ST. FRANCIS FEAST INTRO IN HINDI

संत फ्रांसिस का पर्व 2024 यदि आप सकारात्मक सोचते हैं…… तो ध्वनि संगीत बन जाती है, गतिविधियाँ नृत्य बन जाती हैं।" मुस्कान हंसी में बदल जाती है, मन ध्यानमय बन जाता है और जीवन उत्सव में बदल जाता है… जी हाँ जो लोग ईश्वर से प्रेम करते हैं, उनके लिए हमेशा वसंत का समय होता है और इसी कारण हर जगह सुगंध की लहरें फैल रही हैं और आनंद की किरणें इस पवित्र जगह के हर कोने में भार रही हैं। हां, प्रिय दोस्तों, आज हमारे दिलों में एक असीम ख़ुशी और स्पंदनशील प्रेम है, क्योंकि हम "ईश्वर के प्रेम के संदेशवाहक," और "पर्यावरण के संरक्षक," संत फ्रांसिस असीसी के पर्व का जश्न मना रहे हैं। हम आप सभी आदरणीय फादर्, सिस्टर्स और आप सभी को इस पवित्र यूखरिस्तिया समारोह में दिल से स्वागत करते हैं। आज का दिन दुनिया भर के सभी फ्रांसिस्कन समाज के लिए एक अनुग्रहपूर्ण दिन है, क्योंकि हम अपने पिता फ्रांसिस का पर्व मना रहे हैं। यह प्रेम का दिन है। यह संगम का दिन है। यह आनंदित होने और उन आशीर्वादों और कृपाओं के लिए ईश्वर को धन्यवाद देने का दिन है, जो हमें हमारे संरक्षक संत फ्रांसिस के माध्यम से मिली हैं। फ्रांसिस का जन्म सन् 1182 में इटली के असीसी में एक धनी व्यापारी के पुत्र के रूप में हुआ था। उनकी संपत्ति और जीवन के प्रति प्रेम ने उन्हें असीसी के युवाओं का नेता बना दिया, लेकिन एक बार जब उन्होंने अपने बुलावे को समझा, तो उन्होंने अपना हृदय और मन पूरी तरह से ईश्वर की ओर मोड़ लिया। क्रूस से ही था फ्रांसिस ने अपने जीवन का आदेश प्राप्त किया। क्रूस पर मसीह को देखकर उनका मन पिघल गया, और मसीह के दुःख की स्मृति उनके दिल की गहराइयों में अंकित हो गई। किसी भी इंसान ने कभी भी उस असीम प्रेम का वर्णन नहीं किया है, जिससे फ्रांसिस ने अपने "प्रेमी" मसीह के लिए जलाया था। वह अक्सर कहते थे, "महान प्रेम है उसका प्रेम, जिसने हमें इतनी महानता से प्रेम किया।" फ्रांसिस पवित्र मिस्सा बलिदान/ ख्रिस्तीयाग से इतने प्रभावित थे कि वह अपने भाईयों से कहते थे, "पवित्र मिस्सा बलिदान/ ख्रिस्तीयाग वह क्षण है, जिसमें हम ईश्वर के प्रेम को देख सकते हैं, छू सकते हैं और चख सकते हैं/ अनुभव कर सकते हैं ।" फ्रांसिस के लिए समर्पित जीवन प्रेम और संबंधपूर्ण जीवन था। यह ईश्वर के साथ जुड़ा हुआ एक संबंध था, मानव जाति के साथ जुड़ा हुआ एक संबंध था, और प्रकृति के साथ जुड़ा हुआ एक संबंध था। हम मानते हैं कि केवल प्रेम ही रचना और पुनः सृजन की क्षमता रखता है, और संपूर्ण ईश्वर की सृष्टि को एकजुट और पुनः एकजुट कर सकता है, और फ्रांसिस ने इसे मसीह के प्रेम के माध्यम से किया, जो सृष्टि में प्रकट हुआ। हां, प्रिय दोस्तों... नम्रता उनका मुख्य गुण था, गरीबी उनके जीवन का मार्ग था, सरलता उनके जीवन का नियम था, ईश्वर और पड़ोसी से प्रेम उनका आध्यात्म / धर्म था, आज्ञाकारिता उनका संरक्षक था, अतिथि सत्कार उनकी स्वाभाविक विशेषता थी, प्रार्थना और ध्यान के क्षण उनकी एकमात्र पोषण थे... इसी तरह से उन्होंने खुद को दूसरों से अलग किया और पूरी दुनिया में कई लोगों के जीवन पर प्रभाव डाला। आज माता कलिसिया आनंदित है क्योंकि उसे संत फ्रांसिस के रूप में दूसरा मसीह मिला है। आज पूरी सृष्टि हर्षोल्लास में है क्योंकि उन्हें एक पुत्र मिला जिसने उन्हें मां, भाई और बहन के रूप में प्रेम किया। आज हम फ्रांसिस्कन खुशी में हैं क्योंकि हमें फ्रांसिस के रूप में... एक पिता मिला है जो हमारा मार्गदर्शन करते हैं, एक संरक्षक मिला है जो हमारे लिए मध्यस्थता करते हैं, एक आदर्श मिला है जो हमें प्रेरित करते हैं, एक नेता मिला है जो हमें मार्ग दिखाते हैं, एक भाई मिला है जो हमें शिक्षित करते हैं... और एक साथी मिला है जो हमारे साथ साथ चलते हैं हां, प्रिय दोस्तों, वह हमारे संरक्षक संत फ्रांसिस हैं और हम गर्व से उनके दिखाए हुए मार्ग पर चलते हैं। आज हम प्रार्थना करते हैं कि हम सभी ईश्वर के प्रेम और करुणा के संदेशवाहक बनें और जिन लोगों की हम सेवा करते हैं, उन तक यह संदेश पहुंचाएं। आज हम ईश्वर को धन्यवाद देते हैं कि आप सभी प्रिय फादर्, सिस्टर्स और प्यारे भाइयों एवं बहनों हमारे साथ इस समारोह में शामिल हुए हैं। हम आपसे प्रार्थना करने का आग्रह करते हैं कि संपूर्ण फ्रांसिस्कन समाज के लिए, विशेष रूप से हमारे CFMSS समाज or FSLG समाज के लिए प्रार्थना करें—हमारे संस्था के लिए, हमारी मदर जनरल, हमारी सभी प्रांतीय प्रमुख और उनके काउंसलर्स के लिए और हमारे संस्था के प्रत्येक सदस्य के लिए, ताकि हम अपने फ्रांसिस्कन परिवार में बढ़ें और जहां भी हों, प्रेम, शांति और आनंद की सुगंध को फैलाएं। इन मतलबों के साथ, आइए हम इस पवित्र मिस्सा बलिदान में भाग लें।

26th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B 24

