Good Works

Today’s Gospel Text: "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matt 5:13-16

Reflection: One of the most difficult things to do is to be a witness to the great light Jesus Christ.

But what is worse is that people make what is difficult, impossible.

Indeed we have been called to be the light of the world and salt of the earth.  The quality if these agents are not just that of getting mixed well in the things that they get mixed in but they pervade well the things that they are in and bring about a great change without changing their original quality.

They are almost freely available and humbly permeate without changing the external quality of things but instead make those things better by their action.

The moment one hears the above exhortation of Jesus then everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon of being the light of the world and salt of the earth.

This is not a message for every listener but a message spoken specifically to the dedicated disciples of Christ.

There are indeed to be the salt and light by first drawing from the great light and salt, Jesus Christ.

What then are the good works that men may see in them and give glory to God.

Primarily, the good work would be that which flows from our union with the God and proclaiming that in ones deed lest men give glory to stones or individuals for the good that they do.

Jesus worked in union with the Father and not apart from his Father and the good works he performed included the mighty signs and wonder he did, through this union, which invited people to give glory to God.

They heard his divine wisdom and they saw the signs which a mere human can’t perform and yet can be performed by those who follow him with trust and confidence.

Thus we look at deeds or good works not from a narrow point of view, as meaning only the good character of a person, but includes everything a person does in union with God the Father, through Jesus Christ our savior.

Thus deeds or good works include; the effective words that flow from our mouth on account of his divine inspiration, the mighty signs and wonders, our trust and confidence in God, especially when faced with trying moments and finally it may include our good character seen in our humility and gentleness.

Prayer:  Lord, I thank you for revealing to me that it is not in merely accepting your proclamation that I become the Light of the world or the salt of the earth but by my union with you through faith and trust.

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

Baptismal Grace

Today’s Gospel Text: Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decap'olis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. 33 And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; 34 and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Eph'phatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak." Mark 7:31-37

Reflection: The Catholic Church draws greatly from this healing action of Jesus in the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism. 

There is a special prayer after the conferring of baptism, as part of the rite, which is captioned as “Ephphetha or Prayer over Ears and Mouth”

In this rite, the celebrant is supposed to touch the ears and mouth of the child and utter this prayer: “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.”  All: Amen.

Let us look at this action of baptism in the light of Jesus’ action in the gospel.

Jesus taking the man aside from the crowd is an action synonymous with the action of baptism, which is the setting aside of the person from among the crowd to be in the service of God.

That’s how we have the term Holy people, which all Christians are so, by virtue of their baptism, as scripture aptly describes it; "Once you were no people but now you are God's people" 1 Peter 2:10

Jesus by applying the spittle mixed with mud gives something of himself as with every sacrament. For apart from him no sacramental grace can exist because only in him was life and he alone can give life to us and he does it beautifully through the Sacraments, which he has instituted.

So in the Eucharist he offers us his Body and blood the driving force for every sacrament, hence most of the sacrament begin and end with the Eucharist; the source and summit of Christian life

We see the grace of the sacrament immediately at work in the person, who after having experienced it then begins to zealously proclaim Christ, by way of witness; speaking about him to the astonishment of the crowd.

Maybe many of us have received this sacramental grace of Baptism as infants and it is time for us to revive this grace by fervently asking the Lord to renew in us the grace of baptism.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, touch our ears to receive your word, and our mouth to proclaim your faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father. Amen.

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

Woe to Them

Today’s Gospel Text: "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. 16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, 'If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; 21 and he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22 and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Matt 23:13-22

Reflection:  Some of the curses that the scribes and Pharisees incur upon themselves, on account of their sinful behavior, should make us reflect.

What is so grievous about their sin? For this we need to understand the human state of affairs and the mission of God, in sending his Son Jesus so as to save us.

The fallen human race, which was on the road to destruction and condemnation, always had God’s special attention and yearning to save to it; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

In the Old Testament, he prepares a people to bring forth the savior of the world.

There would have been no need of a savior if mankind could save itself apart from God’s help. This is the folly of world religions that have an elaborate laws and formulas in order for their adherents to enter eternity. 

The Christian faith proclaims a salvation not so much in the Laws or commandments or the teachings of Jesus alone or his values but in the very person of Christ Jesus, who still is with those who believe in him and his promises, in order to save them.

This Salvific action of Jesus, is also accomplished through us his instruments, along with the church triumphant and heavenly hosts.

What then would be the fate of the world, if the followers of Christ, witness to a gospel other than that which has come to us from the apostles.

Should not the woe of Jesus apply to them: “…..you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.” (vs. 13)

Even in our times we have programs for neo-converts where there are taught that salvation is possible through every religion in the world and what is important is to proclaim gospel values and not Christ.  

