THE WORD IN LENT -16

The Blessings that Blind

Second week in Lent: Thursday, 5th Mar, 2015

Jer 17: 5-10; 16: 19-31

At times I used to wonder what mistake did that rich man do? And in what way he is responsible for Lazarus' misery? In no way is he responsible, but he is responsible for his attitude towards Lazarus. That he did not care to even see the miseries of the person right at the foot of his table, looking for the crumbs - oh, what a gross insensitivity, sheer blindness! And the worst of all, that blindness comes from his blessings, the abundance that he had for himself. The Blessings blinded him. 

Just recently someone was sharing his disappointment that some people take up to ministry in high spirits but soon with the inflow of money they lose the original spirit and make it a business. And the person concluded, the blessings blind them! St. Paul reminds us: what do you have that you have not received? (1Cor 4:7). The blessings should make us more grateful and more sensitive; it can blind us to those in need around us - within the family, in the neighbourhood, in our workplaces, in our known circles and even outside the immediate circle! 

Let our blessings make us more aware of those in need!

THE WORD IN LENT -15

The Reign Mode

Second Week in Lent: Wednesday, 4th Mar, 2015

Jer 18: 18-20; Mt 20: 17-28

The readings today present to us the stark contrast between the Jesus' way of thinking and the Worldly terms of thinking. Jesus' way of thinking is Reign mode of thinking; thinking of the primacy of God, thinking of the framework of love, thinking of the criterion of service, thinking of the fullness of life of all! The Worldly mode of thinking is thinking of one's gains at all cost, thinking of one's comfort mindless about the struggles of others, thinking of scaling the ladder and not serving my brothers and sisters, thinking of every one and every situation as an opportunity for my own gains! 

Each of us can judge for ourselves, in which mode we live our life today. Or some times the modes may be off and on, that is occasionally we may have the two of them alternating between themselves; but what is the predominant mode and when are we going to clearly switch to the Reign Mode? St. Paul instructs in his letter to the Philippians: 'Put on the mind of Christ' (2:5).