Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Thursday, December 1, 2022 - Homily
Thursday, December 1, 2022 - Is the home of your life built on rock or sand? How will you show that it has been built on rock today? Is the home of your life able to withstand the storms that threaten it from without? If No, what will you do about it today?
To read the texts click on the texts: Isa26: 1-6; Mt 7:21, 24-27
The three chapters beginning from 5:1 and ending at 7:29 contain one of the most famous discourses of Matthew, known as “The Sermon on the Mount”. This is the first of the five great discourses in the Gospel of Matthew. Each of the five ends with the phrase, “and when Jesus had finished…” (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). The Sermon on the Mount begins by showing Jesus as a Rabbi, teaching ex-cathedra (5:1) and ends by showing Jesus as the Messianic prophet, addressing the crowds (7:28). The Sermon is a composition of Matthew. An analysis of similar texts in the Gospels of Mark and Luke indicate that many verses found here in Matthew are also found in Mark and Luke in different contexts. This does not mean that Jesus did not say these words. It means that Matthew has put them together in this manner. Most are agreed that the theme of the Sermon is found in 5:17-20, in which Jesus speaks about having come, not to abolish but to fulfil the Law and Prophets. He issues a challenge to those listening to let their “righteousness” be greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees in order to enter the kingdom. This they will do if they internalize the law rather than if they simply follow it as a set of rules and regulations.
The text of today is from the conclusion of the Sermon. It begins with Jesus stating emphatically that mere words on the part of people, even if one addresses him with lofty titles and fervent pleas, will not gain one entry into the kingdom. Entry into the kingdom is determined by “doing” the Father’s will. Right action is more important than right words.
What it means to do the Father’s will is brought out clearly in the parable of the two builders. The point here, besides action, is one of foresight. The builder who builds his house on sand is doing, at first glance, as well as the one who builds his house on rock. It is only when the rain falls, the storm comes, and the wind blows, that the difference is seen. The house built on rock continues to stand, whereas the one built on sand falls. The wise person represents those who put Jesus' words into practice; they too are building to withstand anything. Those who pretend to have faith, which is a mere intellectual commitment, or who enjoy Jesus in small doses as and when it suits them, are foolish builders. When the storms of life come, their structures fool no one; above all, they do not fool God.
The sermon speaks of grace, but the grace of God is known only in that community committed to doing God’s will, as revealed in Jesus. There can be no calculating “cheap grace.” One must take the Sermon on the Mount seriously as the revealed will of God to be lived. The subject matter of the sermon is not the person of Christ, but the kind of life Christ’s disciples are called to live. One cannot avoid Christology and appeal only to the teaching or great principles of Jesus, for these are inseparable from the claims of his person. But, for Matthew, the converse is also true: “Correct” Christological understanding can never be a substitute for the ethical living to which Jesus calls his disciples. Christology and ethics, like Christology and discipleship, are inseparable for Matthew.
Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 - St. Andrew, Apostle - Andrew left everything to follow the Lord. How will you follow the Lord today?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22
Andrew
was the brother of Simon Peter (Mt 4:18; Mk 1:16; Jn 1:40; 6:8) and along with
his brother was a fisherman. According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was a
disciple of John the Baptist and was one of the first to follow Jesus. The
Gospels of Matthew and Mark state that Andrew and his brother were the
disciples to be called by Jesus to become “fishers of men”; a phrase which was
used to probably link it with their trade.
Though
not in the group of the three disciples (Peter, James and John) who seemed to
have a special place in the ministry of Jesus, it was Andrew who brought the
boy who had five barley loaves to Jesus in the Gospel of John (Jn 6:8) and who
along with Philip told Jesus about the gentiles (Greeks) who wished to meet
Jesus (Jn 12:22).
Andrew
is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras. His
crucifixion is believed to have been on Cross that was shaped like the alphabet
X. This Cross is commonly known as “Saint Andrew’s Cross” today.
The
Gospel text for the Feast is the call of the first four disciples as narrated
by Matthew. It is Jesus who takes the initiative in this story and come to the
brothers, Simon and Andrew. Jesus’ invitation is also a promise. The invitation
which is “to follow” him, will result in the brothers becoming ‘fishers of men
and women’. It is an invitation to participate in the saving work of Jesus.
