19th week days mass reflection

 

09 – 14 AUGUST 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

09 AUGUST 2021: DEUT 10. 12-22; MATTHEW 17. 22-27

Focus: We are tax-free but duty-bound! True it is we are free children of God, freed from all the taxes and wages of sin, but at the same time, so long as we are on this earth, we are bound by some duties on the earth

1.      We are children of God. He has specially chosen the people of Israel as His own. With a mighty hand, He delivered them from the slavery of alien nations. With justice, He executes justice for the poor and the deprived. With love, He takes care of the sojourners with food and clothing. And with mercy, He condones and forgives all their iniquities. With generosity, He blesses them with abundance and prosperity.

2.      Now we are the new Israel. We are free children, for, through Jesus, we are made sons and daughters of God and the heirs of the kingdom. We are no more aliens or strangers but God’s own. But as we are the citizens and heirs of heaven, we become aliens and sojourners to this earth. Here rises the question of tax pay in the gospel, whether Jesus and his disciples should pay the taxes to the Roman government or not. In the legal sense, they are tax-bound because in this world we are only sojourners and heaven is our real homeland.

3.      But in the spiritual sense, tax can stand for the wage and weight of sin. As redeemed people, we are freed from sin, and thus we are tax-free. In this sense, the passion and resurrection prediction in the first part of today’s gospel, Matthew 17. 22 f. can be better understood as connected to the second part of tax-pay. However, while still on earth, we are duty-bound by some external duties toward the earth and society. Seen in this perspective, paying of tax or following some laws and duties of the land is not a matter of subjugation. Rather, all of them will be pointers and indicators of our being sojourners on this earth.

4.      If we are free children and heirs of heaven and sojourners toward the heavenly kingdom, how then to conduct our life here and now? The first reading from Deuteronomy 10. 12-22 gives us the answers. We shall fear the Lord our God. We shall circumcise our hearts and no longer be stubborn. We shall serve Him and cleave to Him. We shall love Him with whole heart and soul. We shall walk in all His ways, adhering to His commandments and statutes.

Direction: Live in this world, with a sense of duty towards heaven. However, this will not make us evasive or negligent. It will rather make us more dutiful, for one who is faithful to the highest duty will also be faithful to the smaller duties

10 AUGUST 2021: 2 COR 9. 6-10; JOHN 12. 24-26, Feast of St Lawrence

Focus: True love empties itself totally and gives totally to God and others. A love that does not lead one to piety and charity, is not true

 

1.      Today we venerate St Lawrence, one of the most popular martyrs of Rome of the first centuries. Both the readings very well fit him. Quite in tune with Jesus’ words, Lawrence did not love or preserve his life but sacrificed it for the sake of the Lord. Thus he kept it for eternal life. He served the Lord and so he followed him to the end till death. He trusted unswervingly in our God who can provide us with every blessing in abundance for every good work. Therefore, he abounded in every act of charity and generosity toward the poor.

2.      He cooperated joyfully with the God who supplies seed to the sower, multiplies the resources, and increases the harvest of righteousness. Therefore, he sowed bountifully and also reaped bountifully a rich harvest of holiness and goodness. He was a cheerful giver and so the Lord deeply loved him. Like a grain of wheat that loses itself to live with a new life and bear fruit, so also Lawrence abnegated his self to fill others. Death to egoism in self-denial and life to others in altruism marked his whole life.

3.      That is why, as Jesus assured, “where I am, there shall my servant be also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honor him”, Lawrence the servant of the Lord remains in heaven where his master is, and he is honored by the Father, because he served the Son

 

Direction: Sacrifice and service are the hallmarks of a true disciple of Christ. One who refuses to sacrifice his self-interests and fails to place himself to serve others is an unworthy disciple

 

 

(REFLECTION FROM 2020)

Focus: Love for the Lord is all a matter of cultivation and fruition, and this consists in an abundance of sowing and reaping and thus testified in sacrifice and service

 

1.      We celebrate today the feast of St Lawrence. St Lawrence is a much-venerated martyr of Rome of the first century. The words of St Paul in the first reading (2 Cor 9. 6-10) are quite true in his life. He sows bountifully and reaps bountifully. He sows an abundant crop of virtue and value, devotion and charity. He reaps an abundant harvest of loyalty and commitment toward God and sensitivity and generosity toward others.

2.      He loved the Lord with passion and with the same passion, he loved the poor. The same burning love led him to offer himself joyfully and fearlessly to be burnt alive for the Lord. That is why he gives his whole life willingly and joyfully even to the extent of shedding his blood for his faith. He is that “grain of wheat” which dies to the self to sprout and produce abundant fruit.

3.      Every true disciple of Christ must be the grain which dies to self and sin, rises to new life, grows, and bears fruit in abundance. At no cost, one should be a thorny bush that overpowers the good plant, sucking off the nourishment due to the plant and destroying its growth. Avarice and domination are contrary to discipleship!

