Are we blind or do we wish to be blind?

WORD 2day: Tuesday, 6th week in Ordinary time

February 15, 2022: James 1: 12-18; Mark 8: 14-21

Why is God testing me so much - have you heard people say this in their difficulties? In fact, this is one of the prominent human questions to the Divine: why me? Why Lord, why have you caused me to suffer? But it would not take long to realise how dumb such a question is, if only we sincerely give a serious thought to it. At times we blame God because we do not see! We are not able to see, but the facts are right before us. 

When an evil befalls, like a war, or a pandemic, or a disaster of many kinds, we ask: why Lord, why this? But if only we pause a while and go into the reasons and causes, would we not be able to see that it has not got to do with God, but with us, with human greed or insensitivity, personal ego or collective indifference, social evil or global exploitation. We do not see, because we are not capable of perceiving it, we are not prepared enough to understand it. 

Worse is the case when we choose not to see, when we prefer not to perceive! There are all the signs of warning about destruction and disaster, but we still choose to go ahead as if there is nothing wrong, because we do not wish to disturb the present system or structure, because we wish to shirk the responsibility from our shoulders, because we resist any inconvenience even if it is for a lasting good in the longer run! And then we find it so easy to blame it on God!

Is it not just that the Lord flings at us all those questions that he does in the Gospel today - do you not understand? do you not see? do you not hear? do you not remember? are you without perception! It is never late, and certain never too early, to take a deep look at the reality of our lives and become aware of the wrong choices and decisions we keep making. Is it so difficult to do? If so, we are either blind or we wish to be blind!

No sign, for those who do not find!

WORD 2day: Monday, 6th week in Ordinary time

February 14, 2022: James 1:1-11; Mark 8: 11-13

Why does this generation ask for a sign... no sign shall be given to this generation! Actually, what Jesus means is - no sign can be given to this generation. Yes, no sign can be given to those who cannot find the signs in what is already happening all around. 

To find the signs of the presence of God and the signs of the lessons of God, one needs the wisdom from the Spirit. And those who need this wisdom, they must ask with faith and no trace of doubt! If only a person is attentive to what is happening around, to what is happening in one's own life, to the effects of the choices one  makes and to the cause of the various effects that one undergoes, he or she shall without fail behold these signs. 

If one is totally taken up with what one is attracted to, totally immersed in the events and experiences that give him the pleasures of the moment, gripped with the likes and dislikes without really attending to the messages from the Lord, the person would be destined to miss the signs. What is the use of giving him or her any number of signs? They would be speckles of sugar sprinkled onto the sea!

The pleasures of life are like the withering grass; the excitements of moments are like the drooping flowers. What looks so splendid at a moment, soon disappears into the think cloud. It is the wisdom of the Lord that makes us understand this all important lesson: what lasts is the law of the Lord, the Word that enlivens us and the Spirit that enlightens. If we cannot find ways of holding on to the teachings of the Lord, founding our lives on the Word of God, and following the promptings of the Spirit of the Lord, we shall profit out of no sign whatsoever!

IN GOD WE TRUST

Trust, in God, do we?

February 13, 2022: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 17: 5-8; 1 Corinthians 15: 12, 16-20; Luke 6: 17, 20-26

In God we trust, is a famous dictum, not just because it is found printed on the much sought after dollar bills of the United States of America, but because it is the motto adopted by the nation since almost seven decades (to be precise, 1956). This phrase is famous, but is it practised? It is popular but is it meant when and where it is used? This is not to criticise the Nation in reference here, but to bring our attention to such a statement that we make so frequently... that we trust in God. Do we? Do we really trust in God, in our practical day to day life? 

One of the first questions to be answered here is, what does 'trusting' mean? Trust is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something! When I say I trust, I know that the person or the thing, is capable of something that is in reference. To trust, therefore is to know. To trust is to use that knowledge to rely on that someone or something. To trust is however not totally foolproof. Because trusting is a leap that one takes from what one knows about someone, to a judgement about what that someone is. The knowledge one has can be deceptive, or purposely created and shared to deceive. Remember the episode of Adam and Eve with the serpent... they trusted the serpent! That is why the whole idea of who is trust-worthy and who is not, arises.  

