Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Bible Reflections I 25.08.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - 1Thess. 2: 9-13
II - Mt. 23: 27-32
LIFE IS A GIFT, LIVE IT TO THE FULL
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus upbraids the Scribes and the Pharisees for their duplicate, double standard and deceitful life. Jesus calls these guardians of the Law and the custodians of the prophecy as lawless people and the hypocrites. The Scribes and the Pharisees covered up their arrogance in their conceiting appearance, commending themselves to be respectable, honourable and faithful religious leaders. Jesus was of course harsh in calling them “white washed sepulchers” but he was right in calling them so, for their actions testified to the same.
All fake, duplicate and imitations are attractive, capturing, awesome and alluring. But they are temporary and never long lasting. It is all disgusting, discouraging and heart rending to see the showy, flattery, deceitful and the cunning people thriving, honoured and adored. Such hypocrisy is an abomination and aversion in the sight of God and he detests these type of people and calls them, “white washed sepulchers”. Plain living is powerful living for life is a gift, given to us to live and not for any fake performances with the same. The Lord knows even our inmost thought. We can neither deceive Him nor trick Him. Being true to God and true to humanity is living the life to the full. May we have this joy of living our life to the full in loving, caring, empathizing, sharing, appreciating, acknowledging and encouraging one another for such life is an aroma pleasing to the Lord. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to live my life to the full pleasing you alone”
Monday, August 23, 2021
Bible Reflections I 24.08.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Rev. 21: 9-14
II - Jn. 1: 45-51
St. Bartholomew, Apostle (Feast)
GIVE UP PREJUDICE AND DISCOVER THE TRUTH
The Church celebrates the feast of St. Bartholomew also known as Nathaniel mentioned in the Gospel passage today. Nathaniel had a similar prejudiced attitude like any other Jew, “Can anything good come from Nazareth”. But still, with the simplicity of heart, forthright mind and openness to the truth adhered to Phillip’s, “Come and see”. This is why Jesus commented at Nathaniel saying, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit”. Nathaniel went, saw, spoke to Jesus and was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God and thereafter followed him.
Most of us have an opinionated outlook about someone or something. Every mind is prejudiced about every other person because of here say, experiences, encounters, rumours and gossips. We are often adamant to amend our ideas, notions and thought patterns; and estimate people form the place they come, to the family the belong, the caste and creed of the person, educational background, their lifestyle and their affluence and status in the society. In this bargain, we may miss Jesus present in the other person. May the feast of St. Bartholomew, help us to give up our prejudice and discover Jesus, the Truth in every person and event. In the silence of our heart let us keep repeating, “Lord Jesus lead me to the Truth”
Sunday, August 22, 2021
Bible Reflections I 23.08.2021- Monday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - I Thess. 1: 1-5, 8-10
II - Mt. 23: 13-22
LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR: THE AXIS OF DIVINE LIVING
Love of God and love of neighbour are the axis upon which revolves the whole of law and the prophecy. Under the pretext of being faithful to the law of the Lord to its minutest details, the Scribes and the Pharisees have multiplied and made the observance of the law more difficult, cumbersome, tiring, impossible and disgusting. The essence of the law was diluted to mere ritual and a hypocrisy. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus reprimands such pharisaic attitude of hypocrisy and insists on the importance of the indispensable higher value of life grounded on love.
The ‘way of life’ exclusively based on love marked out by Jesus, attracted, inspired and encouraged the sinners, the tax collectors, the oppressed, the hopeless, the outcasts and the discouraged of the society imbuing them to prefer the path of the Lord with joy, gratitude, enthusiasm and zeal. From the heart of love springs forth, compassion, mercy, empathy, understanding, forgiveness, hope and encouragement, enveloping everyone to choose and live for God and His people. Saint Augustine says, “What does love look like? It has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and the needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men”. Instead of criticizing the Scribes and the Pharisees, let us analyses our lives for a witnessing Christian living in Christ Jesus our Lord. Love makes the life of the one and the other encountered, happy, easy, simple, comfortable, compatible, colourful, purposeful and meaningful.
