The Saving Message

Today’s Scripture: And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:16-21

Reflection: if one is open to the spirit of God at work in all those who believe then one can expect many surprises with the receiving of the good news

The Shepherds heard the good news of Christ and exhibited great amount of openness and haste. There were told of a savior child, who is Christ the Lord. When they actually arrived they found, in the sequential order, Mary and Joseph with the Child lying in a Manger.

Why was the Child not found in the arms of Mary or Joseph? Was it to communicate the fact that the Child was destined to go it alone and become the bread of life.

Ultimately, he was laid on the Cross; the author of life.

Prayer:  Lord, we adore you for you are Christ the King who became our ransom.

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

God's Word and Work

Scripture: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

Reflection: The Word was God and was made manifest to us in the person of Jesus Christ, as Son. He is the incarnate Word of God, eternally present in the company of the Father.

He was God and is God and he remained not only God but God who took human nature to be with us. He was God made man in our midst and eternally reigning.

He was equal with God and in the hierarchy, though he was equal, he submitted to the Father. The eternal Father, who is the creator of all things, chose to create all things through him and not to create anything without him.

From this relationship we draw meaning and wisdom for our human relationship of getting the family and community involved while exercising leadership. But, while do so, do not seek to sit in God’s place and without his wisdom and grace.

Prayer: Father, help me to recognize and cooperate with discernment in the work you are constantly accomplishing through the Church, the sacrament of universal salvation.

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

We who believe are part of Divine History

Scripture: And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")  Luke 2:22-23

Reflection: He is the Jerusalem, the temple in which he reigns. They could have prayed at home or at any of the shrines In Israel.

The ways of God are marvelous and great, he had given the Jewish people the law and the prophets. Scripture teaches us that this was in order to prepare a people, with a culture and lifestyle that would make it fitting to welcome a savior.

Christ could not have been born in any other culture or milieu or in any other people or race, except the one whom God had prepared by the giving of the law and customs. That which was legitimate was never rejected or set aside but was welcomed or even purified by Christ’s presence.

The proclamation of the gospel purifies culture and sets it on new foundation, but the process is slow and may take years. It doesn’t take long for the disintegration of the superior Christian culture because by nature we are more prone and easily attracted to that which is sensual and evil.

Prayer: Lord, may your Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and action as we continue as your instrument at this time in history.

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

Mary's Closeness

Scripture: And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.” Lk. 2:2 :22-24

Reflection: The dogma of the Immaculate Conception states that Mary was free from the stain of original sin. Hence Mary was sinless and likewise we know of Christ Jesus to be the sinless one.

If this is so then why did Mary and Jesus have to offer sacrifices for purification? They were both sinless as per the catholic doctrine.

In the light of the Catholic doctrine and from scriptural evidences it becomes obvious that Mary was closely united with the mission of her Son in every way and hence had to go through the submission process, under the law, in order to fulfill all righteousness. 

The baptism of Jesus at a particular time in the life of Jesus is symbolic of his entire life; Baptism signifies an ongoing submission and death process.

Prayer: Lord, as you seek to work out your sanctifying grace offered in baptism grant me wisdom to never lose sight of the eternal reward of being with you.

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

God’s Patience and Love

Scripture: Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt,15 and remained there until the death of Herod." Matthew 2: 13 – 15a

Reflection: Why can’t the Lord of the universe, the all powerful and almighty God, act right away and destroy the wicked Herod for seeking to destroy his incarnate Son Jesus Christ? After all he has to only do his job of saving at the final passion and death. 

But Scripture teaches us that he became like us in everything BUT sin and thus had to go through the human experience and much more face all the humiliations and rejections which humans hurl at one another and God.

God’s patience, in his justice, is available to all mankind in order that they may repent and come to the knowledge of the truth. We may commit the gravest of sin and just because God is not acting doesn’t mean that he condones it but rather that we need to accept this love of his and repent and turn to him. 

Prayer: Lord may your patience with me bear the fruit of true repentance and faith in your love and mercy. 

