Dispelling Darkness

A light to enlighten the darkness. This lamp shows that its good to light a candle then to curse the darkness.

Photo: A rare sight in London.  

2 Sunday of Lent, 17 March 2019

We enter into the second week of Lent with graces from prayer, fasting and charity. Each day of Lent brings us closer to God and demands us to be Christ-like. We are invited to convert ourselves so that we prepare for the great Paschal Mystery of Christ’s Resurrection. Lent helps us to see the world through God’s eyes. This requires total trust and dedication to accept any amendments to our lives. This is to better our relationship with God and each other. It is easier for us to relate to each other when we are Christ-like but forces of the world will teach us otherwise.

Liturgy of today draws us to a crucial lesson of ‘change.’ Scriptures of today focus on change and let go off our old ways. First reading marks the significant stage in Abrams faith journey. Although doubted, Abram was able to discover his self worth by trusting in God and his commandments. He is asked to leave his homeland and live in strange land. If he did so he was assured of family and descendents as the stars in heaven. Although assurance seems great, Abram had to be open to change, namely, a change of place, environment, culture, food habits, people, and whatever that was familiar to him. There are a few significant aspects to change. Change demands acceptance to call to change and once we accept, we have to be physically and psychologically ready to a new reality and then we experience results of that change. Change is hard and even harder if it has challenges. Abram had mountainous struggles but he accepted the call to change and stuck to it. The struggles and challenges did not hold him down in order to change.

In today’s Gospel, we heeded to a new reality in the life of Jesus and his disciples. The transfiguration is a new reality. Jesus discloses himself as the son of God through bodily changes. The disciples witness this new reality of transfiguration. They had seen Jesus in their day-today lives but they saw Him so much different at this event on the mountain. Jesus had to transform in order to transfigure. His clothes became dazzlingly white and the surrounding changed to disclose the true identity of Jesus as the Son of God. On the other hand the disciples knew Jesus to some extent become more aware of His status in par with God. At this event, the disciples change into a new person. They wanted to stay on the mountain but Jesus had a mission for them. In this event Jesus did not need to prove that he the son of God but as humans, disciples had to witness something extraordinary about Jesus. God does change but God expects us to change and in order for this to happen, God humbles himself to show us himself through events and circumstances. God expects us to change from our old ways to new.

We have heard the slogan, ‘be the change that you want to see.’ That is the crux of the message of today’s liturgy.  It is easier to point a finger at someone but when it demands of us, we are either reluctant or we back-off. Culturally, we are slow to any change. It is important to note that we don’t see same thing everyday rather we see things differently because it is a new day. Change happens when we accept to change. In order to accept change, we have to let go off our old ways. This is a hard thing to do because we are comfortable with where we are. Change brings new challenges and also new consequences. Generally, change brings newness and freshness to one’s life. Often times we are discouraged because people don’t like change, hence, resistance will be greater. Our world is the result of change in the way humans think and invent. Every invention has brought change in the world. For instance, change in medical field has brought better health care. Change in technology has made our work easier.

In conclusion, we pray for each other that we may be open to changes and may God help us to let go off our old ways that are hindering our physical and spiritual growth.

1 Sunday of Lent, 10 March 2019

We are in the great season of Lent. Lent is an inward journey. Lent helps us to peel-off shields that hinder us from becoming Christ-like. During this journey, we will be able to discover that we need God’s assistance. We are given an opportunity to discover our real-self through fasting, penance and alms giving. In our usual journey of life, we might have drifted from God but Lenten journey brings us back to God once again and all over again.

I would like us to focus on two aspects of today’s liturgy. Firstly, evil or ‘Satan’ is not exclusive but inclusive to individual existence and secondly, self-discipline is the remedy for temptation.

Fr Michael Barrow SJ writes that Satan is not something outside of human being that comes to tempt us. He writes referring to Pope’s invitation to combat Satan of sexual abuse. Sometimes we are inclined to think that evil comes outside of human being or in other words evil is associated with Satan and Satan is someone outside of human being. In the first reading, Moses addresses the people of Israel after the end of their journey towards Promised Land. Although he was not going to be with them in the Promised Land, he prepares them with instructions of staying close to God just as they did while in the desert. Moses instructs the people to make a creedal pronouncement. People of Israel had to pronounce individually before the priest. This way Moses acknowledges that people might drift away from God on their own accord. We are body and mind. The cause of evil is man himself. Evil does not come from outside, but outside forces can instigate and encourage evil. Our human psyche is capable of good but it is also capable of bad. Although external forces might contribute towards bad but it has come from an individual. We are carriers of good and bad. For instance an individual might curse in anger; keep in mind that individual chose to curse when angry. He could have chosen not to curse. We know that evil is within us. Point of departure of evil is human being. Liturgy invites us not to blame someone else for evil but look at oneself.

