In God’s Ways

Today’s Gospel Text: And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:16-21

Reflection: There are some things in life which cannot be told to others nor will it be easily understood by others.  

Can you tell any adult about engineering or science or politics?  One has to be technically proficient in that particular subject in order to understand the depth of the matter.

But there are something’s in life which are understood easily and yet not completely understood as it is supposed to be understood. 

When it comes to the word of God we face a similar predicament; there are some who never understand it and there are some who understand it and yet never understand it as it is supposed to be understood and the worse is when they understand it superficially and yet think that they have understood it all.

It also depends on who communicates to whom and how it is communicated; a good teacher will normally make their student thorough in what they teach.

In this gospel passage we have the angels who have communicated to the shepherds about the Child Jesus: I am sure when God or his agents communicate they communicate much more perfectly then any human being.

Because when humans communicate, they need to take into consideration the categories in the mind of the other, which is not done most of the time or is done imperfectly.

But when God or his agents communicate they know the categories in the human mind, its many objections and then it is, above all, communicated in grace to the spirit, which perfectly understands.

Hence what was understood by the Shepherds through the message of the angels was well listened to by the people who heard these shepherds share and yet did not understand it and “wondered at what the shepherds told them.” (vs.18)

Prayer:  Lord, put your Spirit within me so that like Mary I too may learn to ponder on your word and then cause me to walk in your ways. (cfr. Ez. 36:27)

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

Witness of the Light

Today’s Gospel Text: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. 9 The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. 11 He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. 15 (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") 16 And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known. John 1:1-18

Reflection: Is the world so bad that it requires someone to be exclusively born in this world, only to bear witness to the light?

Isn't light a powerful tool in itself that is able to bear witness of itself or rather requires no witness in its manifestation?

In fact every dark secrets and hidden objects are made manifest by light. Hence what witness does light require that it should be made known to us.

The gospel statement first of all clearly means that we are blind to the TRUE LIGHT or are not able to recognize the light or that the light we see is not really light even though the whole world agrees, with their scientific abilities, that something is to be called light, yet it cannot be called light? (we are talking here about light and yet not about light in the sense we see light as light)

In other words, humans are in serious trouble, how can we ever live without light and that too all our life we have come to believe that the light that we are living in is the true light that is sustaining us.

We better pull up our socks and be ready to listen to what the witness has to say and the direction he is leading humanity into.

What is worse, the scripture tells us that by nature (sinful) we choose darkness rather than light. (like nocturnal creatures, but that would be natural, but what do we say about a person who prefers to be in a dark room always on account of mental depression) (cfr. Jn. 3:19) 

What is more, the scripture passage also reveals to us that the light is meek but powerful while the darkness is active and yet never a winner against the light.

The witness to the light reveals to us that this light is Jesus Christ. He was made fully and completely manifest high on the cross for us, so that believing in his name we may walk in the light as he is.  

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are light of the world, let me walk in your revealed light that I may never walk in the stumbling darkness.

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

In the Temple

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; 43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." 49 And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:41-52

Reflection: Reading this passage, I felt inspired to write this song. May it help you reflect and bring healing and blessing in your life: 

Find Jesus

When all seems lost
And you are seeking in the wilderness of your heart
For that peace that will satisfy every nagging thoughts
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart
The more you do, the more of him you will have

Sometimes the road seems dark
Weary and tired on your way
Stop not at anything for that peace is sure to come
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart
The more you do, the more of him you will have

As you reach a destination for a rest
Which never was and never will be
You knock and it is not the door
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart.
The more you do, the more of him you will have

Speak to him and ask if you have your doubts
If he the way, the truth and the life
Is he a sure path that men should trod
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart.
The more you do, the more of him you will have

If you thought you were the only one to do so
Joseph and Mary did search for him too\
And with him the countless generations in all age
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart.
The more you do, the more of him you will have

Prayer: Lord, I believe that it is only in searching for you that I will find you closer still in my heart and the more I do the more of you I will have.

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

Innermost Thoughts

Today’s Gospel Text:  And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;  30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:22-35

Reflection: What shall we say? Can we safely presume that the greatest tragedy of humanity is its inability to know the secrets of its own heart?

However knowledgeable a human being may be and whatever their achievements and however big  their accomplishments the ultimate nagging fact for the bloated one must be their proved inability to know the many secrets of their hearts and in some situations even their best friends may not be able to help them.

