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

Worldly Hope

Today’s Gospel Text:  "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it; 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written. 23 Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people; 24 they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:20-28

Reflection: In 72 AD, the Roman occupiers of Palestine had one last go at the Jews for their rebellion and uprising, that they destroyed Jerusalem completely, leaving not a stone upon a stone and taking many into captivity.

Many Biblical scholars base their dating of the gospels on the basis of the fulfillment of the prophecies of Jesus concerning Jerusalem.

Their logic behind this kind of dating is that the event must have taken place before the writing and hence their conclusions about the dating of the gospels.

We leave such speculative derivation to the scholars, who base themselves on pure human reasoning’s and thus reduce the gospels to pure human works.

What then will they say of prophecies which are yet to be fulfilled prophecies of the end times and the call for conversion?

We are in a world which constantly fills us with a hope of a better future. We are constantly prodded on to overthrow the oppressors, to seek after justice, to fight corruption.

New elections in every country brings in a lot of hope with a new leadership or the same leadership with a spark of new ideas and hopes.

There are the many exhortations of building a better world through less corruption, more justice, respect for religious fervor with emphasis on universalism, saving the earth for a better future, etc.

In the heart of every human being is constantly sown the hope of achievements that comes through strivings.

In the midst of these hopes based on the human striving and achievements, Jesus reminds us of a bleak turmoil awaiting the dwellers of the earth, of which the many signs we see in our times. 

The many scientific answers based on cogent arguments blinds us to see the hand of God in every situation. 

Unfortunately, the followers of the Christ proclaim the same language of hope like the false prophets of yore. 

Prayer: Lord, as I work as your instrument in this passing world, help in not to put my trust in a worldly hope which is passing.

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

Speak Lord

Today’s Gospel Text: "But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places. 44 Woe to you! for you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it." 45 One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also." 46 And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Luke 11:42-46

Reflection:  Jesus; the prince of peace!

How far is it true? Here you find him in battle mode, opening up battle fronts, firing in all directions, including the ones who are ready to make peace with him and wanting him to spare them.

I can’t imagine the guts of the man, who after having fired the Pharisee, who were a majority community, he then goes around firing the lawyers.

What will our experts say? I am sure they will have an advice for the poor Christian who are seeking to walk in the footsteps of Jesus; “please don’t go about firing on all fronts”

If not then our own instincts will advice us not to fire on all fronts, no matter how right one may be.

To humans even otherwise it is a matter of great difficulty to endure the pain of rejection from all fronts. Very rarely we could have people who could even endure the laughter and mockery of their companions in order to ask a question or demand a right.

Peace solidly exists in truth and if achieved through any other means then it will fade, even gradually into oblivion.

Jesus’ action is an action of peace. We cannot have peace in hypocrisy, sin and by hiding behind masks of corruption, injustice and wrongdoing.

Nor can we have peace in working in these areas by human efforts without the help of God's grace and wisdom.

We need to allow Christ Jesus to speak to our hearts, just as he spoke to the Pharisees and lawyers and sometimes even strongly to our dead consciences in order that he may make it alive.

Adopt a spirituality in which there is room not just for Christ, but one in which there is room for Christ to speak to our conscience.

Prayer: Lord, help me I pray that I may always allow you to speak to my dead conscience and be obedient to your working.

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

Workers of peace

Today’s Gospel Text: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." Matt 10:34-42

Reflection: Jesus the prince of peace! How often, the so called disciples of Jesus, seek to work for peace in the world. Let’s get into dialogue, which is in all sincerity is aimed at a certain compromise, with lies and intrigues to achieve that one goal, which is peace, at any cost.

The goal is not God's will or his glory, neither is it to proclaim Christ: the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6)

In the bargain they would have suppressed, even with violence, subjugated the many dissenting voices, in order to achieve their one goal; peace.

What peace is that which does violence in order to achieve it? What peace is that which suppresses the truth, or rather does violence to it in order to accomplish it? What peace is one going to achieve in hypocrisy? 

The ignoble death of Jesus, the most innocent man who ever walked the earth, is an astonishing proof that a permanent peace will always be elusive to humanity, no matter what their effort. 

What we will achieve is only temporary, and history should teach us not to repeat our overconfidence while seeking to work for it.

But for a Christian, any attempt to work towards permanent peace in society is to play false to the truth and eternal values for which man was created. It is a rejection of the Jesus and his gospel which doesn't promise peace in our society. 

For those who believe in Christ Jesus and the Gospel, to them, even if the whole world which surrounds them would be in turmoil, they can still have this one gift; inner peace. In the reassuring words of Jesus we learn that this peace comes from one’s belief in the truth of the Gospel: “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation.” John 16:33

Further Jesus assure his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”  John 14:27

Prayer:  Lord though I do not understand how you are able to achieve this peace in my heart, but I believe that you alone can achieve it in my life.  Forgive me of my sins and wash me clean and breathe in me your peace. 

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

His Peace

Scripture/Bible:  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence. John 14:27-31

Reflection: I do not know how many really value the idea of peace? And among those who value peace how many value the idea of peace in ones heart, rather than seeking to establish peace in society, community  and nation without catering to the human heart?  

