Week after Ascension of the lord

 

17 – 22 MAY 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTION

 

17 MAY 2021, ACTS 19. 1-8; JOHN 16. 29-33

 

Focus: Trials and tribulations are bound to come. They may come all the more when we are loyal to God’s ways and good ways. But there is no need for panic for those who confide in God

 

The life of faith is a continuous and progressive journey. Certainly, baptism washes away the sins and inserts the believer into a new life, a new relationship with the Lord, and also a new family of redeemed people. But, one cannot be satisfied with that incorporation. The journey must continue. From the initiation, one must grow stronger and deeper. From turning away from sin, one must turn definitively to God. One must uproot the deep roots of sin and transplant and cultivate the flowers and fruits of grace. From a baptism of repentance, one must rise to the baptism of the Spirit. From a stumbling walk of imperfect and immature faith, one must walk steadily and firmly on the way of perfect and mature faith.

This is what we see in the case of the believers at Ephesus. They stopped with the baptism of John. They had not gone and grown beyond. They remained still with the phase of repentance. They were good. But that is not enough. Much more is needed. There must be more fire, more vigour. They did not become vigorous in a new life of conversion and renewal. This is exactly the life of the Spirit. This is possible only when one is open to the Spirit and is empowered by the same. This is what the apostles constantly strive to do in the Acts of the Apostles and Jesus in the gospel: to fill the believers/disciples with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Thereby, they would be confirmed and deepened in their faith and bear witness to the Lord. In the absence of the Spirit, what will happen is a "scattering" and "leaving the Lord alone" out of fear. But, if one confides in the Lord and is docile to the Spirit, he will have peace and will remain untroubled even though the world will trouble because the Lord has "already conquered the world" and his grace and mission are "unconquerable" by the evil.

 

Direction: Often many mistake intellectual understanding and assent alone as faith. But the real believing is living with the Lord and living for him at all times

 

18 MAY 2021, ACTS 20. 17- 27; JOHN 17. 1-11, MEMORY, ST PHILIP NERI

 

Focus: There is a subtle difference between self-glory and God's glory which often a great many believers and ministers may conveniently confuse. In the former, the whole focus and centre is self, while in the latter, it is God

 

Many a time, "glorifying God" is reduced to mere word proclamation or working healings and miracles. This is very well a disguised form of self-promotion. Even the great gifts of God, like the eloquence of preaching, the power of miracles, etc. can be means of seeking self-attention and self-recognition. But in contrast, in today’s first reading and the gospel, we find Paul and Jesus himself. They are totally devoid of any self-seeking and self-glory. We are shown what is the real and the right way to glorify God. It is "accomplishing the work that God has entrusted". It consists of the communion of depth and intimacy. It is through a mission of conviction and passion, courage and perseverance, loyalty and commitment. It is a mission that "does not shrink from bearing witness". Paul too follows the same spirit and mission of his Master. That is why he attests, “I do not account my life of any value or as precious to myself”. It is worth it “if only I accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus”. He could convincingly affirm, "I did never shrink from this duty”, “to declare to all the whole counsel of God”, and “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God”.  Thus, he remains unperturbed and undeterred even though he knew well that "imprisonment and hardships await him".

Every disciple of the Lord is expected to remain rooted and United with God and to glorify God by accomplishing God's works. As the Lord prays, we need to totally belong to him, and not to the world. We are in the world but are not of the world. We need to be one with one another, just as Jesus was one with the Father. We need to glorify the Lord just as Jesus always glorified the Father. St Philip Neri bore witness to God through his total surrender to God, even though considered crazy and queer at times.

 

Direction: Giving testimony is not a matter of proclaiming what great things I have done even with the mention of God's power, but rather glorifying God's will and plans even amidst one's individual inadequacies

 

19 MAY 2021, ACTS 20. 28-38; JOHN 17. 11-19

 

Focus: God is anguished over us, and it is not a sign of His fragility or emotional vulnerability, but rather a proof of His concern and anxiety for our safety and peace

 

In both the readings, we have the farewell scenes so intensified. In the Acts of the Apostles, it is Paul to the elders in Ephesus, and in the gospel, it is Jesus to his disciples. There is so much sentiment and feeling. There is tear and anguish. The whole concern is not so much the pain at the physical separation. It is not merely something emotional or relational. It is a higher concern. It is the protection and safety of their followers after their departure. The reason for this anxiety is the danger that they are exposed to. It is the danger of "ravaged wolves" who will pervert the truth. These will draw the followers away from the truth and will try to destroy the whole edifice of faith that had been so painstakingly built up.

In this context, their primary duty is twofold: one is, to guard their own selves from all these onslaughts. The other is, to guard those entrusted to their care. For this, what we need to do is: to deeply commune with God and to be deeply consecrated to truth. It is only a deep communion with God and with each other that can keep us firm and unshaken. It is our oneness that would guard us against being carried away by the world. Further, it is our sanctification by truth and consecration to the truth that will keep us authentic in our life and effective in our mission. We will not be easily diverted and distorted by all the evil forces of falsity and infidelity.

At this point, it is very clear what is missing in today’s church, why it is so much troubled by the evil one. It is true that fierce wolves that tear off truth and snatch away the sheep are increasing. But this does not justify one’s falling and failing in faith and charity. The fault lies with us. When we carelessly allow ourselves to be devoured by the lure of the evil, when we are not one and united with God in intimacy, when we are not loyal and committed to his values, when we willingly divide ourselves by needless factors of division and discrimination, when we do not constantly sanctify and consecrate ourselves in truth, then how can we expect to be his fitting witnesses?

