THIRD WEEK OF LENT 23

13 - 18 MARCH 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 13 MARCH 2023: 2KGS 5. 1-15a; LUKE 4. 24-30 Pivot: Displeasure reacts! Indicative: In life, all that we hear and come across may not be always pleasant. All the more, when some indicator and corrective is given concerning our behaviour, how do we react? 1. In the gospels, often we find sudden fluctuations in moods and temperaments of people toward Jesus. Sometimes, they praise him so much but some other times, they blame him so much. Sometimes, they demonstrate so much loyalty to them but some other times, they turn so hostile to him 2. What is striking is that these variations are rather abrupt. There is so much inconsistency and non-committal attitude in their behaviour. One main reason for this inconsistency is their displeasure and annoyance at anything that questions their way of life 3. Especially they would not tolerate when he exposed and challenged their shallow practices and hypocrisy. They would not be happy when he questioned their lack of openness and stubbornness. They would be annoyed and furious when he urged them for self-awareness and repentance 4. Their ego is hurt when their false pride and self-righteousness are put into question. The scene in today’s gospel is one instance of such resentment and resistance. Jesus indirectly rebukes his people for their failure to be receptive to God’s grace 5. What irks them all the more is a kind of humiliation belittling their so-called “great” faith. He states, “No prophet is accepted and honoured in his own place”. It is not just stating a general fact that “familiarity breeds contempt” 6. He implicitly pokes them that a pagan Naaman accepted God’s power in Elisha and came to him for healing, and a pagan widow in Zarephath accepted God’s power in Elijah and received blessing from him. But even though they are God’s chosen people, they fail to accept Jesus, who is their own prophet 7. Hence, they turn furious and violent, drive him out of the town, led him to the brow of the hill, hurl him down headlong and finish him off. Such was the height of their frustration with him. All because he challenged their closed hearts Imperative: Many times, in our life God’s grace does not work, not because it cannot. It is only because it does not find a heart that is humble, open and receptive (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 21 MARCH) Focus: Faith is not necessarily a matter of how long a person belongs to a particular religion or how well he follows its rules and traditions. It is a matter of belonging to God and following His will and precepts 1. In today’s word of God, the central theme is faith. The faith of a certain Naaman, a Syrian army chief with leprosy brings him healing through the prophet Elisha. In contrast, the lack of faith of the chosen Jews of Jesus’ time brings them God’s judgment. 2. The contrast is striking: Naaman listens even to the advice of his servant girl to approach Elisha for his healing; but the Jews would not listen even to Jesus, the Son of God himself who invites them for inner healing. Naaman goes all the way to meet Elisha. Jesus comes all the way from heaven to meet his people. 3. At Elisha’s direction, Naaman dips himself seven times in the waters of Jordan and gets completely healed. He becomes a new man. It was not the waters that restored health to him. But it was the power of God through Elisha. And Naaman’s humble faith became an opening to receive this grace. 4. The people of Jesus too were dipped in Jordan in Baptism. But they did not become new. Their self-righteous unfaith closed them to reject God’s grace through Jesus. The miracle leads the pagan Naaman to faith in Yahweh and he confesses, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel”. On the contrary, numerous miracles by Jesus would not strengthen the faith of Jesus’ people. 5. Jesus tries to make the people aware of this contrast so that they would repent and return to God in faith. In fact, God enters into human lives so as to raise them up to heaven and to eternal life. But they become all the more stubborn and hostile; they drive him out and try to kill him, by throwing him down the cliff. Direction: Faith is not merely believing some doctrines and observing some religious practices. True faith is being humble and trustful to go near to the Lord, being close to him, and getting healed (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 08 MARCH) Focus: God's grace has no boundaries or barriers. Miracles always happen, if only one has faith 1. What an interesting contrast between Naaman, a leper in the first reading, and Jesus' own people in the gospel! The pagan believes in the power of God through Elisha. He was an important man ranked as an army commander. He was also a man of great valour. 2. But he had the humility to listen to his maidservant. He follows her advice to approach the Israel prophet Elisha for his healing from leprosy. Later, once again, he showed the same humility to follow Elisha’s instruction to dip seven times in Jordan, though it appeared silly and nonsensical. His humility and faith bring him the cure for his leprosy. In fact, it is not the Jordan water that cures him, but his faith in the words of the prophet. 3. But, on the other hand, God's own chosen people, the Jews do not believe in Jesus. Though Son of God, he became one of them. They had a long history and tradition of God’s mighty interventions and wonders. But, they refuse to listen to his message, believe in him, and change their life. They reject him, even to the extent of attempting to kill him 4. Thereby once again it is made very clear that faith is not merely a matter of tradition or inheritance. It calls for a personal choice and decision, and it involves a personal experience. Naaman believes even though what the prophet tells him to do, looks baseless. His openness and trust are rewarded 5. In contrast, sadly Jesus' own people take him for granted due to their familiarity. Their perspective is so shallow and superficial that their faith cannot go deeper and beyond the externals like the place, lineage, etc. of Jesus. In consequence, they lose the gift of grace and salvation through Jesus. They deprive themselves of the immense treasure at their own hand. Direction: God may work miracles to reward and perfect faith. But true faith cannot base itself on miracles. It needs a fundamental choice, openness, orientation, and cooperation. 14 MARCH 2023: DAN 3.25, 34-43; MATTHEW 18. 21-35 Pivot: Forgive because forgiven! Indicative: Life is never completely free from hurts and harms. It is a reality that we are hurt and harmed. What should be our response and reaction in such situations? Forgive! 1. In life, many carry many burdens that are quite unnecessary. Refusal to forgive and harbouring negativity is one such big burden. How to be relieved of this burden? The answer comes in today’s word of God 2. Forgive! The call for forgiveness is very strong. Seek forgiveness from God and give forgiveness to others. Be forgiven and forgive! In fact, these two do not exclude each other. In the prayer, “Our Father”, we pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive others their sins”. in this sense, forgiving others becomes the condition or pre-requisite to being forgiven by God. In other words, we will be forgiven in proportion to our forgiving others 3. In today’s gospel, we have another aspect of this integration of being forgiven and forgiving. Forgiving others is the effect and outflow of being forgiven by God. Being forgiven by God becomes the cause for forgiving others. If we truly receive forgiveness from God, then we must forgive others. Thus, forgiving others becomes the testimony of being forgiven by God 4. The first reading focuses on God forgiving us, and the gospel focuses on us forgiving others. God forgives us because He is merciful. But on our part, what is needed is repentance with a contrite heart and humble spirit 5. If we receive abundant mercy and forgiveness, then we are also bound to forgive others in the same measure. It will be totally unfair to refuse to forgive others even for a little while receiving forgiveness in much 6. Such incongruence will be totally displeasing to God and will make us liable to God’s judgment and justice. This is what is indicated by the story of the king and his servant in the gospel. The king out of his mercy cancels out all the huge debt of his servant. But this servant does not show the same mercy toward his fellow servant even for a little Imperative: Certainly, God is so merciful that He keeps no account of our sins, and readily cancels out all our debts. But this makes us more accountable to be merciful toward others as well (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 22 MARCH) Focus: Forgiveness is a golden virtue. One who learns to forgive obtains an immense treasure of God’s mercy and serenity of soul. Forgiveness is never a loss 1. We live in a world where revenge and retaliation are glorified. They are regarded as signs of manliness and guts. Consequently, we find so much negativity and animosity leading to violence and destruction. On the other hand, forgiveness and reconciliation are considered as signs of weakness and timidity 2. In such a context, Jesus teaches us the need and value of forgiveness. To forgive is divine because it forms the very nature of God. God’s essence is mercy and forgiveness. He is merciful to us beyond conditions and measures. That is why the first reading from Daniel says, “Do not withdraw your mercy from us”; “Deal with us in your forbearance and in your abundant mercy”. 3. As the children of a merciful God and as disciples of a forgiving Master, we must imitate and resemble them in forgiving others. Forgiving others is the essential trait and way of belonging to God and sharing in His own nature. It also becomes the condition to receive God’s forgiveness to us. 4. This means that we experience the effects of God’s forgiveness only to the extent that we forgive others. Our forgiving others should be without measures like God’s forgiving us. That is why Jesus tells Peter, “Forgive, not seven times, but seventy times seven”. We forgive others not because they deserve it but because we must give it. The king in the gospel parable forgives the servant who owes a huge sum not because he deserved it but because he needed it. 5. Seeking forgiveness from God and others requires humility and repentance. That is why, the people pray, “With a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted”. Giving forgiveness to others requires fraternity and nobility. Direction: Spirit of forgiveness in humility and nobility will open to us streams of God’s mercy and serenity. It can be a great embalming balm to heal many wounds and restore relationships (REFLECTION 3, FROM 2021, 09 MARCH) Focus: God readily forgives even a multitude of sins, if only one repents with a contrite heart and humble spirit. He keeps no account or count of our wrongs because his mercies are uncountable 1. God is abundant in His mercy and prompt in His forgiveness. He does not see the magnitude of sin but the depth of repentance. He forgives us, not because we are worthy of it, but only because we need it. There is no measure for his forgiveness because His mercy is immeasurable. 2. This is what Jesus implies when he tells Peter to “forgive the other not only seven times but seventy times seven”. The matter is not the number or the frequency of forgiveness, that is, how many times or how often to forgive. Rather, the point is the immensity of it, that is, how willingly, promptly, and unreservedly to forgive. 3. God’s forgiveness is unconditioned and incalculable. This is what Azariah (Abednego) makes clear in his prayer in the book of Daniel. He pleads for God’s mercy to forgive His people’s sins, not on the basis of their merit, but only on the basis of His mercy and the fidelity of their forefathers. All that they have is a contrite heart and a humble spirit to seek His forgiveness. 4. But once forgiven, we must try to become worthy of it. How? By seeking earnestly to follow His ways. Concretely, it demands showing the same spirit of forgiveness towards others. Further, it also should be like God's forgiveness, which is abundant and uncalculating. 5. It is not fair and also highly detestable before God if we refuse to forgive others while we receive immensely God's forgiveness. To forgive is not an option at our convenience, but it is a bounden duty. As we give, we must give, lest our fate too will be the same as the servant in the gospel who is forgiven much but refuses to forgo a little. Direction: Repentance in humility is the compulsory prerequisite for receiving God's forgiveness. And forgiving others in charity becomes the compulsory sign and testimony of the effect of that grace 15 MARCH 2023: DEUT 4. 1-9; MATTHEW 5. 17-19 Pivot: Follow and Live! Indicative: Often laws and statutes are seen in a legalistic and moralistic sense. Accordingly, there is a pressing sense of fear and coercion 1. Today we can focus our reflection on the attitude and approach toward laws and rules. As such, they indicate a restrictive and binding nature and role. So, often the issue is whether one follows them or violates them. Fidelity thus is measured in terms of adherence to their observance. 2. This is rather a deficient approach. This kind of perspective short-sights our vision. It also dilutes the essence of the laws and rules. Today’s word of God resurges the positive response of the laws. We need to revisit them. Though they are binding, they are meant to liberate. Though they are restrictive, they are purposed to be constructive 3. Laws are never for their own sake. They are always directed and destined for something higher. They are meant for a greater end. They can never be absolutised. But at the same time, they should not be minimised as well 4. In the light of the first reading, the noble purpose of the statutes and decrees is to “live and take possession of the destined land”. They are also evidence and testimonies of the wisdom and intelligence of those who observe 5. In the light of the gospel, they are conditions, criteria and “gate passes” for meriting God’s kingdom. We are earnestly called to remember them and “not let them slip from our memory”. We must obey them and also teach and lead others to follow the same Imperative: We need to rise above dry obedience to laws to a “fecund” surrender to the spirit of the laws, which is God’s will. In this sense, there is no scope for any leverage (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 23 MARCH) Focus: Fidelity to law means to understand the spirit of the law, its purpose and the goal of it, and do actions according to it 1. There is always a desire and pursuit for greatness both individually and collectively as nations and people. This is something common and natural. But real greatness is often reduced only to the material and social aspects, in terms of possessions and positions. 2. It is here that the first reading from Deuteronomy clarifies that true greatness is in being wise and understanding, saying, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people”. Now, this greatness as wisdom and understanding is further elaborated. 3. It is having God so near and close. It is having statutes and rules that are righteous. It is keeping our souls diligently lest they depart from our hearts. It is keeping them and doing them faithfully. Further, it is teaching others also and making them follow the same 4. This is real greatness and wisdom. Greatness is not throwing away the laws and rules but rather wisely understanding their spirit and fulfilling them. Thus, we become great not by the abolition of the law but by its perfection of it. Jesus announces clearly: “I have come not to abolish the law but to fulfill and perfect it”. “Whoever follows the least of the commandments and teaches others to do so, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” 5. Many have a wrong perspective toward laws and rules. Often greatness and freedom are equated with despisal of the laws. Following the law is not servitude to laws. Fidelity to law is not always the same as legalism. In the same way, lawlessness is not freedom. 