July 24 – Wednesday: God does not consider any soil underserving – Wilson SVD

Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time  

Jeremiah 1: 1, 4-10;  Matthew 13: 1-9

Jeremiah is known as a weeping prophet. When God called him to be a prophet, Jeremiah had every excuse ready. His excuses are often our excuses for not heeding God’s voice when he calls us. Jeremiah’s character and response to God’s call resonate well with our lives. God counters each excuse with a promise.

The task – A prophet to the nations: Jeremiah was called to be ‘a prophet to the nations’ and not a priest like his father. Prophetic ministry was more demanding than serving as a priest. The priest’s duties were predictable, and everything was written down in the law. The prophets do not know from one day to the next day what the Lord would ask them to say or to do. Prophetic life had many uncertainties. Jeremiah was aware of the impending challenges and demands of the prophetic vocation.

Jeremiah objects on two grounds: Jeremiah objects to God’s call on two grounds. 1. He does not know how to speak. 2. He is too young. These two objections signify a deep hesitation at the heart of Jeremiah. The hesitation and reluctance are confirmed by his claim that he is only a youth. The claim, ‘ I am only a youth’, reveals the personality of Jeremiah: possibly Jeremiah was an introvert, timid, shy, and reserved boy who was suffering from an inferiority complex. He is inexperienced and does not have sufficient knowledge to speak to people and authorities. Jeremiah does not intend to abruptly reject the call of God by stating these excuses; instead, this is a sincere sharing and acknowledgement of his personal inadequacy for a prophetic vocation. Jeremiah was reluctant, but his courage to talk to God and express his inadequacy is noteworthy. Courage surpasses reluctance.

Twist in God’s Response:  God does not search and choose adequate or talented persons. God chooses the inadequate and makes them the most fitting persons. Moses, Isaiah, and Ezekiel all expressed their unworthiness, and God made them worthy. God promises to be with Jeremiah, the Lord puts his hand, touches the mouth and confirms the prophetic call. But,,,

Jeremiah has no choice of message – He has to speak what is commanded to speak.

Jeremiah has no choice of mission place – He has to go wherever he is sent.

Jeremiah had no choice of the audience - He had to address to whomever he was sent.

Jeremiah is commissioned to pluck, break, destroy and overthrow- the message of doom.

God’s response to be with him is comforting but the mission is frightening.  The man, who wanted to reject the call on account of his inability is given the most challenging task. God does not change his mind on account of human inability instead He empowers to overcome the inadequacy.

Jeremiah, a deserving soil: The gospel presents to us the parable of the Sower. There are four different types of soils. They have two things in common; Seeds and Sower. The Sower sows the same seeds in all four soils with equal toil, equal hope and equal generosity. The sower is not prejudiced about the soil’s quality or potentiality. The sower does not consider any soil unfit or undeserving of his seeds. Jeremiah was a deserving soil. The Lord sowed and harvested in abundance. Jeremiah passed through ravens, rocky soil, drought, thorns and thistles. He survived, he did not give up, he took the risk and bore fruits in abundance.

Our Takeaway

1. God calls whom He needs.

2. Jeremiah does not intend to abruptly reject God's call by stating his excuses; instead, this is a sincere sharing and acknowledgement of his personal inadequacy. Jeremiah was reluctant, but his courage to talk to God and express his inadequacy is noteworthy. Courage surpasses reluctance.

3. God does not change his mind because of human inadequacy; instead, He empowers people to overcome their inadequacy.

4. God does not consider any soil unfit or undeserving. Jeremiah was a deserving soil. How about me?

 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

July 23 – Tuesday: One Heart Many Faces – Wilson SVD

Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time  

Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20; Matthew 12: 46-50

The Family of God: One Heart Many Faces

What is a family? I checked up in the dictionary, the dictionary says, family is a group of two or more persons living together related by birth or marriage. In the gospel today, Jesus talks of a family, a family beyond human understanding, perhaps a family that is true and lasting. He does not talk of an extended family but an inclusive family. The family of God.  

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, shared one of her experiences.

She narrates, One evening a gentleman came to our house and said, ‘There is a Hindu family with eight children and have not eaten for a long time. Can you do something for them. I took some rice and vegetables and went to her hut immediately. There was this mother and eight little children with shining eyes and pale faces, evident they had not eaten for days. – from sheer hunger. I gave her the rice and the vegetables. She took the rice and vegetables from my hands and divided them into two. She went out quickly taking one of the portions. When she returned, I asked her, ‘where did you go? What did you do? She answered they are hungry also. She knew that the next-door neighbour a Muslim family was hungry.

What surprises me most in this incident is, not that she shared the rice in her utter poverty, but in her suffering, in her hunger, she knew that someone else was also hungry.  A catholic missionary helps, and the help is shared with a Muslim family by a Hindu mother.  A catholic missionary nun, a Hindu family and a Muslim family became members of God’s family.

