Allowing God to Work in me; repentance.

Bible: "Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. Luke 10:13

Reflection:  I am wondering how many in Chorazin and Bethsaida may have watched these mighty things done by Jesus. Imagine a big town and a miracle done in some private places: how many would be around at the time of performing a mighty miracle or sign by Jesus. If this is true then the real problem is elsewhere.

God will continue to perform his miracles and mighty works among men irrespective whether they come to see them or not. It is not he who is to be blamed if men are not seeing it.  Men will continue to be so busy with worldly affairs and entertaining themselves that they would have no time for God or his works. Today such sign are on display even on select T.V. channels and internet: how many of us have the time to watch and repent of their ways?

Prayer: Lord, in my busy schedule help me to spare some time for you so that you may perform your mighty work beginning with me.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

What does Jesus think about me?

                    

Scriptures: 47 Jesus saw Nathan'a-el coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" 48 Nathan'a-el said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathan'a-el answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." 51 And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." John 1:47-51

Reflection:  We meet people in life and have an opinion of them or seek to have an opinion about them. Likewise people too have an opinion about us. Whatever the opinion, ultimately it could be categorized as good or bad. Very rarely do we desire that people have a bad opinion about us. In other words we value what they have to say and many a times we order our lives, our behavior, accordingly and may even live a life trying to please others.

We bask in the positive feedback we receive from friends, relatives, office colleagues or people we interact with in daily life, though many a times it may be exploitative we prefer to live by it.

Jesus too, who loves us, has an opinion about us. He invites us to live by his opinion about us and this opinion of his, about us, is good for us, for our eternal reward is dependent on it.  

Prayer: Lord as I wait on you in silent prayer, speak to my heart so that I may know your opinion about me and be changed and live according to what you want me to be.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Thy will be done

Scripture: As they were going along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." Luke 9:57-58

Reflection: What a whole hearted expression and perhaps the only case in the Gospels of one who on his own has volunteered to follow the Lord and master. 

Did it please the Master? No, it did not.

Lesson to learn: We prefer the securities of human friendship, health, spiritual and material benefit. No wonder there is such a huge following for the prosperity Gospel that is proclaimed all over the world and which is a scandal of our generation. 

No one wants the insecurities that come like a package deal for following the Gospel.  I want to follow Christ because he will fulfill my wants, my wants which are my need. I do not want to just follow him. It's a narrow and lonely path.

 What I fail to realize is this; my actual need is primarily what the Lord has to give.  “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Matt 4:4

Prayer:  Lord, I want to follow as you desire of me.  Thy will be done in my life.

Have a clear goal in life

Scriptures: When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 RSV

And it came to pass, when the days of his assumption were accomplishing, that he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 Douay-Rheims

Reflection: “When the days drew near……”, this was Jesus’ plan of action, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.  In other words, when the days were far from the focal point of assumption he did all that we know from scripture and much more. 

Likewise the heavenly goal should be the ultimate goal for all Christians. The goal decides the quality of our lives and decisions. Without a reasonable goal, i.e. the goal of eternity, we could end up defeated, corrupt, and lost in a maze of activities and even vibrancy, blind to the dissipation that is steeped in eternal ruin.   

Prayer:  Lord, May I always do things keeping in mind the eternal reward you have in store for us.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

To be Great: Is it an evil desire?

Scripture: And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great." Luke 9:46-48

Reflection:  To be great is the desire of every human being. Each one at least desires or dreams to be great in the sphere of activity or talent one is involved in.  It is human to desire to be great. Unlike other spiritual guru’s, Jesus never rebukes this desire of the human heart.  For it an inherent desire, not to be suppressed but to be corrected, so that we may not seek it the wrong way.

Jesus the wisest man ever born does exactly that: Want to be great, good, I encourage it, but don’t seek short cuts methods, don’t seek to play politics, don’t crush someone’s else’s aspiration through betrayals, by creating distrust through cut-throat unhealthy competition. Instead, in all humility, like an innocent unarming child become humble, trusting in God and seek the good of the other.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, May I grow in that necessary trust, in all humility, in order to become great in the field in which you have called me.  

