Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Bible Reflections I 01.07.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I
Readings:
I - Gen. 22:1-19
II - Mt. 9:1-8
THE PROUD REACTS, THE SIMPLE RESPONDS
In today’s Gospel we read about two different reactions among two different groups of people viz. the Scribes and the crowd. The scribes were the interpreters of law, learned and cleaver. The crowds, on the other hand were simple and common folk of Israel. Both witnessed the healing of the paralytic brought to Jesus. The Scribes, in their jealousy, pride and arrogance of heart could not appreciate the healing of the paralytic instead found fault in the healing words of Jesus and blamed that He was blaspheming. The crowds instead, in their openness and simplicity of heart were filled with awe and glorified God for giving such power to men.
An encouraging and appreciating word is the sign of recognition of the good that is accomplished. We seldom find people who are generous in appreciating the good of the other. The world is moving fast and no one has time for anyone to listen, observe or acknowledge. This is on one side and on the other there are people who are capable of finding fault in every word and deed for various reasons, may be out of sheer jealousy, hatred, pride, anger or prejudice. There are still another set of people who go beyond to spread negative comments and false rumors about the persons involved in doing good. To which of these category do we belong?
Let us do all the good we can, if we cannot do so, at least encourage others to do good and if we still cannot do both let us at least keep ourselves away from fault finding, insulting, spreading rumours and degrading, so that we may not be a hurdle or a stumbling block in the accomplishment of good deed in the society.
We are God’s people therefore learn to observe, recognise and magnify the good in the other and glorify God for the same
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Bible Reflections I 30.06.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings:
I - Gen. 21:5, 8-20
II - Mt. 8:28-34
THE PERVADING POWER OF PRESENCE
Good and evil, light and darkness, virtues and vices can never coexist. One vanishes in the presence of the other. This is the essence of the Gospel passage today. Evil can never resist the presence of all Holy, all Good and all Powerful. The demons could not resist the presence of Jesus and shouted, “Have you come here to torment us?” The presence of Jesus pervades to vanquish the darkness of evil and restores, fosters and promotes life, love, peace and joy in humanity.
In the light of this Gospel passage, let us reflect on our presence in our family and in the society. How does our presence effect our family and friends, kith and kin, dear and near ones? Do we in our kindness, love, understanding, comfort, consolation, gentleness, selflessness and sacrifice project God to them? If so, we are a beam of blessing and agents of joy to our family and friends, kith and kin, dear and near ones.
How does our presence effect the society? Are we by our presence able dispel the darkness of disbelief, discouragement, hopelessness, inequality, injustice, hunger and thirst in our society? If so, we are a ray of hope and agents of transformation in the society. Let us with the grace of God strive to become a beam of blessing and a ray of hope wherever we are effecting restoration of life and transformation in the society.
Monday, June 28, 2021
Bible Reflections I 29.06.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings:
I - Acts. 12:1-11
II - 2Tim. 4:6-8,17-18
III - Mt. 16:13 -19
ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL (Solemnity)
It takes courage, conviction and above all the grace of God to accept, confess and proclaim Jesus as our Messiah and our Lord. If we accept Jesus as our Messiah and commit to follow Him, we will like Him be abandoned by this world of vanity and false hope. Behold, the constant support and continual assistance of the Lord will accompany us till we complete our race and receive the eternal reward for which Jesus Christ has captured us. This is the central message of all three readings today.
The Church solemnises the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, the giants of Christianity and the great pillars of the Church. Simon Peter was an unlearned fisherman and Saul Paul was a learned Jewish fanatic who persecuted the Christians. Simon encountered the Lord and became Peter, the rock and the leader of the Church. Saul encountered the Lord and became Paul and the ‘apostle of the gentiles’. Both of them accepted Jesus as their Lord and Messiah and proclaimed Him vehemently through their words and deeds. Many were convinced of their emphatic preaching and became Christians. Their life and preaching infuriated the higher authority of the Government officials resulting in the martyrdom of the apostles. St. Peter was crucified upside down and St. Paul was beheaded. Both endured the same with a hope of eternal crown of glory that awaited them in the Paradise.
We too have accepted Jesus as our Lord in Baptism. Mere acceptance will not suffice. We are commanded to proclaim Jesus not in mere words but in our deeds of love as well “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another” (Jn.13:35). In our giving, sharing, forgiving, compassion, kindness, love, generosity and self-giving, people must identify that we are Christians. In our effort to live for the Lord, we would be swimming against the current, and fall a prey to warth of the world of compromises.
Let us not loose heart instead as St. Paul says, “always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully” (2Tim. 4:5). When we are faced with suffering and opposition, may our mind and heart be rejuvenated with the assuring promise of Our Lord Jesus Christ, “Behold I am always with you until the end of times” (Mt. 28:20).
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Bible Reflections I 28.06.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I
Readings:
I - Gen. 18:16-33
II - Mt. 8:18-22
READINESS TO RISK, READINESS TO RENOUNCE
The Scribes were interpreters of the law, drafted legal documents and involved in the administrative work. They were professionals, learned and the elite accustomed to sophistication and comfortable living. According to the Gospel passage today, a scribe approaches Jesus to follow Him. Jesus proposes readiness to risk even the basic necessities if he wished to follow him. When another of his disciple said that he wanted to go and burry his father, Jesus exhorts readiness to renounce even the basic relationship in the pursuit of following Him. Thus Jesus proposes readiness to risk even the basic necessities of life and readiness to renounce even the basic and primary relationship viz, the parental relationship as the criteria for being His follower.