6. A law is good when it takes and keeps us closer to God, when it helps us for a righteous living, when it makes us follow God’s commandments and ways and when it helps us to teach and guide others the right way. Decision: The mindset of the people must change with regard to the idea of greatness. It must be removed from its material and worldly sense. It must be understood as a wise and righteous way of living (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 10 MARCH) Focus: True Freedom is not lawlessness. In fact, true freedom lies in lawful obedience, i.e. adherence to the spirit of the law 1. Many have a wrong concept and exercise of freedom, and accordingly, they think that to be free means to be free from any and all the laws. They mistake that law is necessarily negative, and subversive, depriving a person of what is his due and rightful. 2. But this is not correct. Laws are meant to regulate, channel, guide, and orient persons on the right path. For this, they apply a certain extent of restraint and restriction, certain control and limit. The purpose is certainly positive, that is to avoid and guard against all possible deviations and distortions. 3. Therefore, we must go beyond the mere letter of the law, to the spirit of it, its purpose, and the end of it. In this sense, every good law intends responsible and constructive freedom. The greatest law is love for God and love for others. This is manifested in a profound devotion to God and dedication to the other’s good. 4. Thus, a good law aims at the integrated growth of the person. This is what Jesus calls the perfection of the law, the perfect law. To be free does not mean to do away with the laws and rules, but to follow them in the right spirit. In the name of being flexible, one cannot be over-indulgent. True freedom is not to be undisciplined, irresponsible, or licentious. 5. This is what Moses teaches the people in Deuteronomy fidelity to follow God’s statutes and ordinances is a sign of their fidelity to God. They are means of growing in righteousness. Following God’s commandments shows that they are wise and understanding people of God, amidst lawless immorality. This enlightenment is very much needed for the present society, which wrongly equates freedom with rule-free indiscipline. Direction: There is unnecessary and even harmful thinking of freedom as lawlessness. But to be truly free is to be law-abiding. The need is not to throw away all rules and regulations but to inculcate a positive and joyful adherence to them 16 MARCH 2023: JER 7. 23-28; LUKE 11. 14-23 Pivot: Walk and prosper! Indicative: There is still an abundance of good. This is truly the divine presence. But it needs openness and readiness to see, accept and experience 1. God constantly invites us to keep our eyes wide open so that we see God’s love and power. We need to listen to His voice. We must pay heed, obey and walk in His ways. But instead, very often the opposite happens as in the case of the Israel 2. We may walk in the hardness of our evil hearts, and turn our backs to God. We may stiffen our necks and not pay heed and obey God’s messages and messengers. We may refuse to take correction. Faithfulness may disappear and the word itself may be banished from our speech 3. This is truly evil pervasion. This is what we see in the gospel. A mute man’s speech is restored. This is clearly a mighty sign of God’s holiness and power of God, resident in Jesus. But the unbelieving Jews stuck to the hardness and stubbornness of their evil hearts 4. They refused to see God’s mighty intervention. They refuse to accept God’s power. As said in the first reading, the word of God which is truth was banished from their speech. They allege him of a secret pact, a coalition with Satan. They attribute his divine power to Beelzebul, the prince of demons 5. They did not have even a single word of appreciation for Jesus. Instead, they would only speak evil against him. They not only take away the credit of God’s work but also want to push Jesus into defence 6. In fact, these are the real mute people. The mute man got healed by Jesus. But it is these that need healing. Their tongues need to be released. Their speech needs to be rectified and restored. These are the people who are not with him but against him Imperative: If we listen and obey Him, we will belong totally to Him, as God Himself assures: “Then, I will be your God and you shall be my people” (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 24 MARCH) Focus: Stubbornness is one big block that hinders openness to truth and acceptance of it. Ignorant people can be taught and wise people as well. But the stiff-necked people are hard to teach, correct and guide 1. Struggle between God’s unfailing fidelity and people’s recurrent infidelity characterizes the whole salvation history. God was abundantly merciful toward them; works mighty works in their lives; and blesses them with prosperity and victory. He teaches and guides them through prophets. But repeatedly people become ungrateful, stubborn, disobedient, and unfaithful 2. This infidelity of people is so vividly described in the first reading from Jeremiah. They did not obey or incline their ear. They stiffened their neck. They did not accept discipline. Truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips. They walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil hearts. They were so fluctuating and regressing, going backwards and not forwards 3. The same stiff-necked and defiant mentality continues in Jesus’ time too. All his teaching and preaching fell on the deaf ears of his people. His mighty miracles fail to evoke in them a positive response. They not only refuse to believe him; further, they constantly trouble and persecute him. They make wrong attributions. They attribute his miracles to a coalition with Satan. They accuse him that he casts out demons by Beezebul, the prince of demons 4. The people of his time are no different from their predecessors. Little do they realize that good and faith cannot come from Satan who is all evil. They are blind to the truth that every harm and destruction belongs to evil. All that is good, healing, and constructive can come only from God 5. Jesus cannot expel demons with the help of their leader. Jesus is able to heal not because he works in tie-up with the evil but because he is more powerful than the evil one. Jesus is that stronger one in the gospel. He attacks and overcomes the strong man who is Satan. He takes away his armour and wins back those under the evil’s siege. The healing of the possessed mute man is a clear indicator of this surpassing power of Jesus. Direction: Let us not repeat history. Let us not become the descendants of those still-necked people who were so adamant, defiant, and disobedient. Let us hearken to God’s call: “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people”. (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 11 MARCH) Focus: It is not that God is not active or His grace is not working. God is ever in action and miracles continue to abound. It is only our inability to see Him at work 1. God’s grace never ceases. He ceaselessly invites the people to come to Him promptly, to relate with Him closely, to listen to Him attentively, and obey His precepts and directives faithfully. However, the purpose is not to subjugate them to servile obedience. God has no self-interest. It is all for the well-being and progress of the people. 2. But unfortunately, often He meets with stubbornness in which people refuse to listen, understand and walk God’s ways. They become stiff-necked and stiffly resist God’s call to repent and mend their ways. This is the experience of God all through the history of salvation, be it Yahweh in the Old Testament or Jesus in the New Testament. 3. Thus, God laments with anguish through the prophet Jeremiah over their fault: They do not obey the voice of the Lord, they do not incline their ear, they do not accept discipline, they walk their own ways, and with stubborn and evil hearts, they go backwards but not forward. 4. In the gospel too, Jesus meets with the same mentality. Jesus drives out a demon from a dumb man and restores his speech. But instead of recognizing the power of God in Jesus, some people attribute the healing to the power of demons. They accuse him that he is taking the help of the Evil One. 5. How absurd it is that evil power is defeated by evil power! They demand further signs from heaven. When one is not prepared to see the truth, then which signs or proofs can convince them? This is exactly what God remarks toward the end of the first reading: truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips. They are so hard-hearted and closed. Consequently, they fail to see the “finger of God at work” and the coming of the kingdom of God in Jesus. Direction: Stubbornness, defiance, and disobedience blind one to truth and divine action; they lead one to a spirit of division – divided within oneself, divided against God, and divided against others. They are sure to fall prey to the evil 17 MARCH 2023: HOSEA 14. 2-10; MARK 12. 28-34 Pivot: The best offering! Indicative: God’s love is everlasting and abounding. In response to this, we need to repent and return. Then we will experience the immensity of His blessings 1. Offerings and sacrifices are part of the worship of every religion. The purpose is not to appease or placate God. It is not a barter system where there is an exchange between prayers-offerings and favours-blessings 2. Today the gospel makes it clear that there is something more worth than burnt offerings and sacrifices. It is love, which is twofold, for God and others. This does not mean that rituals and offerings are not important or not needed 3. This only means that this two-pronged love is the highest priority. This is the greatest and first commandment. Nothing else can dominate or substitute this priority. Further, this also implies that all our offerings and ceremonies must be oriented to manifest and foster this double path of love 4. The more our religious practices become channels of love for God and others, the more they become worth. Loving God is not just following a commandment. It is a fitting response to God’s own loving us. God loves us so much and cares for us so much. Even though we defect from Him and collapse, He does not reject or abandon us 5. As soon as we repent and return to Him, He forgives all our iniquities. Not only that. He will bless us doubly with prosperity and joy. If our loving God becomes an act of gratitude and response to God loving us, our loving others is the expression and effect of loving God 6. In fact, these two are not separate or opposites. Love for God is the foundation and spring for love for others. Love for others is the outflow and authentication of love for God Imperative: We will be wise to integrate love for God and love for others. Faith and charity are two sides of the same coin. One cannot be complete without the other 18 MARCH 2023: HOSEA 6. 1-6; LUKE 18. 9-14 Pivot: Cannot swallow the shallow! Indicative: Two real and ever-present dangers for any religion and devotion are shallowness and inconsistency. True piety must be steady and deep 1. Piety is essentially a matter of the relationship between God and humans. There is a profound contrast between the two. Depth and steadfastness mark God, while superficiality and disloyalty mark humans 2. God is a loving, forgiving, healing and giving God. In love, at times He disciplines and chastises His people. He heals what He has rent. He binds the wounds that were struck. He revives and raises us up soon. His judgment shines forth like the light of the day. He will come to us like the spring rain that waters the earth 3. But on the contrary, the piety of the people is so passing and unsteady like a morning cloud and the dew. These shallow people substitute love with mere sacrifices and the knowledge of God with burnt offerings 4. Further, shallow piety is marked by self-righteousness. This is typified by the Pharisee in the gospel parable of Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisees failed on all counts. He failed before God because there was no gratitude, dependence, or closeness or surrender. He failed toward others because he labelled, despised and condemned others. He also failed concerning his own self because he had a false image of himself, lacking in humility 5. On the other hand, the tax collector’s prayer was humble. It won God’s mercy. He may not stand near the altar like the Pharisee. He may not have eloquent words to pray. He may not know any formal techniques or steps of prayer. But he was close to God by heart. He had the best of words to pray in humility and repentance. He knew the best technique of prayer, and that is prayer of heart Imperative: There is a subtle demarcation between righteousness and self-righteousness. We would do well to guard against self-righteousness. Humility and surrender are the best remedies (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 26 MARCH) Focus: Humility is not just one of the many virtues but is the base and bottom line of all the other virtues. One who fails in humility fails in all 1. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted”, so declares Jesus. Clearly, Jesus is teaching us the greatness of humility. He teaches us that only in humility do we find real greatness. Only those who are humble will be great in the sight of God and will be exalted 2. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is a vivid description of this contrast between lack of humility and humility. The Pharisee represents the lack of humility and the tax collector, humility. The Pharisee is so self-righteous and haughty. Consequently, he fails to recognize his own human sinfulness and unworthiness before a holy God 3. There is a total unawareness of the holiness of God that must make us humble in His presence. Instead, he glorifies himself before God; he enlists some religious practices as proof of his holiness. Instead of surrendering Himself to God’s mercy, he elevates himself as if there is nothing to correct and change 4. Though he appears to thank God it is in fact an indirect thanking himself. He is presumptuous and self-complacent. He is so self-conceited that he becomes blind to his defects. He is covered by layers of the false self that rates itself as perfect and all better, holier, and greater than others 5. True to the teaching of Jesus elsewhere, he is a real hypocrite who sees the speck in the other’s eye but does not see the log in his own eye. To the extent he labels, degrades, and despises others as thieves, rogues, adulterers, and good for nothing, he fails thoroughly in charity and benevolence toward others. He does not recognize and respect others’ dignity 6. The end results are clear: the Pharisee is rejected by God who is displeased with him. But the tax collector is accepted and blessed and rewarded by God who is highly pleased with his humble heart. God does not look at what position we stand on but with what heart we stand before Him. Direction: Self-pride and self-glory are the root causes of all evils. They make us blind to our imperfections and contemptuous toward others. Humility and charity are the antidotes (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 13 MARCH) Focus: Humility to repent and steadfastness to be loyal will always win God's favour; Instead, a self-motivated and self-gratifying spirituality is not pleasing to God 1. God desires love and not mere sacrifices; He is more pleased with the growth in His knowledge rather than the multitude of empty offerings. He wants a devotion that is steadfast and not unstable. He wants a love that is profound and not shallow. He wants a love that is totally God-oriented and self-oriented. He wants a love that seeks to glorify God and not gratify the self 2. This is what God declares in crystal clear terms in the first reading from prophet Hosea. He is unhappy that people are so opportunist as to seek Him in their times of trouble. They turn to Him so as to take advantage of His indulgent benevolence. They are not steady, because their love is like a morning cloud and like the fast-vanishing dew. This becomes clear all throughout the Salvation history 3. The Pharisee's prayer in the gospel is not pleasing to God and not accepted by Him, because it is full of self, self-righteousness, self-complacency, and self-glory. There is no humble admission of his own unworthiness. There is no sense of gratitude to God, dependence on Him, and closeness with Him. There is no submission to God. There is no fraternal feeling toward the other in respect and benevolence. 4. Instead, the tax collector's prayer is readily accepted by God, because it springs from a contrite heart and humble spirit. He deeply acknowledges his sinfulness and freely surrenders to God. The Pharisee informs God about how great he is. But the tax collector is aware of how great God is, and how small and unworthy he is. By physical position, the Pharisee stands so close to the altar, but actually, he is far away from God’s mercy. Instead, the publican stands so far off the altar, but really, he is so close to God by heart. Direction: We go to God and pray, not to inform or give Him new knowledge about our greatness or judge others on how bad they are. No prayer is heard when it lacks charity and is prejudiced despising others