26th SUNDAY, 29 SEPT 2024: NUM 11. 25- 29; JAM 5. 1-6; MARK 9. 38-43, 45, 47-48 Focus: Those who do holy and good works in the name of God and with His power, cannot work against God. If they are against God's will and plans, it means they are not really God-centred but self-oriented 1. In the gospel, the compelling theme is the gravity of sin. Sin is so grave that it is better to “sever those parts of the body that cause to sin”, or to “do away with that person that causes another to sin”. 2. Certainly Jesus sounds stern in his words: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it off". Then, "if someone leads another to sin, let him be thrown into the sea, with a millstone tied around". 3. Why such a severity? Obviously for two reasons: it causes spiritual ruin because it loses eternity. Second, it causes fraternal ruin because it misleads another to sin. 4. This awareness of the gravity of sin and the severity of its penal consequences is very timely and relevant for our times. Truly we are living in a time and a society where the sense of sin, the fear of sin is rapidly diminishing. 5. It is a permissible society where all sin and evil is permitted, justified, glorified and even promoted in the name of fun, enjoyment, modernity and progress. Sin is taken lightly and for granted. 6. In such a society, we need to reawaken a moral and spiritual consciousness. It is not that we want to moralize our whole life, increasing a sense of guilt and remorse. It is also not to promote a punitive or penalizing culture. It is also not policing human conduct and action. 7. It is more recapturing the lost sensitivity and consciousness, both spiritual and fraternal. We need to become more and more people of spiritual depth and moral responsibility. Only such a culture can save the society from its decadent culture of terror, violence and destruction. 8. Therefore, we need to foster a counter- culture that counters sin and its destructive effects. What does this remedial culture consist of? Some of the components are outlined in today's word of God. 9. First, enhance the spirit of wisdom which realizes that it is better to lose a limb but gain eternal heaven than to have all limbs intact but lose heaven and be thrown into hell. This wisdom is often missing because of which people hastily opt for temporary gratification and forfeit lasting satisfaction and fulfilment. 10. Then, counter two strong evil army chiefs. They are namely jealousy and excessive entanglement with riches. The beauty and happiness is many times reduced mainly because of ego- clashes. Jealousy reigns high in the life of many. 11. They cannot tolerate other's growth and good performance. The same happens in the spiritual realm as well. Many cannot accept and appreciate when some others do well or come up. 12. In the first reading, Moses and in the gospel, Jesus stand as contrary to jealousy. They are not moved by the force of jealousy. Rather, they are so magnanimous to rejoice when others receive gifts of God and excel. 13. St James in his epistle warns us to guard against the evil of riches. In fact, riches in themselves are not wrong. What is wrong is excessive lust for riches and attachment to them. James heavily denounces the rich and how they deal with others. 14. All riches and money are meant for being truthful and faithful. Greed and arrogance are the offshoots and agents of this false culture. In contrast to them, Learn to remain humble. Cultivate a constant spirit of giving and sacrificing. Learn to be good. Direction: Fear of sin and fear of God are two missing elements in the present society. An aversion toward sin and reverence and love for God are the greatest need of the hour.

BIRTHDAY OF MOTHER MARY 24

BIRTHDAY OF MARY, 08 September Thrust: Nothing little in God’s plan! Indicative: God’s will and designs are always with a purpose and destiny. Ultimately they are oriented to our good and salvation. And Mary has a key role in the accomplishment of this divine plan 1. 08 September marks the birthday of our sweetest Mother Mary. At the very outset, let us salute and felicitate her with a happy birthday wish. As she is our most beloved mother and we are her predilected children, let us rejoice and celebrate this day with exuberant jubilation. 