Jesus declares in the gospel that whoever does the will of God is his brother and sister and mother. Thus he makes it clear that his family goes beyond blood relationships; all those who do God’s will belong to it (3:34-35). Those who put into practice in their lives God’s will belong to the true family of Jesus. Jesus also challenges our conventional understanding of family as a group of blood-related members and invites us into a deeper, more inclusive understanding of family and community. He extends the boundaries of his true family beyond blood relatives and includes everyone.

To be a member of God’s family, what must one do – we must do God’s will. What is God’s will. Jesus himself has given answer to this question. Will of God?  Will of God,  can be enveloped in the greatest commandment given by Jesus himself, Love of God and love of neighbour. Mk 20: 30-31, You love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbour as you love yourself. Hence, loving God and loving our neighbours is what God wants us to do. Love of neighbour in action is “whatever you do to the least, you do it unto me” Matthew 25:45.

Hence, the family of God is formed and sustained by love and not by language or creed, or culture or economic status.  Jesus’ talks of a family where everyone can find a home, where everyone can find a table to dine, where everyone can find a place to rest. A family beyond borders, languages, culture, religions and faith systems.

Further, as human beings we are social animals – interrelated and interdependent, no one is an island. For example – we need more than 100 people just to prepare our Breakfast – imagine a farmer, somewhere prepares the field, cultivates the wheat – someone buys that wheat – brings to the factory, processes it – makes a flour – a backer buys the wheat flour, bakes the bread – that bread is sold in your shop – someone from your family goes to the store buys and sets it on the table. Don’t we all form a family.

Whenever we eat fish, that should remind us of the joys and hopes, dreams and aspirations, pains and suffering of the fishermen battling in the sea day and night.

We all wear good clothes, our clothes should remind us of the joys and hopes, dreams and aspirations, pains and sufferings of the farmers and people working in the textile industry. – we are inter-connected.

Our Takeaway:

1. Every one of us is a child of God, and all of us are members of the family of God.
2. Can I break the boundary of my family and include others (people from other language, culture, caste, religion, etc) into my family. Challenge to move from exclusivism to inclusivism.
3. May our language be love and may our action be love.

 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary 

July 22 – Monday: Empty Tomb to Rabbuni – Wilson SVD

 Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time  

Saint Mary Magdalene, Feast

Song 3:1-4. 2 Cor 5:14-17. Jn 20:1, 11-18.

 Today, we celebrate the feast of one of the important woman saints, St. Mary Magdalene, who is mentioned most in the Gospels after the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Her identity: In reality, little is known about Mary Magdalene. Magdalene may indicate that she came from the town of Magdala (Migdal), located on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Gennesaret). Some other opinions are that Magdala means "tower, magnificent, or great" and that calling her Mary Magdalene is like calling her "Mary the Great, Mary the Noble. But either way, she is presented as an independent woman—by place of birth or nobleness of being—rather than by husband or other male relationship as was usual at the time. This is a clue to her strength, power, and uniqueness.

And on her Feast day we need to be clear about her identity.  Mary had experienced a healing cum transformative encounter with Jesus. Jesus healed her of her infirmities, and the healing brought in transformation in her life, and she began to follow Jesus. There is nothing in the Bible about her life before. She’s not an adulteress, a prostitute, or a harlot. The New Testament doesn’t offer any commentary on her sexuality or marital status at all. We only know something was wrong and Jesus healed her and she decided to follow Him. She opens her heart and life to God.

The Bible presents to us the following information about Mary Magdalene:

She was one of Jesus’ female followers.

She was present at the crucifixion.

Jesus healed her of infirmities.

She was the first witness of the resurrection.

She was the first to proclaim to the Apostles that Jesus is risen.

Apostle to Apostles: St Thomas Aquinas was the first to call St Mary Magdalene ‘apostolorum apostola’ – Apostle of the Apostles. He said: 'she had the office of an apostle; indeed, she was an apostle to the apostles as it was her task to announce our Lord’s resurrection to the disciples.' Mary Magdalene is therefore, the first preacher of the Risen Christ and Pope John Paul II rightly points out she is “the first eyewitness of the Risen Christ”. 

Empty tomb to Rabbuni:  Mary Magdalene, weeping, stands outside the empty tomb. She’s lost her beloved Master who transformed her life, and healed her wounded soul. She’s outside His tomb. Has the body been robbed? Has His body been desecrated? In her distress, Mary encounters the risen Christ, and doesn’t recognize Him. Her experience of the risen Christ progresses from the empty tomb to Robbuni;

She sees the empty tomb – She turns from the empty tomb and sees a gardener – she exclaims Rabbuni, recognising the risen Lord. Mary’s faith journey is unique, it is not an emotional attachment but a progressive and profound experience of the Lord. The moment of recognition is the start of a new life and a new mission for her. She becomes an apostle to the apostles. She is overwhelmed by the risen Christ. She had a deep desire for the Lord. She was passionate about doing whatever was possible for the Lord. She participated in the evangelical mission of the risen Christ.  

Our Takeaway

1. Am I passionate about the Lord? Do I run in the early hours of the day to search for the Lord?

2. Mary’s faith journey is unique, it is not an emotional attachment but a progressive and profound experience of the Lord. What about my faith journey?

3. The moment of recognition of the risen Lord is the start of a new life and a new mission for her. What/when is my moment of recognising the Lord? What changes do I experience?

