Be Satisfied

Today’s Gospel: He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Mark 6:1-3

Reflection:  One of the qualities of the human mind is the spirit of inquiry; it asks questions and finds an answer or a solution.  Not all of its solutions may be perfect or right but many a times it manages to fix the immediate problem at hand. Nor are all answers, though logical, are perfect.

In the reading of toady we find a similar situation of a human mind seeking an answer to the mystery of Jesus’ glorious presence in their midst; “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

Does this mean that we stop asking every manner of question and start believing? Or do we ask the many questions and start believing?

The problem is not in asking the many questions but rather the crux of the problem is this; why we ask the many questions when God himself is at work and more so when our hearts are made for him, then why do we doubt and our hearts not satisfied?  

It is so because we have not striven to know him nor seek him with all our hearts.  If only we knew him and who it is that speaks then we would have been satisfied with his mere presence.

Prayer: “Blessed is he whom thou dost choose and bring near, to dwell in thy courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, thy holy temple!”  Ps 65:4

  

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Eternal Life

Today’s Scripture:  And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Ja'irus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23 and besought him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him………..35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36 But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Tal'itha cu'mi"; which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42 And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. Mark 5:21-42

Reflection:  It is much easy to pray for ourselves and sometimes it may be still easier to pray for someone we love very dearly. In the Gospel we have an instance of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, who came pleading to Jesus to heal his daughter who happens to be seriously unwell.

An earnest prayer of an earnest heart never goes unanswered.  Our God cares for us and therefore he sent his Son Jesus into the world. How fortunate that Jairus has the actual presence of Jesus.  But if we look at Jairus with such envy we have much to lose. 

Why? If the actual physical presence of Jesus meant healing and raising of Jairus’s daughter then the absence of Jesus is healing and raising up those who believe unto eternity.  For this very reason the Gospel was not only proclaimed but also written. This we can experience even right now in a great mystical way, especially through the sacraments, which is an opportunity to live that presence of Christ here on earth.

Prayer:  Father, We thank you for revealing to us Christ the giver of eternal life. May I accept with faith what you have given us.

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

The Everlasting and Powerful Word

Today’s Scripture: They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Ger'asenes. 2 And when he had come out of the boat, there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who lived among the tombs; and no one could bind him any more, even with a chain; 4 for he had often been bound with fetters and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the fetters he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out, and bruising himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped him; 7 and crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." 8 For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" 9 And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10 And he begged him eagerly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; 12 and they begged him, "Send us to the swine, let us enter them." 13 So he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. Mark 5:1-13

Reflection:  Humans have been able to achieve much, with sky as the limit they have gone beyond the moon.  Yet there are certain mysteries of life which they have not really been able to solve but with science as their weapon they seem to move in an opposite direction.  They logically explain mysteries, sometimes and at a later day to be debunked. Then sometimes the replaced debunked theory to be debunked again.  

How would they deal with a case of possession, if not with a sedative or a psychotropic drug to calm the person down? Yet it is a palliative treatment and not the full cure for a mysterious problem explained away through the science of psychiatry.  There are victims of such kind who are, maybe, treated a little better than the ancient crude methodology used to cure them. Yet, how human is the sedating and drugging method, resulting in an altered personality, almost like a zombie, than the one used by Jesus to set the victim free.

At the commanding words of Jesus the demoniac was set free from his extreme situation of bondage, instantly. 

We too may face situation of a lesser intensity and bondages, welcoming Christ and his word is a sure medicine for deliverance from every bondage and mental agony and depression.  The rejection of Christ’s method and the replacement by psychological and new age methodologies has spelt disaster for the faith and personae of the faithful.  It has made the Christian faith a hocus pocus in the face of modern learning.   

Prayer:  Lord, may I find my strength to face the evils of daily life with your living word, which stands firm forever.

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

Teaching with Authority

Today’s Scripture:  And they went into Caper'na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; 24 and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:21-28

Reflection: A good father takes on the responsibility of teaching his children the etiquettes of life. He teaches the child the first lessons of survival and in a way becomes a model for his child to emulate.

