TRIDUUM TO THE FEAST OF DON BOSCO - DAY 2

DON BOSCO - THE MAN OF GOD

The Three Devotions - his spiritual project

In the dream of the Two Columns,  Don Bosco actually speaks of three important signs; the three elements that would make up a wholesome Salesian spirituality. The Column of the Eucharist, the Column of Our Blessed Mother and then the Ship steered by the Holy Father. In some predominantly Catholic cultures, these could be taken for granted, though it is difficult these days to find such predominantly Catholic cultures. Anyway the three elements underline the 'catholicity' of a son or daughter of Don Bosco. All the three of them are so specifically Catholic and are those very core elements that are under attack from any anti catholic force, be it in history or now. 

The devotion to the Blessed Sacrament sets the sense of God's continual presence to degree extremely high and makes a person awe filled in his or her daily life. When the Church , in the year 1905, declared that a person prepared duly could receive communion everyday, Don Bosco would have screamed with joy, if he were alive. Because that is what he wished for his children even before the Universal Church could come up with it. But today, is the Eucharistic presence being taken for granted? Is it being made into a mere ritual or is the sacrament truly received as a mode of uniting oneself with the Lord?

The devotion to Our Blessed Mother was for Don Bosco the most human form of tasting the love of God - in and through the love of a Mother, the Mother of God. Jokingly said, that Don Bosco found a short cut in Mary, to arrive at what he wanted from the Lord and Saviour, it could but be all meaningful. Mary is the short cut, the direct manifestation, the immediate proof of God's grace within human nature. That was the inspiration that Don Bosco had in growing to the full in his nature and grace - our devotion to the heavenly mother, has to make us more like her, ultimately more like her Son.

The devotion to the Holy Father, as sons and daughters of Holy Mother the Church, is a guarantee of remaining true to our identity: the identity of children of God. What would have Don Bosco done, in times like the present? People trying to form factions against the Holy Father, those trying to mislead the Papacy, those vying to destroy it and those trying to misinterpret it unceasingly? Times actually are not too different - in Don Bosco's time there was a great criticism of Pius IX and what was Don Bosco's stand: he said categorically: "it is better to go to heaven with Pius IX than to be right with those who criticise the Pope." We are beloved sons and daughters of the Church, and hence of the Holy Father! 

The call that we have today, the second day of the triduum, is the spiritual project that Don Bosco presents to us. It is a call to renew our awe and love for the Eucharistic Lord, to learn from our Blessed Mother and to resolve to stand with our Holy Father, as true and worthy children of God. 

The Word made sense

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

January 29, 2020: 2 Samuel 7: 4-17 Mark 4: 1-20

The Word comes to us every time with a specific call and life changing challenges. We would make it dead if we do not make the real sense out of it. But in the name of making sense of it, there are those who try to twist and turn it and interpret it to their own benefits! Do you think the Word of God can be so twisted and turned? Obviously, these would be running a great treacherous risk!

The Lord himself provides us the possibility of making sense, in our daily life. Only that we have to be ready and open, we would be shown what really the Word has to offer or challenge. Open with out eyes, open with our hearts, open with our ears and open with our minds that persons, events and experiences can provide us with that key to decode the Word for our concrete lives. 

We see David so open and eager, as Samuel makes sense of the Word to him. The disciples ask Jesus to make sense of the Word to them and Jesus does it so impressively. We may go in search of meaning and messages too - but the danger is that we are looking for something that we want to see, something that is pleasing to us, while all the time the message from the Word has been right in front of our eyes.

Receiving the word and making sense of it should lead us to concrete changes in life. If not, the Word would be dead as the seeds picked by the birds or scorched by sun or suppressed by the thorns. Openness is the only way to be spiritually fertile, giving fruit in abundance.

