Teach Them

Today’s Gospel Text: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt 18:15-20

Reflection: One of the lessons we learn from this paragraph of scripture is that of forgiveness.

But there are other lessons too and one of them is the Christian attitude towards morality, ethics and the importance of education and teaching people the right doctrine.

The task that Jesus enjoins on us is not an easy one;  imagine, the brother who sins against you is that wild one, the notorious type who may come back to trample you under his foot for having given him the pearl of a good advice on good behavior. (cfr. Mt. 7:6)

That would always be difficult but scripture always teaches us the extremes of love “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

Jesus did it perfectly on the cross and likewise his dedicated disciples.

We as Christians are called to teach the world the morality of living, which primarily begins with teaching ourselves first in the school of Christ, who still teaches us the way of God:

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 (cfr. 1 Jn. 2:27)

It is only after we have learned in this school, with the tradition, scripture and magisterium to enable us that we can be instruments to correct our brothers and sisters when in the wrong.

If anyone thinks that this is like acting superior then they are self-conceited and do not understand the revealed word of God; Jesus Christ.

They could be termed as pseudo-disciples or pseudo-Christians working like fifth columns as Satan’s instrument to destroy the church of Christ.

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  Eph 5:17

Prayer:  Lord, we thank you for the anointing you give us, may we always seek to learn from what you have given us.

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

Far from the Kingdom

Today’s Gospel Text:  And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32 And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; 33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any question. Mark 12:28-34

Reflection: We do not know the motive of this particular scribe concerning the above question; for scripture does not reveal it to us.

Could it be that the scribe was serious in knowing the answer and therefore asked the question or could it be that he too wanted to test Jesus?

The initial interaction seems to suggest that the scribe knew the answer to the question?

Or could it be that he knew the answer to the question and yet he asked Jesus and as Jesus answered him correctly he was much pleased as he was a man who knew how to rejoice in the truth, even if it meant that his enemy was delivering the truth. 

The third possibility could be that the scribe was really serious in knowing the answer and that as he was listening to Jesus he could see the truth because his spirit was open to the Lord.

But it can never be a possible fourth situation in which he did not know the answer nor was he open to the truth of God’s action.

If given a choice to guess, I think that the scribe was an earnest seeker, who on seeing the ability of Jesus to answer well approaches Jesus for an answer.

What is more Jesus sees in the scribe a sense of openness to the word and those qualities that are required for one to receive the kingdom.

Though the scribe had the required qualities, sound theological knowledge, yet it was not enough for him to be in the kingdom.

Therefore Jesus says of him: “"You are not far from the kingdom of God."

We too may have all knowledge and may feel confident about life but it is not enough, no way does it mean that we are close to the kingdom and this is what we need to seriously reflect about as we read this gospel today.

Prayer: Lord, help us not to go by our own confidence but your approval of us.

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

Holy Submission

Today’s Gospel Text:  They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them.

"I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:2-15

Reflection: There was a professor who taught the seminarians and even the laity in a Archdiocese how the scripture was contradictory. 

His book was acknowledged by one of the auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese.

Besides, teaching that the scripture was contradictory and not to be relied on, he also taught that scripture was not to be trusted and he asserted his point by playing the game of Chinese whispers.

If only he believed less in his foolish philosophy and more in the word, he would not have led the many formed under him astray till this day. Nor have those in authority have realized the foolishness of these kind of erroneous teachings and withdrawn the book for formation of minds. 

The greatest folly of humans has been to judge God’s word or sit in judgment over God.

On the other hand God gives his servants who are humble and turn to him the grace of the Holy Spirit, who helps us to understand the mysteries of God because God himself desires to reveal them to us his chosen ones.

If there was no Holy Spirit then we mortals would keep judging what is immortal with our standards and continue to crucify God in our midst. We would continue to become the modern day Pharisees and Scribes.

They always thought, to their best of their abilities, that they were the wisest, smartest and cleverest and could do no wrong and by persecuting the obedient children of God they were doing favor to God.

Are they any different from the terrorist? No, except that they will not wield a weapon of destruction and they will condemn the terrorist but will kill by their stupid crass wisdom and by seeking the seat of power they will crush those below them.  

Jesus says of them: “And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me.”

And how will they know the Father or Jesus or his servants if they who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit reject the Holy Spirit and now seek to walk by sight.