 

Direction: So long as one clings to one’s own self-will and self-interests, one cannot be close to the Lord and become productive. Sacrificing fidelity and joyful giving are hallmarks of a true lover of God

 

11 AUGUST 2021: DEUT 34. 1-12; MATTHEW 18. 15-20, St Clare

Focus: In a world that is like a battlefield, the solution is not grudge and resentment, or blame and slander, or aggression and retaliation, but forbearance and reconciliation

1.      The world of today is in the whirlwind of condemnation and calumny, and revenge and retaliation. A good number finds a vain pleasure in passing judgments on others and condemning them in public. Many harbor a lot of negativity inside and wait eagerly to retort and retaliate.

2.      In such a context, today the Lord is inviting us in the gospel for a spirit of fraternal correction, reconciliation, and restoration of the lost link. When someone wrongs, we should not rush to condemn and put them to public disgrace. Rather, we should patiently try to make him realize his fault and win him back. A deep-seated Fraternity should guide us in a process of personal approach, dialogue and persuasion. This is done gradationally, first through a personal confrontation, then with the help of one or two witnesses, and then by the intervention of the church.

3.      However, if all these efforts fail, then the next step is dissociation, a distancing from him as a pagan, as an alien, and rival to God. It is in this context comes the importance of the community agreement, prayer intimacy and intercession, and the sacrament of reconciliation. That is why, Jesus says, “if two of you agree about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father”; “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. Also, the mention of Moses in the first reading Deuteronomy 34. 1-12 as a singular prophet whom the Lord knew face and face and who was a mighty instrument for God’s mighty power, may point to the aspect of intimacy and power of prayer.

4.      The words of Jesus, “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” in a general tone, can indicate a spirit of reconciliation. This may imply that we should not retain or reserve any grudge but should be free and relieved. However, usually, this statement refers to the sacrament of reconciliation, and it is valid as well. For it is in this holy and renowned sacrament that we are at the doors of abundant streams of mercy and reconciliation with God and with others. It is so sad that today many fail to recognize the immense value of this great sacrament.

5.      St Clare, the founder of the Poor Clares, whom we commemorate today is a living sacrament of reconciliation through her austerity, piety, and charity

Direction: Many claim to be intelligent and very judicious. But is it not really foolishness to throw away the sacrament of reconciliation, which is the fount of mercy and conciliation?

(REFLECTION FROM 2020)

Focus: Reconciliation is the key to reparation and restoration

1.      The gospel presents a fault- situation in a faith community. It brings to us the need for fraternal correction and reconciliation. Perhaps, this can be one opportune and appropriate context to focus a little on the holy sacrament of reconciliation. In the present times, unfortunately, there is a lot of disinterest in the sacrament of confession. In the case of many, it is becoming rather an annual obligation or a festive occasion.

2.      The loss of regularity to the Church, the loss of love and value of the sacraments, and the question about the holiness of the priest can be the main reasons for this abandonment. Oh if only the faithful recognize the invaluable treasure grace in this sacrament! It is the God-given “power to bind and to loose” the bondage of sin, the burden of remorse.

3.      It is not merely to enlist the sins, but a humble realization of our human fragility and falls. It is a fount of forgiveness and reconciliation in regard to God and others. It is God Himself who forgives and it would be a big mistake if we over-bother about the holiness of the individual priest. We believe and approach the priest to mediate blessings on us; why can’t we then believe him to mediate forgiveness as well?

 

Direction: We carry often many needless baggage and weights of sin and negativity. Let us get rid of them and make our journey light.

 

12 AUGUST 2021: JOSHUA 3. 7-17; MATTHEW 18. 21 – 19.1

 

Focus: When the Lord is with us, we will be able to walk through the troubled waters, and we will be understanding and magnanimous toward others

 

1.      “How many times I should forgive the other?” This is a question posed by Peter in the gospel from Matthew 18. 21f. He is certainly extra generous as he pushes the upper limit to forgive from 3 times of the Jewish tradition to 7 times. Already it is a big stride. But Jesus makes it very clear: “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven”.

2.      This clearly implies that forgiveness has no limits. The questions such as how many times? How can I forgive such a huge wrong? How can I forgive such an undeserving fellow? How can I forgive when the other takes it for granted? et cetera should not disturb us much. The issue is not about the quantity of the wrong or the worth of the recipient. The point is about the willingness and readiness, the extent of forgiving from the part of those who forgive.

3.      There are no conditions or limits or measures in forgiving. In fact, we need not claim extra credit for forgiving. This does not mean that we are taking away the merit of forgiving. We are certainly aware of how difficult and demanding it is to forgive someone who did us so much harm. It is also difficult especially in a world which exalts a culture of unforgiveness and retaliation.

