The Call to Give - a life of fruitfulness

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

August 10,  2021: Remembering St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

2 Corinthians 9: 6-10; John 12: 24-26

The best of all giving, is giving of oneself! Giving of one’s abundance, giving of whatever little that one has and giving even if one does not have enough for oneself – these are praise worthy in their respective order. But the highest of all giving is Self-giving.

Celebrating the Deacon-martyr, St. Lawrence, we are reminded of the early Christian communities that were so much characterized by persons who were blessed with the special charism of Giving of their own selves, apart from what they possessed. They were cheerful givers, and so we find their numbers kept growing unprecedentedly. The very spirit that they radiated held captive those who saw them and multitudes were drawn to emulate it. They were ready and willing to die to themselves that Christ may come alive in them! 

St.Paul’s words were true in so many of those early Christians – “I live, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20) and “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). These were not mere catchy sayings; they were true lived experiences and we witness it in great martyrs like St. Stephen, the apostles and St. Paul himself. St. Lawrence follows suit very closely later in the third century. After all, they had but one model who had invaded and conquered their minds, hearts and spirits - Jesus the ultimate personification of self-giving - the grain of seed that chose to fall to the ground, that it may abound in its fruits: we are the fruits and let us be worthy of the grain which has borne us.

Thinking of dual citizenship!

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

August 9, 2021: Celebrating St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross or Edith Stein

Deuteronomy 10: 12-22; Matthew 17: 22-27

I run every risk of being misunderstood if I write, Christians have to be people with a dual citizenship! With the pseudo-religio-political claims that prevail in our land (India), that 'all Christians are westerners', the risk is real and concrete. But let me stay clear of any further misunderstanding, by immediately explaining myself - that we are undeniably legitimate citizens of the country we belong to, but at the same time, we look forward to the one that God has prepared for us (Heb 11:12 & 16). 

The first reading today underlines the primacy of God and God's place in our lives! In the Gospel, Jesus shows us an example of looking at everything in life, absolutely everything in life, from the perspective of God. Even a question of paying tax leads Jesus to reflect on the fact that we are sons and daughters of God, that we are free by virtue of our participation in the Divine Nature of God! 

The capacity of Jesus to move from the ordinary things of the daily life to a reflection on our relationship with God, is something amazing and something that we need to practice ourselves too. We see this capacity enshrined with ease in the saint we commemorate today - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross or Edith Stein - a profound Jewish Philosopher, who discovered the reality of the revelation of Christ and found her salvation in the Lord and in the Church. 

Let us at the end of this day, look back and see how many God-talks we were inspired to, all along this day, and usually how frequently do we think of our Saviour and things pertaining to God during our day! Should we not seriously think of our concrete dual citizenship!

BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY

The Bread, the destiny and the Journey

August 8, 2021: 19th Sunday in Ordinary time
1 Kings 19: 4-8; Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2; John 6: 41-51

When we were kids, I am speaking of more than three decades ago when eating at hotels or restaurants was still reserved for exquisite occasions, we would go on family pilgrimages that lasted over a couple of days. Apart from the spiritual value it had, I am reminded of the special preparations that were precluded, specially those of preparing food for those days, which we would take along with us. There were certain types of rice preparations that would last for two days or even more, without the necessity of refrigeration or anything of that sort, but it meant extra care and special recipe at the time of preparation. As a kid, I remember I would get excited at the spread because the more it was, the longer the journey were to be. The preparation already gave us an idea of the duration of the journey.

Get up and eat, the Angel tells Elijah, it is going to be a long journey! The food was not merely to be eaten for the moment, but it was a source of sustenance. The Word this Sunday invites us to look at the Bread for the Journey, which means to look at the bread, to look at the destiny that is long and to look at the journey itself which could be trying. But do not be preoccupied says the Lord, because, I am the bread for the journey, I am the destiny of the journey and I am the journey!

I am the bread for the journey.

I am the bread, not any bread but the bread that has come down from heaven, and only the bread that has come from heaven can prepare you for heaven. Remember that you are bred for heaven, that is, you are being nurtured for heaven and I am the bread that can transform you into true stuff meant for heaven. The longer the journey is, the stronger the food has to be; the more trying the journey is, the more nourishing the food has to be. As bread from heaven, I have within me not merely all sweetness but all that it takes for you to make this journey!

I am the destiny of your journey.

You have to reach me, and you cannot come to me unless my Father draws you to me! My father has drawn you, that is why we are here conversing with each other. I am the way and not merely the way, I am the destiny too! Fix your gaze on me and do not get lost on your way. There would be pitfalls all along: the grudge that you can have against your brothers and sisters will distract you from progress, the anger that you harbour at heart can weigh you down and dampen your spirit; the spite that you have for others might make you lose your vision ahead. If you have to reach me, you need to take care of your relationship with others - be friendly; you need to pay special attention to those in need - be kind; and you need to be loving towards those who do not love you - forgive! The Holy Spirit has given you the capacity to make all this possible, do not waste that power invested on you - make it up to me, I am waiting!

I am the journey.

