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

Self Denial

Today’s Gospel Text:  "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."

23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? Luke 9:22-25

Reflection: What do we accept about ourselves that we are at the same time called by Jesus to deny in ourselves?

A profound reflection about ourselves could send shivers down our spine in the light of what is demanded of us: “let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (vs. 23c)

We accept that we are called to survive and all the activities that help our survival become our right by virtue of our birth in this world.

This could include the right to food, water, job, wealth, education, acquiring means for survival, leisure, family, get married and have children, have friends, express ourselves in truth, etc. etc.

So we have these human rights and obligations which no one can deny us, especially those in authority need to dispense these rights to their subjects over whom they rule. 

In this there is no exception to the rule and no one has the right, even in the name of religion to deny anyone the legitimate human rights.

But in the light of the gospel exhortation, we are called to, on our own, to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow him. 

In the light of the above rights and needs, denying ourselves can be even termed in human terms a suicidal mission and that is exactly what the Gospel ultimately demands of the true and Dedicated Disciple through its commitment of service to the truth of the Gospel. 

It is ultimately not a mission to commit suicide but a mission to seek the higher and real life by denying ourselves daily the pleasures we think that help in survival but in reality destroy us and our humanity. 

As if denying ourselves is not a cross enough, Jesus further invites us to carry our cross daily and what is more even invites us to add to our burden by following him.  It is not a following as meant in mere walking behind but following as in every step of the master, unto the cross.

May the special grace of lent strengthen each one of us to diligently carry on with dedication and zeal to deny ourselves in the school of mortification and self-abandonment.

Prayer:  Help me Lord to deny myself the many pleasures of life and to seek you with all my strength, might, heart and mind.

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

Action before Prayer

Today’s Gospel Text:  After he had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Caper'na-um. 2 Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. 3 When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue." 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.  Luke 7:1-10

 

Reflection: The gospel story is an interesting story throwing up many questions and leading us into a deeper insight into the life of faith, healing and good works.

Why did Jesus listen to the centurions prayers and heal his slave? An answer to this question can lead us into our insight into the life of God and his priorities as revealed here in the scripture passage.

Character wise, the centurion was a good man and followed certain principles of life and hence in keeping with his principles was, first of all, kind to his slave and also shown much benevolence to the Jews and their religion.

When the need arose, he sent to Jesus the right people; the elders of the Jews. In other words the elders and those in authority have a special place in God's sight by virtue of their position and authority.

These come to Jesus with a request on behalf of the Centurion to heal his slave. They tell Jesus, in no uncertain terms, that he deserves to be heard.

Why? Because “he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.”! (vs.5)

What would have been better, they telling him that he cares much for his own slave and therefore he deserves it or that he cares about their religion and nation?

Faith and the work arising out of faith is of greater importance than any other good work. There is a priority of Faith, which gains precedence over all our other personal priorities.

God has made his personal preference for those who opt to make his priorities their priorities and thus make themselves poor. Jesus is God’s priority for humanity; for only in him can they be rich with the life of God.

Hence do not lag behind in the service of the Lord, and you will find favour with the Lord.

Prayer:  Lord, “teach me the way I should go, for to thee I lift up my soul.” Ps 143:8

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