Presentism or Reign-mindset?

WORD 2day: Monday, Fourth week in Tempo ordinario

January 29, 2024 - 2 Samuel 15: 13-14,30, 16:5-13; Mark 5: 1-20

We come across two lifestyles in the Word today. First is represented in the Gospel, where the whole quarters of the people is terrified with the presence of the possessed man - a constant and continuous threat to security and peace. And Jesus arrives there curing the man and clearing their difficulty for the rest of their days. But what happens in the process is a herd of swine is lost, over two thousand we are told. And what is the response of the people who truly should have been profusely grateful to Jesus? They ask him to leave their locality, for fear that they could lose more! This is a lifestyle, which says, when it comes to losing what I feel attached to, even if it is the Lord, I don't want to have anything to do with it. My attachments and priorities are too sacred to lose! There is a very strong 'here and now' here, a dangerous presentism, that takes the true meaning out of our life. 

There is another lifestyle reported - David, who is facing a coup d'etat. While he is fleeing the scene with such heavy heart, he is accosted by a man from the clan of King Saul, cursing him bitterly. Those who are with David, threaten the man to silence. But how does David respond? It is here we see the lifestyle portrayed: he says, if it were God's prompting that this man cursed me, who am I to resent it. What a lesson: even if it is a curse, a difficulty, a trouble, a hurdle, if it is within the design of God, I have nothing to refrain from, I have nothing to fear! For God knows the plans that God has for me, for my fullness of life! That is true Reign-mindset, that prioritises God and thinks in terms of eternity. 

What a contrast we have in these two mindsets! One to say, if I can avoid pain and trouble, I dont mind giving up even God; the other to say, even if it is the worst of circumstances, if it is within the plan of God, I do not fear anything for God is with me! Which of these mindsets do we wish to grow in? That is our choice!

To submit to the Lord

WORD 2day: Saturday, Third week in Ordinary time

January 27, 2024 - 2 Samuel 12: 1-7, 10-17; Mark 4: 35-41

The first reading today brings out the best element of David for our consideration. David was favoured in the eyes of God, not for his valour or for his victories, nor for his eloquence or for his talents. The outstanding quality of David, that makes him an example to all of us, is his humility and his capacity to listen to the Lord.

Humility is the ability to see the truth. And the capacity to listen to the Lord is the easiest way to observe the truth; the truth that is ever present right in front of our eyes. Even while Nathan was speaking, David did not realise the truth; but when the prophet said to David, "You are the man!", David realised his folly, that he has deluded himself from seeing the Lord who was right there with him all the while, even when David indulged in all the evil that he did. In his humility, he submits himself instantly to the mercy of the Lord.

Weak as we are and tempted as we are, our capacity to listen to the Word of the Lord and our humility to submit ourselves to the mercies of the Lord, are those which can really make us persons of faith. The storm and the sea, the heavens and the creatures therein, everything obeys the Lord, and why should we hesitate to submit to the Lord?

In faith, we shall ask the Lord, and the Lord shall give us a pure heart and a steadfast spirit, humble and honest, to submit to the Lord!

The seed and its fruits

THE WORD AND THE SAINTS

January 26, 2024: Remembering Sts. Timothy and Titus

2 Timothy 1: 1-8; Mark 4: 26-34

Timothy and Titus are two models we are presented with today. They were both finds of the Apostle Paul on his journeys. Inspiring the listeners to make a life choice is a special gift that some are given with. St. Paul possessed this and he used it well for the Reign of God. Timothy and Titus join the great band of apostles that Jesus initiated.

How beautifully Paul speaks of faith in the first reading of today (we have chosen the one from the letter to Timothy)... as something that is gifted, something that has to be nurtured and something that has to be celebrated and handed over!

Faith is a gift from God, as life and growth are. Just like the sower sows and waits for the grains to sprout, so do we sow all the goodness that we can and wait for the life and growth that God alone gives. We cannot be impatient and agitated to see their fruits, fruits will appear in God's own time, for it is the Lord who is at work!

Our faith has been sown in the ground of our hearts, it has to grow into the Reign of God on earth. Our responsibility is to nurture the seed (the faith) and await the fruit (Reign). It is not within our capacity to establish the Reign where we are, but it is within our capacity to live our faith to the full, because we are given a Spirit of power, love and self control! When we live our faith to the full, the Reign shall sprout!

Conversion: an absolute choice for God

THE WORD AND THE FEAST

January 25, 2024: The Conversion of St. Paul
Acts 22: 3-16; Mark 16: 15-18

The feast of Conversion of St. Paul invites us to reflect on our own conversion. Unfortunately, in today's context, the word 'conversion' has more political connotation than spiritual! 