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

 

 

July 21 –Sunday: Grooming the Leader in Us, – Wilson SVD

  Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time  

Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Ephesians 2: 13-18;  Mark 6: 30-34

Jeremiah says in the first reading that Israel’s leaders, through godlessness and fanciful promises, had misled and scattered Israelites. Jeremiah prophesies that God promises to send a shepherd who would gather the lost sheep. In the gospel reading, Mark presents Jesus as the good shepherd who has compassion for his sheep. Just as sheep need a shepherd to guide and protect them, we need responsible leaders to guide and protect us. Wise leadership matters today. We are in need of a shepherd leader. We need a leader, who not only shows the way but lives the way.

The context of today’s gospel is the disciples return after their missionary works and Jesus grooms them prior to sending them again on mission. Each one of us is a leader in our own context and we need to groom ourselves to be a wise leader like Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Following lessons could be inferred from today’s readings to groom our leadership qualities; 1. Scatter Vs gather, 2. Reporting of the events, 3. Resting is investing, 4. Engage continuously.

1.  Scatter Vs gather: Once, there was a popular Zen master. There happened to be a thief among his disciples. This person would steal things from the monastery. Every time he was caught, the master would counsel him and ask his other disciples to forgive him. This went on for a while. One day, a leader of the disciples petitioned the master to either expel the thief or the entire team of disciples would leave the monastery. The master answered, ‘Then all of you leave, please.’ The master explained to the shocked crowd, ‘all of you know that stealing is wrong but he does not. If I don’t teach him, who will? He needs my guidance and love more than any one of you. A good leader does not scatter but gathers. Everyone is important. Learn to build, easy to break but difficult to build.

2. Reporting of events: The disciples return from their missionary work and report to Jesus ‘all they had done and taught.’ Reporting is an important element of collective leadership. Reporting is a sign of mutual respect and mutual responsibility. It’s a technique of stock-taking and planning for the future. The practice of reporting nurtures the relationship among all the members and strengthens confidence. The rupture takes place when there is no proper reporting. Children should report to their parents daily about the things they have learned and what has happened in schools, colleges, and workplaces. Husband and wife need to share the day's happenings. Such daily sharing in the families builds relationships and grooms leadership.

3. Resting is investing: The disciples return to Jesus and report their achievements. Jesus changes their focus. He moves them from work to rest, takes them from a crowd to a lonely place. The disciples were so busy that they did not have time even to eat. This is our problem today. We live in a world where hustle culture is huge. We are busier and more stressed than ever before. Rest is an important strategy for better productivity. Resting is not wasting. Resting is investing. Because rest is ‘peace, pause, ease, cease or refreshment.’ Resting is not doing nothing but is accumulating energy. Rest means away from the noise to be inwardly quiet, composed and peaceful. Rest is a time to re-energize, personal reflection and orientation.

Resting is also relaxing, relaxing our grip on our fame, our ego, our carriers, our families, our projects and surrendering to God.

Today, resting has become the most occupied time. To rest and relax, we watch movies, TV, social media, and reels and play online games. In all these, the mind is not able to rest. The mind is active, and so is the body.

Rest is a sacred activity. Resting helps us to productively participate in the creative activity of God. Resting makes us responsible and long lasting.

4. Engage Continuously: A famous Zen story goes as follows; there were two Zen monks, and they were on a journey. They came to a river and saw a young woman struggling to cross the river; she was almost drowning in the water. The young monk took the woman on his shoulders and carried her across the river. The woman continued on her way, and the monks continued their journey. After a little while, the older monk said that according to their rules, we are not supposed to touch a woman, and yet you young monk carried the woman across the river. The young monk answered, ‘I left the woman at the river bank a long time ago; why are you still carrying her with you? A leader must be decisive in order to effectively guide and compassionately respond to the needs of the people.

Jesus is concerned about the well-being of his disciples, and at the same time, he has magnanimous compassion for people who hunger for his words and healing touch. Jesus saw the people as like sheep without a shepherd and was moved with compassion. Jesus knows that rest is important, and the mission is also equally important. Jesus sees the needs of the people and makes a decision promptly to teach them. Jesus is continuously engaged in his mission. He rests but does not set out of his mission. He rests but does not withdraw from his mission. The mission is his priority, and he is continuously engaged in it. He is passionate about his mission. The monk responds to the needs of the people along the journey, but that does not stop his journey.

Our takeaway

1. Each of us is a leader, and we need to groom ourselves to be the leaders we expect others to be.

2. Reporting is an important element of collective leadership. It is a sign of mutual respect, trust, and responsibility. It’s a technique of taking stock and planning for the future.

3. Resting is investing. Rest is a sacred activity. Resting helps us productively participate in God's creative activity. Resting makes us responsible and long-lasting.

4. Being passionate about something ensures continuous engagement in it.

 

July 20 –Saturday: Conflict Management – Fight Vs Flight, – Wilson SVD

 Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time  

Micah 2: 1-56;  Matthew 12: 14-21

How do we handle conflict? Fight? Or Flight? 