Prayer: Teach me O Lord to humbly submit to the working your Holy Spirit in my life.

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

Privileged Children

Today’s Gospel Text:  For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward. 42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Mark 9:41-50

Reflection: The whole issue of Salvation only in Christ Jesus has often confounded theologians and many find it difficult to gulp the Church’s stand or the scriptural truth.

This Salvation in Christ Jesus also accomplished in the world in many ways thorough his holy saints and faithful is another area of contention for those who have rebelled against the Catholic foundation.

In the gospel passage of today we are given an hint in the possible working of the Salvific grace at work in and through the church of God; which is an instrument of salvation to the whole world and also the sacrament of grace:

“Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward.” (vs. 41) 

Christians have a privileged place in society, not because it is the society that gives them the privilege but God who gives it to us on account of our belief in Jesus or because we bear the name of Jesus and this privilege has to be lived in the same way acknowledging God as the giver and one the who deserves all glory. 

If anyone is uncomfortable with this privileged place and instead would like to look at all humanity in the equality sense of the term then they are definitely thieves and robbers among his followers and not expert theologians.

Their crime is to enjoy the privilege of Christianity and the church and whatever they do in his name they do it to promote their own self glory, thus robbing Christ Jesus and stealing his glory from him.

Jesus identifies himself with every individual who bears his name, including the least and the miserably poor among his followers.

Thus Christians are light of the world and also the salt of the earth and in keeping with their special privilege no one can steal that privilege which they enjoy because their privileged position comes from God and their lives entrusted to him.

Jesus always identifies himself with his own and no one can separate them from his love.  (cfr. Rom. 8:39; Jn. 13:1, 10: 3-4; Acts 9: 4; 22: 7; 26: 14)

Prayer:  Father we thank you for the privilege you have given us to call you Father and also to be called to bear the name of your Son Jesus.

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

Grace and Faith

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: For a good teacher of the Christian faith, it is always a jugglery to balance their teaching between the law of grace and faith?

With the Christian being hammered by the word that justification is only through faith one begins to wonder what happens to the law, which Christ Jesus gives so much of importance in this passage of Scripture:

“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.”  (vs. 18)

Matthew is writing to a community that is predominantly Jewish converts who hold the law in high esteem.  

This doesn’t mean that in seeking to write to this community that Matthew has put words in the mouth of Jesus, but rather Matthew may have tailor made the teachings of Jesus to an audience that needs it.

As means for salvation, the law, as prescribed, has no value in itself in the new order of Salvation set forth by Christ.

If the diligent practice of the law saved the Israelite then in the new order set forth by Christ Jesus we are saved by faith through grace. 

Jesus Christ, who came to free us from the yoke of slavery to the law, clearly clarifies the importance of the law for himself so as to fulfill its demands, as a demand set forth by God and thus to become our savior by fulfilling every demand of it perfectly.

Then do we abrogate the law as useless? No, it is the law with its demands, which had the power over us  and which could still have the power over us if we submit to it wholeheartedly, which is useless.

In the new order set forth by Christ we live in the greater freedom of Christ's Spirit, in which we rise above the law that subjugates and kills and submit ourselves to the life giving spirit, Jesus Christ who saves.

To live by the Spirit means to live a life of much more perfection than what the law required and what is more the grace of the Holy Spirit assists us in our walk as Christians to lead a noble and dedicated life in Christ Jesus.

For a Christian the knowledge of the law is an aid in knowing the mind of the Spirit of God, who is far greater than the law he has given.

Prayer: Lord you have promised to pour out your Holy Spirit into our hearts and cause us to walk in your ways. (cfr. Ez. 36:27) 

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

Jesus’ Brethren

Today’s Gospel Text:  And his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you." 33 And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 34 And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother." Mark 3:31-35

Reflection: "Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Vs. 34-35)

It’s very unfortunate that most of our focus and discussion of this beautiful passage is normally centered on expounding the relationship of these brothers and sisters of Jesus and how they are not the actual but cousins of Jesus. Thanks to the protestants who deny that!

In the process we miss out on the most important aspect of our changed relationship, with none other than God himself, who transforms us mere mortal creatures to the level of God himself.  (cfr. Jn. 1:12)

Hence John in his Gospel brings out the truth of this relationship as thus: “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become CHILDREN of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:12-13

So too the exsultet at Easter rings out with joy at this Salvation which Christ has accomplished for us:

“O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam which gained for us so great a Redeemer!”  

