Not the World's Judgement, but its Salvation

Fifth Sunday of Lent: Cycle C - April 03, 2022 

Readings: Isaiah 43:16–21; Psalm 126:1–6; Philippians 3:8–14; John 8:1–11

(Jesus and the sinful woman John 8:1-11)

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We are inching closer to Holy Week. In fact, the Holy Week is the most treasured and liturgically rich week among all the 52 weeks that we have in a year. If last year we spent the Lent taking care of our loved ones and ourselves from the onslaught of the Corona pandemic, this year particularly this time we are terribly disturbed by the war that is going on in Ukraine. 87% of the population in Ukraine is Christian. Greek-Catholic Church in Ukraine (Byzantine rite) is the largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world in full communion with the pope and the worldwide Catholic Church. The images of death and destruction unleashed by the Russian army on Ukraine are unimaginable. However, in this distressing time, the liturgical readings on the 5th Sunday of Lent invite us not to look for the world's judgement but for its salvation. The world of today needs salvation. It cannot be wrought by the world itself but by God alone with our readiness to embrace His grace.

1. Worldly struggles have an end and a future

Whenever we think about the present or future, we fall back to the past, the history. During Lent, we have read a number of episodes from the Old Testament about how the God of the Israelites lead them in their journey. God had been their constant support and strength in spite of the terrible slavery they had to go through in Egypt. God called them out of Egypt and He chose Moses as their leader to bring them to the promised land. God gave them judges and kings, prophets and priests to make their life easier and eventful. The history of the Israelites was not an easy one, yet God made them stronger and more in number. Moreover, God was their leader and salvation in every stage of their lives both in good and bad times. People forgot Yahweh and His works of wonder. They struggled through sin and slavery, death and destruction, disease and annihilation, drought and deficiency, devil and wickedness, adversaries and anxieties, war and peace. In other words, the prophet Isaiah speaks in the first reading of today (Isaiah 43:16–21) very encouraging words. Even though they have to go through all these hellish things yet they have been alive and active. And there is a purpose as God says "the people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise" (Isaiah 43:21).

From Listening to Reconciliation

Fourth Sunday of Lent: Year C - March 27, 2022 

Readings: Joshua 5:9–12; Psalm 34:2–7; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Luke 15:1–3, 11–32

(Parable of the Prodigal Son)

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The whole of Lenten season can be summarised in one word, that is, listening. The Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and penance are nothing but listening to God through the Word of God, listening to one's body through fasting and listening to others by penance. Even though listening is one of the functions of our senses, it is the most complex one. We find ourselves either seduced or duped by this sense organ of our body from listening. Most of the problems of this world could have been avoided if someone listened. Our life would have been much easier if we had listened to others and one's inner voices. The readings of this week have been trying to make us understand how important listening is. It is not our task here to judge whether the Prodigal Son did not listen to his father, or the father himself did not listen to both of his sons or the elder son did not listen to his father and younger brother. This familiar story is a reminder of God's everlasting mercy and love for us. In spite of our idiosyncrasies and flouting God's commandments, if we turn back to God and seek His forgiveness, He welcomes us with open arms and unconditional love. 

1. God: A compassionate listening Father

The often-read story of the prodigal son in the liturgical services of our Church is indeed a fascinating parable, which Jesus narrates to the tax collectors and sinners, Pharisees and scribes. It is not just a passing story. Certainly, those who were around Jesus might have listened to it attentively. The parable spoke about them. Prodigal sons were all around them, the eldest sons were also among them, so too the father.  In the middle of the parable, there is a captivating sentence, which reads: "While the son (prodigal) was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). Jesus emphasizes here the compassionate character of the Father. Even though the prodigal son might not have listened to his father but now the father is all out for his son with a compassionate heart. Father wants to listen to his son who had gone far away. And for the son, it is truly returning to his home and to a place where he belongs fully. 

A Call for Conversion to Transformation

 Third Sunday of Lent: Year C - March 20, 2022

Readings: Exodus 3:1–8, 13–15, Psalm 103:1–4, 6–8, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:1–6, 10–12; Luke 13:1–9

(Icon of Jesus referring to the Fig Tree) 
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Everyone has their own stories to narrate. Always stories have something special to say to the person or to the family or to the community. In fact, our life is full of stories, both good and bad, fearful and fascinating, joyful and stressful. In other words, our life is a bundle of stories. We make our lives and determine our future out of these life events, indeed. That is why we become strong and sturdy to face future events which might not be comforting and consoling. The liturgical readings for this 3rd Sunday of Lent once again bring back to our memory God's call to Moses on Mount Horeb and how he responded to it. We also see the very difficult history of Israelites and their struggle with the colonialists, Romans. Even though the readings are quite difficult to understand yet they bring home a profound meaning that we must practice in our lives that is a deep trust in the Lord and readiness to go through repentance and conversion.

