30th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B 24

30TH SUNDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2024: JER 31. 7-9; HEB 5. 1-6; MARK 10. 46-52 Focus: When we are weighed down by the burden of difficulties, let us not lose heart. Let us turn to Jesus. Let us trust in His compassion. Let us cry out to him. And we will surely experience his relieving intervention. 1. Today the Word of God invites us to focus on blindness. There is the healing of a blind man in the gospel. The scene is dramatic. There is a blind beggar. He cries out to Jesus to have mercy on him. The annoyed and irritated people chide him and try to quieten him. But he continues to shout aloud. 2. Jesus calls for him and asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?”. He replies, “Master, let me receive my sight”. Jesus says, “Go your way; your faith has made you well”. Immediately he received his sight. 3. Some simple details are notable. The blind man is a beggar. He is reduced to beggary. This shows the loss of human dignity and also his condition of dependence on others’ mercy. 4. Thus, blindness is not merely a matter of physical deformity. It is more pervasive affecting the whole person. And the blind man is aware of his need. He needs sight, not only the physical. He needs the ability to see his own lost dignity, lost beauty of life, and the lost joy of relationships. 5. He is clear about what he wants. Jesus too wants us to be clear of what we really want. That is why, Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And he rightly replies, “I want to see”. Sight is his priority and nothing else because he knows that with the regaining of sight, he will regain all that has been lost. 6. That is why he starts crying out aloud. He would persist despite people’s rebuke. He would catch the attention of the master. He was determined to stop the master’s mercy on the roadside. And when Jesus called for him, he was already sure of the Lord’s healing. 7. He would no longer need his mantle. He would no longer need to sit on the roadside. He would no longer need to beg. That is why, symbolizing the change to come, he throws off his mantle. He springs up from the ground. He hastens to Jesus. His faith wins the master’s favour! 8. At this point, we can note that this physical blindness is more symbolic. It indicates wider and more pervasive blindness. What Jesus heals is not merely physical blindness. His healing is a restoration of the holistic sight. 9. Sin causes different layers of blindness. Sin makes us blind toward God, toward others, toward our own self, toward life, toward society, and toward the whole creation. 10. The question of Jesus is very valid: “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man knew what he lacked and what he needed. Do we know what we want? Do we realize what we lack? Do we realize that we are blind in very many ways and that we fail to see very many things? 11. How often we are blind toward God, failing to see His love, His will, His holy plans? How often we are blind toward others, failing to see them as our brothers and sisters, as our fellow travellers, who have their own good and also struggles? 12. How often we are blind toward our own self, failing to see us as we are, with our merits and demerits as well? How much do we fail to see our true image in the likeness of God, and also the false sheathes that are covering heavily this deeper image? 13. How much do we fail to see life as a blend of the pleasant and the unpleasant, good and bad? How often do we fail to see the true nature of life as transient on earth and destined toward eternity? 14. How much do we fail to see our duty toward society and also its role in our life? How often do we fail to see our moral obligations as social persons? 15. And how much do we also fail to see the whole creation as a handiwork of God and thus nurture a sense of steward and care toward it instead of manipulating and destroying it? Direction: All of us are blind in different ways. We must realize and accept it in sincerity. We must in faith run to the Lord for sight. But once healed, we must walk the Lord’s way and not our own way. This is really to be in tune with the promise of God in Jeremiah 31. 8-9: I will make the blind and lame walk in a straight path in which they shall not stumble.