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

Witness like Jesus

Scripture: Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. John 20: 1 -2

Reflection: Mary of Magdala was one of the first to witness to the resurrection”, Could this be true? Was she really a witness and how did it go with the Jewish custom of a woman being a witness? A woman witness was never considered in a Jewish Society, though God himself chose Mary as her first witness to the empty tomb and not to the resurrection itself.

In other words we see that Mary Magdalen witnessed the empty tomb but arrived at her own sincere conclusion; “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb”.

In our times too we see, observe, experience and witness but unlike Mary who at least witnessed to the empty tomb we witness more to our dead filled up tombs, filled with ideologies and dissertation based on pure human reasoning’s.

Prayer: God our Father may your spirit guide us to walk in the ways of the perfect man Jesus Christ. 

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

Persecutions

Scripture: Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matt 10:17-22

                       Reflection: A close look at the scripture reading and it seems very unusual.  On the one hand Jesus warns us to be bewaring of men and on the other hand he communicates to us that when they have delivered you up, do not be afraid. 

                       A disciple is always to be careful and cautious, persecution and trials are inevitable. They will happen and hence just as one has to be bewaring of the wild animals in a jungle, similarly, Jesus is asking us to be bewaring of men. 

What should have happened in the lives of each of the disciples happens only in the lives of a few? On the other hand we who are supposed to be the fulfillment of what Jesus said are in fact and many a times could be the instrument of persecution. This happens despite the fact that Jesus has already spoken to us about it. 

Prayer:  Lord, may I be guided by your wisdom when dealing with your people. 

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

Christmas: revelation of God’s love.

Scripture: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-18

Reflection:  Jesus, the eternal word of God who always was, is revealed and entered human history.  He is the eternal Word who always was from the beginning and is now.  Just as a word best expresses a person who utters it, so too Jesus, the eternal word, is the manifestation that best expresses the living God.

If I am joyful, I express it with a word or a joyous cry from my mouth, similarly God is fully expressed to us by Jesus. When someone has given a word of commitment then if the person forgets or delays we hold the person responsible to his commitment, similarly Jesus is the commitment of God to humanity in order to redeem it and save it. 

This commitment is ultimately fulfilled in the passion, death and resurrection of Christ; thus is revealed God’s love for us.

He went about doing good and took upon himself the mission of saving mankind and hence is the savior of the world. He accomplished the task by redeeming us from the clutches of the evil one.

Prayer: Eternal Father, we praise your glorious name as we remember with love the revelation of Jesus in the great Christmas Story.

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

Pray Prophetically

Scripture:  And his father Zechari'ah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, 74 to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.  

76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. Luke 1:67-76 

Reflection:  There is hardly any difference between a prophecy and prayer; even a prayer is a prophetic word because it is based on God’s word and not any human word. Therefore what Zechariah prophesies is in a way also a prayer of praise which is new and yet not new because it is there before us in the Old Testament.  It is new because it communicates the immediate reality and that which is to take place.

The Church when it uses this prophetic utterance uses it as a prayer of praise, to whom it is due and to remind us of the prophetic revelation of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

This is what Jesus meant when he says that henceforth the true worshippers of the Father shall worship him in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. (cfr. Jn. 4:23)

Let your prayer be spontaneous not based on human wisdom and self deliberations but let it come through the practice of waiting on him in his holy temple where the Holy Spirit dwells.  

Prayer: May I become O Lord your instrument of service by learning to wait on you in your Holy temple.

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

Rejoice with Others

Scripture: Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. Luke 1:57-58

Reflection: How often can we rejoice with what the Lord has done with others? Many of us can do that if we know for sure that the Lord has done it and are in love with a God who is able to do wonders and carry his love in their hearts.

What happens when the Lord favours us through human affections? What I mean is when someone whom we love and are loved in return shows a little affection and love to someone else. Do we feel envious or jealous? It is more difficult to bear up with the human instrument and we could even end up feeling hurt for not being given the attention or privilege, especially by our loved ones.

There may be many who may carry their hurts and jealousy of others and pelt God for no fault of his. They may never realize, if their ego fails to humble before him and would not allow him to search their hearts. They may even read Scriptures with a twist to assuage their deep rooted hurts or may give a twist to the blessings which others receive from God or may even grumble and curse at such blessings. There are some who only wait for the downfall of the other to rejoice.