Do even the psychologist not say that there are some thoughts in us which we are not aware of, even as they in the same vein say that there are some which others know and some only we know and the some which everybody knows. (Johari Window: technique created by Joseph Luft & Harrington Ingham in 1955 in the United States)

Fine! if they were irrelevant thoughts of life! But what happens if dealing with those thoughts decide his eternal fate and could be a solution to his many fears and anxiety.

Some find the shadows of these thoughts too nagging and would practice a spirituality of repression or suppression and may never want to deal with it. Many may get deceived in search of that solution, in the wrong spirituality's of life.

These thoughts could affect our health too and many have restored themselves to health by wrongfully and blindly subjugating of one’s thoughts and feelings, by either focusing on a mantra, or their breathing or though bodily exercise or creating an atmosphere that lifts them in a make believe world of peace and tranquility.

There are still others who will resort to chemical dependency to help them forget the many thoughts of their hearts or would boast in public and resort to unethical behavior patterns or rational acceptance to deal with such discomfort till such thoughts are further pushed to the subconscious on account of the passage of time.

Christ Jesus is the perfect help to those who want to escape the discomfort of the many hidden thoughts that assail us: “…that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." (vs. 35). 

He does it not by subjugation but by revealing them to us or bringing them to the open and that too in keeping with our capacity to receive. 

The medium is the the Holy Spirit, who is given to us precisely for this reason: “… the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. (John 16:7-8; cfr. Phil. 3:15) 

Prayer:  Lord, lead me by your Spirit into the way of truth, that the innermost thoughts of heart may not condemn me on the Day of Judgment.

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

Possible with God

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."  16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:  18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." Matt 2:13-18

Reflection: Sometimes some people spend time in the ejaculatory one liner prayers with fervent devotion.  They will repeat these prayers again and again raising their hearts and mind to God.

One such person I recently came across would recite this particular one liner a hundred times daily: “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Indeed our God is the God of all possibilities there is nothing that he can’t accomplish.

But such faith, if not open to the wisdom of God, can land us in severe trouble, even for all eternity; it is as if forcing God to work according to our will in all things and in everything.

Faith is best lived according to the good, pleasant and pleasing will of God and that is what we as Christians are called to train our minds at. (cfr. Rom. 12:2)

In this gospel passage of today, Joseph and Mary could have asked the God of all possibilities, the luxury of life and to work a miracle for them in Bethlehem itself rather than ask of them to rush to Egypt in this condition, that too with a divine child.

The scripture clearly tells us that it is his will which is of prime importance in every prayer we make. In other words the goal of prayer, even before we learn to ask is to learn how to grow in knowing and understanding his will and plan for us.

Each one is called to grow in the knowledge of God, which is necessary for our own growth. Seeking to please him is first and foremost an action that will help us to grow and reach our completeness and thus our happiness.

  

Great peace have those who love thy law; nothing can make them stumble. Ps 119:165

Therefore the Psalmist would say; there is nothing shall I want. (Ps. 23:1)

Prayer:  Lord, may I have your wisdom and learn to rest in your will rather than seek those comforts which does not glorify you.

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

Right Food

Today’s Gospel Text: Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3 Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; 5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; John 20:1a, 2-8

Reflection: There is a great mystery about the gospel of John and the language too is mysterious because every word supplies a profound meaning to the earnest seeker, who seeks the help of the Holy Spirit.

The mystery is in the various signs and symbolic language used in the gospel, of which some seem very explicit because of the long tradition of the church, which we as Catholics are fortunate to have them as a deposit of our faith, waiting to be re-discovered again and again by the earnest seekers.

One of the mysteries is today’s passage for reflection, particularly the mystery of the 'other disciple', who is sometimes referred to as the 'beloved disciple'.

Could he be the least in the kingdom of heaven, who we are called to imitate? (cfr. Mt. 11:11; Lk. 7:28) Indeed, he is a perfect example of true humility; dead to himself like the grain of wheat and having no ambition to excel in any worldly ways, even though he is capable, except to seek the glory of God revealed in Christ Jesus.

This is the message that strongly comes across in the overall gospel of John, the hour of glory yet to be revealed and revealed completely in the passion and cross of Christ.