Every one of us faces conflicts, challenges and tough times. Life has many distressing situations. The tough times, failures, and difficulties do not discriminate against people; they come to everyone. Expect more storms when you follow Jesus. Sometimes, people may plot deliberately against us. Prophet Micah says in today’s first reading that people plot, even lying in bed, to covet and confiscate all the inheritance. What is our response? Flee from the difficulties? Or Fight?

Jesus had opponents. Jesus had to face severe religious and political opposition. He was called out of mind, a friend of Beelzebul. The Pharisees and religious leaders plotted to kill him. Some rejected him, a few mocked him and a few rejoiced at his fall. How did Jesus handle his conflict situations? A lot to learn from him.

Decision a must: A decision whether to fight or flee in a conflict situation is a must. An undecided person is equal to an unsuccessful person. There are only two kinds of people; one who is successful other who could not take the decision.

Fight quietly and persistently: Jesus’ way is gentle, not crying aloud on the streets or to everyone about the conflict. He does not break the bruised reed.  He fights quietly and steadily until he achieves his goal. A quiet and persistent fight takes us through the conflict. Empty vessels make noise but do not produce music.

Focus on the goal of life: You will never be criticised by someone who does more than you; you will only be criticised by someone who is doing less than you. Jesus was criticised, and the Pharisees were plotting to kill him. As soon as Jesus realised their plan, he quietly moved from their sight, not out of fear or anger but to focus on the purpose for which he had come to the world. His time was too short to waste on unproductive things and people. He was full of gentleness and compassion; he went about healing and teaching. He focused on the goal of his life. He knew his goal well, and he concentrated on achieving it, come what may.

Never flee away: A winner is just a loser who tried one more time. It is important to learn to build in and through the rain. There are only two kinds of people in the world; one took the risk, other found it very risky.

Our Takeaway

1. Life is a package, a package of joys and sorrow, conflict and success, pricking and provoking.

2. A quiet and persistent fight takes us through the conflict.

3. You will never be criticised by someone who does more than you; you will only be criticised by someone who is doing less than you. So, focus on the goal.

4. A winner is just a loser who tried one more time. Learn to build in and through the rain.

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary 

July 19 –Friday – It’s Time to Revamp – Wilson SVD

Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time  

Isaiah 38:1-6,21-22,7-8;  Matthew 12: 1-8

How many of us are well prepared if in case disability or death happens to us? Do our children and grandchildren know what to do if in case we get incapacitated?  King Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, the Lord sent a message through prophet Amos, ‘set your house in order, for you shall surely die.’

Set your house in order: The Hebrew verse ‎  כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ צַ֣ו לְבֵיתֶ֔ךָ   (Isa 38: 1 - )  means, ‘command your house,’ that is your family. Hezekiah has to command and bring order to his family. In the case of Hezekiah; if he has to give any directions to the members of his family, he is to do soon. This warning came to king Hezekiah. What is God telling us today? Is our house in order? Or is disorder the order of our houses? King Hezekiah ruled well, however, in the midst of king’s magnificence and prosperity, the inner house of the soul as well as the outer life required ordering. There was a collective and personal conflict in the house of Hezekiah, which he had to address before it was too late. Someday, sooner or a little later, we will have to face death, it is better to order our house than to regret later.

Disorder curtails prosperity: Today’s gospel narrates to us the various conflicts that existed between Jesus and the religious authorities. The conflicts regarding fasting, purity laws, and observance of the sabbath were dominant. The houses that are not in order spend their energies focussing on the conflicts, dos and don’ts, pains and problems. An ordered house prosperous in the Lord, for the Lord is the order. A House is a blessing. Our house is our strength. The members of the family make the house a home to live in. The members of the house impress, inspire and influence each other. When parents read the bible daily, say the family prayers daily and go to church, the entire family does the same. Parents are the key to the spiritual health of the family. When parents read the bible, recite family prayers, go to church, and discipline their children, the society flourishes. If not, the society suffers.

Hezekiah turned his face to the Lord: Hezekiah turned his face to the Lord and prayed. Hezekiah prayed with tears. The entire household turned their face to the Lord.

God adds fifteen years of life: Hezekiah prays. The Lord says, ‘I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. I will add fifteen years of life.’ The Lord removes the death and adds life. Death is replaced by life. The Lord’s answer is a very personal response; ‘I have heard, I have seen, I will add.’ The entire household of Hezekiah is blessed because of the prayer of one man Hezekiah. Prayer of a father, or mother or any one member of the family can bring blessings to the entire family. And if every member of the family is ordered and turns to the Lord, the house will become a heaven on earth.

Our Takeaway

1. It is time to revamp. Someday, sooner or a little later, we will have to face death, it is better to order our house now than to regret later. We do not know what tomorrow has in store for us.

2. A House is a blessing. Our house is our strength. The members of the family make the house a home to live. The members of the house impress, inspire and influence each other.

3. And if every member of the family is ordered and turns to the Lord, the house will become a home and heaven on earth.

 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

July 18 –Thursday – Hardest Battle to the Strongest Soldier – Wilson SVD

 Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time  

Isaiah 26: 7-9, 12,16-19; Matthew 11: 28-30 

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah expresses people’s longing for God amidst pain and anguish: “My soul yearns for you in the night, and my spirit within me keeps vigil for you.”  