2. Her birthday is salvific. God in His eternal design of salvation already destined her to be the mother of His only Son who would be born of her as the incarnate Saviour. Thus, Mary has had a singular privilege in God’s sight. Thus, her birthday must remind us of our salvation and Mary’s unique role in that. 3. Mary’s birth is already a part of the preparation for and implementation of God’s salvific plan. Of course, every birth is also important and purposive in God’s holy designs. Yes, God has a purpose for everyone being born on this earth. However, Mary’s birth is singular and unequivocal for three reasons that cannot be matched by any other birth. 4. First, her birth indicates her “direct” link and association with God Himself and His plan itself. Secondly, it shows her “direct” role and participation as an incomparable collaborator with His plan of salvation. That is why she is rightly extolled as “co-mediatrix”. Thirdly, her birth indicates her “direct” link with us in the pursuit and attainment of salvation. She is one with us among the saved ones. She is also the guide and supporter for us on the way of salvation. 5. Her birth is a vital assurance, impetus, and strength for all of us that God is eternally concerned about us. That is why He chose Mary and made her the womb of His incarnate Son. She continued to be a spiritual womb, bearing Jesus all through her life. She reminds us that we too must become the abodes and the dwelling places for Jesus. Thereby she assures us of eternal reward. 6. There is also another special note on her birthday. A good number of places celebrate her on her birthday as Our Lady of good health. This is very meaningful and valid. It is because, with her birth, the process of restoring health is decisively set in motion. Sin has cast a mantle of sickness and infirmity over humanity. But God through the birth of Mary begins already decisively to lift off this cover. Her birth is ushering in the health-restoration process. Imperative: Let the birthday of the sweetest Mother Mary not be limited to pious devotions and grand celebrations. Let it be a time of reminder of the purpose of our own birth and a moment to rededicate ourselves

23rd SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B 24

23rd SUNDAY, 08 SEPTEMBER 2024: ISAIAH 35. 4-7; JAMES 2. 1-5; MARK 7. 31-37 Focus: Life is all a matter of openness. The more we are opened to God and to others, the more we will be healthy and happy 1. "Ephphata", "Be opened"! This is what Jesus pronounces to the one with the defect in hearing and speaking. With these words, he heals him, setting right his hearing and speech. The command to be opened clearly implies that something was closed, something was blocking. 2. In fact, healing is essentially a matter of opening what is closed, freeing what is bound, releasing what is blocked. In human life, there are many aspects of this closure. 3. Before we speak of any such closures, there is a more fundamental closure, and that is a closure to God's grace itself. And this is the fact of sin. Sin closes man not to be open to God's offer of grace and love. Thereby he fails to accept it, receive it and refuses to cooperate with it and act upon it. Consequently, he fails to bear fruits of grace. 4. This closure by sin shows itself in various forms, especially in a spiritual and fraternal deafness and spiritual and fraternal dumbness, in reference to the gospel. The result of it is a conduct of partiality and discrimination as depicted in the second reading from the letter of James. When there is spiritual and fraternal deafness and dumbness, when one lacks this inner sensitivity, then there is a failure in the bond of fraternity and in respect, acceptance and concern. 5. Sin closes the power of hearing the voice of God. Whenever there is no heed and attention to the word of God, to his prompting, inspiration and insight, whenever we are disinterested and indifferent to the direction and guidance of God, we are spiritually deaf. Many suffer from this hearing impediment. Many close their ears as soon as some God or spiritual stuff falls on their ears. They tighten their ear-lids so that nothing godly forces its way within. How many are eager and keen to listen to God or something of God? 6. Sin also closes the power of spiritual speech. Thereby we fail to speak of God, speak of His love and mercy. Sin makes us dumb to any God-talk, making it as something unpleasant and boring. This is the reason why many feel resentful, distasteful and annoyed whenever God is the point of interaction or instruction. But on the other hand, any vain and worthless talk becomes interesting and absorbing. How many love to speak something of God or the spiritual? 