If a man of ego wants to be the first to accomplish anything, buy, receive, honored, etc. the other disciple is satisfied in following the leader and yet will not lag behind in any way when it comes to the necessary aspect of discipleship.

He, in and through his refrained action, shows that the vital ingredient of true discipleship is that of faith; “Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.” (Vs. 8)

He is a satisfied disciple, satisfied with the things he has seen, touched and beheld about Christ Jesus (I Jn. 1:1) and his food is to feed himself with believing in what he sees about his master; for in believing his hunger is satisfied and his mind is never hungry again. 

Prayer:  Lord, help me to imitate John, the other disciple, the beloved one and to satisfy myself into believing your actions in this world and especially in the church.

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

Preparation

Today’s Gospel Text: Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matt 10:17-22

Reflection: On the one hand we speak of preparation and on the other hand Jesus is asking us here not to prepare our defense when we are led before Councils, Governors and kings.

At the outset itself let me tell you plainly: If you have not prepared yourself to meet your God then you will never be led before any Governors, councils and kings in the first place. 

The reason why we would be led before these men of authority is on account of our faithfulness and loyalty to Christ Jesus and his teachings; his teachings are contrary to the values of this world. 

There is no 'what if' here; whether if one is not loyal or faithful. Our point of discussion is not in analyzing those who are not followers of Christ Jesus and could be dragged before these people in authorities

We are only interested in those who are faithful to the teachings of Christ and seek to walk in the footsteps of Christ faithfully and diligently.

When Jesus teaches his disciples not to prepare, he specifically asks his disciples to do so and that too specifically in the area of defense and speech.

This means that their lives should be more a life that is always ready and prepared to meet any eventuality of life, including the persecution that is going to be let loose on them by the spiritual leaders like that of the Synagogue and the political leaders and magistrates of their times.  

This means that whoever claims to be followers of Christ have to face this situation in their life and undergoing such tribulations they will be proving the words of Christ and hence confirming themselves as disciples of Christ.

If we do not see much of these things happenings in our times, it is on account of the universalism and secularization of faith in which many walk including some of the leaders of the new synagogue; the theologians and the heirachy.

Are you prepared to allow Christ to prepare you so as not to prepare yourself or be anxious when brought before those in authority? This is what we all need to seek as true Christians. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a true follower of you and carry the flame of faith always high and lifted.

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

It’s Christmas

Today’s Gospel Text: Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  23 "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. Matt 1:18-25

Reflection: Today the world celebrates Christmas, the birth of Jesus; Emmanuel, God with us.

One of the most appealing story is the story of Jesus. Which is now read now read though a prism of faith or positive attitude.We have it presented to us in a profound way in the gospels.

What if Christ were to be born in our age; would we have welcomed him in our midst, since, more so, we have a better knowledge of him and his face (not just in the physical sense but in the message and description of the character of Christ.

In fact this question should be a reflection for every Christmas

Our answer shouldn't surprise you; if Christ were born, he would definitely not have been welcome even in our age, in spite of all the knowledge that we have about him.  

One immediate way in which we can check ourselves is to find out how we have prepared ourselves this advent for the coming of Christ now.

Have we prepared only by way of the externals; the decorations, the fine clothing’s, delicate perfumes, the choicest purchases, the cakes and the sweets, the roast and the turkey or have we dwelt on restoring the internals?

If the preparation has been merely the externals then we need to be seriously thinking about life and the eternal fate which we are going to meet.

Some of us may have prepared ourselves by way of confessions and the Eucharistic attendance; is it as mere  fulfillment of an obligation or was it a sincere repentance to meet and encounter Christ in these sacraments?

Many of us may have a good reason and excuse; life has been busy with the demands of work, family and friends.

Could this be an excuse for rejecting the very source of our life, the reason for our existence, the source of our sustenance, the means of our living, the cause of our peace and joy?

We would not mind taking time off for a good vacation and preparing for a great celebration and may have all the time for entertainment, spirits and friends but would have no time for him.

How can our job or our business be an excuse when the reality of life teaches us that death is inevitable to each one of us and preparation for it cannot be ignored. Yet the truth remains; it may be ignored by the many.

Prayer:  Lord, it is never too late to come to you in repentance and faith, help me in this joyous season to make a joyful and willing surrender of my life to you.

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