In the gospel, Jesus is inviting all who are overburdened to rest and to yoke with him.

Rest is the presence of God: God provides rest. Rest is not the absence of something; it is the presence of something. The biblical definition of rest is the presence of God in the midst of conflict. Rest is a time of recuperation and recharge. Having rested in the presence of God, start to battle, and when you are tired, come back to Him, refill your energy, and start again.

God gives the hardest battle to his strongest soldiers. When faced with life’s toughest challenges, remember that these trials are not a sign of weakness but a testament to your strength. Each struggle is an opportunity to grow and demonstrate your resilience. God sees your potential and knows that you have the courage to overcome adversity. In these moments, it is crucial to trust in a higher plan. Believe that there is a purpose behind every challenge. A reason for every hardship. Your strength and perseverance inspire others. By facing your battles with grace, you become a beacon of hope and a source of encouragement for those around you. Your ability to endure and overcome serves as a powerful reminder that resilience and faith will carry us through the darkest times. Remember your strength is a gift, and each battle is a reflection of God’s trust in you.

Take His Yoke: Jesus invites to take his yoke upon us. How is this possible? A yoke is a wooden cross piece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull. The wooden cross piece helps the two animals to pull together. When we come to Jesus and learn from him, we get yoked with him. Jesus pulls us through our battle. Jesus does not take away whatever we are pulling, but we no longer pull it alone. Jesus pulls our burden with us. The yoke becomes easy because it is well-fitted with Jesus’ yoke and is now easy to pull.

Our Takeaway

1. God gives the hardest battle to His strongest soldiers. Each hardship is a reflection of God’s trust in you.

2. Biblically, rest is the presence of God in the midst of conflict. It is a time of recuperation and recharge. Battle continues after the rest. We have to battle our war; we will not be replaced by God in the warfield.

3. Jesus does not promise to remove our battle. When we are yoked with him, Jesus pulls our burden with us.

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

July 17 –Wednesday – Seek High but Foot on Ground – Wilson SVD

Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time  

Isaiah 10: 5-7, 13-16; Matthew 11: 25-27

Jesus praises and prays in the gospel today. Jesus observes in his prayer to His Father that it is not the learned and clever, the Scribes, the Pharisees, the religious experts, but ‘the infants’ who have been graced with the understanding of God’s mysteries. What is Jesus referring to? What has His Father hidden? Who are the wise and intelligent? Who are the infants?

Infants are curious to learn new things.

Infants have a willingness to learn.

Infants are not tired of asking questions.

Infants wonder and amaze at everything.

Infants always like to learn more.

Infants know well that they lack knowledge.

Infants do not hesitate to ask questions to known people.

Infants do not hesitate to explore.

Infants are humble and dependent on others.

Infants do not hesitate to share what they know.

Infants are vulnerable and stubborn.

Infants are not complicated or sophisticated.

Infants are open to learn and try new things.

Infants do not need a reason to be happy.

Infants do not hesitate to correct. 

Infants trust the teacher.

Our Takeaway

In other words, the infants stay on the ground while expediate their learning. The learned people acknowledge the limitations of their knowledge. Acceptance of one’s limitations is the beginning of wisdom. When the child in us is awakened, the learning accelerates. When I accept that I am insufficient, I will be filled in.

 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary 

July 16 – Tuesday – Movement from Admiration to Transformation – Wilson SVD

Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time  

Isaiah 7: 1-9; Matthew 11: 20-24

I often hear people say that they have brought someone back to the Catholic Church; they have brought someone to faith. One of the joyful occasions one can experience as a follower of Christ is when you share the gospel with someone, and they believe. One of the saddest occasions one can experience as a follower of Christ is when you share the gospel with someone, and they do not believe. The followers of Christ experience both the joy of conversion and the sadness of rejection. Jesus experienced the same thing, and he recounts this experience of disbelief and rejection in today’s gospel.

Movement from Admiration to Transformation:  Jesus denounces those who do not repent. The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were shoreline cities, and Jesus called His first disciples from there. Bethsaida is the hometown of Philip, Andrew and Peter.  Jesus is displaced with the inhabitants of these cities because of their failure to repent despite the many miracles done at this village. People marvelled and wondered at the miracles performed by Jesus. They did not move from wonder to change of hearts. They were not open to move from amazement to repentance. They got struck at the level of admiration. Jesus does not expect amazement and admiration but repentance and transformation.  At times, we are drawn to God, expecting incredible things to happen. Jesus is not a magician, he is mentor of life and life promoting habits.  Change of heart ushers miracles. By citing the examples of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, Jesus makes plain that those who have received more, should produce more and more is expected from them. God expects from people according to the opportunities they have been blessed with. However, our experience tells us, the most blessed people and who claim to be God’s people are often the hard-hearted.

