Grace of Baptism

Today’s Gospel Text: 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 fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:39-45

Reflection: How did Elizabeth come to know that that Mary along with the child in her womb was special and blessed?

From this incidence in Scripture we learn that Elizabeth's source of knowledge was a divine one, rather a divine infusion of knowledge merely by hearing the voice of Mary’s greeting.

Simultaneously another miracle that took place was this; the healing of the child in Elizabeth’s womb and that is why we have another instance of one born sinless besides Jesus and Mary who were even conceived without original sin.

In a way, what we see happening in Elizabeth and John the Baptist are the graces of baptism, at work in them.

When one is baptized in the grace of the Holy Spirit one begins to recognize the divine presence in their midst and God's hand at work in the many things of creation.  

When Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit, she began to exclaim in a loud voice recognizing this presence of God in her midst. Further, she acknowledges Mary to be blessed too and bursts forth in praise of the Mother of the Lord of all ages. 

It is a grace of humility, which acknowledges the presence of God in Mary’s womb and the blessedness of her state, irrespective of her age, experience or position as legitimate wife of a priest.

This grace brings about a great healing; the fruit of our reconciliation with God - An action accomplished by non other than Christ the reconciler.  This healing in the inner spirit brings joy, happiness and peace to the one who receive it and a great sense of wisdom and maturity. 

The child in the womb of Elizabeth shows all these qualities of health, joy, happiness and peace and what is more he now knows in whose presence he must leap with joy.

This is the grace that needs to be working in each one of us; if not then we need to ask God to renew in us the grace of Baptism, in order that we may become effective instruments of his grace.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, the giver of all life, help us to be totally reconciled to you and receive from your presence the graces to be your instrument to others.

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

Blame Game

Today’s Gospel Text:  On one of those days, as he was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he said to the man who was paralyzed - "I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home." 25 And immediately he rose before them, and took up that on which he lay, and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today." Luke 5:17-26

Reflection: Many a times we literally live as individuals and only think of satisfying and indulging ourselves in  all kinds of pleasures.

Before we go further in this reflection, we need to caution ourselves while judging those who are cut off from others, as individuals on account of their dedication to God.

In fact putting it the other way could be more apt and true: those who are constantly in the company of many or are working in groups can be more individualistic in their ways and part of their individualism and selfishness is manifested in seeking the company of others to fill in the vacuum of loneliness and driving weaknesses in their own lives.

It depends on many factors why we seek the company of others, but broadly speaking there are two factors; it could be to satisfy our selfish needs or to serve the needs of others?

The gospel text through the healing of the paralytic shows us that we are all related to each other and our actions too have a relative force on one another.

So whatever sin we commit, even if it is a sin against our body or whatever good we do, even in privation, it has some effect or the other on others.

As Christians it would be most foolish thing to go about blaming others for ones poor state of affairs and point to others as the reason for one's current state of unrest.

Though this connectivity of the human race is a reality of life, God in Christ Jesus also came to resolve this issue once and for all.

The righteous man, Jesus Christ bore it all in his crucified body and thus became the savior and liberator for all who come to him and believe in this great work of God. He is the one who can set all evil right because he has paid the price.

What is more, no matter what evil people may indulge in it is not for us to pass a judgment and condemn, but God desires that we be his instrument like these four men in the Gospel. They brought healing and solace, to the extent of forgiveness of the sins of the other.

Prayer: Lord Jesus you are our savior and God, help me to put my complete trust and confidence in your saving action. 

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

Mary’s Gift

Today’s Gospel Text: 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 fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." 46 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 1:39-56

Reflection: As Christians we have received the Holy Spirit of God at Baptism, many of us have received him through the faith of our parents.

This grace and working of the Holy Spirit has to be renewed constantly in us, as we walk with the Lord.

If we are filed with the Holy Spirit then we become instruments of the Holy Spirit and are able to bring about the same life giving grace, as Mary did, on to others.

Mary is a perfect example of this grace at work. Even before her son is born or glorified she becomes an instrument, baptizing in a way Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit and healing John the Baptist in her womb, enabling him, so as to leap with joy in his mothers womb.

Such is the reach of Mary and her greatness as the humble handmaid of the Lord, that a mere hearing of her greeting is enough for Elizabeth to be filed with the Holy Spirit.

It is the younger who becomes an instrument of blessing, to the old woman Elizabeth and her child John the Baptist, in the womb. 

What made Mary so special, that she becomes a powerful instrument of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit himself reveals it to us through the mouth of Elizabeth: “…blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

Mary did not allow any fears of the future dark prospects or persecutions to cloud her mind or anxieties of the rejections of men to rule her life, nor did she allow in her mind doubts of the much impossibility or the human possibilities that reason compels us to think.

Such unalloyed faith can only be an expression of a heart that is immaculate, knowing God and deeply lived in that relationship.

Prayer: Holy Mary, mother of my Lord and savior, pray for us sinners, that we may always be attuned to God’s Holy Spirit and live our lives according to him.

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