THE WORD AND THE SAINT

The Call to be ONE

Celebrating the Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle - 21st September, 2017

Eph 4: 1-7,11-13; Mt 9: 9-13

One Lord, One faith, One baptism, One God...Paul stacks up the meaning of the feast today, in describing his own wish for his children. Yes, every time we celebrate the feast of an apostle we are celebrating our call to be One! The division within the Church is because the sense of this Apostolic succession is lost somewhere. That is an ecumenical point of view and important. But more important is a socio-existential point of view of the Church today. The Feast of Matthew and the reminder from the scene of his call, give us this message with an enviable clarity: are we ONE?

How many categories we have created for ourselves to stand divided - denominations among churches, divisions within churches based on rites and languages and even caste, the worst of its kind! Matthew, when he was called, left everything on the table and followed him. A lot of things were at stake for him when he made that choice - he cannot turn back, he will have people on his back, he will have to answer so many people, he will be criticised by many, he will be branded by the world as 'out of his mind', he would be going behind a person about whom he can only pretend to know until the person himself reveals with clarity - how many things against that choice that he made! But still he made that choice - to leave everything and follow Christ. 

Can I today, leave everything, my desires, my identities, my attachments, my clingings, my holdings, my support system...everything! Can I leave them all, and follow Him?

WATERING DOWN FAITH

WORD 2day: 20th September, 2017

Wednesday, 24th week in Ordinary Time

1 Tim 3: 14-16; Lk7: 31-35

At times we dwell in petty arguments regarding faith - to do this or not to do that, who is greater and who is less, what word to use in prayer and what not, which is the most fit time to do something for the Lord, which language is the most sacred language fit for liturgical celebrations, which rite is more prone to reach God faster... are not these like the lamentations of the children Jesus refers to in the gospel today: we played the flute and you did not dance; we played the dirges and you did not moan!

Paul reminds us in the first reading today, that the mystery of our religion, or the truth of our faith, the crux of our Christian life is much deep indeed. Let us not water down our faith to some rituals to be undertaken, some conditions to be fulfilled or some obligations to be respected. Out Christian faith is an entire life to be lived, in all its details, in its very depth. It is not so much what we do but what make us do what we do. It is not so much what we refrain from, but what is that which matters more, that makes us refrain from something else. 

Our faith is not about our apparent behaviour and habits, but the deep seated convictions that give rise to such behaviours and habits. 

WOMEN AND MEN IN GOD

WORD 2day: 19th September, 2017

Tuesday, 24th week in Ordinary Time

1 Tim 3:1-13; Lk7:11-17

Yesterday, I had reflected upon the leaders who are actually absent today in the world - and someone commented in return to me, 'is it not applicable to the Church and leaders in the Church too?'. And I responded saying: 'when I meant leaders, I meant leaders'. Yes, it was about leaders at all levels. And today we have a special instruction on being Christian Leaders or Leaders of a Christian community. It is not enough to be People of God, that is women and men of God, some are called to be a bit more!

Being women and men of God is one thing, which all of us baptised are called to be. Some are more intensely called to be women and men in God, that is people who are so soaked in God that they act like God, think like God and represent God to the rest. It is a call within a call - you got to be attentive if you have that call. These are the true leaders.

There are three important qualities pointed out and elaborated in details, in the readings today. These can form a set of criteria, a touchstone for true Christian leaders. The three qualities are: Personal Integrity (it all begins there!), Selfless Service (that is the crux of it all) and Limitless Mercy (it all moves towards that, for that is the image you imbibe when you are in God). 

FOUND MISSING - LEADERS TODAY!

WORD 2day: 18th September, 2017

Monday, 24th week in Ordinary Time

1 Tim 2:1-8; Lk 7: 1-10

The Word today touches upon a crucial point for today - who is a true leader and what we need to do towards having true leaders. Look at the leaders today - one who threatens all those who are around inviting them to prove their might, one who is busy proving himself the most powerful, one who is busy promoting one's hidden agenda come what may, the one's who are more worried about their purses and positions than about those whom they intend to lead, the ones who are busy making noise without really substantialising their inner potency, the ones who have no stand on their own but try to capitalise on others' weaknesses and necessities - are these the kind of leaders we need? Or the kind of leader that the centurion proved to be?

If we need to have good leaders as such, we should first, pray for our leaders; secondly, promote such leaders, instead of losing them in time and space; and thirdly, become ourselves the type of leaders that we wish to see. What shall we engage in now?

A LESSON ON FORGIVENESS

Memory, Meaning and Matter-of-fact

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 17th September, 2017

Eccl 27:33 - 28:9; Rom 14: 7-9; Mt 18: 21-35

Today we have the most Christian of all lessons - a lesson on forgiveness. That is the key not only to a true Christian life but also to a truly happy life. 


