Monday, September 27, 2021
Bible Reflections I 28.09.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Zech. 8: 20-23
II - Lk. 9: 51-56
OUR GOD IS GOD OF GENTLENESS
Jesus was focused about his mission and ministry; and therefore set his face to go to Jerusalem when the days drew near for him to be taken up. Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem through Samaria, the shortcut to Jerusalem. Though Jesus was already renowned and hailed by people as teacher, preacher and healer, the Samaritans did not receive him into their city because of the constant conflict between the Jews and the Samaritans. The Jews considered the Samaritans as outcasts and never associated with them. But to go to Jerusalem they always chose the shortcut through Samaria and this caused prejudice in the minds of the Samaritans and hence they refused to receive Jesus too into their city. The disciples of Jesus, James and John wanted Jesus to command them to bring down fire from heave to destroy them. But Jesus rebuked his disciples and went through another village to Jerusalem.
We can draw two lessons from the Gospel passage of the day. First, the Samaritans in their prejudice received not Jesus, the promised one of God and the restorer (Deu. 18:15) whom they believed in and waited for. And Secondly, Jesus was so gentle and understanding enough to respect the freedom and feelings of the Samaritans that he went through another village to Jerusalem. Everyone has their own reason for their reaction. When we choose to go beyond and to respond, we will be sure to cease the chances, opportunities, prospects and possibilities ahead unlike the Samaritans. Let us also like Jesus, be gentle and respect the freedom of others than violating, coercing and trampling. May our heart and mind resonate with the prayer: “Gentle Jesus, teach me to be like you”.
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Bible Reflections I 27.09.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Zech. 8: 1-8
II - Lk. 9: 46-50
THE LEAST IS THE GREATEST
The life and teachings of Jesus topsy turvy the standard set by the world. The preaching of Jesus counteract and contradict the principles of the world order turning it upside down. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says that anyone who welcomes a little child in His name, welcomes in the name of the Father and such a person is great in the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Jewish society, children were considered insignificant, least and were unrecognized. In reaching out to such little child lies the greatness of the person.
‘Little child’ connotes, the helpless, the hopeless, the marginalised, the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed, the weak and the vulnerable. In short, the neglected section of the society. St. Theresa of Calcutta is a concrete example of our time. She is great because she served the neglected, rejected and the abandoned section of the society in the name of Jesus. Greatness consists in becoming small by befriending and serving the least in the name and for the sake of Jesus. Let us take the model of Jesus, who emptied himself in the incarnation for our sake and who stooped down like a servant to wash the feet of his disciples and set an example for us to be followed. We become great in serving the least. May our mind and heart resonate with this prayer: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours”.
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Bible Reflections I 26.09.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Num. 11: 25-29
II - Jas. 5: 1-6
III - Mk. 9: 38: 43,
45, 47-48
World Day of Migrants and Refugees
THE GIFTS WE ARE GIVEN ARE GIFTS TO BE SHARED
God’s favour is not the privilege of few. He bestows His gifts upon people for a purpose. The reading of the day invites us to acknowledge and accept the gift of God conferred on others with openness of heart than to be envious and suspicious as did Joshua, the assistant of Moses in the first reading and John, the beloved disciple of Jesus in the Gospel reading. The Spirit we have received is the spirit of unity as St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians would say, “Be diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4: 3). In the first reading the Spirit anoints Eldad and Medad for prophesying in the camp. ‘Someone’ in the Gospel passage drove out demon in the name of Jesus. One in the spirit and for the common good.
The gifts given by God is not the private possession but they are to be given away and shared for human welfare and up building; precisely for the glory of God. If we realise this we will be able to appreciate and rejoice at the gifts of others rather than feeling envy, jealousy, greedy and resentment. As children of God we are called to be grateful for our own gifts and talents and; are invited to glorify and praise God for the gifts He has bestowed on others all for his honour and for the good of the humankind.
September 26 is celebrated as the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Let us intensify our prayers for them and try to share our gifts and blessings with them for they too are children of God like us, created in the image of God. May our heart and mind resound with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, Help us to rejoice at the gifts of others”
Friday, September 24, 2021
Bible Reflections I 25.09.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Zec. 2: 1-5, 10-11
II - Lk. 9: 43 - 45
DELIGHT IN DOING GOD’S WILL
Fame, name, pomp, glory, honour, praise or popularity can never disturb or disorient a determined, convinced, focused and highly goal oriented person. In today’s Gospel passage we read that people were astounded at the greatness of God and were amazed at all that Jesus was doing. The disciples would have been definitely dwelling in the heights of happiness and peak of pride about their master. Jesus in a way distracts and disrupts them by reminding them of the reality about his mission viz. suffering, passion, death and resurrection. Confidence in God, Clarity about his mission, focus on the goal and his great passion to accomplish the will of the Father, persuaded Jesus to proceed ahead in his ministry and mission remaining neutral to all circumstances.
