Jesus the King, Leading by Example

 Solemnity of Christ the King, : November 20, 2022

Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1–3; Psalm 122:1–5; Colossians 1:12–20; Luke 23:35–43

A traditional depiction of Christ the King (Credit: Wiki commons.)
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We celebrate on this Sunday the Solemnity of Christ the King. This great feast of the Church brings to the culmination of the whole liturgical year. With this celebration, in fact, we end the liturgical year which we started with Advent a year ago. We have spent a whole year by dwelling on the mystery of the person of Jesus Christ in our lives, Church and society at large. Because Jesus is a God of history. He became one among us and then left behind a great legacy to imitate him in every way of our lives. Therefore, Jesus is regarded as the King of the Universe. The liturgical readings for this feast of Christ the King emphasize how this person of Jesus is truly our King and King of the Universe.

1. Minding our words when someone suffers

One of the disputable questions Pontius Pilate asked Jesus was "Are you the King?" The soldiers who listened to Pilate questioning Jesus and the subsequent answer of Jesus made them curious about his kingship. In the most vulnerable situation, the soldiers begin to taunt Jesus by ridiculing with the same question asked by Pilate, "are you the king?" "He saved others, let him save himself," and "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Perhaps the uncompassionate and unmerciful humiliating questions of soldiers does not deter Jesus to be mindful and focused on what he was trying to communicate even to the criminals hanging next to him. Through his excruciating suffering, Jesus teaches us that a King or leader is the one who suffers with his people. Moreover, Jesus leads others by example and especially to all those who occupy positions of power and responsibility.  

Perseverance Secures Redemption

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 23, 2022

Readings: Malachi 3:19–20; Psalm 98:5–9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12; Luke 21:5–19

[Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)]
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Often we are worried not about the present but about the future. Even though we are unsure about our future, we put too much emphasis on it than on the present. When things do not go according to our plans and projects, we begin to doubt not only on our abilities but also God with whom we might have placed our petition for the success of our plan. The liturgical readings on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time give us a very fascinating but also grim ideas about the future to those who follow our Lord as his authentic disciples. 

1. God’s plans have a future 

“Coming things” as they are called in Christian theology are often absurd, cruel and crazy.  These "end-of-time things" are of such nature, they bring even shiver in our spines because of the world that we live in. We might call this world egoistic, selfish, wicked, and evil. However, the world is also good, kind, generous, and gentle. Moreover, the absurdity of wickedness is taking too much of our energy and the good that we try to accomplish. 

The Lord is Faithiful

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 06, 2022

Readings: 2 Maccabees 7:1–2, 9–14; Psalm 17:1, 5–6, 8, 15; 2 Thessalonians 2:16–3:5; Luke 20:27–38

A byzantine icon of Jesus
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The month of November is very special to us as we commemorate the life and death of every baptized Christian. Eternity and temporality of our lives are celebrated very beautifully in this month. We recall that life has an end on this earth with eyes on the future, a future where God alone suffices. Hence, our earthly life is also precious. The merits of fruitful and holy life will find God in eternity. Even though it might look our earthly life tough and messy because of its chaos and confusion, sin and wickedness, yet there are people, our own ancestors who have lived their life to the full. We call them saints and blessed. They have set a standard or benchmark for our lives too. In this context the liturgical readings on this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, remind us that our earthly life is as precious as the heavenly life. In fact, we cannot cross into heaven unless we live our lives here on earth fully and faithfully. 

1. Life after an earthly journey is certain

The question about life after death is age-old. This existential question has been asked since the beginning of human history. What happens to our mortal bodies once it stops breathing? Only the human person has the capacity to think creatively, speak languages, imagine art, and get connected with people in unknown geographical locations. If such a thinking person dies where does he or she go? Is the life end at the death of the person? These and many more such questions are part of our daily struggle to live our lives with focus. Often a sense of nothingness, and meaninglessness comes into our minds. Such questions were asked to Jesus. Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection had many questions about life after death, especially the relationship between the husband and wife.

O LORD, and lover of souls!

 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 30, 2022

Readings: Wisdom 11:22–12:2; Psalm 145:1–2, 8–11, 13–14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–2:2; Luke 19:1–10

(Jesus and Zaccheus)
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Often change does not happen by itself. We have to wait for that opportunity or an occasion, where something triggers and change takes place. What is constant is change. Therefore, there is nothing permanent in this world. However, if one is not ready for change, then it is difficult to notice the effects of change.  The liturgical readings on this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, invite us to look for changes in life, especially when our lives are not attuned to the Will of God.

1. Curiosity wins

For any learning or improvement in one's quality of life, one has to develop a deep sense of curiosity. It is said that curiosity is the mother of all learning. The more one is curious, one learns or invents. If a person is disinterested or nothing bothers him about the happenings around him, such a person will lose the sense of purpose in life. To see and be seen, according to Brene Brown, is the greatest gift of love. Today’s gospel Luke 19:1–10 provides a powerful example of what this love looks like in action. Zaccheaus, the tax collector was an ardent curious person. He was not only short in physical stature but also in moral standing. He not only realized the importance of Jesus in and around Palestine but also in his life.

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.