23-28 June 25 Mass Reflection

23 - 28 JUNE 2025, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 23 JUNE 2025: GEN 12. 1-9; MATTHEW 7. 1-5 Focus: A life that pleases God will be blessed by Him so that the person himself becomes a blessing and a source of blessings for others We are living in a world where humility and sincerity, fairness and goodness toward others are becoming rarities. That is why, when some people show these qualities, it becomes big news as if it is something out of the way. Instead, arrogance and duplicity, injustice and wickedness are aggressively prevalent. In other words, it is truly a culture of evil and curse. It is in such a context, the Word of God shows us a surer way to foster a culture of blessing. In the first reading from Genesis, God blesses Abram and makes him a blessing himself and a source of blessing for others. God is pleased with his humility and sincerity, his piety and obedience to God’s ways, and his sense of fairness and kindness toward others. In the gospel, Jesus addresses one big block against such a culture of blessing. It is the malaise of self-righteousness. This is accompanied by rash and uncharitable judgment of others. Jesus confronts the self-righteous attitude of the Pharisees and scribes. This attitude refuses to do any self-check. It rates themselves better than others. Consequently it judges and condemns them. It is blind to the weakness of oneself or diminishes their faults. But on the other hand, it magnifies and exaggerates the wrongs of others. It is clearly applying double standards. St Francis de Sales has something wise said about this. He says, many are eager to accuse others even for the slightest mistake, while they excuse themselves even for the greatest blunder. People clamour for justice in the neighbour’s house while they plead for mercy in their own house. So, it is better to place oneself in the place of the other and see and feel from their perspective. Jesus too insists that it is better to "see the log in one's own eye instead of making noise about the speck in another's eye". Direction: In a virulent atmosphere of judgment and condemnation, of which criticism and slander are the offshoots, we must cultivate a humble spirit of self-examination and self-realization 24 JUNE 2025: 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 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. 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, made as a light to the nations, in whom God is glorified. 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! 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. 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. 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 2025: GEN 15. 1-12, 17-18; MATTHEW 7. 15-20 Focus: Those who trust in God even in seemingly impossible situations and live righteously will please God and be blessed by God beyond measures 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 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. This is what we see in the case of Abram in Genesis. Abram is totally obedient to God. With utter faith, he totally believes in God’s promises and assurances, even though they seem humanly impossible. If not for his faith, how would he believe God’s promise of making him the father of a multitude of descendants, when he is already advanced in age and without an heir? Abram is truly a good tree that bears the abundant fruits of faith and righteousness. That is why he is rewarded with an heir, numerous descendants and spacious land. We find thus a contrast between Abram, a pagan and the false prophets, of the race of believers. Though pagan, Abram won God’s favour because of his faith in God and righteousness of life. On the contrary, the Pharisees and the scribes proved themselves to be false prophets, incurred God’s judgment because of their falsity and lack of fruits. Direction: In our life, ultimately what matters is not mere exterior allegiance like race or nation, but the interior spirit of faith that authenticates itself in good fruits 26 JUNE 2025: GEN 16. 1-12, 15-16; 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 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. Many 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. 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”. 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. 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? 27 JUNE 2025: SACRED HEART OF JESUS, EZEK 34. 11-16; ROM 5. 5b -11; LUKE 15. 