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 2023

3RD SUNDAY LENT, 12 MARCH 2023: EXODUS 17. 3-7; ROMANS 5. 1-2, 5-8; JOHN 4. 5-42: "LIVING WATER": SAMARITAN WOMAN   Pivot: Thirst for the Living water! Indicative: The real value of life and faith is in travelling constantly from the natural and superficial thirst to crucial and spiritual thirst   1.  There is an elaborate episode of a Samaritan woman in John chapter 04. It is a dramatic interplay and interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. It is a beautiful description and depiction of the encounter between the unquenchable natural "thirst for water" and the quenching supernatural "living water", Jesus. 2.  Jesus takes the initiative to approach the woman and gradually and steadily leads and raises her from the level and realm of the natural to the spiritual: from Jacob's well To the Well of God's own grace, from the natural water To the water of the Holy Spirit 3.  It is a transition from the natural thirst To the spiritual thirst, from worshipping God in some places like Jerusalem or elsewhere To worshipping Him in Spirit and truth, from a temporary satisfaction of quenching the thirst To the perpetual fulfillment of quenching the eternal thirst for salvation and eternal life. 4.  It is a decisive leap from a simple respect toward Jesus as a man of God To the profound realisation and homage toward him as the Messiah and Son of God, from a humble openness through an honest acknowledgement of one's own sinful situation To a profound acceptance of the Saviour, from an ordinary struggle for the worldly needs and interests To the noble striving for God's will, which becomes the "food and drink". 5.  Once again, in Jesus we witness God's unquenchable thirst to grace and uplift the fragile and low human condition. Jesus initiates the Samaritan woman on a progressive journey of realisation of self and God. This is a touching journey of harmony of self-discovery and self-realisation and God-discovery and God- realisation. 6.   This encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is not merely an encounter between two individuals. Rather it is a constant encounter between the divine and the human, between the divine initiative and the human acceptance, between the divine gift and the human reception, and between the divine operation and human cooperation. 7.  One who is humble and transparent to be with Jesus, to enter into dialogue with him, to listen to Him and to follow his direction, will surely be led to discover one's own sinfulness and thereby discover and adhere to God's holiness and goodness. 8.   The woman who begins with a mere concern for water, climbs up to the deepest desire for living water. She is led to surrender her life to the Messiah and to become an earnest evangeliser bringing others as well to Jesus. 9.  Docility to God, awareness of one's sinfulness, awareness of God's sanctity and might, bearing witness and mission to others - these are the essential ingredients of the journey of faith.   Imperative: Only an unquenchable thirst for God and for His grace can quench the deeper thirst of the human spirit  

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY

My sweet and treasured woman, Love you and salute you! 08 March 2023 - BLESSED WOMEN'S DAY!  Our sacred Scriptures teach us, "Angels walk on that land where women are respected". The quality and greatness of a culture can be measured on the basis of the value and progress of women in that society. Thanks to God and some dedicated souls, we are certainly moving away from a culture of violence and discrimination against women. Let us continue to march ahead in promoting more dignity, and more opportunities for women. A true women's day is not undue liberality, but due liberation and liberty. A real women's day is not a fight for rights, but a rightful sharing of responsibilities for the good of the family and society.  The true liberty of a woman is when a woman becomes the "wow" of man, the "awe" for man, the wonder factor, blessing for society, and not the "woe" for man or society.  Being a woman is not womanism or feminism or liberalism in undue modernism or exhibitionism. It is a matter of "feminality ", where tenderness, patience, care and joyful self-giving reign supreme. Let us salute our hallowed women. Let us seek pardon for our sacrileges in violating their godly dignity. Let us rededicate ourselves to journey together as genuine men and women.  A true celebration of women's day is that we gratefully recognise, devotedly respect, heartfully appreciate, humbly venerate, ardently promote and committedly emulate the nobility of "feminality", the inviolable and irreplaceable role and value of a woman. Today is Women's Day, and I salute you will all love and veneration, for being a beautiful woman. Thank you for entering my life and adding more meaning, cheer and energy. Thank you for affecting the lives of many with your touch of comfort, guidance and benevolence. Continue to be a great woman, in resemblance to our own most Beautiful Mother, who is the greatest of all women.

Second Week of Lent 2023

06 - 11 MARCH 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 06 MARCH 2023: DANIEL 9. 4b-10; LUKE 6. 36-38 Pivot: Be merciful! Indicative: Our God is a merciful God. As His children, we are called to be like Him. He is our greatest model to be merciful 1. Mercy is rapidly diminishing in the world of today. Instead, many harbour so much negativity, grudge, and resentment. This leads to a steep lack of understanding and forgiveness on one hand, and on the other hand, the increase of revenge and retaliation resulting in violence and destruction 2. It is in this context, Jesus exhorts us to be merciful. The model is God the Father Himself. Despite the repeated infidelity and failures, He has been ever merciful and forgiving toward His chosen people Israel. 3. Whenever they return to Him repenting and seeking forgiveness, He readily forgives them, reconciles with them, and blesses them again with abundance. We have a testimony to this in today’s first reading. People realise their infidelity and sinfulness. They repent over them. They plead for His mercy with humble and contrite hearts. They attest, “Yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness” 4. Now, how to inculcate the spirit of mercy? We must be humble enough to see and admit our sinfulness. We must repent and seek God’s forgiveness. We must avoid our frequent judgmental attitude that eagerly and hastily judges and condemns others. We must also guard against our double standards, remembering that “the measure with which we measure will be the measure that we get back” 5. We must forgive others with all magnanimity and empathy. For this, we must remember that we too receive so much mercy and we receive God’s mercy only in proportion to our mercy toward others Imperative: Instead of running after false and defective models, let us seek and imitate God as our model, especially for mercy (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 14 MARCH) Focus: As the children of God and as the disciples of Christ, we are called to imitate and resemble them. This is the only way to testify to our belonging to them 1. All seek models and we need them. But the question is whether they are right and truly imitable or wrong and detestable. And the irony in society is often wrong models are followed more. And models are often associated with excellence in some fields and not necessarily with virtue and character. In other words, the models are not always virtuous or character-people. 2. Thus, we live in a context where there is the influence of wrong models and disconnection between models and virtue. In such a context, today Jesus is proposing to us the greatest and best model to follow. That is God the Father Himself. Jesus specifies also what we must imitate. It is mercy. He admonishes us, “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful”. The first reading from Daniel also highlights this, saying, “To the Lord, our God belong mercy and forgiveness”. 3. Jesus further clarifies what this mercy is. It is a mercy that does not judge, does not condemn. He keeps covenant and steadfast love. He only chastises the people when they go astray. He is never keen on destroying them. He is enormously patient and so gives ample opportunities to His people to repent and return to Him. He is ever generous in His forgiveness and reward. 4. If God is so merciful and forgiving, then what is our duty? The first reading is amply clear about these details. First of all, realize our sinfulness and unworthiness; repent for not obeying the voice of the Lord; for not listening to His servants, the prophets; for rebelling and turning aside from His commandments and rules; for not walking in His laws; for doing wrong and acting wickedly. Realizing and repenting for our infidelity, then seeking His forgiveness. 5. Secondly, live what you experience; give what you yourself receive. If we are not judged and condemned, and if we do not want to be judged and condemned, then do not judge and condemn others. If we are forgiven, then forgive others as well. If God and others are so generous toward us, then we too must be generous to them. Direction: Let us always bear in mind that we receive as we give; we will get back as we do. Therefore, let us be always just and fair in our measurements toward others. The measure we apply will be the measure that will be applied to us (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 01 MARCH) Focus: True repentance is healing because it removes the weight of sin and the shame of guilt. It is not lowering of dignity but regaining the true dignity The people of Israel plead for God's mercy with true repentant hearts. They recall God's recurrent mercy despite their recurrent infidelity. They are conscious of the stark contrast between God’s righteousness and human treachery, between God’s grace and human sinfulness, between God’s fidelity and human disobedience, and between God’s forgiveness and human wrongdoing. This awareness is very crucial because it can make us humble and surrendered on one hand, and repentant and determined to change on the other hand. This humble consciousness leads us to focus on God as the source to derive strength and a model to imitate. In the gospel, Jesus urges us to inculcate and practice the same spirit of the mercy of God towards others: Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful. What a lofty model we have to emulate! It is nothing less than God the Father Himself. This can indicate to us that our standard and dignity are high, as our target is high. What does this imitation or resemblance with God mean? Four simple practical implications: do not judge others; do not condemn others; forgive others; be abundantly generous towards others. This is in fact the life of witness by contrast, in a world that is judgmental, condemnatory, retaliating, and greedy. Such a merciful way will obtain for us God's own abundant mercies. And it will also spare us from God's just judgment without mercy, because the measure we apply to others, will be the same measure that will be applied to us by God. Direction: What a pity it is that many unnecessarily carry the burden of resentment, revenge, and retaliation, not realizing that it is self-ruinous! 07 MARCH 2023: ISAIAH 1. 1, 16-20; MATTHEW 23. 1-12 Pivot: Wash and walk! Indicative: Repentance is the recurrent clarion call for all of us always and especially in this holy season of Lent. Let us hearken to this call 1. God urges us through His prophet Isaiah to listen to His instruction, repent, return to Him, cleanse ourselves and live integrally. He says, “Listen to the instruction of the Lord. Wash yourselves clean. Cease doing evil and learn to do good” 2. Concretely it implies avoiding hypocrisy in the light of the gospel. Jesus explicitly refers to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes and admonishes the people not to fall into the same evil. They do not practise what they teach and preach to others. They make heavy demands on others but do not assist them in any way 3. They do a lot of religious activities not out of the genuine intention of devotion and fidelity to God. Rather it is all for recognition and applause. They lack interiority and depth. What is all the more deplorable is their lack of humility 4. They seek places of honour, titles, and salutations like ‘Rabbi’. All their actions are pretentious and self-directed for self-glory. They easily forget the truth that all of us are only brethren, disciples, and servants. There is only one Father, Supreme Teacher, and Master, the Christ 5. The same danger of hypocrisy is very real in our times as well. There are many traces of hypocrisy and inauthenticity among the present followers of Christ. We must bear in mind that God condones our weaknesses if we are humble and repentant. But He detests our lack of humility and integrity 6. The Lord is ready to cleanse us and restore us to an abundance of blessings if we return to him. Our sins may be grievous like scarlet and crimson red. But He will purify and whiten us as snow and wool. If we are willing and obey, He will bless us 7. But, if we refuse and resist, we will be consumed. If we humble ourselves, we will be exalted. But if we exalt ourselves, we will be humbled. Let us keep aside our pride and hypocrisy. Let us learn to be humble and authentic. Let us grow in righteousness Imperative: Let us combat our self-righteousness so as to become righteous. Let us strive to live what we believe and learn, teach, and demand from others (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 15 MARCH) Focus: God is so merciful that He does not abandon us or condemn us for our sins. Rather He is so lenient and waits upon us to repent and renew our lives 1. God never ceases to call us for repentance and renewal. All the more during this holy season of lent, this call is strong and straight. Thus we hear in the first reading from Isaiah, saying, “Hear the word of the Lord… Give ear to the teaching of our God! Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean”. 