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Obeying Jesus willingly

Scripture:What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he repented and went. 30 And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him. Matt 21:28-32

Reflection: The Chief priest and the Elders were asked by Jesus a question: What do you think?  We all have an opinion and are capable of knowing, the truth, of what is right and wrong with a big LIMITATION. These were Chief priests and elders and they should have known the essence of life. How will they guide the people if they do not know the essence of life?  Did they know the answer, they knew the answer but they did not know practical application, i.e. how to apply a truth to life and even practice it? (all knowledge but no wisdom)

So knowing the truth is not enough but what you do after knowing it is what is important. Practical wisdom comes from willingness to change and obedience from a heart inclined to do the will God, especially in believing the word of Christ.

 Do I prayerfully read the Bible daily and seek to apply and act on it?

Prayer: Lord, may I work towards a complete change of heart in my walk with you.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Change

Scripture: But while they were all marveling at everything he did, he said to his disciples, 44 "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men." Luke 9:43-44

Reflection: The marvel and the beauty of God are so fascinating that we could be lost in it like in a vast ocean or in a huge forest.   We could be lost in a maze of our business or work, our wealth and money, the good life we seek, the friends we have, on social networking sites and friends on facebook.

We could be likewise lost in the marvel of our sinful pleasures of over indulging on eating, drinking, spending, entertainment, socializing or fellowshipping, piling on addictive tendencies, etc.

How fascinating is the world in which we live in and if we don’t stop at times and more often and say to ourselves; “let’s stop and turn around and change, there is every possibility of we getting carried to a point of no return”. 

Those who follow him too can be lost at the marvels that God is working in their lives, the daily miracles, the special interventions of God in their day to day life, the healing and outreaches to the poor and marginalized.

But don’t forget, as you seek the change let the goal of the change you are seeking be clear and legitimate: Let Jesus who is the way and shown us the way, be the way of change…for he is surer than where our limited vision can take us.

Prayer: Lord, open my ears so that your words may sink into my heart and may I seek that change in my life which you desire.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Why do you follow?

Scripture: Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  Mt. 16:24

Reflection:  There are many who are impressed by the teachings of Jesus and see the great truth and wisdom in his teachings. Many want to follow him but selectively as it suit’s them. Some of us want to follow him because he is powerful, some because he heals and provides peace and wealth. Some of us because we were born Christians and we follow him either for sentimental reasons or because we are in it.  But many of us in seeking to be his followers are not following him but are largely followers of themselves or some worldly spirituality and philosophy about life.

To be a Christians means to be a follower and to follow means to take up our Crosses daily and follow him.

Lord, I want to follow Jesus and walk in his way. May my heart be ever grateful for revealing to me the secrets of your kingdom.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Immoral Entertainment

Scripture: Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Eli'jah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. 9 Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him.

Reflection:  Here is someone who has beheaded John the Baptist and yet never sure even after such a great criminal act. No remorse, no repentance but carrying on boldly through life with only a mere confusion and a longing to see for himself Jesus. He should be repenting rather than desiring for more. Why was he seeking Jesus?  Immoral Entertainment! Wanting Jesus to perform some miracles and signs:

Like Herod, some of us think that it is our birthright to be entertained with miracles, signs and wonders (It is not that God cannot perform miracles, but he will not perform such acts to satisfy our immoral desires, so as to further boost our ego and dead conscience to do more evil acts). Some of us think that it is their birthright that people should, especially God’s servants should behave with them the way they want them to behave. Some expect them to be more obedient to them then to God, but they do not realize that the right they demand is to be carried on through a process of discernment.  

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, by being immoral and disrespectful of people I am sinning against heaven and earth. Open my eyes so that I may truly see the wonders of your working. Not my will but they will be done.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Called to be Followers

Scripture: As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. Matt 9:9

Reflection:  What other options did Jesus have besides the possibility of leaving Matthew alone? He could have called him for service after all there are many who believe that Christianity means to serve? “Come and serve with me or come serve humanity even as I serve humanity”, could have been the words of Jesus to Matthew.  Why then did he call Matthew and his other disciples to follow him? Why does he call each one of us to follow him?

Christ Jesus knew that humanity, even the best of them is incapable of this calling to serve humanity, whether they be politicians, social activists, philanthropists or religious leaders, sages or animators.

For humanity has never understood the essential need of their fellowmen and yet they are the most eager to serve, give expert advice in matters of life, dole out money or material wealth and offer consolation. They do this all of their life drawing satisfaction from the praises of others or from the joy that they find in giving. 

