Becoming One people of God

WORD 2day: Monday, 3rd week in Ordinary time

January 27, 2020: 2 Samuel 5: 1-7, 10; Mark 3: 22-30

The call of the people of God is still the theme of the Liturgy... it continues from last week and the reflection on Sunday. The first reading presents to us the scene of the people of Israel being consolidated into One under David, the chosen one of God! The Gospel presents to us Jesus' longing to gather everyone together into one fold as children of God. Elsewhere, in the Gospel according to Matthew we would see this longing of Jesus when he says, "how often I have longed to gather you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing." (Mtt 23:37) 

Oh, how much our insensitive and self centered attitude renders our Christian life meaningless, pointless and a farce! We judge people, demonise their good will, begrudge their well being, and as a consequence ruin the others' happiness and our own inner peace. It's high time we learn to see God in others, instead of demonising them; that we begin to love people instead of judging them; that we see the glory of God in the well being of the others. 

We see the attempts to demonise Jesus by the hypocritical religious leaders to keep the people from following him. Jesus dialogues with them, tries to put sense into their pride filled, egoistic minds... how would he succeed when they  are not really ready to open their hearts! Our hearts need to listen to each other, only then we can become ONE PEOPLE OF GOD. 

Even if we do not approve of another person's thoughts and actions, we need to at least give them a patient hearing, open listening and a genuine chance to present themselves. That would be truly Christian - and when we do these, surely the faithfulness and the mercy of the Lord will ever be with us!

REIGN - DO IT YOURSELF

THE WORD - A Do-it-yourself Manual for the Reign today!

January 26, 2020: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sunday of the Word of God
Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3; 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13,17; Matthew 4: 12-23

Sunday of the Word of God - yet another history is created today, as for the first time, the third Sunday of the Ordinary time is celebrated in the Universal Church as the Sunday of the Word of God. This is an ongoing measure to increase our faith-focus on the Word of God, grow in love for the same and be passionate about announcing it wherever we are and in whichever way we can! Without any doubt, the Word of God is a do-it-yourself guide given to every Christ-ian to go about his or her task - building the Reign of God here and now.

Christians divided among themselves is a terrible scandal to the rest of the world. We have just ended the Unity Octave or the Prayer week for Unity among Christians, yesterday, and today the readings seem to point to an application of the same to our day to day Christian living! It is easier to brush aside the message saying it is impractical, than to take it seriously and examine our situation - personally, and in our immediate context.

The Readings have a practical logic that they follow: they present a problem, they indicate the cause and then propose the challenge! The Problem: Darkness, gloom and hatred in the world. Cause: Divisions among persons, for whatever reason it be! Challenge: Repent and Accept the Reign of God. The readings taken together seem to  affirm what we said earlier that the Word is a do-it-yourself manual of the Reign; in fact we have a Do-it-yourself guide towards making the Reign of God present amidst us, the Word today.

Step 1: Perceive the Problem: the darkness, the gloom and the hatred that surrounds today. Killings, wars, provocative political policies, inhuman oppressive practices, social unrest, social discrimination, economic exploitation, communal insinuations, manipulation of the powerless and the suppression of the voiceless - today it looks like the world is a dangerous place to live in and it seems to get worse by the day! Isaiah speaks from such a context in the first reading, as explains Matthew in the Gospel: people who sit in darkness and land overshadowed by death! 

The world is such, yes; but how is it around you and me! The first step the readings suggest today is to take note of our situation: look around...it could be your family, or your parish, or your locality - identify the darkness, the shadow of death that hovers, anything that does not allow you and those around you to live your life to the full. You might be blaming someone far above on the ladder, or someone in completely another context, while in your own context and in your own circle, you might be doing the same in your own way, or at least having thoughts or a mentality that comes very close to it - something like fighting for eradication of corruption but you have your friend who is in authority who helps you skip a line and finish your work in a short cut. 

Step 2: Identify the Cause: self-centered vision and egocentric outlook on life. Divisions on the basis of various categories - be it economic, social, religious, traditional or whatever - are opposed to the Gospel message. The thriving of the evil, the growth of the unjust systems, the perpetration of unethical social order - where do these come from? Is it not insensitivity and self-centered thinking that leads to these situations?