Every Christian vocation is a call, commitment and a challenge. As Christians we are called to follow and imitate our Lord with an obligation to be His witnesses. In the pursuit of following and imitation, we may have to risk our safety, security, name, fame and status, say, even the basic necessities of life. We must be ready to renounce even basic parental relationship and be neutral in our search for service, equality, peace, justice and liberation. Affection and emotional attachments are often a great challenge to stand by the Lord as his disciple with the quest to follow Him.
Courage! Readiness to risk even the basic necessities and the readiness to renounce even the parental relationship is a great demand for being the disciple of Jesus and Christian living. Let us examine ourselves in the light of the Gospel passage today, and implore God’s grace to be His witnessing and authentic, as the Gospel says “Would-Be followers” of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Bible Reflections I 27.06.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I
Readings:
I - Wis. 1:13-15; 2:23-24
II - 2Cor. 6:7, 9, 13-15
III - Mk. 5:21-43
CARE AND SHARE; LOVE AND LIVE
Our God is God of life. He created all things so that they may exist and not perish is the streamline of all three readings today. Jesus in His care and compassion, shares His power in raising Jairus daughter and in healing the woman who was suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years and restores them back to life. St. Paul in the first reading invites us for sharing, citing the example of Jesus who chose poverty to make the mankind rich and worthy. In caring and sharing, life and humanity is restored in the society.
“The glory of God is human being fully alive” is the maxim of St. St. Irenaeus and the essence of Christianity with the core concepts of care, share, love and live. But when we analyse the current scenario, one takes delight in saving, receiving, hoarding, swindling and accumulating, at the cost of depriving the other even of their basic necessities. This is the cause for illiteracy, ignorance, inequality and injustice in the society. According to St. Paul, in sharing we bring about a ‘fair balance’ in the world that would infuse life and hope to the marginalised and the less fortunate.
There are people like Jairus and the woman, waiting in faith, for the sharing of our time, talent, money and material for their new life of transformation and restoration. Care to share, live to love thereby promote and foster a culture of life around us throbbing in hope and joy. Let us live and let live nurturing the culture of life around us.
Friday, June 25, 2021
Bible Reflections I 26.06.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I
Readings: I - Gen. 18: 1-15
II - Mt. 8: 5-17
JESUS HEALS A CENTURION’S SERVANT
Power of words and power of faith surpasses proximity of time and place is the central theme of the Gospel message today. The centurion though was a gentile was convinced that the word of the Lord has absolute authority of command to accomplish its purpose and would heal his servant - the power of word. He recognizes that Jesus was someone great and calls Him “Lord” which also means master while the learned and the cleaver of Israel failed to recognise this identity of Jesus - power of faith. The power of the words of Jesus and the power of the faith of the centurion finally heals the servant.
Words spoken can be a prayer, a blessing, a curse, an appreciation, a deterrence, a praise, a gossip, a truth or a lie. Words can heal, hurt, build, break, confront, console, frustrate and encourage. Words have such power and would definitely have their own effect and impact. The words of Jesus was always life giving, life promoting and life enhancing. In this light let us examine the quality of our words. St. James in his epistle says, “The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits” (Jas. 3:5). Let our tongues be trained to testify that we are children of God in the words that we use and utter for every word we utter has a great power.
Do we, like the centurion realise that God can do all things in our lives. In the letter to the Hebrews we read, “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). In our every turn and turbulence of our life let us hope in the Lord for “all things are possible to him who believes” (Mk. 29:3). Take some time to sit back and cherish on the marvelous work of the Lord in our lives, it would just be amazing. It’s worth trusting him than any other thing or person. May the Lord gift us with His faith for a happy and joyful life as we in the silence of our heart repeat saying, “Lord Jesus increase my faith in you’
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Bible Reflections I 25.06.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna
Readings: I - Gen. 17:1, 5, 9-10, 15-22
II - Mt. 8:1-4
JESUS CLEANSES A LEPER
The Gospel passage of the day is about the cleansing of a leper. The lepers were considered as sinners and outcasts in the Jewish society. They lived in the outskirts of the town. They were forbidden to have any contact with the people who had no leprosy. As Jesus was accompanied by great crowds, a leper accosted Jesus with great courage saying, “Lord if you choose, you can make me clean”. Jesus with great compassion touched him and said, “I do choose. Be made clean”. The courage of the leper and the compassion of Jesus restored the leper back to his normal life.
In the Letter to the Hebrews we read, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Heb. 2:18). But, there are times when the burden of the problems block us completely from raising our hearts and minds to God. We get drowned in a thimble of water and struggle, instead let us have courage to place all our trust and hope in the Lord for he can wipe away every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:4). God in His compassion wishes that we be healed and relieved from all sin, sickness, problems, worries, anxieties, guilt, fear and be restored to our identity as children of God.
Let us bring all our problems unto the mighty hands of God with great courage and wait for His compassion by repeating the prayer the leper in the silence of our hearts, “Lord Jesus if you choose you can solve my problem (mention your problem)”.
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Bible Reflections I 24.06.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I
Readings: I – Is. 49: 1-6
II – Acts. 13: 22-26
III – Lk. 1: 57-66; 80
NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (Solemnity)
The Church solemnises only three birthday viz. Blessed Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist and that of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because the three had a significant and specific role in the history of Salvation. Blessed Virgin Mary, to be the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ the redeemer of the world. Today we celebrate the feast of the solemnity of the nativity of St. John the Baptist.
