SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST 24

24 - 29 JUNE 2024, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 24 JUNE 2024: ISIAH 49. 1-6; ACTS 13. 22-26; LUKE 1. 57-66: SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Focus: Our life is not a haphazard or fortuitous existence without a goal and direction but it is a gratuitous and gracious gift of God 1. Today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist. His is the only birth we celebrate besides the birthdays of the Lord and the Mother. That alone shows the singular importance that is accorded to him. The words of prophets Jeremiah 1. 4-10 and Isaiah 49. 1-6 are true and applicable to his birth and mission. 2. He has been eternally destined by God to be his precursor, who prepares the way for the Messiah, who preaches repentance and converts many to the way of the Lord. He was called and named by the Lord from the mother’s womb. He was made like a sharp sword and like a polished arrow. He was the chosen servant of God. He was made as a light to the nations. In him, God is glorified. 3. The second reading from Acts 13. 22-26 also indicates that John is a man after God’s own heart who will do all his will like David. God Himself would be his shield and guide. He would hide him in the shadow of His hand, and in His quiver. Hence no fear! 4. The birth of John the Baptist recalls and reminds us of our own Christian vocation and mission, which can be summarized in three essential aspects: destiny, consecration, and empowerment. We are destined for eternity, destined to be heirs of heaven. 5. In the pursuit of this destiny, we are consecrated to be His own, to be the disciples of Christ on his mission. In carrying out this mission and living out of the life of grace, we are empowered with His own power that emboldens us and illumines us amidst all fears and evil forces. 6. John the Baptist lived and accomplished his destiny, consecration, and empowerment by his undistracted focus, humble surrender, and unflinching loyalty Direction: Life will be joyful and fulfilling to the extent we are profoundly aware and live our project of destiny, consecration, and empowerment in focus, surrender, and commitment 25 JUNE 2024: 2 KINGS 19. 9B-11, 14-21, 31-35A, 36; MATTHEW 7. 6, 12-14 Thrust: Wisdom to discern! Indicative: Many fail to make the right decisions and implement them into the right actions. It is because they fail to discern between right and wrong. Further, this is because they lack wisdom 1. One dominant theme in today’s word of God is divine discernment. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria does not realise and discern between God’s unsurpassable might and his own limited human resources and army capacities. He does not discern that the God of Israel is the supreme warrior, victor, and protector of His people. 2. Consequently, he ridicules Hezekiah, the king of Israel that there is no rescue for him other than surrendering to the hands of Assyria. God thwarts his plans and frustrates his human capacities. He declares explicitly, “I will defend the city and save it”. Failure in discernment brings humiliation and destruction. 3. In the gospel, 3 further cases call for discernment: not throwing what is holy to the dogs, and pearls before the pigs; doing to others what we want them to do to you; entering through the narrow gate and way and not the broader. 4. What is holy and precious like a pearl may be our faith, our life. They are so sacred and valuable. So we must always safeguard and preserve them intact. We should not tamper with them or taint them. 5. We should not expose them to dogs and pigs, meaning evil forces or pressures. We should not deal with our faith and life thoughtlessly and carelessly. This is also a caution against evil to be careful and not be taken for a ride. 6. The second aspect of discernment is to opt for altruism. In Jesus’ words, it is to “do to others what you want them to do to you”. Accordingly, it would mean that we always think, feel, speak and do only what is good and positive toward others. No one would wish bad or harm for one’s own self. This in fact is the “Golden Rule”. 7. The third aspect of discernment is between the narrow gate and way and the broader gate and way. The former is difficult but leads to salvation. But the latter, the broader is easier but leads to destruction. Imperative: The man of today lacks this power of discernment. That is why he easily falls to the fierce attacks of the evil, the dogs and pigs. He is not able to preserve intact his life and faith. He fails in altruism. He is prone and eager to walk the broader way and meets with discernment (Reflection 2) Focus: The people of the world think of themselves as on top of the world relying on their own capacities, but they will be put to shame when God mercifully intervenes on behalf of His people Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, places too much trust in his mighty army and underestimates and ridicules God Yahweh and Hezekiah, the king of Judah. But Hezekiah realizes his own vulnerable situation and turns to God, placing his total trust in Him and entrusting the whole cause to God. And God does not fail his trust and rescues his country from the enemy's hand. This is the real faith - counting on God even in seemingly desperate and defeating situations. It is this faith that Jesus speaks as something holy and a pearl that should be preserved without throwing to dogs or swine, which can mean evil and worldly forces. In safeguarding this faith, two principles will be significant: perseverance with a wise discernment to choose the narrow way against the broader way and persist in the same; the second principle is an empathetic benevolence towards others, that is, to place ourselves in the situations of others and to do to others the good that we wish for ourselves. Direction: Realizing the worth of faith, Reliance on God, clarity of priorities, and walking the right way, are the fundamental norms of a good and godly life 26 JUNE 2024: 2 KINGS 22. 