WORD 2day: 2nd April, 2014

Turn to God the Father and Mother

Is 49:8-15; Jn 5:17-30

The relationship God has with us and the identity we have of ourselves in relation to God are the two factors that matter the most in forming a holistic world view. That is what defined to Jesus, who and what he was. Jesus' self identity was so strongly formed that he did not mind facing any opposition in order to realise and live that identity to the full. Understanding God as a mother who does not forget the child in her bosom, or as some one who does not forget us even if a mother does, leads us to an attachment that Jesus exhibits in his life... for the Jews it was strange and unthinkable, it was a reason enough to kill Jesus. If we exhibit such an attachment to God and to doing God's will the world around will look at us strange too; they would want to do away with us too - may be by subtler ways, like calling us 'old fashioned' or 'goody goody' or 'impractical'. Will we be courageous enough to say what Jesus says:"I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me!"

WORD 2day: 1st of April

RETURN TO THE SPRINGS OF LIVING WATERS

The Springs of living waters, that fill us with life, health and joy are pictured today in the readings. The waters keep flowing on, it depends on us to approach it and drink from it. Jesus invites us, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me; and let the one who believes in me, drink!" (Jn 7:37-38). We are planted by the stream that flows, that is, we are enlivened by the presence of the Lord who surrounds us each and every moment. True spirituality has to arise from there - based on the personal presence of God with us. Special places like the Church or the Sanctuaries and special moments like those of community liturgy or personal prayer, should be the springs from where the waters flow on into daily life, affecting our daily life, our every day thoughts, words and deeds! If that connection is lost, then we become lifeless vegetation that remains fruitless. Let us return to the Springs of living waters and make our daily life flourish, for the greater glory of God!