God calls us by name even before we were formed in the mother’s womb and sets us apart for a particular purpose with the promise of this assured assistance and predominant protection is the main stream of all three readings today. Zachariah’s son is named as ‘John’, a name given by God Himself. He comes to the world with the mission of preparing the way of the Lord, the Messiah and the promised one. His life will be tough but as in the first reading, he would reap his reward from the God who sent him with a purpose.
God has a master and mighty plan for every child right from its knitting in the mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13). He calls and choses us even before we were formed in the mother’s womb (Jer. 1:5) for a specific purpose. And this purpose is very, unique, different and original for every person. The purpose might be challenging, for to live for God is to live in the hatred of the people of the world. If we analyse in the light of the lives of the legends in the Bible, the saints and the people of our time who had opted to live as per the teachings of the Lord, have left us with one common message: to serve the Lord is to suffer for the Lord. Take Courage. Dare to live and suffer for the Lord because, “this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come” (Heb. 13:14) and we have the assurance of the Lord with us, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20). The reward is great in Heaven (Mt.: 5:12) for all those who strive to opt and live by the teachings of the Lord.
As we celebrate the solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, let us interrogate ourselves, “Have I discovered my purpose here on earth?”
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Bible Reflections I 23.06.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna
Readings: I - Gen. 15: 1-12; 17-18
II - Mt. 7: 15-20
A TREE AND ITS FRUIT
In today’s Gospel Jesus cautions us not to be deceived by impressing gestures and appealing words of the hypocritical people around us. He also gives us a clue to discover their hypocrisy with the simple metaphor, “a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree good fruit”. Integrity of the people testify their quality and credibility while disintegrity cause incredibility and bad reputation.
St. Francis of Assisi would say, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words”. Preaching Gospel at all times is nothing but to walk the talk, make it a way of living and that is spirituality. Mere preachers of a religion are not more than a ‘salesperson’; for a salesperson promote a product while the preacher promote a religion.
As Christians with an obligation to preach the gospel, it is easy to speak about God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and benevolence. It is not in preaching alone should people discover us that we are Christians but in our actions as well. Jesus says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:35).
If we are Christians and God’s people then we have it prove it in our love, mercy and forgiveness to one another as St. John in his epistle exhorts, “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1Jh. 4:7). Let us go beyond our likes and dislikes, hate none, love all, forget discords and forgive one another and prove to the world that we are Christians and God’s people fostering hope and joy. We are good trees and cannot but yield only good fruits. May place all our trust in the Lord for His grace to bear only good fruits.
Monday, June 21, 2021
Bible Reflections I 22.06.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings:
I - Gen. 13: 2, 5-18
II - Mt. 7: 6 , 12-14
THE GOLDEN RULE AND THE NARROW GATE
To the spinning world of competition and success that aspire for short cuts, instants, ready-mades, cozy corners and comfort zones to achieve their goals, Jesus gives a jerk by proposing a ‘narrow path’ that would definitely lead to eternal life and happiness. With the golden rule, “in everything do to others as you would have them do to you”. Jesus intends a win-win strategy for a blissful living against the existing win-lose strategy.
To treat the other like as we treat ourselves is a challenging narrow path. It is difficult but not impossible. We care for our name, fame, reputation, respect and honour but do we wish the same for the other? The ‘I’ in us is so predominant that we promulgate and pamper it at the cost of negative criticism, cutting remarks, false accusation, rash judgment and ridiculous rumors towards others making their precious life a difficult and impossible one to live. This is what Jesus calls as ‘broad path’, easy but leads to destruction. Jesus through the Gospel passage invites us to travel through the ‘road less travelled’ by overcoming our jealousy, selfishness, pride and arrogance.
Encouraging words, wishing the good of the other, a bit of appreciation and praise, prioritizing others needs to our own, positive outlook on others and generous forgiveness especially to those whom we don’t love enough or don’t love at all is difficult. This is narrow path that requires courage and a large heart. Dare to tread it with grace, prayer and above all with a bit of love for a bit of love can set all things right. In the silence of our hearts let us pray: “Lord Jesus fill my heart with your love”.
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Bible Reflections I 21.06.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I
Readings: I - Gen. 12: 1-9
II - Mt. 7: 1-5
JUDGING OTHERS
According to the teachings of the Jewish tradition the Jewish people believed that God used two measures to judge His people viz. measure of justice and measure of mercy. Whichever measure they used on the others would be measure that God will use upon them. This is what Jesus says in today’s Gospel passage: “For the judgment you make you will be judged”.