 

Direction: In the accomplishment of God's mission of the spread of God's reign, human intelligence, and capacities do not suffice. We need God's wisdom and Spirit's power to be cautious and judicious.

 

20 MAY 2021, ACTS 22. 30, 23. 6-11; JOHN 17. 20-26

 

Focus: Ask me where does a disciple find the real meaning and worth of the life and mission. It is in bearing witness to the Lord. And no one can find any sense and fulfillment apart from this

 

Witness is the catchword for any follower of Christ. The authenticity of a disciple is determined by the extent of his being a witness to the Lord.  But witness to what? What are the essential ingredients of this task of witness? The very first component is an unshakable faith in Jesus as the Lord and Saviour. This is manifested in the proclamation by word and in action by life in imitation and resemblance to the Lord himself. This implies a profound and inalienable oneness with the Father, Son, and the Spirit.

This is the oneness in identity, in love, and mission. This one identity is divinity, the divine image, the divine dignity, and sanctity. The oneness in love is to love God as the Godhead loves each other and as they love us. It is the one love that abides in every heart, one love that knits together, and one love that outflows from one to the other. Further, it is the oneness of mission. There is no rivalry or unhealthy and harmful competition. There is perfect cooperation and collaboration. And this is the greatest witness. Communion with God and with one another is the greatest identity mark and witness sign. Lack of intimacy with God and disunity with one another is counter-witness and counter-productive. There can be nothing that can substitute for oneness in identity, love, and mission. There can be nothing more effective than a life of witness.

 

Direction: In the wake of an increasing lament and blame that the quality of witness is deteriorating, the the urgent need is to wake up the dormant spirits and the indifferent energies

 

21 MAY 2021, ACTS 25. 13-21;  JOHN 21. 15-19

 

Focus: Love should be the foundation and driving force of all our life and mission, and only then, there will be fidelity and commitment 

 

What irresistible courage, indefatigable assiduity, and immeasurable passion with which Jesus and his followers live their life and mission! We cannot but wonder at this. The secret behind such an inexhaustible strength and irreversible perseverance is a deep-rooted love for the Lord. Jesus has this unfathomable and inalienable love for the Father. The disciples too are to have the same love for the Master. Peter on behalf of every disciple of Christ, is asked by Jesus, "Do you love me?" The question is precise and incisive. The affirmative answer of Peter too is prompt and spontaneous. We do not here engage ourselves with the reason why Jesus asks Peter the same question three times. Is it to balance and compensate for the three-time denial of Peter at the trial of Jesus? Does the number 3 indicate a sense of completion that love has to be complete and perfect? Or does this repetition point to the utmost importance of the law of love?  These questions are not so crucial.

What is important is to note that Love is the greatest condition and energy for any follower. There is no compromise or concessions regarding this. Either one loves or no. However, this love is not merely emotional or sentimental. It is profoundly actual and concrete. It is a love that affects the whole life and mission. It is a love that entails one with an inescapable duty for the other. It is a love that binds one to take care of others, to be concerned for other’s good and growth. It is a call of love that calls for a mission of love. It is a vocation that shows itself in a mission that is other-oriented. That is why, all the three times Jesus entrusts Peter a mission, "Feed my sheep", "Tend my flock ", and "Follow me".

 

Direction: We belong to each other. We are given the care of each other. And so we have a responsibility for each other. Therefore, to tend those given to our care – is the fundamental responsibility. But many fail in their responsibility of tending others or following the Lord. The reason is not human inadequacies. It is only because of the lack of love for the Lord, who deserves all our love

 

22 MAY 2021, ACTS 28. 16-20, 30-31; JOHN 21. 20-25

 

Focus: Clarity of purpose can give one a sense of direction and a wholehearted dedication in his mission

 

When there is clarity and focus regarding the purpose and mission of life, then there is no deviation or obstruction. Nothing can mar or hinder one's mission. Paul was totally clear and focused. So whether free or imprisoned, moving or bound, streets or home- confined, his spirit was the same. This is the singularity and the priority of life: The Lord, faith in him, and testimony to him.

Perhaps, this is what is figuratively implied by the concluding texts in both readings. In the first reading, we have the conclusion of the book of the Acts of the Apostles, and in the gospel, we have the conclusion of John’s gospel. In both, it is also the conclusion of the life of Paul and Jesus. The writings may be concluded, the earthly ministry may stop. But grace, God’s reign, and God’s work continue. The focus and mission must never get sidelined. This is what is implied in Jesus' rebuke to Peter. In all  reasonable human curiosity about the fate of the other disciple, Peter might have asked “Lord, what about this man?” But the answer of Jesus is rather sharp: "What does it concern or matter for you if he were to be alive?" The point is not about the death or the continuity of the other disciple. The sole concern is the Lord's concern, that is, follow the Lord and accomplish his mission. This should be a deeply "personal concern" of everyone and not unnecessary eagerness and inquisitiveness about many other concerns.

 

Direction: “How does this concern matter to me?” "Why should these matters concern me?" Often, such questions can be indicators of indifference and unconcern. But, they can be a question of self-check on the many matters that concern us. They can reveal to us that the many matters that occupy our concern are not really worth the concern

 

ASCENSION OF THE LORD 2021

 ASCENSION OF THE LORD

16 MAY  2021

1.     We celebrate today Jesus’ ascension to heaven.  Ascension is not just the end of Jesus’ earthly presence, not just getting back his glory in heaven. The purpose is not to demonstrate to the disciples about his greatness, nor also to prove to all the people that he is glorious. Rather ascension is the point of completion and fulfillment of Jesus’ mission on earth as a human person.

