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.
In a world of name and fame, being simple and unnoticed is difficult. The human tendency urges one to be recognized and identified. There is in each one of us the "Will to Power" a main driving force in humans. It is an irrational force, found in all individuals, that can be channelled toward different ends. The liturgical readings of today take us in another direction that is to be humble and unnoticed and thus be a person of God.
1. Give up your place
Jesus narrates a parable of guests at the wedding feast. Jesus is such a people watcher and observer! Jesus invites his listeners to be attentive and watch the situation before one could take a place in such public functions. Jesus illustrates an important eternal truth. It is better not to take a place that is not meant or suitable to us. It is good for us to choose a place in a public gathering unnoticeable. It is better that when someone recognizes us who we are and accordingly accommodates us by giving a suitable place. In other words, one's humility must give him or her credit to be honoured. Jesus is revealing the way of the Kingdom, in which the one who would be greatest would be the servant of all (Luke 22:24–27). In fact, you recognize unexpected God based on the foundation of your humility.
We are living in a world of anxiety. Often, one of the speculative questions that keep on coming into the circle of Christians is, will there many or few people be saved? So the question of salvation seems to be back in our minds and comes to the fore now and then.
1. Not how many are saved but how to be saved
The gospel reading of today begins this way: 'Jesus went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?”' (Luke 13:22-23). It is very curious to note that the question was asked about salvation while Jesus was on a Journey to Jerusalem, a city of God, where every Jew found his or her perfect place to worship Yahweh. Our life is a journey towards eternity. Therefore, both journey and destiny are important. God's gift of life has a purpose. It is not for procuring wealth and earthy treasures here on earth but heavenly treasures. In Kannada, somebody put it with a bit of humour: "ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವುದು ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ, ಮೇಲೆ ಇರುವುದು ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ" Illi iruvudu summane, mele iruvudu namma mane, "We are here for nothing, but we have a home above."
We are in the midst of celebrating 75th anniversary of Indian independence. The words like freedom, liberation, peace, justice, harmony, integrity, love, multiculturality, diversity, progress, sacrifice, selfless service, collaboration, cooperation, identity, etc, are some of the words that will be heard in the speeches delivered on the 15th August. As we continue to enjoy the blessings of independence from foreign forces, we are becoming aware of how we are enslaved by the unfreedom because of our corrupt political and bureaucratic system, one-sided majoritism which wants to place minorities under its subjugation, ever-widening communal divide destroying the very fabric of Indian multiethnicity and religiosity, unstoppable price rise and pushing the poor into still deeper poverty and so forth.
In the midst of this, we also celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of Mother Mary into heaven. Here is a person who showed us through her life what true freedom and liberation are. Mary overcomes all evils and sufferings of this world because of her deep faith in God. Her obedience to God's Will demolishes all that is not good and disappointing. In other words, Christian spirituality is nothing but living our lives with the tension of our daily lives with the call of Jesus.
1. A right relationship with God through a right living
The liturgical readings on this 20th Sunday of the ordinary time are astonishing. We see Jeremiah, the prophet subjugated to all sorts of persecution including being made to die in a well because he spoke the truth. In the gospel reading, Jesus appears to us very puzzling and even alarming. He asks: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division” (Luke 12:51). Perhaps, we must do connecting the dots here. Jesus uses the image of fire to describe the demands or the cost of discipleship.In the prayer that Jesus gave us to pray to our Father in heaven, we pray for God’s kingdom to come on this earth. That is a Kingdom of peace and justice which is more than we can think of (Matthew 6:10). In other words, Jesus wants no divisions but unification with God through a right living.
Who does not like wealth or treasure? Probably the monks or ascetics! The gospel reading of today (Lk 12:32-48) speaks about treasure. It articulates two kinds of treasures. One that is stored on earth and the other stored in heaven. Perhaps, we can understand very easily the wealth stored on the earth. These are material goods, things that are dear to us for our daily use, things that give us comfort and solace, things that give us fame and name, and things that make us so-called civilized or cultured men or women.
1. Living in the City of God and the City of Man
Things that we own on this earth are essential for our daily living. We cannot say goodbye to them so easily. As we understand that these things are very essential, sometimes they might become our masters and in turn we, their slaves. Our internal freedom is either sold out or reconciled. Therefore the teaching of Jesus about material wealth has its relevance even today. As Christians, we are entrusted with a mission to act, following the example of Jesus, and through our actions to serve others and God.
