Beauty of Fasting

Today’s Gospel Text: Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 And no one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; if it is, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved." Matt 9:14-17

Reflection:  O the beauty of fasting and how wonderful it can be, to fast!

But could the message of Jesus, on the subject of fasting be a warning on indiscriminate fasting?

Shouldn’t fasting have a reason and a motive behind it, if not then it could be like puttimg up a patch of new cloth on a old cloth or it could be like putting new wine in old wine skins?

There are plenty of people in this world who fast for different reasons and for varieties of motives:

Some fast because they want to slim down and some fast on account of health and there are some who fast because they want some of the their wishes to be granted or their intention to be fulfilled, some fast because it is a routine on account of religion or health.

In all this, Jesus’ voice still speaks aloud to all those who have ears to listen: what use is it to fast, even the Pharisees did it diligently, making it a point to keep it to the utmost but they failed to stand before the almighty God as justified creatures.

Even in our days people fast for various reasons and some even on days of obligation and yet their hearts may be like old cloth or old wine skins. We are old in our ways of thinking, ancient in our habits, primitive in the way we keep up to the obligation of fasting.

In the midst of oldness we seek the Lord and the infilling of the promised Holy Spirit and we burst the skin of our souls and invite death and decay.

In this, many start their walk with the Lord in all earnestness but when the trials of life invade and the persecutions and troubles of daily life invade then we are lost in the maze.

Fasting as such, should have as its primary motive to strengthen our resolve to keep at it, in our walk with the Lord. It should help us to solidify our resolve to follow the Lord even in the midst of the daily hunger pangs of temptations.

Then we shall be a strong cloth or durable wineskin to receive what the Lord has in store for those who persevere in his kingdom.

Prayer: Strengthen me to fast O Lord and enable me to walk in the path which you chosen for me, with joy.

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

Bread for the Needy

Today’s Gospel Text:  When the crowds learned it, they followed him; and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a lonely place." 13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish - unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each." 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And all ate and were satisfied. And they took up what was left over, twelve baskets of broken pieces. Luke 9:11-17

Reflection: What a miracle! Christ Jesus could indeed feed the multitudes with just five loaves and two fishes. 

The scripture tells us that there were five thousand men and we do not know how many women and children were there in the large gathering that had primarily come to listen to the message and miracles of Jesus.

Who could doubt the ability of Christ to multiply and feed the hungry untill they were completely satisfied and even have some of the food remaining?

Perhaps there must have been many beggars in Israel and Jesus could have performed more of these miracles often to feed the poor and the hungry and he had the ability to that.

In our times there are many in the church who have made feeding the poor with material food and other forms of benefits their very goal.  

Some have made their struggle on behalf of the poor their spirituality and a way of life.  Many have chosen to interpret gospel texts in similar fashion and today’s gospel in which Jesus feeds the multitude could be interpreted by them in a similar way.

What they forget is that the evil one is as interested in leading us away from the truth of the gospel and keeps us focused purely on the poor and the downtrodden and make us forget the primary food; the bread of heaven, Christ Jesus.

The gospel action of Jesus clearly shows that Jesus first fed them with the spiritual food and then the material food.

It also shows that the miracle was performed more so for the sake of the disciples, whom he exhorts to feed the crowd and then when the bread and fish is blessed he hands them over to the disciples to be distributed.

And the bread and fish was not meant for the materially poor but for the spiritual needy who came to hear God’s word.  

For the dedicated disciples this miracle follows their preaching and healing mission which Christ Jesus has sent them on.

Prayer:  “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11; cfr. Jn. 6:34)

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

Riches & Wealth

Today’s Gospel Text:  And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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." 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." Mark 10:17-27

Reflection: There are many who give to the poor or in charity, some to have treasures in heaven and some to have more and some to have some kind of blessings or the other. 

Some of the modern day evangelist would have Christians believe that when they give more the more they will receive from God by way of material wealth; therefore tithe! 