The
response of the brothers is immediate. They leave everything to follow Jesus.
While it was surely a risk to act in such a manner, it is also true that the
call of Jesus was so compelling, that they simply could not refuse.
What
does it mean to follow Jesus and accept his invitation to follow? It means that
one is willing to accept the challenge to see God in all things and all things
in God. It therefore means continuing to follow when everything is going the
way we want it to and also when our
plans go awry and we cannot understand why things happen the way they do. It
means trusting at every moment that we have to continue to what is required of
us and leave everything else (including the worrying) to God. It means trusting
that God will never let us down and that all that happens to us is for God’s
glory and our good.
Monday, 28 November 2022
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 - Homily
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 - What is preventing you from seeing and hearing God’s word today? What will you do about it?
To read the texts click on the texts: Isa11:1-10; Lk 10:21-24
The Gospel text of today is found also in the Gospel of Matthew, but here, in Luke, it follows the return of the seventy (seventy-two) from mission and continues the note of celebration that this successful return began. There are three clusters of sayings. Today’s text contains the second and third of the three. The second cluster is addressed by Jesus to God. In it, he acclaims the Father for hiding revelation from the wise and intelligent and revealing it to infants. This theme is not new, and is also found in other Jewish wisdom literature. However, the next verse, which speaks about the relationship between the Father and the Son, is unique and distinctly Christological. The knowledge that God gives is “handed over” by the Father directly to the Son. This is the source of Jesus’ authority and is also why the Son is competent to reveal the Father as father.
The third cluster of sayings is made by Jesus to the disciples. A blessing is first pronounced on the disciples for what they have seen, followed by an explanation. Even prophets and kings were not privileged to see the Son and hear him, but the disciples are so privileged.
Sunday, 27 November 2022
Monday, November 28, 2022 - Homily
Monday, November 28, 2022 - Do you give up when at first your prayers are not answered? Will you persevere in your asking today?
To read the texts click on the texts: Isa2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11
Weekdays in the season of Advent begin with the miracle of the healing of a Gentile officer’s servant. In Matthew’s narrative of this miracle, the focus of attention is on the sayings of both Jesus and the centurion. The centurion does not explicitly tell Jesus his request, but simply relates the situation of his servant. The fact that he addresses Jesus as “Lord” indicates that he is a believer (in Matthew, only those who believe in Jesus address him as “Lord”). Though the response of Jesus might be read as a statement (“I will come and cure him”) it seems better to read it as a question, “I should come and cure him?” Read as a question, it expresses hesitancy and fits in with Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus as the one sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. The centurion, however, responds with faith.
He regards Jesus as one who is under no power or authority. If he, though under the authority of his superior officers, can command and expect to be obeyed, then it is a sure fact that Jesus, who is above all and under no one, will surely be able to heal his servant. This is why there is no need for Jesus to even enter his house.
Jesus’ response to the centurion’s faith is to comment on the lack of faith of those to whom he had been sent, Israel. This lack of faith on the part of Israel, and faith on the part of the Gentiles, will lead to the inclusion of the Gentiles in the eschatological banquet.
Saturday, 26 November 2022
Sunday, November 27, 2022 - First Sunday in Advent - “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday”
To read the texts click on the texts: Isaiah 2:1-5; Rom. 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44
In
this oracle of salvation Isaiah speaks of the elevation or exaltation of Zion,
the mountain of the Temple of the Lord. This elevation will result in the
establishment of peace and justice among all nations. The people will make a
pilgrimage to Zion to learn the Lord’s ways and walk in his paths. They will go
to God’s holy mountain to learn from him. This instruction will result in the
instruments of war being turned into farming tools. Peace will reign and so
there will be no need to train for war.
In
this part of his letter to the Romans, Paul exhorts his readers because of the
urgency of the times to wake up and live in the light rather than darkness.
