Let Light Shine

Today’s Gospel Text: Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Caper'na-um by the sea, in the territory of Zeb'ulun and Naph'tali, 14 that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "The land of Zeb'ulun and the land of Naph'tali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

7 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."   18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.   23 And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decap'olis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan. Matt 4:12-17, 23-25

Reflection: The power of darkness keeps us subjugated and all who work as instruments of darkness keep the people too subjugated under the yoke of slavery, even to sin and bondage.

So often we hear of the darkness of sin and bondage which assails people and individuals in families  and it becomes a great source of pain.

The manifestation of such darkness is seen in the way people struggle through life, going through the daily grind and hardships of handling relationships at various level:

Whether it be the relationship between a dominating boss or his rebellious subordinate, or between husband and wife, children and parents and children among themselves or children or school friends or teachers or vendors or government officials, etc.

These relationships could go sour either on account of the insensitivities of peoples or the hypersensitivities of the individuals in such a turmoil. 

The darkness in relationships are manifested by the struggles in our hearts and mind; to handle them and to resolve the thorny issues.

Sometimes it could be the habitual sin and the embarrassment which has no power to resolve the problem. The darkness of guilt and shame which makes it difficult to sort it out with others help.

Then there could be the darkness of losing on our resources for daily living or the chronic sickness which sometime could lead to a handicap. The ultimate darkness could be the death or separation of a loved one.

Many a times everything seems dark and difficult, we feel that we may never be able to resolve the issues at hand.

If you think you belong to any of these categories or people, with problems even deeper than this, then believe that the great light has already manifested and we no longer need live in darkness. 

If we trust him and count on him in our darkness then even in the darkest moment he the light will dispel every darkness from our life. 

Prayer: Lord as I come before you with the dark areas of my life, let your light shine in my life, so that every darkness is dispelled and I may continue my onward journey trusting in your love and mercy.

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

Power Corrupts

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 6 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; 8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." 9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; 11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matt 2:1-12

Reflection: Was not Herod an evil king who wanted to kill Jesus, who was born as king of Israel? 

In order to achieve his plan, he first makes sure that what he has heard from the wise men is true, otherwise he would not have wanted to kill Jesus.

We find that it was not only Herod who seemed trouble but the whole of Jerusalem who were also troubled along with him.

Why do people in power, who have all the luxuries and wealth of life, feel troubled and also the many others associated with them? 

When one is so attached to power and looks at power as a privilege to indulge in the accolades of peoples along with the praise and attention given by people, the security and the comfort of such a life and the eternal perspective in every human being to make a name for themselves for posterity, and continue to enjoy the privileges of such power and wealth are some of the reasons why one would feel troubled.

The others around also feel troubled, even though they were not directly under the threat, unlike Herod the king. This was so because they were comfortable with the “known devil rather than work with an unknown devil’besides the other benefits of being associated with such men in power. 

Such is the nature of insecurity that one would not want to see the others rise and even do better? 

Why such jealousy, envy and competitive spirit by those who boss?

This is only a manifestation of the sinful nature of man without the living God to animate his life. 

If only people who have others working under them were to recognize that there is a God above who watches over all things and what is more, he, the righteous, also needs to be given that authority over ourselves as the real Lord and master then such things would never happen.

To be Christian in name is not enough but what is required of us is to be a Christian attuned to the Lord and Master; He, the shepherd, wants to lead us and he never leads us into wrong paths.

Prayer: Lead me lord, besides still waters so that my soul shall be secure only in your presence and your power manifest in my life.  

                                                                                                                                            

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

Possessed

Today’s Gospel Text: And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." 32 And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. Matt 8:28-34

Reflection: So called modern scholars, compelled to interpret everything in scripture rationally, say that these situation of demonic influences could be considered psychiatric problems and treated accordingly. 

Keeping with the diagnosis, according will be the treatment of the disease with psychotropic drugs, sedatives and hypnotics.   Sometimes the patient is given a shock treatment, with sustainable electric charges.  Many a times the condition of the person is no better than a zombie.

On the other extreme and in the past and now rarely in some village situation, the person could be beaten up and ill treated. In some cultures, they could be worshipped as a manifestation of some divinity or used for soothsaying.   

Coming to demonic influences, not all cases manifest the same way as revealed in the Gospel text of today.  A person may seem absolutely normal and may show no external signs of such manifestation.  Occasionally, the person could be referred to medical practitioners for treatment for either or all of these conditions; stomach ache, headache, weakness, giddiness, psychiatric conditions, undiagnosed  pain or disease, etc.

Yet there could be some who may never manifest and yet could have sold one’s soul over to the Devil in various degrees and ways. These manifest extreme pride, hatred and anger, rarely, occasionally or often. 

Sometimes, our addictions to certain vices, compulsive disorders, or odd habits are a result of such demonic influences, either as oppressions, possessions or manifestations. Some could flow down through generations.   

Treatment to achieve palliative relief could include either psychotherapy, counselling, psychotropic drugs, meditative practices or other so called spiritual techniques.  These have their limitations and some are forbidden to us Christians. In some religious groups demonic manifestation could be an acceptable norm and hence has an acceptable religious sanction.  

The Catholic Church offers us the divine grace and deliverance through the sacraments and sacramental’s, against these powers of evil, but unfortunately, the minster who dispenses it, renders it ineffectual in severe case by his lack of belief.  

Those who approach these sacraments in faith and make use of the sacramental's have much to gain from, especially in milder forms of attack.

Prayer:  “Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God…… Deliverance belongs to the Lord; thy blessing be upon thy people! Ps 3:7a-8

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