8-13, 23. 1-3; MATTHEW 7. 15-20 Thrust: Wickedness in disguise? Indicative: Mere external appearances cannot prove the real quality of something or someone. They can be clever devices and deceptive disguises. Only authentic actions matter 1. There is a rampant “mask” culture. The real character often is under pretensions and disguises. Many go about with a lot of duplicities, giving an appearance and colouring of being good and holy. But in truth, they are only hiding their bad nature under a good cover. This is what Jesus calls, “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. 2. Quite true to Jesus’ warning, there are many false prophets all around us who wear sheep’s clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves. These project themselves as meek, humble, and pure like sheep. They appear to be harmless. But inside they are full of aggressiveness, and destructive nature. 3. They wait for every little chance to pounce on others and harm them grievously. But how do we find them out? Is there any criterion, any test to uncover their real colour? It is by looking at their fruits. 4. As Jesus cautions, these are the bad or diseased trees. They pretend to bear good fruit. But they bear only bad fruit. A bad tree cannot bear good fruit. These are the thorn bushes and they cannot produce grapes or figs. Their end will only be destruction, just as every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 5. The falsity, deceptiveness, and failure of the test of the authenticity of these false prophets should serve as a caution, warning, and challenge for all of us not to fall into the same trap. Instead of bad or diseased trees, we must be good trees that bear good fruits. We must not be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Rather we must be sheep in sheep’s clothing. 6. For this, like the king of Judah and all his people in the first reading, we must constantly rediscover and renew our covenant with the Lord. We must resolve to “walk after the Lord, to keep his commandments, his testimonies and his statutes with all our heart and all our soul”. Imperative: Claiming to be good and healthy trees but bearing bad fruits is a contradiction. Let us try to be good trees not only in appearance but in truth by bearing good fruits (Reflection 2) Falsity is always detestable in the sight of God because He knows the humans through and through. Those who are false may disguise themselves in the garbs of holiness. They may be able to fool and deceive others. But they cannot fool God. God will certainly take them to the task. This is how Jesus warns in the gospel about the false people in the holy garb of prophets. These are inwardly violent wolves but outwardly meek sheep. They are bad trees that appear to bear good fruits. But they bear only bad fruits. And they are judged by their bad fruits. Accordingly, just like the bad trees they will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, what is important is that we are sincere and authentic with no false disguises. We must grow and live like good trees that bear good fruits. We must prove ourselves by the quality of our fruits. Then surely God will bless us and reward us abundantly. 27 JUNE 2024: 2 KINGS 24. 8-17; MATTHEW 7. 21-29 Thrust: Shallow promises do not suffice! Indicative: Mere words or shallow activities will not please God and bring His blessings. What really matters is to cease to do evil and be faithful to God 1. The word of God once again makes it clear that evil is abominable and displeasing to God. What He expects from us is to avoid evil, and to remain faithful to Him. If one fails in this, he will meet the consequences, ending up in destruction. This is what happened in the case of Jehoiachin, the king of Judah. 2. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. As a consequence, he meets with defeat and captivity at the hands of the king of Babylon. A similar fate would await all those who do evil. They may acclaim “Lord, Lord”. But that will not suffice. If they fail to do God’s will, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 3. Some others may also do apparently many religious activities and spiritual gifts like prophecy, exorcism, and miracles. But that too will not suffice. They need to avoid their wickedness and be faithful to God in an integral life. Otherwise, they will meet the fate of rejection by the Lord who would declare, “I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of wickedness”. 