Let's Mind our Business First!

 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C: February 27, 2022

Readings: Sirach 27:4–7; Psalm 92:2–3, 13–16; 1 Corinthians 15:54–58; Luke 6:39–45

Jesus teaching to the crowd
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You don’t expect to happen such things which have disastrous consequences not only locally but also globally. Being a keen observer of international politics, the balance of power and religious equations, I have been following the events unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. Having lived in Russia for many years and been to Ukraine a number of times, the present war is going to be not only catastrophic but suicidal for these countries and the world. The Russian orthodoxy has its roots in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The war is nothing but a fight between the brothers of the same faith. In this context, we have beautiful readings for this Sunday as we prepare ourselves to welcome Lent, another season of our liturgical life.

1. Let's clean our home first

Jesus says, "a disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40). As a teacher, Jesus instructs us to follow the right teachers and authentic leaders. We must look up for people who can guide us, mentor us and lead us that which is truth, right and ethical. Right guidance from the right teacher or leader would help to form a society, which is wise and righteous. The Sermon on the Plain in Luke gives us a series of parables and vivid images which in fact tell us to follow not the darkness but the light, not the blind man but a man with clear vision. Jesus' teachings involve precautionary measures to lead a life of truth, justice and peace. In other words, Jesus invites us not to be judgmental all the time and give space for prejudice and one-sidedness instead to cultivate in oneself a compassionate and listening heart. 

Participating in God's Mercy and Compassion

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C: February 20, 2022

Reading: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7–9, 12–13, 22–23; Psalm 103:1–13; 1 Corinthians 15:45–49; Luke 6:27–38

Jesus preaches to the crowd

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Often we are confused to take the right decisions. When we see various options in front of us, it's difficult to make the right choice. However, there is always a possibility to take the right, moral and ethical decision provided we make use of simple parameters or guidelines. For a Christian, the values of Christ become guiding principles in one's search for meaning and in making the right choices. It is more than the golden rule: ‘Treat others as you would like them to treat you.’ Jesus offers a radical invitation to live in a different way. The liturgical readings of this Sunday help us in this regard. Jesus' teaching are not merely a series of instructions but are also a way to act in various situations. So that people change their perspectives. In other words, to see from the perspectives of Jesus. His preaching asks us to extend our love to all; to love even our enemies, to pray for those who have hurt us and to give without any hope of receiving something in return. In place of judgment, hatred and violence, loving, giving and praying become the responses that we are invited to offer.

1. A conscious effort to weaken the powers of the enemy through love

The Gospel reading from St Luke (6:27–38) centred around how to live in this complicated world amicably and as a beloved son or daughter of God. In spite of evil and wickedness which surrounds us like those enemies, those who curse you, mistreat you, strike you, overpowers you, the teachings of Jesus are opposite to what we usually react to live. The treatment that Jesus asks his disciples or followers to give to those who are against them is such that those who are opposing must feel inner conversion by seeing our deeds. Strangely but truly, we are invited to abandon a worldview that many would consider practical and reasonable, and instead, one that society would consider radically impractical and foolish. For example, giving credit without looking for a return, allowing someone to hit again, stop judging, and so forth.

Blessed are those who Trust in the Lord

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C: February 13, 2022

Readings: Jeremiah 17:5–8; Psalm 1:1–4, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16–20; Luke 6:17, 20–26

Jesus preaching on a plain
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This week, Karnataka State saw the turmoil surrounding the students' dressing in schools and colleges based on their religious affiliations. Not only did the state government fail to act quickly and bring the situation under control, in fact, many in the ruling party also fuelled the situation almost like pouring oil on the fire. The sitaution showed us how young students' minds are poisoned and divided on religious lines. This also showcased the lack of critical thinking being fostered in our education system. The present generation of students would be one day our rulers, bureaucrats and civil society carrying forward the heritage of living in a peaceful and harmonious society. A little spark of wickedness and evil had its say in destroying the communal peace and harmony in our state. Moreover, teachers and parents alike kept their mouths shut so that hatred, animosity, communalism is strengthened and triumphed. We are creating in our schools and colleges reactionaries and not reasoning people, rowdies and not respectful citizens. St Antony of Egypt (251-356) says, “a time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad; you are not like us.’” With this in the background, we must read and reflect the liturgical readings of this Sunday.