In fact, today is a beautiful occasion for us to remind ourselves that conversion is not about numbers and increasing the fold. It is a personal decision to go towards God, an about-turn (as the Greek word 'metanoia' suggests); it is an absolute choice for God! Choice for God... because we begin to see the role that God has played in our life and choose to actively acknowledge it; absolute... because nothing else matters as much as God and God's will do! 

We are called to conversion... may not be as dramatic as that of St. Paul's, as we read in the first reading today, but more demanding! Yes, we are called to daily conversion. To be aware, each day and each moment, of those things that take us away from our progress towards God. Nothing - no demonic powers, no distracting languages, no cunning serpents, no poisoning lifestyle - should lead us away from God... we are called to make an absolute choice every day, for God and for God's Word. Not merely in words but by my very life, I am obliged to proclaim God's message. "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel," reminds me St.Paul (1 Cor 9:16). 

Notice the very first question that Paul asks the Lord after he recognises it was the Lord: What am I to do Lord? That is a relevant question for each of us to ask every day: What am I to do Lord, to turn to you and to make an absolute choice for you!

Faithfulness and Fruitfulness

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

January 24, 2024: Celebrating St. Francis de Sales
2 Samuel 7: 4-17; Mark 4: 1-20

As the oft-repeated quote of Blessed Mother Teresa goes, 'we are not called to be successful, but to be faithful!' It can well be paraphrased in terms of today's readings: we are called to be faithful and it is God's part to make us fruitful. 

The Lord makes David understand that all the glory that he had acquired was a bountiful gift from God. The Lord does not want David to fall in the same trap as his predecessor, the trap of pride and arrogance. The Lord promises much more to David, just because he has proved himself to be a faithful servant and a loving son.

Just like the sower in the parable that Jesus narrates, David did not have much to do with his rise from a simple shepherd boy to the king that he became. All that the sower can do is, sow and faithfully take care of the sown seed as it grows. "Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God alone, who makes things grow" (1 Cor 3:7), writes St. Paul. 

St. Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Kindness whom we celebrate today, would say: "The many troubles in your household will tend to your edification, if you strive to bear them all in gentleness, patience and kindness. Keep this ever before you, and remember constantly that God's loving eyes are upon you amid all these little worries and vexations." Faithfulness is ours and Fruitfulness is the Lord's!

Our concern should be just one: to be faithful to the Lord in everything and the Lord will reward that life with fruitfulness, in God's own goodness, because the Lord says: Forever I will maintain my love for my servant!

Obey the Lord - but why?

WORD 2day: Tuesday, Third week in Ordinary time

January 23, 2024 - 2 Samuel  6: 12-15, 17-19; Mark 3: 31-35

Doing God's will, for us is at one and the same time, a duty and a guarantee of righteousness. Duty because we are children of God and guarantee of righteousness because as human persons we are surrounded by conflicting opinions and standards. 

However, there can be varied motivations for doing God's will in life: 

It could be because, we are afraid that if we do not do God's will we might get into trouble. It is like carrying out our duties out of fear of undesirable consequences. Fear! 

Secondly, it could be because we are expected to do it; that is, doing the duty for the sake of duty. One feels he or she has been brought up and always been taught that way and it should carry on for whole life that way. Habit or Customs. Though there is an appreciable discipline involved here, it seems very robotic and therefore slavish. 

Today, David in the first reading and Jesus in the Gospel, give us a beautiful outlook on doing God's will - doing what God wants, because we love God! That's being Children of God. We have experienced the love of God to such an extent, that we cannot but do what pleases God; we cannot count the cost; we are ready to give up anything for the sake of doing the will of God. "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me!" declared Jesus with no hesitations (Jn 4:34). 

It is only when we feel that way, as children who love to obey, we become like Jesus, we become his brothers and sisters... that is, we become loving children of God, our father and mother.

To be God's own!

WORD 2day: Friday, Second week in Ordinary time

January 19, 2024 - 1 Samuel 24:3-21; Mark 3: 13-19

Jesus chose the twelve to be His apostles, to be with him and to be sent out to preach, heal and sanctify; in short, to be His! 

In the first reading we have Saul and David, both of whom God chose, to belong to God, to be God's! But we see Saul reaching a despicable state because of his continual wrong choices one over the other; and David stands tall today because of that Godly choice that he makes to respect Saul for what he was and spare his life - an act of kindness and mercy, forgiveness and love, which comes from the godliness from within. He proves to be truly, "God's".

