23rd August 2019

“Both Mahlon and Chilion died also, and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband.” —Ruth 1:5

All the men in Naomi’s family died, her husband and two married sons. Under these circumstances, many would despair and their lives would fall apart. But, by God’s power, death in the family can become life-giving and lift the family to new heights of love and grace.

For example, Ruth could rise above her grief at her husband’s death to exhibit a faithfulness to her mother-in-law, a prophetic example of our heavenly Father’s faithfulness. When Ruth left her homeland with her mother-in-law, she committed social suicide. According to the customs of the time, she threw away her future and condemned herself to abject poverty. However, by a miraculous turn of events, Ruth married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of King David (Ru 4:17).

A mourning and bereft family was used mightily in God’s salvation plan. A widow traumatized by the deaths of husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law gave life and prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah. God turns all things, even death, to the good for those who love Him (Rm 8:28).

Jesus’ mandate to “love your neighbour as yourself” in the Gospel, is illustrated elsewhere in the story of the Good Samaritan. The goodness of the Samaritan was not only manifested in his sensitivity, but in the crossing of cultural boundaries, when he took care of a member of the Jewish community.

One of the greatest problems that ails our world today is the inability to cross boundaries and exercise empathy for those who live beyond one’s cultural or religious community. Peace and social sanity will continue to elude us unless we are willing to similarly cross such boundaries. follow the examples set before us and, similarly, cross such boundaries.

10th August 2019

The Feast of St Lawrence the Deacon.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12: 24).

Archdeacon Lawrence was arrested after the martyrdom of Pope Sixtus II, and given a three day ultimatum by Emperor Valerian to hand over the treasures of the Church. In the following three days, Lawrence sold the Church treasures for the benefit of the poor and presented these poor as the real treasures of the Church! For this, he was killed by being slowly burnt on a spit. Lawrence literally lived the challenge presented by Jesus in the Gospel of today – ‘unless a wheat grain dies, it will not bear fruit’. Lawrence’s life and actions are embodied in Paul’s message, in his second letter to the Corinthians today: the righteous are those who give generously to the poor.

Perhaps we may not be called upon to ‘lose our life’ literally for the cause of our faith, but for certain, we are challenged each day, in some way, to take a stand for what we believe in, without compromise.

8th August 2019

ST. DOMINIC

Thursday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Dominic (1170 – 1221), Priest and Founder of the Order of Preachers, the Dominican Order.

Unable to translate the word ‘believe’ while explaining a Biblical passage to the natives of Songhai, a missionary asked help from a local, familiar with English. After thinking for a bit the local said, “It means to hear and see with the heart”.

In today’s Gospel, finally personalising the question, Jesus asked each disciple who they believed He was – not public opinion, not prophesies, but their personal belief. For about three years now, the disciples had experienced Him pray, teach, heal, and reach out to the least, lost and last. Only those who had seen with the heart would be able to answer with conviction.

The Israelites journeying to the promised land seem to be on a constant rewind when it comes to their belief in God. The doubts expressed in Egypt are repeated when trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s army, then when hungry in the desert and now when thirsty. Despite experiencing the never-failing providence of God, they doubt and complain, because they fail to see with the heart.

What do you make of the sharp rebuke of Jesus to Peter? Peter opposed the truth that Jesus must suffer and die. Christ’s reaction implies that this truth is fundamental and of the highest priority in the hierarchy of truth. Nobody should mess up with this fundamental proposition. Not even Peter.

After His Resurrection, Jesus laid down 4 principles of apostolic witness:

#1 The Death of Jesus.

#2 Testimony of Scripture to the suffering and death of Jesus: (Luke 24: 44 – 46).

#3 The Resurrection of Jesus.

#4 The power of the Name of Jesus.

Deprecation of any of these truths by heresies must not be tolerated in the Church.

Is my faith something that is handed down, or is it based on what I have heard and seen with my heart?