Here comes the second question, what does it mean, when I say, I trust in God. It means that I know God, I have gotten to know God, I have my convictions about God, I have a relationship with God as a result of knowing God. Can I say, 'O God, in you I trust', without really knowing God? Can I claim to trust in God, without really developing a true relationship in God? Do I really trust in God or do I trust in what I have created for myself as trust-worthy gods? May be riches, may be power or position or dominion over the other, may be the pleasures of life, may be my ego, may be the opinions of the world, may be the false image that I wish to give the world about myself... anyone of these I could create for myself as my trust-worthy deity.  

The question that remains to be answered is, do I really trust in God? Or am I using God for my own purposes - pacifying myself, justifying myself, satisfying myself, fending for myself and reaching my own ends! The world today teaches this generation to look at the what is here and now, to consider the facts and concrete reality as seen, to value statistics and believe in calculated precisions. In the name of science, certain knowledge is created and spread and everyone is directly or indirectly obliged to accept it, submit to it and act on it. What is 'spiritual' is considered unreal, what is 'theological' is considered unscientific, and what is 'transcendental' is considered a waste of time. To add to the predicament, there are those who misinterpret the 'spiritual', manipulate the 'theological' and maneuver the 'transcendental' to suit their own ends. As St. Paul says to the Corinthians in the second reading today, these are the 'most unfortunate of all people' and not only that the most dangerous of all, misleading every one. 

The contrast that repeats itself in the first reading and the Gospel - the blessed and the cursed - consists in trusting truly in God or trusting in the gods that we create for ourselves! 

The worst of the possibilities is that we intentionally create deities for ourselves and for others around and make people trust in them. As the society today creates success, popularity and comfort as deities and propose to people to chase after, for the sake of happiness and meaning in life! It is enough a person is successful and moneyed, whatever he or she says becomes trust-worthy, today. Look at some bigwigs who make statements about corona variants and vaccines, who have nothing but money and might! What a ruin such mentality can lead to!

Another possibility is that we are mistaken in our understanding and conceive God in a manner much limited and wrong. Some so-called preachers who delight in making fancy predictions and frightening propositions, make people fall for this and there are persons who trust in some rites, rituals and rules as those which can really save them from all pain and suffering in life. What a deception it can cause when they really get to know the Truth!

The only possibility that can do us eternal good is to earnestly pray with the psalmist today: happy is the one who trusts in the Lord. In God should we trust... in God, who is Love, Truth and Goodness. Only in love, should we trust, not in hatred and vengeance, not in proving one's point and winning over all others. Only in Truth should we trust, not in half truths and fancy ideas, not in the deceptions of the evil one. Only in Goodness should we trust, not in craftiness and deceit, not in manipulations and exploitation. 

Only in God should we trust, for in God lies our eternal salvation. We are called to resurrection, to eternal life, to that salvation...which cannot be made sense of except in relation to God. May our every day life choices and priorities show to ourselves, that only IN GOD WE TRUST. 

Feeding the Ego!

WORD 2day: Saturday, 5th week in Ordinary time

February 12, 2022: 1 Kings 12: 26-32, 13:33-34; Mark 8: 1-10

We see Jesus feeeding the four thousand people gathered around him, just as he did with the five thousand a little before (Mark 6). He was feeding the people, because they were in need. They did not have anywhere else to go. They had to eat, and Jesus fed them and left that place as soon as he could.

In the first reading too, we find Jeroboam feeding his people - providing them with new gods, new feasts and new rituals and sacrifices, not because they were in need, or not because they had nowhere else to go - but because he did not want them to go elsewhere, and he was in need of assuring himself of his kingship! What was he feeding? The people? No, his own ego!