July 31, 2022, in the Jesuit world marks the Feast of St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus. In fact, today is the final day of the Ignatian Year, remembering the 500th Anniversary of Ignatius' being struck by a cannonball, and beginning his conversion. A brief bio of St. Ignatius can be found here.
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Jesuits, their collaborators and friends all over the world celebrate on this 18th Sunday of the Year the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus also known as Jesuits. One of the beautiful gifts of the Reformation period to the Church is the person of Ignatius of Loyola. In his own way, Ignatius of Loyola along with the newly formed Society of Jesus contributed immensely not only chiefly towards the propagation of the Christian faith in different nations and continents of the world but also assisted in cleansing the scandal-ridden Church at the Center.
1. Mysticism of everyday life
Fr Hugo Rahner, SJ, the brother of Jesuit Fr Karl Rahner wrote a book "Ignatius the Theologian" detailing Ignatius' simple yet profound ways of perceiving God in prayer and everyday activities of life. In this book, we see a penetrating analysis which demonstrates the centrality of Christology in Ignatius. It is a theology born out of his direct mystical experience of God. Ignatius had not only a Master's degree in philosophy and theology from Sorbonne University in Paris in 1535, but he also articulated what he had experienced during his 11-month-long intense prayer sessions in the cave of Manresa in 1522. Combined with his intellectual studies, Ignatius’s personal experiences of finding God in everyday life activities from drinking a glass of water to preaching in the streets and squares of cities, he experienced profoundly God's presence and his guiding hand in his life.
Often, we are at the crossroads of our lives. The paths in front of us happen to be narrow and unclear. In such moments of our lives, what keeps us going is the tremendous trust in the Lord. When you have deep faith in the Lord, you may ask from the Lord whatever you are seeking with your hearts and hands open. Anything that is prayed with tremendous trust and confidence, God grants what we need in spite of our unworthiness. The liturgical readings of this Sunday overwhelmingly support this idea.
1. Prayer of Jesus, prayer to God
The beautiful prayer that Jesus taught to his disciples "Our Father..." is the most widely used prayer by every Christian. Every day, we recite this prayer. It is so close to us as breath to our lungs. The prayer of Jesus puts us in peace and tranquillity, confidence and trust, love and compassion. Without the prayer of Jesus, we are nothing as Christians. It is a prayer that completes all our wants and needs, desires and longings. God draws us close through our desires. A short prayer but rich in meaning and deep in its content. With the prayer of Jesus, we go to our Triune God with our needs and aspirations. The mystery of prayer is living a loving relationship as beloved sons and daughters with their heavenly Father. Our prayer is a pure gift, made possible by the Father in heaven through the Holy Spirit of His Son.
There are a few moments or incidents that occur in our lives and make a difference in the lives of others. Such incidents may seem to be ordinary yet they can change the lives of others because someone was able to enter into their lives at the right time. The liturgical readings of this Sunday could be read from this perspective.
1. Reaching out to others at the right time
The story of the Good Samaritan that we read today (Luke 10:25–37) from the Gospel of St Luke is really captivating. Everyone likes to have people around them when they are on their feet, healthy and doing well. The poor Jew who was stripped, beaten and half-dead on the roadside by the robbers was seen by the priest and the Levite. Yet they did not react. The wounded man was noticed only by a Samaritan. Even though the Samaritan came from another rival community, he not only had a soft corner for him but even went to the extent of taking care of him by giving him first aid and later putting on his carrier animal and treating him at the hospital at his own expense. What a generous, gentle, compassionate and caring that Samaritan might have been?
We are on the threshold of the new academic year. A good number of our schools and colleges have already started their classes whereas others are still waiting for the results and the colleges are yet to open. For many, it's a time of new beginning while for others it's a time of waiting with anxiety and fear. Liturgically, we are in the ordinary time of the year where the readings from the Bible strengthen our faith journey with beautiful and apt readings. Many a time we may think that all the good things that happen in our lives are because of our striving and ability to perform. Probably it might be so. Yet, we must recognize this first that there is over pervading power of our Creator who gives us energy and strength to make every day a success story.
1. Nothing will harm you
The gospel reading of today from St Luke (10:1-12,17-20) illustrates a beautiful episode from the lives of 72 disciples that Jesus had chosen to carry forward his mission. They are sent on a mission of preaching and healing all those people whom they encounter on their way. The disciples are given special instructions on how to work out their missionary requisite and itinerary. Surprisingly they perform overwhelmingly and the disciples cannot believe in themselves that they could do so much because of the name of Jesus: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name" (Luke 10:17). The fruit of their labour is tremendous and so joyful that they are ready for anything.