6. Sin also closes the power of hearing the cries and sobings of others. Whenever one fails to listen to the pains and struggles of others, whenever one is least bothered about the needs and concerns of others, whenever one fails to feel and sense the pulse of others, there is fraternal deafness. How many really patiently, sensitively and attentively listen to others when they really need someone to pour out their heaviness of heart? 7. Further sin also closes the inner ability to speak for others, to speak in their favour and on their behalf. Especially when someone is wronged, when some are deprived of their due rights, justice, respect and dignity, when they cannot speak for themselves, if we fail to speak, we are no doubt dumb fraternally. Also, in normal life, when someone needs some words of comfort, solace, encouragement, and we fail to speak such words, then there is dumbness. Besides, when we fail to recognize and appreciate those deserving, we are dumb. 8. Therefore, it is high time that we overcome our stiff closures. It is the right time to be opened, primarily to God's gracious opening of streams of grace flowing upon us. Listen and take to heart the uplifting words of God in the first reading from Isaiah. God assures his abundant acts of opening and transforming. He opens the ears, the mouths of the deaf and dumb. He transforms dry lands into flowing streams, deserts into springs. Jesus fulfils this assurance in the gospel by healing deaf and dumb. We need to turn to the Lord. We need him to open our blocked and closed inner powers of spiritual and fraternal tenacity. We need to experience the same healing touch of "Ephphata"! Direction: God wants us not only to trust in His power to heal us of our hearing and speaking deformities. He also summons us to approach Him and get healed and whole

24th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B 24

24th SUNDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2024: ISAIAH 50. 5-9; JAMES 2. 14-18; MARK 8. 27-35 Focus: Following Jesus is a call for a deeply personal God experience, and nothing else can substitute for it. It essentially involves struggle and sacrifice leading to a more profound gain and lasting victory 1. Discipleship is essentially a call to be rooted in God, in the intimacy of His experience, and nothing else can substitute for it. And this has to be something very personal, though it will certainly have wider implications in collective experience and commitment. 2. The crucial question is who is Jesus for me? What is my personal experience of Jesus? What counts most is the personal experience of Jesus, and not merely what is heard or learned from others. 3. What others say, what we learn from others, what we receive from them, comes only to a certain point of the journey of encounter with the Lord. But ultimately it is each one personally that has to make the journey with the Lord. 4. “Who do people say I am?”, “Who do you say I am?”, is a question posed by Jesus to his disciples. The same is today addressed to each of us personally. 5. Is the question of Jesus, “Who am I?” (for the people / for you), a sign of identity crisis? A sign of a psychological process of self-realization and self-discovery? A sign of natural human curiosity or inquisitiveness to know what others say about oneself? A sign of a natural, ordinary human seeking recognition and affirmation? The answer is a definitive NO. 6. The question of Jesus, who am I? is a question that invites and challenges us for a sincere and authentic self-discovery, and for a profound and core identity. We can discover our true self, realize our core identity, only in relation to Jesus, only in bonding with him, in intimacy and communion with him. 7. “What Jesus is to us, makes us what we are”. It is not a mere matter of saying who Jesus is but experiencing and living who he is. Not enough that words and expressions about Jesus do abound unless experience does abound. 