All of us are imperfect with wrongdoings and shortcomings and are unworthy to pass any judgment. As the Psalmist would say, “If you O Lord should mark our guilt, who will survive?” (Ps. 130:3). In the letter of St. James we read, “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you" (Jas: 2:13). The One who is all perfect and has the right to judge, restrains as the scripture says, ”The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in mercy”. (Ps. 145:8)
When we are prone to pass judgment on anybody, let us hold on, reverse it upon ourselves and examine, if the judgment befit us we have no right to make judgment on others. This is the teaching par excellence of Jesus. Jesus said to the ravaging crowd that brought the woman caught in the very act of committing adultery, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jh. 8:7). While Jesus was hanging on the cross amidst the murderers said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34). When we are pushed to pass judgment upon others we have two options: Either to examine ourselves in the light of the accusation we make on others or to forgive, modelled after the example of Jesus our Lord. As Jesus exhorts let us “be merciful even as the Heavenly Father is merciful”. (Lk.6:36)
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Bible Reflections I 20.06.2021- Sunday I Indraya Manna
Readings:
I - Job 38: 1-4, 8-11
II - 2Cor 5: 14-17
III - Mk. 4: 35-41
JESUS STILLS A STORM
The Poet Tennyson would thus say about God, “Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet”. God and man coexist and are inseparable. God is the author of our lives, our Father, our Redeemer and our sustainer. All we need is to stand firm and steadfast in this faith is the mainstream of all three readings today. Our God is all knowing and all powerful as revealed to Job in the first reading, He is all loving that He did not spare His only Son in restoring our identity as children of God as St. Paul says in the second reading and He is Immanuel - God with us as he was with His disciples in the Gospel reading today. Because we are precious to Him (Is. 43:4), the apple of His eye (Zec. 2:8) and He has carved us in the palm of His hands (Is. 49:16) so that we are never forgotten by Him.
Our life too like a boat is tossed by the turbulence of various trials. Now with the pandemic and its consequences viz. lay off, retrenchment, unplanned medical expenses, loos of loved ones, psychological trauma; the advent of new academic year and its consequences viz. school fees, expenditure on text books and note books; other fears, anxiety and worries can encircle like a whirlwind challenging our faith and trust in God. Let us not get panicked rather constantly keep repeating in our hearts: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold” (Ps. 46:11)
Friday, June 18, 2021
Bible Reflections I 19.06.2021 - SATURDAY I Indraya Manna I
Readings: I - 2Cor. 12:1-10
II - Mt. 6: 24-34
DO NOT WORRY
The Gospel passage comes as an invitation to trust in the Providence of God and strive for God’s Kingdom and righteousness. God’s righteousness in His Kingdom is that everyone gets everything. The wealth of the world is not the privilege of the few but a gift to everyone. As the children of the Father, no one can deprive anyone from sharing the wealth of the world. Hence the Gospel passage is an invitation to both the rich and the poor alike.
The rich are worried about their wealth. They accumulate wealth for various reasons viz. security, safety, status, prestige and power without giving a second thought about God and His Providence. To the rich it is an invitation to sharing, giving, empowering and caring placing all their trust in the Father who provides. The poor are marginalised and deprived even of basic necessities. They worry about basic necessities forgetting that there is a Father above and His Providence. To the poor it is an invitation to hope, have courage and trust in the Father who cares. When both accept the invitation there is fraternity, reciprocity and equality. And this is Kingdom of God where only God’s righteousness reign.
Giving up is a challenge. Let us dare to take it up for we have saints who have walked the way. St. Thomas Becket, son of a wealthy commoner, gave away all his power, position and riches and committed himself to work for the Church especially in helping the poor. St. Katherine Drexel became a nun, gave away all her inheritance to start a congregation that would work for the poor blacks and the American Indians. St. Francis of Assisi, son of a rich cloth merchant, abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christ in helping the lepers and the poor. They were able to do so because they realised that all are children for one Father in Heaven. As Jesus exhorts, let us strive for this and as he had promised the rest will fall in line.
May we in the silence of our heart constantly keep praying as Jesus taught us, “Your Kingdom come Lord”
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Bible Reflections I 18.06.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - 2Cor. 11:18, 21-30
II - Mt. 6: 19-23
THE SOUND EYE
‘It is better to light lamp than to curse the darkness’ is a familiar proverb. Yes, light dispels darkness. Jesus in today’s Gospel says that the eye is the lamp of the body. Eye is the most powerful input and output organ of the body system comparatively. What enters the eye, fill our body, mind and heart and we conduct ourselves accordingly. For example; David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful…thus goes the bible verse (II Sam. 11:2). On account of seeing, David sins with Bathsheba, kills his husband Uriah, earns God’s wrath and loses his son. So if the eye if filled with whatever is base, mean and filth, we will be stumbling in darkness of despair, depression and discouragement and stumble the path of others as well. When the eye is filled with all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable, the attributes mentioned by St. Paul in his letter to the Church at Philippi (Phil. 4:8), we will be aglow, transmitting the grace, mercy, love and compassion of God and help all around us to walk in our light leading them to the light of God. For example, When Jesus looked up (Lk. 19:5) the sycamore tree to look into the eyes of Zacchaeu, the life of Zacchaeus, the tax collector was transformed. It is better to guard our eyes than to let our whole life go a waste and disgrace.
Constant trimming and kindling is required for a lamp to shine bright. Similarly, if we wish to be sparkling with the grace and spirit of God, we must be vigilant about what we see and perceive. What we see defines and describes our life. Therefore, be vigilant and on the guard to carry the light of God in our eyes to radiate the lives of people around us.
Let us today intensify our prayer for the people who are addicted to pornography, online games, movies, bad literature and the like that they may be enlightened by the love and grace of God.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Bible Reflections I 17.06.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I
Readings: I - 2Cor. 11:1-11
II - Mt. 6: 7-15
CONCERNING PRAYER - OUR FATHER
Jesus subverts the relationship between God and the people of Israel “we are your people and you are our God” to a relationship of sonship by calling God, “Our Father”. A paradigm shift from ‘God’ to ‘Father’. The father knows to care for his children even without being asked hence there is no necessity for multiplicity of words. Through His prayer “Our Father” Jesus teaches us how to be God’s responsible children in realising the Kingdom of God here on earth. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Mt. 6:33) is the central theme of the Gospel passage today.
