To Live in the Presence of the Lord

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: 29 August 2021

Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5; James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

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The liturgical readings for this Sunday are aptly summarized in the responsorial psalm that we read today: "The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord" (Psalm 15:2–5). Moses, St James the Apostle and Jesus call each one of us to understand the purpose of our life that is "to live in the presence of the Lord." A person will not be able to live in the presence of the Lord if he or she is not ready to live according to the precepts or commandments of the Lord. We live in a world by following certain values and norms, morals and ethics, precepts and etiquettes. Being rational, intelligent, social and spiritual beings we follow a certain discipline and a pattern of lifestyle. This is what makes us different from the animal world. We shall reflect on these aspects in the following.

1. Hearing the Word of God

Quoting Prophet Isaiah, Jesus says: "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me" (Mark 7:6, Isaiah 29:13). While being at the service of people, Jesus found evil in the hearts and minds of those who benefited from his healing, preaching and teaching ministry. People lost themselves especially the Pharisees and scribes in the externals, outward rituals, and those things which matter very little to live in the presence of God. They turned the law inside out, making it a matter of simply performing certain external actions.  By being oneself overwhelmed or engrossed with the ritual and external practices, the people could neither hear the Word of God nor act on it. They are lost in the things and ways of this world. 

Lord, You have the Words of Eternal Life

21 Sunday in Ordinary Time: 22 August 2021

Readings: Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18; Psalm 34:2-3, 16-23; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69

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Often when things become difficult, the easiest remedy that we look for to get out of the situation is quitting. We quit a particular relationship or situation because of its heaviness or lack of true knowledge of it. It is easy to quit but difficult to endure. The liturgical readings of this Sunday invite us not to flee from God's love and embrace. We live with choices and chances. Many of them come and go. Choosing the right things at the right time is very essential to make a progress in our spiritual life.

1. Quitting is not a solution to reach heaven

"It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and life" (John 6:63). These words of Jesus come after his disciples found it hard to digest. Jesus challenged but also put forward very important aspects of his life, which could bring them salvation and make them children of God. Somehow or the other, many found in Jesus a lot of goodness and mercy but also courage and faith. However, all those things slowly dry up including their initial enthusiasm. Steadily a number of people following him very closely abandon him. From their fleeing, they also abandon the truth for which Jesus came to testify.

Assumption of Mary: Of All Women the Most Blessed

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 15 August 2021

Readings: Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6, 10; Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56

(Icon of the Dormition by Theophan the Greek, 1392)

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1. Mary, a spirit-filled person of God

On this Sunday, August 15, we celebrate the beautiful feast of the Assumption. On this feast, we praise God who has taken the sinless Virgin Mary, body and soul, into His glory. From Christianity's earliest days the Christian community has celebrated the day on which Mary, the Mother of God entered heaven. Even though the death or Dormition of Mary is not recorded in the Christian canonical scriptures, yet since the 4th century, this feast is celebrated. The term Dormition expresses the belief that the Virgin died without suffering, in a state of spiritual peace. However, this belief does not rest on any scriptural basis but is affirmed by the Eastern Christian Holy Tradition. The Eastern Christians celebrate this event as "Dormition of the Mother of God", "falling asleep" (death) of Mary the Theotokos ("Mother of God"), and her being taken up into heaven (bodily assumption). Mary who said "yes" at her Annunciation, now with her glory into heaven her mission is being accomplished.  

Jesus, the Splendour of God's Life

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 08 August 2021

Readings: 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:2-9; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51

(Jesus the Bread of Life, Mosaic by Fr Marko Rupnik, SJ)

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1. Let not others determine our identity

The question of identity is a very important component of our life. Identity is determined by one's words and actions. Perhaps people may have their own perceptions while determining someone's identity. Often we get carried away by what others say. Unfortunately, we lose our self-confidence when others put forward their bad perceptions about us. When someone criticizes and identifies us with something negative, we lose confidence in us. All the more we develop a sense of low self-esteem as well. If someone suffers from these kinds of maladies then one should look at Jesus and get inspiration from him. The murmurings of people should not be a reason to fail us. 

In God Alone is Our True Fulfillment

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 01 August 2021

Readings: Exodus 16:2–4, 12–15; Psalm 78:3–4, 23–25, 54; Ephesians 4:17, 20–24; John 6:24–35

(Mosaic "Jesus Shows the Way" by Fr Marko Rupnik, SJ)

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1. Jesus is the true salvation

The request of people to Jesus “Lord, give us this bread always” (John 6:34) is reassuring us on this Sunday as we worship the Lord. We are often torn between dichotomies or polarities of life, right and wrong, good and bad, life and death, eternity and temporality, order and chaos, true and false, universality and particularity and so on. Unfortunately, it is quite hard to choose which is life-giving, eternal and reassuring in our rat race of everyday life. In fact, we end up choosing conducive, easier, attractive, newest, best, modern, up-to-date, cheapest that give higher status, wealth, power than which is difficult, unattractive, and needs our effort and labour. We seek the perishable stuff of our every day wants, needs and anxieties. In our weakness, we think these things are what really satisfies us.