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Bible Reflections I 22.08.2021- Sunday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Joshua 24: 1-2,
15-17, 18
II - Eph. 5: 21-32
III - Jh. 6: 53, 60-69
Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother (Memoria)
COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIP CALLS FOR CONVICTION AND COMMITMENT
In the first reading, Joshua chooses to serve the Lord saying, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). In the Gospel reading, the twelve disciples chooses to follow Jesus, as Peter represents them answering, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy one of God” (Jn. 6:68). As per the second reading, the choice of accepting the Lord and following His commandments, commensurate in the covenantal relationship that exhorts fidelity and faithfulness. Joshua and his household chooses to serve the Lord, after witnessing the mighty, marvelous and miraculous deeds of the Lord. Peter and the disciples chose to follow the Lord with utmost faith, understating, reason and trust that He is the Holy One of God. Joshua and the twelve disciples of Jesus, remained steadfast in their choice with inordinate conviction, commitment and fidelity.
In the light of this reflection, let us introspect interrogating: Why am I a Christian? Is it because that our parents baptised when I was a babe and I remain a Christian? Have I accepted the Christ with conviction that He is the Lord and the Holy One of God who gave up his life to save and redeem me? Does my action remain in congruence with the set example of Christ? Covenantal relationship calls for conviction and commitment in the observance of the commandments of the Lord: Primarily to love God and secondly, to love others as oneself. We had been discussing about these two commandants quite often these days. Observance of the commandments qualify the covenantal relationship with God while the failure in the observance of the commandments lead to the violation of the covenantal relationship with God.
We fondly remember today, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother. She had been faithful to her ‘fiat’ meaning ‘let it be done’ until her assumption into Heaven and this is why she is queen and mother. Let us implore Mother Mary’s intercession, assistance, support and guidance in our fidelity and commitment to the Lord, as we affirm and keep repeating the words of Joshua: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”.
Friday, August 20, 2021
Bible Reflections I 21.08.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Ruth 2: 1, 1-3,
8-11, 4: 13-17
II - Mt. 22: 34-40
SUBMIT TO SUPERIORS; SUPERIORS TO SERVE
As subordinates, submit to the authority and as superiors, serve like a slave is the crux of the Gospel passage today. Jesus instructs both, the subordinates and the superiors. He exhorts the people to abide by the teachings of the Scribes and the Pharisees as they are delegated with the authority from God Himself and insists that the greatness of the leaders vest in their service to the flock that is entrusted. A leader should be a servant of all.
Jesus submitted himself to the authority: He constantly sought the will of the Father, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me” (Jh. 4:34), obeyed his parents, “Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and obeyed them” (Lk. 2:51) and followed the law of the nation by paying the temple tax (Mt. 17:25). Jesus, the Lord and master; the messiah and the saviour and God and man, washed the feet of his disciples like a slave and thereby had left us an example to imitate him (Jn. 13: 14-17).
To submit and to serve is possible to the one who is humble. It takes courage and conviction to remain humble ignoring pride, honour, glory, pomp, fame and popularity. Humble persons are always aglow in spirit that attracts the attention and admiration of all, inspiring and inviting them to imitate the same. May the grace of God wrap us with humility, simplicity and meekness to submit and to serve, solely for the glory of God. Let us in the silence of our mind and heart keep praying: 'Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours'.
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Bible Reflections I 20.08.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Ruth 1: 1, 3-6,
14-16, 22
II - Mt. 22: 34-40
SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS: PREMIER ENEMY OF THE GOSPEL
Discussions are for arriving at a consensus, dialogues are for nurturing a compromise, queries are for obtaining clarity and the arguments are for augmenting the truth. But in today’s Gospel passage the Pharisees and the Sadducees plan to trick Jesus and a lawyer approaches Jesus with a question solely with the intention of testing him, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” This projects the self-righteousness and the ‘all knowing’ attitude of the religious leaders comprising the upper hierarchy of the Jewish society. Pride and arrogance are the byproducts of self-righteousness which was the greatest obstacle for the so called ‘all knowing’ religious leaders to identify and accept Jesus as the Promised Messiah.