St Dominic (1170 – 1221)

He was born in Castile (part of modern Spain) and became a canon of the cathedral of Osma. He accompanied his bishop (Diego de Azevedo) in a mission of preaching against the Albigensian heresy, which was then strong in southern France. While the official missions lived in formality and splendour, Dominic and Diego lived in extreme poverty, and prepared with great diligence for the debates that they held with their opponents. When the suppression of Albigensianism was undertaken by invasion and war of a particularly savage kind, Dominic continued to try to preach and persuade.

In 1216 he founded the Order of Preachers, dedicated to saving souls by preaching and persuasion. Like the Franciscans, founded a few years before, the Dominicans put great importance on poverty, both of the individual and of the community, and of the need to be involved directly in the world while still living some form of monastic life. At a time when the settled Benedictine monasteries had grown into great and rich institutions, this was a revolutionary and to some a subversive concept. The Friars made a lasting impact on the life of mediaeval Europe, and the Dominicans in particular altered the course of intellectual history by making a well-thought-out and rational response to the new learning that was appearing as long-forgotten thinkers such as Aristotle became known once more in the Christian West.

Dominic died at Bologna on 6th August 1221.

ST. DOMINIC, PRAY FOR US.

3rd August 2019

LIFESTYLE OF WORSHIP

The Jews would celebrate a ‘jubilee year’ after every 49 years, seeking to restore all of creation to what God originally intended it to be. It reminded the people that the land they lived in and cultivated, as well as everything they owned was God-given and therefore meant to be equally shared. In this year, slaves were to be released, debts to be forgiven and all else done to ensure that all God’s people enjoyed equal status.

“This fiftieth year you shall make sacred by proclaiming liberty in the land for all.” —Leviticus 25:10

We all must worship. If we don’t worship God, then we worship ourselves, and eventually demons

“What am I saying — that meat offered to an idol is really offered to that idol, or that an idol is a reality? No, I mean that the Gentiles sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to become sharers with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and likewise the table of demons” (1 Cor 10:19-21).

Society may appear to hinder worship, but actually worship dominates society. A new worship is the only force that can stifle another worship. For example, the purpose of the Jubilee Year was to overcome the worship of greed, money, and self-glorification (Lv 25:1ff). In Egypt the worship of work and pleasure hindered the worship of God (Ex 5:3-4). Herod’s worship of sex stifled worship in Spirit and truth (Mt 14:4). In the modern World, we continue to worship money, work, pleasure, and sex. The Lord’s Day is not the Lord’s but ours. Our holy days are weekends and holidays.

The worship of this world has increased and the worship of the true God has decreased. We can reverse this diabolical trend by repenting and changing lifestyles because styles of life become invariably styles of worship. “Worship God alone!” (Rv 22:9)

2nd August 2019

Peter Julian Eymard

DON’T JUDGE A MAN BY HIS RELATIVES

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s Son? Isn’t Mary known to be His mother and James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas His brothers? Aren’t His sisters our neighbors? Where did He get all this?” —Matthew 13:55-56

The book of Leviticus may appear to be a mere collection of rules concerning sacrifices, feasts and festivals, the priesthood and the life of the people. However, a studied reading reveals that following it helped the Israelites better understand that their relationship with God was meant to be celebrated and not feared! The rules laid down for the celebration of their feasts brought them together as a community in thanksgiving and reverence to God. It taught them to love and respect one another and the authority of God.

The Gospel, on the other hand, shows us how the people of His very own hometown refused to respect the authority of Jesus, because they couldn’t accept that an ordinary carpenter could be their Messiah! Even though they were in the presence of God Himself, they failed to recognise Him.

Jesus’ hometown folk rejected Him because they judged Him based on his relatives. People make the same mistake to the present day. Gandhi, for example, was very impressed by Jesus, but never became a Christian because he was unimpressed with Jesus’ relatives, that is, us, Jesus’ brothers and sisters. Many people say they quit the Church because of the hypocrites in it. They too reject Jesus because of His so-called followers. How many people turn their backs on Jesus because they were offended by a pastor or some other person in their church?