Likewise, a good child when he has grown up and come of age will always seek a good advice from his father provided he is accessible and has proved himself.

We require instructions and advices to grow and learn, thus we have schools to teach us about the essence of life and survival.

Jesus the greatest teacher takes every opportunity to teach us and thus enters the Synagogue on the Sabbath to teach. We fail to see that when Jesus begins to speak, the man with the unclean spirit sees the power in his teaching to destroy them. 

If you are assailed and experience oppression, then humbly allow his word to speak to you with all authority and power and he will set you free.

Prayer: Lord, speak your word to my weaknesses and so that I may grow more and more in you.

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Weathering the storms of Life

Today’s Scripture: On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" 41 And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?" Mark 4:35-41

Reflection:  Did Jesus have an inkling that a storm was brewing up and that they were in danger? But what he does in the boat is still worse; He takes a comfortable place in the stern, with a cushion for his head to rest on.

It doesn’t matter whether he knew or not about the coming storm nor does it matter where he slept and with what kind of a cushion.  A man of faith need not know all this, because he knows that his heavenly Father has his hand of protection on him. 

Such is the nature of faith, to his chosen ones, that nothing happens unless the Lord has allowed it to happen and he will make it work for his greater glory and you will be an instrument which God will use.  But be ready and willing to face the storms of life and do not be perturbed when it comes as the disciples were. Like Jesus you can sleep peacefully in the face of the oncoming storms of life.

Prayer:  Lord, grant me the faith to believe that you are in control of my life and that you have allowed the storm for a purpose.

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

Silent Dynamism of the Kingdom

Today’s Scripture:  And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26-29

Reflection: Life’s mysteries are a wonderful contemplation. Imagine the mystery of the grain that is ripe, it first has to sprout, and then it has to grow and so on and so forth.  Similarly, life has many mysteries which have to go through the various phases and processes. We can prudently observe and reflect and contemplate. Yet all this is not enough in keeping with our eternity.

We have to reflect on the kingdom mysteries too, with its phases and processes, which works in similar fashion as life’s mysteries and yet not the same. It works in everyone who believes but if one is not aware then like a good farmer one may not know when the grain is ripe and when to use the sickle.  Worse still, one may not know how to cooperate and participate in the work of the Kingdom dynamism.

Therefore, it is essential to reflect on God’s word on a daily and regular basis and sit at the feet of the master so as to constantly learn, let go and surrender.

Prayer:  Lord, may I ponder on your word day and night so that your silent power is manifest in and through my life.

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

Work in the Light

Today’s Scripture: And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:21-23

Reflection: Almost every human being waits for the day light after the long night is over so that they may work with the day light.  The day light helps them to see so that they may be able to work better. In our cities and in our times this dependency is less seen because we have electricity to brighten our surrounding so that we may work.

Why does one seek the light? The primary reason why one seeks the light is that they are able to see closely the work that they are about to undertake; work that helps them to feed themselves for survival.  It’s safer too for life to work in the light so that one does not meet with accidents.

Such is the nature of light that we even use it as a metaphor in language when one contributes new insights into mysteries and science and thoughts;  “throwing some light on the subject”  or “he enlightened us on this very important subject”.

But if someone wants to work without enlightenment and insights or if anyone wants to work in the dark then one could freely opt to do so and thus could risk many things.  A thief or criminal too works better in the absence of light. Similarly, Jesus is giving us an option to refer every action to the light, of which he is the manifestation.  Unfortunately, it is the majority who seek to work in darkness (refer to their learned self or others) without referring their every action to the light; Jesus Christ.

Prayer:  Help me Lord to walk in your light by referring every action of mine to you.

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Live by the Gospel

Today’s Scripture: And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:15-18

Reflection: The dynamism of the gospel is such that it cannot be kept hidden or under constraint.

In such a situation why did Jesus not tell them what the Gospel is all about before sending them out? Or after having mandated it to them he could have told them the meaning of the term Gospel.  Why did he take this element for granted?

Jesus definitely has not done a mistake. While he was with them they heard and experienced the power of the Gospel in their own lives

Even in our times those in authority or a preacher can only exhort the faithful to proclaim the gospel but only those will go and do something about it that have experienced and keep experiencing the Gospel, not the ones who have learnt scripture or theology or done some self study without experiencing its power.