If you have never looked at this question in such terms than all your strivings for peace, freedom, justice and brotherhood is fruitless works, holding very little value as Disciples of Christ. You cannot call yourselves Dedicated Disciples of Christ if you are working on lines contrary to what Jesus does.

Jesus did not primarily come to establish peace in society and this action flows from God’s nature who respects the freewill of humans to choose between good and evil in this life. Jesus as God would have acted contrary to his nature if he would have said; let me establish peace on earth.(Mt.13:24-30). This respect for freewill should have had no place in the church, yet he calls us to recognize and respect the weed among the wheat; even if our generation may have more weeds then wheat.  

When Jesus says that he is going to leave his peace with us, we have a privileged gift not achieved by any human effort but a pure gift of God, given freely to his chosen ones. 

It is not as the world gives that he gives it to us. Which means even the world can give us peace; our world our strivings, the strivings of others, spiritualities in the market places such as the New Age, addictions that give momentary peace, sinful actions and isolation, confinement and elimination of the threatening other.

Jesus’ peace goes beyond the measure of his free and gratuitous gift. It is his very victorious presence which is going to be them who believe him and accept his word for true; a reassuring presence which they will experience in every trying circumstances and moment. One has only to believe and avail from his presence with us.

Prayer: Lord that I may know you and your reassuring presence with me and thus believing I may enjoy the gift of your peace.

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

How to Know Jesus?

Scripture/Bible:   Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode'mus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicode'mus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.' 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit." John 3:1-8

Reflection:  By any human reason this is foolish and absolute stupidity; you are asked a question or you are discussing a particular topic and then the answer you get is something more vague and different.  Your gaze is shifted to another topic all together. 

How can Jesus answer Nicodemus like that and lead him in a different direction? 

But that’s how it is before the mighty wisdom of God – "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" 1 Cor 2:16

Nicodemus knew enough about Jesus but he did not know Jesus and the only way he could do that was to be born anew. His knowledge of Jesus was not enough to save him nor was his theological knowledge enough to know Jesus personally; for what he had learnt and observed was purely from his human vision and reflection. 

He required the attitude of another knowledgeable Pharisee, maybe a contemporary of Nicodemus, may have been younger to him and yet converted, much latter than him, after the resurrection of Jesus: 

St. Paul the Pharisee testifies; “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.  Phil 3:7-10

Prayer:  Lord we cannot really know you without your help, come to my rescue O Lord my God!

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

Peace of Jesus

Scripture/Bible: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." John 20:19-23

Reflection:  Schooling a little child means education, its educating the child in order to achieve the higher goals of life, through a gradual process, as desired by the parents or later left open for the child to decide.  Likewise we as grownups who are not used to a certain regimen will first warm up rather than jump headlong into it. 

God too in all patience reveals himself gradually to us because we by nature can’t take much of what he has in store for us for our growth and development.  Only a proud man thinks that he knows and has it all.

In the gospel text we find Jesus, quite strangely, wishing his Disciples peace twice in one single encounter.  This is rather a strange act on the part of the risen Christ.

Unless we enjoy Gods peace we cannot be open to the revelation of Christ.  Let God wish us peace and let us receive from his presence and not through our labor or through any worldly or corrupt spiritual techniques. This peace is accomplished in us through the forgiveness of sins. 


In other words; forgiveness of sins brings his peace and his peace enables us to receive his revelation in a greater measure. 

If we adopt a methodology of the world, which includes any type of spirituality that is not Christian in origin then we tread a dangerous path. The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of contemplative spiritualities which have gone through the test of fire in the furnace of purification. 


The methodology of the world gives us its own peace and this peace makes us open to the wisdom of the world which is foolishness in God's sight. 

The way in which Jesus prepares his disciple shows a clear indication that this peace is brought about through the forgiveness of sins and not through any mantra and meditation or suppressing the guilt in one’s conscience.

Prayer:  Lord, speak to my heart as I seek you face each day and forgive me my many iniquities so that I may enjoy your peace and through your constant revelation find growth. 

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

Form your conscience

Today’s Gospel:  King Herod heard of it; for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "It is Eli'jah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Herod heard of it he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 17 For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Hero'di-as had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Hero'di-as' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it." 23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. Mark 6:14-29

Reflection:  Conscience is not always a perfect guide, when it is not formed then it is dangerous and still worse.  Then there is the hardening of one’s conscience and there is a consequence of hardening of one’s conscience, it begins to manifest in states of confusion and disturbance.

Who does not believe in the consequence of sins inherited? If one were to study conscience and its role in human development then one will realize that this disturbance and confusion of Herod is as a result of hardening of his conscience. Consider passing on this confusion to children and generations.  Many a times there are certain trends that are manifested in certain families and cultures because of the belief systems which over rule legitimate conscience.

In the gospel of today Herod is in a state of confusion, not just for his action of beheading John the Baptist but also for his other action of marrying his Brother Philip’s wife contrary to Jewish law and customs; it is an indication of his hedonistic lifestyle.  God had to send John the Baptist to remind him of his obligation to his brother and not to abuse his position as king.

God’s word is best formative of our consciences. Even a dead conscience is brought to life by God’s word through the action of the Holy Spirit, if only we allow him.

Prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Ps 139:23-24

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