Gospel of Jesus

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen. Mark 16:15-20

Reflection: Some theologian’s best way to scuttle the work of God was by denying that it was Jesus who ever said these things and that the disciples had put these words in the mouth of Jesus.

When they did not succeed in their fabrication they resorted to other ways to foil the work of God in the revelation of his Son Jesus.

This time around, in their ever newer methods, they did not deny the words but took the liberty to give it a new meaning and interpretation.

"We need to proclaim gospel values and not the gospel", they said and evangelize by actions rather than words and hence witness by deeds.

They managed to sweep quite a few with their deceptive tail and hence many walked in their deception because they trusted their irrational rational mind rather than trust the truth; Jesus Christ who has proved himself for all ages by his death on the cross.

Hence the call to proclaim the gospel, which is the good news of God’s saving plan stands firm forever and for all ages:

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (vss. 15-16)

The saving good news of God offered through his son Jesus is to be believed in order for men to be saved and there is no other way offered by God to humanity. (cfr. Acts 4:12)

There have been countless witnesses who have proclaimed the gospel with great risk to their lives and with great sacrifice, going through great persecution and torture for the sake of the Gospel.

Compare this with terrorism in the name of religion; even in our day there are people who go through great hardship for the sake of the gospel of peace.

There have also been dedicated disciples of Christ who support this mandate of Jesus with their prayers and material support so that the work of God may triumph until the day of Christ.

Prayer:  Lord, protect me from every deception of the evil one as I seek to dedicate my heart to your gospel.

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

Chosen by God

Today’s Gospel Text:  The complete text of the Gospel passage can be found in the section mentioned above as “Passion reading/ Palm Sunday” click here to read the complete.text: http://dedicateddiscipleship.blogspot.in/p/passion-readingpalm-sunday.html

Reflection: You may call it by any name, whether you want to call it the discrimination of Jesus or the keeping out of the many who would not participate in this last meal; a meal that sanctifies.  

There may have been many who may have been on the outside. It was as if the day of reckoning had arrived and the small minority was with him, that moment, communicates a strong message.

The words and the language used also communicate the little say that Jesus had in the choice of the situation.  It was as if to say; “beggars can’t be choosers”

He had no choice for he did not choose this moment of his passion, even though it was his will to do the will of the Father, and he does it in complete obedience.

Objectively he does his Fathers will but subjectively the people have chosen to impose their sinful will and their will shall not bother him because his goal is clear: ’Then I said, 'Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book." Heb 10:7

A will that chose to lay down its life for the salvation of the world; a lamb of sacrifice that primarily takes away the sin that separates us from God.  

The language of Jesus in the last supper scene is very specific and limited to his disciples. He is not catering to the wider public outside of the room but specifically to those who are with him.

For eg.:  "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (vs. 15b)

 "Take this, and divide it among yourselves.” (vs. 17c)

“This is my body which is given for you “(19c)

"This cup which is poured out for you” (20b)

Hence what Christ offered in himself was not for the wider public but specifically for the disciples; to the one who has made a choice to follow him; an action that will sanctify them continually unto eternity.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I thank you for calling me to be your disciple and empowering me with your grace to follow you.

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

Hypocrisy

Today’s Gospel Text: In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. .... Luke 12:1-7

Reflection: A very unusual action of Jesus; a crowd around him and yet he turns to his disciples, as if to communicate a very important message:

"Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

A leaven is a very important element in making bread that sustains, it is no ordinary dead material but has a special life in it which is hidden in the dough, it begins to work out an increase and softness to the dough.

A leaven is the most beautiful example of what hypocrisy is all about. It is hidden in the most wonderful and select dough that will become bread. It works accordingly to form great  delicious breads.

Likewise it works beneath the most beautiful faces of humans that ultimately is corrupt from within.

The end does not justify the means in human relationships. If the corruption of hypocrisy brings about a beautiful outcome, it is still not acceptable to God.

So too humans may not mind the fruit of corruption, which is a soft wonderful bread. Such breads are even relished by humans and are in great demand.

But what God seeks is the unleavened, pure bread such as the one which his Son Jesus became in order to free humanity from such corruption of hypocrisy and sin.

Likewise he admonishes every disciple of his to resist the corruption of hypocrisy. Even if humans by the majority would like them or even want them, they are to resist the temptation. 

Prayer: Lord it can never be easy to recognize ones hypocrisy, help me by your Holy Spirit and reveal the hidden hypocrisy of my heart, so that I may constantly be renewed.

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

Be Least

Today’s Gospel Text: And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great." 49 John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you." Luke 9:46-50

Reflection: In today’s world can we think about the greatness of a person minus the privileges they enjoy.

Though they opt to be servants of all, yet privileges makes them delegate much of their labour on to others. Thus these great in reality make servants of others rather than becoming servant of all.

Who is the greatest or who among them is the greatest? Yes, in the gospel, the argument was among themselves.

It seemed like kids at fight. We did that in childhood to find out who was strong, not knowing at times that the eldest had the greater strength by age among us boys.

We learnt to respect the great among us on the basis of strength and the only way to beat that strength was to take up matters with the higher ups. If anyone of the parent did intervene then all other greatness took a beating, even if it meant injustice.

Jesus was no doubt the greatest and this argument among them only existed in relationship with Jesus. At the same time it revealed a mind set among the disciples which revealed their hidden motives for following Jesus.

They were expecting Jesus to become great in the worldly sense of the term and what is more these simpletons, many of them fisher folks were now beginning to see themselves as identifying with a person whose popularity was growing by the hour.

The simple when they taste power and popularity forget the greatness that they have received as pure gratis or as a gift from God who out of his great mercy chooses us from among the people of the world in order to manifest his humility.

Hence, to opt for greatness is a legitimate human desire which is not to be condemned, for even God does not condemn it, but to seek it at the cost of true humility is what is condemned.

'Be least of all and not the Lord of all', can be said to be the message of Jesus in order to be great in the Kingdom of heaven.

I would desire that all seek that greatness by opting for the path of humility and it would glorify God much.  

Prayer: Lord, teach me constantly the path of humility, the path of being nothing in the midst of your dedicated disciples.

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