In other words hope for more of the material world and not the way to perfection, as desired by Jesus.

They have forgotten the message of Jesus that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God and hence by preaching the gospel of prosperity they are making it still more difficult for the greedy and the lost to enter the kingdom of God. (cfr. vs. 23) 

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If it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, then it will be impossible for these so called evangelist to enter the kingdom, for leading many of the little ones astray in their quest for Christ.

Wealth is one of the greatest substitutes for God and this evil replacement is far greater than the evil of indiscriminate knowledge or power or attention seeking.

Many a times many seek the wealth in the quest for these latter evil such as knowledge, attention seeking and power.

Thus one makes an idol out of wealth and worship it to their heart content.  It is the god that brings happiness and joy to the possessor and gives one the power to have things that can make them happy.

Not that God is a kill-joy and doesn’t want his creatures to be happy. His plan for our happiness begins here and has an eternal perspective, lived in a sure hope.

Assuring us of this, St. Paul said: 

    

"There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs." 1 Tim 6:6-10

Prayer:  Lord, help me not to put my confidence in extortion and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase then to set not my heart on them. (Adapted from Ps. 62:10)

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

Need to Know Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text:   "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32 "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Mark 13:24-32

Reflection: Shall we believe what the Lord has to tell us or is it just a threatening message and threat method for us to submit?

The debate can go on endlessly, whom to believe and what to believe: 

It is not fare that a discussion that has begun on a sound premise and following every rule of procedures and at the end of a long deliberation and discussion and then having arrived at a conclusion one should question its conclusions. 

Similarly, one would only be foolish to analyze only particular words and actions of Jesus without knowing who he is and why he is here.

He has given every human being the freedom to come to him and know him and his purpose and mission.  In this, the most unfortunate element has been that some with intellectual knowledge about him think that they now know him.  

He who really knows Christ and encounters him to be the living God and experiences his power and presence in daily life does not need an expert to tell him now what to believe of Christ and what words and actions of his need to be believed and how much. 

The only expert one requires is another who has gone ahead of us in this walk with Christ. 

They know that in Jesus they have found the pearl of great price which is not worth exchanging for anything. One needs to renounce all that they have ever possessed for him.

Hence, they would thus also value every word that has proceeded from the mouth of Jesus because they know and value and thus trust him.

This kind of faith will carry them in life here on earth and into the eternity of freedom which Christ assures those who trust in his word.

Prayer: Lord, to whom shall we go? you alone have the words of eternal life.(cfr. Jn. 6:68) 

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

Parable for Whom

Today’s Gospel Text:  But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour." 41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" 42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. 48 But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more. Luke 12:39-48

Reflection: The parables of Jesus communicate a powerful message to any listeners. Some of them are addressed to the general public, some for the scribes and Pharisees and some specifically to the disciples. 

Whom then was this Parable addressed to?

Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" (vs. 41) When Peter asks this question, he is revealing something to us.

Ultimately whom is this specific parable addressed to, is it not to those among the disciples who have been given a responsibility.

Hence the parable is a specific one for Peter and all those who are given responsibility over God’s household to minister the bread of life; to feed and quench the deep spiritual thirst of people.

 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. (vs. 43)

Peter and company seems to have taken this message to heart after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and even exhorts themselves to likewise devote themselves to this task:
 

"And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:2-4

Despite the warning of Jesus, we could have servants who have taken these apostles place and who could be involved in eating and drinking and beating and persecuting the sheep under their care, even persecuting those who take this task seriously. 

Thus it must remain this way because the Lord himself warns us about it along with their rewards.

As for those who take Christ’s message seriously, they know their daily task of feeding the multitude from the Lords presence. They do it with diligence and perseverance, with a sense of urgency and generosity of heart.

Ultimately, their labor accomplished at great risk to life, will be rewarded.

Prayer: Lord, I accept the responsibility you have placed over me, help me to accomplish it faithfully trusting in you.

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