Bible Reflections I 22.07.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 16

Readings:  

       I - Song of Songs 3: 1-4

     II - Jn. 20:1-2, 11-18.

LOVE THAT ENCOUNTERS, ENCOURAGES AND EMPOWERS 

(Feast of St. Mary Magdalene)

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, the passionate follower and ardent disciple of Jesus and the one time adulteress woman. In the feast of St. Mary Magdalene we celebrate the caring and credible love of Jesus that is so powerful, benevolent and emancipating. The three E’s that transformed the life of Mary of Magdala are: Encounter, Encouragement and Empowerment. Jesus Encounters Mary Magdalene when the drudgerous crowd drags her to Jesus for punishment. Jesus saves her from the clutches of the self-righteous menfolk saying, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”. When everyone leaves without stoning, Jesus Encourages her saying, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again” (Jh. 8:11) and thereby infuses in her the life assuring hope and an absolute feeling of being forgiven. Finally Jesus Empowers her making her the witness of his resurrection. Witness of women wear out to be no witness at all in the male dominated patriarchal society of the Jews. Jesus counteracts this culture and appears first to Mary Magdalene and makes her the witness of his resurrection for great was her love for Jesus, her Lord, Master and Teacher. In the Gospel passage today, Jesus just calls her “Mary” and instantly she responds saying “Rabbouni” unlike his disciples who had long conversation with Jesus on their way to Emmaus and yet failed to recognise Jesus until he broke the bread with them (Lk. 24: 13-35).   

In the world of today, where love is downsized to mere utility and payback policy, we as Christians, are called to reflect this love of Jesus that is liberating, empowering, enriching, encouraging, healing and forgiving. In this way we can like Jesus touch and transform the lives of people around us. With our little acts of charity we can win the whole world for Jesus. May the Feast of Mary Magdalene make us like her the witnesses of the love of Jesus allowing ourselves to be encountered, encouraged and empowered by the love of Jesus our Lord and our Master. In the silence of our hearts let us keep repeating, “Lord Jesus, make me a witness of your love”.

Bible Reflections I 21.07.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 16

Readings:  

         I - Ex. 16: 1-5, 9-15

      II - Mt. 13: 1-9

  

LISTEN TO LIVE

Today’s Gospel passage is on the parable of the sower. Great crowd gathered to listen to Jesus and he told them this parable to provoke them to check their disposition of mind and heart in giving heed to the Word of God. The seeds that fell on the path were eaten up by the bird, those that fell on the rocky ground withered with the sun, those that fell among the thorns were chocked and those that fell on the good soil brought forth grains. 

There are four types of disposition of mind in listening to the Word of God. They can also be called as 4Ws viz. Wondering mind, Wavering mind, Wearied mind and Willful mind. The seeds fell on the path can be compared to the wondering mind that just wonder at the Word of God and the preaching of the same and forget thereafter about it. The rocky ground can be compared to the wavering mind that listens to the Word of God, tries to practice but fails with some distractions. The thorny bush can be compared to the weary mind that is exhausted and too full to listen to the Word of God and to actualize the same. The good soil can be compared to the willful mind that listens intently to the Word of God with the resolve to stand by it come what may and become authentic followers of Jesus and credible Christians. Let us not listen to leave but listen to live the Word of God. In the silence of hearts keep repeating: “Lord Jesus, give me a wilful heart to stand by your Words”