The only one who knew what humanity required and has proved it by his teaching (life) and sacrificial death was also the one capable of rendering a service to humanity.  Jesus did it by going to the extent of laying down his life for us.  True Christian service is a participation in the service, which Jesus has already rendered to humanity. We render it by following Jesus.

Prayer:  Lord, teach me your ways.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Hear God’s word in order to practice it

Scripture: Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. 20 And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you." 21 But he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."Luke 8:19-21                       

Reflection: A salesman normally waits for every opportunity to sell his wares but an inventor does it still better to announce his achievements and a person who wants to help would eagerly give advice even if not called for.

In this passage Jesus could be looking for an opportunity to communicate the greatest and most essential and necessary truth of life. In fact the very essence of his mission is this: The priority is not his immediate mother or brothers, though this may include them too but about becoming his close relatives.  Through Jesus, the word made flesh, God has come to establish a relationship with us.  In this relationship God would become our Father, Mary was to become our Mother, the apostles would be referred to as brothers or father by means of the Gospel (1 Cor. 4:15) and we would by our faith would become brothers and sisters to one another as part of the one big family under the Fatherhood of God and Jesus as our brother and Savior.

Those who are outsiders can now become insiders and closely related to God.  How? Hear God’s word and do it.

Prayer: Lord, help me with your grace, so that I may first understand so as to observe your word. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

As a light know your duty

Scripture: "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. 18 Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."

Reflection:  There has always been this tendency of interpreting this Gospel text from a negative, sinful angle. There is a strong positive side to this passage and which communicates much hope for the Christian and all those who want to believe. It reveals the power of that light which is Christ who once he has lighted our lamps will spur us on to display this light by becoming witnesses and instrument of proclamation of the Gospel:

Every individual is that lamp which Jesus refers to and just as you require another light source to light the Lamp similarly Jesus makes a reference to another light source when he says; “No one after lighting a lamp….” Such would be the normal state of a Christian after he has lighted the lamp in him with the only light source who is Christ the light of the world (Jn. 8:12; 9:5).  They will be out there on display for all, even as they will seek to dispel the darkness in the world and in those around with the help of the light that has come from Christ.

In vs. 17, we see can safely interpret that Jesus is that secret hidden from ages that will manifest, made known and come to light.

Prayer: Lord, even as have I seek you and allow you to enlighten my heart help me with your grace to be an instrument that will spread your word to others.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Each one is given generously by God

                                  

Scripture: "For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Matt 20:1-2

Reflection:  God is in the business of hiring laborers for his vineyard. HE wants laborers who will ultimately produce the fruit which will produce the wine of gladness through their labour.

It is but natural to seek a reward but while seeking a reward we also seek with envy and jealously in our hearts. Who is getting what? How come he or she got more than me? Why am I being discriminated? Why has God given me less gifts than my friend or neighbor? Look, I have put in more and used more of my creative abilities and talent and why is God treating me like this? Am I not better equipped than he/she?  See where you fit in here.

There is no room in God’s vineyard for these faults because ultimately he is generous to all of us. It is only in the comparison we fail to see the generosity of the master. Worse still, we then begin to grumble and even cry foul and cry injustice.

Prayer: Lord, come my eyes to look to you and your generosity towards me in all things and to praise your always for all that you do to hire us lest we go empty of rewards.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Behold, what wealth!

Scripture: And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.  Luke 9:23-24

Reflection:  Which salesman would present the negative side of the product he is selling; perhaps he will not have a buyer.  No one will canvas for something and give a negative picture of things.

Unlike the many, Jesus gives us the real and true picture in following him; “take up your cross daily and follow me.” Yet there are two elements which I want to bring out here concerning the Many:

1) There are Many, especially in youth ministries, who present a rosy picture on following Christ.

2) Many Christians who grumble at God over the little crosses that come their way, as if Jesus has deceived them when he called them to follow him.

If such are the trials and trouble in following Christ then why should one follow Christ at all? A true seeker of wealth or knowledge or wisdom will go to any extent and endure every pain for the sake of such treasures. Likewise, Christ who is the source of all knowledge, wisdom and wealth, Christ who is truth, is worth seeking even if it means crosses of death, persecutions, trials and troubles.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may nothing separate me from the eternal love that you have for me.  