4.      However, there is no choice. We are bound to forgive. The reason is, we ourselves receive so much forgiveness from God and others. As the psalmist says in Psalm 130, “If only you should mark our guilt, Lord, who will survive? But with you is found forgiveness”. This does not mean that we do it out of force or compulsion or fear.

5.      Rather, our forgiving should proceed from a genuine sense of gratitude of receiving it unlimitedly, and therefore a deep sense of responsibility for giving it unlimitedly. Besides, our forgiving others also becomes a condition for experiencing God’s own forgiveness; because only those who forgive others will be able to receive and enjoy the grace of God’s forgiveness.

6.      There is beautiful imagery for forgiveness in the first reading from Joshua 3. 7-17. Forgiveness is like the ark of the covenant of the Lord. Those who bore it could pass on dry ground through the waters of Jordan. Similarly, those who bear the spirit of forgiveness will carry with them God’s own presence and will be able to walk through difficult paths.

 

Direction: The promise of God to Joshua continues forever: I will be with you. He never fails to accompany us through His ark of the covenant and that is His mercy to us and our mercy to others

 

(REFLECTION FROM 2020)

 

Focus: Forgiveness is not an option but an obligation; it is not a favor done to others at one’s convenience but the essence of a true follower of the Lord

 

1.      We live in a world that is fragmented and tormented by resentment and animosity, revenge, retaliation, and violence. It is torn apart by so many ruptures and discriminations. Various factors such as nation, race, class, color, culture, caste, religion, region, language, status, development, etc. divide the world and the human community. Human relations are so sadly ruled by principles of hatred and unforgiveness. The religions which are supposed to guide their adherents in the path of love, tolerance and fraternal solidarity, seem to fail in this hallowed task.  In this prevailing alarming context, a spirit and a life of love and forgiveness has to re-emerge.

2.      To forgive is not an option or a favor, done at one’s will and pleasure, but an obligation and duty. Forgiveness is not a matter of single, isolated, scattered acts of forgiving, but more a matter of a stable, habitual manner of reconciling and re-harmonizing. It is a practice, a habit. In forgiveness, questions such as who to forgive, when to forgive, why, how many times to forgive, etcetera do not arise. It is uncalculating and unconditioned.

3.      In forgiving, God has placed a ready spring of healing and relieving of the self at our disposal. Forgiveness and reconciliation are possible, only when there is a deeper spirit of gratitude, humility, contrition, and fraternity.

 

Direction: How foolish we will be to refuse such a reviving fount of forgiveness and reconciliation, and prefer to be pressed down by, and carry on the weight of hurt and negativity!

 

13 AUGUST 2021: JOSHUA 24. 1-13; MATTHEW 19. 3-12

 

Focus: The whole beauty and value of all spirituality and relationships lie in one fundamental norm: fidelity. The simplest questions are: how much am I faithful to God? And how much am I faithful to the others, particularly with whom I am linked?

 

1.      Today’s Word of God in both the readings pivot around the theme of “fidelity”. The first reading from Joshua 24. 1-13 narrates in detail about God’s fidelity. God has been faithful to His chosen people Israel in numberless ways. He chose them, not because of their greatness but because of His love. He intervened into their lives with touching attention and care. He liberated them from the mighty yoke of slavery through His mighty hand of wonders. He stood by them and defeated their enemies on their behalf.

2.      This fidelity is so abundant and exuberant. That is why through Joshua, God reminds the people, “I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you had not built, and you dwell therein; you eat the fruits vineyards and oliveyards which you did not plant”.

3.      In the gospel, Jesus addresses one crucial aspect of this fidelity, and that is marital fidelity. This fidelity is endangered and shattered by divorce. There is a steep rise in divorces and that too, often not for worthwhile reasons. According to human law, divorces are allowed, but not according to divine law.

4.      The Catholic Church does not permit divorces, because marriage is an indissoluble communion of two partners. It is not a mere social contract or organized relation between a male and a female. It is a sacrament which means it is sacred and divine. It is a twofold covenant – with God and with each other. It is God who joins the man and woman together. And they become one. Therefore, it requires fidelity and commitment.

5.      When the couple loses sight of these aspects of sacrament and covenant, the hardness of the heart and infidelity increase. In the religious life too, this fidelity shows itself in “making themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven”. In other words, whoever does not keep himself a eunuch (renouncing physical potency in chastity) is breaching the covenant of fidelity.

 

Direction: Whether in the ordinary Christian life or consecrated life, fidelity to God and each other is the key principle. While love is its source and strength, piety and chastity are the effects and testimonies

 

(REFLECTION FROM 2020)

 

Focus: Our vocation is not a contractual transaction or relation. Rather it is a fundamental Covenant that involves a perpetual Commitment. The dignity of vocation calls for Fidelity to live it.