This is done by giving up things done under the cover of the dark and daring to
appear in the light. Christians must express through their words and actions
the very presence of Christ.
The
text from Matthew is part of his Eschatological Discourse (24-25). To the
question “When will Christ return?” Matthew’s answer is “No one knows” (24:36).
As in the time of Noah life went on as usual with no sign that judgement was
going to come, so will it be at the Parousia (literally “presence” but taken to
mean the second coming of Christ). However, this lack of knowledge about the
exactness of the hour instead of becoming a cause for concern must be the
motivating factor to be ready at all times. In the metaphor of the thief who
breaks and enters the house, the point being made is that it is the one who
knows that the exact hour is unknown will be the one who will remain vigilant
and awake.
Many
of us live in the future rather than in the present. We want to know what will
happen tomorrow and in the process do not live fully today. This obsession with
the future is because basically we are frightened. We are frightened of what
the future holds for us, we are frightened of whether we will be able to cope
with what the future brings and we are frightened of whether the future will be
better than or worse than our present. The Gospel text of today is calling for
exactly the opposite of this way of living. It is calling for a total living in
the present and doing what we have to do in the now, with no useless worry
about what the morrow will bring. This is what it means to be ready at all
times. A story is told of St. John Berchmans {a young Jesuit who died when he
was 22 years old} who when asked what he would do if he was told that he
was going to be called by the Lord at the moment when he was playing football
is said to have replied, “I will continue playing football.” The Latin phrase
“Age quod agis” “Do what you are doing” sums up his attitude and the attitude
expected of each of us who profess to be followers of Christ.
However,
we will only be able to have such a kind of confidence to continue doing what
we are doing, if we give up the negative
things that we might be doing and the negative attitudes that we might carry
and substitute them instead with everything that enhances, builds up and is positive. Being good and doing good
are not be looked upon as a burden but something that comes naturally to the
Christian who has experienced the move from darkness to light and from fear to
love through what Christ has done through his life, mission, death and
resurrection. We must show through this kind of positive and fearless living
that we are indeed children of the light and have as inspiration the person and
message of Christ.
If
we dare to live in this manner then the prophecy of Isaiah which was fulfilled
in the coming of Jesus 2000 years ago will also become a reality once again
today. We will become that mountain of the Temple of the Lord to which everyone
will look and learn the Lord’s ways. They will learn that to live in the future
is futile, that to be obsessed with what is not yet is to fail to appreciate
fully the present moment. They will realize that it is better to be positive
than negative, to enhance and build up rather than pull down and destroy, to
live fully and completely rather than die without ever having lived.
Friday, 25 November 2022
Saturday, November 26, 2022 - How would you define prayer? Can it be said of you that your life is prayer?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev22:1-7; Lk 21:34-36
These verses are the conclusion of the Eschatological Discourse, and in them, Luke composes an exhortation that stresses constant watchfulness and prayer as opposed to drunkenness and dissipation. The reason for alertness is because the day can come at any time. The final verse introduces a positive exhortation. The opposite of sleep and dissipation is vigilance and prayer. The final verse of the discourse calls for constant alertness and prayer, so that one will be able to stand before the Son of Man with dignity and honour. Life itself must be prayer.
Some of us regard being good as a burden. This is because we wrongly associate with seriousness and a lack of joy. On the contrary, a good person and holy person is primarily a joyful person. Such a person enjoys every moment of every day and lives it fully. Such a person leaves nothing undone and therefore will be ready at all times.Thursday, 24 November 2022
Friday, November 25, 2022 - Will you live today as if it were your last day on earth?
To read the texts click on the texts: Revelation 20:1-4,11 – 21:2; Lk 21:29-33
The parable of the fig tree found in
these verses is the last parable that Jesus tells in the Gospel of Luke. This
parable is found also in Mark 13,28-29 and Matthew 24,32-33, but whereas Mark
and Matthew speak only of the fig tree, Luke speaks of “the fig tree and all
the trees” (21,29). When people can see for themselves that these trees have
come out in leaf they know for themselves that summer is near, so when they see
the Son of Man coming in a cloud (21,27) they will know that the kingdom is near.
