Mystery of God

Today’s Gospel Text:  After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." 19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me." John 21:1-19

Reflection: One is often confused with the Christian concept of a Trinitarian God; 3 persons but one nature. 

A concept that has been difficult to comprehend by many a Christians and the word "mystery" further compounds the situation and one begins to look at it as a mystery that will always remain a mystery and not as a mystery which is open to exploration in the true wisdom of God.

This mystery of God is already revealed in Christ Jesus and can be comprehended much by our human senses, enough to help us in the way of our salvation.

Nature which carries the signature of God, gives us much insight into the mystery of the Trinitarian nature of God because God has left his mark in creation.

Hence, from the largest object, the sun, to the smallest atom there exists a Trinitarian model.

Even human beings carry the Trinitarian truth in their whole being, which consists of Body, Soul and Spirit.

No wonder St. Paul, the greatest intellectual we know of had this to say:    

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.”  Rom 1:18-19

In the post resurrection we see much more of the revelation of the Trinitarian nature of God; whom Jesus reveals as the supreme Father to his dedicated disciples, who are also his friends.

One such place where we can implicitly arrive at the triune, unified and inseparable nature of God is in the above gospel passage when Jesus addresses his friends and dedicated disciples, in a never before term, as children: "Children, have you any fish?" (vs. 5b) 

So too Isaiah prophesies about him thus:  “…. and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isa 9:6

Prayer: Everlasting Father, help us to enter into the depth of your mystery so that we may ever grow through knowing the depth of your love for us.

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

                                                                                                                               -Fr. Conrad Saldanha 

Jesus Cleans

Today’s Gospel Text:  While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 13 And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one; but "go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." 15 But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:12-16

Reflection: Talk about house cleaning and it sends many, who have experienced what a cleaning process involves, into a tizzy.  

Many a times, in most circumstances, it involves a hard laborious process, involving meticulous and deft handling of the objects at hand.

There are always instruments and cleansing agents we use to clean things. In other words we cannot think of cleansing without these agents.

What is it that made the leprous feel that he needed to be cleansed? He could have asked the Lord to heal him or touch him and set his ailment right.  What is so unclean about the leprous situation? Is it not like any other disease? 

Could it be that the leper understood the deep inner reasons for leprosy and why he was suffering?

Never the less, we see from the words and action of Jesus that he did clean him by his mere touch and the word.

How can Jesus touch a leper when in those days every society would shun them lest they pass on the infection to them? The law clearly forbade them to be within the city walls and they had to remain outside the walls of the city.

From this miracle rooted in the cleansing power of Jesus' action, we are offered a hope which no one else can offer: He alone can cleanse us of the deep inner guilt and contamination of sin and anxiety and set us free.

But the right approach is very important for us in order to receive from his presence, whether we approach him directly or through the sacramental presence or through his disciples. 

We need to first be aware with God’s help the actual reason for our sickness and where it began and then after having diagnosed the problem approach the Lord with faith and confidence just like the leper of today’s Gospel.

Prayer:  Lord, reveal to me my leprous spots and cleanse me of every sin that stains my soul and heal me.

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

Careful In Asking

Today’s Gospel Text: and coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said,"Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matt 13:54-58

Reflection: Was it Francis Bacon, the great English Philosopher who once said; “Who questions much, shall learn much, and retains much.”?

Were those in the Synagogue following the same rule as Francis Bacon’s when they asked these questions in astonishment:"Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" (vs. 54-56)

I tell you, though there maybe an element of truth in what is said but we are not always wiser with questionings?

It depends on so many factors; whom you ask, where you ask, how you ask, when you ask, why you ask, etc.

It also depends on how you interpret the answer, which may be a truth, or a semi-truth or completely false information.

That interpretation will depend on your experiences of life and the consideration you give to other people’s opinion and perspectives on things.

To arrive at the truth is not as easy as the greats, like Socrates, made it appear. You cannot always arrive at the truth of things. Truth is not what we feel as right or what the majority think to be right or that which the text book or the scientific world will have us believe. All these may have an element of truth in what they say, each in proportion to the field.

But when it comes to God, you may ask a thousand questions and consult a million wise men but you can never arrive at the truth about God without his humble help and wisdom.

We can only know that he exist and that he is the causative factor but his attributes can only be known to him whom the Father chooses to reveal, if only they will allow him to do so in their lives.

Prayer: Lord, reveal yourself to me more and more each day that I may be your instrument to lead others too, to you.

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

Delve into God

Today’s Gospel Text: Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." 37 He answered, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. 41 The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, 42 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Matt 13:36-43

Reflection: We know what humans are all about and yet they are so mysterious. Each individual is a mystery to be discovered. We could even spend our life time discovering each other and yet find that there are certain aspects which will remain a mystery to us.

The Gospel text of today reveals the mysterious nature of God. He is hidden and yet in his generosity and mercy towards us reveals himself to us.

We can safely say this about Jesus our Lord and God: The more he revealed himself to us the more we threatened his existence when he walked on earth among us, ultimately crucifying him to a most ignoble and miserable death.

In the many parables, he teaches us the mysterious nature of God offered to us and yet it does not completely reveal the complete mystery of God.

We can look at it from a bitter point of view or we can view this from a more positive point of view. A child wanting bread can be either refused by his father or given money to explore the mystery of buying bread, rather than the child having the bread itself .

Likewise God, reveals to us, so that we may explore into that mystery which saves us, because we are now dependent on him and grow in dependency on him who alone can save us from the unseen powers and principalities of wickedness at work in us, which is far removed from our visible eyes.

Blessed are these humble Dedicated Disciples who having not understood these parables of Jesus, could have said to themselves; “if he speaks in such mysterious language then why should we go to him again and beg of him or perhaps he himself doesn’t know the interpretations to these parables.”

Yet they knew that every revelation of God, in a mysterious way, is an invitation to persevere in understanding the mystery further but with his help and wisdom.

Prayer:  Father, you who has chosen to reveal your Son to us, may we understand all those mysteries that are necessary for our salvation.

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