The Humbling Effect

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 23 October 2022

Readings: Sirach 35:12–14, 16–18; Psalm 34:2–3, 17–19, 23; 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18; Luke 18:9–14

(The Pharisee and the Tax Collector)
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God has blessed us with a beautiful Mother Earth. As I write these few reflections, I am crisscrossing the beautiful, lush green landscape between Bangalore and Pune by an express train. I am heading towards Pune to preach a retreat. Having rained, the land looks majestic like a bride in this festive season of Divali. As the train runs between the paddy fields and forests, towns and villages, rivers and lakes, human and non-human habitats, I am nothing but thankful for all that God does for us without the slightest human effort to maintain such a massive, vast, vibrant and wonderful creation. It humbles us to see the enormous creativity of God, which makes our eyes sore with gladness and joy. Perhaps, the suggested readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time remind us that finally, we should allow God to be God. Only the virtue of humility is the only way to attain the vision of God.

1. Being human means being humble 

Jesus narrates a story of two men with different backgrounds at prayer in a synagogue. A Pharisee who is known for his uprightness is standing and praying in the synagogue. Instead of being grateful, Pharisee congratulates himself and points at the fellow Jew who is also standing at a distance praying with all humility. He is a tax collector, therefore a sinner. The pharisee distinguishes himself from the "rest of humanity - greedy, dishonest, adulterous - or even like this tax collector." He says, "I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income" (Luke 18:11-12). What matters most for Jesus’s succinct observation is the words that are uttered by the Pharisee: "I’m not like that tax collector." 

Never Give up!

 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 16, 2022

Readings: Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8

 (Image: Aaron and Hur standing on each side of Moses)
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Persistence, perseverance and patience are the three magical words that help us to do marvels in our lives. Life is tough but with our efforts and God’s help, we can make our life possible. A certain amount of energy and resilience, we must instill within us in spite of the odds and adversaries that we encounter in every day of our lives. To keep up with the phase of our lives, we must encourage ourselves. In a world of evil and jealousy, what must keep us going is our deep faith in the Lord and our own convictions and values that we hold dear to us. The liturgical readings on this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to cultivate within us those qualities of faith, convictions, values, persistence, perseverance and patience to make our life fascinating, interesting and enjoyable one.

1. Don’t give up when others are unwilling

In the Gospel reading of today (Luke 18:1-8), the widow follows a simple procedure that is not to give up on her desire to get justice from the lazy and unjust judge - who neither feared God nor respected any human being. Probably the sense of pride must have overtaken him from being what he is supposed to be and doing. He seems to have believed in himself. Therefore "he cared for no one". In other words,  he had no fear of God or respect for humanity. Certainly, he was not a good man. In fact, he believed in his self-sufficiency and arrogance. He must have made enough wealth for himself and his family. Hence he had no need of anyone’s benevolence and kindness. Moreover, his intentions toward justice were distorted as a judge. A judge must deliver justice and especially for those poor and marginalized. Moreover, he must have special care and concern to them as they would not be able to fund a good lawyer to defend them.

Gratitude - the Attitude of joy of the Heart

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 09, 2022

Readings: 2 Kings 5:14–17; Psalm 98:1–4; 2 Timothy 2:8–13; Luke 17:11–19

(Healed Samaritan thanks, Jesus Luke 17:11–19)
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A grateful heart is closer to God. Often it is difficult to be grateful and be thankful to others.  All the blessings and beautiful things that happen in our life because of the intervention of others. Unfortunately, they are taken for granted. Being ungrateful or not recognizing the goodness, mercy and compassion of others in our lives is a sign of how evil we are. The liturgical readings on this 28th Sunday of the Ordinary Time, remind us that God's love, compassion, mercy and healing move beyond the barriers of any religion, culture and race. God's graciousness extends beyond our imagination. We, often, put boundaries for God, so that he does not intervene in our lives. We like to be in control of our own destinies and avoid being in debt to anyone. The God that the scriptures speak today is a larger one, a bigger one!

1. In illness and suffering, people are not divided

The Gospel writer St. Luke gives us a fascinating story of ten Lepers who were healed by Jesus while he was entering a village near Samaria and Galilee. During the time of Jesus, as a social norm Lepers were kept outside the village or city in order to prevent the disease from spreading because they thought that it was contagious and transmittable. They even considered leprosy as a curse by God. That is how Jesus encounters these 10 lepers while entering a village. This incident also says to us that these lepers were considered socially dead, and were not part of the societal life or anything that has to do with normal life in society – religious, economic, cultural or political. They were regarded as outcasts and ostracized from every public place including towns and villages. 

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)
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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)
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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. 

Being a Citizen of Heaven

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 28, 2022

Readings: Sirach 3:17–18, 20, 28–29; Psalm 68:4–7,10–11; Hebrews 12:18–19, 22–24; Luke 14:1, 7–14

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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.