Warning! No one shall be spared!

WORD 2day: Wednesday, 28th week in Ordinary time

October 16, 2024: Galatians 5: 18-25; Luke 11: 42-46

At times the Word sounds very strong and frightening and one such instance is today: be it in the first reading or in the Gospel, we have a warning clear and loud - no one shall be spared, when it comes to entering the Reign of God! If we are directed by the Spirit, we shall enter the Reign of God, and the signs of it shall already be seen here and now. If we are constantly directed by our self-indulgence and self-pride, we shall not inherit the Reign of God, because we never belonged to it in our daily life! That is the warning!

I cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless I crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires, teaches Paul today. He even lists those self-indulgent behaviours. They are contrary to the Jesus way of life, because of three reasons: (i) because, they objectify our own selves - making our bodies, our persons, a mere object of instant and passing pleasure; (ii) because they objectify the other - making the persons around me objects of my pleasure, or merely some 'things' that I can use for my good; and (iii) because they objectify God - making God an object to whom I give something, I do something, I say something, not realising that God is a person who is looking at everything that I am involved in, even those that I do not dare to manifest to anyone other than me! These self-indulgent tendencies have to be curbed if we have to let ourselves be directed by the Spirit.

The Gospel presents another set of disqualifiers - one cannot belong to Christ, or the Reign of God - if her or she is worried solely about some external acts and not interior dispositions. When Jesus speaks in these terms and strikes against the Pharisees, one of the lawyers speaks up in self-justification, and Jesus lashes out against him too - telling us in clear terms, no one shall be spared! There are no status or titles, roles or functions, achievements or establishments that can give us an entry into the Reign of God... except our daily life, day to day choices and integrity lived here and now - from this rule, no one will be spared!

It's Jesus of Teresa!

Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, one who loved Jesus inspite of her frailties

15th October, 2024

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Avila. It is the 510th year after her birth.  

Teresa had a lot of struggles in her life earlier to love God or whatever pertained to God. But, eventually she grew in her relationship with the person of Christ so much that nothing else mattered to her. In fact that famous statement that is iconic of her: God alone is sufficient, is a candid picture of her soul. She loved Jesus as her own spouse; she referred to him as 'beloved' - so romantic a faith.

Just reminded of a wonderful episode from St. Teresa's life... We know, Teresa was fond of introducing herself to everyone as Teresa of Jesus. Infact, that is another name by which she is known, apart from Teresa of Avila.  It is said that in one of her visions when Jesus appeared she asked, as she was directed by her Spiritual Guide: "who are you?" And Jesus replied, "I am Jesus of Teresa". Nothing can replace a personal love that we ought to have for Jesus. 

St. Teresa of Jesus, inspires us to an ardent love for our Saviour. Needless to say, we would be repaid with a love several times deeper and in fact, we love because the Lord loved us first (1Jn 4:19).

Integrity matters!

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

October 15, 2024 - Remembering St. Teresa of Avila

Galatians 5:1-6; Luke 11: 37-41

Integrity is one virtue that Jesus never compromised on. Dichotomìes and discrepancies between words and actions, between belief and life: they were immediate disqualifiers according to Jesus, in the pursuit of eternal life... such persons had no place in the Reign of God, in Jesus' purview. 

What matters is, goes on to explain Paul in the first reading, the faith that makes its power felt through love; that is a faith that is translated into life. An integrity of what I believe and what I live. The perfect harmony between my so-called religiosity and my daily criteria of choices - that is in short, integrity. 

Even a simple life-practice backed up by a strong conviction can become an entry pass to the Reign. Be it the 2 pennies dropped by the widow, or the vial of perfume broken by the 'sinner' woman, or the simple prayer made by the thief on the cross beside Jesus... they were reasons enough for them to inherit the Reign of God.