1.      Today we are clearly reminded that for us as God’s children and as Christ’s disciples, the beauty and value of our relationships consists in fidelity. This applies both to relationship with God and with others as well. Quite rightly the first reading reiterates God’s committed fidelity. Even if we are unfaithful, He shall never fail to be faithful.

2.      In the gospel too, Jesus drives our attention on to this covenantal bonding and the commitment thereupon. Jesus touches upon one of the crucial and disturbing factors in our modern families, and that is divorce, separation, and remarriage. Society has become so permissible that divorces seem to be an accepted norm, and thus they are numerous and frequent.

3.      Surely we do not deny the difficulties and challenges in the married life and agree that it is not always smooth-sailing. But what is very alarming is: marriages have become matters of convenience and self-interest. The sacredness of the sacrament of marriage, and the fidelity and commitment to each other as life-long life-mates, are getting blurred.

4.      Less of ego and personality clashes, more of humility to accept one’s defects, more of patience to forbear, to adjust and to persevere, and in sum, more love for the other – will be the healing remedy to restore dignity, stability, and fidelity. In the religious vocation too, fidelity to God (“eunuchs for God’s kingdom”) must be the sole motive and not any other ulterior motives.

 

Direction: Convenience and interest are the riding criteria, applied to things, and not to persons and relationships. Concern and commitment are to be the ever-abiding and guiding principles.

 

14 AUGUST 2021: JOSHUA 24. 14-29; MATTHEW 19. 13-15, St Maximilian Kolbe

 

Focus: More to Jesus, is more of blessing

1.      In the gospel, parents bring their children to Jesus, to be blessed by him. But the disciples scold and prevent them, certainly with the good intention not to create a commotion or disturbance to Jesus. And Jesus is very clear that children should come to him, be close to him, and be blessed by him. Yet again he reminds us that being a child to God is the only way to enter the kingdom.

2.      Today how many parents take their children closer to Jesus, to the church, to the sacraments, to the spiritual animation? How many parents initiate, motivate, guide, and foster their children in matters of faith and morals? How many of them instill and ignite in their children love for God and enthusiasm for spirituality?

3.       In the name of giving the children freedom, and respecting their personal responsibility, are the elders not failing in their responsibility? Are we ourselves not hindering them from Jesus? What a loss it is that our children miss the nearness, the touch, and the blessing of Jesus!

4.      In this context, Joshua in the first reading from Joshua 24. 14-29 can be a great example and guide to all the parents and children. Like Joshua, how many parents remind their children of God’s incessant intervention in our lives in love, power, and mercy? How many can tell their children straight that our God is a holy jealous God who will not tolerate defection and transgression of his ways? How many in all firmness can urge their children to fear the Lord, to serve Him in sincerity and faithfulness?

5.      How many adults and leaders can challenge the youngsters to discern and choose between the God of fidelity and the world of false gods? And how many can really affirm with conviction like Joshua, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord? How many can assume this undaunted responsibility to lead their families in God’s way even if the whole world is going in the opposite direction? And how many today like those people of Israel can reaffirm our fidelity to God, saying, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods”; “But we will serve the Lord”; “The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey”.

6.      Against all the persecution and fear of the Nazi concentration camp, St Maximilian Kolbe whom we commemorate today stood firm in his faith, and in Christ-like love, he offered his own life in the place of another

 

Direction: We are people of covenant with God. We are made His own children. The way to testify our belonging to Him is to put away the foreign gods, that is, the false values and pursuits, and incline our heart to the Lord

 

19th Sunday of the year B

19th SUNDAY, 08 AUGUST 2021: 1KINGS 19. 4-8; EPH 4. 30 - 5.2; JOHN 6. 41-51

Focus: True love lives forever and promotes life. Those who live in love are truly the bearers and testimonies of life

1. "Life out of love and love out of life". This can be the whole summary of God and His relation to us. It is God who gives us life. The life we enjoy is His. This life is given to us because He loves us. True love shares its very self with others. Therefore, the God who is love and who loves us immensely, shares His own life with us. Thus, we live in love. Our life can be truly meaningful only to the extent we live in God and in His love. Those who do not bear the marks of divine life and love are contrary to their very nature, essence and purpose of life.

2. Seen in this optic, love is both the beginning and the end, the foundation and culmination of life by God. It means, it is because of God's love we live, and love alone will be the sign and proof that we live.

3. Today, Jesus declares, "I am the bread from heaven, bread that gives life" "Those who eat me will not die but will live forever". This implies many elements that we have been reflecting. First, it is from heaven. Thereby, it is divine and not something earthly, material like manna in the Old Testament. Second, it is a bread that gives life forever. Thereby, it is not something temporary and temporal. Those who eat ordinary bread die, and those who ate manna in the desert died. But those who eat this bread that Jesus speaks of, will live eternally.