This takes us to our next aspect in focus; temptation is from within hence we have to fight temptation from within. Human being comes with full package with good and bad, temptation and self-discipline. We have everything in us. Nothing can influence us unless we decide to be influenced. When Jesus was tempted three times, namely, he was tempted in three districts ways, namely, authority, submission and hunger. Jesus, as the Son of God had a comprehensive picture as to how evil can infiltrate and destroy someone. Power, submission and hunger might seem like external forces but something humans covet for. If we touch our hearts now and sincerely see what is in the core of our heart. What are we thinking now?

Most important thing is not temptation but how do we overcome it? Temptation is inevitable to us. Often, we tend to concentrate on temptation than to overcome it. For instance, if one is tempted to use curse words, the person needs to find ways to self-discipline and self- control. Jesus’ self-control and self-discipline did not allow him to budge to the temptation. In life, we as humans must have discipline which helps us self-control. We can take horse to the water but cannot make it drink. Discipline has to come from within. Although we are disciplined by external forces, it is important that individuals accept to be disciplined. We are flesh and blood. We are raw without discipline. We can easily be lured by temptation if we don’t have any self-control. Through his temptation, Jesus warns and reminds us that when we are weak we are tempted the most. In our weakness temptation pervades and drags us to doom.

Ash Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Lent is here but where are we? We can focus on one aspects of Ash Wednesday, namely, internal approach to religious practices.

It is time to shift our focus from external to internal. This might sound generic Lenten propaganda but we would like to understand and re-live the inner reality. We know it is easier for anyone to see what is outside of oneself and harder to see what is within us. In the first reading today, we are reminded by Prophet Joel to break our hearts and not our garments. It was customary for the Jews to do those external rituals in order to repent from their sins. It was leaning towards a public display of repentance. Hence, timely reminder by the Prophet was crucial in order that people might not lose focus of the act of repentance. It is like a person goes to confession as a show and an obligation but doesn’t make any changes to life. This defeats the sole purpose of confession. The point of departure of any religious obligation must for oneself. There must be an individualistic approach to these obligations. We might be tempted to lean towards a public display of our religious practices such as fasting, confession, prayers, and alms-giving but has little or no impact on the individual. We have known people who look perfect in public places but they are like whitewashed tombs. They are like publicans of Jesus’ time.

Today's Gospel compliment the message of individualistic approach to religious obligations and not a show how religious you are. God who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. Inner disposition is important while doing our Lenten observances. Whole purpose of Lent is to do things quietly so that we can focus on ourselves. It is an individual effort to benefit the individual. Let us not lose sight of the important focus of Lent. It is through individual effort one can reach out to the community. 

As we begin Lent, let us look in ourselves. Let us understand the meaning of any religious obligations and practices. They are meant for the individual’s betterment and not for a public show. 

Amen. 

8th Sunday of Ordinary Time, 3 March 2019

A master was teaching lesson to four of his disciples. He stepped outside with stern instruction that no one must speak and must study in silence. While they were studying in silence, the sky turned cloudy. At this first disciple remarked, ‘it is likely to rain now.’ Listening to him second disciple responded and said, ‘you shouldn’t have said anything as master has asked us to stay silent till he come back and how you have disobeyed him.’ The third said to second one, ‘see, now even you are speaking…’ The three disciples spoke in master’s absence but the fourth disciple still didn’t say anything and he silently kept studying that lesson. As soon as master returned, the first one pointed toward second one and complained that he spoke in his absence. Second one said, ‘so what? Even you didn’t keep quiet.’ Third one said, ‘master they both disobeyed you.’ Seeing this master said, ‘it means all three have spoken in my absence. Only one who obeyed was fourth and he was the only one to follow my instructions properly. Surely he will be a good disciple and better person.

This happens with most of us. We focus so much on pointing out others mistakes that we don’t realize that we ourselves are erred. It is imperative that we address our own mistakes and correct them. This is the crucial and clear message from the Gospel today. Jesus is talking through a parable of blind man leading another blind man. He warns that we must take out the plank in our eyes before we try to take the speck from others eyes. It comes naturally for anyone of us to point out others errors and mistakes but it is hard to look or accept our own errors. Jesus was specifically warning the authorities and leaders of the community who were the watchdogs and projected righteous people. They invariably looked down on the poor and lowly by pointing out their mistakes and errors. This irked Jesus so much he warns them through the parable. It is obvious that one blind man cannot lead the other blind. It is a tangible parable where it becomes clearer that Jesus’ warning and lesson is to look and correct one’s mistakes first.

Hand gesture suggests that when we point one finger at other rest of the fingers point toward ourselves. As humans we are bound to make mistakes. If we point out others mistakes we also much remember that we are potentially also bound to make those same mistakes. No one is perfect and perfection does not come by pointing out others mistakes. Perfection is achieved through self-evaluation. Every mistake that is accepted and corrected is the stepping stone to success. It is significant that we retrospect, accept and correct our mistakes. In this way we don’t give leeway to others to point out our mistakes.