Our Takeaway

1. Miracles do happen in life. Spiritual maturity consists in moving from admiration to transformation of life.

2. To whom more is given, more is expected.

3. Am I drawn to God expecting miracles or spiritual nourishment.

 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

 

July 15 – Monday – Why God Hides? – Wilson SVD

 Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time  

Isaiah 1: 10-17; Matthew 10: 34-11:1

The book of Numbers 6: 24-26 relates the importance of God turning His face towards His people. God turning His face towards His people is a sign of blessing and conferring grace. If so, God hiding His face signifies the absence of God’s grace. Biblically, God hiding his face signifies a perceived absence of His presence and intervention. God hiding His face is typically an act of discipline and purification. God, Yahweh, is upset with the people of Judah, and so, He determines to hide His face from them. There are many instances where God hides His face – God hides His face from David ( Psalm 30: 7, 13: 1-2).   Job asks God why do you hide your face from me and treat me as your enemy? (Job 13:24). Why does God hide His face from people He loves and cares? Because of:

The widening gap between life and worship: Isaiah expresses God’s displeasure by calling the Israelites people like Sodom and Gomorrah. Biblically, Sodom and Gomorrah are known for extreme wickedness and idolatry. God is not delighted with the religious pious activities of the wicked; God is not pleased with worship, a multitude of sacrifices, and offerings of fatted animals. Prayers and incense have become abominations to God. Elaborate feast celebrations have become a burden to Him. The worships do not delight God because of the disparity between life and worship. There is a huge contradiction between worship and way of life. The heart is full of evil inclinations, and the hands are full of blood of violence and injustices. The life does not replicate the worship. Therefore, God has turned away His face from His people.

Tendency to take God for granted: God is loving and compassionate. Israelites had a tendency to take God for granted. They mistook God’s magnanimity. They thought God could be pleased with fatted sacrifices, long prayers and elaborate feast celebrations. Our offerings, fat donations, and pious practices cannot placate God. God is not a thing to be bought nor a human person to be pleased. God loves us; however, he does not shun discipline when required. God’s magnanimity does not exclude disciplinary activities, and therefore, God has hidden His Face.

What the Lord Requires: God is calling us to repent in obvious ways. Clean our lives. He admonishes us to stop thinking that we can continue to journey in sinful ways and still remain in God’s favor. God wants communion between worship and word. And the Lord requires that we become not orators but doers of justice; how; do good, seek justice, correct oppression, defend the fatherless and plead for the widow.

Our Takeaway

1. God hiding His face signifies the absence of His presence and intervention. It is typically an act of discipline and purification.

2. Worship should be replicated in life. God cannot be placated by our offerings, fat donations, pious practices and elaborate celebrations.  God is not a thing to be bought nor a human person to be pleased.

3. Let us not mistake God’s magnanimity. God’s magnanimity does not exclude disciplinary activities.

4. God loves not the orators of justice but doers of justice.

 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

 

July 14 – Sunday – Lessons from Jesus’ School of Discipleship – Wilson SVD

 Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time

Amos 7: 12-15; Ephesians 1: 3-14; Mark 6: 7-13

The first reading from the book of Amos narrates to us the trials of Amos; how he was rejected and sent away from Bethel by a priest called Amaziah. In the second reading, Paul reminds us that we are the adopted children of God. The gospel recounts the instructions given by Jesus to who have been called and sent. Jesus schools his twelve chosen men prior to sending them on a mission. We could infer the following lessons from Jesus’ school of discipleship.

Jesus sends the disciples in pairs: Jesus having identified his twelve disciples, pairs them up. Like students on a school trip, ‘hold hands together, stick together.’ Jesus is teaching something similar, ‘stick together.’ Do not be a Christian alone. Jesus makes the disciples part of a community. The disciples are not to be alone on the mission. He calls them into a community. Community is a blessing and a gift. We need each other. We are better, when we are together. Christian life is not an individual enterprise but a collective endeavour and a mutual responsibility. As Christians, we belong to one another. Every Christian is called to be part of a community, and every catholic priest is called into a community. All the sacramental and liturgical celebrations are community celebrations. We impress, inspire and influence each other. When parents read the bible daily, say the family prayers daily and go to church, the entire family does the same. Parents are the key to the spiritual health of the family. When parents read the bible, recite family prayers and, go to church, discipline their children, society flourishes. If not, society suffers. Every Christian family is a missionary. There is no such thing as a lone-ranger Christian. Being a follower of Jesus means to do it together.

Jesus is the Boss: Our second lesson is that Jesus is the Boss. Jesus chooses the disciples; he gives them authority over unclean spirits and sends on a mission. So, Jesus is the Boss. He is the boss, he puts all of us in-charge. There was a little boy about four years old. The little boy saw a man selling balloons, and he came to the ballon seller and asked him, Uncle, will this red ballon go up in the air? The balloon seller said, of course, it will. Then a blue one, sure it will. The pink one,  definitely will fly in the air. The exasperated balloon seller said, look, my boy, balloons do not go up in the air based on their colours. The balloons go up in the air not because of their colour but because of what is inside of them, the gas, the air. Jesus is our gas, our fuel, we fly high as long as we are filled with Him. He is our priority. Our aim is not to replace him but to manifest him in our words and deeds.