4. Fourth, this is not a material bread, but Jesus himself. Jesus identifies himself with this bread of eternal life. He also clearly says that his own flesh is the bread. What does this mean? Here we need to avoid both the tendencies that can be defective. One is only literal and material, and the other, only metaphorical and symbolic. Taken in the first sense, the eating of the flesh may be reduced to crude cannibalism. We are not eating the human flesh of Jesus. But at the same time, it is not merely symbolic. We are REALLY  receiving, sharing the body of Jesus.

5. Here comes the whole beauty, depth and the mystery of the holy Eucharist. The presence of Jesus in the holy Eucharist which is the eternal bread of life is SACRAMENTAL. Jesus is truly, really and substantially present in the most holy Eucharist. The holy Eucharist not only symbolizes the body of Christ,  but IS the body of Christ.

6. In fact, the flesh of Christ can also be understood as the humanity as in John 1. 14: The Word became flesh and lived among us. This is what gives us life. Thus there is a marvellous blend of humanity and divinity. Humanity taken up in love and giving life of divinity!

7. Now, we can revert back to our initial reflection on love and life. If Jesus becomes our bread of life out of love, love becomes the authentic and concrete sign, effect and expression of this life. In other words, the divine life that flows into us shows itself in a life of love.

8. But again how to recognize this love? What are its features or identity marks? The second reading from Ephesians 4. 30 - 5. 2 gives the answers. Such a love is shown in Christ-like self-giving. This further manifests itself in putting away what is negative and putting on what is positive. Get rid of all malice, bitterness, anger and slander. Instead, be kind, tender and forgiving.

Direction: A God- given life is seen in a life in love which alone pleases God and testifies that are marked by God's ownership

18th week days mass reflection

 

02 -07 AUGUST 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS

02 AUGUST 2021: NUMBERS 11. 4-15; MATTHEW 14. 13-21

Focus: In life, very many times, either the vicissitudes of life or the demand of the duties frighten us. We may feel the burdens are too heavy to carry. But do not worry, because God is with us

1.       Walking in the way of the Lord is not smooth. It is very challenging. There will be moments of hunger and thirst, weakness and fatigue, uncertainty and insecurity, scarcity and insufficiency, discouragement and frustration. All the more, the old inclinations and attachments will be strongly pulling us back. This is exactly the people of Israel experienced on their way to the promised land. It was happy to be liberated from the slavery of Egypt.

2.       But the story does not end there. Inheriting and enjoying the destined land of bliss would not happen smoothly. They had to travel a long journey through the red sea, through the wilderness, desert, etc. where they experienced all that mentioned above. In such moments, they would easily fall back to their old life and habits. They would fondly recollect and weep for that meat, fish, onions, garlics in Egypt. They would forget all the mighty intervention and benevolence of God. They would find fault with God and His servant Moses. Truly these were the testing times for Moses. He is pressed between the higher demands of fidelity to God, and the all-too-real needs of the people. He feels helpless. That is why, he cries out to God, “I am not able to carry all these people alone, the burden is too heavy for me”.

3.       In the gospel Matthew 14. 13-21, the disciples too experience the same sense of helplessness at the hunger of the people. They feel concerned for the people. But at the same time, they are aware of the inadequacy of their resources. They tell Jesus, “We have only five loaves and two fish”.

4.       In our life too, we come across similar situations. Like those people, we may feel fragile and fatigued, lacking and discouraged. Or, like Moses and the disciples, we may feel helpless in the face of adverse situations. In such situations, we need to turn to the Lord. We need to confide in him. We need to entrust the case to him. Surely he will intervene and change the situation for the better.

Direction: We need not feel sad or bad about our littleness. All that is needed is to join our littleness to God’s mightiness. He would intervene, touch and transform our five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand

 

03 AUGUST 2021: NUMBERS 12. 1-13; MATTHEW 14. 22-36

Focus: In the sea of life often strong winds blow against us and fear grips us with the danger of sinking. But as long as God is with us, He will not allow us to sink but lift us up from drowning

1.       In the gospel, Matthew 14. 22-36, the disciples of Jesus in a boat are hit by strong winds. Jesus was not with them. In our life also, many times our life boat is assaulted by the winds of problems and afflictions. The sail becomes difficult. We need to check and see whether we too left Jesus behind and went ahead without him. We may be so preoccupied with the winds that we may not even recognize Jesus and mistake him as a ghost, like the disciples.

2.       Or, we may be like Aaron and Miriam who were blinded by jealousy and self-pride and not recognize the presence of God in Moses and speak ill of him. At times, we may be like Peter who walks on the waters with focus and trust in Jesus. But this may be only for a while. Sooner or later, we may shift our attention from him on to the winds. We will also begin to sink. As long as we are focused on Jesus, no winds can frighten us or drown us. They may be strong and make our moving difficult and tedious. But they cannot stop our march ahead. We will be able to walk on the waters.