Dancing to God's tunes

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

January 28, 2020: Remembering St. Thomas Aquinas

2 Samuel 6: 12-15,17-19; Mark 3: 31-35

David danced before the Ark of the Covenant - we come across this famous phrase from history. David apart from his rule as the favoured king of Israel, is known for the psalms he has given us and now for the dance he performs before the presence of the Lord. Moving away from all the literal significance of these facts, let us look at what David wants to communicate to us: it is, giving full vent to what you have within you, to what you are within you, before the Lord, that really matters. He cared nothing what the world cared as image!

Thomas Aquinas, whom we remember today was a great 13th century theologian who has contributed to the most clear and classical theological explication of the Catholic Church till date. He wrote an extensive theological work consisting of 3125 articles with such clear argumentation, that it is called a Philosophical Theology. But he left the intended third volume incomplete, because on Dec 6, 1273 he had a Divine vision after which he seemed to have declared, "All that I have written seems like a straw." His disciple had to complete it, after the death of Aquinas (Mar 7, 1274). All his great intelligence and proficiency seemed nothing in front of God, just like David considered his kingly splendour a rubbish.

Jesus says that in different terms - it does not matter you are a great powerful kind or a proficient intellectual giant; what matters is being in the presence of the Lord, listening to the Lord and doing what God wants of you. Losing ourselves in the Lord, being totally taken up with God's will...that is what being a child of God means. In David's terms, it is dancing to God's tunes! 

TRIDUUM TO THE FEAST OF DON BOSCO - DAY 1

DON BOSCO - A SALESIAN EDUCATOR

The Three Pillars - his educative proposal

Was Don Bosco a Salesian? A curious question indeed! Though Don Bosco was a diocesan priest, when he founded the Congregation and to his great joy and satisfaction when on May 14, 1862, the first group of 22 Salesians made their first triennial vows to the Lord, as religious members of the newly founded Society of St. Francis de Sales, Don Bosco himself says, he too made his profession to the Lord, committing himself in perpetuity to the Religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. This we see in the seventh volume of his Biographical Memoirs. However, our point here is not so much about that, as it is about the 'Salesian' that Don Bosco was at heart - that is, a person who followed the life, example and spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, the saintly wise pastor. 

One of the great inspirations that Don Bosco received from Francis de Sales, and passed on to us his sons and daughters is the style of the accompanying persons in their growth. That was the fount from where Don Bosco drew the principles of his own educative proposal - the three pillars: Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness. He writes in his famous account of the Preventive System: "this system totally rests on reason, religion and loving kindness." We see the gentleness, the kindness, the tenderness of Francis de Sales and at the same time him firmness in guiding persons to sanctity. 

Religion would be the total surrender in faith to the Lord who has granted us the great gift of life and all the opportunities to grow to the full. That would be the sense of vocation with which we live, and invite the young with us to live with. That is the conviction that no one here on earth, finds oneself here by chance. There is a purpose to life and that purpose has to be discovered on a daily basis.

Reason would be the trust and and hope we have in the inherent goodness of the other, a goodness that reflects the image and likeness of the Divine that is placed within us. It is appealing to that goodness that one can challenge oneself or challenge anyone to values of great honour and dignity. We do not need any external reason to be good, we have an integral reason to be good and holy, because are we have it deep-seated in the core of our being. 

Loving Kindness is the intense experience of God's love and sharing the same with the others to whom we are sent. It is being signs and bearers of God's love to the young! It is the source from where one could derive for oneself or for those in need, all the necessary strength to face every kind of situation in life - good or bad, joyous or sad, challenging or discouraging - for we have a God who accompanies us with love, an unconditional unlimited love.

The call today for us on the first day of the triduum to the feast of Don Bosco is to make this educative proposal our own, in every way. Let us surrender ourselves in faith to the Lord and invite the young under our care to do hold on to God; let us hope in the goodness of every person around us and counter the culture of negativity that threatens the world today; let us abide in the love of God and share the same with every one whom we encounter that God's love can continue to live amidst us every day and every moment!

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!