Prayer:  Lord, teach me to live by your living word and thus become an instrument to proclaim your good news.

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

Brothers and Sisters

Today’s Scripture:  And his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you." 33 And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 34 And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother." Mark 3:31-35

Reflection:  The significance of the text is often lost in the dispute concerning brothers and sisters of Jesus.

Why could the mother and brother of Jesus send for him? One probable reason could be that they were still dependent on him and shows Jesus to have been a responsible person who fulfilled his duty towards them.

But now he had a still greater task; that of inviting others into the true and real family to which he actually belonged.  All generation, beginning with that generation could now become part of the family of God.

Though we may not easily look at ourselves as brothers of Jesus and never as mothers yet the significant message that comes across is this: Jesus will look at us as brothers and sisters when we receive his word just as he did it once with Mary, receiving her as his mother and entered her womb when she received the word of God through the Angel Gabriel.

What is accepted by Jesus shouldn’t be rejected by men, for the sake of their own salvation they should accept all that Jesus said and did. 

Prayer:  Lord, Let me be united with all your believing children and accept them whom you accept, as my brothers and sisters and mother.

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

Christ is Our Peace and Unity

Today’s Scripture:  And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Be-el'zebul, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons." 23 And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end." Mark 3:22-26

Reflection:  Unity is a great appeal.  Rarely do people like to see divisions in society.  When spoken of, and with a vision to work towards a goal, then almost everybody jumps headlong into the fray to work for unity.

In the church too we have people at every level seeking to accomplish the task of unity among God’s people or among neighbours and friends and in the communities that surround us; many a times it is unity for unity sake.   

We often look at unity and working towards this goal, and seeking to live in peace (compromised), as coming from God and leading to him. 

In the gospel Jesus reveals to us that even Satan is united in his task and mission. Thus we can derive that not all working for unity is Godly even if its immediate goal is peace.  Jesus himself for the sake of unity and peace could have kept silent and said; “after all I have come to love my enemies, let them say what they want to, I will for the sake of unity keep quiet.” 

Why then Jesus didn’t submit to them? Because unity and peace is not the highest value that we strive for but the Gospel of Jesus which unites people by first reconciling them to God and then towards each other; that’s real unity!

Prayer:  Lord, I need your wisdom in this evil and wicked generation which seeks unity and peace above your word.

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Repent and Believe in the Gospel

Today’s Scripture: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:14-20

Reflection: What could Jesus have preached? He himself is the Gospel of God, the good news that saves.

If it is so then what is the message that Jesus could have proclaimed? Is it to give up on sinful living and thus repentance from our daily sinful habits and weaknesses? That would be too narrow a meaning to sin and repentance with the focus being more on habitual sins and human weaknesses and the guilt thereof rather than on God.

Not to be conscious of God’s presence in our midst and his time is one of the greatest of sin. Thus Jesus proclaims thus; “time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand”. It communicates a heart that is so immersed in the daily pleasures of life that it has no time to even acknowledge God and his presence with us. 

Therefore REPENT and believe in the good news because the good news is this: God is much more near us than before. Therefore turn away from your ignorant ways and just see and recognize his presence and believe. He will save you from our sins.

Prayer:  Lord, forgive me for neither seeking to know your presence with us nor seeking to live by it.

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Home is where God is!

Today’s Scripture:  Then he went home; 20 and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for people were saying, "He is beside himself." Mark 3:20-21

Reflection: Was Jesus was really in his home? The subsequent line gives us a different picture.  

Similarly, in life we could be at home and yet not at home.  We could have our parents and yet it could be as if we have none. We could have our brothers and sisters and yet it could be as if we have none.  We could be surrounded by people and yet it could be as if we have no one with us.

Such is the tragedy of life which Jesus, who underwent all this, came to heal with his endearing presence with us.

Do we trust in his love and presence with us? Do we believe that our God cares for us much more than our earthly parents?

Prayer:  God our Father, we thank you for your fatherly care and concern for us in this life.

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