2. Now what does this mean and imply? We need to remove the evil of our deeds from before His eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. 3. In the light of the gospel, this repentance and renewal would mean removing all the traces of hypocrisy. Jesus cautions us against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. Its forms are manifold: Preaching but not practising; demanding too much from others but doing very little themselves; making a show to impress others and not out of genuine conviction or devotion; seeking recognition and honour. 4. The greatest antidote is humility, for “the greatest among you shall be your servant”. In simple details, it is to have the mind of a disciple and learner and not a teacher or rabbi; it is to be a brother to others and not to be revered as a father, for we all have only one Father; it is to be an instructee under the one instructor, the Christ, and not projecting oneself as a great instructor. 5. If one cultivates this humility and strives to renew life, then the fruits are enormously great: the Lord will completely wipe away all the stains and weight of sin. The Lord himself assures: even though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 6. This means that the Lord will thoroughly cleanse us and make us pure. Further, if you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; you shall be exalted to the heights, for “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted”. Direction: Let us be aware that pride and hypocrisy are the two biggest blocks against repentance and renewal. Let us then cultivate the spirit of humility and of a servant (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 02 MARCH) Focus: God is exceedingly patient and merciful and He is never tired of offering us opportunities to repent and be converted What a consolation and comforting note it is to hear again and again how infinitely God is patient with us and is boundlessly hopeful about our transformation. God never closes the doors of His love in benevolence and mercy. He is never stuck with our aberrant past but is very hopeful and interested in our sincere present for a reformed future. He never stops offering us numberless possibilities and opportunities to repair our damages, to re-gather what has been scattered, to regain what has been lost, and to recuperate what has been missing. He is so open and flexible, even to the extent of exuberant lenience. He ceaselessly invites us as He did through Isaiah to wash ourselves clean, to turn away from evil, to cease to do evil, and to hold on eagerly and ardently to good. If we heed His call and change our ways, then surely He will forgive us, cleanse us and remake us as sane and bright. If not, we ourselves will bring judgment upon ourselves and perish. For this repentance and change, the biggest block is hypocrisy, as that of the Pharisees. It is preaching but not practising. It is being rigid and stringent toward others but lenient and loose towards one's own self. It is seeking recognition and making a show of devotion without interior depth. In contrast, what is required is humility to acknowledge one's own weakness and unworthiness; and the docility to be totally open to God to receive His healing touch. Direction: God may readily forgive the weak but humble, but He will detest the hypocrites that pretend to be strong but self-conceited. 08 MARCH 2023: JER 18. 18-20; MATTHEW 20. 17- 28 Pivot: Life is a trial! Indicative: The fact of suffering is real in everyone’s life. All the more, it is true in the life of a true follower of Christ 1. Today’s word of God presents to us a clear contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. The world shuns every suffering and difficulty. It seeks shortcuts to go up, gain or achieve something. It evades every possible adversity or risk 2. Further, the world equates greatness with the power to dominate others, to dictate terms over others, and to be served. Accordingly, the world seeks greatness in power, position, prestige, fame, popularity, et cetera 3. Jesus shatters such wrong notions and pursuits. He makes it crystal clear that the way of following him is the way of suffering. This is so evident in both readings. In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah goes through an intense ordeal of suffering. He suffers ingratitude, hostility, rejection, betrayal and persecution 4. Jesus himself was a victim of unjust suffering. But neither the prophet nor Jesus would run away from suffering. They would not be depressed. They would not blame God. Instead, they surrender themselves totally to God. They make it clear that there are no shortcuts to fulfilling our mission 5. Further, Jesus teaches that true greatness is not in domination but in submission, not in exterior power but in the interior power of the Spirit. One is great when he serves others. In fact, the very purpose of Jesus’ coming itself is this: to serve and not to be served Imperative: They are great, those who serve others and those who are served. This is a radical reversal. If only people follow this principle of greatness in humble service, all will be truly great! (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 16 MARCH) Focus: We are living in such a world where often good is repaid with evil; sacrifice is repaid with ingratitude and harm. In the face of such experiences, what is needed is a spirit of surrender, sacrifice and service 1. The life of a disciple of Christ is for sacrifice and service. It is not something new or out of the way. It is the same with the master. Jesus too lived a life of sacrifice and service. He sacrificed many things in life and spent his whole time and energy serving others. He declares, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. Yes, he had to pay a heavy price for his commitment. He had to face opposition, persecution, suffering, and even death. 2. The same was the fate of the prophet Jeremiah as we see in the first reading. The very people for whom he struggled hard and pleaded with God would turn against him and plot to kill him. The life of a disciple is not meant for comfort and convenience. 3. It does not go well that a disciple of Christ seeks power and position, honour and glory. A disciple does not lord or boss over others. Rather, he manifests an attitude of a servant: Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave. 4. In the gospel the mother of the sons of Zebedee approaches Jesus to grant the two best seats beside him for her sons. This episode typically represents the situation of the church authorities of our own times. There is so much craving and fighting for power and position. Domination replaces humility. Lording over dominates obeying. Being served becomes a status-symbol in the place of serving others. Direction: Religious authority is also getting tainted by worldly authority. There is so much manipulation and domination. It is high time to do a thorough self-check and recapture the spirit of sacrifice and service (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 03 MARCH) Focus: Standing for God and for good, will not exempt anyone from affliction and persecution, but it is inevitable Can one imagine the piercing anguish and legitimate frustration of Jeremiah at his people's acting toward him? His heart languished for them. He pleaded persistently with God on their behalf to spare them. Now it is these very people who denounce and calumniate against him, betray him and plot to kill him even. Apparently, evil seems to be the recompense for all his good, and this is really frustrating. The same is the case with Jesus in the gospel. The mental agony of Jesus too is not much different from Jeremiah's. What pains Jesus so much is not so much a physical lot of his passion and death. But, rather it is the infidelity and betrayal of the very people for whom he struggles. In simple psychology, his constant reference to his suffering is a simple way of preparing himself mentally to meet such eventuality. It is also a way of shattering the disciples' false ideas and illusions about his power and kingdom. The worldly ambition and the request of the mother of the sons of Zebedee is a clear sign of such a shallow understanding of Jesus' role and mission. Perhaps, we may get annoyed with such a false perspective of them. We may blame them for their worldliness. But what is better is to understand this instance as a corrective for all. It is not just the case of the sons of Zebedee. Anyone and every one of us is certainly infected by the same sting of worldly interests and temporary gains. All are prone to evade suffering and seek glory. All want to ride high and not bend low. In such a context, we should deeply bear in mind that suffering alone is the path to glory, and following Jesus necessarily involves the way of struggle. The kingdom of Jesus is not a domain of worldly power for domination and being served. It is a reign of serving others in humility. Direction: Many authorities of today seem to be busy with giving others many directives, forgetting the essential corrective that all power is for service in humility. 09 MARCH 2023: JER 17. 5-10; LUKE 16. 19-31 Pivot: Blessed or cursed! Indicative: Trust in God and sensitivity to others make one “blessed”. But trust in self and world and indifference to others 1. God distinguishes between the blessed and the cursed. It is not the worldly riches or abundance of human capacities or a variety of pleasures that make one’s life blessed. It is one’s trust in God that makes one blessed 2. Such a blessed man is like a plant beside the waters. His roots are deep into the streams of grace. No heat or inclemencies of weather or drought frighten or wither him. His life remains fresh and refreshed. He bears abundant fruit 3. On the other hand, cursed is he who relies excessively on his own self and worldly resources. He is like a barren bush in the desert. There is no freshness or growth or fruitfulness or usefulness. The rich man in the gospel is a vivid illustration of a cursed man 4. The rich man places excessive trust in his worldly resources. He seeks his own enjoyment. This becomes the rhythm of his life, as we are told that he “dined sumptuously each day”. What a striking contrast between the rich man and the poor Lazarus! 5. The rich man was dressed in purple garments and fine linen but the poor man was covered with sores. The rich man dined sumptuously but the poor man was in search of even the scraps from the rich table. The rich man was in a privileged company but the poor man was in the company of dogs that lick his sores 6. The greatest sin of the rich man was not so much enjoying his life but a total indifference toward the poor Lazarus. The height of his inattention was such that Lazarus was totally non-existent, a non-entity and an irrelevant object to him. Lazarus did not matter at all to him 7. In this context, we must bear in mind that God’s justice is a “perfectly balancing scale”. The scene reverses. After death and judgment, the rich man suffers while the poor man enjoys. The rich man laments while Lazarus praises God. The rich man is tormented while the poor man is comforted. The rich man descends to hell while Lazarus ascends to the bosom of Abraham Imperative: Life here on earth is not the end. It has an end. It has a judgment and life after death. Therefore, we must live with a sense of dignity and responsibility (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 17 MARCH) Focus: There is always a contrast between being blessed and being cursed. This difference is on the basis of where we place our trust. Trusting in God makes one blessed while trusting in things makes one cursed 1. For sure, everyone wants to be blessed and not cursed. But the whole problem is how one understands blessedness and cursedness and how one pursues the path that leads to them. In fact, these are two modes of being and living, namely being blessed and being cursed. They are fundamental to human living and are mutually contrasting. They also determine the whole meaning and the direction of life. 2. Sadly, in spite of all intelligence, the world equates blessedness with worldly abundance, pleasure, and success; and cursedness with deprivation, failure, and misery. In simple words, those who have plenty of money and things, those who dictate others, and those who enjoy comforts and pleasures are considered blessed. 3. On the other hand, those who are poor, those who struggle in life, those who are low in status and are under some others, and those who cannot have even the minimum joys of life are rated cursed and despicable. 4. But today’s readings dismantle this thinking of the world. True blessedness is placing trust in God. And cursedness is placing trust in the world and its things. The blessed are like the tree planted by the water. It is deeply rooted, fresh, healthy, blooming, and fruit-bearing. The cursed are like a shrub in the desert. It is dry, barren, and fruitless. 5. The gospel elaborates on this contrast between being blessed and cursed by a touching parable of a rich man and poor Lazarus. In the sight of the world, the rich man is blessed because he lacks nothing and enjoys everything. 6. But in the true sense, he is cursed because he places excessive trust in his riches. He is like a dry and useless shrub. In the sight of the world, poor Lazarus is cursed because he is miserable. But he is truly blessed because he places his total trust in God. He is deeply rooted in God and blossoms with God’s own freshness. 7. The gospel adds another essential feature to this contrast, and that is sensitivity toward others. Accordingly blessed are those who are sensitive and generous toward others; cursed are those who are selfish and indifferent toward others. The rich man is cursed because he failed in his fraternal duty toward the poor man. 8. Their fates are also contrasting. The rich man is condemned to the fire of hell; the poor Lazarus is rewarded with heaven. While on earth, the rich man enjoyed but in heaven, he suffers. While on earth, the poor Lazarus suffered but in heaven, he enjoys heavenly bliss. 9. There is another interesting detail to note. The poor man has a name but the rich man’s name is not mentioned. This indicates something profound: the poor are “counted” in the sight of God. They have a special identity. Direction: Those who are worried only about worldly and temporary riches and enjoyments are certainly cursed. They will be liable to God’s judgment (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 04 MARCH) Focus: Those who place their trust in worldly things and spend all their time and energies on temporal pursuits and interests will meet a fateful destiny The first reading from Jeremiah declares one of the most fundamental principles and contrasts of life: Trusting in one's own self and the world, and on the other hand, trusting in God. Trusting in self or the world and investing and consuming all the energies over self and worldly interests may bring temporary profit and satisfaction. But the end is disastrous. Not only the end but also the way towards the end: Those who vainly pursue human and earthly concerns, are like a bush in the desert, dry and barren and eventually drained and dead; but those who are oriented to God in trust and loyalty are like the plant by the streams, evergreen and fresh, ever flourishing and productive. The same theme of the fateful end of trust in one’s own self and the world is powerfully illustrated in the gospel by the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus. The problem here is not the matter of having more riches. But, the real problem is placing too much trust in the things of the world. It is the neglect of God and a total lack of sensitivity and concrete concern toward the needy. The rich man was totally tied up with his own self, his self-comfort, and enjoyment. He could not rise up to God, or at least could not reach up to the poor Lazarus. Hence, the ends are reversed: the high rich man languishes in the bottoms and the low Lazarus enjoys in the heights. This parable is the clearest mirror of our own society. We live in a society that is steeped in abyssal indifference and selfishness. It is no more a story of a certain rich man in the gospel but is the replica of the live heights of unconcern and insensitivity. Direction: One reaps what one sows. We cannot expect to reap a rich harvest of real joy if we have planted a scanty crop of goodness, whether on earth or in heaven 10 MARCH 2023: GEN 37. 