Since Luke probably thought that the end would come soon, he has added the last
two sayings about what will not pass away until “these things” have taken
place. They are “this generation” and the “words” of Jesus. These
pronouncements must serve as a reminder of the assurance of redemption for the
believer.
Our job as Christians is not to bother
about when the end will be but to live fully in the present moment. If we do so
then no matter when the end comes we will always be ready.
Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Thursday, November 24, 2022 - Homily
Thursday, November 24, 2022 - If the end were to come today would you be able to hold your heal high fearlessly? If No, what will you do about it today?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev 18:1-2,21-23; 19:1-3,9; Lk 21:20-28
The text of today, continues the Eschatological Discourse, but speaks now of the destruction of Jerusalem and other cosmological signs which announce the coming of the Son of Man. Josephus the Jewish historian recorded the horrors of the Jewish war, which lasted from April until August of the year 70 C.E. It was a terrible for all the inhabitants and many were killed during it. The Romans razed the whole city to the ground. Once this happens and the other signs have come to pass signalling the end that is at hand, the Son of Man will appear in a cloud, with great power and glory. When this happens others might faint from fear, but the disciples are asked to hold their heads up high, because their salvation has indeed come.
Jesus now counsels his followers about
“what is coming upon the world,” admitting that cosmic signs will attend it,
signs in the sun, moon, stars, and in the roaring and surging sea. They will
cause distress among people of all nations. Fear and foreboding will snatch the
breath away from people, as the forces of the heavens are shaken loose. All of
this will be a sign of the coming of the Son of Man on a cloud with power and
great glory. He will bring deliverance to Christian disciples who will have to
learn to “shape up” and hold their heads high in joyful expectation. For the
judgment passed on Jerusalem merely presages a judgment of greater dimension
and import. As Jerusalem was faced with a crisis when Jesus appeared to teach
there, so will the world be faced when he comes as the Son of Man. In contrast
to the judgment to be passed on the world, Christian disciples will then
realize that their deliverance is near.
Savarde Solar Project
We began this project last year. After many challenges it has seen the light of the day. Thanks for your support and prayers. I am very grateful
Tuesday, 22 November 2022
Wednesday, November 23, 2022 - Homily
If some witnessed your actions the whole of today, what would they conclude about you?
Wednesday, November 23, 2022 - If someone witnessed your actions all through today, would they conclude that you are a disciple of Jesus?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev15:1-4; Lk 21:12-19
These verses are part of Luke’s Eschatological Discourse. The Greek word “Eschaton” is translated as “the last things”, “the things of the next life”. The main point of these verses is to prepare the disciples for the coming trial by exhorting them to regard trials as an occasion for bearing witness. The text begins by telling the disciples what they (the persecutors) will do namely arrest you, persecute you etc. It then goes on to advise the disciples what they must do in the face of this persecution, namely that they must bear witness but not be obsessed with the anxiety of preparing their defence. The reason for this is because of what Jesus will do, namely, give the disciples wisdom to counter any argument of the opponents. The text ends with an assurance of God’s support and protection on those who endure.
The persecution of the disciples,
however, does not exceed what Jesus himself will experience. He, too, will be
arrested and brought before Pilate and Herod. It is Jesus himself therefore who
will give the disciples the content of what they are to say.
The gospel offers not a way of
predicting the end of the world but the spiritual resources to cope with the
challenges of life. In times of distress the disciples of Jesus are called not
to throw their hands up in despair, but to be unafraid. It is a fact that
following Jesus who is The Truth will have repercussions and consequences, some
of which may be disastrous. However, it is in these circumstances that
perseverance and endurance is called for. This is the test of our faith and
courage in the promises of the Lord.