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Pride obstructs from accepting the truth, arrogance alleviates the power of understanding and above all self-righteousness makes one to willfully miss the mark barricading the truth that is God Himself. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (Jh. 14:6).
Jesus is the Gospel, the Good News that can only be beheld with simplicity, humility and openness of heart. Let us give up self-righteousness, the premier enemy of the Gospel to discover the ‘all powerful, all loving, all knowing and all merciful” God. May our mind and heart resonate with this prayer: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours”
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Bible Reflections I 19.08.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Judg. 11: 29-39
II - Mt. 22: 1-14
LET YOUR LIFESTYLE DELINEATE LIFE ETERNAL
In the parable of the wedding banquet Jesus projects the stubborn and hard hearted people of Israel who refused to return to the Lord. They deafened their ears to the invitation of God that came through kings, judges, prophets and finally His own son Jesus Christ. “The more they were called, the more they went away” (Hos. 11:2). The people of Israel took delight and pride in calling themselves as the chosen people of God but failed to adhere to the voice of God that beckoned to align their ways unto the ways of God. The Son of God was sent to His own people Israel but they willfully neglected to either accept him or give heed to him. This is why Jesus tells them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you ‘(Mt. 21: 32).
Towards the end of the Gospel passage today Jesus says, “Many are called, but few are chosen”. All of us, as children of God are called to inherit the kingdom of God but only the ones who make themselves befitting to that kingdom will inherit it. If we are attentive in adhering to the voice of God that comes in prayer, from our conscience and through our dear ones, friends, colleagues, neighbours or even strangers for that matter, our lifestyle would definitely be delineating the life eternal throbbing with peace, serenity, happiness, joy and cheerfulness. As loving children of God let us obey and commit ourselves unto his ways befitting to inherit life eternal thus making our life purposeful here on earth. In the silence of our hearts let us keep repeating: “Lord Jesus help us to listen to you”.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Bible Reflections I 18.08.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Judg. 9: 6-15
II - Mt. 20: 1-16
DISCERN AND DECIDE TO INHERIT LIFE ETERNAL
In today’s Gospel passage Jesus speaks about the reward of those who strive for the Kingdom of God, aligning their ways unto the ways of God. Towards the end of the Gospel passage Jesus says, “The last will be first and the first will be last”. He speaks of the absolute equity and equality in the kingdom of heaven. There are some who are saints right from their birth, there are others who take a U-turn towards God at one point of their life time and while there are still others who gain paradise at the last breathe of their life. St. Dominic Savio was a saint right from the beginning with the motto, “Death rather than sin”, St. Augustine when he discovered God, he said, “Late have I loved you, O Beauty, so ancient and so new, late have I loved you! You called, and you cried out to me and broke open my deafness; you shone forth upon me and you scattered my blindness” and the criminal on the cross who said to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23:42). Still all partake in the glory of the bliss to the full with no distinction, for God shows no difference nor is He partial.
The voice of the Lord beckons to beset our life on the right track that leads to life eternal. To adhere to the Lord’s voice, return to him, amending our ways unto His, usher bliss of paradise, the heritage of all human being created in the image and likeness of God. Some listen to His voice, others neglect while still some other slight the same. When we conduct our life in vain after money, power, possession, pleasure and wealth, the voice of the Lord would definitely interrupt, inviting us for a greater purpose of attaining heaven, the blissful eternal life. Let every hour remind us, “See, now is the acceptable time, see, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor. 6: 2) for, “O that today you would listen to his voice! Do not harden your hearts” (Ps. 95: 7-8). Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to hear you”.