1. God's call entails a mission to be fulfilled

The life story of Moses is really captivating. It is full of surprises. All through his life, we see him a man with a different attitude and culture than the rest of his people. He is a person always on the move either for good or bad reasons. He is a man of courage, commitment and perseverance. He is also quick-tempered and humble. The reading of today says it all (Exodus 3:1–8, 13–15). We see how quickly Moses realizes that God is inviting him to carry out his plan for the Israelites. He receives Yahweh's call not in a temple or in a synagogue but on a mountain Horeb while grazing the sheep of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian.

Transfigured and Transformed

 Second Sunday of Lent: Cycle C - March 13, 2022

Readings: Genesis 15:5–12, 17–18; Psalm 27:1, 7–9, 13–14; Philippians 3:17–4:1; Luke 9:28–36

(Transfiguration of Jesus by Peter Paul Rubens)
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On 12th of March 2022, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) worldwide celebrates the 400th anniversary (1622) of the canonization of its founding Fathers, St Ignatius of Loyola and St Francis Xavier. For us, Jesuits it's a time for renewal and to recommit ourselves to embrace the grace of holiness. Ultimately our only desire is to see God and to know God, even as He knows us. The life of these two men is nothing but a long story of conversion which led them to canonization, the honour of the altar.  Their dreams of youth were replaced by an extraordinary experience of the encounter of God which brought them to the people of unknown geographies. Coming from noble and wealthy families, both Ignatius and Xavier would begin to work under the Banner of the Cross, embracing Christ the poor and humble. They would set out to enkindle the fire of love from Rome to India to Japan and finally to China. The Mount Tabor experience of the disciples of Jesus, Peter, James and John would set them in another direction where they would immerse themselves in the beauty of transfiguration and be transformed by it completely. 

1. God is a tremendous and fascinating mystery to be experienced

Our life pushes through from one experience to another, from one event to another. Each experience is meaningful and gives a certain direction, which might not be completely visible and actual at the moment of its happening. The transfiguration experience that Jesus goes through on that mountain with his three close disciples, Peter, James and John not only clarifies the mission of Jesus clearly, but it also strengthens the faith and confidence of disciples in the person of Jesus. The gospel reading of today which is read during every Lenten season gives a call to each one of us his followers to experience the transfiguration experience of Jesus in some part of our life. To be an authentic follower of Jesus, we too must have that experience of our Master. Just like those disciples who went through this deep and unexplainable experience, we too are invited to immerse ourselves into this experience of the Lord.

A Contrite and Humble Heart: A Roadmap for Lent

First Sunday of Lent: Cycle C - 06 March 2022

Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4–10; Psalm 91:1–2, 10–15; Romans 10:8–13; Luke 4:1–13

Temptation of Christ
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We might think that the times are not suitable for us. Therefore, it is not right for us to be part of history. The raging war in Ukraine and its destruction on its inhabitants and infrastructure is nothing but a sordid (dirty) truth of the reality that we are living in. We are helpless in this situation but to pray for peace so that the sense of good may prevail. Even though the global health crisis is still devastating the lives of people yet we have another man-made disaster called war in order to destroy the other, thus, I destroy myself. The truth of the matter is that God has His plans for humanity. On this First Sunday of Lent, the liturgical readings are inviting us to be sensible and simple. Because God listens to the cry of the oppressed. 

1. Choosing life and prosperity over death and doom

Lent is an invitation to return to the Lord, in other words, to return to our roots. For we are all God's beloved sons and daughters. None of us on this earth are perfect but always we try to achieve what Jesus calls us "to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). It is not that we become like God but in our imperfection, we try to become better people, better sons and daughters. We make our life possible in this imperfection. Therefore, Lent is a time to see those inadequacies, limitations and weaknesses which might not be allowing us to be something human and meet the standards of God. Only in God, we find our strength. In fact, we read in this week very powerful words of Moses from the book of Deuteronomy, "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God" (Dt 30:19). Hence choosing among life and prosperity, death and doom depends upon us. Lent indeed invites us to choose the best thing, to discern the right things for our lives. So that we may live with the Lord forever.