Judge Jesus based on His crucifixion and Resurrection for love of you. Judge Jesus based on His nail-scarred hands and thorn-crowned head. Judge Jesus for Himself and not for us, His relatives.

Judge yourself for any sins by which you deface and obscure the image of Jesus in your life. Judge yourself for not fully responding to His crucified and risen love, for Jesus will judge you on Judgment Day.

Today, we celebrate a saint – Peter Julian Eymard – who understood the need to spend time in the presence of God, which is why he founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (better known here as the ‘Blessed Sacrament Fathers’). The Congregation grew to foster a new way of life, one completely shaped by the Eucharist celebrated, contemplated, and lived in communion.

29th July 2019

Feast of St Martha, Queen of Hospitality.

“Jesus entered a village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.” (Luke 10: 38).

God’s ‘Word’ is efficacious; and while it’s effects may not be immediately evident, they definitely unfold, to become a reality in time.

The Word of God, handed down through Moses in the form of the Ten Commandments would soon become a way of life for the people of Israel, who had repeatedly fallen into evil ways. The Commandments, to this day, are a guide to Christians, the world over!

In the Gospel, the words of Jesus foretell the spread of the Kingdom of God throughout the world, despite its small beginnings. While the efficacy of His words may have not been evident then, they are a reality today. The unbroken line of Popes, shepherding the Church to this day, are the successors of ‘the rock’ on whom Jesus promised to build His Church. The Eucharists we celebrate are a reminder of Jesus’ command to break ourselves in the service of others. These are but a few examples of the ‘Word’ becoming a reality.

Martha “had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to His words.” —Luke 10:39

Martha is a great saint because she accepted Jesus’ correction. Jesus corrected Martha not because she was too busy, anxious, or critical. Jesus corrected Martha because she was only a worker for the Lord and not a disciple of the Lord.

A mere worker sets the agenda. A disciple sits at the feet of Jesus, prays each morning for the Lord to open his ear (Is 50:4), and then takes orders from his Lord.

A worker can feel anxious and upset because he’s in charge of his life and work (see Lk 10:41). A disciple is at rest, for Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden light (Mt 11:30).

A person who works for the Lord but isn’t His disciple prays for God’s help, while a disciple prays to help God.

A mere worker for the Lord initiates activity, but a disciple doesn’t move until the Lord moves (see Ex 40:37; Ps 123:2). With Jesus, we as disciples do nothing by ourselves but only what we see the Father doing (Jn 5:19).

The Lord wants more than workers for the harvest (see Mt 9:37); He wants disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). Don’t just invite Jesus into your life; rather, be a disciple and lose your life in Him (see Lk 9:23-24).

St. Martha, Pray for us.

28th July 2019

Sunday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time. Luke gives us Jesus’ delightful teaching on prayer.

Does God really answer our prayers? Haven’t you prayed sincerely and repeatedly to God and on occasions received no answer? Yet in today’s Gospel Jesus says “ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened”!

Prayer is often misunderstood by some when it’s limited to asking God for help.

The first reading from Genesis (through a dialogue that Abraham has with God, as he intercedes on behalf of others) helps us understand that prayer is a relationship with God. Abraham’s ability to dialogue with God was because of the relationship he shared with Him, which had convinced him that God was loving and merciful.

In the latter part of the Gospel, Jesus (through the parable of the persistent neighbour) encourages his disciples – and this includes us – to pray with perseverance, confident in the providence of God because of our relationship with Him. This of course, presumes that we already share a relationship with God.

That our prayer will be answered is certain. The time and manner in which it will be is best left to God.

A recap the main points:

#1 Each day, ask the Father for what to eat.

#2 Always remember to ask for forgiveness for your sins. He who says I have no sin is a liar.

#3 The Father is committed to forgiving you all your sins. You must likewise forgive your neighbor.

#4 Pray with perseverance. Ask and keep asking.

#5 Believe me if I tell you this: The best thing to pray for is the Holy Spirit.

26th July 2019

Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of Mary and Grandparents of Jesus.