4. Ultimately what matters the most is to live a life, founded and built on rock. It means to live a life that remains solid and firm in faith, beaten by winds and floods but unshaken. It means to live a life that is docile and submissive to listen and be tuned to His voice and promptings. It means to live a life that is constantly built on His teachings and values. It means to live a life that strives to do His mission of spreading His kingdom and bearing abundant fruits of good actions. 5. But on the contrary, if one builds his house on a foundation of sand, their fall will be sure and great. It is to entangle oneself in worldly dissipations, being carried away by worthless interests and pursuits. These are the ones who are content with mere empty words and shallow activities. Their hearts cling to evil and their lives continue dichotomous. Imperative: It is wisdom that makes the vital difference between the two types of foundations. People of wisdom build their life on rock while those foolish, on sand. What are we – wise or foolish? What foundation is ours – rock or sand? (Reflection 2) Focus: Knowledge alone will not suffice to live a worthwhile life and to be pleasing in God's sight but we need the wisdom of God to discern and follow the right Doing evil will bring only God's just wrath and doom. This is clearly seen in the case of Jehoiachin, the king of Judah who did evil in the sight of God and consequently was defeated and deported as a captive by the king of Babylon. Jesus too is stern with all those who do evil. Mere prophesying or doing great exorcisms or miracles, organising great things in God's name, or preaching great, will not qualify one worthy before God and to enter heaven. It is like foolishness to build one's life on the loose foundation of sand of worldly pursuits and evil ways. The real qualification is the wisdom to build one's life on the solid foundation of the rock of faith and goodness and a resultant authentic life that strives always to do God's will. Direction: Today the illusion of many should be shattered that mere talent, competence, and resources will not merit God's holy pleasure but only a holy and good life 28 JUNE 2024: 2 KINGS 25. 1-12; MATTHEW 8. 1-4, St Irenaeus Focus: Everyone stands in need of healing and for this, one should be aware of his unhealthy condition, deeply feel the desire for health and the need for healing, and in faith approach the Lord 1. The regular and serial besiege and exile of the kings of Judah, of the city of Jerusalem and the people, is a hard indication and lesson that infidelity to God and His moral principles will throw our life into shatters. Evil may bring quick gains and temporary pleasures but will have long-lasting disasters and distress 2. It is not a defeat or powerlessness or indifference of God. Rather, it is a pointer to all that merely subscribing to a religion or pronouncing God's name will not do good. What is needed is a faithful and integral life. 3. In the light of the gospel, it is to be healed of leprosy that corrodes a person and alienates him from society One should get rid of the interior and spiritual leprosy that eats away the sanity and wholeness of the person. 4. All of us need healing and restoration of the lost health. For this, like the leper, we need an earnest desire to approach the Lord, and to get cleaned and healed by God. We must humbly plead the Lord, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean”. And the Lord is always ready to heal us, 5. The Lord is always ready to heal us, saying, “I will; be clean”. Many a time, many continue unhealed and unclean because they lack this deep desire and turn to God. 6. At a time when the church was being threatened by the leprous-like infection of heresies, St Irenaeus, the bishop of Lyons stood firm, defended the truth of faith and was martyred Direction: In a world that becomes more and more health-conscious and beauty-conscious, one should aim at and strive for interior and holistic health and beautification 29 JUNE 2024: ACTS 12. 1-11; 2 TIM 4. 6-8, 17-18; MATTHEW 16. 13-19; SAINTS PETER AND PAUL Focus: The greatness of faith is not so much in what one does by oneself for the Lord, but in what one allows God to do in and through oneself, in surrender and dedication 1. Today we celebrate the solemnity of St Peter and St Paul. In a way, they are the two prime craftsmen of the edifice of the Church, after the heart of Christ, the real Founder, and the Master Architect. They are the master servants of the Supreme Master and the servant leaders of the community of believers. 2. What is striking and awe-inspiring in both of them is their unbounded passion for Christ. It is this passionate love for him that makes them stand solid like a rock even in the face of terrible adversities and persecutions, leading to martyrdom as well. 3. It is this passion that makes Peter announce with conviction, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16. 16). It is this passion that makes Peter affirm with indefectible loyalty, “To whom shall we go, Lord? You have the words of eternal life” (cf. Jn 6. 68). It is this passion that makes him confess his love with total heart, “Lord, you know that I love you” (cf. Jn 21. 15-19). It is the same passion that keeps his faith undaunted despite the imprisonments or other sufferings. 