Do you think I am sounding like a task master, having given you a task and waiting to see if you got it completed? No, I am not only the destiny of your journey, I AM your journey! I am the way, I have told you this! I am the way, I am the journey, and I am the bread for the journey, all you need to do is, look up to me, learn from me, feed on me and be nourished by me. Eat of me, and become like me. Drink from me and be filled with my Spirit. Eat and drink, that you may grow into my very self... that is the journey - growing to be me! It is a life long journey, a journey of becoming me! 

You have embarked upon this journey right from the time you received the Spirit from my Father, that was when the Father drew you to me! Now that you are well on the way, my child, realise that I am the journey and never stop your progress, that I am the destiny of your journey and do not take you eyes off me and that I am the bread for your journey, be strengthened by me and be transformed into me!

Grow up! Will you?

WORD 2day: Saturday, 18th week in Ordinary time

August 7, 2021: Deuteronomy 6:4-13; Matthew 17: 14-20

What do you have that you have not received, St. Paul would question us (1 Cor 4:7). Isn't it true, that we have received gift after gift, grace after grace from the Lord to begin with from our very life! The Lord has given us, filled us with so many gifts and graces, protected us thus far, provided for every bit of our need - what does he ask for in return? Nothing but faith!

Faith is my personal response to a God who reveals, gives, forgives and loves me so much. How ready, willing and prepared am I to give a personal response to my Lord. At times I am happy and satisfied with doing the minimum possible, as a requirement to be fulfilled - by way of attendance at some Church service, some fixed recitations and regular almost instinctive practices - but are they truly meant and do they come from the depth of my being? What I do in the name of faith, is it truly what I wish to be my response to the love that I don't deserve at all?

As Jesus gets so irritated with the disciples today in the Gospel, so will it be if Jesus speaks to us in the heart of our hearts - when will you grow up? My Father loves you and does everything for you, keeping you as the apple of His eye. And what do you do in response? Have you truly committed yourself to an intimate relationship with my Father?

Can we really answer those questions?

The Light for our way!

THE WORD AND THE FEAST

August 6, 2021: Transfiguration of the Lord

Daniel 7: 9-10,13-14; Mark 9: 2-10

The disciples see their Lord in his glory and all that they want is to remain in that state of splendour and delight! There was a proposal also to make tents, and stabilise their presence. The sense of awe makes them feel like reifying that moment and that event. It is nothing wrong, isn't it? However, the call is to climb down, move on and keep walking, taking advantage of the light that the moment has shed! Though Jesus was all the time with them, the disciples needed that experience on the mount to behold his power and glory. 

Our life of prayer, that is, our relationship with God who shares every moment of our life, is punctuated at times with ‘peak’ experiences, to sustain us in the tedium of the daily journey. Retreats, pilgrimages, charismatic conventions, supernatural experiences and miraculous events – these are very useful and important, but cannot become a daily need! Effective substitutes for these that the Church suggests to each of us, are the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation – which when celebrated with the zest and the earnestness that they truly deserve – can become peak experiences on a regular basis. 

To walk with Christ every day of our life - that is the call that we have received and not to go by merely exciting events and extraordinary moments. But the Lord deigns to throw the light of faith in God's own ways. If we are attentive we shall receive those timely gifts and keep marching on every day and every moment, accepting the light for our path. 

The feast of transfiguration that we celebrate today has this call for us: on our daily journey, let us observe the glorious presence of the Lord in the ordinariness of the day. Let the gentle beckoning of God keep sounding in our ears – “This is my Son, my Chosen. Listen to him.”

Basilica of Mary Major

August 5, 2021

We celebrate today the feast of the dedication of the Basilica of Mary Major, 

one of the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome. 

It has a great historical background as it was one of the first basilicas built 

in honour of Mary, Mother of God. 

The miracle that is said to have happened 

to reveal the exact spot chosen by our Blessed Mother herself, 

the miracle of snow in the mid summer night, 

gave rise to the title 

Our Lady of Snows! 

There is nothing greater than God's plan!

WORD 2day: Thursday, 18th week in Ordinary time

August 5, 2021: Numbers 20: 1-13; Matthew 16: 13-23

Moses and Peter – their impatience and impudence come under scrutiny today! Moses, whom God spoke to as a friend, and Peter, whom Jesus called the Rock on which he would build his Church – even they, as leaders give themselves off in a moment of fatigue and overconfidence! 

Discipleship is not a victory gained once for all! It is a daily commitment and a perpetual challenge. Anything can bring down to the ground whatever we have built with days, months and years of hard work and persistence. We cannot afford to grow careless. That is why Jesus teaches us to watch and pray and be vigilant always, that the moment of the enemy may not overtake us (Lk 21:34-36). 

The murmurings and the hardheadedness of the people catches on to Moses and in a moment of impatience and restlessness, Moses instead of waiting on the Lord, decides to act on his own account. While the Lord asked him to speak to the rock (20:8) in order that the water may flow, he strikes the rock with his baton (20:11), to make it dramatic before the people and draw their attention! 

The commendation from Jesus gets to the head of Peter and he turns presumptuous to question the will of God! He begins to think he has to even tell Jesus what is alright and what is not to be done; he wishes to have his way inspite of what God reveals. Not that he was conscious of it; but he was mindless, he was losing his head over his popularity with Jesus.