Almost all people in the world are mesmerized, delighted, influenced, enthralled, fascinated and captivated by praise, pride, applause, glory and honour. They are ready to do anything to attain the same. Christian living contradicts this and on the contrary calls for a commitment to God’s will. It exhorts us to change our focus from the transitory to fix our gaze on the transcendent. When we position our life centering around God, we can actualise the words of St. Paul in our own life, “…through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Cor. 6: 8-10). Then, can we hear the voice of God calling us as “Beloved son/daughter”.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Bible Reflections I 24.09.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Haggai 2: 1-9
II - Lk. 9: 18 - 22
LIVE A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
Everyone comes into the world with an identity and a purpose. John the Baptist came as the forerunner to prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah. Prophet Elijah destroyed the false prophets and turned the hearts of people towards Yahweh. All prophets were chosen by God for a purpose viz. to uproot, tear down, destroy, overthrow, build and to plant (Jer. 1:10) so as to turn the hearts of people towards God. To the question Jesus asked his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God”. And thereafter, Jesus explains to them about his suffering, rejection, death and resurrection - the purpose of the incarnation of the Son of God. He came to save all through his passion and death; and to restore the world to its original standard through His resurrection on the third day. He was clear about his identity and was focused about his mission.
We are the children of God and this is our identity but about our purpose, let us go back to our catechism class where we have learnt that God created us to know him, to love him, to serve him and to be happy with him forever. The knowledge of God and our love for Him will definitely drive us to serve Him. Serving God is serving the brothers and sisters around us, for the bible says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt. 25: 40). All three will result in the ultimate objective of remaining with Him forever in perfect happiness, peace and joy. Let us in the silence of our heart and mind keep repeating this prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to know you, to love you, to serve you and to be happy with you forever”.
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Bible Reflections I 23.09.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Haggai 1: 1-8
II - Lk. 9: 7 - 9
LIVE AND LET LIVE
An exemplary living has an extraordinary impact on the lives of people living around. Those influenced positively, set them as their role models and aspire for a transformed living. Instead, their life become a threat to some because of sheer jealousy, hatred and rivalry. Those who consider them as their rivals are always obsessed by their thought that they plan to get rid of them at any cost. Possible strategy to accomplish their purpose could be spreading rumours, false accusations, propagating gossips and finally extinguish them from the face of the earth when the vengeance reach to its extremity.
In today’s Gospel passage, Herod was perplexed at the thought of Jesus who accomplished great things in Galilee on account of which a large crowd was always after him. The life and teaching of John the Baptist was a stumbling block to his sinful living and therefore under the pretext of keeping his promise, he had him beheaded. The life of Jesus disturbed him so much that he wished to see him; and towards the end, he also had his part in the crucifixion of Jesus.
Right to live is the basic human right of every individual. Therefore allow everyone to live their life to the full and never trample or violate because of the stereo mindset or sheer jealousy. Accept, admit, respect, revere and allow the unique life style and life pattern of the other to make this earth a heaven and a pleasant land for all children of God to live.
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Bible Reflections I 22.09.2021- Wednesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Ezra 9: 5-9
II - Lk. 9: 1 - 6
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
The Gospel passage of the day is on Jesus assigning the ministry of driving away the demons, curing of diseases, proclamation of the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. Jesus entrusted the ministry to the twelve and suggested them about their means of living as well. The Gospel passage enlivens the preaching of Jesus, “But seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt. 6:33); “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into the barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable” (Mt. 6:26). Hence, Jesus exhorts his disciples to concentrate on the mission than on the means of living.
Each of us as Christians are entrusted with the same mission of preaching, proclaiming and healing. To preach through words is easy to everyone but to preach through life is witnessing, demanding and credible. Dare to proclaim the Good News to the sick, depressed, discourages, distressed and the downtrodden that our God is ‘Immanuel’ - God with us. Let us commit to heal the world with our smile, kindness, cheerfulness, compassion, mercy, love, forgiveness and gentleness. In doing all these we become credible Christians and faithful followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Keep focused on the ministry and mission entrusted, and true to the promises of the Lord, the rest will fall in line, one blessing after another, all for the glory of the Lord. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, make me your instrument of love, peace and joy”.