3.       However, as humans we are, we too will experience moments of drowning and sinking. But there is nothing to be panicky about. We need to constantly tune our ears to the assuring words of Jesus, “It is I, take heart, do not be afraid!” We can also cry out to him, “Lord, save me!” We need to deepen our focus and trust on the Lord.

4.       This is possible only in a deep personal encounter, intimacy and communion with God. Moses was such a man who enjoyed this personal oneness with God. It is this that clothes him with meekness and magnanimity even amidst mounting slanders and defiance. Like Miriam and Aaron, we may feel great and proud about our blessings and gifts and act jealously and self-righteously. Let us learn to be humble to realize that we are so fragile as to sink any moment.

Direction: Like Peter, we must confide in the invitation of Jesus to go to him in the waters. We must be ready to get out of our boats of securities and things of clinging, and throw ourselves into the waters  

 04 AUGUST 2021: NUMBERS 13. 1-2, 25 – 14. 1, 26-29, 34-35; MATTHEW 15. 21-28, St John Mary Vianney

Focus: Faith may not always meet with favourable responses and positive results. We may feel that God is not concerned for us and does not understand our needs. Persevere in such moments!

1.       The Canaanite woman in the gospel Matthew 15. 21-28 stands before us as an example for a faith that is humble and persevering. There is nothing so special in her approaching Jesus for the sake of her possessed daughter. Anyone in need may approach Jesus. That does not guarantee a true and deep faith. It can be a shallow faith which is merely a favour-seeking request. On the contrary, the Canaanite woman demonstrates to us a faith that is genuine and exemplary. In all humility and trust, she cries out, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David”.

2.       Strangely, she is met with a strange response and reaction from the part of Jesus. Three kinds of Jesus’ response are noted: first, there is silence (but he did not answer her a word) – this can indicate an attitude of indifference and unconcern; then there is an indication of discrimination and exclusion (he answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house Israel). But she does not lose heart. She went and knelt before him, saying, Lord, help me. Finally, a very harsh and derogatory remark from Jesus, “it is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” – an attitude of resentment and rejection.

3.       But the Canaanite woman testifies to a commendable contrast response. In response to the silence of Jesus, she continues to cry after him. In response to exclusion by Jesus, she acknowledges him as the Lord of all, and the sure recourse for help. In response to the rejection by Jesus, she persists with utter humility, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table”.

4.       Note that she would not murmur or retort as the people of Israel do in the first reading. Whenever any little thing goes wrong, people can easily grumble and give up.  But she would not murmur. Many may find fault with Jesus for his harshness. Perhaps such an insulting reply from Jesus was not warranted. Perhaps he wanted to test her faith. Whatever it be, she got tested and testified. Even in times of humiliation and loss of hope, true faith perseveres.

5.       This is the type of faith that St John Mary Vianney bears witness to. It is a faith that is humble, persevering, toiling and fruit-bearing. His lack of brilliance or talent, or the tepidity and the spiritual lethargy of the people did not deter him. He persisted and his hard-labouring faith was rewarded with a radical transformation of all the people around him. What an imitable priest as the patron of all priests!

Direction: At times, in our life also God appears to be indifferent, excluding and rejecting us. We may feel offended and not understood and not accepted. What then is our response?

 

05 AUGUST 2021: NUMBERS 20. 1-13; MATTHEW 16. 13-23, Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major

Focus: True faith is tested for its solidity by its fidelity even amidst all the frustrating experiences. It remains firm like rock against all the assaults of the evil, because it is built on Christ

1.       We commemorate the dedication of the rebuilt Basilica of Mary Major by Pope Sixtus III just after the First Council of Ephesus. Accordingly, the gospel passage, Matthew 16. 13-23 revolves around the themes of church and faith. In the gospel, Jesus entrusts the care and guidance of the church to Peter, the head of the apostles. He announces, on this rock I will build my church and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. Jesus also authorizes and empowers Peter, saying, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

2.       The rock here does not refer so much to the individual Peter. Rather it refers to the faith and the authority of the head of the community of the church. Built on such a solid apostolic foundation, the church remains firm. Her role is tremendous, that is, to be the holder of the keys of the kingdom, to be a dispenser of salvation. But this has no guarantee of her unfailing stability or fidelity.

3.       Surely, there will be times without water as for the people of Israel in the wilderness. There will be times of frustration and rebellion. There will be relishing of the old ways of sin. As we see in the gospel, even from among the men in the church, there will be hindrances, not being on the side of God. This is what we see dramatically in the case of Peter. When Peter confesses, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus highly praises him, saying, Blessed are you! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. But, he rebukes the same Peter when he fails to understand God’s plan of the way of the cross, saying, Get behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.