Monday, 21 November 2022
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 - Homily
Tuesday, November 22 , 2022 - Are you so concerned about the next life that you are not living fully this life?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev14:14-19 ; Lk 21:5-11
Luke follows Mark 13:1-8 quite closely in these verses, though he also makes some changes. While in Mark 13:1 Jesus comes out of the Temple and predicts its destruction when his disciples point to it magnificence, in Luke, Jesus is within the Temple when he predicts its destruction when some (not the disciples) speak of its magnificence (21:5-6). This is why unlike in Mark 13:3 he is not on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, but within its precincts when he is asked about when this will take place (21:7). Mark 13:3 has Peter, James, John and Andrew who ask this question; Luke has the people pose the question. Jesus responds by stating not the hour when this will take place, but by issuing a set of three warnings. The first warning is not to allow oneself to be led astray and be led into believing that the ones’ who come in his name are the Messiah. The meaning of this warning is broad and encompasses being led to sin, being taught false teachings, and being deceived regarding apocalyptic events.
The second warning follows the first:
the disciples of Jesus must not go after these false Messiahs.
The third warning is not to be terrified
when they hear of wars and insurrections, because they are part of God’s plan
in bringing about the kingdom and must out of necessity happen before the final
coming.
Sunday, 20 November 2022
Monday, November 21, 2022 - Will you forego one meal this week and give what you save to someone less fortunate than you?
To read the texts click on the Texts: Rev14:1-5; Lk 21:1-4
Jesus’ comment on the widow’s offering follows immediately after his condemnation of the scribes, who “devour widow’s houses”. Luke omits most of Mark’s introduction to the widow’s offering (see Mark 12,41). In the new scene, which Luke brings about by his comment that “He (Jesus) looked up and saw”, Luke introduces two sets of characters: the rich contributors and a poor widow. The action of both is the same. However, the size or amount of the gifts of the rich contributors is not mentioned, but it is explicitly stated that the widow put in two lepta, the smallest copper coins then in use. It would have taken 128 lepta to make one denarius, which was a day’s wage. Two lepta would therefore have been worthless. In a twist reminiscent of many of Jesus’ parables, Jesus states that the widow who put in what seems like a worthless amount has put in more than any of the rich contributors. The following statement clarifies how this could be. They contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty. They contributed gifts she contributed herself.
Monday, November 21, 2022 - The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Is Jesus pointing to you as his brother/sister? If yes, Why? If no, why not?
To read the texts click on the texts: Zech 2:14-17; Mt 12:46-50
The
feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is associated with an
event recounted not in the New Testament, but in the apocryphal Infancy
Narrative of James. According to that text, Mary's parents, Joachim and Anne,
who had been childless, received a heavenly message that they would bear a
child. In thanksgiving for the gift of their daughter, they brought her, when
still a child, to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her to God. Mary
remained in the Temple until puberty, at which point she was assigned to Joseph
as guardian. Later versions of the story (such as the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew
and the Gospel of the Nativity of Mary) tell us that Mary was taken to the
Temple at around the age of three in fulfilment of a vow. Tradition held that she
was to remain there to be educated in preparation for her role as Mother of
God.
The
Gospel text chosen for the feast of today contains a pointer as to who make up
the true family of Jesus. Unlike in Mark, where the “crowd” is pointed out to
as the true family of Jesus, in Matthew, it is the community of disciples who
make up the true family. The point being made in this text is not so much about
the mother or brothers and sisters of Jesus, but about who will be regarded as
true members of Jesus’ family. The action of stretching out his hand has been
used earlier to portray Jesus as compassionate (8:3) and also an act, which
will be used later to show him as the great deliverer who comes to the aid of
his disciples (14:31). In the concluding statement, the Matthean Jesus makes
clear that discipleship and being a member of his family is not merely a matter
of verbal profession even proclamation, but doing the will of God. This aspect
makes anyone a brother or sister of Jesus.
We
may imagine that because we have been baptised into the faith we can take for
granted that we are members of Jesus’ family. This need not be so, since we
need to keep renewing our commitment to Jesus and his cause every day. While
verbal proclamation does have its place, it alone is not enough. We must show
through our deeds whom we believe in.
Saturday, 19 November 2022
Sunday, November 20, 2022 - Homily
Feast of the Infant Jesus 2023
The Feast of the Infant Jesus will be on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2023. The Novenas will be from Thursday, February 2, 2023 till Friday, February 10, 2023. May God be with you and your families, may the Infant Jesus bless you all and may Mary always intercede.