Monday, September 20, 2021
Bible Reflections I 21.09.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Eph. 4: 1 - 7, 11-13
II - Mt. 9: 9 - 13
ST. MATTHEW, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST (Feast)
The Gospel passage of the day is on the call of Matthew, for, the Church celebrates the Church celebrates of St. Matthew, the apostle of Jesus and the evangelist. Matthew was the tax collector for the Romans and therefore he was as a traitor. The tax collectors always earned the hatred of the common people at their credit because they always collected more than that was levied by the Romans and hence there were financially rich. The tax collectors were considered as sinners, outcasts and scum of the Jewish society. The Jews seldom associated with them. To such a person came the invitation from Jesus “Follow me”. The intent look and the powerful invitation of Jesus, pierced the eyes and conquered the heart of Matthew that he gave up his profiteering profession as tax collector to gain life eternal with the Lord. To the criticism of Pharisees, the self-righteous people Jesus responded saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick……For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners”.
The guilt feeling that arises on account of sin is the powerful weapon of the evil one that prevents us from approaching the throne of God. Today’s Gospel passage is a consolation and an encouragement, for Jesus says, “I have come to call not the righteous but the sinners”. From the life of Matthew we can hope for a new beginning and a new life in Jesus. Matthew was shrewd to capture the set look of Jesus and smart to respond to the appealing words of Jesus. Jesus had come to call the sinners not the righteous (Mt. 9:13). He is the Good Shepherd that leaves the ninety nine in search of the one that is lost (Lk. 15: 1-7). “God does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). The Lord knows that we are weak and fragile. Let us allow and yield ourselves unto the grace of God for a transformation and a new life in Jesus Christ our Lord. No more feeling of guilt or unworthiness but repentance and a will to change. May St. Matthew help us for repentance and transformation to capture the gaze and the words of Jesus.
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Bible Reflections I 20.09.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna
Readings
I - Ezra 1: 1 - 6
II - Lk. 8: 16 - 18
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
The three verses of the Gospel passage today carries three lessons for life: an exhortation, a caution and a condition.
An exhortation: Each of us are bestowed with varied gifts and talents not for personal purpose but to colour the world with our charism and thereby glorify the creator. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Rom. 12: 6-8). In the letter of St. Peter we read, “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others” (1 Pt. 4:10). Therefore Jesus exhorts us to lift our lights high to lift the world to its original order.
A caution: Jesus in today’s Gospel passage says that nothing will be hidden and that everything will be disclosed. One cannot dwell in duplicate living, for one day the mask of duplicity will be torn and the real self will be revealed. Let us beware of conducting a double standard living for, “whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Lk. 13:3)
A condition: In the parable of the talent (Mt. 25: 14-30) we read that the servant who kept his one talent idle had to forego for having not utilised the same. If we fail to utilise the gifts of God that had been showered on us will automatically be lost. Failing to use God’s gifts to serve each other is failing to be a good steward. The condition here is to work to more with what we have in order to have our gifts and talents multiplied.
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Bible Reflections I 19.09.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Wis. 2: 12, 17-20
II - Jas. 3: 16 - 4:3
III - Mk. 9: 30 -37
THE TREE THAT BEARS FRUIT WILL BE STONED
The righteous and the upright life of people is often considered as a sign of contradiction and therefore is always an inconvenience and a great threat to the ‘people of this world’ (Lk. 16:8). Their envy and selfish attitude shun them from associating freely and spontaneously with the ‘people of light’ (Lk. 16:8). Therefore the people of darkness, those who belong to this world, torment and torture the people of light under the pretext of examining their endurance and credibility and in the end they erase them from the face of the earth itself. This is the crux of all three readings today. The two readings culminate in the Gospel passage today in which Jesus explains about his suffering, death and resurrection to his disciples. Jesus did good wherever he went (Acts. 10:38) but still he was a threat to the Pharisees because they thought that the whole world was after him (Jh. 12:19). It was merely because of sheer jealousy and unwillingness to accept the good in Jesus.
There is a famous saying, “The tree that bears fruit will be stoned”. Virtuous and good people are always a stumbling block by their very life to the people who live anyhow and any way. They will be dreaded and derided for no reason. If we suffer because we live by Gospel values, let us caution and encourage ourselves with the word of Jesus - "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you……..If it persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jh. 15: 18-21); “Rejoice and be glad; for great is your reward in heaven” (Mt. 5:12). Let us live as St. Paul exhorts, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). Dare to follow the preaching and life of Jesus who has conquered this world (Jh. 16:33), for he says, “I will be with you always even until the end of the world” (Mt28:20). With Jesus we can overcome all things and all people, at all times.
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