Destroy

Today’s Gospel Text:  But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him. 15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all, 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 18 "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice in the streets; 20 he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, till he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name will the Gentiles hope." Matt 12:14-21

Reflection: I suppose that there is a difference between killing a person and destroying a person.  The Pharisees did not so much seek to kill but as to destroy Jesus (vs. 14) ( Gk.:.Apollumi = to destroy, annihilate, waste)    

One could kill a person and leave it at that; a mere killing causes death and the person is no more in pain or turmoil.  It is an action that is clear and one track, on target with intent to kill.

The reputation, the name, the lineage, may still remain intact.

But destroying could be a much more serious business and involves much more.

It could involve all sorts of torture with intent to annihilate all that a person is and has.

This could begin with the destruction of the reputation of the person and all that the person holds on to and may have now and may hold in the future, which also includes his lineage (that is, if Jesus were to be married) and may even involve cutting the person off from his roots.  

Hence it could be a process set in place to trouble, torture, persecute, despoil until it may finally leads to physical death or mental derangement, which is worse than mere physical death. 

As far as the law is concerned, there are many aspects of the process of destroying a person which can be beyond the reach of law.

The law may rarely look at the other forms of torture because, many a times, it is difficult to prove such crimes and in the process of being just could be more unjust.

In the gospel, we have the Pharisees taking counsel for the most heinous plot, which we see, could be much more serious than murder.

Such actions on the part of humans were not an isolated event but exists even in our days.

In such situations it would be unfortunate if Christian practice the same crime as the Pharisees, even after having seen such an injustice practiced on the very redeemer of theirs.

Prayer: Lord, be my help so that I may not be an instrument in any way that would bring about the total destruction of anyone.

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

Heaven and Earth

Today’s Gospel Text: "Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. 18 For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:17-19

Reflection: Will the world come to an end? There has been many predictions concerning the end of the world.

We see how people can be much concerned when one talks about the end of the world when it is a reality which is true with everyone:

Each one will face the end to this world and will not see the light of day.

Jesus, the God, who is the knower of all things and in everything, in today’s gospel doesn’t hide the fact of the end of the world.

He reveals this truth to us in the context of the Law and the Prophets and how he had come to fulfill them.

In that he is communicating to us that God’s word is eternal and it will stand and that instead heaven and earth will not last.

Yet we build and work and make our plans as if this world will stand for all eternity.

What then will be the fate of us humans who always desire eternity in our hearts?

God has offered us a solution in and through his eternal word; Jesus Christ.

He is the savior who died in order that we may be redeemed from the everlasting damnation that befits the earth.

His word assures us that he has prepared us a better place for us:

“But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed to us through the Spirit.” 1 Cor 2:9-10

Prayer:  May we by the cross and resurrection of your Son merit the eternal life which you have prepared for all those who love to do your will.

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

Death

Today’s Gospel Text:  Soon afterward he went to a city called Na'in, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" 17 And this report concerning him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. Luke 7:11-17

Reflection: It’s not what death is that matters much but what it does to us that matters the most.

We are sad and dismayed at the loss of a near or dear one and we are sometimes left bruised or heartbroken, as if everything is lost and those who are dependent much have the feeling that they have lost everything in life and now there is nothing more to live for.

We are as if lost in a maze created by a sudden loss, not knowing where to seek comfort or solace.

There are some who are well consoled by friends and neighbor but for a day or for a while and then one is left more bruised and hurt at their neglect and lack of care.

What is it about death that matters the most? Is it not the loss of the one who is sometimes our only solace and provider in times of need?

The death of the son of the poor of a widow was a sight to behold, an occasion to ponder. 

Those who understand the pain of being left neglected and rejected by the insensitivity of people are sure to sympathize with the poor widow and her loss.

When Jesus saw her and her situation he had compassion on her.

Death is a reminder of our fate which ultimately leads to an end; the absence of life.

In death we all have to meet the giver of life; Jesus Christ

The gospel story is an assurance of the life which Jesus is able to give to all those who encounter him in life’s journey.

He is the sure hope in a dark situation, the light in our darkness, the life in our death.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. Prov 14:27

Prayer: My vows to thee I must perform, O God; I will render thank offerings to thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, yea, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Ps 56:12-13

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

Opportunity to Live

Today’s Gospel Text:  Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death." 52 The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, 'If any one keeps my word, he will never taste death.' 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you claim to be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God. 55 But you have not known him; I know him. If I said, I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad." 57 The Jews then said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." 59 So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple. John 8:51-59

Reflection: Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death." said Jesus. (vs. 51)

No wonder the Jews reacted by saying: "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, 'If any one keeps my word, he will never taste death.'  Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you claim to be?"  (vss. 52-53)

Living in the reality of death, this statement on the part of Jesus seemed too far fetched.  Their reasoning was sure, and they were based on facts.