The crucial question of the lesson today is, Why should we forgive? Why should we forgive, if someone has done harm to us? Isn't it against justice? If the one who has offended continues to offend, do I remain on the ground, receiving everything lying down? Jesus seems to be answering these questions as he speaks those words to Peter - not just seven times, seventy times seven. Jesus teaches us to forgive not just our friends but our enemies, and to pray for them. Apart from that response and teaching of Jesus, we have three reasons underlined today in the readings...

We have to forgive because our past demands it from us. MEMORY teaches us that we have to forgive. Looking at what God has done for us, the experience of our own past, where we have been excused so much, pardoned so abundantly and loved beyond all our limitations, we have no excuse; we have to forgive. Look at that man who was pardoned such a large amount by the ruler - what should he have done? Forgive, isnt it? If only he thought a bit about what he has experienced from his ruler, he would not have been so mean. It is important for us to develop this memory, the Memory of the Mercy that we have been granted in abundance.

We have to forgive because our present requires it from us. We are Christians, or so we call ourselves! If we are Christians but we do not live what Christ taught and lived for, then our life has no MEANING at all. The very Meaning of the life that we are living right now, comes from the fact that we take our name from Christ himself. If so, we need to live faithful to that name.Whether we live or die, we are for Christ, we are with Christ and we belong to Christ. Only this gives meaning to our existence, or death, or sufferings or every bit of our daily experiences. Without forgiving can we call ourselves Christians? It is easy at times to forgive people who are our enemies, people whom we know are against us, people who are far away from us. But it is not so easy to forgive our own close friends, those who are all the time with us, persons who enjoy a great part of our confidence. But Jesus stands a model even in these - he not only forgave the Jews and Romans who killed him or the soldiers who treated him with contempt, but also the closest of his collaborators who turned against or indifferent towards him. If I need to live a meaningful life, here and now, I better learn to forgive.

We have to forgive because our future depends on that, as a MATTER-OF-FACT. As the first readings says so simply and the parable Jesus narrates in the gospel points out, if we need to be forgiven, if we have to be accepted as children of God, if we have to qualify as disciples of Christ, we should forgive and there is no option to it. It is a matter of fact, there is no two opinions about it. Jesus is crystal clear, the Word is insistent and the Spirit inspires us to forgive, because only through that we make ourselves worthy of the forgiveness of God. 

Consider the well known images...of Nelson Mandela who remained in the prison for 27 years due to racism and when he stepped out he chose to forgive and work with the authorities towards abolition of apartheid... of the wife of Graham Steins who was killed with two of his sons and how she announced with firmness, I forgive those who killed my loved ones... of the family of Sr. Rani Maria who was stabbed to death and the assassin who is now a Christian because he was forgiven and accepted as one among them by the family... of Pope Saint John Paul II who forgave the one who attempted to assassinate him, Ali Agca and how the latter came back after 31 years to Rome, to St. Peter's, to John Paul the II's tomb to pay his homage. He says he wishes to meet in person Pope Francis and if Pope Francis wishes, he is ready to serve the Church as a Catholic Priest. 

Look at all these images... what do they communicate... a lesson on forgiveness! That is what the Lord wants to leave with us today. Let us take this lesson to our heart, and consider seriously practicing this teaching, if not, we would remain far from what we claim to be - that is, Christians! 

THE WORD AND THE SAINTS

We are fruits of these good trees

Celebrating Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian - 16th September, 2017

1 Tim 1:15-17; Lk 6: 43-49

We have two saints whom we celebrate today - one a Pope-Martyr, Cornelius and the other a Bishop-Martyr, Cyprian. We have three reasons to thank God today for these saints. First of all for the testimony of their martyrdom - that they lived for the Lord and died for the Lord. Second for their insistence on the Oneness of the Church - Cornelius was the first Pope to fight against a schism in the Church already in the year 251 and Cyprian wrote those beautiful lines, 'God is one and Christ is one, and his Church is one.' Thirdly, they were people who guarded the Church against the viles of the enemy - Cornelius fought against the first anti-pope in the history of the Church and Cyprian taught extensively the doctrine strengthening the faithful against straying from the truth. 

They lived, worked, suffered and died for Christ - they have left behind a great legacy as did the apostles. We are fruits of these good trees. Do we have the same good and faithfulness in us? We are called to stand of the Truth of the Lord, the Lord's people and the Lord's way of life, amidst the cries of confusion and compromise today. 

THE WORD AND THE FEAST

THE FIRST ONE TO BEHOLD THE CROSS

Remembering the Sorrowful Mother of God - 15th September, 2017

1 Tim 1: 1-2,12-14; Jn 19: 25-27

If yesterday was the glorification of the Cross, today is the remembrance of the one who beheld that Cross, standing at its foot, for the first time! The Cross was not anything new, it was a common punishment for the offenders. But for the first time, its significance changes when the Son of God takes it into his loving embrace. Suffering for humanity is nothing new, but it all depends how we behold it, in our own lives. Mary stood by that Cross, and she did not realise what it really meant. What we celebrate today is not the theological interpretation that Mary gave to the Cross - No! She knew nothing of it.