2.     As a matter of time and temporality, Ascension is also the end of the duration of preparation of the disciples for their life and mission after and without Jesus. Yes, the duration between his resurrection and ascension is not a period of suspension but of intense preparation of the disciples, appearing to them, continuing to teach them, illumine them, guide them, strengthen, and confirm them in their faith and mission. It was a preparation to meet the future in his physical absence. How the future will be without Jesus? How they have to live and do their mission? These are crucial and disturbing questions.

3.     It is at this point, that we highlight as responses three essential aspects of ascension: confirmation, assurance and assignment. Primarily ascension is a confirmation. Confirmation of faith that our Lord is Lord of heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, able to sympathize with us, intercede for us, and sustain us from heaven. Confirmation that heaven is the original abode of Jesus. Confirmation that Jesus is in eternal communion with the Father and the Spirit.  Confirmation that Jesus resumes his original abode, his original glory, his original identity, his original communion. He is not gaining anything new, anything that is not his. He is regaining what is his own. In fact ascension is truly restoration. Jesus attests: “As I came from the Father and have come into the world, so I am leaving the world and going to the Father” (Jn 16. 28). God the Father restores to Jesus his original glory. Jesus accomplishes Father’s will and the mission entrusted to him. The Father is pleased with his fidelity, and so as sign of this holy pleasure and as an evidence of this victory over evil, God raises Jesus, and that is resurrection. Thus resurrection is the authentic testimony that Jesus’ incarnation, life, passion and death are not futile, but are purposive and infinitely efficacious and meritorious, and thereafter ascension is a complete confirmation of this victory and glory. Jesus goes back to where he comes from. A vital chapter of his redemptive mission is over.

4.      Then ascension is Assurance: assurance that we will not be left alone as he goes away from the earth, finishing his physical existence. Assurance that he will never abandon us but will accompany us through the Holy Spirit. Assurance that our help will not be less with Jesus’ going away, but in fact will be much more. In heaven and from heaven, he is totally powerful, and he is not restricted and constrained by any human limitations and vicissitudes. Therefore we should rejoice that Jesus ascended to heaven, rather than lament that he has left us, going away from earth. This is what Jesus makes clear to the disciples also: “it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you” (Jn 16. 7).  So an assurance that Jesus’ presence, guidance and power will never cease, but the Holy Spirit will continue the same presence, guidance and power of Jesus. Assurance also that our destiny and destination is also heaven, as Jesus assures the disciples in his farewell discourse that “you shall be with me where I am” (Jn 14. 3). Assurance that they and we will share the same glory, as Jesus prays in his farewell prayer: “Father, since you have given them to me, I want them to be with me where I am and see the Glory you gave me” (Jn 17. 24). 

5.     Further, there is also a summon, an assignment: A call to trust in and live by a new kind of presence and power of God, the spiritual presence and power, beyond the physical. We should go beyond our too much clinging to what is physical, direct, external and visible, and learn to walk in a higher spiritual realm. An assignment to commit ourselves to attain the same destiny of ascension, i.e. residing in the same Glory. It is a commitment to a daily ascension, which consists in an incessant restoration, regaining of our original identity and dignity. Obtaining the heavenly glory is not acquiring something new which is not there. It is not a novel creation or a grand invention or acquisition, but a discovery, a recapturing, a regain of what is already there. A commitment to become what we already are: to daily “ascend” to our real higher self, our true identity of being God’s own images, the children of God, disciples and friends of Christ, abodes of the Holy Spirit and the heirs of heaven.

6TH WEEK OF EASTER

10 - 15 MAY 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTION

 

10 MAY 2021: ACTS 16. 11-15; JOHN 15. 26 - 16. 4 (Damien the Leper)

 

Focus: Mission is all a matter of opening up space: opening of a heart to the grace of God. When there is an interior space, there is an exterior territory called mission

 

Mission is an interaction and interplay between grace and space. When the human heart creates space for God's grace, there is an expansion of mission space. This is what we recurrently see in the Acts of the Apostles. In today's Acts text, the Lord opens Lydia's heart and she makes space for God's word and the gift of faith. Consequently, space is made for a new mission for Paul and company as she offers to stay at her home.

Such an opening and receiving is made possible only when there is an opening to the Spirit. It is not the spirit of the world that resents and resists God and His work. The spirit of the world is so false and pretentious. It sacralizes and legitimizes as religious and just duties, even the affliction and killing of the true followers. This is what the Lord forewarns: indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. This is because it does not know God. The world may abound in its mundane knowledge but it totally falls short of divine knowledge and spiritual illumination. But the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, Spirit of Jesus. He proceeds from the Father. He is sent from Him. He will testify to Jesus and continues the same mission of witness.

The same mission of witness is entrusted to every follower of Christ. For sure, it is beset with struggles and adversities. But they shall not fall away, because the Lord accompanies them through the light and the power of the Spirit. All that is needed is to open our hearts as Lydia did and to persevere as the apostles did.

This was the same Spirit that filled and geared St Damien from Belgium to commit himself selflessly and fearlessly for 16 years to the care of the lepers in Molokai in Hawaii, and to die eventually of leprosy. Passion and dedication mark this great saint whom we commemorate today.