St Ignatius of Loyola: A Charming Soul in Contemplation of God

(Mosaic on the experience of St Ignatius of Loyola at the river Cardoner by Fr Marko Rupnik, SJ)

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Having learnt to pray in the manner of St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), a gift to his followers, I am fascinated by the mystic saint as I try to follow him by being a member of his Order. As the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, on 31st July, which happens to be his 465th birthday into heaven, the pilgrim saint continues to inspire. I would like to place before you a few of my personal reflections in this context. 

1. Ignatius of Loyola: A man who saw all things new in Christ

Being a man of Renaissance St Ignatius of Loyola inculcated a culture that could embrace everything with passion and zeal. His experience at the sickbed did not make him lifeless or disillusioned instead he saw newness in life. It was pilgrims' way - living in "loving awe." By reading the "Life of Christ" of Ludolf of Saxony and the "Flowers of the Saints," Ignatius turned to things which, were earlier uninteresting but now engaging and special. His curiosity brought him to a new world of ideas and projects. He begins to think seriously that life is precious and valuable only if he lives such a one as those saints like St Dominic or St Francis of Assisi. This new change in his pattern of thought opens to enter into action by embracing the new reality. Even the shattered leg does not deter him from walking the unimaginable miles as well as distant paths. He walks and moves around that he did never before. Perhaps when you are broken your very brokenness puts together to walk more. Ignatius walks but with others now.

From the Fullness Flows Fullness

 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 25 July 2021

Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18; Ephesians 4:1-6;  John 6:1-15

Picture courtesy: Jean-Marc Arakelian

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1. Jesus, a prophet of abundance

When you pronounce the word "abundance" already you feel something positive and your mind begins to relax. Jesus was a man of abundance and from him flowed everything in abundance. The liturgical readings for this Sunday give us how both Elisha, the prophet and Jesus, the Son of God, performed major miracles of their lives. Such public performances changed the outlook of the persons completely. The last sentence in today's Gospel reading says it all: “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world” (John 6:14) Jesus was a prophet of different kind and nature. Fullness flowed from him so easily that people recognized him, who he really is. Another sentence at the beginning of the narration of today's miracle sums up very clearly what kind of impression Jesus made in the public: "When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him" (John 6:5). 

Leading Rightly the Flock of God

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 18 July 2021

Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6: Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34

(Picture courtesy: Jean-Marc Arakelian)

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The running theme in all the readings for this Sunday is "shepherding" or "leading." In Christian faith life the word "shepherd" is not only captivating imagery but also a meaningful metaphor. We may not have sheep or goats in our farms but certainly, we do own cows and many of our families make living by this livestock. When we take care of our cows well by providing good fodder and other necessary things for their well-being, they too in turn make our living possible.

1. God decides our destiny and not the leaders

Perhaps, we should use in our context the word "leader" instead of "shepherd." In the Old Testament, another title for prophets and kings is the shepherd. What good shepherds do? Basically, they take care of the sheep with utmost interest and strength. Prophet Jeremiah is upset with those who were called to take care of the people of God. Instead of being good and caring, the leaders have become corrupt, unjust and wicked. The leaders of Israel have been godless and fanciful in their teachings and misled and scattered God's people. Prophet Jeremiah says: "Their course is evil, and their might is not right. Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their wickedness" (Jer 23:10-11). These strong words of the prophet tell us how ugly the situation of those who were supposed to take care of. The prophets and leaders of the time of Jeremiah were no better than what we have today in our country. 

Driving out Demons of our Lives and of this World

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 11 June 2021

Readings: Amos 7:12-15; Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13 

(Picture courtesy: Jean-Marc Arakelian)

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This week has been quite intense for us Jesuits as we lost one of our own in very sad settings. That is Fr Stan Swamy, SJ (1937-2021), a Jesuit for 64 years, a priest for 51 years in police custody (custodial death) in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. None of us would like to die in police custody at such a ripe age of 84 years after working for a cause which certainly a work inspired by the Spirit of God. In India, anything can happen. Fr Stan Swamy did not die in a concentration camp of the Nazies or in the gulag of the Soviet Union. Fr Stan died in the so-called free democratic India under a failed judicial system. Because Fr Stan was hounded like a demon by the legislative, executive and judiciary of India which unfortunately are drinking from the same cup of majoritarianism, manipulation and being blinded by the truth.

1. Following means getting involved

The gospel reading of today should be read from this perspective and keeping in mind what is going on in our country.  Jesus sends his 12 disciples on a mission of preaching, teaching and healing (Mark 6:7-13). The disciples were given a particular and specific task. A task hitherto Jesus himself was doing; a kind of mission experiment to his close followers. Their tasks brought good results: "So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them." (Mark 6:12-13).