WORD 2day: 11th December, 2014

Second Thursday of Advent
Isa 41: 13-20; Mt 11: 11-15

The Reign Suffers

Jesus speaks of the Reign that suffers at the hands of the violent. It follows from Jesus' assertion that the Reign of God rests amidst us. Yes, the Reign lives in those who live the values of the Reign. Most of the times when I speak to persons, especially the Religious, about the Reign of God the session would not come to an end without a question: "are all that you spoke of, possible? Can we really establish such a Reign in our context?" 

My response is: it is not about establishing the Reign. The Reign already exists, in the persons who stand for love and mutual care, in persons who thirst for justice and truth, in persons who are ready to give up even their lives for the sake of fullness of life for all. The question is do we form part of that Reign already in our life or not. And if we do form part of it, it would be seen in our everyday choices, our priorities and the causes we stand for and speak out for. 

When we do it, we will not be surely left in peace. We will have troubles from every corner and the Lord assures us in the first reading today: 'Fear not! I will help you!' Because the Reign of God is the Lord's doing and we are all agents of that the Reign here on earth.

WORD 2 day: 10th December, 2014

Second Wednesday of Advent

Is 40: 25-31; Mt 11: 28-30

The Temple Run...the life's run

A famous game on the ipads and iphones among the young today, is the Temple Run. I have been fascinated by it the few times that I have seen it. It is nothing but a man who keeps running...he has a devil chasing him and he has to keep running. On the way though he has a devil behind him, he is worried about picking up coins and diamonds so that he can move on ahead having benefits and lives. 

Looking at it, one is reminded of how our lives are ...running all the time from pillar to post for so many varied things, and in the meanwhile concerned about collecting and hoarding things for the present and the future. It has become a need today and looks so rare that anyone will shrink from this running around! A Christian is no exception to this process.

The Lord assures his sons and daughters that God will be with us strengthening us in this life and all its trials...you will run but will not grow tired, you will walk but will not grow faint...if and only if you have God with you! The Lord expresses his wish to comfort us and assist us, it is upto us to receive this grace and accept his accompaniment.