Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Bible Reflections I 02.09.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna
Readings
I - Col. 1: 9-14
II - Lk. 5: 1-11
OBLIGE TO THE WORD OF GOD
Peter was a professional fisherman. To him Jesus said, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch”. Peter instantaneously obliged saying, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so I will let down the nets”. This evinces the trust of Peter in the words of Jesus for he had witnessed the healing of his mother-in-law with his rebuke on fever. Tremendous trust of Peter in the words of Jesus, turns out the miracle of the might catch.
The word of God has the power to perform and accomplish; touch and transform life; and toggle and topsy turvy plans and predictions. The word of God can infuse hope, enthuse spirit, refresh minds, renew hearts, shed light, cast fear, calm agitation, give courage, instil purpose and strengthen to stand steadfast in the Lord. I have seen most of the families reading the bible during their family prayer, children reading the bible during their rising and before going to rest, adults reading the bible at the time of decision making, confusions, problems, anxieties and worries, elderly people praying all the time with the bible. I appreciate and encourage. But are we the doers of the Word as well, as did Peter? If we are able to actualise the demands of the word of God: to love, to forgive, to care, to share, to give up, to accept, to defend the hopeless, helpless and the poor then can we expect a great miracle as did Peter, love, joy, hope, trust, serenity, health, strength, prosperity and peace enveloping our life, making it meaningful and purposeful.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Bible Reflections I 01.09.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I – Col. 1: 1-8
II - Lk. 4: 38-44
WITH JESUS WE ARE VICTORIUS
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus after teaching in the synagogue, cures peter’s mother-in-law in particular and heals the sick, the ailing and the possessed, that were brought to him thereafter. Let us take up the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law for our reflection today. Jesus entered into peter’s house, stood over his mother-in-law and rebuked the fever and instantly she was healed and began to serve him.
All of us encounter so many problems in our day-to-day life. The personal, physical, mental, moral, psychological, financial and social problems may overwhelm and weigh us down. May our heart learn to recognise the powerful presence of Jesus amidst them and intercede with him to heal, to eradicate, to help, to accept and to face the same with him. Overcoming all these problems with Jesus, strive to serve him with all our heart, mind, strength and will. In the silence of our heat let us keep repeating: “Lord Jesus, help us to face our life with you”.
Monday, August 30, 2021
Bible Reflections I 31.08.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna
Readings
I - 1 Thess. 5: 1-6, 9-11
II - Lk. 4: 31-37
DOCILE HEART DISCOVERS THE TRUTH
The people of Capernaum was astounded at the teaching of Jesus because of the authority with which he spoke. They were amazed at the power of his command over the unclean spirits. Even the demons recognised that Jesus as the Holy One of God, but his own people in the stubbornness of their hearts recognised him not. They were rigid, adamant, hard headed and stiff necked people unwilling to accept the truth. About these stubborn people Prophet Jeremiah says, “This evil people, that refuse to hear my words, that walk in the stubbornness of their heart” (Jer. 13:10).
There is a famous proverb, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink”. Though the life of Jesus, his preaching and the miracles he worked testified to the fulfillment of the Law and Prophecy in him, they were stubborn to accept a “carpenter’s son” as the “Son of God”. Stubbornness blind the eyes, deafens the ears and hardens the heart from being docile to the truth, true to the words of Jesus, “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear” (Mt. 13:13). May this Gospel passage of the day help us to examine our lives. Stubbornness darkens our understanding and excludes us from God (Eph. 4:18) and His people. Let us be docile to the truth even if it hurts and disturbs us for that is God Himself. In the silence of our heart let us keep praying: “Lord Jesus help me to be docile to discover the truth”.
Sunday, August 29, 2021
Bible Reflections I 30.08.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - 1 Thess. 4: 13-18
II - Lk. 4: 16-30
FAITH FAVOURS
Today’s Gospel passage is on the manifesto of the public ministry of Jesus. As Jesus finished reading the passage of Prophet Isaiah, all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him, he won the approval of all and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. But still the bias of the people that Jesus was a carpenter’s son prevented them to go beyond to trust him. Therefore as the bible says, “He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith” (Mt. 13:58). He came to his own and his own accepted him not (Jn. 1:11).
Each person is unique. Everyone have their own role to play in this world. Judging from the background, we too are sometimes prone to miss people for what they are. Trusting in the word of God, the widow at Zarephath did what Prophet Elijah commanded and baked the first bread for him and found her jar of flour never used up and the jug of oil never ran dry all through the days of drought. Naaman the leper trusted in the words of Prophet Elisha and was cleansed.
Faith favours. Let us accept everyone in the name of the Lord, going beyond our prejudice, likes and dislikes. There are still prophets and persons of God amidst us. May we behold them with faith in order to behold the blessings of the Lord they bring, as we keep repeating this prayer: “Lord Jesus, increase my faith”.