3-4, 12-13A, 17B- 28A; MATTHEW 21. 33-46 Pivot: Covetousness and jealousy kill! Indicative: God entrusted us with this life to take care of it, live it meaningfully and bear fruits. We will be punishable if we fail in this duty 1. The world is in the evil embrace of greed and envy. Many are not satisfied with what they have. They crave more. Desire in itself is not wrong. But what is wrong is they desire what is not their due. Greedy people want to usurp and appropriate what belongs to others. Further, they employ any wrong or deceptive means to get what they want 2. Envy is another malaise that devours many today. It cannot see and digest the good in others and their growth. Those who suffer from jealousy feel uncomfortable and unhappy when others do well. Both this avarice and envy lead to evil and destruction 3. This is illustrated by two stories in today’s word of God. The first reading describes jealousy and the gospel, greed. In the first reading, Joseph, the son of Israel became the victim of the jealousy of his own blood brothers because of their father’s special love for Joseph. In consequence, they sell him into slavery 4. The gospel depicts how greed turns wicked and destructive through the parable of the wicked tenants. They covet the owner’s vineyard and so maltreat some servants and kill some others and in the end kill his own son. These tenants point to the unbelieving Jews Imperative: Interestingly, both greed and jealousy are capital sins and all of us are gravely infected by them. They vitiate the heart as well as relationships. We must eradicate them (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 18 MARCH) Focus: The world of today is torn apart by so much malice. At the root are greed and envy. One cannot see and tolerate the good of the other, and one cannot think and follow other than the good of one’s own self 1. There is so much evil and malice in our world. This causes enormous destruction. It destroys life in all its senses. People are killed; the beauty, value and dignity, the joy and peace of human life and the human person are destroyed because evil destroys the good. The two stories in both readings show this destructive effect of evil. 2. In the first reading from Genesis, the brothers of Joseph sell their own brother into slavery. In the gospel, the tenants of the vineyard maltreat and kill the master’s servants and finally his own son. Joseph’s brothers become malicious because of jealousy. The tenants become evil because of greed. Thus jealousy and greed lead to the heights of evil. 3. Both stories point to the evil conduct of the people of Israel. Particularly, Jesus is the Joseph and the son of the owner of the vineyard in the two stories respectively. He becomes the target of the evil and envy of the Jews. They cannot tolerate his rising popularity. They cannot accept him challenging their shallow legalism and hypocrisy. 4. All the more, they cannot bear that he challenges their authority, and undervalues their knowledge and credibility. They cannot digest the fact that he becomes the champion of the poor, the sinful, and the despicable in society. Much more, it is just intolerable when he exalts those low-class people over and above them. This reversal and subversion are highly inflammable. 5. This story of envy, greed, and evil is not only a thing of the past. It is a present reality. Immense harm is being done because of greed and envy. We too succumb often to their onslaughts. Therefore, we need to become more conscious and cautious about the sad fate they would bring upon us. All those who are envious and avaricious and act maliciously will incur God’s wrath. 6. “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons”. “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits”. Failures in fidelity and especially in the fraternity will not go light in God’s sight. Direction: One cannot obtain God’s grace by force. One cannot force one’s entry into the kingdom of God by mere allegiance to a religion or by mere observance of some laws and activities. Ultimately all depends on one’s openness and fruitfulness (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 05 MARCH) Focus: The more we give in to evil inclinations and actions, the more we lose our humaneness and become liable to a strict divine justice Jealousy, greed, and malice destroy the goodness of the human soul, throw him into the abyss of evil intentions and finally lead to enormous damage to others. Human history from its very beginnings bears ample testimonies to this play of human perversions. The story of Joseph in the Genesis and the story of the wicked tenants in the gospel are vivid examples of the ugly heads of jealousy, greed and malice. The brothers of Joseph are consumed by the fire of jealousy; they totally forget their fraternal bond and responsibility toward Joseph. The tenants in the gospel are consumed by greed. They forget the fact that they are only tenants and not owners. They overstep! They completely lose sight of the benevolence of the owner toward them. They fail to be grateful. They fail in their duty of being accountable and rendering to the owner what is his due. They covet the master's property. They become so malicious to plot and kill all who are a threat to achieving what they desire. The world of today is no different from those times. Perhaps, it may be even worse. How deplorable it is that the heights of knowledge and progress have not cleansed man from the diseases of jealousy, greed and malice! What a sea of offence, violence, and destruction is created, because of malice, rooted in jealousy and avarice! Direction: Only a few realise that jealousy, greed, and malice are devilish and are self-destructive and utterly detestable before God 11 MARCH 2023: MICAH 7. 14-15, 18-20; LUKE 15. 1-3, 11-32 Pivot: Mercy without bounds! Indicative: God’s mercy is without measure and reserve. There are no conditions or restrictions. It is just enough to repent and return 1. The season of lent is not something negative but essentially positive. It is not a time of sadness and melancholy but joy. It should not evoke in us a sense of guilt and remorse or disturbing regret. Rather, it must ignite in us a sincere spirit of repentance and determined renewal 2. Lent is positive because our focus is not on our sins but on God’s mercy. It is a time of joy because God joyfully accepts and restores us to grace. Today’s readings impress upon us God’s boundless mercy. They give us tremendous assurance and comfort because God never rejects us when we repent and return to Him. 3. See how the people of Israel confide in God’s abiding mercy and pray for the same! They attest, “Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin…Who does not persist in anger forever, but rather delights in clemency… Will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt. You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins… You will show faithfulness …and grace” 4. The gospel gives a touching illustration of this abounding mercy of God through the most popular parable of the prodigal son. Though often the focus is on the prodigal son, actually the central figure is the father. It is indeed the parable of the “prodigal father”, “who goes out of his way” 5. The father’s positive “prodigality” is seen in various factors: in his love, respect, freedom, anguish, hope, patience, waiting, forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. He loves his son so much. He respects his freedom and leaves him free. He does not constrain or force him though he could 6. He suffers silently in anguish at the separation. But he never gives up hope or becomes desperate. he patiently awaits his son’s return. As soon as his son is on his way back, he wastes no time receiving him. He runs to him. There are no rebukes, no moral lecturing, no poking, no proving himself right and his son, wrong. He immediately reconciles his son with him. And he restores him to his original dignity of a son Imperative: The parable of the prodigal son is a strong summon for repenting and returning. We can return because we are absolutely sure that God will receive us, forgive us and reinstate us in our early dignity (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 11 SEPTEMBER) 1. We have the famous parable of the Prodigal son in today’s gospel. What is conspicuous in this parable is the "lost" aspect, the"prodigality" on one hand, and on the other hand, the spirit of condescension, search and the joy of finding the lost and the celebration of the occasion 2. The fact of loss pertains to human nature and that of merciful search pertains to God. All of us are imperfect, vulnerable and prone to fall and being lost. The awareness of this fact teaches and instils in us a deep sense of inadequacy and humility. This guards us against an undue sense of self-sufficiency and arrogance. This dispels our false airs and keeps our feet on the ground 3. How sad it is that some are so blind to their human fragility, and do not accept their fallibility! They rate themselves to be perfect and infallible and behave very self-righteous and arrogantly. They become so hypocritical. 4. On the other hand, there is the indulgent mercy of God to overlook, condone and forgive our wayward tendency to be lost and to get deviated. How comforting and elevating it is to know that our God is so merciful to us that He does not abandon us to our fate, does not judge and condemn us for our human defectibility, and does not penalise us! 5. This sublime divine exuberance should not make us lenient and self-indulgent. Often this trust in God's mercy makes some take for granted His grace of forgiving mercy and become easy-going. But instead, it should make us more responsible to live up to the gift of His mercy. It should make us more determined and committed to merit His mercy, to keep up His trust in our docility to change, to deeply nurture a genuine sense of repentance, and to spare no efforts to be converted and live a renewed life.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 2023

2ND SUNDAY LENT, 05 MARCH 2023, GENESIS 12. 1-4a; 2 TIMOTHY 1. 8b-10; MATTHEW 17. 1-9: TRANSFIGURATION 2ND SUNDAY LENT, 05 MARCH 2023, GENESIS 12. 1-4a; 2 TIMOTHY 1. 8b-10; MATTHEW 17. 1-9: TRANSFIGURATION Pivot: Configured and Transfigured! Indicative: The scene of the transfiguration of the Lord is a revelation and re-confirmation of the original identity of Jesus and a reminder and indicator of our own future glory 1. The Lord’s transfiguration in the first place is a call for confirming our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We must believe that he incarnated himself and put on our human body and nature. That does not mean that he is merely human. He is the Son of God and has come to us on a mission of love for our salvation 2. Transfiguration is a call to reset our minds to understand and accept God’s will and God’s ways. God’s ways are not our ways. God wants to save us, not the way the world thinks and does. For the world, defeating the enemy and gaining victory is usually a big, pompous, and overturning way with a display of power and might 3. But God’s way is a totally contrasting way. It is a way of love, humility, mercy, and sacrifice. It is the way of the Cross. It is not through power and destruction but through humility and compassion. It is through inner power and renewal. It is not through domination but through submission and surrender 4. The Lord wants us to understand this mystery of salvation through suffering. This shall not distress us but make us prepared. God suffers, not because He is powerless and helpless. It is because He wants to atone for our sins so that our salvation becomes just and justified 5. The episode of the Lord’s transfiguration points to our whole journey of faith as God’s children and followers of Christ. It comprises a constant movement from disfiguration through configuration to transfiguration 6. Accordingly, in the first place, we must be sincerely aware of the manifold ways in which sin disfigures our divine image. With this awareness, we must be led to repentance. Then turn to Jesus and configure ourselves to him. Be conformed to him. Imitate and emulate him. Become more and more like him Imperative: Disfiguration can be countered effectively only through a steady configuration to the Lord. This transfigures us here and now and later, in eternal glory (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2020, 06 AUGUST) Pivot: Glory is our destiny! Indicative: Transfiguration is the way to our destiny of glory. 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 his 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 4. Rather, it serves as a fount of hope that prepares and strengthens the disciples, in the face of the cross and the death of Jesus ahead. The transfigured glory of Jesus illumines 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. 5. It is not a fate of misery and damnation, but a destiny of glory and salvation. Thereby when faced with the ignominy of the cross, let them not be shaken or shocked; let them not be dissipated or frustrated. Let them not be stuck with the cross and death, but rather let their focus go beyond the 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 a foretaste of our own resurrection and the glory of the 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. 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 11. 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 12. Thus real transfiguration lies in the daily process of brightening up our lives. Light up the life, Daily on the "mountain" - of the vicinity, proximity, and intimacy with God, in a spirit and ambiance of solitude and serenity, in the heights of our spirits, in the focused moments of prayer, in a personal encounter with Moses and Elijah, signifying the Law and Prophets, i.e. the entire Scripture and Tradition 13. 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 14. Let our every day 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 hearts, and our life, more bright, with more hope and more renewal. Imperative: 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 (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2023, 18 FEBRUARY) Pivot: Be transfigured! Indicative: God created us in His own image and likeness. He wants us to be like Him. Sin reduces this likeness and makes us unlike Him. We need then to recuperate what we have lost 1. We are living in a world where life is increasingly disfigured. Often, life is losing its beauty and charm. Thus many do not experience the joy and value of life. Dehumanisation in its various forms such as injustice, inequality, lack of respect and dignity, deception, dishonesty, selfishness, greed, and violence causes this disfiguration 2. Therefore, we need transfiguration so that the beauty and joy of life can be resurged. This transfiguration will be possible only with the help of the Lord because he himself is the Lord of transfiguration. Today’s gospel narrates the scene of the transfiguration of the Lord. 3. This episode occurred not so much to display his greatness or parade his glory before the poor disciples. It is not to prove himself or impress them. The main purpose is to make them aware of his original identity so that their faith will not be shaken in testing times. Rather they will remain firm looking back and drawing their courage and strength from this transfiguration of the Lord. 4. Thus the Lord transfigures himself with his heavenly glory before them so as to confirm them in their faith and re-commit them to him. His transfiguration is a prefiguration of our own transfiguration one day when we finish our earthly pilgrimage. 