29th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B 24

29th SUNDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2024, ISAIAH 53. 10-11; HEB 4. 14-16; MARK 10. 35-45 Focus: A true leader is a disciple of the Lord. One who does not follow the Lord cannot lead the followers. 1. Human history has been a story of power-struggles and conflicts. The operating principle has been domination. The means have been subjugation and suppression. 2. All this has been in the name of asserting and exercising their authority. The aim is to prove and acquire greatness over others. 3. What is seen in all this struggle and conflict is a false concept of greatness and a wrong way of gaining it. Today, the Lord is teaching us a new way of being great, the right way of achieving and living it. 4. That is why, he says clearly, "it shall not be so among you". So in the first place, are we different from the worldly way of greatness? If we also follow the same wrong principles of greatness, then what is the difference of us as the followers of Christ? 5. Behind all this power struggle and hunt for greatness through domination, there is one thing essentially lacking. This causes all this distortion. And that is humility. When humility is lacking in regard to God, to others and to one's own self, then there is this fall into falsity. 6. Failing in humility with regard to God means that one is not aware of God's greatness, holiness and goodness. Such an awareness makes one aware of his own contrasting littleness, unholiness and evilness. 7. This contrast will surely guard him against all layers of false dignity and self-glory. Before the might, sanctity and benevolence of God, who is he! How unworthy he is! How much he is inadequate! What is there to pride or boast about! 8. Failing in humility in regard to others implies an approach that belittles and despises others. It fails to treat others with respect and equity. It fails to recognize that each person carries an inviolable respectability and honour irrespective of his social standing or riches. It categorises others as worth or unworth, as big or small, as important or insignificant. 9. Failing in humility with regard to one's own self indicates a false self- image. One refuses to see himself as he is, especially not accepting his own fragility and imperfections. With a blown up image, one rates himself better, greater and higher than others especially on material, intellectual and social levels. 10. Therefore, unless one realises and overcomes these three aspects of failure of humility, he cannot arrest his seeking false greatness that runs on domination and subjugation. 11. This directs us to the only remedy and antidote that can heal the situation. That is the imitation of Christ especially in his humility and selfless service. 12. Even though Son of God Himself, YET he did not cling on to his equality with God, but he humbled and emptied himself, taking upon himself the form of a servant. He declares quite explicitly, "I came to serve and not to be served". 13. Thus, he shows the true concept and path of greatness: greatness consists not in domination but self- donation, not in subjugation but rejuvenation, not in suppression but submission, not in subordination but coordination, not in degradation but upgradation, not in discrimination but dignification. Direction: True greatness is in humility and service. This is a great challenge against all the present power corruption in lording over others with a sense of false status and shallow dignity. It is high time to humble ourselves in selfless service!

28th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B 24

28TH SUNDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2024, HOLY MASS REFLECTION WIS 7. 7-11; HEB 4. 12-13; MARK 10. 17-30 Focus: Wisdom is one thing that is lacking in the world of today. This leads to all other deviations and distortions, ending in destruction 1. The world of today can feel great and proud because of its advancement and progress in various fields. But there is one thing that is lacking. 2. This brings to mind the very same remark of Jesus to a rich young man in today’s gospel: “you lack one thing”. He had the sincere desire to inherit eternal life. He had been faithful to keep the commandments of God. But that is not enough. He still lacks something. 3. What is this that is lacking? In the light of the first reading from Wisdom, it is wisdom that is lacking. He lacked wisdom. He lacked the wisdom to realize the value of wisdom. 4. Wisdom is preferable to sceptres and thrones. In comparison to wisdom, all wealth is accounted as nothing, all gold is as sand and all silver is as clay. She is to be loved more than health and beauty. 5. Lacking this wisdom, the rich young man failed to realize transitoriness, the secondary value of riches. He failed to be aware of the dangers of riches. He failed to detach himself from the entanglement to the riches. 6. He failed to share generously his riches with the poor and needy. He failed to make a choice for the Lord to follow him. He failed to realize that heavenly riches are much more important and lasting than material riches. He failed to realize that eternal life is the most precious treasure than all the earthly wealth. 7. It is in this context that the statement of Jesus makes sense: “How difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom!”, declares Jesus. Yes, really difficult. Why? Many reasons; there are different possible dangers because of riches: 1) Riches can make one feel self-sufficient and complacent, a feeling that I am enough by myself, I have enough, I do not need anything or anyone, I do not need God. 2) Riches can make one distant from God: when one does not feel the need of God, when one does not realize the role, value, and importance of God in one’s life, then naturally there is the distance from God. 3) Riches can make one arrogant toward others. Riches give a false sense of dignity, security, and greatness, a false sense of superiority. One thinks that he is on top of the world and all others are under him; a feeling, I am greater than others, bigger than others. Therefore, there is every tendency to disrespect, degrade and despise others. 4) Riches can make one materialistic and earth-bound. Riches mislead one to think that the value of life consists in things, in the abundance of material possessions. Consequently, one will lose sight of the value of human relationships and spiritual concerns. Material wellbeing becomes the norm and goal of the whole life. And so, one easily becomes greedy, money-minded, comfort-seeking, dishonest, and manipulative. Thus, instead of being masters over the material things, one becomes a slave of them. 5) Riches can make one prone to bad habits and vices. When there is money, there is easy access to pleasure; money becomes the wide door to all kinds of deviations and aberrations. That is why very often children and youngsters get spoiled and ruined by drugs, smoking, drinking, flirting, etc. because of money in hand. Money is the easy trap for many temptations and attractions. Take away the money and you will see how much bad can be reduced and controlled. 8. Does it mean that rich people cannot be good? Does it mean that rich people cannot be faith-people, cannot be closer to God, and cannot be saved? Does it mean that riches are to be condemned and despised? 9. No. we are not generalizing and categorizing. We are rather speaking of the serious dangers, which are very real in many cases. 10. However today Jesus is showing us the right perspective, the balanced approach towards riches. There are some cautions, some responsible measures, some guiding principles, in the light of Peter’s question and Jesus’ answer. 1) First, God and love for the Lord should be our highest priority, and not riches or things. It is this which makes the disciples renounce everything and follow the Lord. 2) Second, Make the Word of God the guide and the norm of our life, as the second reading from the letter to the Hebrews extols the word of God. Allow the Word that is living and active, and like a sharp sword to pierce into the deepest recesses of the heart. Lay your life bare before the discerning wisdom of God, in all honesty, and docility. 3) Third, cultivate constantly a spirit of detachment, even amidst riches and possessions. We should not be possessed by our own possessions. The root cause of all evil is the attachment to riches. In this context, it is worth noting what St Francis de Sales admonishes: Let not riches be in your heart and let not your heart be in the riches. But let your heart and riches be in God We must be like a pharmacist who has poison in his store. But he will not die of it because the poison is not in his body but only in his store. In the same way, we too even though being surrounded by many material things, should not be contaminated and spoiled by them. 4) Fourth, grow in the spirit of giving and sharing. The paradox with riches is: the more we accumulate them, the more we lose them; but the more we use them and share them for good, the more they get accumulated for heaven. Direction: What we preserve with greed, is our loss of capital without interest; but what we always give away in generosity, is our investment with profit. Let us then grow more sober and rich in the sight of God.

