“Overlooking all setbacks and defying the odds with deep convictions and trust in the Lord!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 11:4-13 and Mk 7:24-30 – Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Many of us have grown up with an extra kid in the house!

Perhaps…. we didn’t know it…
… but he was there at certain times!

His name was “Not Me.”

He always appeared when something wrong or bad happened.

Like when your mom asked:
“Who has messed up the front room and made this floor dirty?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has applied mud on the walls of the house?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has kept the tap water on and caused the water-tank to be almost emptied?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has broken the glass windows of our neighbours?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

This “unseen kid” often continues to accompany us…
… and shouts loud, when things don’t go well in life!

Our problems, often, find a scapegoat in this excuse called: “blaming”

Our defeats, often, find a cause in this contagion named: “blaming”

But the Gospel of the day presents an amazing personality who silences this “unseen kid of blaming” and wins for herself the favour of the Lord.

The Gospel passage is the incident of Jesus’ encounter with a Gentile woman who comes seeking for a cure for her daughter, from a demon.
“…a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about Jesus. She came and fell at His feet” (Mk 7:25)

This person who came to Jesus went through a string of ignominies and exploitations…

1. She had to face humiliations because she was a woman…

The Jewish society accorded a lowly and highly subjugated status to women

2. She had to face disgraces because she was a Greek…

The Greeks, who were considered pagans by the Jews, were treated with inferiority.

3. She had to face dishonour because she was a Syrophoenician…

A Syrophoenician denoted a mixed race – half Syrians and half Phoenician; thus denoting also a crisis in cultural and linguistic identity.

4. She had to face scandal because she had to approach Jesus who was a pure Jew…

Greeks and especially Greek woman had no interaction at all with Jewish men
She had to face crisis because her child was possessed with an unclean spirit…

5. A demon-possession in her beloved daughter would have chased away all her peace of mind.

She had to face challenge to her faith when the Lord addressed to her in an apparently disrespectful manner…

6. Being called as a “dog” would have put off the mind of a weak and frail person
   “Overlooking all setbacks and defying the odds with deep convictions and trust!”

Well… this Syrophoenician Greek woman, had many things to complain in life…

She had a number of reasons to “blame” and get defeated in life…

She could have just “blamed” the society for their inhuman attitudes…
She could have just “blamed” the citizens for their class divisions…
She could have just “blamed” the civilization for their cruel outlooks…
She could have just “blamed” her stars and fate for what happened to her daughter…
She could have just “blamed” Jesus for His challenging and apparently resistant answer…
She could have just kept “blaming” anybody and anything….and get bogged down totally!

But this woman decides to silence this “unseen kid of blaming”

She decides to close her eyes to all humiliations and yet stand strong with a bold face!
She decides to overlook all setbacks and defy the odds with her deep convictions and trust!
As a result, the Lord rewards her immensely and her daughter was delivered of the demon!

Are we people who get easily afflicted by the contagion of “blaming?”

Are we people who are easily paralysed by the virus of “blaming?”

The Syrophoenician woman…
… by her tremendous faith and bold trust is a challenge to us.
… by her amazing determination and resolve is an inspiration for us.

Our society, our families, our own individual selves are often under the grip and possession of this contagion of “blaming”.

Let us approach the Lord for a deliverance…
Let us approach the Lord for a liberation…

The Book of Kings presents a striking contrast to the Gospel account.

King Solomon, once gifted with wisdom and Divine favour, allows his heart to turn away from the Lord.

Instead of guarding his Covenantal responsibility, he slowly compromises and drifts.

We are reminded: Greatness is sustained not by past blessings…
… but by present faithfulness and humble trust in God.

The life of King Solomon shows how misplaced priorities and silent compromises lead to downfall.

The incident of the Syro-Phoenician woman teaches that faith that refuses to blame prepares the path to deliverance.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Remaining open to corrections and co-operating with the Lord in ‘being washed’ of every bit of corruption from our hearts!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 10:1-10 and Mk 7:14-23 – Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

“Mamma”, said the child, feeling quite disturbed, “I feel very upset today, ‘cos my teacher corrected me!”

The mother – who was washing dishes – looked at the child and told him, “look at what I am doing…”

The child looked at the mother, washing the dishes

Pointing to a set of vessels that had been left unwashed overnight – she said:
“Look at these vessels.
It is very hard to scrub these – ‘cos the dirt is stuck for a long time

So the easy method, is…
… to dip them in hot water
… keep it soaked for sometime
… and then wash!”

