Householder

Today’s Gospel Text: "Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; 35 and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. 37 Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' 39 And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41 They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." 42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it."

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 But when they tried to arrest him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him to be a prophet. Matt 21:33-43, 45-46

Reflection: How do we want to treat God? Do we want to treat him like a master or do we treat him like an outcast or a criminal or a villain or a landlord or a taskmaster, etc. etc?

We who are capable of double speak and double standards treat God in every way negative than how in reality we are supposed to treat him.

We may say we love him and our actions can prove us wrong, we may claim to serve him and yet in all probability may be serving our own interests, if anyone insults God we will even defend him, but as per the Christian doctrine it may be no defense of God, of whom we believe can defend himself and yet chooses not to, many a time.

We may be even spiritual and deep within, many a time, hypocritical, but the worse is when people want to remain where they are, in their hypocrisy.

Out of the many attributes of God taught by Jesus, who came to reveal to us the reality about ourselves and God is this attribute of God as a householder and we as mere stewards or tenants.

This means even though he is a Father to us or a Shepherd to us, the primary attribute always remains and in the light of the primary attribute we see the great love of God, viz. that he still comes to us in order to reach us at our level, in our particular situation as Father, Shepherd or Savior.

This means that if we don’t accept this relationship which God wants to establish, by introducing himself as Father, good Shepherd, Savior then we need to at least accept his reign, as the master and householder who will ultimately call everyone to render an account.

The parable makes this truth absolutely clear and what is more the parable also brings to light the hostility with which we relate to God and his servants.

Even among the spiritual category of men, if anyone thinks that they have never rejected God or hurt his anointed ones or done harm to them, then they need to ask God’s Holy Spirit to convict them of their blindness.

Prayer:  Jesus Lord and Master of the universe, you deserve all praise and glory, more so for revealing to us the Father's glory. 

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

Good things of Life

Today’s Gospel Text:  "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' 27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'" Luke 16:19-31

Reflection: There are some people who have great faith and there are many who follow their religious duty seriously. The sight of these does gladden the hearts of the many who see their devotion.

But what do many people pray for, from God the giver of all things? There are many who ask for prayers and the one thing that they would normally ask for is an exchange towards peace and prosperity.

In life too we seek the many comforts of life and many luxuries that life has to offer us.

Like the Jews of ancient times, we too look at man as blessed if he has all the luxuries of life at his disposal.

Is this what life is meant to be? Perhaps it could be fine to have the luxuries and the wealth of life but seeking to live in its comforts to the extent of making ourselves extremely comfortable and forgetting the one who has given them to us is inviting trouble for our eternity.

What Jesus says should be considered as a warning: “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  Luke 18:25

  

The gospel passage of today throws up the same truth by Jesus: he who makes himself comfortable in the world and lives in that comfort forgetting one’s duty towards God and fellow being is bound to accelerate into hell.

But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. (vs.25)

In the brotherhood of faith, the rich man had the obligation and duty to care for the poor brother, who couldn’t help himself. His helplessness is brought out by the fact that the dogs had to lick his sores.

“So you see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham.”  Gal 3:7

We cannot be living in pure luxury when our brothers and sisters in the faith are living in utter miserable poverty;

    

“Let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  Gal 6:10

Prayer:  Lord, as you teach me not to seek the luxuries of life, help me to be generous with what you have given me, especially towards my brother and sister in the faith.

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

Power and Position

Today’s Gospel Text:  And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 19 and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matt 20:17-28

Reflection: There are many things in the world which works on the basis of influence, which sometimes includes jobs and positions.

So often we desire in the process of gain that someone puts in a good word for us so that we are able to get a good job or a position in the corporate world or in an institute of learning.

The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with similar intentions and what is marvelous is that she does not just ask Jesus by way of request nor asks him to put in a good word but rather implores him to command.

It does show a marvelous faith and confidence on their part in the power of Jesus and in a way recognizes the divine power in Jesus to overcome all obstacles and odds to overcome any opposition. If only he commands!

Such an assertion requires faith and these children of Zebedee show the same faith in their following of Jesus.

Does Jesus accede to their request, born out of a great ambition, which can even be termed a spiritual ambition?  What these were asking, along with their mother was not a worldly kingdom but a partnership in the reign of Christ.

Jesus in no way accedes to their request but in plain terms without mincing any words talks to them of sharing the same cup of suffering.

The scripture does not assure us that they actually did not understand the full implication of such a request from Jesus or could it be that they were already familiar with the term suffering as being closely associated with the cup.

But what comes across is clear; we are called to serve Christ dutifully and as for the higher rewards, we need to leave it to the Father who apportions to each one as he deems fit.

And one way he deems anyone possible worthy of a higher reward is by one’s action manifested through servant hood, slave hood and finally, the willingness to offer one’s life as a ransom, by participating in the mission of Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, prepare our hearts for your great call and to seek that higher goal in total accord with your teachings.

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

You are not to be Called

Today’s Gospel Text:  Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. 11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matt 23:1-12

Reflection: “O, please stop calling people father and Rabbi and by other endearing titles, I am sure Jesus never wanted it that way.”  This could be the rant of the many who read this text of the gospel in a literal way. 

Jesus also seems very clear about it by qualifying his injunction with a statement which suggests the primacy of God as Father, master and teacher.

Could Jesus have really meant what is apparently understood of the passage at a preliminary glance?