Both Moses and Peter are promptly indicated their mistake. The lesson is clear for us today – to remain vigilant in our discipleship that we may always remain calm but cautious, confident but humble, persistent but patient, passionate but attentive to the Will of the Master! May these two great men, Moses and Peter, and many such persons of God, teach us by their example: there is nothing greater than God's plan!

Great is your Faith!

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

August 4, 2021: Remembering St. John Maria Vianney

Numbers 13: 1-2,25, 14:1, 26-29, 34-35; Matthew 15: 21-28

Faithlessness or Faith – As you sow, so you reap! 

“As you have spoken I will do unto you!”-“As you wished it shall be unto you!” These two phrases, former from the first reading and the latter from the Gospel seem similar, though they are not! Considering the contexts, they are infact contrary to each other – one a reproach from the Lord and the other an approval. However, the message is same – FAITH. 

The first reading seems to be a rationalization on the part of Israel, as to why they had to sojourn forty long years in the deserts of Paran – a simple reason: lack of faith! The Lord could not walk them to the land of milk and honey, as promised, because they were stubborn and hard headed, never yielding to the guiding hand of God. 

The Gospel pictures a woman whose request has apparently no place on the 'to-do' list of Jesus that day! But the list had to be changed by all means. Logically as in another place we read, that due to lack of faith Jesus did not accomplish much signs and wonders, here Jesus could not but make that miracle happen because of the grandeur of the faith of that simple woman! 

Grand faith and simple woman, syncs well with the simple man and grand apostle that John Maria Vianney was! He was not a great scholar or a doctor of the Church, nor a Bishop or a cardinal, nor was he a great founder or a prolific writer. He was a simple, underrated priest, who was such a success in the eyes of the Lord, because he brought not just a village but great multitudes to faith! The secret: his faith was really great!  Like Jesus said today to the woman, he would have said to the saintly Cure d'Ars - My Son, Great is your faith!

How blessed it would be if Jesus were to look at you and me today and say, “My Son, My daughter, great is your faith!”

Note: Let us pray for all priests known to us, as we celebrate the feast of St. John Maria Vianney, the patron of all priests! May our priests be as simple as Vianney and as profound in faith as he was!

Like the men of God!

WORD 2day: Tuesday, 18th week in Ordinary time

August 3, 2021: Numbers 12:1-13; Matthew 14: 22-36

The Word speaks of two Men of God today - not merely by the popular title but by their very life style and the way they respond to tough situations. 

Moses, against whom the very people whom he served grumbled, including his closest collaborators. What did he do? Held it against them? No, that was not becoming of a man of God. Even when Miriam stood affected by her own sin, he intercedes with the Lord, obtaining her health back. he proves to be a man of God.

Jesus the Son of God, the ideal man of God proves himself so, by being so unaffected even when he knew his own disciples knew him not. They did not understand him, they thought him to be an evil spirit. In spite of it, when Peter wishes to walk on the water, he gives him that privilege. He was so patient, kind and gentle with the disciples, because that is the mark of a person of God, a God who abounds in mercy and love.

How many circumstances present themselves to us today, to remind ourselves and testify to those around, what it means to be persons of God. In our personal lives, in our family situation, in the social scenario, in our reaction to the global happenings... in all these we need to show ourselves to be persons of God, by our lives and especially by our choices! 

Yes, the call is loud and clear - to live for God, for God's people and above all for the strengthening of the Reign of God, here and now.

Discouragements, the right mode and the right persons!

WORD 2day: Monday, 18th week in Ordinary time

August 2, 2021: Numbers 11: 4-15; Matthew 14: 13-21

Discouragement in the life of a disciple, has to be a moment to take stock and bounce back! Moses feels overburdened today, with the weight not just of carrying the people along, but of their obstinacy not to perceive all that is so good and blessed around! The signs and wonders notwithstanding, the people decide to be unhappy and never to be convinced of the goodness that surrounds them. 

As a disciple in ministry sometimes, all the good that is done and all the troubles that are taken seem to be ignored and much worse, interpreted wrongly! We see this discouragement in every person of God – apart from Moses presented today, Jeremiah (20:14-16), Paul, ... the great prophets and disciples experienced it – Jesus was no exception. 

Today we find Jesus, withdrawing to a secluded place after hearing the execution of John the Baptist. As if to have been reminded of his own fate to come, Jesus resorts to a time of solitude with the One who has sent him! 

Discouragements in our life too can be made moments of blessings if we opt to spend those moments with the right persons – first of all with God, who is always with us; then with persons of God who are given to us as reminders of God’s presence! When they are utilized well, as moments to take stock, we can bounce back into action with a renewed spirit, as it happens with Moses, who grows so strong in his rapport with Yahweh who stood by his side all the while; like Jesus who comes up with the feat of feeding the multitude, as Yahweh did in the desert! 

Discouragements are part of the package of our experiences – they have something to tell us, something to offer us. If we are ready to wait on the Lord, we will surely gather every bit of the blessings in store!