The saint we remember today - St. Teresa of Avila - was not the best of persons, according to what we learn about her early life. But we find she was totally recognizant of that - she considered herself so unworthy, that God chose to strengthen her and use her powerfully, towards a reformation of the Religious Order she would belong to and the entire religious life in the 16th centrury. She who was so reluctant about spiritual matters, transformed into a Spiritual Master, a doctor of the Church - simply because there was no hypocrisy in her. Her integrity was all that mattered to the Lord.

Let us believe in what we pray and practise what we preach or hear preached... lest we become "fools"in the eyes of the Lord. In the presence of the Lord, integrity matters!

Freedom is not free!

WORD 2day: Monday, 28th week in Ordinary time

October 13, 2024 - Galatians 4: 22-24, 26-27, 31 -5:1; Luke 11: 29-32

Freedom, is not an all sweet gift. It was the philosopher Jean Paul Sartre who made that provocative but profound statement, "we are condemned to be free" - which is very true! Freedom comes with the duty attached, without the latter the former is simple egoism. 

We are free, free to choose and the responsibility of the choice is laid entirely upon us. It would be childish to clamour for freedom but shy away from the resulting responsibility. We are indeed, free children of God, as St. Paul declares in the reading today, but with that comes the condition that we are to be held responsible for all the choices we make. 

Let us reflect, who actually decides I should be happy or not? Is it not our choice, or rather our choices? Is it not an important fact to realise and accept, that the free choices I make amount to the consequences I face, or that my choices affect even those around me! The Lord grants us the greatest gift of freedom, and leaves us with the responsibility for our choices. That is why, when we choose not to see the presence of God, when we choose not to find the moments of grace, when we choose not to realise the opportunities to do good, when we choose not to identify our brother or sister in the person next to us, we are choosing to rush towards a state that is so sad and so inhuman. 

We are free children of the promise (cf. Gal 4:22-24); yes we are given the great gift of freedom. But Freedom is not free; we have to pay for it with our personal responsibility!

THE WORD BECOMES FLESH

Desire, the Power and the Call

October 13, 2024 - 28th Sunday in Ordinary time
Wisdom 7: 7-11; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 10: 17-30

The Word this Sunday is on the Word.

The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us! The truth is not just that... the Word becomes flesh even today... and we cannot deny it, if only we could become as receptive we ought to be, in our daily living. Let us reflect why...

First of all, because the Word is the foundational principle of our Christian life. It is the Word that makes all the difference for the choices we make. The Word offers us all the wisdom we stand in need of to live a life that is meaningful. The requirement is that the Word has to be desired with all our heart, with all our mind and with all our strength. However, that is easily said than done! 

We have so many things that claim that place - comfort in life, pleasures of the day, the rat race of the times, the trends of the society, the attractions that are made easy, the escapades for all the unjustifiable choices... these make it so hard for any one today to desire the Word, much less choose the Word in place of life, health or wealth. Even the so-called strongest of beleivers in the Lord, when it comes to a choice between life and the Word, would choose life isn't it? That is why we have only a handful whom we venerate as saints and martyrs. 

Secondly because the Word is our Judge, not just the judge at the last juegement, but on a daily basis. This is so, practically because the Word gives us the criteria to live by. When those criteria are met, we are affirmed; when not, we place ourselves on a tribunal before the Word. And the Word is powerful, scans deep into our intentions and motivations, not merely our uttered words and external actions.

Don't we, even as we are making the choices that are not the right ones to make, know and realise that we are making choices that are wrong? Is it not the Wisdom of the Lord that cuts right into our hearts that makes us see that light? This power of the Word is not to make us bewildered about our defencelessness. We are given a taste of it, by the growing technology... it almost a fact by now, that nothing of our life is a secret anymore... where we go, what we say, what we see, what we prefer... eveything is monitored today. We speak of something to a friend of acquaintance, and things we see on our mobiles or email sites have a direct relation to what we have been talking just moments ago... how on earth and heaven does this happen? Right things to wonder, but an important thing to know... but the surveilance of the Word, the all-knowing power of the Word is not a threat but a consolation, to tell us we are not alone, that we are accompanied. 