Prayer: Lord, let me not be a scandal to the world by not believing in the good news of the Salvation you offer by your death on the cross.

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

The Christian Call

Today’s Gospel Text: As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed. 24 When they came to Caper'na-um, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?" 26 And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself." Matt 17:22-27

Reflection:  when you are in trouble, then you would least want another situation of trouble but sometimes you invariably end up with someone wanting to give you more of it.

The worse situation would be when your best and closest friends instead of understanding you and warding off the evil that is about to befall you, drag you further into it.

Do we have a similar situation in the gospel of today; Jesus is already in a situation where in he is troubled at his fate at the hands of wicked men, who want to kill him?  Immediately, afterwards, we find the collectors of the half-shekel confronting Peter and enquiring of him whether his teacher pays the annual temple tax.

Peter seems to be protective about the Lord by being untruthful, in this lie he seems to be protective about Jesus. It seems to show his love for Jesus and how much he cares for him.

But Jesus is not pleased with that lie of Peter and confronts him; Jesus can protect himself, but surely, he doesn’t want to be the reason for scandal, for anyone.

In the process Jesus clearly communicates to us a great truth about us as his children. When God accepts us we become his children and we are in a way above all earthly laws and principles.

This principle firstly enjoins on us to be detached from the material wealth; for as children of the heavenly Father, we belong to him and to his eternal kingdom.

Though not bound, this privilege enjoins on us to obey the laws of the land to which we belong as long as they do not infringe on the Law of God and to pay our taxes, lest we become a source of scandal to others.

The witness of a Christian to the sacrifice of the love of Jesus Christ is far more important than any laws and commandments. It shows forth our love for Jesus.

 

Prayer: Lord, let me keep my calling in mind and privilege I have in you before I act.

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

Necessity of Faith

Today’s Gospel Text:  While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24 he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. Matt 9:18-26

Reflection: One has to be either a mad man to approach someone, in order to raise a dead man or a perfectly sane man, with a faith, that communicates boldness. 

One of the qualities of faith is boldness, where there is no shame.  This boldness flows from a sound knowledge, a sure dedication to the truth and total trust in what one believes.  A boldness based on truth is self sacrificial and willing to face the ignominy of life, for the sake of others.

The ruler in today's gospel was a great example of such sacrificial love. For the sake of his daughter he was willing face the ignominy of a possible foolish request.  For how many have approached Jesus to give life to a dead person and what if his desire would not have been fulfilled or what if the crowd that he was addressing had laughed at him. Who can endure a public shame?

On the other hand we have people who are bold about many matters in the world. Some are bold enough to strip themselves, some are bold enough to tell a lie, some are bold enough to abuse their office and be corrupt, some are bold enough to take a dagger and kill, and some are bold enough to practice all types of corruption.

Yet, if one enters into the psyche of these individuals, whose boldness rests on immorality, we find a certain cowardice element at work in the long run. These are self centered cowards who live for the moment. 

The world still is in need of a faith that is not afraid to proclaim Christ, as did the ruler. This is proclamation by one’s action which is fruit of a resolute non-shrinkable solid faith.   In such faith God is glorified and not the self.

This is the kind of faith that pleases God (cfr. Hb. 11:6)

    

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.”  Heb 13:7

Prayer:  God our Father, as the wickedness in the world increases, we ask you to guide us, your children, that our faith may never grow cold in the face of hostility towards your holy name.  (cfr. Mt. 24: 12-13)

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

He is there

Scripture/Bible: Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. 37 But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:35-48     

Reflection:  There are something’s in life you cannot keep to yourself, you will voice it out irrespective whether the other likes it or not. 

You are satisfied with ordinary or extraordinary food at restaurants and then one fine day you are in a restaurant way above the rest and you will definitely tell the whole world; “ hey, look this is what food is meant to be, it is too good man, superb!” and on and on.

If, having heard of such things from others you would want to get into that experience yourself and will leave no stone unturned in order to get into the experience yourself. 

Because there are some experiences in life which are safe, good, pleasant and pleasing and they are worth getting into.

So we have it in the Gospel reading that the encounter which the disciple had on the road to Emmaus was something that was so very intriguing and out of the world.   I am sure if given an opportunity they would want that experience but at the same time it was satisfying enough for them to go around and tell their Brethren of what had happened on the road to Emmaus.

Speak Jesus, talk Jesus and walk with Jesus and he will always be with you in a special way till you come to a point where what you speak and talk will be what you have seen, heard, touched and believed.


In other words having heard about him, we need to keep at it again and again till we begin to encounter him always, everywhere and in all the things we are at in our lives. Then it would not be difficult to talk about him to others.

Prayer:  “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me fast. Ps. 139:7-10 NRSV

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