How sad it is to see a Christian community divided on the basis of caste, or colour, or ethnicity! How painful it is to see a Christian community where there are still people who have absolutely nothing to live on, while there are others who can spend lavishly on unreasonable luxuries! How scandalous to see a Christian community that comes together on the Sunday, celebrates together the sacraments and goes back unaffected by each other! How contradicting to see a Christian family divide within - for the sake of property or money, due to ego clashes or owing to years of hatred! The second reading pleads that we identify the cause of those situations that does not allow us to live our Christian life fully!

Step 3: Accept the Challenge of the Reign: to repent and be the change! We want the world to change, but we are not ready to be the change. We are scared to be taken advantage of, we do not want to take any risks. We preach peace and pray for prosperity in the world, but what do we do for it in practice? Are we ready to forgive without hesitation, love without calculation, help without expectation, contribute without remuneration? 

Are we ready to just leave everything and follow Christ as the disciples did - follow Christ, to preach the Reign, by first of all,  ourselves living as the people of the Reign? Are we ready to look beyond all differences and appreciate the oneness of faith that we have in the Reign? Are we ready to look at every one around me as my brother, my sister, someone whom I care for and whom I respect and regard, so that I am ready to relate, love and grow in communion, towards building up the Reign? 

If we are ready... then, the people who sit in darkness will see a light; those dwelling in the land overshadowed by death will see a light. Let us repent, be the change, and spread peace, love and life - that will be the Reign of God, here and now!

UNUSUAL KINDNESS - UNITY OCTAVE DAY 8

Saturday - January 25, 2020

CALL: GENEROSITY - RECEIVING AND GIVING 

The WORD says...

Acts 28: 8-10.

“The father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They bestowed many honours on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed”

Let us PRAY...

God, giver of life,

we thank You for the gift of  Your compassionate 

love which soothes and strengthens us.

We pray that our churches

may be always open to receive Your gifts 

from one another.

Grant us a spirit of generosity to all

as we journey together in the Path of Christian unity.

We ask this in the name of Your Son 

who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us REFLECT...

·      Have you ever received a gift from someone from whom you found it difficult to receive? What did you do with the gift?

·      How does your church receive from other Christian traditions? 

·      How does your church receive from people of other faiths and none?

What to DO...

Global: 

Find out how the generosity of churches has made such a difference to communities across the world through the works of charity.

Local: 
Identify your needs as a church or churches / communities/ groups and consider who you could approach to reach out in charity.  

Personal: 

Ask someone to help you with an outstanding task or need you have... experience the situation of being in need!

[courtesy: www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer]

A Journey of Conversion

THE WORD AND THE FEAST

January 25, 2020: The Conversion of St. Paul

Acts 22: 3-16; Mark 16: 15-18

The conversion of St. Paul marks a the very first twist in the tale after the Risen Lord began to make a difference in history! Hidden life, persecution and private practice of Christ-inspired faith life was suddenly taken to the public domain with St. Paul getting into the bandwagon. A passionate attachment to Christ was growing into a Charismatic challenge! We celebrate this feast today and it fills us with great joy!

Some thoughts from the Word on this feast:

1. Conversion is a life Journey: We need this grace of conversion, which the Lord inspires within us. Yes, conversion comes from within - though we see the dramatic events that accompany the conversion of Paul, they are only external signs of something that was happening within him, at the core of his being.

2. Conversion begins with a Bolt: We seem to be going in great pace with our life, when suddenly strikes a bolt. We call that a misfortune, a shock or a setback. But we need to be conscious of the fact that these experiences are messages, invitations for a transformation we need to effect within us.

3. Conversion definitely involves falling to the ground: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground, it will not bear fruit. When Saul fell from his horse to the ground, he rose as Paul, enquiring 'who are you Lord'! And from then his life changed...for no longer did he live, Christ lived in him.