Adopt minimalist living: Jesus admonishes his disciples to travel light. As Christians, we are invited to travel light. Because travelling light means we trust in Jesus and not in material things. Limited garments, no packed food, and one pair of sandals all mean that the disciple is invited to identify himself/herself with the poor and the people who have the minimum. It is an invitation to understand that the haves and the have-nots are equal in the eyes of God. Everyone needs to be affirmed and accepted. Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, once took two candidates for dinner; they both were graduates of the same university, they had the same A grade, and they were both geniuses. They finished their dinner and they walked out of the restaurant. As soon as they walked out, Ford said to one, you are hired, and to another, we won’t be proceeding together; thank you very much for the lovely dinner. And the young guy summoned the courage and said Mr. Ford, can I ask you something sir? We never spoke about engineering, we did not speak about cars, and we only spoke about general things. Why are you hiring my friend and not me? Mr. Ford said, for one most important reason, your friend was polite and respectful with all the waiters and servants, saying thank you and please but they were invisible for you. You only were polite while addressing me. A great leader should not see the hierarchy. He has to see human beings. Jesus wants us Christians to see human beings, particularly in the less privileged ones. Let me put it this way, richness in life is not how much money we make; it is how little money we need. The little I need, the richer I am. The little I have, the happier I am.

Do not get discouraged when you fail: We are sent on a mission. Jesus rightly cautions us; not everyone will accept us. Some will receive us, and some will reject us. We will be looked down upon by our people. The simple lesson here is ‘don’t get discouraged when you fail.’ Jesus met with rejection, Thomas failed, Peter failed, Paul failed, and many saints have failed. Failure in the eyes of the world is an overwhelming success in the eyes of God. Don’t get discouraged; keep moving ahead. A Christian is not the one who never fails but who raises each time he/she fails.

Our Takeaway

1. Every Christian family is a missionary. Being a follower of Jesus means to do it together. Christian life is not an individual enterprise but a collective endeavour and a mutual responsibility.

2. Jesus is our boss. He calls and sends us. He is our priority. Our aim is not to replace him but to manifest him in our words and deeds.

3. The richness in life is not how much money we make; it is how little money we need. The little we need, the richer we are. The little we have, the happier we are.

4. A Christian is not the one who never fails but who raises each time he/she fails. 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

July 13 – Saturday – Carry the Teacher in your Heart – Wilson SVD

 

Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 6: 1-8;  Matthew 10: 24-33

Student and Disciple: Today’s gospel is the continuation of Jesus’ instruction to his disciples. Jesus tells them, ‘that the disciple is not superior to his teacher.’ The goal of the teacher is to share with the students all he/she knows, to take them to the depth of learning and launch them into the ocean of life with all the acquired skills.  The joy of the teacher is to see the students grow leaps and bounds, achieve, discover and invent beyond imagination. Studentship is a part-time and time-bound activity. The evangelist Matthew does not use the word student, but he carefully chooses to use the word ‘μαθητὴς – mathadeis, which means disciple. A disciple is different from a student. Discipleship is a life-long commitment. The teacher does not teach the disciple but imparts/transfers the knowledge to the disciple. A disciple acquires the skills from the teacher with an intention of continuing the mission of the teacher.

Disciple carries the teacher in the heart: The disciple is the continuation of the teacher and so he is to carry the teacher in the heart, consequently, the disciple is not greater than the teacher. The teacher is his priority.  He does not replace the teacher, but the disciple is teacher in action. The disciple is to make the teacher continuously alive through his words and deeds. He carries the teacher in his heart and constantly manifests him. In this process, whatever happened to Jesus will happen to the disciples as well. As Jesus had to carry the cross, so also the disciple must carry a cross. Jesus calls us not only to share his glory but also to share his warfare and suffering.

The Father is in control: Whatever happens, God, the Father is in control. Hence, to suffer for Jesus is a privilege to share in the works of Jesus; to sacrifice one’s comfort is to share in the sacrifices of Jesus. When life gets tough, let us remind ourselves that we are treading on the path where Jesus trod.

Our Takeaway

1. A Disciple is different from a student. Studentship is a part-time and time-bound activity. Discipleship is a life-long commitment. For every Christian, following Jesus is a life-long commitment.

2. The disciple is the continuation of the teacher, and so he is to carry the teacher in his heart. Consequently, the disciple is not greater than the teacher. The teacher is his priority.

3. Discipleship/Christian life is a blessed privilege to share in the glory and suffering of Jesus, our eternal teacher.

 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

 

July 12 – Friday – Be cunning and Innocent – 😃😄 wow So Strange? – Wilson SVD

 

Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time

Hosea 14: 2-10; Matthew 10: 16-23

In today’s gospel we find Jesus instructing his disciples. He cautions them to be careful as they are vulnerable. Jesus asks them to be cunning like the serpent and innocent like the dove. Serpents and doves are mentioned often all throughout the scripture and so, the disciples of Jesus might have been familiar with these two creatures. At first glance, Jesus’ comparison of these two creatures might surprise us. These two creatures contrast each other in their attitude; cunningness and innocence. Jesus wants both of these aspects to be present in our lives.

