Who is Jesus for Me?

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 27, 2023

Readings: Isaiah 22:15, 19–23; Psalm 138:1–3, 6, 8; Romans 11:33–36; Matthew 16:13–20

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We develop a relationship with the person based on the person's characteristics. If the person's way of thinking and acting pleases us or is in close connection with us then we might develop a friendship with that person. Friendship or acquaintance is not cultivated overnight. It takes time and energy. It needs patience and witness. The liturgical readings for this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time of the Year invite us to look at the aspect of our relationship with Jesus. Having lived with his 12 disciples day in and day out, Jesus asks them who he is for them? What does it mean for them to have Jesus amidst them? Perhaps the answer of Peter the Apostle should be ours too. Peter's declaration of faith in Jesus also entails a great responsibility of guiding the Church. 

1. Identity determines the relationship

Let's begin with the Gospel of Matthew 16:13–20. Jesus poses a question about his identity to his disciples. This question is not only crucial for the disciples at that time but continues to be relevant for all believers today. It challenges us to reflect on who Jesus is in our lives. The question is simple but straightforward: “But who do you say that I am?” Perhaps it might have been easy for the disciples to answer as Jesus lived with them with flesh and blood. They had seen his miracles and his rhetoric had mesmerized them. Still, Jesus wanted to know the perception of his disciples. Jesus is extremely happy with the answer from his disciples. The familiarity of his disciples had made them his beloved disciples. 

Allowing Ourselves be Touched by the Divine Interventions

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 13, 2023

Readings: 1 Kings 19:9, 11–13; Psalm 85:9–14; Romans 9:1–5; Matthew 14:22–33

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In our ordinary everyday lives often life becomes monotonous. As a result, we lose interest in a number of things that we usually do either in the workplace or in our private lives. As a result, it affects terribly in our relationships. Often this sort of lethargy sets into our lives very deeply causing a lot of anguish and fear, a sense of loss and disinterestedness. If one does not pay attention to such symptoms, this would lead to disastrous consequences including loss of health or life itself. The Economic Times newspaper (Aug 11, 2023) carries a short news report saying that 50 years ago the word "burnout" entered the corporate lexicon when Herbert Freudenbeger, a New York psychologist, first identified it. The newspaper report says that burnout is back with a vengeance today. The recent data from Deloitte and the research firm Workplace Intelligence cites half of the workers in the US saying they are either exhausted or stressed and 60 percent of employees say they would consider changing jobs to find better well-being provisions. This situation is no better in India either. Burnout phenomenon can set even in the practice of our faith, family, monastic, religious, priest or in a couple's life as well. The liturgical readings on this 19th Sunday in Ordinary time speak in similar lines, especially in the person of the prophet Elijah suffering a sense of loss of purpose in life. 

1. Divine interventions are unique and special 

In our first reading 1 Kings 19:9, 11–13 we see Prophet Elijah taking shelter on the Mountain of God, Horeb or better-known Mount Sinai. He is running away from the murderer King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel. Because these two murdered all the prophets by the sword and now looking for the prophet Elijah to be killed. So Elijah is running for cover. He is tired of doing God's work and finds no meaning as his very life is threatened.  Now he is not only disgusted with what is happening around him moreover, prays for death “Enough, LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4). Elijah had walked for forty days and forty nights to escape from the jaws of death, but now tired and burnt out. At this point at Mount Horeb, Elijah experiences God so closely and intensely in the form of a "tiny whispering sound."

Witnessing the Glory of God to Embrace Transformation

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord: August 06, 2023

Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9

(The Transfiguration by Raphael, c. 1520)

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In every day of our lives, we do not bother to give much attention to minute details. The days and weeks pass by without much of our attention. However, there are sometimes unexpected moments that occur at a particular time and particular place. They will be defining moments in one's life. Three of Jesus' disciples experienced such tremendous moments which left an indelible mark in their lives. On this feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the liturgical readings invite us to look for such momentous and defining events in our life so that we can fall back on them and relive such transformative experiences.

1. The glory of God in the person of Jesus

Let us begin with Matthew 17:1-9 which describes a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, known as the Transfiguration. This event takes place after Jesus had foretold His death and resurrection to His disciples. The context of this passage is essential to understand the significance of what happens on the mountaintop. The Transfiguration serves as a powerful confirmation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God and a preparation for the disciples to face the challenges that lie ahead. The Transfiguration is a mysterious and awe-inspiring event where Jesus takes three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John, up to a high mountain. There, His appearance changes, and He becomes radiant, with His face shining like the sun, and His clothes becoming as white as light. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, talking with Jesus.

