authority with a difference! Indicative: The authority of Jesus was something totally different from the rest. This must serve as a challenge and corrective for all against all spirit of deterioration 1.      People of Jesus’ time marvelled at his teaching because he taught with authority. It was a teaching that was straight and direct. It was not teaching that was rhetoric but authentic. It was not teaching seeking to impress others about himself but impress God’s message and word on their hearts. 2.      From where does this authority come? It was an authority rooted in God in a deep spirituality, lived in a life of integrity, based on virtue and value, and shown concretely in benevolence through acts of healing and kindness. 3.      Exorcism was a concrete instance of this authority. The cause of his authority is the Spirit and power of God. The effect is cleansing from evil spirits. Thus, Jesus’ authority leads to healing. This healing is not merely an individual act of healing. 4.      It is much beyond. It is an act of restoration. What is restored? The lost dignity is restored. The lost freedom and inner liberation is restored. The lost grace is restored. The lost relationships are restored. The lost purity and cleanness of the heart is restored. The lost fraternal bonding is restored. The lost power of God is restored. 5.      In other words, Jesus’ authority was an authority that was characterized by humility, obedience to God’s will, and solidarity with others. Any authority that is arrogant, does not obey God’s will, and fails to be concerned and solidary with others, is not a godly authority. 6.      Today each one must check upon the quality and direction of our authority. Everyone, in their own way, be it in family, company, or community exercises some kind of authority. But the question is, is it a spiritual, integral, and benevolent authority? Imperative: In a world where there is a degeneration of power and authority, we are summoned to exercise and foster the authority of God and good 10 JANUARY 2024: 1 SAMUEL 3. 1-10, 19-20; MARK 1. 29-39   Punch Line: Here I am; Speak! Guideline: When we remain close to God, for sure God will touch and transform us; He will speak to us and empower us to be a prophet in His name, as He did with Samuel 1.      In the first reading from 1 Samuel, we have a dramatic scene of the call of Samuel. Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. The Lord called him by name twice. But, he had not yet known the Lord. 2.       Yet, he shows his prompt readiness in his words, “Here I am!” But once he discerns the Lord’s call through the help of his guru Eli, he throws himself before the Lord in total docility saying, “Speak, for your servant hears”. 3.       This is the whole purpose and content of all our vocation and mission: To stay intimately with the Lord, to listen to him attentively, and to be a prophet of the Lord, set on his mission. This is what Jesus did. 4.       The gospel text of today places before us one day in the life of Jesus. This gives us a beautiful summary of all the days of his life. It was one whole of praying, preaching, and healing. These were the essential ingredients of his life and ministry. They were a perfect blend and never in conflict. 5.       There was no neglecting one or excluding one because of the other two. They complemented and supported each other. There was no conflict at all between his personal life and public ministry. One flows into the other. It was a mission-oriented life and life-permeated mission. 6.       This harmonious life and mission of Jesus is a great lesson for today where often there is a great tug of war between life and ministry. Often, there is excellence in ministry but indifference, indulgence, and incongruence in life. 7.       There is so much activity in ministry but without authenticity in real life. Thus, often the spirit and fact do not correspond with each other. Thus, often there is so much neglect of prayer and moral values in preference to the bundles of activities of the ministry.   Life Line: Life and ministry are not contradictory but complementary. What we are and what we do must go together. Otherwise, people may appreciate us for the works we do but blame us for the life we live (Reflection 2) Thrust: Destroy evil! Indicative: God subjects himself to death and rises from it. Thereby he frees us from the clutches of sin 1.      Jesus, the Son of God became like one of us. He suffered and was tested like us. Therefore he knows our weaknesses and struggles. He does not condemn us or despise us. He defeated the evil. He brought us freedom and life. 2.      Jesus’ ministry is extensive and holistic. It is not limited only to his close ones, like Peter’s mother-in-law but all others in that town. It is not limited only to his place but extends also to other places in the whole of Galilee. 3.      His ministry is holistic because it comprises both word and deed. He preaches and heals. It is holistic because it is rooted in his deep communion with the Father. He does not excuse himself from prayer or does not substitute prayer with work, like many. 4.      No busyness of his ministry comes in the way of his intimate moments with the Father. Rather he finds time in the early morning. He perfectly integrates prayer with the ministry. Receiving Jesus’ message and healing touch, what must be our approach and response? 5.      Peter’s mother-in-law gives us some lesson here. She receives Jesus’ nearness. She is grasped by hand by him. She is helped up. As soon as she gets cured, she begins to serve him. Do we also allow him to be near us, touch us by hand, and help us up? Do we also serve him as we are cured? Imperative: Integrity of life and integration of mission are the hallmarks of Jesus. Can we imbibe a little of the same spirit as his torch-bearers? 11 JANUARY 2024: 1 SAMUEL 4. 1-11; MARK 1. 40-45   Punch Line: God who never despises but Empathizes! Guideline: Many times in our life, things happen against our expectations and calculations. Instead of questioning God’s ways, it is better to be humble and surrender ourselves to His holy will 1.      