Monday, August 16, 2021
Bible Reflections I 17.08.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Judges 6:11-24
II - Mt. 19: 23-30
GIVE UP ALL TO POSSESS ALL
The Gospel passage invites to fix our gaze on God, that rewards life eternal. If the focus is on wealth and riches, the vision and the purpose of our existence on the earth gets distorted and goes a waste besides making the inheritance of eternal life an impossible one. Renunciation for the sake of the love of God and love of neighbour reverts the blessings of God in abundance as Jesus says, hundred times over along with the inheritance of eternal life.
The incidents that took place during this pandemic would be best example to this passage. When the pandemic was in its hike during the second wave leaving the hospitals overcrowded, making the availability of medical help an arduous one, we happened to witness people with varied attitude testifying to this passage. Some gave away their vehicles to be used for quarantine purpose, small children shared their little savings towards relief measures, drivers making transportation for the patients free of charges, volunteers at the rescue of the affected at the cost of their life, some even sold their property to help those affected and the like…. On the other hand, we have also witnessed a very sad reality of people making money out of this pandemic. Transportation with even four times above the normal cost, mounted cost on medicines, rise in the price of food stuff, vegetables, provisions and other necessities, very high medical expenses at the private hospitals…in short we have also witnessed heart rending incidents during this pandemic. When the focus is on amazing wealth, humanness vanishes and vice versa. It is the people who belong to the latter category that Jesus reprimands.
It is the grace of God and the openness of human heart to the same can give up anything to possess God. May the grace of God help us to give up all to possess all that is ultimate, God and life eternal. Let our mind and heart resonate with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to fix my gaze upon you”.
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Bible Reflections I 16.08.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Judges 2:11-19
II - Mt. 19: 16-22
EMPTYING IS PERFECT CHRISTIAN LIVING
Christian living is giving. Giving all that we have and all that we are, to ennoble, enrich and empower the poor, the downtrodden, the less privileged, the less fortunate and those in misery. Observance of commandments may help to inherit eternal life but perfection vests in parting away with the possession for the poor is the crux of the Gospel passage today. Empting oneself for the love of God and love of neighbour is ‘kenosis’ modelled after the example of Jesus and this is perfect Christian living: “though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness” (Phil. 2: 6-7).
Spending our energy, time, skill, money, material, wealth and power surpassing all time constraint, power constraint, dignity constraint, status constraint and prestige constraint even at the cost of name, fame, pride, dignity, ego and reputation, just to uplift the poor and those in the periphery, is emptying. The pandemic of the time is a great opportunity to actualise this Gospel passage in our lives. Let us give, live and let live, all with love, for in loosing we gain, this is the Christian logic of perfection.
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Bible Reflections I 15.08.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Rev. 11: 9, 12:1-6, 10
II - I Cor. 15: 20-27
III - Lk. 1: 39-56
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Solemnity)
INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY
Today the Church solemnises the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, body and soul into Heaven. The dogma of faith on the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was declared on 1st November, 1950 by Pope Pius XII: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she shares in the glory of her Son’s resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his body”. Assumption of Mary is the prefiguration of the destiny of every member of the universal church.
Mary bore Jesus in her womb and we receive Jesus in our hearts. Mother Mary was privileged to assume into heaven because, primarily she was faithful to her call, to be the mother of God and secondly, she sought and accomplished the will the God at all times of her life. The feast of assumption therefore becomes an invitation and motivation for each of us to remain faithful to the state of life to which we have been called. And, however challenging, trying or wearing, learn to take delight in seeking and accomplishing the will of God. These two resolutions can help us combat the constant struggle between the good and evil and be victors conquering the evil as did our Blessed Mother Mary. Mary was simple and insignificant Lady of Nazareth, it was for these two reasons God chose her and exalted to the very heights of glory. May our Blessed Mother help us too to be modelled after her as we solemnize this her feast day today.
India celebrates the seventy fourth independence day today. Let us entrust India under the protection and help of Mother Mary that she may help all us to live in unity, charity, prosperity, justice, equality and brotherhood. Let us make the prayer of Tagore our own as we celebrate the Independence Day today by constantly repeating: “Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake”.
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