 

Direction: God's work and good work is a mission that never stops or finishes with certain persons or situations. What matters the most is that the Spirit of God continues it perpetually

 

11 MAY 2021: ACTS 16. 22-34; JOHN 16. 5-11

 

Focus: Those who stand for God will never fall away from His way nor will they fall down before the worldly powers

 

In the continued first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, today there is a touching narration of the details of the apostles’ painful fate: attacked, garments torn, beaten with rods, many blows inflicted upon and then thrown into prison. What follows then is dramatic. The story of the imprisonment of Paul and Peter, their miraculous release off the chains by the angel, their honesty in not escaping from the prison, their concern for the jailer so that he will not get incriminated at their escape, the consequent conversion of the jailer and his entire household - this is all a vivid and convincing testimony of the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.

Humanly speaking, this is all just incredible and impossible. But for God, nothing is impossible. As promised by the Lord, the Spirit continues to accompany the Apostles and sustain all their efforts. The Spirit justifies and sanctifies them. But on the other hand, the same Spirit convicts the unbelieving Jews for their sin. Their sin is their unbelief in the Lord, their rejection of the LORD, the Righteous, and the righteousness offered by him. This consequently brings upon them condemnation. The Spirit is an Advocate who defends the Lord, defends on God's behalf, and also defends the Lord's disciples as well.

The whole episode is a vivid contrast between faith and unfaith. We see a clear difference between what faith does and what unfaith does. Faith makes one convinced, confident, docile, courageous, honest, and totally committed even to the point of death. This is seen in the apostles and also very touchingly in the case of the jailer as well. Amidst all the focus on the miraculous aspect of the scene, perhaps the greatness of the jailer’s faith may lose our attention. What a praiseworthy faith his is! Once he believes in the Lord through the apostles, he thinks nothing of the consequences, and interestingly nothing is told about what happens next. He releases them, takes them home, serves them, and the whole family gets baptized. On the contrary, the unbelieving Jews continue closed, stubborn and opposing, and thus culpable.

 

Direction: Submission to the power and work of the Spirit leads to a deep-rooted conviction, while defiance and rejection of the Spirit leads to a negative "conviction" by the same Spirit

 

12 MAY 2021: ACTS 17. 15, 22 - 18. 1; JOHN 16. 12-15

 

Focus: The knowledge of God does not depend on mere human intelligence but on docility to the Spirit of truth

 

"I have many things to reveal and teach you but you will not be able to understand them now" until the Holy Spirit comes. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth", thus declares Jesus to his disciples. Yes, knowledge of God, faith in God, and life in God are ultimately not human enterprises and accomplishments. If it were so, there will not be so much defiance and resistance to the Word of God and the way of Christ, as preached and testified by the Apostles. Rather, they are the evocations and instillations of a higher realm, the donations of the spiritual domain. One comes to know, believe, and live God's way, only because it is "in God we live, move and have our being", only because He does not leave us to our human fragility or fate. But he induces us "to seek Him and find Him", through His only Son, Jesus Christ, the real way, the Truth and the Life". He guides us on the way, he forms us in the truth and gives life, because he knows the way, the truth, and has life. These are inherited from God the Father, because of his intimacy. Not only this. He himself IS the way, the truth, and the life because they are inherent to him. This is in virtue of his total oneness with the Father and the Spirit. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that works on a transparent human spirit like Paul. And it is no wonder that it touches and converts some of the Athenians.

We may wonder many times why the so-called great and intelligent people fail to know and believe in God, while the simple are deep-rooted and fervent. This clearly shows us that ultimately faith is a matter of divine grace and the human openness to it, and not a human capacity or enterprise.

 

Direction: Growth in spirituality and spiritual living is not a matter of a heightened Human intelligence or acumen, as if to unravel and grasp the divine realities. Rather, it is the humble submission and insertion into the unfathomable divine abyss.

 

13 MAY 2021, ACTS 18. 1-8; JOHN 16. 16-20 (Our Lady of Fatima)

 

Focus: For those who confide in God and sincerely try to walk His way, the way is never closed. New vistas will always open up, even if the old and familiar ways get closed

 

The Acts of the Apostles is a continuous holy expedition with its moments of exciting successes and also crushing failures. But no pressures or afflictions could make any difference in their focus, passion, and commitment. They had an indomitable spirit in which they strove with courage and renewed vigour. The more they were obstructed, the more they were marching forward; the more they were bound, the more they worked freely; the more they were slandered, the more they praised God; the more they were persecuted, the more they were reinvigorated; the more they were cursed, the more they blessed; the more they were shaken, the more they remained firm.

This is clearly the power of the Spirit. It is this which enables them to stand solid against all odds. It is the same power that comforts them to tide over the incomparable anguish of the physical separation of their Master. And still, it is the same power that charges them to bear witness to Him through His Spirit.

Jesus is quite aware of this painful struggle of the apostles against the world and his absence. That is why he says that the world will rejoice by making them weep and lament. But all their sorrow will turn into joy because he will accompany them through his Spirit. Therefore, they need not sink into the abyss of depression at persecution or his separation. Courage! He is with them.

The apparition of Our Lady at Fatima that we commemorate today is a great mark of this unfailing assurance and accompaniment of God with us. God is deeply concerned for us. He wants us to be free from the bondage of sin. Thereby, we would enjoy the freedom of the Spirit and live as free and joyful children of God. What then is required is repentance, reparation, and prayer. The message given to the three children Lucia, Jacinta and Francesco in 1917 is valid for all and for all times.