8. All our acclamations and assertions, professions, and proclamations should not be mere collections of formulations, but rather expressions, extensions, and expansions of deeper and consistent experience and love of the Lord. 9. Not enough to say ‘Lord, Lord’, but is also needed to surrender to him. It is not enough to call Jesus ‘Master’, but is also needed to be loyal to him and to follow in his footsteps. It is not enough to acclaim him as ‘Savior’ but is also needed to be saved and liberated, to experience and live that touch and power of salvation and liberation. It is not enough to praise him as ‘Healer’ but is also needed to be healed, to show the effects and signs of healing. It is not enough to proclaim his as ‘guide’ but is also needed to be rightly guided and to avoid all tendencies to be wrongly influenced and misguided. It is not enough to attest him as ‘Light’ but is needed to be illumined, to be enlightened. It is not enough to sing him as ‘Love’, but is also needed to love him totally and passionately. It is not enough to claim him as our strength and power but is also needed to be strengthened and empowered by him. It is not enough to believe him as our nourishment but is also needed to be nurtured by him. 10. In other words, our experience and concrete life of witness must go together. Our faith must be seen and shown in the quality of life of good actions. 11. It is in this sense we can understand the admonition of James in the second reading about harmony between faith and works. Faith without works, a faith that is limited only to lip service, is shallow and worthless. 12. A true faith experience also contains an unshaken spirit of docility and surrender to suffer and sacrifice, to be patient and persevering amidst trials and adversities, and to remain undauntedly loyal and committed. 13. This is the call that we get from the image of the suffering servant of Yahweh in the first reading from Isaiah. The same is the clearest indication and message in the gospel as well. Jesus speaks of his own suffering and death for salvation. He also places the same demand on his followers, “to deny self, to take up the cross and follow him” Direction: We must go beyond our contradictory tendencies and live a more harmonious living of grace. We must integrate faith and works. We must be ready to lose our self so as to gain it for eternity

25th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B 24

25th SUNDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2024: WIS 2. 12, 17-20; JAMES 3. 16 - 4.3; MARK 9. 30-37 Focus: Greatness is a natural desire and aspiration of everyone. There is nothing wrong in itself. But the problem is when it is wrongly understood and wrongly pursued and acquired through false ways and means 1. In the gospel, the disciples were engaged in a discussion about who was the greatest. Today we are invited to reflect once again a little deeply and sincerely about our own concept, pursuit, and means about gaining that greatness. 2. Jesus dispels the wrong notions of greatness and clarifies what it means to be truly great and how to become rightly great. 3. In the first place, real greatness is not something material. It does not consist in money and material possessions. But the world wrongly thinks that the more you have money and an abundance of things, the more you are great. 4. Those who have little or less, those who are not well to do, and are poor are regarded as insignificant, unimportant, and not worthy, and thus are treated with disrespect and contempt. 5. Accordingly, the whole concern and struggle of life is to accumulate as much money and material things as possible. There is total disregard for the kind of means that are employed to acquire them. 6. All that matters is to become moneyed and possess things by hook or crook. That is why we find steep materialism and consumerism, deception, and unaccountability. Sane values are often thrown into the sea. 7. Real greatness is not something merely social. It does not consist in power and position, status and prestige. But the world wrongly thinks that the more you are in power and authority, the more you are in a big position and hold a high social status and prestige, the more you are great. 8. Those who are ordinary, those who do not hold a notable post or job, those who do not have an above-the-ordinary standing and ranking in society, are not respected and not taken seriously. 