4. However, this passion is not merely sentimental or limited only to words. It is deeply actual and authentic in action. It shows itself in total detachment and sacrifice. That is why Peter left everything and followed the Lord at his call (cf. Luke 5. 8-11). He would also attest, “You see we have given up everything to follow you” (Mt 20. 27). 5. The same passion is amply manifest in Paul as well. See what a fire of love consumes him when he professes his love for Christ, “Who or what can separate us from the love of Christ?” Nothing and no one can ever work against us when Christ is with us and when we love him (cf. Rom 8. 35-39). 6. That is why, Paul would exclaim in Phil 3. 7-8: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ”. 7. Further, this same passion would set them on fire in the same mission of Christ, charged with perseverance, loyalty, and commitment. It makes them selfless and fearless in carrying out the mission of Christ. Their passionate mission knew no bounds and so it cut across all boundaries. 8. They remained true to their Master to the end. They testified their love and passion for their Lord by their blood. It is this authenticity of commitment that makes Paul declare in today’s second reading from 2 Timothy 4. 6-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. 9. Today, perhaps, this fiery passion of Peter and Paul may be covered under the ashes of fabrics of authority and administration in line with Peter, or under the garbs of eloquent preaching and supervision in line with Paul. 10. We will be doing great injustice to Peter and Paul if we limit them to suit our rungs of power and word. Their passion, their loyalty, and their self-emptying commitment should be rediscovered and reactivated. Direction: Passion for Christ should never diminish on account of the other worthless passions. Zeal for the mission of Christ should not be dominated by self-oriented ministries. (Reflection 2) Saints Peter and Paul – two greatest saints, the two solid pillars, pilasters, and columns of the magnificent edifice of the Church of Christ, the two earliest proponents of the way of the Lord, the two wise and illumined guides and leaders of the believing communities. Our concern now is not so much the divergence of their background or appearance or temperament or mental frame or intellectual acumen or skill or recipients. It is very interesting that these two greatest saints are put together for one single feast day of 29 June, while one each other day is also marked for them, namely, 22 February as the day of Chair of St Peter, and 25 January as the day of the conversion of St Paul. This one common feast day celebration can be very indicative of the oneness and unity, the solidity and the vitality, the spread and the growth of the Church, irrespective of the diversities. In the plan of God, in the journey of salvation, in the mystical body of Christ, in the community of believers, in the reign of God, what matters most is communion and commitment, and nothing else. It is these two that put them together in one single frame, on the same plane. The lives of Peter and Paul are the tallest proclamations and testimonies of how God’s grace is unfathomable and immense and what abundant fruits it bears when one responds with generosity. What makes them alike is their deepest love and the craziest passion for Christ. This is what makes Peter declare unequivocally: “Lord, you know everything and you know that I love you” (Jn 21. 15-17); and makes Paul attest convincingly: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord “ (Rom 8. 35, 37-39). This flows into an inseparable intimacy and indissoluble communion with the Lord. This rootedness and bonding with the Lord soak them into depths of humility, docility, and surrender towards God’s will and plans (cf. Rom 9. 20-21: “But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is moulded say to its moulder, “Why have you made me thus?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use?”; cf. Jn 6. 68: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”). This throws them into a radical shock and convulsion of conversion, thus rendering them totally self-effacing (cf. Mt 20. 27: “Then Peter spoke up and said, ‘You see we have given up everything to follow you’ “; Phil 3. 7-8: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ”). Love and surrender will never keep one at rest but will overpower one with a “divine restlessness”. Thus, they are led to the heights of fidelity and commitment to the Lord’s mission, overwhelmed by the power of the Holy Spirit. The spread of the faith and faith communities are the most concrete attestations of their abundant fruition and the epitomes of their faith and charity. In sum, it is their passionate love of Christ that takes their whole life by storm and makes it an unending story of humility, docility, fidelity, and charity. Today it is not fair to be content that we are on the same line as Peter and Paul, mostly in terms of authority of administration and power of eloquence. This will not suffice. We need to be imitators of them, not only in leadership and preaching but much more in their virtue. We need to be moulded in the same intensity of love, authenticity of humility, profundity of surrender, the credibility of detachment, density of loyalty, vibrancy of charity, and the radicalism of missionary commitment.