Friday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Church says about Anne and Joachim:

“It was in the house of Joachim and Anne that the Virgin Mary received her training to be the Mother of God. Thus, devotion to Anne and Joachim is an extension of the affection Christians have always shown toward our Blessed Mother. We, too, owe a debt of gratitude to our parents for their help in our Christain formation.” (Roman Missal).

Our 1st Reading today gives us a commandment with a promise:

“Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

The Ten Commandments are God’s guidelines to help us build His Kingdom: a world where there is no anger, no hate, no murder, just the consequences of loving each other – peace and joy! Just knowing the commandments is not enough; they need to be actively observed through our: care for the aged and defenseless, emphasis on mutual love and fidelity in marital relationships, campaigns against economic inequalities, stand for the truth and opposition to the culture of death.

The Gospel, too, calls us to bear fruit because the Christian call is not a privilege but a responsibility.

Today, as we celebrate the feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim, we remember our own parents, their parents before them and the earlier generations, to whom we owe the environment of faith in which we have been raised. The same environment that Anne and Joachim provided for Mary, evident from her virtuous and selfless lifestyle. Likewise, Jesus’ three impactful years of ministry were backed by the values He had received from the thirty years He had spent under the care, guidance and example of Mary and Joseph.

Let us pray for all parents, that they may encourage their children to be faithful in word and action, to bear fruit a hundredfold.

25th July 2019

St James the Greater – Apostle

Thursday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time, feast of St James, Apostle. James and John were sons of Zebedee. James was one of the Apostles with Peter and John who witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus on the Mountain and the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was condemned to death under King Agrippa I and beheaded in 42 AD.

James like the other Apostles held the treasure of God’s calling and ministry in earthen vessels. When we look at the human weaknesses of the Apostles, we see how the enormous power of God can work even in us.

When Salome approached Jesus requesting that her sons, James and John, be given prime positions when He came in glory, she hadn’t the faintest idea what she was asking! Jesus’ words to James and John, “Can you drink the cup I am about to drink?” spelt out what following Him really meant; for there could be no crown without a cross! It was only after the resurrection that the brothers understood the full implication of being a disciple.

James was the first Apostle to be martyred after he was arrested as one of the leaders of the rapidly growing Church. He was among the four Apostles (Peter, Andrew, James and John) closest to Jesus and therefore present at significant events in Jesus’ life and ministry. The first reading aptly describes the attitude of a disciple: because we believe that He who raised Jesus will also raise us; nothing – neither trials, nor persecution, nor abandonment can crush or discourage or knock us down.

We all desire to share in Christ’s glory, but are we willing to drink from His cup of suffering?

“I chose you from the world to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Cf. John 15:16).

St. James, Pray for us.

Who is St Mary Magdalene?

“Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.” (John 20: 17 – 18).

Monday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Mary Magdalene. St Mary Magdalene is one of the powerful women of the Bible. How did Mary Magdalene earn her place in history?

#1 She knew Jesus personally, touched Him and heard Him.

#2 She provided for Jesus which means she probably cooked His food and washed His clothes and cleaned His sandals.

#3 Mary was one of the few close disciples of Jesus that witnessed the entire passion and death of Jesus from A to Z.

#4 Jesus rewarded her for her loving loyalty by granting her the privilege of being the first to see the Lord after His Resurrection and commissioned her to take the Good News to the Apostles.

My brethren, the love of Christ controlled and compelled the life of Mary Magdalene after this beautiful soul realized what Jesus did for her. (Cf 2 Corinthians 5: 14).

Mary Magdalene must have wondered how she came to love Jesus insanely and then tumbled upon the reason: Jesus the Christ first loved her. (Cf 1 John 4: 19).

Yes, it is true. Jesus first loved us. It the magnetic power of this love that drew us to Jesus. O Mary Magdalene help me to understand the love Jesus has for me.

The Sacred Scriptures proclaim triumphantly: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17). Just as Mary of Magdala becomes a new creation with the embrace of Jesus, so you and I can become the same today.

St Mary Magdalene pray for us.