The deepest desire and the driving dream of Jesus was, “Kingdom of God” based on freedom, fraternity and justice. In His prayer, Jesus’ teaches us to pray to the Father to make us befitting to behold this great responsibility of restructuring the world starting from each one of us. To understand the prayer better let us reflect on the last three invocations of the prayer.
The first of the last three is about forgiveness. Impeding God’s forgiveness on conditional basis. So we forgive so shall we also be forgiven. There is no choice but to forgive if we wish to be forgiven. Forgiveness liberates. With forgiveness we become free children of God. As free children of God we are called to choose between the good and apparently good, the worldly values and the Gospel values. The worldly values are alluring while the Gospel values are challenging. To stand by the worldly values to sustain in the world or to stand alone with the Gospel values is the constant temptation. Jesus teach us to pray to the Father not to lead us to this temptation but to stand steadfast in His values of love, peace, generosity, humility, honesty, hope, joy and foster fraternity.
In every temptation we have three choices viz. to compromise, to yield to the world and to yield to God. In the last invocation we plead for God’s grace to resist these temptations and yield to God alone so that there reigns justice and order in the world. Our striving for freedom, fraternity and justice can actualize the dream of Jesus, the Kingdom of God, where His name is honoured and His will prioritized. This is a warfare for which we are strengthened and supported by God’s the Word of God, the daily bread that sustains in our daily journey and we plead to God for this bread to fight the battle in bringing up God’s reign here on earth.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Bible Reflections I 16.06.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings:
I - 2Cor. 9:6-11
II - Mt. 6: 1-6, 16-18
CONCERNING ALMS GIVING, PRAYER AND FASTING
Through today’s Gospel passage Jesus tries to alter the human focus from earthly reward to heavenly reward while practicing the acts of piety. Since these acts of piety viz. almsgiving, prayer and fasting are attributed to God, they must be accomplished with an undivided attention and utmost concentration solely with the intention of pleasing God alone unlike the hypocrites and the Pharisees who sort for human appreciation and applause.
Once an elderly priest encountered me for a casual chat and as we were about to part he said, “even if the whole world hails you and still God says, ‘my son you have disappointed me’ you’ve failed as a child of God. Instead if the whole world despises you and God says, ‘my son. I’m pleased with you’. You have achieved all as a child of God. The choice is yours”. The praises of the world does not follow us up to heaven. It is our intention and attitude that will follow to gain merit in the sight of the Lord
When once St. John of the Cross was praying, Jesus asked him, “What would you like to have from me for all you have done and all you have suffered?” John replied, “Lord, to suffer and be despised for you”. “It is better to be the child of God than king of the whole world” says St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Like these saints, do we have the courage to forego the praises, glory and honour of this world to gain all of them from God alone? . In every one of our act let us examine ‘For whom I am doing this? Whom do I want to please?” This is the wisdom of heart and grace of God. May the Lord give us the grace to choose to please God alone in all our thoughts, words and deeds and prove ourselves to be the children of God.
Monday, June 14, 2021
Bible Reflections I 15.06.2021- Tuesday I Indraya Manna
Readings: I - 2Cor. 8:1-9
II - Mt. 5:43-48
LOVE FOR ENEMIES
Claiming to be people of God or children of God vests in being like God especially in extending our love even to our enemies is the crux of the Gospel passage today. The commandment of God to the people of Israel from the book of Leviticus was, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself”. They inferred this command according to their convenience and said, “Hate your enemy” though there were expressed command of God to the contrary as we find in Ex. 23:4 and Deu. 23:7. The Law breakers or those who failed to abide by the commandment of God were considered as sinners and outcasts.
Thee tax collectors were considered as sinners. They were good to the people who were good to them and never otherwise. The gentiles were regarded as outcast because they failed to live by the Law. As per the Gospel passage if we love only those who love us we are not better than the sinners and the outcast.
The paradoxical yet practical preaching of Jesus proposes to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Is it possible to love and pray for those who offend, scoff, revile, falsely accuse, spread rumors, gossip and drag our name in vain to the point of making our life difficult and disastrous? Jesus is our model par excellence in this regard who forgave even His executioners. We do have exemplary people even in this era following this teaching to inspire and encourage besides being a witness to Christian living.
Gladyss stains forgave the killers of her husband and two children burning them alive though they did no mistake than to take care of the lepers there as missionaries from Australia, Saint Pope John Paul II forgave Mehmet Ali Agca who shot him with the intention of killing him, the family of Sr. Rani Maria forgave and embraced Samadar Singh the assassin.
A bit of love can set our life for a legendry living of forgiveness. It is in loving everyone beyond our likes and dislikes, friends and foes, whims and fancies can we imitate our Father in Heaven and claim ourselves to be children of God the Father. In the silence of our hearts let us pray: “Lord Jesus inflame my heart with you love”.
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Bible Reflections I 14.06.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna
Readings: I - 2Cor. 6:1-10
II - Mt. 5:38-42
CONCERNING REVENGE
According to the Law of Moses concerning revenge, evil inflicted has to be paid back with the same density of evil viz. an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But Jesus, the New Moses gives a new law reversing and replacing the one that existed. Not to retaliate but to resist the evil doer with our good deeds.