In the first reading from 1 Samuel 4. 1-11, we have a very interesting episode. The Israelites were defeated by the Philistines. Then, they bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord to the battle camp and fight again being dead sure of their victory. 2.       But again they are defeated worse than before. Even the ark of the covenant was captured and the two sons of Eli, the priest were also killed. 3.       This looks very strange and even very discouraging. They trusted in the presence of God through the ark of the covenant and they expected that God’s mighty power would defeat their enemies. 4.       But not only did they lose the battle but also the ark itself was captured. Does it mean that the Lord is not powerful? Does it mean that He is indifferent? Does it mean that the presence of God makes no difference in our life battles against evil? 5.       Nothing of these. Perhaps, the point here is the need for humility, trust, and surrender. They trusted in the ark of the Lord; but did they really trust in the Lord of the ark? 6.       They thought that the very physical placement of the ark in the camp would ensure their victory, while there was no place for God in their hearts or camp. 7.       They expected a magical display of God’s power but did not allow Him to personally take control of the situation. They were not humble enough to plead with God. They did not surrender themselves to God for His protection. 8.       Rather they surrendered themselves to the ark. They gave more importance to the symbol and ignored the Lord symbolized. Perhaps, this reminds us that having holy things in our possession and dealing habitually with them is no guarantee for protection and success. 9.       In contrast, in the gospel, we have a leper who stands as an example of humility, trust, and surrender. He was humble to realize his misery of leprosy and the need for healing. He was humble to implore Jesus and kneel before him. He was humble to respect Jesus’ freedom, saying, “If you will…” 10.   He trusted in Jesus’ power as well as mercy. That is why, he says, “If you will, you can make me clean”. He surrendered himself totally to Jesus’ will. Hence, he was rewarded with healing. 11.   Jesus was personally moved with compassion, stretched out his hand, touched him, said to him, “I will; be clean” and thus healed him.   Life Line: How much of my life is directed by humility, trust, and surrender? How often do I too expect a magical intervention of God into my life? Am I stuck only to images and devotions, without a personal relationship with God? (Reflection 2) Thrust: Lord, make me clean! Indicative: God understands our human weaknesses and so He understands our failures. But He wants us to be aware of them and approach Him for healing 1.      We have a picture of simple but profound and genuine faith in the gospel. This is seen in a leper. Oh, What humility! What an openness! What confidence! What surrender! And what a sense of mission! 2.      He comes to Jesus. He kneels before him. He begs him. It is a gentle plea as he says, “If you wish”. He confides totally both in the goodness and power of the Lord, saying, “You can make me clean”. 3.      Will God refuse such a humble and faithful heart? The Lord is moved with pity. He stretches out his hand. He touches the leper. He says, “I will; Be healed”. And he heals him. 4.      We detect here the solidarity of Jesus with the suffering humanity. This is seen in his respect and acceptance of the leper, considered impure and excluded from society (Lev 13. 45-46; Num 5. 2-3). 5.      Any contact with lepers would also invite a general resentment and disdain with the risk of ritual impurity and ritual obligations. But Jesus is least bothered about these issues. For him what matters the most is the person and his healing. So he heals. 6.      We also see Jesus’ total detachment from any self-recognition or publicity. He warns strictly the healed leper not to tell anyone anything. 7.      What a contrast with many today who eagerly and frantically seek cheap popularity and self-glory! Today the church too abounds with publicity-hunger. 8.      We also see the positive effect of real healing. Once healed, the leper goes around publicising the whole matter. He shares with others what he personally experienced. Imperative: I need to be open to the healing touch of the Lord. For this, I need to realise the need for healing. Also, I must become a sharer of God’s goodness to others 12 JANUARY 2024: 1 SAMUEL 8. 4-7, 10-22a; MARK 2. 1-12   Punch Line: True faith is never sickly! Guideline: True healing is holistic because it changes the whole person and makes him whole. Those who are only physically healed but are not changed in their life are only partially healed   1.      One greatest malaise of our present society is a rapid and steep decline of faith. This pertains not only to the religious domain but also to all the fields and spheres of life. There is a lack of faith in families, in religious circles, in politics, in business, and what not. 2.       The immediate consequence is interior unhealthiness. Those who lack faith and are not faithful can never be happy and healthy in the full sense. 3.       The people of Israel in the first reading lacked this faith in God. They are fascinated by the concept and the rule of earthly kings of their neighbourhood. 4.       They completely forget the fact that God is the greatest king, the king of kings. No other king can replace God for His might and benevolence. 5.       They also totally lose sight of the enormous mercy of God toward them in their history. Even the wise warning of Samuel about the perils of an evil king like slavery, suppression, and extortion. 6.       But his wise warning could not dissuade them. They are obstinate in their demand. Consequently, they not only reject Samuel’s advice but God Himself. 7.       In the gospel too we have an example of faith and lack of faith respectively. The friends of a paralytic, brought to Jesus through the roof exemplify this faith. The scribes who blame Jesus for blasphemy embody this lack of faith. 8.       