Prayer:  Lord, grant me grace that I may rejoice at the blessings you shower on others, including my enemy.

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

Let my Soul Magnify Him too

Scripture:  And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;

49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,

52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent empty away.

54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

55 as he spoke to our fathers,to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."

56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. 
                               Luke 1:46-56

Reflection: Intimacy and love are the languages of the heart; those bitten by this bug begin to extol the greatness and beauty of their beloveds.

Mary’s proclamation of the greatness of the Lord is a language of the soul raised towards her beloved God in spiritual communion. It is an experience far greater and nobler than the one generated by eroticism of the human heart.

In honoring Mary we also acknowledge the possibility of experiencing this great overshadowing of God’s power and might to even sweep our ordinary hearts. Mary shared it with Elizabeth and now she can share it with us, if we are willing to go through the devotion of heart and mind and submit to God’s will; for she identifies herself with the lowly of heart and the humble in spirit.

Prayer: Holy mother of God, pray for us sinners so that we may share in the same grace and glory which you experienced.

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

In Communion with God

Scripture:  In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:39-45

Reflection: The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth in that hill town of Judah was a very special moment. But, was it a situation of Mary reaching out in mere service to her cousin Elizabeth or was it more than that?

It was a meeting of two blessed spiritual souls, rejected by men and favored by God; a moment of fellowship and communion in the Holy Spirit.

It must have been a moment of great spiritual ecstasy and healing whereby Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit at hearing Mary’s greetings. There is a recognition and acknowledgement of God’s action in their lives; a moment of extolling God for his faithfulness and might.

Prayer: Lord, may my spirit be one with your Holy and chosen ones in extolling your Holy Name.

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

Mary: God’s Choice

Scripture: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Luke 1:26-38

Reflection: The angel Gabriel was sent to a young virgin betrothed to a man.

Was she then a virgin? From what we see in Scripture, she surely was a virgin.

Since she was betrothed to a man did she continue to remain a virgin? Possibly yes, because Jewish society respected the marital bond of marriage and its sacredness.

Since, she was betrothed to a man did she continue to remain a virgin in her thoughts? Possibly we could doubt and even assume our doubts as true BUT it would be foolish on our part to reject God’s choice of a virgin betrothed to a man. In doing so and thus by rejecting Mary we are rejecting God and his choice.

Prayer: Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you: Pray for us!

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

Be Righteous

Scripture: In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechari'ah, of the division of Abi'jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years." Luke 1:5-7

Reflection:  The Scripture tells us this, about Zechariah and Elizabeth; “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.”

What if they continued in life with no children would they have continued to remain righteous before God, followed his commandments and walked blamelessly before God?

Yes, they would; they did not trust God only for the sake of a child or to have one but they trusted God for who he was and it being the right thing to do. To trust God only in order to receive something is not an act of righteous living.

How then one becomes righteous before God? Through faith we are made righteous before God and to trust him absolutely for his own sake is righteousness. To continue to do good and follow his laws persistently, no matter what the odds and trials, communicates faith and thus righteousness.

Prayer: Lord, may my footsteps walk in your ways.

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

Sacred Times and Seasons

Scripture: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27

Reflection: Time and seasons were made by God and they help us to relate with each other in an orderly manner. He who is beyond time chose to create things and us humans in time and give us the beauty of seasons.

The Church too, in keeping with the design of its maker celebrates and seeks to sanctify times and seasons through the liturgical action; for all times and season were created by him and belongs to him, all the more through his work of redemption which is ongoing.  For example, in celebrating Christmas, sanctifying the day of Christ’s birth in time is more important than the actual day when Christ was born.

Thus we have days of obligations when God himself binds himself to what is bound on earth by his Church.

The mention of the sixth month was likewise a sacred moment for Mary, when the angel announces to her the good news for mankind; a time and place sanctified by the appearance of the Angel to Mary.

Prayer: Lord, as I keep to the hours of prayer, use me as your instrument to sanctify every moment and place.

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