St Ignatius of Loyola: An Entrepreneur with a Difference

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 St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), the founder of the global order, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), was a remarkable spiritual leader who exemplified unique entrepreneurial qualities that set him apart from others. His life and work were guided by divine ambition and wisdom, inspiring countless individuals to lead meaningful lives. In this essay, we will explore the distinct qualities of St. Ignatius that made him an exceptional entrepreneur in the realm of spirituality and leadership.

1. Spiritual and Visionary Leader:

St. Ignatius demonstrated unwavering devotion to his faith and a profound understanding of spirituality. His commitment to following the path of Christ and living a life of virtue inspired countless followers. As a spiritual leader, he emphasized the importance of self-reflection, critical thinking, prayer, asceticism and discernment to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. His exemplary life of service and devotion became a source of inspiration for many who sought to emulate his principles. He possessed visionary leadership. St. Ignatius had a clear and inspiring vision for the Society of Jesus, centered on serving God and humanity. His ability to articulate this vision and convey it to others motivated those who came in contact with him to join him in his mission and work towards its realization.

Finding the Reign of God in Our World

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 30, 2023

Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7–12; Psalm 119:57, 72, 76–77, 127–130; Romans 8:28–30;  Matthew 13:44–52

(Photo courtesy: Jean-Marc Arkelian)

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Everyone seeks success, but there are no shortcuts to achieve it. Failures are a natural part of our lives, and depending solely on success stories can lead to despair. However, failures can be the stepping stones to success. To be truly successful, one must learn from failures. Yet, when we rely solely on our own strength, we distance ourselves from God. To find real success, we should trust in our abilities with God's grace, even if we face failures along the way. The liturgical readings for this 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time emphasize the importance of trusting in God alone, even when we may think our strength is enough. The stories of King Solomon and Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God reveal profound truths about life and guide us in making the right decisions with God's help.

1. Seeking wisdom over material wealth

Let's start with the story of King Solomon, the successor of David in 1 Kings 3:5, 7–12. One of the beautiful gifts that God can give to us is His presence in our lives which could be called "encounter." In his encounter with God, King Solomon seeks only wisdom to govern his country than material wealth. Wisdom is a gift from God.  Solomon didn't acquire wisdom through his own efforts or learning; it was divinely bestowed upon him. He worshipped God above all else with great desire. God came first in his life. God was his priority. In his encounter with God, Solomon asks humbly wisdom than riches, fame or power.  In a world often driven by materialism and self-pity this serves as a reminder to focus on eternal values and spiritual growth. Wisdom isn't just about knowledge; it's about discerning God's will and applying it in our lives and relationships.

Spirit Intercedes for the Holy Ones

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 23, 2023

Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16–19; Psalm 86:5–6, 9–10, 15–16; Romans 8:26–27; Matthew 13:24–43

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Many things teach us life lessons. Some of them might be sweet and others bitter. Our life is a parable. Often, it is a fairy tale. A parable is a short, simple story that typically uses everyday occurrences, events, or situations to convey a moral or spiritual lesson. Parables are often used in religious, philosophical, or ethical contexts to illustrate and communicate deeper truths or principles in a relatable and easily understandable manner. Our life consists of good and bad, beautiful and ugly, joy and sorrow, anxiety and hope, fear and courage and so forth. They represent various aspects of human nature or behaviour. On the 16th Sunday in ordinary time, the liturgical readings throw light on our human nature and how that sinful nature could be sanctified through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

1. Everything begins with small and beautiful

Let us start with the Gospel of Matthew 13:24–43. Jesus gives us three powerful parables namely the wheat among the weeds, of the mustard seed and of the wheat flour. All these parables with rich agricultural imagery are to explain the Kingdom of God or the Reign of God very clearly and plainly. In God's reign, there is always the uncompromisable practice of "Dharma." The world is a mixture of good and evil, represented by the wheat and the weeds growing together. It teaches us that while evil exists, God allows both to coexist until the final judgment. We might feel broken when we experience deep hurts that flow from dishonor, disrespect, broken promises, corruption, sloth, bias, errors, incidents of cheating, lying, slander and calumny, etc. We, as followers of Christ, must learn to live in a world marred by sin while striving to be a positive influence and bearing good fruit. It is a call to exercise patience and trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty.