We celebrate today three important attitudes that we see in our Blessed Mother: 

The surrendering love due to which she was able to accept anything that came her way after that 'yes' she said - the struggle without a place to give birth to her son, the exile to Egypt and back, the society that did not accept her son and everything that followed.

The enduring hope with which she believed in every word that was spoken to her by the Angel. She was blessed because she believed that what the Lord promised would surely be fulfilled. Even at the foot of the Cross or after the body was laid in the silence of the tomb, she stood firm in her hope.

The unwavering faith which led her to remain silent until every sword had pierced her heart - she knew nothing can take her away from the Lord. She waited until her son won over death and made her the sign of our ultimate victory over death. Mary shines as the beacon that illumines our lives and makes us understand, the ultimate victory belongs to the Lord. 

May the sword that pierced her heart, make us meek, humble and obedient unto the Lord.

THE WORD AND THE FEAST

THE CROSS AND A CHRISTIAN

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross - 14th September, 2017

Phil 2: 6-11; Jn 3: 13-17

Reflecting on the Exaltation of the Cross, I could not take my eyes and my mind off these two persons - one a simple salesian missionary and the other a simple jesuit pope! They have lived up to their call - to be Christians, above all. 

How many of us can look at hardships in life and start counting them as opportunities to live our life to the full? How many of us can live with difficulties and still feel, every day is a blessing, a step closer to one's salvation? How many of us can look at the unnecessary burdens that are shoved on his or her shoulders and still say, these are nothing compared to the blessing that the Lord has in store for me? That would be the count of true Christ-ians among us!

The two people we see in the picture, taken just yesterday at Vatican, Fr. Tom and the Holy Father, they stand tall today as people who have exalted the Cross in their own lives. 

Look at the Holy Father's face - the bruise from the bash that he had during his visit to Columbia. There was a beautiful report after that incident saying that the incident, though painful caused no change in his plan. All the delay that it caused was for a small first aid, with ice cubes and a band-aid. The 80 year old man was back on his feet, running through the schedule with the same smile and more warmth. That is an exaltation of the Cross.

Fr. Tom Uzhunallil, a living testimony by now for the exaltation of the Cross - reached Vatican on his release after 18 months in exile and those who were with him those initial moments reported these words: all that he said was thanks, to the Lord and the Madonna! What a way to exalt the Cross!

When we come across a painful event or experience in our personal or familial or communitarian lives, after perceiving that initial pain, how long do we take to look deep and find the hand of the Lord affirming us, the presence of the Lord accompanying us and the Words of the Lord filling our lives in its emptiness? That is the mark of being Christians - the ability and the readiness to accept the cross. The Cross and a Christian cannot be away from each other!

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

THE CHRIST DIFFERENCE

Celebrating John of Golden Mouth - 13th September, 2017

Col 3: 1-11; Lk 6: 20-26

There is no more Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, slaves or free persons, there is only Christ, says Paul. Christ alone makes the difference. There is no more religious or lay, catholics or others, believers or non believers, practitioners or indifferent, regular-to-the-Church or non-church-goers...nothing is going to be different because of these. There is only Christ and Christ is going to make all the difference. 

God has chosen each of us, and if God has chosen us in Christ, we have a duty to respond. It is our response that is going to make the difference. If I choose Christ, if I value Christ, if I value the call that I have received to be a child of God, I have to  show it in my life, I have to live it on a daily basis, I have to prove it at times of real crisis in my practical living. When I choose Christ the difference will be seen. 

John Chrysostom, whom we celebrate today, was born just John. He was given the title Chyrsostom, which means "Golden Mouth" because of the way he spoke God's Word, the way he inspired others through his life so absolutely guided by the Word. He made a choice for Christ, in the midst of his early education with a climate so anti-christian and pagan, and his choice he lived for the rest of his life and was even killed for it. Let our choice for Christ make a concrete difference in our lives. Let the world around me see a difference, the Christ difference in me!

THE WORD AND THE FEAST

NAMED AFTER THE ULTIMATE NAME

Celebrating the Most Holy Name of Mary - 12th September, 2017

Eph 1: 3-6, 11-12; Lk 1: 39-47

Name is identity. In the salvific plan of God, name refers to the core of one's being. the Mother of God was chosen, in Christ before the foundations of the world, to be holy and blameless - the name that refers to this identity is MARY. That name is a vocation, a call, a Divine choice, a crucial part of the Salvation Plan of God. And each of us is called, just like Mary was and we are given an identity that we draw from the One who has created us and called us. 

What is my identity, what is my name? Do I realise that I am named after the Ultimate Name on earth and heaven... the name of God! That is what Paul asserts when he says we are chosen in Christ, in the name of Christ, the name above every name that was revealed to us, that name that was borne by Mary for the entire humanity. 

The call is to live up to that name. Mary did. She was chosen and predestined and she lived upto that name by reaching out to the needy, even without being asked. This is what she is, even today. Reaching out to us in love! Let us confide in her, the mother of Christ and our Mother and she will lead us to our ultimate home.