3-7 Thrust: Love that never ceases but seizes hearts! Indicative: In a culture where advanced culture equals to lack of heartiness and sensitivity, the festivity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a challenge to foster a culture of heart This feast of the most sacred heart of Jesus reveals and confirms to us that our God is a God of heart. That is, a God who values us so much, who loves us without end, always radiating upon us the rays of His care, a God whose heart burns with the flame, the fire of passion. It never gets cold, it never becomes lukewarm, but always passionate, always zealous. Even if we are weak and fragile, even if we fall often, even if we make so many mistakes, even if we fail in our fidelity and sincerity, even if we lack in our responsibilities and duties, even if we do not deeply believe, live and witness how we must like the believers, like the children of God and disciples of Christ, even if we often wound that beloved heart of Jesus - still despite all our weaknesses, faults, unfaithfulness, and unworthiness, God loves us. Jesus never fails to love us. This fact of the love of God, so faithful and persevering, is today a matter of great comfort and encouragement. Especially in our times, in our society, where and when, unfortunately, the ambience and the culture of love, of loving, of warmth of heart, of tenderness, of sensitivity, is diminishing, but instead an air, a culture of hatred, rancor, indifference, violence, evil is increasing, this celebration of the heart, of love is a confirmation, a call, a challenge, and a guide for a way of living of love. Today the Lord comforts us that he always pours his love over us. Never doubt, even if sometimes we are surmounted by difficulties, upset by afflictions, beset by unfavorable situations, God loves us. Trust in God. Trust in his love. Feel the warmth of his heart. Experience the passion, the fire of his love. Be open and docile to the marvel of his love. Not only this but also we are called to nurture and foster a deep love for him. Love God. Let us be gripped with a passionate feeling, a powerful bonding with the Lord. Many times we feel a lot of interest, enthusiasm, anxiety, and concern for many things. But how much intensity and depth for the Lord are there? How do we cooperate with God's commitment as He promises: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will remove your heart of stone and put back a heart of flesh "(Ezek 36. 26). That is, a heart that is warm, tender, sensitive, and caring, a heart that is open, which understands, accepts, forgives, and helps. Then let us grow such a heart towards God and towards others. Let us open our hearts to God and to our sisters and brothers. Let us widen our hearts. Let us guard them, heal, enrich, and transform our hearts so that our hearts also become like the sacred heart of Jesus. Imperative: Let us grow such a heart towards God and towards others. Let us open our hearts to God and to our sisters and brothers. Let us widen our hearts. Let us guard them, heal, enrich, and transform our hearts so that our hearts also become like the sacred heart of Jesus 28 JUNE 2025: IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, ISAIAH 61. 9-11; LUKE 2. 41-51 Focus: The immaculate heart of Mary is not merely a matter of purity of heart or purity of life, the integrity of the person. It is to be clear-sighted and to be passionately and lovingly committed Generally, the following day after the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate heart of Mary. How beautiful it is that on Friday we celebrate the sacred heart of the Son and on the following day the immaculate heart of the Mother! It is not coincidental or merely sequential, but very meaningful and significant. What is sacred reflects itself in what is immaculate. What is immaculate contains and embodies what is sacred. The sacred Son reflects the immaculate mother, and the immaculate mother embodies the sacred Son. Holiness and Immaculateness are integrated and inseparable. To be holy is to be pure. The more we conduct ourselves unstained and uncontaminated with an immaculate heart, the more we grow in holiness. The more we are holy, the more we grow pure and maliceless. To be holy and not to be immaculate is a contradiction. In fact, sacredness and Immaculateness are not something accidental or additional to us. It is essential and integral to our very identity as God's redeemed children. "To be holy and blameless" is God's purpose for us, and destined us for such bliss (cf. Eph 1. 4). Our sanctification is God's will (1 Thes 4. 3)). So to grow sacred and immaculate should be our priority and perennial pursuit. Certainly, it is God's gratuitous grace and not our merit. But this does not take away our role, our responsibility, our cooperation, and our effort. We should work hard to merit what we are graced with. This is what Mary did: if her immaculate conception shows predominantly the singular grace and privilege, accorded to her by God, her immaculate heart shows preeminently her humble cooperation with that grace. She constantly preserved her heart and life from sin, and fostered sanctity, thanks to God's grace. Mary's immaculate heart is not only a pointer to her personal holiness and purity but much more, also, a strong inspiration and pathway to be pure and immaculate ourselves. In our times, where hearts are getting so much polluted by sin and malice, where to have heart comes to be taken as fragility and vulnerability, where hearts crooked, hard, and indifferent seem to be the order of the day, where hearts get entangled into much aberration and deviation in the name of modernity, the immaculate heart of Mary is a consolation and remedy! Direction: The celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a pointer that true purity leads to joy and serenity because there is nothing that disturbs or distracts. Purity of heart is the propriety of life