4. Conversion is fundamentally a new vision: Nothing of Saul changed...he was the same determined, stubborn, hardliner. But his vision had changed. And that changed everything else. When he got back his sight, he did not only see again, but his vision was totally new! He now saw everything from the point of view of Christ. That is the conversion expected of us: to see everything as Christ does - that is the journey you and I, are called to make, a journey of conversion.

UNUSUAL KINDNESS - UNITY OCTAVE DAY 7

Friday - January 24, 2020

CALL: TRANSFORMATION - CHANGING OUR HEARTS AND MINDS

The WORD says...

Acts 28: 3-6.

“Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.’ He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.”

Let us PRAY...

Almighty God,

we turn to You with repentant hearts.

In our sincere quest for Your truth,

purify us from our unjust opinions of others 

and lead the churches to grow in communion.

Help us let go of our fears,

and so better understand each other                    

and the stranger in our midst,

and dare to love the rejected.

We ask this in the name of the Just One,

Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us REFLECT...

- Have you ever changed your mind about someone, for the better? Why? 

- How has your church related to churches and congregations with very different theological ideas and/or cultures?

- Who are the outcasts in your community? How can your church better reach out to them?

What to DO...

Global: 
Find inspiration from stories of inclusion and overcoming prejudice in India.

Local: 
How are you as churches working with those on the fringes of society? Find out how you could be supported to do more.  

Personal: 
Take steps to tackle prejudice or exclusion in your life and community.

[courtesy: www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer]

Beware of people with you!

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

January 24, 2020: Remembering St. Francis de Sales 

1 Samuel 24: 3-21; Mark 3: 13-19

Saul had his men with him,  David had his own men with him and Jesus gets his own men ready today! Each of us has a group of people who surround us. A backup group that suggests,  supports and sustains us in the life journey. But it is important that we beware of the group! It can make or mar us... depending on the level of importance given to them. 

The group with Saul assisted him in his pursuit of irrational vengeance. Whether they were convinced of it or not, we do not know. But they were intent on approving of whatever Saul was doing! A great affection given but no real love, as love will never rejoice in evil.

The group with David instigated murder of the reigning king. Luckily David had some sense reigning his mind, if not he could have easily been misled and he would not be known today as what he is. The group was ready to be taught by David's example, and not pressurise him - very rare to find such a group, unless we ourselves are extremely strong on our values. 

Though Jesus picked and chose the group with him, there was a traitor right amidst them. Not that Jesus did not expect it - he knew how weak and unprepared they were. But he accepted them as they were. Here is a group so human but it grew to be powerful because of the influence of their Leader! What would you want to be: dragged by the people who surround you or form a truly edifying community as persons together?

St. Francis de Sales, whom we remember today was a loving and kind saintly Bishop who led scores of people to God, founded congregations and inspired many others to found too! He comes across as a person who followed Christ and led everyone to follow Christ - a great example of how we need to relate with the people around us!

Pay heed to the Word today: Fill your atmosphere with God fearing persons and your life will be doubly blessed. Allow God above all to guide you, not those who wish their own gains and glory. Beware of those around you who create an opinion within you. Seeking guidance and support is great, but beware from whom!

UNUSUAL KINDNESS - UNITY OCTAVE DAY 6

Thursday - January 23, 2020

CALL: HOSPITALITY

The WORD says...

Acts 28: 1-2,7.

“After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us round it …
Now in the neighbourhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days"

Let us PRAY...

God of the orphan, the widow and The stranger, 

instill in our hearts a deep sense of hospitality.

when You ask us to feed You, 

to clothe You and to visit You 

those with ears to hear, listen, 

those with eyes to see, look.

May our churches participate 

in the ending of hunger, thirst and isolation

and in overcoming barriers that prevent the welcoming of all people.

We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus,

who is present in the least of our sisters and brothers. Amen.

Let us REFLECT...

·     Think  of  a time you  experienced hospitality in a meaningful way.

·      Think about a time when you had to be hospitable that was difficult. In what ways has that changed how you welcome people? Where do you need to go the extra mile?

·      Where have you recognised unusual kindness in your community?

What to DO...

Global: 
Get to know about various agencies responding to poverty and injustice across the world.