 

Direction: As we grow mature in our faith, we should realize that we must constantly rise above the merely physical and the external, and surge ahead into the spiritual realm

 

14 MAY 2021: ACTS 1. 15-17, 20-26; JOHN 15. 9-17 (Feast of St MATTHIAS, Apostle)

 

Focus: True faith should constantly teach us that life is not something fortuitous but a gratuitous and gracious choice and the gift of God given to us

 

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we have the process of choosing Matthias into the team of the Twelve in the place of Judas Iscariot, who fell away. The reason is quite simple. Twelve is a number significant and symbolic in the history of Israel. It refers to twelve tribes of Israel, twelve patriarchs, twelve apostles of Jesus. In so far as the Twelve symbolize the twelve patriarchs of the new Israel, the Twelve pillars of the new edifice of Christ, the church, it is filling that the place of Judas Iscariot, the traitor should be filled up by another disciple.

But it is not an act of chance or a totally human enterprise. Perhaps, in modern times, often we are forced to wonder whether the human factors override the divine will with regard to many choices to the sacred offices of authority. But Jesus in the gospel dispels all such false concepts and trends. He declares emphatically, “you did not choose me, but I chose you”. This is clearly indicated by the casting of lots for the election of the twelfth apostle (Mathias). The call is essentially a choice of God. This process does not mean leaving the choice to mere luck. It is surrendering the whole process to God's action. This submission to God's choice should reign over all our human processes of election or appointments and should be an unfailing norm. It is God who chooses us, so that we love Him, abide in His love and follow His commandments. The greatest commandment is to love Him and to love others as He loves us. The obvious outflow of such love is the bearing of abundant fruits. This is the best witness. The greatest effect of this is the completion of joy, experiencing the complete joy.

 

Direction: It is so sad that at times in our modern times, human considerations and manipulations overpower God’s will and plans, and human dictates dominate the divine norms. It is high time to reawaken the spirit of submission and mission

 

15 MAY 2021, ACTS 18. 23-28;  JOHN 16. 23-28

 

Focus: The thought of the end of one's life should not fill us with fear and anxiety but should deepen our sense of mission and completion

 

Many may like to speak of their targets and goals because they can give them a sense of "kick", a thrust and push to strive and achieve something. But the same many may not be happy to think of the final end that is beyond these set goals. It is because such thinking of the end and thereafter can disturb one with a sense of transience, a sense of shallowness in earthly pursuits and accomplishments. Whatever you do and achieve, ultimately the end of life is sure and definitive.

But a constant awareness of the end of life can make one deeply wise to be clear of the priorities in life, to be unattached, to be balanced and mature. The truth that the earthly life will end one day would imbue one with a sense of mission and completion.

This is what we see in Jesus: he is unceasingly conscious of where he came from, what he came for, and where he will return at the completion. He came from the Father, he came for the mission of salvation, and he would return to the Father. The same mission is entrusted to his disciples. But, they are not left alone in completing it. He would recommend it to the Father on our behalf. He would obtain the light and the power needed. In fact, the action of the Holy Spirit is the clearest proof of his presence, accompanying and sustaining us.

 

Direction: God's work and good work is a holy contagion that spreads from one to one; the Apostles were touched and transformed by the Lord and they as a mission touch and transform others as a mission, like Apollos, Priscilla, and so on. And these still in their turn do the same to many others.

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

 BLESSED MOTHER'S DAY! 

On 09 May 2021, the second Sunday of May, we celebrate the Mother's day. We Venerate them. They are the living gods,  walking on earth.

Mother! - what a word! What a call! So power-packed and sentiment-charged!

What a feeling! The very name vibrates every fibre of heart and reverberates our whole being.

Mother is the greatest Incomparable TREASURE on earth. One who has such a treasure, has everything, lacks nothing and is the richest.

The comfort of a mother's lap, the assurance of her touch, the tenderness of her embrace, the serenity of her bosom, the energy of her embrace, the healing of her affection, the illumination of her guidance, the joy and satisfaction of her presence, the fulfilment of her accompaniment  - all these are divine, mirror of God's own care.

One who truly loves the mother, cannot but love all. She is the epitome, symbol, icon of love, sacrifice, benevolence and commitment.

 In and through them, we have abundantly experienced that affection, tenderness, understanding, patience, guidance, comfort, guidance, nourishment, joy and serenity of life.

They constantly wrap us and permeate us with the touch and mantle of the beauty and worth of life, with their sweetness.   We can never thank them enough. We are humbly indebted to them.

So, let us profusely thank the Mothers.

Thanks boundlessly for ceaselessly assuring us that they care and caress us, that they enrol us in their soul and console us with the sole affection.

Thanks speechlessly (without words because words do not suffice or contain the experience that is so profound and unbound) for the love with which they bind us to them with such a treasure to feast on.

 We shall then personally resolve and rededicate ourselves to the love of our mothers.

Let me also thank all the women who are mothers themselves.

Thank you all motherly women for all the gestures of your motherly concern, benevolence and generosity.

As a fitting tribute to every mother and as a worthwhile celebration, let us then see in every woman a mother and let us respect and venerate every woman. Let us be loving and loyal children of our mothers. Let us strive to safeguard the dignity of our mother earth and motherland. Let us love and imitate our heavenly Mother. Let us foster in each of us a motherly heart. May all mothers be glorified!