Sunday, November 20, 2022 - CHRIST THE UNIVERSAL AND ETERNAL KING - What one action will you do today to show that you are readying to receive Christ the King?
To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Sam 5:1-3; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43
The feast of Christ the
Eternal King was introduced through the encyclical Quas Primas – (“In the
first”) of Pope Pius XI on December 11, 1925.
One main purpose of the encyclical was to communicate hope to a world
which seemed to be giving into despair.
Another purpose was to give the world a whole new idea of kingship,
dominion and authority. There could be no better model of kingship which the
Church could put before the world than Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the servant
king.
This feast is celebrated
every year on the last Sunday in Ordinary time. It brings to a close the
Ordinary time of the liturgical year and it begins the preparation for Advent
and the coming of the redeemer child at Christmas.
The readings for today
all speak of Kingship. The first reading tells of the kingship of David who had
been anointed king over Judah and now, over the northern tribes of Israel.
Thus, David becomes king over all of Israel. However, even as he is anointed
king, he is reminded of the kind of king that the Lord wants him to be, namely
a Shepherd king. He began life as a shepherd of the flocks of his father. Now, he is shepherd over the people. Like the
shepherd looks after his flock and leads them, so David will look after his
people and lead them. The anointing of David as king is not something done on a
mere whim. It is the Lord who ordained it.
It is the Lord who said that David would be shepherd and rule over
Israel. David had shown his care for his people when he led them out and
brought them to the glory that they now experience.
The kingdom that God
established in David promised newness. The shape of power in this kingdom will
be governed by shepherding and covenant making. Israel’s future hope has, for
the moment, become its present hope. This present hope was made even more
visible when God chose and anointed Jesus to be king, not only over Israel but
over the whole of humanity. Like David before him, Jesus would also be a shepherd
of the people. The covenant that he made
with God would be a covenant on the Cross. It would be an eternal covenant, one
that no amount of negatives could ever erase.
The Gospel text of today
brings out this truth powerfully. Through the irony of the taunts of the
leaders and soldiers, Luke highlights both Jesus’ real identity and the true
meaning of his death. The leaders and soldiers think that they are ridiculing
Jesus. They think that they are making fun of him. However, even as they do this, they are
unaware that this is exactly the kind of king that he has come to be. Just as Jesus had taught that those who lose
their lives for his sake would save them, so now he is willing to lose his life
so that all might be saved. Jesus’ death did not contradict the Christological
claims; it confirmed them. For him to have saved himself would have been a
denial of his salvific role in the purposes of God. Both what is said and what
is done at the cross, therefore, confirm the truth about the one who is crucified:
He is the Christ, the King of the Jews, the Saviour of the World.
This salvation that Jesus
effected on the Cross is made even more visible and more tangible in the
response of Jesus to those crucified with him. Though rebuked by one of the
thieves, Jesus does not react negatively. He is willing to accept even this
taunt. The pronouncement that Jesus makes to the thief who asks for remembrance
is solemn. It is the last of the six “Amen” sayings in Luke and the only one
addressed to a person. It is also the last of the “Today” pronouncements. That
“Amen” and “Today” have been used together is an indication that the
pronouncement is emphatic and that there is to be no delay. What Jesus promises will happen now.
The salvation pronounced
to one of the thieves on the Cross is also the salvation being pronounced to
each of us who are willing to receive it. This is because, through his passion
and death, Jesus has rescued us, as the letter to the Colossians points
out. He has rescued us from the power of
darkness and sin. He has transferred us
into the kingdom of light and all that is good. It is therefore, in the visible
image of Jesus Christ that we can comprehend who God is and what God wants to
do for each of us. God wants the whole of creation to be reconciled in Jesus.
God wants all of creation to be saved in the shepherd and self-sacrificing
king.
