Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Bible Reflections I 15.09.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - 1Tim. 3: 14-16
II - Lk. 7: 31-35
Mary, Mother of Sorrows (Memoria)
YIELDING UNTO THE WILL OF GOD IS WISDOM
In today’s Gospel passage we read, God's wisdom, however, is shown to be true by all who accept it (Lk. 7:35). To yield ourselves unto the will of God, turning deaf to the comments, remarks, allegations, appreciations and criticism of all around is wisdom. Neither John the Baptist not Jesus Christ was affected by the accusations of the Scribes and the Pharisees because they fixed their focus on the will of God and were passionate in accomplishing the same. Hence they became so prominent and vital in the history of salvation of mankind. Mother of Sorrows, our Blessed Mother is not an exception to the same. The sorrows endured on account of her Son is the Master Plan of God in the history of salvation. Not once but seven times her heart was pierced with swords:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon.
2. The Flight into Egypt.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
4. The Meeting of Jesus on his way to Calvary
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary.
6. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross.
7. The Burial of Jesus.
Never once did Mother Mary complain about her suffering to God. She endured with faith and with great wisdom placing all her trust in the Lord who is all and always good. We are so prone to seek appreciation and praises from the lips of the people around us. None of us wish to risk our good name or reputation. We are ready to do anything on this account. This is utter foolishness and wasting of our life in vain. Our happiness must come from God alone and this is possible only when we resolve to live by the will of God. As we fondly remember our blessed mother today, let us invoke her to intercede for us to take delight in yielding ourselves unto the will of God.
Monday, September 13, 2021
Bible Reflections I 14.09.2021- Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Num. 21: 4-9
II - Jn. 3: 13-17
EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS (Feast)
All things are possible for God as the Holy Bible says, “…with God all things are possible” (Jer. 32:17, Mt. 19:26). He humbles and He exalts, He strikes and He heals, He scatters and He gathers, for the sake of His benevolent love for His people. God can turn punishment into forgiveness, suffering into joy, curse into blessing, mourning into dancing and weeping into joy for the sake of His infinite mercy upon us.
The Israelites sinned by speaking against the Lord and against Moses His servant; and so God sent poisonous serpents to punish them. Many of the Israelites died bitten by the serpents. Moses, prayed and pleaded for the people and hence the sign of punishment and death - the serpent, was turned to sign of forgiveness and life. Everyone bitten by the serpent looked upon the serpent set on a pole and was saved. Similarly, to save the mankind from sin and death, God sent His only son in form of a human being to save the mankind. The fall of humanity with the sin of Adam was rectified and restored by the death of the New Adam - Jesus Christ on the cross. Cross, the sign of punishment, defeat, death and shame was turned into redemption, victory, life and glory with the death of Jesus on the Cross. By one man, Adam, death entered into the world and the death of one man, Jesus, the New Adam, the entire world is saved and restored.
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross. In St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians we read, “…He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefor God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2: 8-10). “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1Cor. 1:18). Yielding our life unto the will of the Father at all times and in all situations like Jesus, will definitely rise us up one day even if it is costing here and now. Let us learn to endure carrying our daily cross (Lk. 9 :23) as they come on our way with all love so that one day we too may be exalted for glorifying God the Father with our life here on earth.
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Bible Reflections I 13.09.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Tim. 2: 1-7
II - Lk. 7: 1-10
THE WORDS OF JESUS ARE CREDIBLE AND POWERFUL
Today’s Gospel passage is about Jesus, healing the salve of a centurion. We can take three learning lessons from this Gospel passage. One from Jesus and two from the centurion. The credibility in the words of Jesus and from the centurion, his regard for his slave, the Bible says that he valued him highly; and the faith of the centurion in the words of Jesus evinced in his saying, “But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed” and it happened.
The word of God is powerful but do we have faith in the same when the time demands? We see people flocking to this person and that person for good and encouraging words when the promising words are propelling and are ample in the Bible. Some go a step beyond to predict the future having recourse to palmistry, numerology, medium and the like. Place the trust in the Lord who holds the future and the master of our lives. Flock to Him for all things are possible with Him and for Him. Unlike the centurion, we have received the gift of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ right from the day of our Baptism, let that light of faith neither flicker not wear out rather keep alive oiling it with the life giving and credible words of Jesus.