At any point of time in our life, we become what we choose to be. We can blame it on the situation, on the persons around, on the circumstances, the way things worked out and so on and so forth, but we know it is ultimately the choice that we make within our hearts, in our minds! Be it a thought we entertain in the secret of our hearts, a word we utter to our own hearing, or a decision we make regarding something, or a judgement we pass on another person - it is our choice and we have to take responsibility for it. To me, it is that choice that will define who I am!

The Lord has chosen us, you and me - to be God's! If so, we need to show that by our choices! We cannot blame the world or the situation around and say, I cannot but choose to do this or say that. No! The choice is mine; the choice is ours! Let us strive always to be worthy of the One who has chosen us to be His, let us strive to be always God's own!

Be Calm and Behold God!

WORD 2day: Thursday, Second week in Ordinary time

January 18, 2024 - 1 Samuel 18:6-9, 19:1-7; Mark 3: 7-12

The enemy makes entry into our lives in subtle ways! One of the easiest entry points is our ego; and that is what happens to Saul, as we see today in the first reading. This was the beginning of his end. Looking for the approval of those around makes us slaves to others! 

It is not enough to write on our logos and our mottos, "In God we Trust," as we pray in the responsorial today... we need to learn to do it - truly allowing God to run our lives!

At times, human approval is one of the first enemies to doing God's holy will. Jesus knew this so well and that is why when people were in awe, admiring his healing and miracles, he withdrew to the mountains to unite with God. When the evil spirits try the same trick, affirming him that he was the Son of God, Jesus does nothing but command them to silence. I do not need your approval, he seems to say on their faces!

Jesus teaches us, to be alert regarding the evil one and related tactics! As St. Peter instructs us in his letter, "Be calm, but vigilant; your enemy, the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat!" (1 Pet 5:8). The entry is slow and subtle... but every point of time, everything will look reasonable, and that is the way we are deceived to giving in.

Let us live every day of our life, as mere instruments of God and we will see the serenity and peace that we will enjoy. To God alone be praise, honour and adoration!

The Choice, the choice that matters

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

January 17, 2024: Remembering St. Anthony the Abbot
1 Samuel 17: 32-33,37,40-51; Mark 3:1-6

If there is one thing that all religions and philosophies agree upon, it is this: that there is a constant conflict between the good and the evil in the world! And we, we are part of this story whether we like it or not. 

From the eyes of faith, we can say, we are constantly posed with two options at any point of time: to choose something 'Godly" or to choose something 'ungodly'! Be it in our words, or our actions, or our attitudes... we become what we choose! If we choose our ego, our self-image, our selfish cravings, our prejudices or our selfish goals - we are lost forever. The giant sized philistine or the self righteous pharisees - this what they chose! Young David instead chose God: I come in the name of the Lord of hosts!

Jesus chose God too, the loving God who cares for God's children. When St. Paul acclaims, 'I can do all things in Him who strengthens me!' (Phil 4:13), it was not pride but an outlook on life, an outlook that always chose whatever was Godly. "Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable,...think about these things" says Paul (Phil 4:8).

We celebrate St. Anthony the Abbot today, who inherited a huge property early in life, as his parents died, leaving him with his younger sister. But for Anthony what mattered was not the wealth, but the Word of the Lord. He sold everything and gave it to the poor and chose to become a hermit, living a life of austerity and holiness. A choice that was tremendous! 

Only these choices can prove the claim, that 'God is our rock, our fortress, our stronghold, our deliverer, our shield in whom we take refuge'.

God of history is with us!

WORD 2day: Tuesday, Second week in Ordinary time 

January 16, 2024: 1 Samuel 16: 1-13; Mark 2: 23-28

God's choice of David is a typical indication of a fact that is repeatedly accentuated in the Old Testament - that God is the Lord of history! 

When the people of Israel were adamant of having a king of their own, they soon learnt how mistaken they were, with their experience of Saul. But God knew how to write straight through those crooked lines, and God alone knew. He chose a little shepherd boy and raised him to be God's beloved king and in his lineage brought the Saviour into the world. 

God broke conventions, the way the world saw things, the way the world judged things, the way the world prioritised values. God proved that, God is always beyond all laws and conventions, and that God was the real Lord of the world and its history!

Jesus, the Son of God, had to do the same to prove to those around him that there was something new happening in history... that God has visited them! Being prisoners of our own conventions and petty rules and regulations, and our prejudiced ideas and prefixed thinking, let us not miss the Lord who is present with us, every day and every moment, sharing every ordinary moment of our life - because, God, the Lord of history, is with us!