In thy Name

Today’s Gospel Text:  Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth. 18 As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth. John 17:11-19

Reflection: We see wars, acts of terrorism, the various fights on religion and arguments based on it and many of us can often get fed up about it and give up on religion easily. 

Many among these will profess a religion of ‘humanity’ or ‘humanism’.

There a quite a few, even among the consecrated ones who think that to be a Christian means to profess humanism and even practice a form of humanism while living their religious vows.

I know of such who have been part of organizations which proclaim humanism and some have even gone to the extent of recommending me to such organizations.

They do not realize that working for humanity and humans and their needs as a goal is detrimental for humans in the long run.

They who work for a humanistic society, where justice, peace and brotherhood dwell are fools trying to build an ideological society. 

The agenda of the small Christian communities or the basic Christian communities also have a similar motivation and can be visibly seen in their ultimate goal to form a human community.

Unity and peace is the core agenda and many a times they are achieved by methods which are contrary to such values.  They prove themselves by their subtle dictatorial methods and corrupt ways.

Christ Jesus was no corrupt man and he did not give us a corrupt doctrine or teaching for unity and peace; the only unity and peace we can have is by abiding in the love of the Father by accepting the name of Jesus. 

It is an eternal truth which may not be realized in this world but its power can be experienced while we labor in this world as true followers of Christ Jesus.

Yes it is in the name of Jesus we will find unity as proclaimed by Jesus: "Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me." (vs. 11a)

Prayer: Holy Father, keep us in thy name, which thou hast given Jesus, that we may be one, even as you’ll are one. (vs. 11)

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Kingdom of Jesus

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Today’s Gospel Text:  Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."

22 And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, 'Lo, there!' or 'Lo, here!' Do not go, do not follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Luke 17:20-25

Reflection: There is something called the Kingdom of God and which Jesus came to reveal about.

Christ came to establish the kingdom of God in our midst and he is the King, whom all must pay their obeisance. 

If Jesus says that the kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed then how does it come and will we be able to recognize it?

When Jesus says that, he perhaps means that the Kingdom of God cannot be comprehended by our intellectual ability to observe and analyze.

His presence as the kingdom was to be a proof and them not recognizing the presence of the kingdom in their midst was indicting of them.

How could they not recognize the kingdom in their midst? And yet the fact remains that we by our intellectual ability, even after seeing the many signs will not be able to see the kingdom unless we allow God to open our eyes to see the wonder of his presence in our midst.

Many have gone astray in search of the kingdom without the humility and without seeking the Lord’s help with an honest and sincere heart.

Some reading this scripture think that it is they who should now build a kingdom, which mission ends up in them seeking to build their own kingdom; a kingdom of justice, peace and brotherhood.

Their outreach is to the marginalized and oppressed and the poor and you may say in belief; is it not what Christ came for?

A close look at their agenda spells it all. When they refer to the marginalized and the oppressed, they look into the externals which are irrelevant and materialistic in outlook and hence the emancipation thereof is also materialistic with Christ Jesus the king absent from it.

Prayer:  Lord I acknowledge you as the kingdom and I cannot be your instrument to establish your kingdom unless I have you as my King.

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