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Good news! Good news! Good news!

Bible: Soon afterward he (Lord Jesus) went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. (Lk. 8:1)

Reflection: When a mother delivers a child it is good news. When child passes in his exam then it is good news, when someone wins it is good news. A loss or defeat or failure or deaths are rarely good news to the larger audience except for the enemy.  If India wins the war then it is good news.

In the gospel reading of today Jesus comes announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God. When it comes to nations and kingdoms a victory or achievement is good news and Jesus comes to proclaim an important message; our oppressor the Devil has been vanquished by the presence Jesus with us.  By his Sacrifice on the cross he accomplishes the complete victory which we can avail for ourselves. 

Now we only need to trust him and his word and accordingly believe that he can take us out of our miseries from bondages and make us free to serve our living God. We need to accept the good news as really good news in order to avail of his grace. We need to praise the author of this good news Jesus Christ and show our constant gratitude to him with thanksgiving and praise. 

Prayer: Lord, I too want to partake of the victory which you won for me on the cross by believing in the Good news you have proclaimed to us. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial)

Scripture: But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:25-27

Reflection: If I or anyone would have had friends or disciples and if they were to go on a journey or leave this world, and they had a mother to be cared for, then the first thing they would have told the disciple or friend to take care of their mother.  Not so with Jesus, he instead asks his Mother and hands over the Disciple to her care.

The Gospel text clearly addresses the woman first; “Woman, behold, your son!” and then….”

The confidence of Jesus in her capability to take care of his beloved disciple is a mystery to be cherished and lived by entrusting ourselves to the care of his mother, now our mother,  who still sorrows for his children.

Prayer: Mary, beloved mother of Jesus I entrust myself to your maternal care so that Christ may increase in me. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship: Come grow in the Lord with us

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Scripture: No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.  John 3:13-18

Reflection:  The world is like a market place where there are all types of wares sold. You go to buy a T.V. and you will have various shapes and sizes, various price tags, various qualities and types and various brands too.  Which one is the best? That is difficult and yet not too difficult to cut out that which is least best.  If you are really going for quality then if you have not done enough research then you could end up choosing the most costly as the best.  But to a discerning mind the best is that which is well researched, widely consulted and fortified with genuine experience.  Whereas, the manufacturers will keep announcing their product as the best!  Ultimately:  ONLY ONE HAS TO BE THE BEST AMONG THE LOT.

Similarly, in the reading from John’s Gospel Jesus is announcing himself as the real and true one and does not want to leave a doubt in our ever erratic heart.  He who descended from heaven, will be the first to ascend again, the one who will be crucified, lifted up on a cross, is the one who will save if WE believe in his word.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe you are the savior of all mankind and it is you alone who can save me.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Christ our consolation in pain

Scripture: Soon afterward he went to a city called Na'in, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man,  I say to you, arise." 15 And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

Reflection: The pain is in the air, it definitely invites a large crowd; for such is the power of sadness to draw the human heart to identify and mourn with those who mourn. Here it seeks to share the grief of the widowed woman. Perhaps, he died a pre-matured sudden and unnatural death. Truly, when a man dies young there is great mourning and sadness.

He had compassion on the widowed mother’s only son. “Do not weep”, was the consoling words of the master. Did they know that this widowed mothers son, Jesus, who raised to life the son of a widowed mother of Nain would meet the same fate and in a much more terrible and painful manner?  Did they know that he shall be raised on the third day and become the author of universal consolation to all who firmly believe in his name and his power to intervene in their lives so as to comfort and console them?

Prayer: Lord, I bring before you all my hurts and pains and those of others in order that we may find our consolation in you who has power even over the greatest pain known to man; the pain of separation and loneliness.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

There is room for very one in his heart, if.....

Scripture: After he had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Caper'na-um. 2 Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. 3 When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue." 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well. Luke 7:1-10

Reflection: We have all sorts of friends, some are good, some helpful and some are there for you whenever you need them. There are some who respect your Christian faith and like you because of your faith. They go that extra mile to come with you to Church and may even help out with Christian functions. 

How do we treat them? Today’s Gospel teaches us how to pray for them: “He/she is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” (vs. 4-5 & observe Jesus’ response in vs. 6)

Prayer: Lord, bless all my non-Christian friends that they may know you and your love for them.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us