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. 

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. 

Let the Truth be Told

 The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C): January 30, 2022

Readings: Jeremiah 1:4–5, 17–19; Psalm 71:1–6, 15–17; 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13; Luke 4:21–30

Jesus is driven out of the synagogue in Nazareth

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The liturgical calendar of this week has been very rich with the celebration of the life of many saints, namely, Sts Francis de Sales, Timothy and Titus, Angela Merici, Thomas Aquinas and the Conversion of St Paul. We need such holy men and women to inspire us when things go bad in us or when we get bored with the things which do not seem to have changed. Each saint that we remembered had something special to contribute towards the growth of our Church or humanity in general. St Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274) is one of the splendid personalities that the Church produced in the medieval ages. His contribution to the intellectual life of the Church in general and global human civilization, in particular, is immense. He is known to have combined both reason and faith in his thought process in order to assent to truth. We might not use his Summa Theologiae very much in our daily life but certainly, his beautiful hymns that he composed for Corpus Christi are still on our tongues like Tantum Ergo Sacramentum, Panis Angelicus, etc. This Sunday, the liturgical readings too have such a bent of Aquinas where they call us for something different and invite us to follow and live the truth.

1. Jesus purifies all that is false

The gospel reading (Luke 4:21–30) from St Luke is the continuation of last Sunday. Jesus is in his hometown synagogue. Probably, until now Jesus must have been an active listener. But today, after reading the scroll of Isaiah which is known as the Nazareth Manifesto, Jesus begins to speak from the pulpit and explains its relevance and significance. The great works of prophets Elijah and Elisha do not interest his townsfolk instead pricks their conscience very badly. Such behaviour of Jesus which must have been contrary to the existing rules was quickly called into question. Moreover, Jesus quickly picks up the murmuring of the people and begins to substantiate his arguments on his role in their society by narrating the episodes from the Old Testament. People become furious and hostile. Instead of peace and tranquillity in the Lord's house, anger and frustration grow among the attendees. The truth is not allowed to be heard. Jesus is simply kicked out of the temple. 

Called to Unity for a Greater Cause

 The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C): January 23, 2022

Readings: Nehemiah 8:2–6, 10; Psalms 19:8–10, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:12–30; Luke 1:1–4, 4:14–21

Jesus is reading the scroll of Isaiah in the Synagogue of Nazareth 

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By the time we celebrate the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we have prayed a weeklong prayer for Christian unity. Perhaps, in a Catholic-dominated country like India where the Orthodox and the Protestant brothers and sisters make comparatively a smaller number, the urgency for Christian Unity has not taken deep roots. This argument is based on the number of articles that are published in the theological and popular Catholic journals of India. Even if I search with a floodlight, sadly but hardly any article on ecumenism could be found in our journals today! Having myself lived in the heart of the robust and influential with an almost State Religion status of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow for many years, brushing aside any sort of ecumenical fervour in spirit and action would cost dearly your apostolic endeavours as a priest. In this context, the liturgical readings of this Sunday remind us very powerfully that we are all called to be part of the one body, one book and one mission, in fact, called to be ecumenical in every way. 

1. Lack of unity is self-destruction 

Let's start with the book of Nehemiah which speaks about the sad state of affairs of the Israelites (Nehemiah 8:2–6, 10). Priest Ezra and the captive Israelites return from exile in Babylon, the infamous Babylonian captivity which took place in 586 BC.  Foreign and non-Jewish king Cyrus of Persia not only sends back the Jews to their own Fatherland but also rebuilds their ruined temple in 538 BC. Then Ezra and Nehemia having rebuilt the ruined city and its walls come together with the Israelites to celebrate their unity by reading the book of Thora, the scriptures. Both Ezra and Nehemiah are contemporaries. They are given the task of rebuilding the Israelites, their temple, their land, and their nation. People quickly understand that if there was such a destruction of their national culture, tradition, religion, freedom and prosperity and very sense of nation, it is due to the Babylonian captivity, it is because of their discord with God and one another. If the people had to live in bondage first with Babylonians and then with Persians it's because of their lack of unity among themselves. They had forgotten the God of their ancestors. They had neglected their covenant with the Lord and His commandments. Moreover, they had gone behind the pagan Gods, both king and his people. Now, a new stage was set for the renewal of the covenant and the re-establishment of the Law of Moses as the people’s rule of life. 

Participating in the Joy of Others

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C): January 16, 2022

Readings: Isaiah 62:1–5; Psalm 96:1–3, 7–10; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; John 2:1–12

Jesus performs a miracle in Cana from water into wine

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During this Christmas Season, I witnessed a number of weddings. I attended a few of them either presiding over the Eucharist or as a preacher. In fact, I had done hardly before. In my 10 years as a priest abroad, (i.e., until 2016, in the US, UK and Russia), I blessed or attended no Church weddings at all! The recent weddings in my native place gave me a glimpse into how India has changed in its way of celebrating love and life together. The sanity and sanctity of wedding celebrations have been taken over immensely by the external pomp and glamour so much so that the reality of life, its context and content has little meaning. I also wondered in such external celebrity hype and over-commercialization of the weddings, does the question of suffering and sin, anger and frustration, loneliness and stubbornness in a couple's life could be transformed into harmony and peace, joy and laughter, fellowship and togetherness in the long run. In contrast to this, we have a wedding feast at Cana attended by Jesus and his beloved mother Mary. 

1. Large heartedness of Mary 

On the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, we have a Gospel passage from St John enumerating a beautiful episode of the wedding celebration in Cana (John 2:1–12).  In fact, St John the Evangelist gives us the first miracle of Jesus ever performed in his Gospel and that too happens to be at the marriage feast. As the passage suggests to us, it is a social celebration where everyone seems to have been invited, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the disciples. There seems to be a close family bond between the marriage party and the family of Jesus. What is fascinating is the initiative of Mary in proposing to Jesus to do something for the marriage host to save his self-respect. Mary had absolute faith in her son and would respond immediately. Jesus' quick intervention was utterly necessary to save the skin of the host. It was a question of lack of wine at the wedding party. The scarcity of a traditional drink would spoil the whole celebration itself.