The four friends of the paralytic realizing the almost impossibility of reaching Jesus through the crowd make an opening in the roofing and let down their friend on the bed straight in front of Jesus. 9.       On the other hand, the scribes harp on Jesus’ healing words, “Your sins are forgiven” and accuse him of blasphemy.   Life Line: True faith is essentially making an opening in the heart and opening the heart to the Lord; lack of faith is closing the heart to the Lord. Faith heals while unfaith sickens   (Reflection 2) Focus: God never fails in His promises and concern. But it needs faith to believe and to live worthy of those promises   1.      In today’s gospel, Jesus heals a paralytic. He not only heals him physically but also pronounces, “Your sins are forgiven”. This becomes a moment of controversy. While the simple people glorify God, the scribes blame him for blasphemy. 2.      They fail to see Jesus’ power and sinless heart. They do not see the authenticity and depth of his spirituality. They do not appreciate his integrity in life. They do not feel happy with his kindness and selfless service. They cannot tolerate his solidarity with all, in a spirit of equity and justice, rising above all prejudices and discriminations. 3.      They feel threatened. They boil with jealousy. They are totally at dis-ease and loss, because he becomes a question mark, a challenge against their hypocrisy, shallow spirituality, self-righteousness, and lack of sensitivity and charity. 4.      They cannot come up to his level. Therefore, the only way is to bring down his level. Consequently, they attribute wrong motives to him. They show him in the wrong light. 5.      They blame his intimacy with God as blasphemy, his compassion as a breach of law, and his mercy as social defiance. They make use of every opportunity to demonstrate their stiff resentment and resistance to him. 6.      It is in this context, Jesus appreciates the friends of the paralytic who carry him and make an opening in the roof to reach Jesus, amidst the crowd. He hints at the lack of faith of the Jews. 7.      He also points to the sickening and harmful effect of sin, in declaring, "Your sins are forgiven". He further indicates that the release from sin is more important than from any other sickness.   Direction: What God wants and aims at is not so much physical health but much more spiritual and holistic health.   13 JANUARY 2024: 1 SAMUEL 9. 1-4, 17-19, 10.1; MARK 2. 13-17   Punch Line: Beyond human calculations! Guideline: God’s ways and choices are not always comprehensible. Many times His designs are upsetting and unconventional but no one can question the wisdom in them   1.      God chooses Saul as the king of Israel at the adamant request of the people. But why does He choose him? Is it just because he was very handsome, well-built and strong? 2.       Certainly not; because God is least bothered about the externals. Does not God know that later on, Saul would turn malevolent going against God’s heart? 3.       In the gospel too Jesus chooses Levi, a tax collector as one of his twelve apostles. Certainly, it was not a bright choice, nor a right one. 4.       Levi was labelled as a sinner due to his job as a tax collector. He was despised by society. But Jesus calls him to follow him to be his disciple. What are his criteria? 5.       We are not fully clear of Jesus’ criteria. But we can be sure that the criteria of Jesus are not at all in tune with the criteria of the world. 6.       It is not social status or dignity. It is not a high level of the family. It is not the person’s good looks. It is not intelligence. It is not competence. If these were to be the criteria, many of the clergy and religious would not stand the test. 7.       It is ultimately God’s benevolent choice. It is His selfless love that wants to be in solidarity with us. It is His sharing love that wants to make us His companions and friends. 8.       That is why he freely and happily eats with tax collectors and sinners. He calls the sick, and not the healthy. He chooses the sinners and not the righteous. 9.        However, He has a purpose, a goal. He entrusts us with his own mission. It is to spread His kingdom of love, justice, joy, and peace. For belonging to him, for following him, there are no conditions or criteria. 10.   All are welcome! What we are before the call is not the matter. What we will become in his following is what matters the most.   Life Line: Instead of wasting time in reasoning out the criteria for God’s choices and actions, it is better to understand His will and expectations in calling us and strive to live worthy of His call   (Reflection 2) Thrust: Follow me! Indicative: We have a God who understands and shares our human weaknesses, sympathises with them and enables us to overcome them 1.      It is said that “every saint has a past and every sinner has a future”. The point is clear: Our life should never be stagnant. True discipleship is a matter of what we can become and not what we were. Therefore, what is important is constant progressive growth in the path of discipleship and perfection. 2.      In the gospel, we have the Markan version of the call of Matthew. We have reflected on it many times. Still, slightly differently, we can reiterate some main points. 3.      Matthew’s call invites us for gradational, consistent progress. No doubt that before his call. Matthew was not an ideal man. He cannot be termed a “religious” or righteous man. He was rightly regarded as a sinner. 4.      And strangely, being a sinner is not a disqualification but a “qualification” to become a disciple of Christ. This is totally contrary to the normal recruitment in the world. 5.      Any admission, any job will prescribe certain requirements and certain credentials that qualify and prove one’s suitability. But for following the Lord, there is no such qualification. 6.      This is a kind of consolation and clarificatory note for us, especially in the present times, when at times we wonder why some assume key and honourable positions. We may question their worth and suitability. We may feel disturbed that the wrong people are chosen.