Revenge, Tit for tat, revolt is the existing norm of present scenario. Jesus instructs us to conquer evil with goodness. If we try to walk by the Gospel passage today we might be ridiculed and labelled as foolish and coward. If we dare to be Christians we should also dare to abide by the teachings of Jesus that calls us to challenge the existing world order. Forgiving the one offended, walking an extra mile for the good of one that manipulates, wishing the good of the one that inflicts evil is of course a challenge and a risk. The Bible says “Jesus went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). With the grace of God let us aspire to go about doing good modelled after our Master and Lord Jesus Christ.
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Bible Reflections I 13.06.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I
Readings:
I - Ezk. 17: 22-24
II - 2Cor. 5: 6-10
III - Mk. 4: 26-34
THE PARABLE OF THE GRWOING SEED AND THE MUSTARD SEED
The First and the Gospel reading of the day portray God as a gardener who plants a twig on lofty mountain top and scatters the seeds respectively. The twig and the seeds are God’s choice of people for a specific purpose. Israel to behold the Promised One, the Messiah and the New Israel for the purpose of gathering all people unto God and into His Kingdom. As people of God it is our responsibility to please Him by walking in His way by faith is the guideline given by St. Paul in the Second Reading.
The mustard that Jesus speaks of is tiny in size and it is a symbol of faith. Tiny deeds done in faith can have ripple effect on people we live around transforming our earth a heaven as the 19th century poet in her poem ‘Little Things’ say:
“Little deeds of kindness
Little words of love
Make our earth an Eden
Like the heaven above”
As we live our lives so we sow the seed of the Word of God and God in His time will make it grow as St. Paul would say, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow” (1Cor. 3:6). An encouraging nod, an appreciating word, a compassionate look, a gentle pat, silent presence, a kind gesture and above all a loving heart has a great power to touch and transform the world paving way for the heaven on earth. As people of God let us trust Lord, touch the life of the people and transform the world for the better.
Friday, June 11, 2021
Bible Reflections I 12.06.2021 - Saturday I IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY I Indraya Manna I
Readings: I - Is. 61: 9-11
II - Lk. 2: 41-51
IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - Memorial
The feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary follows the Feast of the Sacred of Jesus for Mary loved Jesus more than anybody could on the earth. Mary’s love for Jesus surpasses and supersedes the love of all other human being. Her love for Jesus was a combination of affection and devotion. Affection as her own son and devotion as Son of God. Today’s Gospel passage is about the hurting response of Jesus to His anxious parents about the loss of their son, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Mary was unperturbed. She kept everything in her heart and pondered. To the question of an ordinary mother Jesus responds as a Son of God. Mary had to integrate the dichotomy as her only son and the only Son of God though she was not able to grasp. With the wisdom of heart she withstood by her son at all stages of his life with perfect understanding and love.
We are living in a reality where the expectations of mother and children are outweighing one another resulting in disappointment, abandonment and strained relationship. The love of the mother manifests the love of God Himself as Gandhiji would often say, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers”. The love of the mother is most of the times taken for granted. We are living in a scenario where mothers sheltered in old age homes, children feeling shy to introduce their mothers to their friends for a number of reasons, rashly judging them based on hearsay or no reason. Mary was with Jesus in supporting him and sustaining him at all times and the Bible tells that Jesus was obedient to his parents (Lk. 2:51). May the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary enlighten both the mothers and the children that, the mothers may understand their children and help them to grow up in the way God has designed for them without any self-interest or selfishness and that the children be obedient in cooperating with their mothers in realising God’s plan for them.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Bible Reflections I MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS I 11.06.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Hosea 11:1-4,8-9
II - Eph. 3: 8-12, 14-19
III - Jn. 19: 31-37
MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS – Solemnity
World Day of Prayer for Priests
St. Paul in his first letter to the Church at Corinth speaks about the characteristics of love (13:1-13) and St. John in his epistle says the God is love (IJn. 4:6). Jesus is ‘Man-God’ and personification of that unseen and unfathomable love of God. This is the crux of the feast the Church solemnises today - The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus gave up his life to the point of shedding even the last drop of his blood to save us as the Gospel reading of the day goes. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends” (Jh. 15:13) and “demonstrated his own love for us in this we were still sinners” (Rom. 5:8) and unworthy to be called as his friends.
In the first reading today God says to the people of Israel, “The more I called them, the more they went from me”. The expressions of God’s love in our lives are inexplicable as the Psalmist say, “were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted” (Ps. 40:5). If we turn back the pages of our life to count for God’s blessings, we will be amazed and astounded and behold they are the perfect expressions of God’s benevolent love for us. Have we not like the people of Israel taken His love for granted in sheer coldness, ingratitude, pride and wilful neglect?
The Holy Bible says, “He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation” (Is. 61:10); “you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you” (Is. 43:4); “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God’ (Is. 62:3). Am I worthy enough to befit this unconditional and absolute love?
If we are able to grasp His gratuitous love for us we will be able to fulfill the commandment of Jesus, “love one another as I have loved you” without setting any condition, parameter, standard or bench mark for our love towards others. In this our love then, we will be able to prove to the world that we are disciples of Jesus. Let our hearts today resonate with this prayer, “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, make my heart like yours”.
Today let us in a special way intensify our prayers for the priests as we keep the World Day of Prayer for Priests. Let us thank the Lord for all the priests who sacrifice even their life in tending the flock of God entrusted to them with utmost love and care. We have lost so many priests during this pandemic. May the Lord grant them eternal rest.
