Lord, Increase our Faith

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 02, 2022

Readings: Habakkuk 1:2–3; 2:2–4; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9; 2 Timothy 1:6–8, 13–14; Luke 17:5–10

(Photo courtesy: Jean-Marc Arakelian)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/MekSReLNoyg

Our life is full of questions and curiosities. Often we think that the world is controlled by God's enemies! The strife, misery and discord we face in our own lives can sometimes cause us to wonder, as the prophets of the Old Testament do, why God doesn’t seem to hear or intervene when we cry for help. These days, we have been reading from the book of Job at our Eucharist. Job had too many questions to God when he suffered disaster after disaster, suffering after suffering. When he got exhausted with his queries, God began to answer. Finally, Job accepted God's ways and doings in his life. The liturgical readings for this 27th Sunday in Ordinary time challenge us on how large is our faith. Moreover, they invite us to be part of the bigger picture of God. We can’t let our hearts be hardened by the trials we undergo.

1. Jesus challenges our faith

In the gospel of today (Luke 17:5–10) the disciples plead Jesus to increase their faith. And in response, Jesus asks them to have such faith that can move mountains. Faith is a dynamic process and it can grow but also it requires God’s help. In the Bible, we see Jesus’ references to this aspect of faith: the faith of a paralytic, the faith of a Centurion, the faith of a woman who had a hemorrhage, “Your faith has saved you”, great faith of a leper, Jesus calm’s the sea and asks his disciples where is your faith?  There are so many other instances where Jesus speaks about faith. Faith in God brings salvation. The book of Hebrews (11:1) says, "Now faith is the assurance of the things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Standing with Lazarus, (the God's Children)

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 25, 2022

Readings: Amos 6:1, 4–7; Psalm 146:7–10;  1 Timothy 6:11–16; Luke 16:19–31

(Poor Lazarus and the rich man Luke 16:19–31)
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We live in contrasting times, situations and circumstances. Often we find it difficult to digest such moments and ask ourselves, why that is so. In fact, all of us are born in this world just like any other human being. However, the differences and contrasts that we develop around us often put us into deep existential questions which deal extensively with the purpose of our lives. The liturgical readings of this Sunday have a lot to say to us about the contrasting things and dichotomies that we experience every day of our lives. 

1. Rewards according to one's earthly life

Jesus begins today's discourse in the Gospel of Luke 16:19–31 with the following parable which is contrasting in many ways. "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. (Luke 16:19-20). A rich man is without a name whereas a poor man is with the name Lazarus (in Hebrew "Eleazar" which means "Yahweh is my help") making their living in close proximity. In spite of the glaring differences in their lifestyles, they were no strangers to each other. The story is full of contrasts, dichotomies and of differences. However, their common goal is one that is to live in this world. 

Serving Only One Master, the Lord

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 18, 2022

Readings: Amos 8:4–7; Psalm 113:1–2, 4–6, 7–8; 1 Timothy 2:1–8; Luke 16:1–13

(The parable of the untrustworthy steward: Luke 16:1–13)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/68MSq-ds_lo

The world that we live in is tricky. To sail through the world of peace and joy, pleasure and happiness, sin and suffering, in a worthy manner, we have to be careful and attentive. Even though we are born in the world as free human beings we tend to fall into the same trap of being controlled by the world, its ideas, whims and fancies. The political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) famously said “man is born free but everywhere is in chains.” Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679), another philosopher says "the condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone." As we read through this Sunday's liturgical readings, the above-mentioned thoughts come to our minds. Whether it is the words of Prophet Amos or the parables of Jesus, all have a similar tone that the world in which we live is messy and complicated one.  

1. Small things matter

"The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones" (Luke 16:10). The powerful words of Jesus ring very true in our ears. We cannot trust someone if one is not careful and diligent in small matters. Nobody will give such a person a bigger responsibility if the person is unable to handle a smaller one. No one will give a person authority if the person is found insincere, dishonest and corrupt. These are part of the lokaniyama rules of the world. The welfare of the world loka kalyana is possible only by those who are persons of integrity and truth. When a person fulfills a small task is itself proof of his fitness or unfitness to be entrusted with a bigger task. We cannot advance to the higher office until one has shown proof of his honesty and ability to perform in a smaller position. 

Mercy - Reconciling the World to Himself in Christ

 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 11, 2022

Readings: Exodus 32:7–11, 13–14; Psalm 51:3–4, 12–13, 17, 19; 1 Timothy 1:12–17; Luke 15:1–10

The icon of the prodigal son and his father. Photo courtesy: Google

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Often we label people. By doing so we find some amount of fulfillment. The word sinner which is quite often used in the Bible as well as in matters of spiritual things says something concretely to us. The liturgical readings of this 24th Sunday signify different understandings of sin and sinfulness. It means going astray, losing oneself, bringing back, finding it, turning away, worshipping the false gods, being in guilty, casting out from God's presence, blasphemer, persecutor, arrogant, acting out of ignorance in one's unbelief and so forth. Perhaps we can do some learning from today's readings to enhance our intimacy with God.

1. Looking at reality with new lenses

"Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain" (Luke 15:1). With these words, the Gospel reading of today begins. We can see here the situation in which Jesus was in. Jesus recognized the tax collectors and sinners before the merciful eye of God. Jesus welcomed to his fold those who were so-called marginalized or derecognized in society either because of their trade or simply because they could not be rightful in their dealings. When someone recognizes the goodness in a person then there are also those who simply cannot see the good in that person. Here there are Pharisees and scribes the perpetual grumblers trying to malign what Jesus has been doing. In other words, these critics go on finding fault in Jesus just because he walks and talks with those who are neglected by society. 

Disciple - a Watch of the Night with Wisdom of Heart

 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 04, 2022

Readings: Wisdom 9:13–18; Psalm 90:3–6, 12–17; Philemon 1:9–10, 12–17; Luke 14:25–33

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This week, our Hindu brothers and sisters celebrated the Ganesh Chaturthi, the birth of Lord Ganesh. Unlike in previous years, the celebration of religious feasts today turning out to be sectarian, communal and violent. The controversies surrounding public grounds in which Ganesh idols are to be installed have left even the Indian judiciary divided. Instead of celebrating the religious feasts in harmony and peace, they are turning out to be divisive, hatred mongers, "us" and "they" division destroying the very fabric of who we are. The beautiful prayer for peace - sarve jana sukhinah bhavantu, "that all sentient beings be at peace" seems to have been forgotten even by the religious leaders themselves. In this context, we have very remarkable liturgical readings, inviting us to be watchful and be persons with the wisdom of the heart. In fact, Jesus is making very profound statements challenging us on the cost of discipleship that is what it means to be a true disciple of his Gospel.

1. Jesus - A person with wisdom of the heart

"Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way..." reads the first sentence of today’s gospel Luke 14:25–33. It means to anyone, to whoever wishes to be his disciple. We should remember that when Jesus began his teaching ministry he was just 30 years old. He wasn’t a singer or dramatist; he wasn’t a politician or an army General, he wasn’t even a priest or a Rabbi. Where did his stardom come from? Jesus’ lifestyle was simple but clear. He had a capacity to attract the crowds, he knew how to talk to people, he had healing hands which cured the infirmed, lepers and the blind, he had great energy which could energize the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. His words spoke the truth and the truth was real.