This is what happens even today - there are those politicians and powerful people who want to feed their own ego. And they create gods: gods of needs, desires and attractions, thus feeding themselves by making the people go after fake absolutes. Much worse, there are religious leaders who create feigned experiences and fabricated explanations, all in the name of feeding the people but in actuality feeding their own egos and their own personal projects, in the name of God!

Jesus seems to give a three-fold criteria in the good we do for others! Are you doing it entirely for the other, or do you have a gain hidden? Are you ready to put yourselves in trouble for the sake of the good of the other, even without they knowing it? Finally, are you ready to move on, after doing good, without waiting to reap the fruits of it, even if it were just a simple gratitude or appreciation? If these criteria fail, I need to seriously raise the question... do I seem to be feeding my own ego?

To the Reign or to ruin!

WORD 2day: Friday, 5th week in Ordinary time

February 11, 2022: 1 Kings 11: 29-32, 12:19; Mark 7: 31-37

We find two encounters presented to us in the Word today - one between Ahijah the prophet and Jeroboam, and the other between Jesus the Son of God and the deaf and dumb man! The encounter with the persons of God - represented here by the prophet Ahijah and Jesus the Son of God - brings the message from God. But what the message is going to be, depends on you and me! 

While the encounter with Jesus made the deaf and dumb, hear and speak, the encounter with Ahijah brings the news of tearing down the kingdom forever! Where does the difference lie...  in the precedent choices! Our choices lead us step by step to the Reign or to Ruin! We at times take our single choices, particular events and isolated experiences for granted. It cannot be so.

Our thoughts lead to action, our actions lead to habits, and our habits lead to attitudes and even to a way of life. Before we even realise, the way of life can put us in a position to inherit the Reign promised or lead us to a ruin unprecedented. What is important is that we heed to the voice of the Lord, that we have our ears open to the Words of the Lord, that we have our hearts open to the inspirations of the Spirit, that we may at the right time, make the right choices to turn towards the Reign and not run towards our ruin!

Opening up vs Losing it all...

WORD 2day: Thursday, 5th week in Ordinary time

February 10, 2022: 1 Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7: 24-30

The episode of the encounter between Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman, is a curious passage to reflect upon. It has an interesting interpretation that Jesus needed to be taught by that woman, by the simple but staunch faith of that woman. What was the lesson that Jesus had to learn - despite the fact that he was sent for the lost children of Israel, that he had to also open himself up to other needy, because in the sight of the Lord, there is no partiality. 

Today, living in a world of plurality, intensified by globalisation and migration, we need to learn the art of opening up, to live with an open mind and a broad heart, to have a mentality that is mature and transcendent. You cannot force your principles on others, much less your religion or faith. You need to be open and respectful with those who have a different religious or faith tradition from you, instructs the Gospel.

But is that openness, losing our own ground totally; is it relativising all that we have ever believed to be true; and compromising our faith and conviction? The line is quite subtle and we need to traverse it with care - Solomon failed in it. He could not differentaite between respecting and being open to others who had their own faith-following, and following those traditions himself. He lost sight of the great grace of wisdom that he was given and made imprudent choices.

However the merit of David continues to do him good... for the sake of David he was spared! Our goodness, our faithfulness to God, can save other, bring them to God and keep them in the presence of God. Let us ask the Lord to give us the grace to open up our minds and hearts, in love and respect to everyone, without ever losing the grip on the One True Lord. 

What lies within me!

WORD 2day: Wednesday, 5th week in Ordinary time

February 09, 2022: 1 Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23

Solomon was found so attractive, inspirational and edifying, because his inner self was blessed with the Wisdom of God, the Spirit of the Lord. When our whole self becomes a dwelling place of the Spirit, what comes out of us will certainly be edifying and sanctifying. Instead, if we lack the Spirit's Wisdom, but are filled with anger and frustration, enmity and jealousy, we shall bring out thoughts, words, and decisions that are utterly ungodly!