As we come to the close
of another liturgical year, and as we prepare to welcome Christ our eternal
king, we need to realize that our king can come only if we are willing to open
our hearts and minds wide to receive him. We can do this by removing from our
minds and hearts anything that will prevent us from receiving and accepting
him. We can do this by removing selfishness and self-centeredness that makes us
seek only our own good rather than the good of others. We can do this by
reaching out in love and forgiveness as he did, even when on the Cross. Will we
ready our minds and hearts to receive our King?
Friday, 18 November 2022
Saturday, November 19, 2022 - If you were told that your life after death would be determined by the life you live now, what changes would you make in this life?
To read the texts click on the texts: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13; Lk20:27-40
The Sadducees were a group of Jews who did not believe in the resurrection. The question they ask Jesus assumes the practice of levirate marriage, where according to Deut 25,5, the brother of a deceased man was to take his brother’s widow as his wife. The Sadducees extend the situation to the point of ridicule by speaking of seven brothers who marry the same woman. The question is whose wife she would be in the resurrection. While in Mark, Jesus first rebukes the Sadducees, in Luke he begins to teach them immediately. Jesus’ response is that life in the resurrection will not simply be a continuation of the life, as we know it now. In the second part of his response, Jesus calls the attention of the Sadducees to the familiar story of the burning bush, in which the point is that God is not God of the dead but of the living.
Thursday, 17 November 2022
Friday, November 18, 2022 - Homily
Friday November 18, 2022 - If the Lord were to come to the Temple of your heart, would he find selling and buying or would he find himself there?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev10:8-11; Lk 19:45-48
The cleansing of the temple is one of
the few incidents that are narrated by all four Gospels. However, the
distinctiveness of Luke’s account stands out more clearly when it is compared
with Mark. In Marks account, Jesus enters Jerusalem and the temple, and then
withdraws for the night to Bethany. In contrast, Luke has Jesus proceed
directly to the Temple. The cleansing in Luke is greatly abbreviated, omitting
Mark’s references to those who were buying, overturning the tables, selling
doves and forbidding anyone to carry anything through the Temple. While in Mark
Jesus’ action is part of his prophetic announcement of the destruction of the
temple, in Luke, the cleansing prepares his “father’s house” to serve as the
site for Jesus’ teaching in the following section (19,47 – 21,38). While in
Mark Jesus leaves the Temple definitively after the cleansing, in Luke, Jesus
continues to teach in the Temple even after the incident. Since the people were
spellbound by the words of Jesus, the chief priests, scribes and the leaders
could do nothing to him.
The related scenes of Jesus weeping over the city and driving out the merchants from the Temple speak poignantly of God’s judgment on human sinfulness. These are passages heavy with pathos and tragedy. Jesus weeps, laments, and sounds warnings that fall on deaf ears.
Wednesday, 16 November 2022
Thursday, November 17, 2022 - What keeps you from recognising the Messiah?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev5:1-10; Lk 19:41-44
The text of today dwells on the theme of Jesus’ rejection by the religious elders. The city Jerusalem, whose name contains the word peace, does not recognise the King of Peace, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ tears for Jerusalem are because she did not recognise that if she accepted him as Messiah, true peace would indeed reign. The numerous attempts of Jesus to win over the people were met with stiff resistance. They had closed their minds and hearts to anything that he had to say because it did not fit in with what they had already set their minds to believe.
Tuesday, 15 November 2022
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 - Homily
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev 4:1-11; Lk 19:11-28
The parable in the text of today is from
the common source of Matthew and Luke known as “Q”. However, Matthew (Mt
25,14-30) presents it differently. While in Matthew there are three servants
who are given five talents (a talent was equivalent to 20 years wages for a
common labourer), two and one talent respectively, in Luke there are ten
servants who are given one mina each (a mina was about three months wages for a
common labourer). The amounts in Luke are much smaller than in Matthew. Though
there are ten servants, we are told only about three. The first of the three
has earned ten minas with the one he was given, the second has earned five and
so these are given charge of ten and five cities respectively. The third
returns the mina to the king because he was afraid of him and knew him to be a
harsh man. After berating the man for not putting the mina into the bank, which
would have earned interest, the king commands that his mina be given to the one
who already has ten.