We are supposed to trust in Jesus; in every word that proceeds from his mouth and such words from Jesus cannot invite confidence and trust.

Even if we were to look at the followers of Jesus, they too see death; then how can Jesus say that they will never see death?

Death is the inevitable outcome of the mortals living on earth. Did he himself not die or did he give a new meaning to death.

Did Jesus see death? Yes even Jesus sees death but the difference with him and the other mortals was this: He saw death and yet never saw it because in it he triumphed over death.

Death whose meaning always has permanency, as to its effect, now in Christ Jesus, we see that it is short-lived and no longer holds an eternal doom. 

Though his words in isolation, of that event of the resurrection, can be meaningless yet now through his passion, death and resurrection we can trust his words as true, proved in himself and even proclaim it to the world with fearlessness: There is no death in Christ Jesus! 

This is again no abstract thought or a philosophical idea but an experience whose reality one can live on this earth.  No wonder they have been countless who have been bold enough to stand witness by an austere life and to the extent of shedding their blood to prove this experience.

Prayer: Lord, as I dwell on your word daily may it enliven me to stand for all that is true; for thy word is eternally true.

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

Raise us to Life

Today’s Gospel Text:  Soon afterward he went to a city called Na'in, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" 17 And this report concerning him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. Luke 7:11-17

Reflection:  We constantly live in the experience of death. Yet we may not be aware of this reality unless someone points that out to us.

Some may already feel surprised and may be wondering what I am taking about here.

In fact, almost all our decisions are based on this latent experience of the power of death in ourselves. What is that ultimate fear that makes us choose in life or to make life's important decisions?

What is this fear that makes us choose the freedom or the daily pleasures of life? Even the daredevilry things we do as an affront to fear, they too seem to have the fear of death defying elements steeped in it.

The daily lies and the attitude to please people rather than confront the wrong and evil, the aspect of unrestrained indulgence in daily pleasures and wrongs, the oversleeping, over eating, greed, the absence of self-control and lack of resistance to what is evil could have its root in the ultimate fear of death. 

Life is short, subconsciously there is a lurking fear, and hence I must indulgently enjoy it.  Any opposition will meet with rebellious disapproval and even violent resistance.

On what apparently seem the better choices of life, it is evident all the more. The daily diligent physical exercises, nutritious food and the sprawling growth of the health industry, the new age holistic health offers are all aimed at a healthy prolonged life.

In other words we who love freedom and the happiness thereof, seek happiness in freedom, but in the process, never really reach that mark.This is so because we seek our freedom in the wrong things of life.

If only we realized this truth then we would not wait for the last day, the final moment of our life to change things but would strive to live our lives to the full by accepting the offer of Christ and his message..

Only Jesus who lived his life in absolute freedom, proved by his bold expressions and teachings, affirmed more firmly by his death and resurrection, can set us free from this problem of death and its implications.

Therefore he claims: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

In the Gospel text he proves it by raising the young man from the dead.

Prayer: Lord, may your life giving Spirit transform me each day as I submit to your working in my life.

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

Jesus Cures

Today’s Gospel Text: No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. John 3:13-17

Reflection: Similia similibus curantar – is a Latin term, which in English means, “like cures like”. It is the doctrine which lies at the heart of homoeopathy, which was discovered by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.

If you think that he was the first to discover this principle then you are wrong. In the scriptures we have a situation, referred by Jesus in this gospel text, of people being bitten in the desert by poisonous snakes and God tells Moses to prepare a bronze serpent. (Num. 21: 9) Anybody bitten by the poisonous desert serpent had only to look at the fiery bronze serpent and were saved.

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' Matt 5:38 – is the same principle that Jesus reminds his disciples how not to put into practice.

Hence, you have Moses lifting up the serpent in the desert to bring about a cure to the venom of the serpent bitten people in the desert. Likewise, you have the Son man being lifted up like the serpent. 

But the huge difference is this: Jesus will be healing every individual who will be looking to him for healing from the poison of sin, that brings about eventual death.He does it by taking upon himself all that evil that was due to us.

This was the very reason why the Son of man was lifted up on the cross at Calvary, that looking to him with the gaze of faith and hope we may be healed, set free from every venom of sinful bondages and thus enter the glorious presence of our eternal God.

St. Paul talking about this victory of the cross, puts it thus: “…in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him. Col 2:12-15

Prayer: Jesus, hung on the cross for my sins, free me from every curse of sin and death and lead me into everlasting life.  

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

Wishing you a "Happy Feast" on this the feast day of the "Triumph of the Cross"