6th Sunday of Easter

6th EASTER SUNDAY, 09 MAY 2021, ACTS 10.25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 JOHN 4.7-10; JOHN 15. 9-17

Focus: If you want to see and know the true love, then look at God. You find there the beauty and perfection of love, which is the source and model of all love

1.       Once again, the focus of today’s Word of God is God’s love. We are reminded about the nature of God’s love, its longings, and ways, the effects, and fruits of it. We are also urged to follow the same route, experience and show the same love, and reap its fruits. “Abide in love” is the clearest call of the Word of God and “abide in my love” is the clarion call of Jesus to all his followers. Only when we love God can we truly say that we are born of him and that we know him. God is love and therefore no one can love, without God and apart from Him.

2.       Therefore, in the very first place, it is very clear, why many are not able to love, neither experiencing it themselves nor giving it to others. If God is Love itself, the fullness, the essence, and the perfection of it, then how can one love without God? It is only those who are generated by God and know God, only they can love.

3.       But, wait! We need to understand here the immense difference between God’s love and our love. God’s love is not self-centered or self-interested. It is always other-oriented. The Father loved us to such an extent as to offer His own Son as the expiation for our sins, to make us live again, all those dead by sin. The Son too loves his disciples just as the Father’s love. He loves us in such a way as to die for our sins.

4.       Thus, the love of the Father is shown in giving His own self through His Son. The love of the Son is seen in obeying the will of the Father, in his self-giving for our salvation. In other words, he proves his love for the Father by keeping the Father’s commandments, and that is self-sacrifice in love for sinful humanity.

5.       Therefore, if we are truly his disciples, then we must abide in his love. What kind of love is this? On one hand, it is self’-emptying and self-giving, and on the other hand, dignifying and filling us. That is why he no longer calls and treats us like servants but friends. He elevates our dignity and he dies for our sake. And now we can abide in this kind of his love, if only we keep his commandments. And the greatest commandment is to love one another, even to the extent of dying for the other.

6.       Now, what is the fruit and effect of such a sacrificial love? In some other simple words, what do we gain if we live such love? The result is the greatest. We will obtain the Lord’s own joy. It is totally in contrast to the joy that the world gives. The worldly joy is shallow, imperfect, and transient. Many times, it is self-seeking, a self-serving joy to the detriment of others, as well as self-ruin. Instead, the joy that the Lord gives is profound, perfect, complete, and lasting. It is a joy that bears abundant fruits of love in charity and benevolence.

7.       Thus, the picture is clear and complete: God is love. We belong to God and know Him if only we abide in love. This love is self-giving in total surrender to God. This love is the greatest commandment that shows itself in total sacrifice for the other. Only thus, we will obtain His perfect and true joy. This joyful love flows out in abundant fruits of holiness and goodness.

8.       What type of love is ours? How can I say that I love God and do not do what He says? I do not obey His will and still, I claim that I love Him! I do not keep His commandments and yet I speak of loving Him! I know that loving the other selflessly is the greatest commandment, but still, willingly go on failing in fraternity and charity. This is only a mockery of God and love themselves!

Direction: Even if God is offering us never-drying streams of His love, then do we go away dried and drained? Even if God is offering us complete and abiding joy, why do we prefer to go after false and short-living pleasures and gratifications?

5th week of Easter

03 – 08 MAY 2021: HOLY MASS REFLECTION

 

03 MAY 2021: I COR 15. 1-8; JOHN 14. 6-14, FEAST OF APOSTLES PHILIP & JAMES

 

Focus: We are called by the Lord to keep close to him and to live faithful to him in and through our life. This would imply sharing the faith with others and leading them to Jesus, as the apostles Philip and James did

 

Today we celebrate the feast of Sts Philip and James, two of the Twelve. Philip was a former disciple of John the Baptist, and James, the Lesser was the brother of Jude Thaddeus, the cousin of the Lord, and the author of the epistle of James. Philip sets himself to preaching and James was the bishop of Jerusalem. Both were martyred.

What marks both is their receptivity to the Lord, their close living with him, their constant listening to him and learning from him, obeying and following him. What is notable in both is: Having experienced the Lord personally, both become the sharers and transmitters of the same experience of the Lord. Thus both lead others to Jesus. Philip leads Nathanael in particular and in general many others to Jesus by his preaching and witness. James was the bishop of Jerusalem, and thus he too leads many believers by his ministry of leadership and animation. Whatever be the variance of their mission, they both live with Jesus in a personal communion, live for him through their mission, and then shed their blood in martyrdom.

In today’s gospel, the request of Philip is very striking. It reflects the mindset of authentic discipleship: “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us”. Yes, seeing God is the highest end of his life for a true disciple, and this alone will suffice. Nothing else can be equal to this grace, because nothing else can satisfy and fulfill a person’s life purpose.

Today, both apostles stand before us as inspiration for imitation. Their singular devotion to the Lord and their faithful dedication to his mission are worth imitable.