It is very important to check constantly, what we are feeding ourselves with - goodness and peace or filth and violence. When we see certain persons who think, speak, incite and spread evil, we need to implore the Lord for them, for they are so overpowered by evil. We need to take care of our thoughts, our words, our decisions and our actions, as it is indicative of what we are within us. 

Let us take care of what we take in... the negative remarks, the pessimistic outlooks, the destructive criticisms, the compromising attitude, all these could easily push us to ruin, of ourselves and of our communities. Let us fill ourselves with the Spirit, clothe ourselves with Christ and surrender ourselves to God our Father and Mother, so that wherever we are and whatever we do, we will constantly and authentically spread love, goodness, peace and hope. That is truly the identity of the people of God!

The dwellings and the doings worthy of God

WORD 2day: Tuesday, 5th week in Ordinary time

February 8, 2022: 1 Kings 8: 22-23,27-30; Mark 7: 1-13

Solomon was really a man of wisdom! He knew the limitations that he had, the limitations that we all have as human beings, with respect to God! Just because we make a dwelling place for God, it does not mean the Lord is obliged to make his dwelling there! God is everywhere and God is where God wants to be! The dwellings, however beautiful and grand they could be, do not oblige God to be present, but it is the will of God to be present amidst us, that makes them the dwellings of God amidst us. 

In the same way, whatever we do in the name of prayer, sacrifice and offerings to God, does not mean automatically that they are acceptable in the presence of the Lord or that the Lord is obliged to accept them. What really matters is not what we do, but with what kind of a heart we do! What is done is important; but why it is done and the mentality with which it is done is exponentially more important!

Let us ask ourselves, regarding the things we do for God on a daily basis: do we do them out of love or on a routine; do we do them with whole heart or with a mind to get it done with; do we come together to pray because we love to pray with each other or because we have no other go! When we do whatever we do, however small it may be, with the entire heart and soul, our very being becomes a dwelling place of God. And not just ourselves, but everyone around us shall see the presence of God dwelling in us! 

Yes, this is the call today: to become worthy dwellings by doing what is worthy of God. 

The glory that surrounds

WORD 2day: Monday, 5th week in Ordinary time

February 7, 2022: 1 Kings 8: 1-7,9-13; Mark 6: 53-56

The Word today does not say, all those whom he touched were healed; it says, all those who touched him were healed. There is a crucial difference here, a difference that Jesus would very often emphasise on - it is your faith that heals you! 

When it is said that the glory of the Lord filled the Lord's Temple, it is not because it was not there earlier, but the people were prepared and disposed to see the glory of the Lord descending on the place, with their worship and prayers together. It is their faith that made them see that glory descend.

Today too, the glory of the Lord shall descend and we shall see it, if only we are prepared, disposed, and inspired by our faith. Glory, not in the sense of a cloud that covers, or smoke that fogs, but in the persons, events and experiences that we encounter. We shall see the presence and the glory of the Lord, if only we are prepared. 

As St. Paul would say, we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose! If only we are attentive to it, we shall see miracles happening everyday in our lives. It is very true that miracles abound for those who are ready to see them around. The question is how prepared and disposed are we to experience and encounter the miracles, the daily miracles that the Lord sends our way. How ready are we to witness the glory of the Lord that surrounds us all the time!

WE ARE CALLED

in spite of, in view of & in the place of...

February 6, 2022: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary time

Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5: 1-11

We are called - this is one of the most fundamental self-understanding that every Christian should possess. We are Christians, we are followers of Christ because we are called. There is in the Indian context, a term called 'Ghar Wapsi', refering to bringing back to the 'hindu' fold, those who had gone to other religions in the name of conversion! Is it as simple as this - just changing camps, or changing names? Or there is also another movement, however minor, of people who claim that their ancestors were converted to Christianity and that they have no allegiance to it on their own! What has been their self-understanding all this while? Still more, there are those who go from one denomination of Christian faith to another, looking for excitement and variety! Looking at all these phenomena, the sad fact that emerges is that those who claim to have received the faith, still need to understand that faith is a call!

