Never Alone

Today’s Gospel Text:  His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! 30 Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God." 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:29-33

Reflection: Loneliness is a great sickness they say. It can be killing and begins to haunt the ones who are facing it.

Yet there are many who prefer to be left alone, it is normally for a while because as the effects of loneliness begins to haunt then one wants to come out of it.

We may sometimes dream of being alone and quiet, especially when we are disturbed and hurt.

One of the greatest fact of life is that we could be in the midst of our family, friends and loved ones and yet be lonely.

What happens to a person who goes through so much of battering in life that he or she now can’t trust anyone and prefers to be in isolation? Is it not a situation of depression and pain?

Such a battering may not always be from people but can also be from the self which speaks the many voices of condemnation to the fragile mind and conscience.

Such are the types who are then suicidal, with the evil one assaulting the mind and conscience to give up.  

Some may in such situations adopt a spirituality of death, available in the plenty in the market places, because of their strong will to fight back. 

The market place is filled with such New Age spiritualities and practices to overcome stress of loneliness too. 

Yet in the midst of these challenges there are some who may deliberately adopt a way of life of moving away from the world, cutting oneself completely as in a cloistered or monastery.

Those who do so know that they are not alone in their loneliness and have learned to live in the company of the select or even in the company of God, as revealed in Christ Jesus.

Jesus in himself faced plenty of situation of loneliness, even in the midst of his select disciples; because no one really understood what he had to tell them and more so in his moments of rejection, betrayal and pain.

In such a moment he speaks the secret meant for all his followers: “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.” (vs. 32)

Prayer:  Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down upon the heavens and the earth? Ps 113:5-6

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

Dwell Securely

Today’s Gospel Text:  When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Caper'na-um. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, 20 but he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. John 6:16-21

                                                                                                                                    

Reflection: Most of our anxieties start at the evening of life and our worries too can keep increasing with an unsolicited nagging fear taking over, as if gripping our system and our activities.

What shall we call the subtle anxieties that seem to arise in our mind and keeps increasing like the rising waters, occasionally frightening us.  It never seems to abate as the external winds seems to force these anxieties up.

It all seems to crop up at the wrong time and we are tossed, not by the storms here but by the rising subconscious restlessness, which we try to satisfy with the pleasures of life; be it a good company, food, drinks, music or any other forms of activities.

Some resort to physical exercises or the New Age spiritualities available in the market places.

They all seem to help and hence it would be wrong to outright condemn them as useless in keeping with their unstable usefulness, which lasts for a brief moment, but packed with its own dangers.

It is all a art of living in the art of balancing the boat while the water rises. 

There can be no joy or the deep seated lasting peace which only the presence of the one riding over these water can give.

He indeed comes riding over these very waters, the waters of emotions cannot be hidden from him or thrown aside to welcome him. 

Let your emotions too be a part of your prayer, letting him know what you feel and how the waters of anxieties are rising in proportion to create a deep turmoil. 

A situation like that always seeks the shore of security but the rising water only seems to push one away from this security into an insecure realm of insecurity, increasing the restless and anxiety.

Welcome him as he comes into the boat of your life, as did the disciples, with gladness and even if you are far away from shore (3-4 miles), you will reach the shores of security quickly still, with Jesus with you.

Prayer:  Lead us Lord, especially when we are in emotional turmoil that we may dwell securely on the shores of life by abiding deeply in you.

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