1. Trusting in the blessedness of God

The first reading from the book of Prophet Jeremiah (17:5–8) and the Psalm 1 speak about how the relationship between God and His people is fostered. It also speaks about the ways of the wicked and the ways of God. In every relationship, trust is very important. If a person believes in himself or herself, his or her abilities and makes oneself God then such a person according to the prophet a cursed one, because the person has turned away from the Lord. Such a person is like living in a desert or wilderness without much scope for survival. Therefore, the prophet calls for a relationship with God that is of relishing and resilient. "Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD" (Jeremiah 17:7). It is a trust-based relationship, built on mutual respect and reverence, of confidence and concern. Such a relationship is lasting and eternal. 

Fr Antonio Maria Platei, SJ (1672-1719) aka Poojya Rajendra Swami of Chikkarasinakere, The Apostle of Mysore

Among the Missions of the Society of Jesus in India, Mysore Mission has a special place of reference in its early Jesuit history. During the pre-suppression era, Mysore Mission under Goa Jesuit Province played a significant role in its missionary activity. The already well-established method of indigenization or inculturation¹ initiated by the Jesuits of Madurai Mission under Malabar Province namely Roberto de Nobili (1577-1656) and St John de Britto (1647-1693), which was later called “Malabar Rite” the early Jesuits of Mysore imitated them right from the start.  

Unfortunately, only a small number of foreign Jesuit missionaries worked in Mysore Mission, in fact, at the eve of the suppression of the Society in Europe in 1759, there were only 13 Jesuits working in the Kingdom of Mysore however leaving behind almost 10,000 Christians to be lost without much pastoral care.² But their splendid missionary endeavour and labour bore enormous fruit and continues to thrive even today. The important cities and districts of Karnataka like Bangalore, Mysore, Chickmagalur, Shivamogga, Bellary, Belgaum, Hassan, Raichur, Gulbarga, and many more trace their Christian root to Srirangapatna.³ Moreover, the Latin Catholic Dioceses, Mysore, Bangalore, Belgaum, Dharmapuri, Chikamagalur, Shivamogga, and Bellary also find the same roots to the once capital city of the Wodeyar’s of Mysore. 

Among the early Jesuits who landed in Mysore and made a significant contribution towards the propagation of Christian faith is Fr Antonio Maria Platei, SJ (1672-1719).⁴ However, there are a handful of Jesuits who somehow or the other sowed the seeds of this Mysore mission which made it sprout during the time of Fr Platei. Among them is Fr Leonardo Cinnami, who is rightly called as the founder of Mysore Catholic Mission.

Casting our Nets into the Deep with God's Touch

The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Cycle C - February 06, 2022

Readings: Isaiah 6:1–8; Psalm 138:1–5, 7–8; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; Luke 5:1–11

Jesus helping the disciples to cast their net into the deep
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We are already in the second month of the year, that is February. As time moves faster, we are challenged every day to keep chasing it with our life and all that life brings with it. For our good fortune, we have been reading the scripture and other spiritual literature that might help us to live worthy of our calling. In fact, during this week we read the fascinating life of King David and his household. We also celebrated the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple this week, which was also celebrated as World Day of Consecrated Life. Our Lord is inviting us that we may all of us both religious and laypeople to participate in the life of consecration of Jesus that is holy, pure, sublime, dedicated, devout, happy and venerable life. In fact, this leads us to enter into a very important facet of our lives as Christians that is to live in Christ. 

1. Jesus lets you cast your nets

Let's begin our journey with Jesus in and around the lake of Gennesaret as today's reading suggests (Luke 5:1–11). In the olden days, the water containment zones like streams, wells, tanks, dams, rivers, lakes, etc., gathered people for various purposes. Jesus too makes use of such places as we see in the Gospels. Today we see him at the lake not only teaching people by sitting in Peter's boat but also listening to those fishermen's woes for they had caught nothing in spite of slogging the whole night in the lake. Towards the end of the reading, we see Jesus inviting, Peter, James and John to be his disciples.