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Bible Reflections I 10.06.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - 2Cor. 3:15-4:1,36
II - Mt. 5:20-26
CONCERNING ANGER
The murders are liable for judgment but in today’s Gospel Jesus says that the one who is angry with her brother or sister is liable to judgment. He goes a step further and insists to leave the offering at the altar and go to reconcile with the person who has something against this person. Through this powerful sermon Jesus enlightens the humanity that love of God and love of neighbour are inseparable and that they are two sides of the same coin.
Insults inflicted and words spoken in anger can incapacitate, mutate and invalidate persons to the point of leaving them dead while they are still alive. Hence anger tantamount to murder. Jesus proposes reconciliation as a rudiment to quench anger and foster peaceful living. Reconciliation is to be resorted not only when we hurt others in our anger but also when we realise that others have something towards us. This requires humility. Jesus says, “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt. 11:29). Anger comes from pride and reconciliation from a humble heart.
May the Lord Jesus teach us to be humble so that hatred, anger, rancor, resentment and violence can be resolved in reconciliation and peace restored. Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”. Getting angry is our weakness but feeling sorry for the same is Godliness. Let us repent, reconcile and recourse to peaceful living for we are children of God.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Bible Reflections I 09.06.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings: I - 2Cor. 3:4-11
II - Mt. 5:17-19
THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS
Israel was chosen to walk by the law and wait for the promised one in prophesy. Jesus, the long awaited Messiah came as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets but in the stubbornness of their heart, the Scribes and the Pharisees refused to behold the promised one in Jesus. They were adamant in holding on to the difficult and multiplied version of the law than to accept its simplified and condensed version given by Jesus to love God and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus through his love and life proved that this commandment is possible to observe and through today’s Gospel passage invites us to observe and exhorts us to help others to in observing the same.
The secrets of the Kingdom are revealed to mere children and are hidden from the learned and the clever (Mt. 11:25). If we wish to be great in the Kingdom of God we have to just feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, cloth the naked, care for the sick and visit those in the prison (Mt. 25:35-40). In this way we certainly outdo not only the Scribes and the Pharisees but also the hypocrites of our time as well. For whatever we do to the least of our brethren we do unto God Himself (Mt.25: 40). Let us in the simple acts of our kindness and charity try to become great in the kingdom of God.
Monday, June 7, 2021
Bible Reflections I 08.06.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings: I - 2Cor. 1:18-22
II - Mt. 5:13-16
SALT AND LIGHT
Technology addiction, enormous self-love, cut-throat competitions, power obsession, false pride and vain glory have marooned the lives of people making them mechanical. Hence there is a decline in the nuances of humanness and human values leading to a tasteless, colourless, purposeless and meaning less life. In this scenario, according to today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to make the marooned life colourful and meaningless life purposeful by being a light and the salt of the earth.
As Christians we have the responsibility to testify to the world that it is in sharing and not accumulating; it is in giving and not in receiving; it is in synergy and not in success; and it is in solidarity and not in aloofness, can we make our life colourful and purposeful. It takes a lot of courage to go against the current carrying the light of Christ to savour the lives of the people living in darkness and despair. Courage! Our Lord Jesus Christ, “the Light of the world” is with us and walks ahead of us so that we may not stumble but walk steadily in His light lighting the lights of love, peace, joy, happiness, hope and forgiveness thereby savouring the lives of people we encounter.
May the grace and blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ support, sustain and strengthen us in this our striving to be a light and the salt of the earth.
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Bible Reflections I 07.06.2021- Monday I Indraya Manna
Readings: I - 2Cor. 1:1-7
II - Mt. 5:1-12
THE BEATTITUDES
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls those labelled and branded by the world as ‘cursed’, ‘ill-fated’ and a ‘threat’ because they choose to live by high ideals of life, as ‘Blessed’, encourages and consoles them with the reward that awaits them. With the Sermon on the Mount Jesus sets the parameter for Gospel living, the sufferings on its account and the reward for enduring false accusations and sufferings inflicted on this accord.
Whenever we are pushed into tight corner in our choices for decision making, may we dare to choose God again and again and suffer for the same so that we may hear in the silence of our hearts God calling us ‘Blessed’ and filling us with His peace and joy. In our striving to live for God we may have to suffer but let us remember that we have Christ with us to standby, understand, help and support, for the Scripture says, “since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us as we are being tested” (Heb. 2:18) and prove ourselves as Christians and the followers of Jesus. May we in the silence of our hearts keep praying the prayer of Jesus, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all that is evil”.
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Bible Reflections I 06.06.2021 - MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST - SOLEMNITY I
Readings
I - Ex. 24: 3-8
II - Heb. 9: 11-15
III - Mk. 14: 12-16, 22-28
MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST - SOLEMNITY
The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ signifies the gradual transition of the Old Covenant of God with His people Israel through Moses - "You are my people and I will be your God” to the New Covenant with us, the New Israel through Jesus, the New Moses as “Children of God”, confirmed in the blood of Jesus.
Today’s Gospel passage is about the celebration of the Passover and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. At the outset of the celebration of the Passover Jesus says, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Lk. 22:15). His desire in the Institution of the Holy Eucharist that assures us of His continual presence with us forever until the end our time.
After the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God”. An expression of His commission in building up a new world order. Thus Eucharist become a sign and symbol of His presence and mission.
As Christians and the followers of Jesus, every time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, we are assured of God's presence with us and are commissioned to establish a new world order where freedom, fraternity and justice reign. We are prone to go by the existing world order and enjoy the temporary peace that the world offers.