In other words, we were ONCE:  

• Slaves of sin Rom. 6:17;
• Disobedient to God Rom. 11: 30;
• Dead through the trespasses and sins, following the prince of the power of the air, following the passions of the flesh, the desires of the body and mind, and so by NATURE were CHILDREN OF WRATH Eph. 2; 1- 3;
• Far off - Eph. 2:13;
• Darkness, instead of being CHILDREN of light. Eph. 5:8;
• Estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. Col. 1:21;
• Foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another. Titus 3:3;
• No people, not received mercy. I Pt. 2: 10;

All these above verses of scriptures helps us understand the great mercies of God and the significance of Christ statement, when he calls us brothers and sisters.

Prayer: We praise you for your kind and great mercy O Lord and can never stop rejoicing at what you have accomplished for us.

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

Hardened Heart

Today’s Gospel Text:  Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Beth-sa'ida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 51 And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:45-52

Reflection: What’s so big about this problem of a hardened heart and is it in relationship to only understanding the way of God, as in the case of the disciples?

“For they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were HARDENED.” (vs. 52)

Suppose a situation when there is major crime committed and all the new paper come out with headlines flashing and likewise on T.V. and other media sources flashing it all along with no respite.  They keep appealing to the consciences of people about such a crime besides seeking to find solution.

In such a situation you have many becoming wise so as to come out with solutions to match the situation but what happens after some days have passed, things are back to normal.

In their hardness everyone has forgotten the situation and life goes on as usual till a next major crime occurs in public or unless the same media rakes it up. 

What I am referring here is one of the worst forms of hardening, the consciences are alive for a moment because the media has made it sensational and has raked up emotions.  Otherwise there may be plenty of other crimes which may be much more serious in nature but where the media may be least bothered.

Hardening of the heart is a serious issue which all must reflect on and check if they have such a heart which is not in keeping with what God will.  The worst part of this hardening is that, for a while, we get so involved in the process  and then after a while forget the whole issue.

When scripture refers to hardened heart it means a heart that is not attuned to God and his ways and thus is not able to be God's instrument of true love.

It is not possible to change this heart on our own but if we acknowledge our problem then we can turn to God for help to transform it and in keeping with his new covenantal promise he will do it: 

“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.”  Ezek 36:26-27

Prayer: Lord I surrender my hardened heart to you so that I may have a new one.

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

Servant or Citizen?

Today’s Gospel Text:  As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Trade with these till I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16 The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more.' 17 And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' 19 And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, 'Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, 'I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.' 25 (And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten pounds!') 26 'I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'"

28 And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. Luke 19:11-28

Reflection: In this parable that Jesus talks about we could be so focused on the talents or the pounds and miss out on a very important truth which seem to come across as passing. 

We could confuse the message of this parable with the parable that Matthew mentions in the 25^th chapter of his gospel, which explicitly talks about the servants and the talents given to them by the master.

Here in this parable, as if in passing but significantly, Jesus mentions about the citizens who hated the noble man.

Jesus does not give us any reason for their hate but reveals a very important fact in the parable: you are either a servant of Jesus or a citizen receiving all the ordinary benefits of the kingdom and yet could be hating the king.

If the scripture reveals to us that we are sinners, one of the qualities of sin is to be hostile towards the God whom Jesus has revealed and this hostility is even manifest in the many gods created by people and by those who do not believe in him.

Each individual in this world, if he has not opted to be the servant of Christ, is a citizen of the kingdom. For God himself accepts them as citizen and makes his sun shine on them and the rain to water their needs. (Mt. 5:45)

Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Rom 2:4

The above is besides the hostility of the servants who do not value the pound given by the master and which belongs to the master and do not make much of it.

The important thing is to ask ourselves where we belong: Whether we are servants or citizens, if citizens then we need to change and opt to be servants.

If are servants or opted to be one then it is necessary for us to ask ourselves what we are going to do with the wealth that Christ has entrusted to each one of us as his servants; i.e. the gospel.

Prayer:  Lord, I thank you for opening my eyes to understand my place in your kingdom, help me Lord to constantly opt to be your servant and to carry your word to all whom I meet.

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