 

Direction: A personal experience of the Lord is like a fire that does not limit itself only to the person that holds it, but it spreads rapidly to others as well, with the same inflaming effect

 

04 MAY 2021: ACTS 14. 19-28; JOHN 14. 27-31a

 

Focus: The Spirit of the Lord is never stagnant but ever-vibrant and therefore those who confide in the Lord will never be dormant but ever fervent

 

Peace is the parting assurance of the Lord before his earthly departure and death. It is also the starting gift of the resurrection before his heavenly re-entrance. This peace is rooted in and derived from his inseparable union with the Father. This peace is different from the peace that the world seeks and gives. Worldly peace is something false and shallow. How? It is mostly because it lies in merely avoiding any trouble and disturbance; or at times, it is so self-seeking and can indulge in so much aggression and violence. It is peace at any cost. Thus, ironically, it is a peace built on a lack of peace, leading to further lack of peace. Besides, worldly peace is very unstable and fluctuating because it highly depends on external factors which are very variable. But the peace which the Lord gives us is something very profound and stable, which abides even amidst trouble and disturbance. No external forces however adverse they are, can take away such deep-seated peace. It is this peace that Jesus always enjoyed and exercised. It is the same kind of peace that he offers to his disciples and empowers them with. That is why he tells his disciples not to be troubled or disturbed by his physical separation and absence. It is because his eternal presence and the unceasing accompaniment of the Spirit will never leave them.

It is this interior power that sustains Paul and co. to continue their mission like a whirlwind.  Whatever be the situations, whether favorable or unfavorable, they persisted in their mission. No opposition, no imprisonment, and restrictions, no suffering and persecution even to the point of death, could confine or control their spirit and mission. Through their preaching and personal example, they increase the number of the disciples, strengthen their souls, encourage them to persevere in the faith, convince them that tribulations would qualify them for entry into the kingdom. They would also ensure an effective animation of every church by appointing quality elders.

 

Direction: Zeal and dedication for the Lord's mission with courage and perseverance are possible only because of the passionate love for God and unflinching loyalty to him

 

05 MAY 2021: ACTS 15. 1-6; JOHN 15. 1-8

 

Focus: Problems will never completely disappear from our life. What is important is how to approach them and resolve them

 

It will be silly wishful thinking to expect life to be free from any problem or difficulty. Distortion, deviation, and dissension are part of life. The solution is not to lose heart, not to lament or grieved about them, not to get into a conflictual situation with others. There was certainly a difference of opinion on the issue of circumcision. But, there was no dissipation or division among the apostles and early Christian communities in the face of it.

Paul and some others move toward Jerusalem to sit in council and dialogue with the Twelve and others. They set a great example to the church of our times. They teach us how to approach and deal with situations of differences. Spirit of listening to others and dialogue with them is essential.

They were very clear that what matters most is not the divergent external traditions and laws like circumcision, but the abiding oneness and communion. Unity should be more binding rather than all other dividing factors. Such a fraternal communion is in turn rooted in an inseparable spiritual communion with the Lord. When a disciple is united with the Lord as a branch to the Vine, then there is no division or separation. As long as one is one with the Lord, then there is life, growth, and fruition. Differences and disagreements are not always necessarily negative or resentable. One need not feel alarmed or threatened by them. The difference is not division, or disagreement is not conflict.  They should be seen as pruning experiences to make us grow better and bear abundant fruit. This is the right way of loving God, becoming true disciples, following the commandments, and becoming fruitful. This is the best way of glorifying God.

 

Direction: The greatest reason why the life of many faithful is lifeless and dull, why they do not flourish, blossom, and grow, and why they are not productive and fruit-bearing is that they are not in essential connectedness with the Lord

 

06 MAY 2021: ACTS 15.7-21; JOHN 15. 9-11

 

Focus: True faith is not a servile allegiance to a set of rules and traditions. Rather it is openness to the free action of the Spirit, and thus being receptive to change

 

Without a doubt, the church of today is going through tough times. The outside world is increasingly hostile and blocking toward the church. And within the church itself, the fact of divisions cannot be hidden. The early church too was not fully exempt from differences and divisions. But these differences were more on faith issues like the Jewish laws like circumcision. The central point of dispute was whether circumcision should be imposed on the Gentile believers also, just as the Jewish; whether the Jewish laws were core faith- matters or changeable cultural matters. And what an exemplary and imitable course of action they take! Through patient and sober discussion and discernment, they bring clarity between the primary and secondary principles. Accordingly, the insistence is not on cultural practices like circumcision, but on a life of moral integrity and spiritual fidelity.

And this is what is lacking in various church circles of today. The differences and divisions are not based on real issues. Often they are due to shallow and superficial matters like caste, region, language, culture, rite, power, etc. The route to resolve and dissolve these differences is not dialogue and conciliation, but confrontation, discrimination, and condemnation. The result is animosity and counter-witness to faith itself.

At this point, Jesus in the gospel provides the reason and the answer for this problem. The only reason is the lack of abiding love for God. God chose us, not to fight and disfigure the face of the church. We are called, so that we love Him, abide in His love and follow His commandments. The greatest commandment is to love Him and to love others as He loves us. This is the best witness. The greatest effect of this is the completion of joy, experiencing the complete joy.

 

Direction: Modern man more than ever is missing the true and complete joy, because often he is not able to identify and discover that the real joy is found in the Lord and obtain the same from him

 

07 MAY 2021: ACTS 15.22-31; JOHN 15.12-17

 

Focus: True religion and faith should always discern and promote what is liberating and not lay up unnecessary burdens in the form of inessential traditions and precepts

 

The apostles and the leaders of the early church had deep faith in the risen Lord and were illumined by the Holy Spirit. Hence, they could distinguish between the primary tenets of faith and the secondary traditions. That is why they did not insist on the Jewish laws like circumcision and did not impose it on the gentiles. They realized that adherence to true God through faith in Jesus and moral integrity of life is more important than the other culture-bound rules. For it is for freedom and friendship and not for slavery that Jesus called us to his discipleship. Jesus declares: “I call you no longer slaves but friends”. Yes, this is the beauty and greatness of our call and relationship with Jesus: We are elevated, we are given a new dignity. No more we are slaves under the slavery of sin. We are free children of God under the mantle of God's grace, Christ’s redemption. It is he who called us and chose us. Therefore, our call is a gratuitous gift of God, and none can claim any personal merit or credit.

