THE WORD AND THE SAINT

Holy of Holies 

Celebrating Agnes - the Spouse of the Lord

Heb 9: 2-3,11-14; Mk 3: 20-21

Jesus is compared to the Jewish high priests who alone are allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, and even that, only once a year. Jesus has entered and has come from a place holier than the Holy of holies, infact he is the Sanctuary, the Altar, the Sacrifice and the High Priest. There is none who can be paralleled to him. But even Jesus could not reveal this without struggles - he was mocked at, he was criticised, he was called even a lunatic by his own people. Such was his dedication and consecration to the mission entrusted to him.

The same dedication and consecration we see in the young girl whom we celebrate today. St. Agnes, did not live more than 13 years of her life, but consecrated herself to the Lord and considered her life and her body totally belonging to the Lord. She stood against anything that could deviate her from the Lord and gave up even her life for the simple belief that "the Lord is my Spouse". 

Struggles, criticism, insults, misunderstandings, persecution, desertion, nothing should move us from belonging to the Lord. If they do, we would lose not merely our opportunity to enter the holy of holies, but the grace of living there forever!

UNITY OCTAVE 2017 - DAY 3

The Love of Christ compels us

Reconciliation: Prayer for Unity in the Church

Jan 18 - Jan 25

In 1993, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity issued the Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms of Ecumenism and explicitly encouraged participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. So today the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity belongs to all Christians who are sincerely interested in the fulfillment of Christ’s prayer “that all may be one.” When he discusses prayer in common in his A Handbook of Spiritual Ecumenism, Cardinal Walter Kasper specifically mentions that “the celebration of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity world-wide is an initiative of singular importance to be encouraged and further developed.”

It is sponsored by the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. On a national basis, materials for the celebration of the Week of Prayer are the work of Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute in collaboration with the Commission on Faith and Order of the National Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

The 2017 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity revolves around the occasion of the 500th anniversary year of the beginnings of the Reformation. The theme: “Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us” (2 Corinthians 5:14-20) has two accents: reflection upon the main concerns of the churches marked by Martin Luther’s Reformation and secondly recognizing the pain of the subsequent deep divisions which afflicted the unity of the Church. In selecting this theme, it is viewed as an opportunity to take steps toward reconciliation.

THEME FOR DAY 3: WE REGARD NO ONE FROM THE HUMAN POINT OF VIEW(2 Cor 5:16)

References:

1 Samuel 16:1. 6-7	The Lord looks not at outward appearances but at the heart
Psalm 19:7-13	The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes
Acts 9:1-19	Saul becomes Paul
Matthew 5:1-12	The Beatitudes

PRAYER FOR THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH

God of all, we pray as one,

that we may be one,

just as the Lord Jesus prayed

we may be one in Him.

Your son Jesus compels us

to be reconciled to one another.

May our spirits be joined

to your Holy Spirit,

that we may witness to

the visible unity of the Church.

May we all recognise

that we are truly one with you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit and

grow together in peace.

We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord

Amen.

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

The New and the Old

Celebrating St. Sebastian - 20th Jan 2017

Heb 8: 6-13; Mk 3: 13-19

The Lord goes about forming a new community, the old is no more valid; the Lord promises a new covenant, the old is done away with. We are people of the new covenant and we are reminded of it today - a covenant that is unconditional, based only on love and no other performances or requirements. How much do I love God? As much as God loves me? 

St. Sebastian's life and witness speaks of this love - Sebastian was killed with arrows tied to the stake, for his faith. Under the command of the Emperor Diocletian, the soldiers used him as a shooting target for their practice. Pierced all over with arrows, Sebastian escaped death and appeared before Diocletian 6 months later, only to more vociferously denounce the way against the Lord. This time he was ordered to be beaten to death. That did not move Sebastian - he joyfully gave his life for his faith.

The times have come where we need to stand up for our faith, for our convictions, for our beliefs... are we prepared?

UNITY OCTAVE 2017- DAY 2

The Love of Christ compels us

Reconciliation: Prayer for Unity in the Church

Jan 18 - Jan 25

Do you know that it is 5th Centenary of Luther's Reformation... 1517 - 2017.

It is an important remembrance for the Non Catholic Brethren, and why not, even for the Catholics.

When the German national planning committee met in the autumn of 2014, to plan for this year's Unity Octave, it quickly became clear that this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this year should have two accents: on the one hand, there should be a celebration of God’s love and grace, the “justification of humanity through grace alone”, reflecting the main concern of the churches marked by Martin Luther’s Reformation. On the other hand, it should also recognize the pain of the subsequent deep divisions which afflicted the Church, openly name the guilt, and offer an opportunity to take steps toward reconciliation.