4.       All these are part of the journey of the church. But one thing is sure: the powers of death shall not prevail against it. This can imply two things: one, no evil powers can overpower and subdue it, even though they will attack and torment it. Second, the church will not die, it will endure through the ages. The church will traverse through all the trying times as the ultimate victor. Meanwhile she has to continue to be the rock that issues water to the thirsty and dried up.

Direction: The greatest secret for the continuity and stability of the church in its faith and mission is very simple: a personal discovery of Who is Jesus for me? and experience him as the Christ, the Saviour, the Son of the living God

 

06 AUGUST 2021: DAN 7. 9-10, 13-14; 2 PETER 1. 16-19; MATTHEW 17. 1-9, Transfiguration of the Lord

Focus: God allows some occasions of glory and transfigured visions in our life, in order to boost up our drooping spirits, and to remind us of our eternal destiny of glory

1.       On mount Tabor, in the presence of three disciples, Jesus is transfigured. His face shone like the sun and his garments became white as light. Moses and Elijah appear talking with him. The purpose of the transfiguration of Jesus is not a power-display, not a show of self-glory, not winning the best impressions of his three disciples. The simplest reason is Jesus is never a show-man. He never seeks self-glory but only the Father’s glory. He is least concerned about the human impressions because he knows the humans well.

2.       The key purpose of the event of transfiguration is to strengthen the faith of the disciples. Especially when they have to go through the turbulent times of the ignominy of the cross, they should be strong and deep-rooted. Otherwise, they would easily lose their feet, be shattered and give up their journey. The wonderful transfiguration experience would keep their faith alive and renew it. It would assure and encourage them that Jesus who will suffer helplessly, is not a helpless weak human being. He is not forced to meet a fateful destiny out of inability; but it is all in perfect symphony with God’s will and plan of salvation. Jesus who is their master is the real Christ, the awaited Messiah. He is the Son of God, vested with power and glory.

3.       His face and his clothes shone with brilliant light. This signifies radiance and vibrance. Thus, the experience of transfiguration is essentially the change of life to be radiant and vibrant. We too are called to shine, that is, to be radiant and vibrant. A life that is lackluster and lethargic is not a transfigured life but only a disfigured one. Face and clothes together imply the whole person. Face points to the interior, as it is said that face is the index of the soul. Clothes represent the exterior. Thereby, the shining of both indicates that any real change must comprise both the interior and the exterior. Our interior must change and it must be reflected in the exterior life of radiance and vibrance.

4.       Jesus meets Moses and Elijah. Moses would signify the Law and Elijah, the prophets. Accordingly, the meeting of Jesus with Moses and Elijah can signify that Jesus is the encounter, the meeting point with the Law and the Prophets. In other words, Jesus is the culmination and the fulfillment of the whole Old Testament. One who meets Jesus lives the law and as a prophet.

5.       Peter exclaims, Lord, it is so nice to be here and I will make three tents, one for Jesus and the other two, for Moses and Elijah. It shows the overwhelming and relishing experience of the vision and the glory of the Lord. It recalls the excited sentiment of the psalmist, I rejoiced when I heard the people saying, let us go to the house of the Lord; or, one day within your house is equal to a thousand elsewhere. If just a few moments in the presence of the transfigured Lord can be so awe-enveloping, then can we imagine what an infinite joy it will be in eternal glory!

6.       The Father’s voice from heaven attests and summons, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him”. This shows the intimate union between the Father and the Son. In Jesus, we have the surest guide to listen to and follow, because he is so pleasing to the Father. He listens to the Father and obeys Him. And so, if we listen to him, we are for sure on the path of heaven and reach heavenly glory.

Direction: A constant thought of heaven can keep us not to be entangled in the realms of the earth. Experiences of light and glory can help us to move through the shades of darkness and misery

 

FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (Reflection from Year 2020)

Focus: Glory is our destiny and transfiguration is the way. Let us not be upset at the fact of misery but always raise our hearts to the destiny of glory by constant transfigured life, transformed heart

 

1.       Jesus is transfigured on Mount Tabor in the presence of 3 of his disciples. It is not a display of self-glory but a manifestation of his true identity. It is not to impress them but to confirm them in faith. His glory is not partial but total, both interior and exterior, as indicated by the glow of face and clothes respectively. The experience of divine glory is so relishing, as indicated by Peter’s exclamation: “it is nice to be here; let us make three tents”.

2.       Jesus’ transfiguration points to our own transfiguration, being adorned with divine glory. This is possible through a constant integral transformation of our both interior and exterior, by attentive listening and adhering to the Lord.