Thirdly, the Word can become flesh in our lives when we realise that the Word is the treasure that gives meaning to our Christian life. The Word is the call that makes our whole Christian life come truly alive. It is worth giving our life in the service of the Word. At the service of the Word whatever we give up comes back manifold... the Word epitomises our entire existence!

When we hear that call, give everything and follow - it is a reminder how short our life is, as the responsorial psalm reminds us. The moment we realise it, we would be ready to give up: give up our pride, give up our ego, give up our petty fights and cravings to prove, give up our running after the fleeting joys and successes that can ruin the very crux of my life! Life is beautiful, however short it is. If only we heed the Word and give up on all these and embrace the true Life, the life giving Word, we shall have life everlasting, that is a live that would remain meaningful, frutiful and insightful, not here and now, but for eternity. 

The Word, when we repeat it so many times today, is not merely the written word that we are referring to, it is the Living Word, the Word that became flesh, the Word that becomes flesh even today, in our midst, in our lives and in our days! Are we receptive enough to welcome the Word and live by the Word. The Word says: come follow me! 

Being Children in faith

WORD 2day: Saturday, 27th week in Ordinary time

October 12, 2024 - Galatians 3: 22-29; Luke 11: 27-28

Being related to God is a faith experience. I do not call you servants but friends, declared Jesus. Remain in my love, he invites. I shall be your God and you shall be my people, was the mind of Jesus, the same as when God made the covenant with the people. Being related to God is a need, a longing, and a recognition that gives me my identity. 

Since it is a need, it has to be sensed by the person proper. Although it is given, a grace, the effort has to be from my part to receive it and make it my own. It has to become a longing, that is a need continuosly felt, not just some sporadic enthusiasm expressed. Above all, it is a recognition of what is already there. There is nothing new to be made of me. I am already a child of God, it is so that God has willed it. But I need to recogonise it so.

However, the fundamental truth to be underlined here is - that identity, does not come by default. Merely because I am baptised I don't belong to Christ or I don't become a child of God. Paul says, I need to clothe myself with Christ. My mentality has to change and be transformed. That is what Jesus means when he says it is more important to hear the words of the Lord and put them to practice than to go around saying I am a Christian.

We need to become children of God not merely by title but in faith.

Daily faithfulness and Constant commitment

WORD 2day: Friday, 27th week in Ordinary time

October 11, 2024 - Galatians 3:7-14; Luke 11:15-26

One who is righteous, by faith shall he or she live, says the first reading! Being God's or belonging to God means a life full of daily choices. It is not a change that happens once and remains for ever, but it is a daily faithfulness on our part to remain in that desired state of grace. It is not enough to desire it, one needs to dedicate oneself to it. 

Faith, therefore, is not a set of truths that are proposed or discussed; but it is a personal commitment lived, a relationship that is established, a rapport that is built between me and my God! The fact is that the process is begun by God - both objectively and subjectively. That is, it is God who begins the entire salvation plan and it is God who begins to relate to me as a singular person. 

Because God loved us so much, Christ stoops down to such an extent to initiate that relationship between humanity and God... Christ became a curse for our sakes, reminds St.Paul. God has set this in motion, that every human person is loved, brought to experience God and saved in that love and mercy of God. 

On the personal level, it is not enough that such a relationship is initiated by God, a gratuitous gift given to me - it is essential that I keep that relationship going, on a daily basis, filling my life with God and all that pertains to God. If not, there are myriads of other things that are waiting to take possession of my heart. 

As St. Peter warns, 'your enemy the devil, is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour' (cf. 1 Pet 5:8), our lives are full of things, persons, attitudes and trends that can take us easily far away from God and God's love. Hence, the key is: daily faithfulness and constant commitment!

Supplying the Spirit!

WORD 2day: Thursday, 27th week in Ordinary time

October 10, 2024 - Galatians 3: 1-5; Luke 11: 5-13

One who supplies the Spirit to you: that is an identity that the Word reveals of God, in both the readings today (Gal 3:5; Lk 11:13). 'To supply the Spirit'...what would that mean? 

