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)

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

What Generation

Today’s Gospel Text:  When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nin'eveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nin'eveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. Luke 11:29-32

Reflection: Each generation of people are so different, wanting to do things differently and even better than the previous.

What about the arena spirituality, can we think about doing it better than the previous generations?

Yes there are many who think likewise and with God as a screensaver they deceive to do better and ultimately project themselves as if they are a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

If that generation was an evil generation then what will the Lord say of this our generation?

Is our generation a better generation by the standards of God?

Ours is a generation that is hedonistic in its culture and self-centered in its ways and is more concerned in achieving and making a mark out there. 

There are some who may be the poor cousins of such cultures and may either envy the others or prefer to resign themselves to such a fate. 

But they will not seek God because it goes contrary to the prevailing trend.

There are those others who are worse-off, who may work as the instruments of the evil, constantly working to destroy the church of God or work contrary to the spirit of the Gospel. 

At least that generation sought signs in order to believe but we are in an age where we want to perform signs or will ignore the very thought of belief in God and his signs.

No wonder Jesus says: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Lk. 18:8) 

One of the expressions of faith is service and this service in its noble form is primarily expressed through prayer for one’s neighbor whose poverty of thought leads them astray to replace humanism with gospel truth. 

It is not an intellectual assertion that will save the other but a deliverance which the Lord alone can affect in the lives of people.

Prayer: Lord, may I never be lacking in zeal to seek you and you face in all my actions and thus find my deliverance from all evil. 

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