27th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B 24

27th SUNDAY, 06 OCTOBER 2024: GEN 2. 18-24; HEB 2. 9-11; MARK 10. 2-16 Focus: Dissension and hurt are the order of the day and family life too is badly affected by the same ill fate. We need to rediscover the missing elements 1. The Word of God strongly focuses on one of the hallowed and crucial institutions and pillars of the society. It is marriage. Today, this is cracking and crumbling. Family conflicts are increasing. Joy of married life is missing. Divorces are ever on hike. Jesus addresses this issue and invites us for a right perspective. 2. Jesus categorically rules out divorce. The most obvious and valid reason is it is against God's will and design. God wills and designs that a married man and woman remain together life long. There is no question of breakage or separation. The church too, in tune with Jesus' teaching, does not sanction divorce. 3. Some may argue that this is not fair. Times are changing. Problems are varied and complex. We cannot apply the same age old rules . If one of the partners is not good, if the married life is joyless and frustrating, how can we be so heartless to keep them together? Rules are ultimately for the good and happiness of the human persons. 4. We do not undermine the validity of these arguments. But our focus is not so much about divorce or no divorce. Our concern is something deeper. It is to see the missing links in the bond of marriage and family. It is to honestly see what exactly goes wrong with the present marriages and families. In which way, we can restore and regain the lost beauty and happiness? 5. The basic problem is a problem of perspective and mindset. For many today, marriage is no longer something divine or holy. It is more a social arrangement, a cultural tradition. The obvious reasons are such as convenience, the establishment and maintenance of family, a legitimized physical union for sexual satisfaction and procreation and begetting of children, assurance of social and financial security, et cetera. 6. Certainly this is more practical and useful. But, this can drastically reduce the aspect of stability, durability and bindingness of marriage bond. It cannot work merely on the principle of "As long as it works". The operating principle must be not usefulness alone but faithfulness. 7. It is here the teaching of Jesus and church becomes vital and directing. Marriage is not merely a social contract but a spiritual covenant. It is not merely a cultural tradition but a mutual devotion. It is not merely a useful agreement but a meaningful commitment. 8. For the Catholic church, the value of marriage is forcefully safeguarded by understanding it as a "Sacrament". It is a relationship with God and with each other. It is not like any other relationships. It is deeply intimate, holy and committed. God Himself is the author and designer of it and He continues to be its sustainer and fulfiller. It is not time-bound suiting to one's convenience but permanent. In other words, it is "indissoluble". 9. This understanding need not be tied or bound to religion. It is valid and highly recommendable to all irrespective of religion. Because it can serve as a timely and appropriate remedy and antidote for the present crisis in marriage and family. It brings out very powerfully the sanctity and fidelity in marriage. In fact, the sense of holiness and commitment is the most missing link in the chain of marriage. Nothing else like education, money, position, intelligence, competence can substitute for it. 10. And only such a sense of sanctity and fidelity can enhance a married life of love, humility and responsibility, in patience and perseverance. Only such a rediscovery of the beauty and value of marriage can rebuild married life on faith in God and commitment to mutual good. In fact, this holds good for any walk of life, even for the consecrated life. Direction: Fidelity to God and fidelity to each other can recapture the lost dignity and joy in married life, and for that matter any consecrated community life.