A close look at the passage, especially at the emphasis it lays, conveys a message otherwise.

If we were to apply this message to Jesus, then it would fail him too and we would then be compelled to not address him as Lord and master, as the apostles continued to do so.

If the concept of brotherhood and learning things only from God was primary, then there would have been no hierarchy in the early church, with the apostles as head of the lot and Simon Peter leading them all.

Then one need not look upon one's parents as elders but as mere brothers and sisters.

In fact St. Paul himself lays claim to the title of fatherhood and in the process reveals something very interesting to us:    

“For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” 1 Cor 4:15

Thus we also learn that the early Christians did just have the Holy Spirit as guide but also had mature humans to guide them in their walk as Christians and it is well acknowledged by St. Paul without passing a judgment about them.

But in all this there is definitely an important message for each one of us who have these titles or seek it; for it is a grave message which cannot be taken lightly:

Those who exercise authority should exercise it in a way wherein they recognize the ultimate authority of God as our true teacher and they are not to teach people according to their whims and fancies or according to what they feel as right and correct but rather as stewards of the holy mysteries.

Prayer:  Lord, may all those who hold offices in the church may realize their stewardship and thus serve your people with responsibility and with a sense of dedication.

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

Sincere Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text:  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back." Luke 6:36-38

Reflection: The foundation of God’s working is based on truth.

As humans we sometimes do feel that God may be playing the game with us and with humanity.  Instead he is honest to the core and if we feel the way we do then it is more an interpretation and analysis performed by our mind, which seeks to judge God.

It is like a child who sits in judgment over his father’s action, with his limited knowledge of the circumstances and situation, in which his father may have acted.

How can we sit in judgment over God with our limited understanding of the multi-dimensional working of the immortal being?

Here in the Gospel text we see the sincerity of God working when Jesus without beating around the bush voices out that which first needs to be voiced out, on priority. 

He does it because that is the order of truth. He operates on the basis of a principle and law which he will not easily budge from. 

Whereas when humans look at it then they tend to see things from their petty narrow angle.

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” – that is the first and the most important statement that Jesus makes and it is, in the order of priority, first.

The rest of the statement he makes, whether it is judging, forgiveness or giving, they are all extensions of a merciful action and qualify for mercifulness.

In other words, if we want to be merciful then we shouldn’t be judging easily, in order to condemn, forgive people no matter what the odds, and give freely.

What is more this action affirms our son ship as God’s children.

Prayer:  Lord, strengthen me to be merciful as I seek to imitate your character.

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

Radiant Face

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" - not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. Luke 9:28b-36

Reflection: There are ways to alter one’s countenance with modern cosmetic and surgical methods. There is so much of science in this whole alteration of the face, whether it is through face packs, bleach packs, massage, wrinkle removers, internal diet regimens, or surgical interventions.

When one communicates, much of it is through the mouth yet one looks at the various parts of the face, especially the eyes while communicating with people. 

Even otherwise the face communicates a lot, whether it be the eyes, ears or nose or skin, etc.  The nonverbal content of the communication far exceeds the verbal.

Yet in all this we could be less attuned to the overall other parts of the face and instead focus largely on the words that emanate from the mouth.

In the gospel we see an alteration which takes place at mount Tabor, which did not require any external human intervention, neither by self nor by others. 

Jesus’ face is completely altered, reveals the scripture. They were able to recognize Jesus solely on account of their being with Jesus and the incident happening before them, otherwise they would have had difficulty in doing so. 

What is more the brightness and the shine of that moment, the beauty and grace, did make them want for more, even unto eternity.

The message of the transfiguration is a message of hope for those who are seeking; not the beauty of their faces in this life only, but seeking the real beauty which the heavenly grace can bring about. 

In our service to the Lord we could experience the innumerable forces of disfigurement brought about either by nature or by the slander and gossip of the enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

No matter what disfigurement we face our Lord will transfigure our lowly bodies into copies of his heavenly body. (cfr. I Cor. 15: 42-50)

Prayer: “Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.”  (Ps 34:5) I rejoice in your word Lord. 

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

Whose Enemy?

Today’s Gospel Text:   "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:43-48

Reflection: Perhaps one of the most easily understood injunction of Jesus and yet most difficult to practice: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Love we must, our enemies, whatever the cost and do good to those who hate us or persecute us by at least praying for them.

By praying for them we may not be able to reach them physically but definitely through the mercies of God we are able to reach them.

In other words, human connectedness is rooted in God connectedness and this is achieved by not just forgiving our enemies but by praying for them as suggested by Jesus.

Who among us can say we don’t have enemies? Even if we mean good to all we still can have enemies, people who will hate us not because of our goodness but on account of their spirit of jealousy and envy.

Being good to all here doesn’t mean to please people and thus be good to them, that would amount to deception and taking God’s place in people’s life.  

Such deception is so very common among people who are leading a life consecrated to God, that they think that we are only called to love and this love means to be good to people at any cost and thus please them at any cost.

Ours is a call to sonship and perfection just like our heavenly God and Father who “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”  (vs. 45)

If such is our calling; to love our enemies, then what do we do to those who act as enemies of God and his gospel?  They may thus choose to be your enemy too. 

These are the godless and the wicked the scripture refers too who will meet their doom. Your enemies have scope to be saved but these enemies of God will meet their doom faster than expected.

Prayer: Lord, bless our enemies and keep them in your mantle of love and strengthen us to do good to them.

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