9. Consequently, the efforts of many are always geared to climb to the higher rungs in society, regardless of the rightness of their actions. That is why we find so much spirit of power-mongering and power-corruption. 10. We find corrosion of the right values and an explosion of compromises. We also find excessive eagerness to dominate and suppress others, with the feeling that "I am superior to others, am greater, better and worthier than others." 11. Further, real greatness is not merely intellectual. It does not consist in great intellectual calibre, academic excellence and achievement or bundles of knowledge or reckoning honours of educative contribution. 12. The world wrongly thinks that the more you are intelligent and competent, the more you excel academically, the more you are considered great. 13. Those are just average or dull, those who are poor in grasping, those who have a poor performance track, are despised as useless. Accordingly, some spend their enormous time and energies over their intellectual pursuits. In the process, they do not realize that they become " brain wise monsters and heart wise dwarfs ". 14. Then what is true greatness? How does one obtain it? The gospel and the other readings make it clear. True greatness consists in not desiring to be placed over others, dominating and bossing over them. It is not eager to be first in power and position but first in service. 15. True greatness is commitment to God's will and mission. Subsequently it also implies the readiness and courage to face the consequences, to go through the ordeal of the way of the cross, even to the extent of death. 16. This is what Jesus did. This is what we find in the lives of the prophets, the righteous exemplified by the suffering servant of Yahweh. 17. True greatness is receiving even children that is the vulnerable and the uncountables and negligibles in the society. It accepts and respects them. 18. This is contrary to a mindset that one becomes great by association with big people. This is why often we find that great people have their own "social circles", "privileged elite". They create an aura around them with an air of inaccessibility and unconcern and uninvolvement. 19. Further, true greatness consists in receiving the example of a child. Among numerous qualities of a child, in the context, those that the truly great would embody are purity and guilelessness of heart, total trust and dependence on God, love for God and always seeking to please Him. 20. Still further we gather some features of true greatness from the first reading from Wisdom: to be truly great is to be righteous so as to be inconvenient and opposed to the actions of ungodly; it is to be courageous to reproach them; it is to be gentle and forbearing even in the face of insult and torture. 21. The second reading from the letter of James offers us some more pointers to true greatness. It is to be free from all jealousy and selfish ambition. It is to be free from all disorder and every vile practice. True greatness consists in wisdom that leads to a life that is pure, peaceable, gentle and full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. It is to make peace and thus sow a harvest of righteousness. It is not to let loose our passions to be at war within. It is not to fight and quarrel out of avarice. Direction: In the ultimate analysis, to be truly great is to consistently nurture spiritual tenacity and productivity and to lead a righteous and forbearing life

THE CALL AND MISSION OF MOSES AND IT'S RELEVANCE IN TODAY'S RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