5. Now how will we be transfigured on the last day? We will be transfigured on the last day when we strive to be transfigured every day. What does this imply? The gospel gives us some pointers. We need to be led up a high mountain apart by ourselves. 6. That is we need to withdraw and raise ourselves from the earth, from the low and below interests. From time to time, we need to climb up from our ordinary preoccupations to be alone with God in silence and serenity. 7. We need to stay in intimacy with him and relish his presence. It is this ecstatic joy that made Peter acclaim, “Lord, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents”. It was so cherishable that Peter did not want to miss it. 8. We need to listen to Jesus because he is the beloved Son of the Father. We too will become the beloved sons and daughters of the Father if we listen to His Son. Listening to him implies that we accompany him always, encounter him and be in dialogue with him like Moses and Elijah. It also implies that we transfigure ourselves both interiorly and exteriorly. Imperative: There is an excessive concern about the external figure and its transfiguration. So much money and time are spent on beautifying the external body and material features. But what about the interior transfiguration, which is the beauty of the heart, and the worth of living? (REFLECTION 4 FROM 2022, 19 FEBRUARY) 1. In the gospel today, we have the transfiguration episode. This indicates that what is very important is to be deeply aware of the various “disfigurements” of our life. Then, strive sincerely for a “transfiguration” of it. For this, first of all, we need to participate and share the “transfiguration experience” of Jesus himself. We need to behold his heavenly glory and sanctity. We need to confirm our faith in his divinity despite the garbs of human fragilities 2. We need to relish the moments of being with him and desire to abide close to him again and again. Hear what Peter exclaims at the transfiguration experience of Jesus: It is good to be here. Let us make … tents”. We need to listen to the Lord as the beloved of the Father. 3. However, we cannot hide only in such ecstatic moments. Taking our courage and strength from such deepening and strengthening experiences, we need to come down the mountain of Tabor. We need to gird ourselves with the task of living the transfiguring experience in our daily living. We need to change both our ‘face’ and our ‘clothes’ that is the face of our interior life and the clothes of our exterior actions and behavior. Direction: Total transfiguration comes only with our resurrection. But we can commit ourselves to a daily transfiguration. This does happen when we constantly try to become more and more renewed and transformed persons

FIRST WEEK OF LENT 2023

27 FEB - 04 MARCH 2023, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 27 FEBRUARY 2023: LEVITICUS 19. 1-2, 11-18; MATTHEW 25. 31-46 Pivot: Love is the sum! Indicative: Love is the greatest commandment. It is twofold: for God and others. It is the same love that manifests itself in two aspects 1. The whole focus of the word of God is on love, with its emphasis on love for others. Fraternal love is both the expression and also the evidence and testimony of love for God. Accordingly, it also becomes the crucial criterion for the last judgment. 2. All the questions of the judgment are concerning fraternal duties, like feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned 3. In fact, all these fraternal concerns are not just nice acts of kindness. They are also not merely moral matters of doing good or not doing. They are essential and fundamental human obligations. They are non-negotiable principles of justice. In this sense, they are not favours that we do according to our liking or convenience. They are inescapably binding 4. The commandments of God in the first reading also carry this fundamentally binding character. Unfortunately many look at them from a mere religious or legal or moral perspective, that is as matters of religion or laws or ethics 5. We do not deny their religious or legal or ethical nature. But they are not just that. They pertain to the whole life. They affect the whole person, inter-relationships, and society. They are profound issues of integrity, sensitivity, and justice 6. They are the “religion in action”, God in humanity, and holiness in goodness. That is why, Jesus says, “Whatever you do to the needy brethren, you do it for me”. This kind of integral understanding of religion is very exigent in our times. 7. We find in our times a distorted and narrow perspective of religion. It is limited to mere rituals or some religious activities with total disrespect and damage to the basic principles of humanity and justice. Imperative: What kind of religion it is when it fails in the spirit of unity, fraternity, and charity? A religion that is inhuman and destructive in the name of God and religion is only demoniac. It is high time that our devotion is re-clothed with humanness (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 07 MARCH) Focus: Love for others and charity to them is the ultimate criterion that decides the fate of the last judgment. Those who fail in the principle of charity will be liable to judgment and punishment 1. Very often, segregation is made between the spiritual domain and the actual. Accordingly, we see a lot of dichotomy between one’s devotion and one’s action. Often we find people to be very spiritual but not integral, very prayerful but not charitable. It is in this context today’s liturgy of the word affirms once again the inseparable harmony between holiness and goodness, between faith in God and charity to others. 2. In the first reading, God commands His people to be holy as He is holy. But, immediately all the later directives concern duties toward the neighbour. This implies that being good and just to others is the real expression of being holy and faithful to God. 3. In the gospel too, in the context and light of the last judgment, Jesus drives home that charity is the supreme principle and love in action is the ultimate criterion for the last judgment. The central focus of the last judgment is the bond of fraternity and the duty of charity. Charity to others especially those in need becomes the concrete expression and testimony of the love of God in action. 4. Charity is a binding obligation on every disciple of Christ. It is the ultimate criterion that pivots the whole direction of divine justice. In the last judgment what is striking is that the acts of charity which express the love of neighbour are tantamount to the love of God itself. 5. In doing all those benevolent acts of love, one is loving God Himself (v. 40: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “; v. 45: “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me’”). 6. This love of neighbor is further so noble that it does all the good without any ulterior motive, so selfless even to the extent of not being aware of doing it for God; they are devoid of even this holy motive of doing everything to please God. 7. However, we need to bear in mind one important factor. It will be unfair to attest that God judges on the basis of actions, so devotion and prayer are not primary matters. Even though the spiritual aspect is not explicitly mentioned, it is profoundly present. A true charity, a life of good actions is possible only when there is a deep spiritual foundation. 8. One who is prayerful cannot but be charitable. One who is genuinely and joyfully charitable and committed to good, cannot but be solidly rooted in God and prayer because it is there that he derives his motivation and strength. One cannot do good unless inspired and prompted by the Holy Spirit. Direction: Devotion without charity will be without flesh. That is why, the great Saint Francis de Sales exclaimed: “Charity is the perfection of devotion”, that is, the apex and culmination of devotion is the ecstasy of charity. 28 FEBRUARY 2023:ISAIAH 55. 10-11; MATTHEW 6. 7-15 Pivot: Pray and do! Indicative: It is not enough that we pray. Praying is not just a matter of reciting prayers but surrendering to God’s will and doing it 1. The main focus today is on prayer. Our prayer ought to be qualitative. However, quality does not mean the quality of words, the length, or the eloquence of it. The quality of prayer is determined by how much it is productive and transformative 2. In the light of the first reading from Isaiah, true prayer is like rain that nourishes nature and produces fruit. It derives its spirit and strength from constant communication with God both through His holy word and prayer of the heart 3. The gospel presents to us the sublime prayer, “Our Father” as the model for true prayer. This prayer offers us some essential tenets of true prayer. Accordingly, true prayer is always permeated with a deep family sense. As such, it nurtures a filial devotion toward God and a fraternal concern for others 4. True prayer is always intent on doing God’s will and establishing His kingdom. Very particularly, true prayer is imbued with a profound sense of forgiveness. Forgiving others becomes the indispensable pre-requisite for obtaining God’s forgiveness Imperative: We need to guard against shallow praying that lacks depth and interiority and fails to renew one’s life, especially a life of surrender and forgiveness (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 08 MARCH) Focus: Prayer is not just a matter of reciting some prayers or making some supplications. Prayer is a matter of realising, relating, and reforming 1. We have in today’s gospel the sublime prayer ‘Our Father’. It is unique because it is the only prayer that is formulated, taught, and ordered by Jesus to pray. However, the prayer ‘Our Father’ is not just a single, individual prayer. It is not so much what to pray. It is not so much about what are the contents or formulations. Rather, what matters is how to pray, and with what spirit to pray. Thus, the prayer ‘Our Father’ is not a prayer but the way of praying. 2. ‘Our Father’ is the model or summary-prayer. It denotes the essence of the spirit of praying. Some of the essential ingredients of this spirit of praying are the sense of family and belonging; the sense of reverence; the sense of surrender; the sense of mission; the sense of contentment; the sense of forgiveness, and the sense of resistance and steadfastness amidst trials and temptations. 3. “Sense of family and belonging”: In calling God ‘Our Father’, we affirm and remind ourselves that we all belong to one family of God as His children and brothers and sisters. Therefore, a good prayer must always carry this note and tone of filial and fraternal bonding. 4. “Sense of reverence”: “Holy be your name!” implies that we not only honour and revere God but also live a life that keeps up His holy name. We keep Him holy by living holy and worthy lives. “Sense of surrender”: “Your will be done!” Our prayer is that we do not cling to or do our will but God’s will. His will becomes our norm and doing His will becomes our only concern and priority. 5. “Sense of mission”: We wish and pray that God reigns everywhere and always. We pray that His kingdom of love, justice, and peace is established. Further, we also commit ourselves to promote this kingdom. “Sense of content”: “Give us our daily bread” denotes that we become satisfied with what is minimum. We shall not be ridden by greed and accumulation. 6. “Sense of forgiveness”: This is a crucial attitude and approach for genuine prayer. A prayer that has no forgiving heart is not acceptable to God. A heart that prays but harbours a grudge, resentment, and negativity cannot win God’s grace. To the extent we forgive others. to that extent, we will obtain God’s forgiveness. “Sense of steadfastness”: Surrounded and tormented by trials and tribulation. In the face of them, we must remain stable, not lament, and become efficacious; lest we succumb easily to any little stroke of evil. Direction: The quality of prayer does not depend upon the quantity of words but the quality of faith. It consists of filiality, fraternity, and fraternity (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 23 FEBRUARY) Focus: True prayer is not merely reciting a number of words but being with God and seeking His holy will. Praying is not reciting but relating, not submitting petitions, but submitting one’s own self 1. Jesus once again teaches us what and how to pray through the prayer 'Our Father', a sublime prayer. Certainly, it is unique because it is taught by Jesus himself. But perhaps, our focus and emphasis should be on its spirit, thrust, and direction, rather than its formulations and contents. 2. The power of prayer comes from God who makes them efficacious and not so much from the words themselves. Therefore, the spirit with which the heart prays is more important than the pomposity of the words. The purpose is not to impress God but to relate deeply with Him. 3. Certainly, God is not impressed by the quantity of words, but by the quality of heart. Thus, words that come from a shallow heart become empty and superfluous. Prayer is not a tool of information or application to God about our needs, but an ambiance of a personal relationship with Him and with others. 4. There are some essential ingredients. True prayer should be done with a deep sense of a spiritual family where God is the Father of all and all are sisters and brothers. True prayer should be always intent on seeking His holy will and committing oneself to God's reign. It should be imbued with and animated by a spirit of utter dependence on God's providence. 5. It should be embalmed with a pleasant spirit of contentment. True prayer should breathe from a resolute heart that resents and resists evil with God's strength. And the spirit of forgiveness becomes vital for a true prayer because God never accepts a prayer with an unforgiving heart. 6. In the light of the first reading from Isaiah, a true prayer should be open to the productive power of God’s Word which is like rain. It should make a person productive and effective because ultimately productivity is the real effect and sign of true prayer. Direction: A genuine prayer is like a rain pour that enlivens and revitalizes all life. It springs from the heart and unites it with God who gives the effect. Thus no true prayer is insipid and unproductive. 01 MARCH 2023: JONAH 3. 1-10; LUKE 11. 29-32 Pivot: See the signs and repent! Indicative: One becomes evil when he fails to discover the signs, learn from them, repent, and change his life 1. Jesus reproves his own people as an evil generation. His criticism is well-founded. They do not see the amply available signs. They demand for more. Consequently, they fail to repent and renew themselves 2. The rebuke of Jesus applies to our own times as well. Our generation too is truly evil because the goodness of heart is diminishing. There is not enough goodness to see the goodness of God and others 3. There is no sight, no willingness, and no openness to see the signs that are present everywhere. There are plenty of blessings and good things that we enjoy but do not truly deserve. There are also many lessons and indicators that strongly point to God’s mercy and His ways 4. For example, one strong sign for our times is the futility of human achievements and successes. Another sign of caution is the insane pursuits of violence and destruction, deception and self-gain, cheap tactics, and vain self-glory 5. The people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching. But today not many people pay heed to the prophetic warnings and refuse to repent. The queen of Sheba travelled far to witness the wisdom of Solomon. But today not many people take the trouble to seek wisdom and thus prefer to ruin themselves in their folly Imperative: God is unceasingly sending us so many signs to make us understand, repent and follow His ways. If we continue evil-directed, then doom awaits us (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 09 MARCH) Focus: One big tragedy of today’s society is the lack of openness and receptivity to the good and the positive. Still, further, there is unreflected haste to embrace fully the evil and the negative 1. In today’s gospel, Jesus is very strong in his rebuke of the people of his time. He says, “This generation is an evil generation”. He also makes the reason explicit. It is because they seek signs to believe in God’s power working through Jesus. 