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Bible Reflections I 29.08.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - Deu. 4: 1-2, 6-8
II - Jas. 1:17-18, 21-22,27
III - Mk. 7: 1-8
Beheading of John the Baptist (Memoria)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE UNTO THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD
The simple two dimensional law viz. the love of God and the love of neighbour was complicated by the observance of 613 laws, fabricated by the religious leaders, made the life of a Jew difficult and burdensome. The Scribes and the Pharisees thus “preserved” the law but diluted the essence of the law, the one commanded by God: Love. Anything against the love of God and love of neighbour is impure in the sight of God. They considered themselves as the ‘people of God’, a race after God’s choice and never associated especially with the outcast. Whenever they went out, after their return they would wash their hands so that they remain pure untarnished by their association with the outcast. An inhuman act indeed! And a great abomination in the sight of God because the love of neighbour is jeopardised in the bargain.
In today’s Gospel passage, the Scribes and the Pharisees accuses the disciples of Jesus for not washing their hands. Jesus admonishes their hypocrisy because they were putting aside the commandment of God and were clinging on to human traditions that hurt and neglected one section of the society on the whole. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean but the evil that comes from within viz. theft, murder, adultery, avarice, pride, folly… make him unclean. The first reading speaks about the importance of keeping the word of the Lord, as people of God and in the second reading, St. James exhorts the Christians to be the ‘doers of the Word’ that has the power to save souls. Aligning oneself according to the Word of the Lord therefore is purity and that is religion.
There are people who go on a pilgrimage to holy places, fast for days together, perform all rituals under the pretext of ‘devotion’, parade themselves to be religious people but never give a cup of water to the thirsty, feed the hungry, care for the widow and the orphaned, help the poor or defend the voiceless. Through today’s Gospel passage Jesus rebukes these type of people for their hypocrisy and invites them to concentrate on the higher values of life. Let us not fall into this category of hypocrites but become doers of God and this is of course purity, and pleasing in the sight of God. Today the Church remembers the beheading of St. John the Baptist, voice in the desert that demanded everyone to live by the word of the Lord. May St. John the Baptist give us the courage to stand by God’s Word at all circumstances with courage and conviction.
Friday, August 27, 2021
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Bible Reflections I 27.08.2021- Friday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - 1Thess. 4: 1-8
II - Mt. 25: 1-13
BE PREPARED FOR WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR YOU
The Gospel passage is about the ten bridesmaids awaiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. Five were wise and five were foolish. The wise five were proactive and vigilant in carrying a flask of oil with them so that they may be ready even if the bridegroom arrived late. They were resolute and purposeful; and entered the wedding hall with the bridegroom. The foolish five were negligent and careless that they failed to carry a flask of oil with them so they were unprepared to welcome the bridegroom at his arrival. They were irresolute and lost the purpose; and missed entering the wedding hall with the bridegroom.
Preparedness, with prudence and perseverance rewards achieving the purpose of entering into that wedding banquet of the Lord. Those who are agile and aright aligning their ways unto the way of the Lord enter the banquet with the Him at the end of their life here on earth. We have been gifted with the light of Christ at the time of our baptism representing our transition from death to life in Christ. It is our bounden duty to keep it alight until the day of Lord. Persistence in living the Gospel values of life and prudence in remaining in the same, with utmost steadfastness; unperturbed by the allurements of the world can keep one ever ready for that all important moment of seeing the Lord face to face; walking hand in hand with him into that royal wedding banquet of the Lord prepared all in love for us.
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Bible Reflections I 26.08.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I
Readings
I - 1Thess. 3: 7-13
II - Mt. 24: 42-51
THE MAGIC OF MINDFUL LIVING
According to the Gospel passage today there are two groups of people who are doomed to inherit the eternal damnation viz. the unready and the hypocrites. Because both are concerned about everything other than the essential, the love of God and the love of neighbour. Preparedness and vigilance is essential to behold the Master as He comes. We die the way we live.
Once the boys were playing in the ground. St. Don Bosco encountered them and asked, “What would you do if suddenly God calls you?” Immediately St. Dominic Savio said, “I would still continue playing”. Preparedness spurs fearlessness in facing the day of the Lord. St. Mary Mazzarello gives an easy and simple formula to sanctity, “Sanctity consists in doing the right thing at the right moment, solely for the Love of God”.
The trending wellness concept of the day is “mindfulness”. Mindfulness is being fully present to oneself and to the happenings around. When were are present to ourselves, persons and happenings around, centered on God, we can live our life healthier, better, fruitful and satisfied. This is the simple technique yet highly magical in leading us towards a sacrosanct living that inherits eternal bliss. Mindfulness paves way to meet the Lord with preparedness and vigilance.
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”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)