THE CALL AND MISSION OF MOSES AND IT’S RELEVANCE TO TODAY’S RELIGIOUS CONTEXT INTRODUCTION Moses is one of the most significant figures in the Bible, known for his leadership, faith, and obedience to God’s call. His story begins in the book of Exodus, where he emerges as the chosen leader to deliver the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. The journey of Moses—from his miraculous birth to his call by God at the burning bush, and his mission to lead God's people to the Promised Land—is filled with spiritual lessons that resonate with consecrated life and the mission of the Church today. 1. THE CALL OF MOSES Moses was born at a time when Pharaoh had ordered the killing of all Hebrew male infants. By God's providence, he was saved and raised in the Egyptian royal palace. Yet, despite his privileged upbringing, Moses was deeply aware of the suffering of his people. At the age of 40, he fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. He spent the next 40 years as a shepherd in Midian, seemingly forgotten and hidden from the grand purposes of life. The turning point in Moses’ life came when God called him from the midst of a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-10). The bush was aflame, yet not consumed—a powerful symbol of God's presence. God revealed His holy name, "I AM WHO I AM," and commissioned Moses to go back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from slavery. This call was profound for several reasons: - Unexpected Timing: Moses was 80 years old and living a quiet, humble life as a shepherd. It reminds us that God often calls us at unexpected times, even when we feel unworthy or inadequate. - Personal Encounter with God: The burning bush symbolizes the mystery of God’s presence—holy, awe-inspiring, yet deeply personal. Moses' call was not a random task but a divine encounter, showing that any true mission is born out of a personal relationship with God. - Hesitation and Doubts: Moses initially resisted God’s call, citing his weaknesses, such as his inability to speak eloquently. But God reassured him that it is not by human strength but by His power that the mission would succeed. This speaks to the consecrated life, where often we feel weak and unworthy, but God uses our limitations for His greater glory. 2. THE MISSION OF MOSES Moses' mission was clear: to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into freedom, guiding them to the Promised Land. However, it was not without challenges. The road to fulfilling his mission was paved with opposition, both from Pharaoh and the very people he was called to lead. Yet, through every obstacle, Moses relied on God's power, and each step forward was marked by a deeper revelation of God's will. - Intercession and Leadership: Moses stood as a mediator between God and His people, interceding on their behalf. His constant communication with God and his unyielding patience in leading a rebellious nation reflect the heart of a true servant leader. - The Ten Commandments: At Mount Sinai, Moses received the law from God, which formed the foundation for the Israelites’ covenant relationship with God. This covenantal relationship is similar to consecrated life today—where individuals and communities dedicate themselves to live according to God's divine will, in obedience, chastity, and poverty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. - Perseverance and Trust: Despite numerous trials, such as complaints from the Israelites, opposition from Pharaoh, and wandering in the desert for 40 years, Moses never gave up on his mission. His trust in God’s promise was unwavering. RELEVANCE OF MOSES’ CALL AND MISSION IN TODAY’S CONTEXT 1. Answering God’s Call with Humility and Courage Just as Moses encountered God in the burning bush, every consecrated person is called to a deep, personal relationship with God. The call to religious life, like Moses’ call, may come unexpectedly and at times when we feel least capable of fulfilling it. However, God's call is always accompanied by His grace. Moses reminds us that our limitations do not disqualify us from God's service; rather, they are the very avenues through which God works. In today’s world, where individualism and self-reliance are often glorified, Moses' story teaches us the virtue of humility and the importance of recognizing our need for God. His life encourages us to respond with faith when we are called to serve others, trusting that God equips those He calls. 