But how to testify to this new dignity? How to bear witness to our discipleship? It is by our mutual fraternal love and fruitfulness of life. In selfless love even to the extent of dying for the other, and in bearing fruits that are abundant and lasting, we live and testify our true identity.

 

Direction: The world of today is diluting the very essence of true love, by abusing and misusing it. Often it is reduced to lust and unreined passions and urges. But true love is a selfless generosity to give up even one's own life for the good of the other

 

08 MAY 2021: ACTS 16.1-10; JOHN 15.18-21

 

Focus: Courage and competence to do the best of things will not alone determine the zeal of a person. Real zeal does mean to surrender ourselves to God's direction to do what and how He wants us to do

 

It can happen no seldom that some become overenthusiastic and stubborn to follow their plans and enterprises, all in the name of passion and dedication. A true passion never puts one's intelligence or capacity or plans across and against God's wisdom, power, and will. This was the greatness of the apostles: their zeal was never overboard. They always remained docile to the guidance and leading by the Holy Spirit. They did not resist the intervention of the Holy Spirit that prevented them at times from their scheduled plans. They left aside at times their own missionary plans before the promptings of the Spirit. It is because they always strove to belong to and imitate their Master. They were very clear and sure that they do not belong to the world. They were always conscious that they were chosen by the Lord, out of the world. Therefore, being taken out of the world, they cannot once again engross themselves in the ways of the world. When they stand in contrast to the world, then it is quite natural that the world resists, detests, and troubles them. That is why they felt happy to be persecuted. They did not take it as a negative fate or forced misery. Rather they deemed it as a meritorious testimony to their faith and fidelity to their Master. It was an authentic way of sharing in their Master's lot.

What a great challenge and warning to the present followers? It is high time that they check up on the quality, and perseverance, of their loyalty to their master. How many are docile to the direction of the Holy Spirit? How many are ready to suffer something for their faith? How many cut off their clinging and belonging to the world?

 

Direction: Hostility and affliction are not always a sign of a bad fate or ill luck, but are the authentic signs of conviction and commitment on behalf of a good cause and a good God.

5th Sunday of Easter

5TH EASTER SUNDAY, 02 MAY 221: ACTS 9. 26-31; 1JOHN 3. 18-24; JOHNoh 15. 1-8.

 Focus: Inseparable attachment to God and abundant fruitfulness in a life of good actions is an authentic testimony of being disciples of Christ 

 1. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Abide in me”, Jesus convincingly announces in the gospel. In the first place, the very imagery itself implies the inseparable union between the Lord and his disciples. For, apart from the Vine, the branches cannot live, cannot grow, cannot bear fruit. A branch that is not connected with the Vine, withers and is burnt off. 

 2. In the same way, a Christian should be close to Jesus and united with him, for life, for growth and for fruition. The same idea of union and blossoming is also strong and clear in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The terms used are similar: "the early church had peace, was being built up"; there was fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit". 

 3. At this point, it is very clear, why today many seem lifeless, without any brightness and vigour of life, even though they have at their disposal all that the world can offer. Many seem stifled and stunted in their growth, even though they have ample opportunities and talents of knowledge and competence. Many seem fruitless, joyless and meaningless, even though they ride on all glory, success and fulfillment, in the sight of the world. It is only because their inner connectedness with God is disconnected. 

 4. How right are the words of the psalmist in psalm 127: if the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour, if the Lord does not keep vigil, in vain do the guards keep vigil. The world of today, puffed up by its progress and technology, feels so self-sufficient, self-complacent and self-directed, and tries vehemently to do away with God. Hence so much sense of emptiness, suffocation and dissatisfaction. 

 5. However the branches that bear fruit, too will have to undergo the pain of “pruning”, so as to make them flourish faster. While being pruned, that is, going through moments of adversity and affliction, is certainly painful. But its result is very positive and rewarding. There is growth and abundant fruition. Therefore, our concern must not be so much on the pain of the pruning, but on the fruit and consequences, the effect and result of such pruning. 

 6. In fact the best way to prove to be true disciples and give fitting glory to God, is not so much by glorifying in words, or by convention or conventions or titles or traditions, but rather by bearing much fruit in a life of good actions and life witness. It is in this sense, the second reading from John' s first letter also exhorts, not to limit our faith only to word and talk, but live it in deed and truth. This is manifested in loving God, abiding in Him, keeping his commandments and loving one another. 

 7. What about our linking and inseparability with our main stem of the Vine? Are we close and attached to the Lord? Do we derive from the Vine our required nourishment and strength? The more we tend to be unconnected or disconnected, the more will we will be affected and infected. Do we realize that certain pruning by way of suffering and difficulty is bound to happen? Do we accept it willingly and grow strong and well- regulated? Do we glorify God merely with words and certain ceremonies and practice? Or, we render the best glory to God, by living our discipleship and bearing abundant fruits?

 Direction: Being connected to God is the greatest safety measure against all withering and is a drive toward growth and fruitfulness.