The serpent’s cunningness: the serpent tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, in Exodus, the staffs of Moses and Aaron turned into serpents, god sends fiery serpents in Numbers 21. The serpent was crafty and shrewd in Genesis while trapping Eve. The Greek version of Matthew 10: 16 is  - φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις  - wise/prudent like the serpent. The Greek word  φρόνιμος – phronimos, means ‘wise, intelligent, prudent, sensible and insightful’. And not cunningness in the negative sense of the word.  The serpent is cunning because it uses these faculties to harm someone. Hence, Jesus’ advice to the disciples to be ‘as wise/prudent as a serpent – has to be understood that Jesus does not mean that the disciples use these faculties of wisdom for malicious intent as the serpent used in Genesis. Instead, Jesus recommends that the disciples cultivate these faculties and use them promptly while encountering the malicious people and life-destructive systems of the world.  It simply means respond to wolves with an insight; cunningness/intelligence without a malice. Jesus handled the Pharisees, Sadducees and political leaders prudently; Jesus knew well when to react, when to respond and when to quietly sneak out.  

Innocent as doves: The dove is presented as beautiful, harmless and innocent throughout the scripture. The dove appears in the story of Noah’s ark, the spirit of God descends in the form of a dove upon Jesus at his baptism. The advice to be innocent like the dove is an invitation to be blameless and to be careful not to repay evil with evil. Innocence does not mean victimhood. We Christians, are called to be assertive and not to be submissive under the pretext of docile innocent Christians. Prudence ought to be our armour in times of political, social and structural crisis.

I am sending you: Jesus says to his disciples that ‘I am sending you.’ Jesus is the sender and so the protection is already assured. The sender equips the messenger. The disciples/Christians are to expect trials and persecution. It’s worth taking the risk of being the disciple of Jesus; when we are broken, we participate in the brokenness of our Lord, when we are persecuted, we participate in the persecution of our Lord, when we are falsely accused, we participate in the unjust condemnation of our Lord.   Prudence and innocence will guide us through any  wolves.

Our Takeaway

1. Every Christian and everyone aspiring to be priest and religious is admonished to cultivate this faculty of prudence. So, we learn to respond to wolves with an insight; cunningness/intelligence without a malice.

2. Innocence is not victimhood. Christians are called to be assertive and not to be submissive under the pretext of docile innocent Christians. It is time that we stand up for ourselves, if we do not who else will stand for us.

3. It’s worth taking the risk of being a disciple of Jesus. It’s not a romantic journey but a path breaking and path making journey.

 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary

July 11 - Thursday – A Glimpse Inside God’s Heart - Wilson SVD

 

Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time

Hosea 11: 1-4, 8-9; Matthew 10: 7-15

These days, we have been having the first readings from the book of Hosea. Hosea is an incredible prophet.  Today’s first reading vividly presents YHWH’s anguished love for His beloved children – Israel. God is a passionate parent who laments over the sins of Israel, His beloved children. This passage is one of the outstanding love poems in the Old Testament. Oftentimes, we tend to presume that the God presented in the Old Testament is angry, violent, and judgmental. Hosea opens up the heart of God and leads us to the depth and width of God’s love and compassion.  

Glimpse inside God’s Heart: God is not an idea or a concept. Hosea presents God as a person, a loving, passionate parent, a parent who loves the children to death. Hosea’s words relay before us, the broken heart of our Divine parent. It is a soliloquy; God speaks his thoughts in a personal and emotional way for all of us to hear. God beautifully recounts the days when He lavished Israel with love, called him son, taught him to walk, taught him to speak, dressed him and cleaned him, carried him in His arms, played with him, bent down to feed him. YHWH is a zealous parent. YHWH lavished Israel with his abundance of love, only to be repaid with rebellion and betrayal. We can sense the pathos of a zealous father over the destruction of his beloved child. 

Does God get angry, say hard things and punish? Of course He does. Which parent does not when their child wanders into self-destructive ways? Does God say hard things? Of course, He does. Which parent doesn’t when years of love are despised for the sake of cheap and fleeting pleasures? Does God punish?  Yes, a loving parent will do anything to get their children back to a godly way of life. Punishment is not to inflict pain or suffering but to redirect towards a prosperous future. 

Does God give up?: Our God never ever gives up. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over Israel? In spite of God’s tender love, Israel consistently and stubbornly sinned and wandered off to worship other gods. Like a rebellious toddler running away from the parents to an attractive toy stall or sweet store. God is not like us humans. There is a limit to human love. There are explicit and implicit conditions in human love. Sometimes, we get angry, lose our temper, we can not control ourselves. Sometimes our children/friends/relatives push us beyond our limits and we never speak to them again. But God’s love does not run out of love, has no limits and especially demands no conditions. God loves and does not give up. 

In the Gospel, Jesus instructs the twelve disciples to share such unconditional love with everyone. 

Our Takeaway

1. God loves me.

2. God does get angry, scold me and punish me when I deserve it.

3. God never gives up on me. 

Wilson SVD

Divine Word Missionary