2. In fact, there may not be anything wrong with seeking signs. And many times, we too seek signs. But the problem is not the lack of them. They are always there but people are not ready to recognise and accept them. And even if they see them, they are not ready to follow what they signify. 3. Besides, the problem was also the purpose and the intention with which they wanted the signs. It is not to confirm their faith, or to be assured and strengthened. Rather, it was a pretext, an excuse not to believe Jesus. It was an “evasive” mechanism. 4. There were plenty of signs throughout their history. God performed numberless signs in the form of mighty works and wonders during their slavery, exile, and sojourns. Again and again, numerous encounters and events confirmed to them God’s protection, care, guidance, and empowerment. The reference to the prophet Jonah and his mission is itself a sign of repentance and God’s mercy. 5. Not only in their history but in their present time itself, in the person and mission of Jesus himself, there were many signs through his preaching, teaching, and healing. His life and mission are themselves ample signs and testimonies of God’s love, mercy, and compassion. They were meant to arouse repentance in the people and lead them to conversion. Direction: The world of today is no different from that generation. This generation too adamantly refuses to see and follow signs (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 24 FEBRUARY) Focus: One great perversity of this generation is not recognising neither the presence nor the purpose of the signs 1. Jesus is justly agonised over the obstinacy of the people of his time. Why? They closed their hearts to perceive and understand the signs from God. These were meant to make them see God's presence and repent. The teaching and the miracles of Jesus were already powerful signs. 2. In fact, the very person of Jesus was the greatest sign. His call for repentance surpasses that of Jonah, and his wisdom is above that of Solomon. But unlike them, Jesus was rejected. The people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah and converted their ways. The Wisdom of Solomon was greatly acknowledged and admired even by the queen of the South from distance. 3. But the people of Jesus’ time did not respond to Jesus’ invitation for conversion. They did not accept his divine wisdom and power. Truly this is evil, and it is an evil generation because they refused to see the signs and their message. They fail to experience their power and effect. 4. The same reproach constantly looms large over our generation also. It is an evil generation to the extent it fails to understand, and accept plenty of signs. The same fate will befall us when we too ignore the message of these different signs and refuse to cooperate and change. 5. Jesus incessantly invites us to grow wise and to repent. In wisdom, we need to choose God and good, and in repentance, we must turn away from evil and turn to God. Failing in this will surely make us liable to judgment and condemnation. 6. But it is never late. We can always hope and confide in God's condescending mercy, as seen towards the Ninevites. God's pleasure is not in destroying the sinners. He detests sin but not sinners. Direction: God is not hasty or impatient or intent to punish or destroy us. In His magnanimity, He continues to invite us for repentance. He will relent from His just judgment if only we repent. 02 MARCH 2023: ESTHER 14. 1, 3-5, 12-14; MATTHEW 7. 7-12 Pivot: Help me, I am alone! Indicative: The greatest prayer is not the power of eloquence or wonder-working. It is that which springs from the heart in total surrender 1. A great prayer is not a popular prayer. What makes a prayer great is that it springs from the heart, a heart that acutely feels the need of God and intensely surrenders to Him and passionately clings to Him 2. Such intensity and passion presuppose a profound humility and resolute trust. This is what we find in the prayer of Esther in the first reading. What a model and imitable prayer! Her prayer wells up from deep within. 3. In utter honesty, she realises her utter misery and helplessness. She admits, “I am alone and have no help but you”. She repeats, “I am alone and have no one but you”, and “Come to help me, an orphan” 4. What a humble plea with firm hope: “Save us from the hand of our enemies. Turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness”. This is exactly what Jesus exhorts us to do: “Ask, seek, and knock”. Jesus assures that we will not be turned down as he says, “Ask and you shall be given; seek and you shall find, and knock and it shall be opened unto you”. 5. Another great feature of Esther’s prayer is it is thoroughly altruistic. She prays, not for her sake, not for any self-interest but for the safety of her nation. How much does she teach to many whose prayers are mostly self-oriented? 6. For sure, God will not neglect or reject any of our prayers. The only thing, we need to make sure that we ask with deep trust and surrender. We must ask, not with a selfish motive but for the larger and higher good. This can be what is hinted by the sudden intrusion of Jesus’ statement, “Do to others what you want them to do to you” Imperative: We may not get always everything that we pray for. But we must always believe that God always knows and does what is good for us (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 10 MARCH) Focus: The power of genuine prayer is tremendous. It can change the whole course of action. It can reverse the events. And a genuine prayer is that which comes from a heart that abandons itself to God 1. Today’s word of God pivots around the need and power of prayer. Turn to God in prayer. Lay your cares at His feet. Surrender yourself totally to Him. This is what Queen Esther does. She was seized with deadly anxiety at the impending danger of the destruction of her people. She feels all alone and helpless, as she prays twice: “Help me, who am alone and have no helper but you”. 2. But she does not give up hope. She is not disillusioned. Her helplessness does not lead her to hopelessness but to complete abandonment. Even in desperate and seemingly “gone-the-case” situations, she puts her trust totally in God. 3. And this is what exactly Jesus exhorts us for: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you”. What is the basis for this trust? It is nothing but God’s unconditioned love and care for us. He is a loving Father who never lets down His children. 4. Now, the effects of a genuine prayer are: One, receiving God’s blessings and favours. Second, practising the golden rule, that is, doing to others what we want them to do to us. In the context of prayer, it can mean, if I want God to do all good things to me, then I must also do all good things to others. This certainly leads to the context of fraternity. Direction: If you follow the golden rule, life will become golden. Relationships will become highly empathetic, understanding, and magnanimous. Very specially, double standards can be restricted (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 25 FEBRUARY) Focus: Deep trust in God is the most basic requirement for a genuine prayer, a trust in God's love and benevolence towards us. Such a prayer will never be unheard or unanswered 1. "Ask and it shall be given; knock and it shall be opened; seek and you will find". Perhaps, this is one of the most oft-cited verses of Jesus. This is to assure the efficacy and effect of prayer. Jesus himself is assuring us very clearly and explicitly. 2. Such firm confidence and trust that God listens to our prayers, and grants us what we ask from Him is very good and is also very much required. But this assurance should not be taken as an absolute guarantee. 3. Why? It can make us ask anything and everything. Thus, we may implicitly place expectations on God to grant them. Usually, We ask God what we think is good and profitable for us. But is it really good and needed? What is our understanding of good for us? 4. Is it only in the worldly sense, in terms of money, health, comfort, happiness, etc.?Are we aware that there is a hierarchy of good and good things, that is, all the good things are not equally good? Do we understand that often we judge good only in terms of temporary pleasure and satisfaction? Do we realize that many times our worry is for the material good? Are we really judicious to discern that certain favours we desire may be unethical and even harmful? 5. Further, if we expect God to grant all that we ask of Him, then where is the freedom for Him to discern what is good and necessary for us? Do we know better than Him? Do we know His will and holy designs? Can we equate God's love and goodness only with granting of favours? Can we test and assess the quality of prayers just by receiving whatever we ask? 6. In this context, two broader criteria for asking rightly are: whether our prayers are for the spiritual benefit and whether they are altruistic. At this point, the prayer of Esther in the first reading from the book of Esther is a great example. She prays to God with total trust and surrender. She prays to Him not for any self-benefits, but for the larger good of her people. Direction: While our dependence on God and trust in Him make us ask Him freely anything, a true prayer should be primarily motivated by surrender to God's will and higher good. 03 MARCH 2023: EZEK18. 21-28; MATTHEW 5. 20-26 Pivot: Rise above! Indicative: God’s mindset is totally in contrast to the worldly mindset. We are called to put on God’s mindset 1. Modern society claims to be more justice-conscious. There is so much clamour and fight for rights, social justice, and human dignity. But if analyse a little carefully, it is mostly shallow. The world’s justice is often equated with revenge, retaliation, and punishment 2. In simple, worldly justice operates on the three D’s: dominate, damage, and destroy. The more you are able to suppress others, torment them and cause as much harm and destruction as possible, the more you are great 3. But the mindset of God is a total contrast. For God, justice is always blended with mercy. His justice is never oriented to harm or destroy the person. It is always for the good and betterment of the person 4. The first reading from Ezekiel makes this way of God’s acting crystal clear. God asks, “Do I have any pleasure from the death of the wicked?”What God wants is the end of sin and not the sinner. That is why He readily forgives and saves even the greatest sinner when he repents and turns away from sin. He does not keep an account of his past sins and punishes him. For God, not the past but the present matters 5. Some may object to this type of God’s justice that He forgives the repentant sinner but punishes the strayed righteous. They will argue, how can God simply ignore a whole past of good deeds of a just man and punish him for his present deviation? 6. Here the point is not a logical or mathematical calculation. The issue is simple and clear: God is merciful even to the sinner. And disloyalty and inconsistency in a right living will be liable to judgment 7. Jesus furthers this divine mindset in the gospel. God expects us not to be content with the minimums but strive for the maximum. For instance, it is not enough to avoid murder but is needed to avoid even anger, humiliation, and retaliation Imperative: In a world that lives and propagates a culture of the minimum and “dry justice” that stoops to aggression and retaliation, we are called to be fully committed, just, and merciful (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 11 MARCH) Focus: In a world that always contents itself with the minimums, the disciples of Christ must go farther to the maximum. Minimums will not reach us to the kingdom 1. As followers of Christ, certainly we desire to enter heaven. Jesus gives us the way to make it. It is to make our righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees and scribes. Now their righteousness consisted of the observance of laws and traditions. It was righteousness confined to legalism, that is, to follow the letter of the law. 2. Instead, we must go beyond, the letter to the spirit of the law. The letter gets caught with the details of the law. But the spirit goes behind and beneath, beyond and above, to the purpose and the aim of it. Their righteousness lacked the right intention and the depth of following the law. It was heartless and shallow 3. True following of the law blends together both the right intention and action, both the heart and life, both devotion and dedication, and both faith and charity. In other words, it is going from the minimum to the maximum. The minimum is to be bothered only about how to keep the law. But the maximum is concerned about how to live the law. The minimum thinks only of avoiding the negative, what is prohibited. But the maximum seeks to fulfill the positive, what is required, praiseworthy, and beneficial. 4. In the light of the gospel, the minimum is to avoid murder but the maximum is to avoid even the subtle forms of murder, like anger, humiliation, and offence. The minimum is to avoid or ignore the enemies or keep away from them, those who are not good to us. But the maximum is to take initiative to get reconciled with them. 5. In the light of the first reading from Ezekiel, true righteousness is to repent over the evil, turn to good and persevere in the good. Anyone who does not continue faithful to the good but turns away from it will incur God’s judgment. 6. Even if one has been righteous for long and then turns away from good and turns toward evil, he is liable to God’s punishment. The point here is not a mathematical comparison of how much good or evil. Or how long? Or which is more and longer? The whole issue is whether one turns away from evil and turns to good and remains steadfast in the good. Direction: We must constantly rise above practising devotions to experiencing devotion, rise above observing laws to living their spirit. What is important is not following a religion but following the Lord (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 26 FEBRUARY) Focus: Repentance to turn away from evil and perseverance in the good we have turned to, are both essential for a life pleasing to God 1. The judgment of God in the first reading from Ezekiel seems rather disconcerting, unreasonable, and unkind. In simple, a wicked man's past sins will not be counted, if he repents, and a good man's past good acts will not be counted, if he turns to evil. 2. We may not have much problem accepting the first case, because God is merciful. But, the second case is difficult to accept because it looks as if God is harsh in throwing away all the past good. Here let us not argue about it. 3. Here what is emphasized is: repent and turn to God, and persevere in the good. It is not a matter of how many good actions one does or how long one is good. Rather, consistently we must be loyal to God. 4. Our journey should be progressive and not regressive, that is, from evil to good and not from good to evil. This should be from the minimum to the maximum. This is very clear in the gospel: It is no more just doing what the letter of the law demands, but following its spirit. 