3.       The event of Jesus' transfiguration is a manifestation of his original divinity, identity and glory. The purpose is not to display his glory, not to impress upon the three disciples his greatness. It is not self-directed, seeking self-glory. Rather, it serves as a fount of hope that prepares and strengthens the disciples, in the face of the cross and death of Jesus ahead.

4.       The transfigured glory of Jesus illuminates and assures the disciples that Jesus who meets the fate of the cross, is not a helpless failure, forced to such a miserable end; rather he is the glorious Son of God, who willingly and freely accepts the cross as God's will for salvation. It is not a fate of misery and damnation, but a destiny of glory and salvation.

5.       Thereby when faced with the ignominy of cross, let them not be shaken or shocked; let them not be dissipated or frustrated. Let them not be stuck with cross and death, but rather let their focus go beyond to glory and eternity. Behind and beyond the disfigured crucified, one should see the transfigured resurrected Lord, re-vested with the original heavenly glory.

6.       Thus that simple Jesus, who is walking along with them as an ordinary man, that suffering Jesus, who will be subjected to the humiliation of the cross, is not a disgraced and defeated man. Instead, he is the glorious "beloved Son of the Father", attested so by the Father Himself from heaven. So do not lose faith in him, when things go contrary, but continue to keep trust and hope in him.

7.       Jesus' transfiguration is also an indicator, a forecast and foretaste of our own resurrection and the glory of resurrection. It is a prefiguration of our own future glory. The frequent disfiguration of life, with all the vicissitudes and adversities, is not the final or permanent reality. Transfiguration is the ultimate and definitive experience. Misery is not an absolute fate, but glory is our eternal destiny. Therefore, the transfiguring experience must trigger us to direct our focus, beyond the temporary upsets of the cross, to the eternal upheaval of resurrection.

8.       This is possible only through a constant  REINVIGORATION of our original identity of being God's image and likeness. This in turn is possible through a faithful CONFIGURATION with Jesus. The more we are tuned and communed to him, the more we live and grow like him, the more we adhere to him in "attentive listening to him", the more we shall experience and share the same transfiguring glory.

9.       If sin disfigures us, depriving us of our original beauty and dignity of being God's images, grace through Jesus transfigures us, restoring to us that lost light and radiance. The shining light and brightened glow will indicate that our transfiguration is more a matter of illuminating and brightening our darkened selves and false lives. The more we are enlightened, breaking off the sheaths and layers of darkness that often block and blur our radiance, the more we re-discover our real identity, and radiate the light of that true image.

10.   Thus real transfiguration lies in a daily process of brightening up our lives. Light up the life, daily on the "mountain" - of vicinity, proximity and intimacy with God, in a spirit and ambience of solitude and serenity, in the heights of our spirits, in the focused moments of prayer, in personal encounter with Moses and Elijah, signifying the Law and Prophets, i.e. the entire Scripture and Tradition. Transform and glorify life, wholly and fully, by changing both the interior, indicated by the change of face, which is the index of the interior, and the exterior, indicated by the change in clothes.

11.   Let our everyday be a continuous journey of removing the shades of darkness that reduce our glow. Let it be a vibrant march of regaining our lost radiance. Let the light of Christ make our heart, our life, more bright, with more hope and more renewal.

 

Direction: Often we want to see only glory and cling to such moments. But only the path of the cross and following Jesus will lead to glory.

 

07 AUGUST 2021: DEUT 6. 4-13; MATTHEW 17. 14-20

 

Focus: The greatness of faith is not in the display of great miracles or favours. But true faith certainly brings inner healing

 

1. The gospel of the day, Matthew 17. 14-20 focuses on the power of faith. Jesus says, faith is so powerful that it can move even the mountains and nothing will be impossible. In order to show how great it is, Jesus uses a simple contrast: even a little faith like a mustard seed can move even big mountains.

2. A man with an epileptic son approaches the disciples but they fail to heal him. And Jesus makes it very clear that it is because of their little faith. True faith certainly heals. Of course, healing need not always be external or physical. But, one thing is sure: when there is genuine faith, inner healing is bound to happen. However, it is not one's capacity. It is God's own power mediated and channeled through the limited human beings.

3. Now, what is this true faith? How does it manifest itself? The first reading from Deuteronomy gives us the answer. True faith is nothing but loving God totally and unconditionally. To have faith is to love God with whole heart, whole soul and whole might. There are no portions or concessions in this. Also it is not space-bound or time-bound. That is, this love should happen every time and everywhere. 

4. This love shows itself in deep gratitude and unceasing remembrance of God's compassion and mercy. It leads to a reverential fear for the Lord and the fervour to serve Him.

 

Direction: Many have a wrong idea of faith and its power. They think the more faith is able to do big things like moving the mountains or obtain big favours, the more it is great and strong. But true faith is humble and loving obedience to God's commandments.