But Jesus assuring His continual presence with us, commissions for a new world that implies saying ‘no’ to corruption, selfishness, casteism, racism, violence, revenge, exploitation, hatred and oppression and enjoy His everlasting peace. It’s a warfare between the friends of Jesus and the friends of the world. May we fight the battle with Jesus, hoping to raise our cup joyously with Him at the celebration of our eternal life with Him.
Friday, June 4, 2021
Bible Reflections I 05.06.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Tobit. 12:1,5-15,20
II - Mk. 12:38-44
JESUS DENOUNCES THE SCRIBES AND PRAISES THE WIDOW
The Gospel passage of the day proposes two models of personality viz., the Scribes, noble and respectable persons but mere preachers and a widow, poor and insignificant but practitioner of the law. The former is the model of hypocrisy and the latter is the model of spirituality. One took delight in vain glory the other in the generous giving as the scripture says, giving up all that she had to live on, the two copper coins. It is the attitude that takes precedence over our actions.
We are living in the reality that is so much influenced by the ‘culture of publicity’. There are so many corporates, consultants and agencies besides the SNS platform that are working for the same cause. Scientific and technological developments have made publicity a click/tab away. Still we do find people like the poor widow, going about doing good out of their way noticed by none but God alone. For instance, during this pandemic we did find ordinary common people helping the affected out of humanity and not publicity by providing physical, moral and spiritual support by contributing their mite.
Somee have also volunteered to help even at the cost of risking their lives by offering frontline services or by providing a decent burial to the deceased. May God be glorified in their generosity. As Christians we are called to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ shunned publicity either while performing the miracles or while preaching in the public or when the people wanted to make him a king. Modelled after our Lord Jesus Christ may we live our lives challenging the existing culture of publicity.
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Bible Reflections I 04.06.2021 - Friday I
Readings: I - Tobit 11:5-15
II - Mk. 12:35-37
THE QUESTION ABOUT DAVID’S SON
In today’s Gospel we read Jesus quoting the Scripture to prove that He is not merely David’s Son but God’s own Son. The prophecy about the Promised One, the long await Messiah was already fulfilling in the person of Jesus. But in their stubbornness of heart, the Scribes, the Pharisees, the Chief Priests and the elders refused to accept this truth because of sheer jealousy, pride and prejudice. For in them was fulfilled the prophecy of Prophet Isaiah, “you will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving” (Isaiah 6:9).
We are not very much different from those hypocrites. We too wish to hear only what is pleasing and see what is satisfying. We even try to shun from our family and friends, dear and beloved ones because their truth hurt us. We pamper our inflated ego, enormous pride and escalated prejudice to hate people who are different from us and bypass the hurting truth that come from them. May the Lord grace us with an open mind and heart to understand what we hear and to perceive what we see accepting the uniqueness and difference in every person in our search for truth.
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Bible Reflections I 03.06.2021 - Thursday I
Readings: I - Tobit 6:10-11,7:1,9-14,8:4-9
II - Mk. 12:28-34
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
In today’s Gospel we read one last question posed by one of the Scribe followed by the chief priests, the elders, the sadducees and the other scribes to Jesus, “which commandment is the first of all?” As a faithful Jew Jesus responded saying, to love the Lord God above all else, and to it he added the second, to love the neighbours as oneself.
The whole week we had been reading about Jesus answering one question after another, about his authority, payment of tax to Caesar, resurrection of the dead and about the first commandment, with utmost wisdom and prudence. It was possible because he was aware of His identity as the Son of God the Father and he was always united with Him in prayer.
In the context of our world today we are faced with wickedness, plotting, fault finding, injustice, corruption, misunderstanding, hatred, rash conclusions and violence. The Gospel passages of the week invite us to become aware of our own identity as Children of God and to be always united with Him in prayer as did Jesus our Lord so as to combat the current context with prudence and wisdom. Jesus has walked the way. He has said, “Behold I’m with you until the end of time”. Let us hold fast to the hands of Jesus and tread our path courageously facing everyone and everything.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Bible Reflections I 02.06.2021 - Wednesday
Ordinary Time – Week 9
Readings:
I - Tobit 3:1-11, 16-17
II - Mk. 12:18-27
THE QUESTION ABOUT THE RESURRECTION
The Sadducees were ‘liberals’ while the Pharisees were ‘conservatives’ comparatively. Still the Sadducees insisted that the doctrines be grounded in scriptural foundation while the Pharisees were content that they be based on their tradition. In today’s Gospel the Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection, life after death, the doctrine in which they actually did not believe expecting to embarrass Jesus, the carpenter’s son and assert their premise on resurrection. To their surprise Jesus quotes the scripture and evince them that there is life after death and that our God is God of the living and not of the dead. He astounds the Sadducees quoting from the Book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?” He is God of the living and not of the dead and that they are wrong in their belief.
Appearance is deceptive. We have our own set mold categorizing people in our mind as cleaver, foolish, intellectual, illiterate, virtuous, wicked, good and bad based on the place they come from, family they belong to, their caste and their tribe. The rough jack contains sweet fruits, the lovely ripe fig often contains dead bugs, precious gold is mixed in mud and in charcoal do we find exquisite diamonds. Therefore go beyond appearances and prejudice to discover the truth in everything, every happening and every person. Give up prejudice against persons under the pretext of their appearances and hailing and explore the truth, goodness and beauty present in them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)