Then taking the child close to her, she said, “That’s how it is in life as well!

Sometimes when we are stuck with things that are not good…
We need a nice dip in the ‘hot waters of correction’
… remain soaked in the ‘feel of contrition’
So that we can ’emerge clean!’
Always remain, therefore, open to corrections!”

Are we persons who remain open to corrections…
… so that, feeling contrite, we can emerge clean?

The Gospel of the Day is a strong act of Jesus reminding the Scribes and Pharisees to undergo the process of “being washed”…
… and to be “scrubbed off” the long stuck dirt of duplicity and hypocrisy.

The Gospel begins with the statement, “Jesus called to Him the people and said to them…” (Mk 7:14)

Jesus calls together the multitude to Himself to speak something…

The background to this action of Jesus, is the context of the unfair remarks of the Pharisees and Scribes about Jesus and His disciples, in Mk 7: 1-14.

The scribes and the Pharisees had objected that Jesus’ disciples failed to keep up the tradition of the Elders to have the ritual washing before eating.

This exercise of ritual washing was more a ceremonial one.

They attached greater importance to external cleanliness over internal purity.
They accorded higher priority to hygiene outside than to transparency within.

They would not bother, hearts being corrupted…
… but they would not tolerate dirty hands!

But Jesus is in prime opposition to all such deceitful and corrupt human practices.

He flays the Scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced priorities.

And so, Jesus summoned the crowd and explained what is the meaning of real cleanliness and purity:
“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mk 7: 16)

Indeed, a remarkable statement from Jesus, the Purest and the Holiest One!

It is not just our hands alone that matter…
… it is our hearts that matter most!
It is not just our medical hygiene that counts…
… it is our lives that needs consideration the most!

The Pharisees and the Scribes for a long time, had enforced importance only to external purity and outside cleanliness.

Their authority was to used to stamp the importance of rituals and traditions, which were meant to…
… only emphasise bodily cleaning, but avoiding transparency in life
… only highlight cleansing of external parts, but overlooking sanctity of heart and mind

But, Jesus comes in great opposition and places things in the right perspective.

He reminds them of the “need for correction!”

Perhaps, we are also in “need of a correction”…
… let us therefore make a self-introspection:

I may be appearing to be clean outside…
… but is my heart pure and holy?

I may be appearing to be an angel to the world…
… but am I a barn of sinful acts within?

I may be appearing to be very good to all…
… but am I full of anger, jealousy and greed inside?

I may be appearing to be successful…
… but am I decaying interiorly with unchastity and deceit?

Is it not time to cleanse my heart and life, which is perhaps…
… defiled with sin?
… impure with unhealthy thoughts?
… and sullied with evil intentions?

Yes… Sometimes when we are stuck with things that are not good…

We need a nice dip in the “hot waters of correction”
… remain soaked in the “feel of contrition”
So that we can be “washed clean!”

We may feel sad for sometime… upset for a few moments

But let us always remain open to corrections…
… and co-operate with the Lord in “being washed” of every bit of corruption and malice from our hearts!

We are called to be open to the ways of the Lord, by seeking and accepting ‘the treasures of His Wisdom’…
… just like Queen Sheba would marvel at the God-given wisdom of King Solomon (Cf. 1 Kings 10:1-10)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Concentrating more on ‘affirmative’ areas of people and situations, and thus having joyful countenances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30 and Mk 7:1-13 – Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An elderly lady was known to always have a very pleasant countenance.

Anyone, who came in contact with her, would experience a sense of positivity.

They had never heard her criticizing or finding faults with people.

She was once asked by some of her neighbouring children on the secret of her joy.

She replied: “I have always believed in avoiding to talk negative about people.

We need to be always good with the good.
But let us never be bad with the bad…

Because…
… we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”

Judging in the sense of “choosing” or “making a selection” or “taking a decision”

But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging.”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus “focussing” His view on this very critical and crucial topic: of judging others and of pinpointing mistakes of others, without considering one’s own negative dimensions.

The Gospel reading describes a group of Pharisees who criticize the disciples of Jesus for not following the “external traditions” and rituals.

They pinpointed the mistakes of the disciples…
… and exalted themselves

Jesus however reminds the Pharisees on an important aspect: Before judging and criticizing others…
… one ought to first examine one’s own behaviour and actions

Jesus reminded them that “true devotion consists not of mere external purity and rituals…
… rather is a way of life, with consistent and committed focos on the Spirit of laws, rules and regulations.