The Revelation of the Children of God

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 16, 2023

Readings: Isaiah 55:10–11; Psalm 65:10–14; Romans 8:18–23; Matthew 13:1–23

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These days, we have been either hearing or reading baffling news about flash floods in our country India in social sites and media outlets. India is a vast country with varied weather conditions, we often hear either of heat waves or floods affecting different regions of our country.  Such news items have become part of our lives. However, there are always possibilities of minimizing the damage caused by such conditions. There must be a collective effort from different partners and stakeholders to find the right solutions. All the more, we must learn to appreciate the beautiful world that God has created for us. Often, we have created problems for ourselves which cannot be solved by human wisdom. In this context, the liturgical readings for this 15th Sunday in ordinary time invite us to listen to God and his Word. Unless and until we are attuned to God and his workings, we might not be able to fix the problems of today including of the environment.

1. God reveals Himself to us

Let's begin with the first reading of today from the prophet Isaiah 55:10–11. God continues to reveal to the world who He is. Often we might think that because of our intelligence and the capacity to create wealth and power, we are the masters of this world. Actually, it is not so! When disasters occur like earthquakes, floods, fires, accidents, or diseases that are uncontainable, then we look for divine power to assist us. The power of God's Word is tremendous. This Word comes to us from heaven in various ways and means. Just like the trees that give us fruits, plants that give us flowers, trees that give us wood, land that gives us grains, streams that give us water, animals that give us meat, and the list is endless. Through God's work in the world, we see the growth, change and spiritual abundance to our lives. Only by immersing ourselves in Scripture, we can allow its transformative power to work in our hearts, bringing about spiritual growth and producing the fruit of righteousness.

The Spirit of God Dwells in You

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 09, 2023

Readings: Zechariah 9:9–10; Psalm 145:1–2, 8–11, 13–14; Romans 8:9, 11–13; Matthew 11:25–30

(Christ blessing the children attributed to Lukas Cranach the Elder)  

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Buying a high-end Canon or Nikon camera does not make you a photographer. It makes you just a camera owner. Just because you are a baptized Christian, it does not give you a ticket straight to heaven. Prayer is a way to God and in itself, prayer is not God. Often, we blindly follow many things in our lives without even being aware of the intricacies and complexities involved in what we speak or do. It does matter what we are and what we own or do. The liturgical reading for this 14th Sunday in the ordinary time of the year has a lot to encourage us, particularly about the Spirit of God that St Paul is speaking to us as well as Jesus' prayer to his Father for giving him disciples and the challenge that he poses to his apostles.

1. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit

Let's start with the Second reading that we have on this Sunday. It is from St Paul. He writes to the Christian Community in Rome: "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11). In another place while writing to the Corinthian Chrisitan community St Paul says, "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). These statements have great significance for Christians today in the context of Paul's teachings and the theological framework of the early Christian community.

Newness of Life in Christ Jesus

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 02, 2023

Readings: 2 Kgs 4:8–11, 14–16; Ps 89:2–3, 16–19; Rom 6:3–4, 8–11; Mt 10:37–42

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As I write these few reflections, I am teaching a course on the "theology of the Holy Spirit" to our future priests. As I grapple with the mystery of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus and in the lives of Christians, I am overwhelmed by the length and breadth of this Third Person of the Trinity who accompanied Jesus throughout his life and later empowered the believers with his gifts. St Paul, who wrote extensively in his Epistles tells us that only in the light of the Holy Spirit we can understand who Jesus is for us. The Spirit of Jesus continues to strengthen the believers in every day of their lives magnificently. The liturgical readings for this Sunday are so beautiful that they invite us to embrace Jesus in our lives wholeheartedly with a singular devotion. 

1. The Challenge of Wholehearted Discipleship: Love, Sacrifice, and Reward

Jesus throws an open challenge to his followers. Jesus is not worried about the number of people who will follow him or the popularity with which he would move around. What matters Jesus is one's readiness and willingness which stems from authentic sacrifice and self-giving. In Matthew's Gospel, we read if someone loves one's father or mother, son or daughter more than Jesus, or if someone is not ready to take up the cross and follow the Lord wholeheartedly, such persons are not of interest to Jesus. It doesn't mean we should neglect our relationships with our family members, but rather, we should recognize that our love and commitment to God should be the foundation and guiding principle of our lives. For Jesus, following means 100 percent and there is nothing halfheartedness or discount following. When one gives himself or herself to God, it must be total and complete.