WORD 2day: Saturday, 17th week in Ordinary time
August 3, 2019: Leviticus 25:1,8-17; Matthew 14: 1-12
In spite of all the talk about recession, economic crisis and tough times, celebrations do not seem to have reduced or stopped. Especially in the religious realm, celebrations find their importance and significance intact. At times they are exaggerated too to the extent of being detested. Today the Word presents to us two modes of celebration - one, an exploitative celebration that is irresponsible, insensitive and a mere show of arrogance; the other, a righteous celebration... a Birthday celebration and the Jubilee celebration.
What should a Christian celebration be like, is the question we are invited to reflect on today! The First reading tells us what it should be and the Gospel, what it shouldn't be. Insensitive expenditures, egoistic self propaganda, lustful indulgence, uncontrolled inebriation, objectification of persons, a show of pomp that is inconsistent with the prevailing conditions of inhumanity, an unjustifiable splendour that is so removed from the stark reality of a great part of the society - these are clear indications of a celebration that is UNCHRISTIAN or even anti-Christian.
A real Christian celebration should bring to the centre of focus. the well being of those who are suffering, those who are struggling under constant poverty and inhumanity, those who face the hardship of want and helplessness of misery day in and day out, those who have got used to living in a state of misfortune, those who find their lives everyday becoming more and more difficult - the celebration should come as a consolation, a hand on the shoulders of these loving children of God!
The Jubilee year proposed by the Lord to the people and the ways to observe the Jubilee highlight the elements of selfless concern for the other, a sacrifice for the sake of the less fortunate, justice and righteousness, brotherhood and sisterhood, doing no wrong to the other and the most important of all, a fuller sharing of God's love with one another! We will do well today, to examine our celebrations!
A celebration that is godly should not be at the cost of the other, but for the sake of the love for the other. Celebrations should reaffirm the meaning and joy of living. That is why everyday eucharist is a celebration, a reminder of the life that we are called to live in the Lord, in communion with our brothers and sisters!