Having said the above, we must remember that constructive pointing out mistakes could be beneficial and appreciated. This could be done through fraternal correction for the benefit of a person. For instance, parents have the duty to correct mistakes of their children. In turn, children have to accept and correct their mistakes. This is done for the benefit of the person and hence personal growth is the goal of this correction.

But on the hand if someone points out mistakes in order to besmirch reputation of the person, then it is wicked. There is no fraternal correction since person points out mistakes to ruin the other. This is very rampant in our society, work place or church. Jesus is sternly warning against this kind of behavior in people. By all means this kind of people looks for any tiny opportunity to bring down the other with an evil intention. Many of us probably have witnessed these sorts of people. Jesus calls them hypocrites. We have to keep them far because they don’t have our best interest while pointing out our mistakes. This is much worse when they point out mistakes in the form gossip.

Today, as we reflect and pray let us self-evaluate how do we point out others mistakes? Do we point out to make or break the person? If we have been victimized by people who point out our mistakes, let us treat them like hypocrites and make every effort to keep them away from our lives.

Amen.

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 24 February 2019

The story of a blind man goes as follows. Father and son were travelling in a train. Son was excited as they traveled. He was screaming like a child as he saw landscape with beautiful trees in it. He narrated to his father like a little child. Everything he saw made him excited and every time he was excited he screamed with joy. Co-passengers were terribly annoyed at this behavior since although an adult he behaved like a child. They inquired with his father as to why his son behaved in such a manner. They told him that he should discipline his son in a proper way. At this, father explained to co-passengers that his son was blind from birth and they were returning after an eye transplant. His son was seeing the world for the first time after 25 years and hence, he was excited to see the beautiful and lively world.

Have you been judged by others? Have you been victimized by someone? Have you judged someone? Have you gossiped about someone? In today’s scripture Jesus emphasizes on an important life lesson, ‘treat unto others as you want them to treat you.’ We have heard this umpteen times yet in reality we are either topic of gossip or we indulge in talking behind someone’s back. In the former, we feel let down by people who treat harshly towards, in other words, when we feel terrible when we are judged for who we are.

We are twice affected when we indulge in gossip. When we bad-talk about someone our reputation is jeopardized and also subject of the bad-talk’s reputation is also jeopardized. It has dual effect. Gossip can break both persons. If we indulge in gossip, we might be also be gossiped behind our back. Jesus’ warning is so true if we treat others badly, we will be treated badly. If we treat others well, we will be treated well. Every action has a boomerang effect. We must not allow ourselves to be sucked into the gossip clicks. We must be cautious about people who indulge in this. We must try to keep them far for we don’t need a friend who talks about others and not themselves. If you have nothing to say about someone don’t say anything. When someone gossips with you, just make sure you are not interested in someone else’s business. It would be appreciative of you if you can let them know that you don’t want to be around the person who gossips. Rest assured the person will try to avoid you for you don’t match the click.

As we read our scripture, let us internalize the message of Jesus. Let us begin treating others with respect and dignity. Everyone deserves to be respected. We learn to respect each other at home. This will help us to respect people in our work places and in the society. We must keep away from people who try to destroy and be closer to people who try to build.

Amen.

Feast of Chair of Peter, 22 February 2019

The feast of the Chair Peter and scripture draw our attention to an important lesson, namely, finding joy in what we do. These days every employers seeks for a person who is a team worker. I believe in team work and as a team leader it is my duty to treat everyone equally and humanely because we are first humans then only the job title we hold. 

Humility is the key to achieving good results in any organisation. Today's Scripture speak about treating others not merely as a duty but gladly. Treat unto other as we want them to treat us. Sometimes doing home chores can be boring and duty bound. It might make us unhappy. It important to pay attention to any chores that we do. This will give us joy and satisfaction in what we do. Sometimes routine works at home can bring unhappiness because we don't really see the results upfront. In this contemporary world, everyone seeks instant results, and this cannot happen in any household. For instance, a mother cannot see instant results while she cares for her baby child. But certainly her time and investment is going to yield fruits when child grows up. Therefore, she cannot give up just because a baby is doing same mistakes over and again.

In the Gospel, we hear Peter is testifying that Jesus is the Son of the Living God. Jesus knew who he was but he wanted to know whether Peter can testify his existence as the Son of God. Jesus in return awards Peter and Peter becomes the foundation of the Church. Jesus rewards Peter. Peter's humility was appreciated and rewarded. In his humility Peter recognizes Jesus' authority. In our lives, we have give credit where it due. In our homes we lack this humility and recognition of each others contribution. Humility helps us to recognize and appreciate each other. This also will help us to credit where it is due. 

Amen.