Faith is a call, a response to a call, a personal response to God who reveals Godself to us, in various ways. Fundamentally, every believer in God is called, is called to a self-understanding, a way of life, and a mission. The Liturgy of the Word this Sunday reminds us of this fact: that we are called. And in this respect there are three messages given to us to reflect upon:

We are called in spite of... in spite of our limitedness, in spite of our weakness, in spite of our unworthiness! This is the common thread that obviously runs through the three readings we listen to. Isaiah exclaims that he is impure and lives among impure people and therefore is not worthy to even hear or pronounce the Word of the Lord; Paul declares that he has been like a person who was unexpectedly born and an enemy of the people of God; Peter falls at the feet of the Lord and begs the Lord to leave him because he is unworthy and sinful. The unworthiness, weakness, and at times even wickedness, is a matter of fact within us - it is in spite of that the Lord has called us!

It is not because we are worthy that the Lord has called us, we are worthy to stand before the Lord because the Lord has called us. Every day of our life when we have an opportunity to do good to someone, when we have a recognition for the identity we bear as followers of Christ, when we are in a position to serve someone because we have the identity of a Christian, we need to remind ourselves that we are called. we are called in spite of our limitedness. Our call, our identity can never be a source of pride or arrogance - judging others, condemning others, looking down on others, and  treating them as people who have to be somehow rescued to life! As Christians we need to grow more and more humble, towards an authentic self-understanding of a people who are called by God, in spite of our unworthiness.

We are called in view of... in view of a mission, in view of a purpose, in view of a task to be accomplished! The three characters we meet today in the Word - Isaiah, Paul and Peter - were called for a particular purpose - to be a messenger of God, to proclaim the Gospel to the peoples, to be fisher of persons! There were called in view of something, they did not know that. They were thinking only of their past, their present and their situation in life; they could not see what lay ahead of them. They were in fact being called for a way of life, for a new way of life, for a completely different way of life! As soon as they realised this, they were able to come over their fixation with the past and the present and they began to look that the new life they were called to life - as a messenger, as a preacher, as an apostle!

It is important to be attentive to what the Lord is calling me to. I cannot consider myself called and continue with the same old life style of the past or the present. As the saying goes, 'you cannot make a difference, if you do not do anything different!' My call, taken seriously, transforms me totally, to a new way of life, to a new perspective of life, to a new understanding of life, into a new person altogether. There is a sense of renewal in my choices, my priorities, my values, my outlook on life and my perception of persons. All these transformations, of course, are for the better, not for worse! Because as Jesus chides the pharisees and the scribes - woe to you who go across land and see to make one single convert, and make them twice as much a child of hell as yourselves! What a powerful accusation Jesus has against a conversion that does not bear its right fruit. We are called in view of a new way of life!

We are called in the place of... in place of God, to speak to the people who need to hear God's word, to announce the good news of God to the people that God loves them and comes to them with salvation, to become fishers of persons who need to come into the net of the Reign of God so that they can experience God more intimately and become truly fulfilled in life. Be it Isaiah, Paul, Peter, or any one called in the history of salvation, they have been called to carry out a mission in the name of God. Could there have been a person better than Isaiah, more commited than Paul, holier than Peter? Certainly, Yes! But all the same God chose these, and God had a specific mission for each of these.

When we are called, we are called to make the Lord present wherever we are. That is our mission. In our words, in the news we wish to announce to each other, in the choices we wish to propose to others, in the kind of outlook of the world we create, in the kind of mindset that we wish to spread, we need to be people who do it in the place of God...that is, those who create what God wishes to create, those who build what God wants to build, those who bring people to that net which gathers persons into the Reign of God. We are called with a mission to be presences of God, that people shall experience God in us, that persons shall be drawn to know God more in and through us, that persons can feel the need of having God close to them in their lives. 

We are called. Inspite of our unworthiness, we are called; in view of presenting to the world a style of life that becomes a witness; a witness that speaks in the place of God, that speaks hope and joy to a world immersed in strife. Let us live our lives ever mindful that we are called!