Ultimately it was Pope Francis’ 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”) which provided the theme for this year, when they used the quote: “The Love of Christ Compels Us” (Paragraph 9). With this scripture verse (2 Cor 5:14), taken in the context of the entire fifth chapter of the second letter to the Corinthians, the German committee formulated the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2017.

THEME FOR DAY 2: LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES (2 Cor 5:15)

References:

Isaiah 53:4-12	He gave his life as an atoning sacrifice
Psalm 118: 1.14-29	God did not abandon me to death
1 John 2:1-2	Christ died for all
John 15:13-17	Giving his life for his friends

PRAYER FOR THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH

God of all, we pray as one,

that we may be one,

just as the Lord Jesus prayed

we may be one in Him.

Your son Jesus compels us

to be reconciled to one another.

May our spirits be joined

to your Holy Spirit,

that we may witness to

the visible unity of the Church.

May we all recognise

that we are truly one with you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit and

grow together in peace.

We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord

Amen.

WORD 2day: 19th January, 2017

Power from above

Thursday, 2nd week in Ordinary Time

Heb 7: 25 - 8:6; Mk 3: 7-12

Jesus possessed the power from above and that was sensed by all, specially the evil spirits that he often  encountered. It is by this power from above that he became the high priest who can save all of us - the power given to him by the Father. Each of us has received our share of this power to keep ourselves the people of God. What if we are mindful of this power and start using this power - ofcourse the opposition from the enemy camp will be more, but will we not set up ourselves as great signs of God's presence to this world that needs it so badly? And another question that is more crucially relevant is: to what end are you willing to use this power - your own selfish ends or for the greater glory of God?

UNITY OCTAVE 2017 - Day 1

The Love of Christ compels us

Reconciliation: Prayer for Unity in the Church

Jan 18 - Jan 25

Unity Octave has been observed from 1908 onwards as a step towards ensuring the Church or the People of God are united under One Lord and One Baptism. 

The chosen theme for this year is 2 Cor 5: 14-20. The Love of Christ urges is to throw away all divisions and thank God for the variety of gifts and charism, using it all for the One Kingdom that Our Lord wanted to establish on earth.

Can we pray from today onwards!

THEME FOR DAY 1: ONE HAS DIED FOR ALL

Other References:

Isaiah 53:4-12	He gave his life as an atoning sacrifice
Psalm 118: 1.14-29	God did not abandon me to death
1 John 2:1-2	Christ died for all
John 15:13-17	Giving his life for his friends

PRAYER FOR THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH

God of all, we pray as one,

that we may be one,

just as the Lord Jesus prayed

we may be one in Him.

Your son Jesus compels us

to be reconciled to one another.

May our spirits be joined

to your Holy Spirit,

that we may witness to

the visible unity of the Church.

May we all recognise

that we are truly one with you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit and

grow together in peace.

We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord

Amen.

WORD 2day: 18th January, 2017

Do Good, because no one knows you!

Wednesday, 2nd week in Ordinary Time

Heb 7: 1-3,15-17; Mk 3: 1-6

We are aware of the uprising among the Tamilnadu youngsters these days - they are not fighting merely for a cultural game to be conducted, but they are fighting for a culture and its heritage to be respected and upheld. There are voices that are continually being raised to strengthen their hand and to give them the needed visibilty. There is also a danger that some who add their voice to this cause, do so only to gain the hidden agenda they have! In most of the cases, it is so!

There can be more than one reason for someone to do good- seeking popularity, creating a name for themselves, looking for recognition from people, proving your point to those who see you doing good etc. But Jesus today invites us to do good, because no one knows you. No one understood who he was, they did not really care to. They thought they knew from where Jesus came - but that was not true! They never knew or understood Jesus until Jesus had left them. But Jesus did all the good that he could. He invites us too - to do good because no one knows you! Not because you get a reward or a recognition and not because people would stand by you...but because you are convinced of doing that good. Never grow tired of doing what is good.

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

Feast of St Joseph Vaz
16th January, 2017

Just two days ago we celebrated the feast of a Blessed of Indian Origin, Bl. Martyr Devasagayam. That very day, the Lord deigned to raise to the altars another saint of Indian origin, but an apostle to Srilanka - St. Joseph Vaz,fondly known also as: Juze Vaz. Born in Benaolim, Goa, the Oratorian Priest decided to go as a missionary to a Dutch-Calvinists-controlled Srilanka,in 1687 and he stayed on there, until he succumbed to sickness and breathed his last on 16th January, 1711. He was canonised 2 years ago (14th January, 2015) in Srilanka by Holy Father Pope Francis.

Joseph Vaz teaches us the following three qualities: unity within the Church, ardent sense of evangelisation and a great commitment to social justice. All these three have a great significance today, especially today!