Like the centurion, may we too have regard for our subordinates. Value them, consider their suffering and setbacks as your own with an attitude of love and empathy; and try your best to alleviate their pain and sorrow. Enwrap yourselves with humanness so as to empathise with them and by this people may know that we are Christians following the Lord who is love itself. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to seek you at all times”.
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Friday, September 10, 2021
Bible Reflections I 11.09.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Tim. 1: 15-17
II - Lk. 6: 43-49
A GOOD TREE YIELDS GOOD FRUIT
A grandfather was teaching his grandson about life. He said, “A terrible fight between two wolves is going on inside me. One is evil and the other is good. The evil is: anger, jealousy, hatred, greed, arrogance, resentment, ego and pride. The good is: love, peace, joy, compassion, mercy, faith, hope, empathy, kindness, humility, forgiveness and benevolence. The same fight is going on inside you and every other person as well”. The grandson thought for a while and asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The grandfather replied, “The one you feed”. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says that a good tree bears good fruit and the bad tree bad fruit. People do no pick figs from thorns nor gather grapes from brambles. A man’s words flow words flow out of what fills his heart.
Jesus exhorts his followers not to be mere hearers of his word but doers of the same. A person captivated by God’s words cannot but obey his words and stand by them at all times. Spikenard when crushed fills the ambient and the hand that crushes with its pleasant aroma. So too are the doers of the word of God. They prove their faith more fervently at the testing times as did Job in the Bible. These are the people who build their house on the rock that stands firm even with the flood. These are the good trees that yield good fruits, in season and out of season. These are the people who feed their soul constantly with the word of God and reap it in good deeds proving their authenticity. In this light let us examine our life whether we are mere hearers of the word or doers of the word as well yielding good fruit glorifying the Lord. May our mind and heart resonate with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to stand by your word”.
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Bible Reflections I 10.09.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Tim. 1: 1-2, 12-14
II - Lk. 6: 39-42
ONE BLIND CANNOT LEAD THE OTHER BLIND
In today’s Gospel passage Jesus speaks of a parable about the blind leading the blind which is quite impossible for both of them will fall into a pit. A person cannot point the mistake of the other when he/she is into the same mistake. We become so stringent in our accusation towards the faults of the other while we are so liberal and have a long margin for the similar accusation that we make towards the other. We are so often worried about the splinter in the other person’s eye while there is a plank in our own eyes. One blind cannot lead the other. Only the righteous one has the authority and power to judge at the faults of the other. God alone is righteous and he patience and never rash in his judgment.
When the woman caught in the very act of committing adultery was brought to Jesus, he said, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her” (Jn. 8:7). While we are prone to judge others, let us pose the same verse upon us so that we may not fall a prey to the temptation of judging others. With the realisation that all of us are sinners in need of God’s mercy, let us walk hand in hand with each other in all understanding, sympathy, forgiveness, empathy and love. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead me not into the temptation of judging others”
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Bible Reflections I 08.09.2021 - Wednesday I Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Micah 5: 2-5
II - Mt. 1: 1-16, 18-23
NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Birthdays are significant in association with the relationship one holds with that person. We behold the birthday of our dear and near ones with joy and jubilation for unto us was that day given a gift so great, gorgeous and gracious. Today the Church celebrates the Birthday of the Blessed Mary, the mother of the Lord and the mother of all humankind. The Church solemnises the birthday of three persons only: John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus and Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, the promised One of God.
Mother Mary is the queen of the heaven and of the earth yet, she is the mother of us all, the sinful and the sorrowful; the weak and the lowly. Mother’s love is so supreme that it surpasses and supersedes all love here on earth. Her merciful look, kind words, compassionate heart, loving deeds, helping hands, hurrying feet to the needy child and her sacrificing life are incomparable that knows no bounds. Every mother is the personification of Gods’ love to her children and the mother of Jesus, given to us as our mother is the perfect reflection of the heart of her Son and our Lord Jesus Christ. In all her apparitions, Mother Mary exhorts people to pray so that they may align their lives unto the ways of God that leads to Heaven, the ultimate destination of all humankind.