With this fundamental principle in mind, Jesus teaches us to avoid the tendency to “rashly judge and criticize others”

The Lord reminds us that our judging…
… should not be rash
… should not be a means to putting down other persons

Maybe a simple list could help us check our areas of “judging”

Do I…
… enlarge the negatives of others – their faults, mistakes and petty ways?
… come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?
… gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?
… have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?

Do I…
… tend to be harsh and even ruthless, when speaking the truth?
… add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?
… do away with an unkind comment by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”
… speak something critical and then try to cover it up?
… have pleasure in condemning others?
… recount the truth in order to hurt and not to help?
… put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?

The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgement”.

It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:

When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…

1) How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action
… it can be a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc

2) How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action

The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”

Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.

Many of us may have perhaps have a tendency to find the faults and failures of others.

Let us make a conscious and consistent effort to avoid negative talk about people.

King Solomon stood in the majestic temple of the Lord and acknowledged the Mighty and Glorious Presence of God Yahweh (1 Kgs 8:22-23)

May we see the presence of the Lord in all the people and situations of our life as we seek to sing with the Psalmist: “How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!” (Ps 84:1)

May we realise that “we need to be always good with the good.

But let us never be bad with the bad…
Because, we can shape a diamond with diamond
But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

Through the intercession of St Scholastica, the brother of St Benedict and the the Patron Saint of the Benedictine Nuns…
… let us seek to concentrate more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations…

Let us always have joyful countances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Beautifying our lives, not just with an external show, but more rather, with an internal glow!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13 and Mk 6:53-56 – Monday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A pious religious traveller once found a precious stone…
… a precious jewel.

A short time later, this religious person met another traveller, who said he was hungry and asked the monk if he would share some of his provisions.

When the pious man opened his bag, the traveller saw the precious stone and, without much thought asked him if he could have it.

To his surprise, the man gave the traveller the stone.

The traveller departed quickly, overjoyed with his new possession.

However, a few days later, he came back, searching for the religious person.

He returned the stone to him and made a request:
“I request you to kindly give me something more valuable…
… more precious than this stone.

Please give me THAT which enabled you to give me this precious stone!”

Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.

But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

What is needed in life, is not an external show…
… but rather, an internal glow!

The Gospel of the Day presents this theme of “external show not always a sign of internal glow.”

The passage begins with the statement of Jesus crossing over…
“And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret…( Mk 6:53)

This place – Gennesaret – is an interesting place.

The meaning of this place name “Gennesaret” is a “Garden of a Prince” or the “Garden of riches”

This was a fertile crescent-shaped plain on the western shore of the lake of Galilee.

This plain of Gennesaret has been also called, because of its fertility and beauty, as “the Paradise of Galilee.”

The history of Gennesaret is glowingly described (especially by Josephus, the Historian) that would do make proud the local tourism office of the Gennesaret Chamber of‘ Commerce!

It is said of Gennesaret, that the “soil was so fruitful that all sorts of trees could grow upon it. The walnut, the palm, the olive and the fig, which usually require diverse conditions, flourished together here.”

“One may call this place the ambition of nature; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expectation, but preserves them a great while.”

It is said, that the fruits of Gennesaret had such high repute among the rabbis that they were not allowed in Jerusalem at the time of the feasts, lest any might be tempted to come merely for their enjoyment!

Yet, with all these riches and glory, Gennesaret, had its own share of the sick and the suffering!

However fertile the land…
… there were still many who were badly ailing!
However fruitful the land…
… there were still many who were painfully ill!

The choicest of food couldn’t assure them perfection in health and life!
The choicest of fruits couldn’t guarantee them flawlessness in wellbeing and strength!

Yes…
… All that Glitters is not gold

Indeed, we need to understand…
… a book should never be judged by its cover
… the cowl (large hood) does not make the monk!

Though the people of Gennesaret enjoyed the best of nature’s gifts, they were “people in need” and “people ailing in suffering and sicknesses”

And so we find, that as soon as Jesus reached their land, the people of Gennesaret “scurried about the surrounding and country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was” (Mk 6:55)

They had their riches…
… yet they had to reach out to Jesus, the richest of all treasures!