GET YOUR BASICS RIGHT!

Answering the basic questions of Christian living

15th Jan, 2017: Year A - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Is 49:3,5-6; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34

We have been busy celebrating feasts one after the other! It's time to return to the Ordinary Sundays and probably, the right beginning is to get our basics right, as sons and daughters of God. Today the readings speak to us about living our Christian life on an everyday basis...in our ordinariness of life! Festive occasions make it easier to feel the joy of the moment; but the demanding call is to live our life on a daily basis, to live it fully, faithfully and meaningfully.

Jesus is about to begin his public ministry, and like an MC in a performance, John the Baptist announces his entry into the scene! With Jesus' entry and his public life, our life as Christians, our call as sons and daughters of God and our identity as disciples of Christ are clearly defined. And that is what the liturgy today intends to do... to clarify the basics to us, so that we may live our Christian calling everyday of our life. The readings seem to answer the basic Question Words...

WHO? WHAT?

The first question is about who we are and what we are? Isaiah gives a direct response to it: We are the light of the nations! We are called, we know that. But, as what? To do the will of God, yes; to be ever at the disposal of the will of God and say, "Here am I Lord, I come to do your will" (Heb 10:7) But doing the Will not merely as sevants but as 'the light of the nations!' We are called not merely as workers but as witnesses. "Called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God" ...that is the answer to the Who and the What, of our Christian life. We are called to live our life as witnesses...witness is our first mode of proclaiming Christ and His gospel.

WHY? WHERE?

Why should we be doing God's will and where are we bound to? In simple terms, what is our goal? What are we called for? The Word of God is vociferous on this point, be it in the Old Testament or in the New Testament: We are called to Holiness... We are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy - says the second reading today. Holiness consists of a clarity of one's own identity as Isaiah, Paul and John the Baptist demonstrate in the readings today: to know who we are and what we are, and thus realising why we are doing all that we do and where we are going towards! If all that we do in our daily life, does not ultimately lead us to sanctification and holiness, we are on a mistaken journey. It might seem colourful at the moment, but will soon end up gloomy and grey. A clairty on the why and the where, will determine our daily choices, will define every aspect of our Christian living - our family life, our career, our spiritual life, our personal life and so on.

WHICH? HOW?
The next question is, which way? and how do we reach that holiness? Christian life cannot be just a me-and-God type of a life. It has to be lived in a Community! From the very beginning, Christ-experience and the message of Christ has been lived and passed on by a community. The readings underline this community aspect with the terms like, light of the 'nations', 'to all those everywhere who call upon the name of the Lord', and 'Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world'... We will be beginning this week the Unity Octave and it reminds us of the fact that Christ cannot be Divided (1 Cor 1:13). Unity and peace that stems from a genuine love, which comes from God - that is the true sign of Christian life. 

Now the only question that is left is, When? But that is established right in the beginning...Now, Today, Here, in the Ordinariness of our daily life... every day of our ordinary life... we are called to live mindful of our identity as children of God, called and sanctified by Christ towards holiness, living to spread God's love to the entire world... as light of the nations, in footsteps of the Lamb of God who calls us as a community of faith and love! 

Martyr Devasagayam

The first Tamil to be raised to the Altars

14th January, 2017

Born on April 23, 1712, Neelakandan was baptised a Catholic in 1745, as Devasagayam and within seven years, he died a Martyr in 1752, on this day. There are still controversies regarding the way he died: some groups claiming that it was no era of persecutions and therefore his martyrdom is doubtful. But the Chruch maintains him a martyr because of the thorough study of the circumstances around his murder, by King Marthanda Varman, under whom Neelakandan was a Court Official. 

Two elements that stand out in the life of Devasagayam can be taken for our consideration: First, the fact that he was brought to Catholic faith by a Dutch General who was taken as Prisoner of War by Marthandan and later raised to the ranks of an Army Commander. The Dutch General, Eustachius De Lannoy, was an ardent Catholic who inspired a conversion in Devasagayam. This man was in no position of authority or power to influence a conversion but it was a true internal conversion, based on a personal experience of Christ's love.

The Second element is the Martyrdom itself: the determination with which Devasagayam seemed to have held on to his new found faith in Christ and decided to give up his life rather than his faith. His martyrdom, it is said, gave rise to mass conversions of people to Christianity. Do we have to doubt that, since we know: 'a grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies, gives rise to a hundred fold' (Jn 12:24).

Devasagayam was beatified on 2nd December 2012, making him the first Tamil and the first lay person in India, to be promoted on his way to be declared a saint! The day fits in well too, as the Tamils in India and elsewhere too, celebrate this day as the beginning of their New Year (Thai Thiru naal). May new life, new vigour and new commitment fill the lives of everyone this day!