We in Tamil Nadu in particular solemnise this day celebrating the feast of our Lady of Velankanni. A day dear to all the devotees of Our Lady of Good Health who flock to her church on foot with a mixture of emotions; joy, gratitude, sorrow, pain, suffering, hope, love, anxiety and faith. Unfortunately they must be confining themselves in their own places with the great nostalgia for the Basilica of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Velankanni, due this pandemic. Let us pray for all the devotees of Mother Mary and all humankind as well. Let us invoke our Blessed Mother to wipe away Covid and restore the face of the earth. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Mother Mary, our Lady of Velankanni, Pray for us”.
Monday, September 6, 2021
Bible Reflections I 07.09.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Col. 2: 6-15
II - Lk. 6: 12-19
ACTUALISE PRAYER IN THE ORDINARY LIVING
The hotline connection of Jesus with the Father in Prayer was reflected in his ordinary yet effective living among the people. All his ministry: preaching, healing, cleansing, performing miracles and decision making, was backed up in perfect union with God in prayer. His life of prayer geared his mission among the people despite, rejection, misunderstanding, fault finding, accusations and allegations of the religious fanatics in particular, the Scribes and the Pharisees. Therefore Jesus was able to do good wherever he went (Acts. 10:38).
Prayer is surrender. Surrender of our will, pride, ego and self-interest so that we may be able to discern what actually God wants of us. If the life of prayer betrays our ordinary living with the people then it is hypocrisy. We many spend hours and hours in prayer but if that prayer does not help us or rather lead us to forgive, help, care, share, empathise and above all to love others as ourselves, then it is duplicity and double standard living that the Lord detests. Like Jesus, our prayer should lead us to an integrated living that is powerful and witnessing. Let us ask God for this grace as we keep repeating: “Lord Jesus, help us for an integrated living”.
Sunday, September 5, 2021
Bible Reflections I 06.09.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Col. 1: 24-2:3
II - Lk. 6: 6-11
DARE TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT
Today’s Gospel passage is about Jesus healing a man with the weathered hand on a Sabbath day. Jesus knew that the Pharisees were watching whether he would heal him so that they can find some reason to accuse him. The man with the weathered hand did not ask for a healing but Jesus on his own initiated the healing with the intention of refuting the Pharisees about their hypocrisy in observing the Sabbath. Jesus indeed knew that this act would definitely earn the wrath of the Pharisees, still he stood up for what was right: to do good and to save life on the Sabbath; and this is lawful, noble, human and religious.
Often times we do know what is right and truthful but still we hesitate to side the same because of the fear of losing relationship, reputation, name, fame, power and position. We remain so inhuman in willfully denying to stand by what is just and truth despite seeing the other helpless and suffering. It is heartrending, sinful and sorrowing for the Lord says, “Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place” (Jer. 22:3). Let us dare to stand up for what is right after the example of Jesus our Lord and Master. May our mind and hear resonate with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the courage to stand up for what is right”
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Saturday, September 4, 2021
Bible Reflections I 05.09.2021- Sunday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Is. 35: 4-7
II - Jas. 2: 1-5
III - Mk. 7: 31-37
WITH OPEN MIND AND HEART, ACCEPT ALL AS CHILDREN OF GOD
The first reading is about the day of the Messiah, prophesy foretold by Prophet Isaiah and the Gospel reading comes as the fulfillment of that prophesy in Christ Jesus our Lord, in the healing of the deaf and the speech impaired person. The second reading is an exhortation to the Christians to build their life upon Christian love that shows no favouritism to anyone based on riches and laurels of the world; and this is the messianic era modeled after the life of the Messiah where freedom, equality, fraternity and justice reign.
St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female’ for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:38). Do we Christians conduct our life this way? Don’t we too favour people based on wealth, riches, power, influence, caste, status and the place they come from? If so, then we are closed up to the life and teaching of our Master Jesus Christ that is based on love, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, generosity, understanding, empathy and gentleness. Let us today invite the Lord to open up our mind and heart to accept everyone as children of God, created in the image and likeness of God. May the ‘Ephphatha’ of Jesus be said unto us so that we become exemplary Christians living an edifying life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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