Local: 
How do we as churches begin or go deeper into a meaningful conversation with the voices we find difficult in society? What can we learn from these voices? Discuss with someone.  

Personal: 
How might you show unusual kindness to someone in your community today?.

[courtesy: www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer]

Demons don't dare compare!

WORD 2day: Thursday, 2nd week in Ordinary time

January 23, 2020: 1 Samuel 18:6-9,19:1-7; Mark 3: 7-12

As Jesus chases the demons away from the persons possessed with them, the demons acknowledge the Son of God and give him the rightful place. Not even the demons dared compare themselves with the Son of God. They knew, any comparison would only make them more frustrated than they were. 

It is one thing that they did not want to compare with the Christ, the Chosen one of God. But today we find persons so blatantly calling themselves the saviours of human kind, the direct incarnations of Godhead and so on! Let us beware of these caricatures! But there is another point more fundamental here - the demons did not dare compare themselves because they knew there were no point in it. 

Saul failed to learn this lesson and that spelt his doom. He compared himself with David and forgot the good that he himself was able to do with the help of God. In the mind to compare, all that he could think of was that David was overtaking him...he failed to understand he was still the king, though he did not deserve it. We miss out so many gifts we possess, so many of them so undeserved, when we give into the temptation of comparison.

In our daily relationships there is a huge damage done by our tendency to compare. Comparison is a poison and it will surely kill you someday. And remember, even demons do not dare compare!

UNUSUAL KINDNESS - UNITY OCTAVE DAY 5

Wednesday - January 22, 2020

CALL: KEEP YOUR STRENGTH UP

The WORD says...

Acts 27: 33-36.

“Just before daybreak, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying, ‘Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and remaining without food, having eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads.’ After he had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves.”

Let us PRAY...

Loving God, 
Your Son Jesus Christ broke bread 
and shared the cup with His friends. 

May we grow in closer communion 
when we share our pain and suffering.

Encouraged by St Paul and the early Christians 
give us strength to build bridges of compassion, solidarity and harmony. 

In the power of the Holy Spirit, 
we ask this in the name of Your Son, 
who gives His life that we might live. Amen.

Let us REFLECT...

    ·     Have you had experiences of promises of Scripture haven’t delivered as you’d expected?

·      When have you most felt the pain over disunity in the body of Christ?

·      How might sharing the body of Christ be a source of healing and unity between Christians?

What to DO...

Global: 
Work for the day when good healthcare is available for all.

Local: 
Try holding a ‘bring and share’ meal together with the churches in your area where you have a conversation about what Eucharist/Communion/Lord’s Supper means to each church.  

Personal: 
Visit, send a card or call someone who is currently unwell that you know.

[courtesy: www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer]

A mere pebble will do!

WORD 2day: Wednesday, 2nd week in Ordinary time 

January 22, 2020: 1 Samuel 17:32-33,37,40-51;  Mark 3:1-6

A mere pebble was enough for the young David to bring down the mighty Goliath. Notwithstanding the fact that the philistines were of giant stature, and that Goliath was the most valourous  of them all, and above all, that David was from an ignoble family and the least and the weakest of the brothers in there - he was destined to bring down the might of the giants!

The whole sanhedrin and the entire ruling class plotted against Jesus but no one could do anything till the appointed time, though Jesus had no spear or javelin, or an army to defend himself. He was a homeless vagabond and those who were with him were mere emotional commoners, in the eyes of the world. But none could lay their hands on Jesus!

No one can stop us from the good we do if that good is ordained according to the holy will of God. If it were for my own gain or glory, I cannot blame God if it brings strife and suffering alone. What matters therefore is, however small, the nature of my motivation, that subtle thought in my mind, that objective with which I decide on doing something or avoiding something!

It is like a castle constructed with cards... a small reason is enough to topple the entire edifice very carefully raised. What is most important is not what I have in hand, but in whose hand I am! When I have my selfish mileage to make and manipulate persons and situations placing my trust in my might then I should realise I am far far away from the Lord. Instead, when all that I have in mind is that God's will be done  - just a mere pebble will do, I can bring giants down!