5. We strive to be righteous holistically and not only legalistically, in contrast to the old way (Mt 5. 20). Following the letter is the minimum, but following the spirit, is the maximum. To avoid physical killing is the minimum, and to avoid even oral and psychological killing by anger and insult is the maximum. 6. To make an offering to God to please Him or reconcile with Him is the minimum, but to offer to God with a heart that is reconciled with the other, is the maximum. As long as one is satisfied with doing what is ordinary or what is normally expected, there is no greatness. 7. But one should go beyond, one should surpass the ordinary scale. One should constantly raise the heights of one’s virtue and quality of life. And this is the real persistence and stability in the path of righteousness, which God calls for in the first reading. Direction: In a society that always seeks minimum trouble and maximum profit, less effort, and more effect, we are called to be persons with maximum commitment, irrespective of self-interest. 04 MARCH 2023: DEUT 26. 16-19; MATTHEW 5. 43-48 Pivot: Fidelity counts the most! Indicative: Often we are caught up with human considerations, calculations, evaluations, and courses of action. But we need to look up to God’s ways 1. There is a lot of unnoticed superficiality in the human mentality. In terms of philosophy, it is the failure to get into and see deeply the deeper realities of life. In reference to the first reading, many look at the commandments, decrees, and statutes as matters only of religion and ethics. They consider them as clusters of do’s and do not’s. The laws are felt as burdens. Hence there is always a hidden sense of resentment and resistance 2. Subsequently, there is always a tendency to follow only what the letter of the law says, and search for any possible loopholes to break them and do away with them. That is why today God invites us for a different perspective and approach. 3. The commandments are not only written directives but essentially ways of relating with God and others. Thereby they become expressions of relationship. They are not merely following some rules but the mode of being and ways of doing and living 4. The main point is not whether we are keeping the law or breaking it. It is rather whether we are living our identity of belonging to God and living as people in relationship with God. This is a holistic perspective 5. In such an integral perspective of living, there is no discrimination, hatred, inequality, or harm to others. There is only love and equity. There is magnanimity to be good and do good even to the enemies Imperative: God calls us to seek perfection after His model. His perfection is not in terms of worldly competence or excellence but in terms of love and benevolence (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 12 MARCH) Focus: True religion is true faith. True faith is nothing but living a life according to the statutes and commandments of God 1. True faith always aims at perfection. Perfect faith constantly strives to walk the path of perfection. Our God is perfect and we need to model our lives by nothing less than Him. That is why Jesus commands us, “You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. 2. Mark! This is not an appeal but an imperative, not an option but an obligation. If we are the children of God, if we are the followers of Christ, then we must try to imitate Him and resemble Him in His perfection. How to do this? 3. First, Be obedient and adherent to His statutes, rules, and commandments. Walk in God’s ways. Obey His voice. And this we must do with all our heart and all our soul. Second, Be holy before the Lord our God, just as He is holy. 4. Third, Be Equitable to all. God shows no discrimination against anyone. He avails His grace justly to all. Whether people are receptive and cooperative or not is another thing. Irrespectively, He lets His sun shine on all, be it good or evil; lets His rain fall on all, be it just or unjust. 5. Fourth, Be magnanimous: Love not only our friends and kinsmen but even our enemies. Pray for those who persecute us. It is a call to cut across our self-created barricades like friends - foes, kin - aliens. Direction: Amidst all the pulls and pressures of imperfections, we are called to tread the path of perfection. It consists of obedience, love, and magnanimity (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 27 FEBRUARY) Focus: The beauty, value, and perfection of life consist in love and equity. This is possible when it is modelled on God 1. True religion is not a matter of mere commandments and doctrines, but a way of life in a loving relationship with God. God enters into a covenant with us, whereby He becomes our God and we become His people. This is what is fundamental to all faith and spirituality: We belong to God and there is a total mutual owning - He owns us and we own Him. 2. Thereupon, we are unequivocally called to be like our God because we are His own possession. In Deuteronomy, God through Moses urges us: "You shall be a people holy to the Lord your God”. In this sense, commandments, precepts, and observances become not restrictions but expressions of love and fidelity. 3. This bonding and fidelity entail us to constantly orient and model our life on Him so that we become more like Him. Jesus exhorts us: Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. We have a model nothing less than the Father Himself. 4. Concretely it means to manifest a love that is undiscriminating. True love is like God's love which has no confines or boundaries. It is not conditioned by human calculations or niceties or biases. It goes beyond the narrow boundaries of my people, relatives, friends, or 'useful’ people, and extends even to enemies. 5. This implies a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, in contrast to revenge and retaliation; a spirit of magnanimity in giving and doing the maximum, more than expected and required. It also calls us to manifest a sense of equity and fairness towards all, making no distinction or discrimination between friend or foe, good or bad 6. Thus, to become perfect means to constantly model our life on God's mindset, His mercy and compassion, His going beyond the minimums and dry obligations, and His perfection, and this is the culmination of true devotion and charity. Rightly the sweet saint St Francis de Sales affirms: "Charity is the perfection of devotion".

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 2023

I SUNDAY LENT, 26 FEBRUARY 2023, GEN 2. 7-9, 3. 1-7; ROM 5. 12-19; MATTHEW 4. 1-11 Pivot: Tempted and Tested and Proved! Indicative: The Lord himself was tempted. This fact shows not his weakness but his solidarity with us. Thereby he also shows us the way to overcome them 1. The question of temptation is not centred on the number, sequence, or time of temptations. What is most important to note is that Jesus also was subjected to temptation. Hence, temptation is a human reality, part of human life, and fragility. To be tempted in itself is not wrong. And we need not feel uneasy or ashamed of being tempted, as some do. But what to do? How to face it? This is what matters. 2. According to St Francis de Sales, there are three phases in every temptation; proposal, entertainment, and consent (yielding to). The temptations of Jesus would be the model/sample of temptations. The devil knows how to play with human psychology (the ego). He provokes the false self-pride, challenging, "If you are the Son of God". The three temptations are rather surface level with more basic underlying inclinations First Temptation: “Change stones into bread and satisfy your hunger” Two underlying temptations: 1) Using God-given power /gifts for lesser motives, self-interests, mere material/physical 2) Giving priority to the material/physical over the spiritual Our task is to confront and overcome the temptations as Jesus did: 1) Refuse to use God-given talents for lesser gains. Jesus does not use his divine power to satisfy his hunger, to bring out physical satisfaction. He is hungry, and it appears perfectly legitimate to use his power to alleviate his hunger. But Jesus makes discernment among the priorities. He discerns that it is not worth using his higher power for something lower. 2) Give priority to the spiritual (Word of God) - man does not live by bread alone. What nourishes a person is not the material but the spiritual. How often and how easily do we use our God-given talents, capacities, and resources, for self-interests or wrong ends or lower motives, or shallow profits? How many times do we readily give more importance to the physical and material concerns, over and above the spiritual? Second Temptation: “Throw yourself down from heights and God will send His angels and protect you unharmed” The underlying temptations: 1) Test God, 2) Show/display power, 3) Craving for recognition/cheap popularity; seeking self-glory Jesus confronted these temptations and overcame them: 1) Trust God 2) No making show/display of power 3) No craving for recognition but humility; only seeking God’s glory Very often we want and pressure God to act quickly in our favour, to grant us favours. We want Him to work wonders and miracles. We want Him to intervene immediately and spectacularly. If not, we easily become impatient, dissipated, and also are shaken in our faith. It is not sure, when people pray, whether it is asking Him to do our own will and plans, or surrendering to His holy will. How many of our intercessions and petitions are directed mostly to temporary, temporal, and material benefits and worldly gains? How many of us really pray for growth in holiness and goodness, in virtues and values? How often do we use even the spiritual occasions for self-projection and self-promotion? Third Temptation: “Bow down and worship me and I will give you power over everything in the world” Underlying temptations 1) The temptation here is to dethrone God from one’s heart, from the centre of life 2) To be disloyal to God (defection) 3) Pressure/attraction of material/worldly riches, power, position 4) Short-cuts (Jesus was to win/save the world by the way of the cross) How Jesus overcomes these temptations: 1) He ever enthrones God, only God at the centre: Nothing can be on the throne, can be at the centre, nothing can replace God on the throne of heart; Only God is the master and Lord. All worship and all serving/surrender to him alone 2) No being dominated or carried away by the worldly allurements and enticements 3) No disloyalty and no defection; never failing, ever faithful to God, come what may 4) No short-cuts for achieving the goal of salvation, but only through the loyal way, the way of the cross As disciples, we also pass through the same road when we are tempted to dethrone God or to take shortcuts for achieving some good. But in the face of some difficulty or adversity, some testing and trying time for the sake of faith or good, how easily we fail in our patience and perseverance! In the face of some worldly gain and immediate advantage, that is clearly contrary to our loyalty to God and Christian values, how fast do we succumb to defection, without a prick of conscience or justifying our infidelity in the name of human frailty? When assaulted by some self-gratifying temptations, how easily do we yield and indulge in them? In our family life or work life or personal life or social life, in our plans, decisions, and actions, how often do we deny God the central and primary place, but make money or worldly concerns very central? How often do we compromise on God's ways and values, for the sake of some momentary or monetary gains? Imperative: The greatness of our faith does not consist in not having temptations at all but confronting them and overcoming them with trust in God and surrender to Him, following the example of Jesus (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 06 MARCH Focus: The greatness of Christian life is not to have temptations at all but to face them, fight them, and overcome them 1. In today’s gospel, we have the episode of the temptations of Jesus. They are three. They take place in the wilderness. They happen after forty days of fasting and prayer. And soon after them, Jesus begins his public ministry. We can pick up different indicators from this temptations narrative. 2. One indicator: Temptations are willed or allowed by God. They form part of human life and divine mission. For we are told that Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted. Therefore, temptations are quite real in everyone’s life. No one is exempted. One need not feel guilty or ashamed of them. In the light of St Francis de Sales’ teaching, what makes one blameworthy is not having or getting temptations but entertaining, indulging in them, and consenting to them. 3. Second indicator: Jesus is in full solidarity with our human struggle. The fact that even Jesus himself was tempted shows that God partakes in the struggle of human fragility. He became one like us in everything except sin. Jesus is sinless and remains so. Yet this does not exempt him from the struggle to remain sinless. As divine, he is sinless. But as a human, he had to confront the assaults of the tempter. This is what makes him praiseworthy: he remains sinless even amidst a sinful situation. This makes both his divinity and humanity more convincing. His divinity shines amidst humanity and his humanity shines amidst divinity. 4. Third indicator: the temptations of Jesus are summary temptations. This would mean, they are not necessarily literally happened temptations. We are not sure whether Jesus was factually tempted to change stones into bread, to worship Satan to gain the whole world or to jump down from a height. Rather, they summarize the whole life struggle of Jesus. There were always temptations to use his divine power for self-interest, to test God, and to seek worldly riches and powers. 5. Fourth indicator: the temptations of Jesus are allusive to Israel in the OT (cf. Deut 8.3; 6. 13, 16). The first temptation about food alludes to Israel in the desert, how they grumble and complain about food and drink. The second temptation alludes to how Israel was allured by the world, the material possessions, and false gods time and again. The third temptation alludes to how Israel adamantly tests God despite all his numerous mighty works. 6. Fifth indicator: the temptations of Jesus are suggestive and indicative of our own temptations. In a simple way, the temptations of Jesus can be categorised as physical, social, and material. The temptation to change stones into bread, eat and thus satisfy hunger indicates our frequent temptation for physical things, like food and drink, physical pleasures, and easy and temporary gratifications. The temptation to jump down from the height and remain unharmed indicates our social temptation for name, fame, and popularity through shortcuts. 7. Sixth indicator: the crux of temptations is self-seeking and self-glory. In each of the three temptations, there is seeking self-interests and self-glory. It is in terms of physical satisfaction, material accumulation, and social recognition and domination. So often we are assaulted by these temptations. Just one glance is enough. We can easily see how these three temptations are ruling high. Flesh, power, money, and cheap glory dominate today’s world and the church is no exception. What then are the remedies? Follow the way of Jesus. Let the spiritual sublimate the physical: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord”. Let the trust in God overpower the tendency to test God: “Do not put God to the test”. Let loyalty to God surpass worldly allurements: “You shall worship the Lord your God alone”. Direction: In a life that is constantly attacked and even inflicted by temptations, let us arm ourselves with the weapons of prayer, fasting, and charity. They help us to cling to God, to be self-restrained and unselfishly self-giving