2. Leadership as Servanthood Moses exemplified servant leadership. He was not driven by ambition or power, but by obedience to God and love for his people. His leadership was marked by deep compassion, humility, and perseverance. For consecrated communities, Moses’ leadership serves as a model. In a world where leadership is often equated with control or status, Moses shows us that true leaders are servants first—leaders who are willing to lay down their lives for others, to intercede for them, and to guide them towards freedom and deeper communion with God. 3. The Mission of Liberation Moses was called to set God's people free from slavery. Today, consecrated life involves a similar mission—freeing people from modern forms of slavery, be it poverty, injustice, ignorance, or sin. Just as Moses stood up against Pharaoh, today’s consecrated persons are called to stand against systems of oppression and work for the liberation of the marginalized and vulnerable. In the Church, consecrated men and women are often involved in ministries of education, healthcare, social justice, and spiritual direction, playing a critical role in helping people experience the love and freedom of God. This mission of liberation is at the heart of the Gospel and continues the prophetic tradition of Moses in the world today. 4. Perseverance in the Desert Moses spent 40 years leading the Israelites through the wilderness. Similarly, the journey of consecrated life is not always easy. There are times of spiritual dryness, community challenges, and personal struggles. Yet, Moses teaches us the importance of perseverance—of remaining faithful to God's call even when the way seems unclear or difficult. In today’s context, where instant results and success are often expected, the life of Moses encourages religious communities to embrace patience and trust in God's timing. The desert may be hard, but it is in the desert that we learn to rely more fully on God. CONCLUSION Moses’ life and mission offer powerful lessons for today's consecrated life and community living. His humility, perseverance, and deep relationship with God are models for those called to serve the Church and the world. His journey reminds us that every call from God is sacred, and every mission is rooted in His divine will. In a world filled with distractions, pressures, and challenges, the story of Moses continues to inspire and motivate us to respond courageously to God’s call, to lead with love and compassion, and to persevere in the face of trials, trusting that God is always with us. Just as Moses led the Israelites to freedom, so too are we called to be instruments of God’s liberating love in the world, guiding others to the true freedom found in Christ. Questions for Personal Reflection:* 1. *How do I perceive God's call in my own life?* - Am I attentive to His voice, especially in unexpected moments like Moses at the burning bush? 2. What doubts or fears hold me back from fully answering God's call? - How can I surrender my insecurities and trust in God's power working through my weaknesses? 3. In what ways can I be a servant leader like Moses, prioritizing the needs of others over my own desires? - How can I practice humility and perseverance in my daily responsibilities? 4. Am I patient and faithful during times of "spiritual desert" or difficulty, trusting in God’s guidance even when I don’t see immediate results? - How do I remain hopeful and connected to God during challenging seasons? 5. How am I living out the mission of liberation in my life? - Are there areas where I am called to be a voice for justice, healing, or freedom for those around me? Questions for Communitarian Reflection: 1. As a community, how are we collectively responding to God’s call? - Are we creating a space where each member can recognize and embrace their unique mission within the community? 2. What obstacles or doubts do we face as a community in fulfilling our mission, and how can we support one another in overcoming them? 3. How can we embody the servant leadership of Moses in our relationships with one another and in our ministry to those we serve? - Are we truly leading with love, compassion, and humility, especially towards the vulnerable? 4. What “modern-day Pharaohs” or systems of oppression do we need to confront as a community, and how can we work for the liberation of those enslaved by poverty, injustice, or sin? 5. In times of difficulty or spiritual dryness, how can we as a community foster an environment of faith and perseverance? - What practical steps can we take to strengthen our trust in God and support each other during challenging times? Sr. Elizabeth Rani cfmss