Supplying the Spirit, would mean that we are given the assurance of the continued presence of the Lord, all our life! 'The Spirit is the mark of God's ownership on us', St. Paul would declare elsewhere (cf. Eph 1:13). Supplying us with the Spirit, therefore, is God's way of defining our identity, our call and the meaning of our life. We are called to be sons and daughters in the Spirit and the Spirit does not leave us even a moment. We are accompanied all through.

Therefore, being Spirit-filled is not a special manifestation of anything... all of us are... we are given the Spirit and when God gives, God gives it abundantly. We are Spirit-filled. The question is, do we realise that? Do we believe in that? Do we manifest that? Do we draw all the strength that this fact can give us?

The porblem is when doubts assail us, when we fall into temptations, when we lax into lower standards of human living, give into the vile pressures of the evil one and the vices of the distraught world - moments when we shun the Spirit of the Lord! What are we to do then... ask, knock, seek... says the Lord. 

However, we need to understand that asking, knocking and seeking are acts of faith, they are not some acts of desperate effort to get something by all means. They are acts of faith by which we live our convictions that, even before asking the Lord knows my needs; to knock is to surrender oneself totally, come what may; and to seek is not a call to seek in vain or in all-emptiness but to seek the person who lives within us, who dwell within us, who makes us the dwelling places of God (cf 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19).

Once we possess the Spirit, we would need nothing: Seek ye first the Reign of God, and everything will be given unto you. 

The Reign Mentality

WORD 2day: Wednesday, 27th week in Ordinary time

October 9, 2024 - Galatians 2: 1-2, 7-14; Luke 11:1-4

We continue to hear from Paul the beginnings of his ministry in the Church. Both his account and Jesus' teaching in the Gospel speak to us of a set of qualities that can be called a Reign mentality. Let's highlight just a three of them:

Personal integrity that gives Paul an extraordinary power when he presents his case to the people or to the apostles. Unless I am an integral person, I cannot speak of the Reign, leave alone speak with authority.

Fearlessness that comes from the absolute dedication that a person has. Nothing matters more than the Reign and hence there is nothing that can stop me from holding on to it, not even a threat to my life.

Forgiving Confrontations which help one to avoid self righteousness and compromise at the same time. At times our very idea of standing for truth and siding with the right, though an absolute reign-requirement, can drive people far from us. I need mercy not sacrifice, says the Lord. 

In short, the Reign Mentality is a just and healthy realisation of the other - be it the Ultimate Other or the immediate others... coming out of myself and letting in the other. May we grow every day, in our identity that arises from a true reign mentality. 

Disposition to Listen

WORD 2day: Tuesday, 27th week in Ordinary time

October 8, 2024 - Galatians 1: 13-24; Luke 10: 38-42 

The Word today insists on our need to listen to God. The credit that has to be given to Saul, in his turning into Paul is fundamentally his readiness to listen to God. In fact, what strikes us in Paul's narration of his Christ experience is his readiness to perceive Christ, inspite of his totally opposed prior experience. That was possible because of his capacity to Listen. If he were as stubborn as he always was, he would not have heard the Lord's voice from his horse! Paul himself reiterates his capacity to listen to God, by narrating his initial journey in the Lord, preparing himself to be an apostle: that was to the major part, an attentive listening to the Lord and to all that the Lord wanted to reveal.

Mary at Bethany, is yet another icon of listening to God. She knew where the life giving source was: "to whom shall we go Lord, while you have the words of eternal life" were the words of Peter to the Word made flesh. Today we are called to discover the life giving Spirit in the Word that comes across to us on a daily basis. Mary was considered wiser than her sister Martha in her choice because she chose to listen to the Lord inspite of all the excitement involved.

How do I rate my capacity to listen to the Lord? Let us begin from listening to each other... I can listen to the other only when I begin to reduce my talking, my thinking about myself. And that will gradually help me to open myself to the Lord too...for the Lord is all the time calling us, speaking to us, communicating to us - it depends on me to listen! It is a quality to grow in: the attitude of listening; a disposition to listen.