Our own lives may sometimes represent the Land of Gennesaret in some ways…

Rich in many aspects – talent wise, relationally, financially-stable etc
Fertile in many aspects – having great visions and plans for future, systematic, disciplined etc
Fruitful in many aspects – popular, acceptable, having name and fame etc

Yet, like the people of Gennesaret, we too may be lacking some of the essentials…
… lacking good health and in need of the healing touch of the Lord
… lacking peace of mind, and in need of the serene spirit of the Lord
… lacking satisfaction in life, and in need of wholeness from the Lord

The people of Gennesaret were quick to respond to the coming of the Lord.

Though their land had plenty, they did not fail to humble themselves…
Though their land was rich, they did not fail to realize their basic needs..
Though their land was famous, they did not fail to assume lowliness…

Am I willing to respond thus to the Lord…
… in sincerity, in openness, in docility?
Am I willing to bend myself to the Lord…
… in humility, in meekness, in submissiveness?

Let us make our life a true “Gennesaret”…
… a Garden of Jesus, the Prince of peace, joy and salvation!
… a Garden of the riches of holiness, sanctity and grace!

Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.

But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

May our lives…
… truly reflect the ‘Paradise of God’s Reign!’
… be beautified not just with an external show, but more rather, with an internal glow!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being willing to rise up to be the ‘salt of the earth” and ‘light to the world’ so that our Christian values can be preserved”

(Based on Isa 58:7-10, 1 Cor 2:1-5 and Mt 5:13-16 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

There was a time when slavery was legal.
People were bought and sold like objects.

Most people accepted it.
Many benefited from it.
Very few questioned it.

But one particular man could not accept it.

His name was William Wilberforce.
He was a Christian and a member of Parliament.

Because of his faith in Jesus, he said that “this trade is evil. It is a sin before God,”

People, however, laughed. They told him:

“This is how the world works.”
“Don’t be idealistic.”
“You’re just one man.”

But Wilberforce believed something very powerful: That “one conscience, awake to God, can disturb an entire unjust system!”

For twenty long years, he was defeated again and again.

Bills failed. Supporters left. His health collapsed.
Yet he kept returning to Parliament with the same fire, the same words, the same faith.

Finally, in 1807, the British Parliament abolished the slave trade.

And in 1833, just days before Wilberforce died, slavery itself was abolished across the British Empire.

History agrees on this: His Christian faith was the spark for this mighty change!

One man became salt in a corrupt system.
One small light exposed a massive darkness.

This is the call of the Gospel of the Day.
Jesus says…

“You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13)
“You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14)

In ancient Greece, salt was considered so valuable it was called, “theon”, divine.

The Romans believed that nothing was of more value than salt except the Sun.

Roman soldiers were even paid in salt.
An ancient Near Eastern custom still practiced among some Arabs today is that a pact of friendship is sealed with a gift of salt.

This call of the Gospel has gained significant importance and urgency in our world today.

We live in times and generation when the need to be a “salt” and “light” has gained tremendous urgency…

The world is losing a taste for things of everlasting value and instead relishes more of transient materials.

Can I be a “salt” in such situations giving the taste of eternity and goodness, to revive lives and to orient them towards the real joys of life?

The world is fast degrading and losing values in various areas like moral life, social situations, cultural integrity and religious fervour.

Can I be a “light”, casting away the darkness of ignorance and shedding new illumination and radiance for the revival of sanctified lives?

The world today, is sadly deeply getting corrupted and there are strong strands of infection and contamination affecting various core dimensions.

Can I be a “salt” which rubs in consciousness for transformation and change and be a healing agent to prick the conscience of people to lead an integral life?

The world is often easy on closing the eye to the evils that are constantly rising, and fails to be a powerful voice for justice and peace

Can I be a “light” which casts its powerful rays on the dark shades of wickedness and expose the inhuman elements of the society, helping towards a harmonious and pleasant world?

Prophet Isaiah reminds us that we are all called to live in compassion. When we share our bread, care for the poor, and defend the oppressed…
…. then, God says, “your light shall rise in the darkness.” (Cf. Isa 58:7-10)

Holiness becomes visible when love becomes action.

St. Paul tells us that faith does not rest on clever words or human power.

It rests on God’s power working through humble witnesses.
When we trust God, even weakness can become a force that changes the world.

Let us be willing to rise up to the challenge of being the “salt of the earth” and “light to the world” even if it requires giving up many of our comfort areas of life…
… so that our Christian values can be preserved and the love of God may shine forth to the world!

God Bless! Live Jesus!