The point, which Luke seems to make in
this parable, is that responses to Jesus the king have a decisive role in human
destiny, for responses to him determine life and death. There is no “safe”
position. The only road to success is to take risks as taken by the first two
servants.
Monday, 14 November 2022
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 - Homily
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 - What one action will you perform to show that you have repented TODAY?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev 3:1-6.14-22 ; Lk 19:1-10
The story of Zacchaeus’ encounter with
Jesus is exclusive to the Gospel of Luke and is the last encounter of Jesus
with outcasts before he enters Jerusalem. It takes place when Jesus is passing
through Jericho and on his way to Jerusalem. Zacchaeus is the name of the tax
collector who Luke informs us is “rich” (19,2). He desires to see Jesus, but
there are obstacles to his desire. The first is the crowd and the second is his
own short stature. These are interconnected. If there were no crowd, his short
stature would not have mattered and if he were tall the crowd would not have
mattered. Zacchaeus does not allow thses to hinder him and does what no grown
man at his time would do: he runs. Worse: he climbs a tree. Through this Luke
indicates that Zacchaeus was willing to face ridicule and being mocked by the
crowd in order to do what he had set about to do. He gives up his
self-importance and dignity, because all that matters to him is to see and
encounter Jesus. When Jesus comes to the place where Zacchaeus he asks him to
hurry and come down. Zacchaeus obeys instantly. The reaction of the crowd is to
grumble that Jesus would go to the house of a sinner. Zacchaeus on the other
hand responds with generosity and uses the visit of Jesus to redeem himself.
Jesus responds by confirming Zacchaeus’ status as a “son of Abraham”, not
because he was born one, but because of his repentance. In the last verse of
the story, Jesus pronounces salvation on the house of Zacchaeus and reaffirms
his own mission as Son of man: to seek and save the lost.
The desire of Zacchaeus to see Jesus is
a genuine one. He shows it is genuine by his willingness to overcome any
obstacles that come in the way of his seeing. He is willing to persevere and do
all that is required of him. His perseverance is rewarded by his meeting Jesus
and being transformed by him.
Sunday, 13 November 2022
Monday, November 14, 2022 - Homily
Monday, November 14, 2022 - What is it that prevents me from seeing good in others? Do I want to receive back my sight?
To read the texts click on the texts: Rev 1:1-4; 2,1-5; Lk 18:35-43
The text of today is also found in the
Gospels of Matthew and Mark, but whereas in Matthew there are two blind men and
in Mark the name of the blind man is Bartimaeus, in Luke there is one blind man
who is not named. However, what is common to all three Gospels is that the
blind man/men cries out to Jesus with a messianic title, “Son of David”, and
perseveres in his plea despite being told by the people to quiet down. Though
the question that Jesus asks the blind man seems redundant, it is necessary for
Jesus to ask the question to indicate his respect for the freedom of the man.
While on the physical level the man is blind, on the spiritual level he has
insight because despite his physical blindness, he is able to recognise that
Jesus of Nazareth is also the Messiah, which those who have physical sight are
not able to do. Jesus attributes the recovery of his sight to his faith.
We might tend sometimes to close our
eyes to the good that there is in others, and we might also prefer to close our
eyes to the injustice that we see around us. We might close our eyes to the
suffering of people around us and we might prefer to close our eyes to the
needs of others. Having eyes we might prefer not to see.
Saturday, 12 November 2022
Sunday, November 13, 2022 - ARE YOU PREPARING TO RECEIVE THE KING? HOW?
To read the texts click on the texts: Mal l3:19-20; 2 Thess 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19
One Sunday before end of
the liturgical year, when we ready ourselves to receive Christ the Eternal
King, the Church invites us, through the readings of today, to reflect on our
preparedness for the coming of the king. Even as she does so, the Church does not
expect that we will only gaze into the future. Rather, she expects that we will
realize that it is our present that determines our future. On the one hand,
this Sunday’s readings focus on the future coming of the Lord and the
end-times. On the other hand, the readings point out that our future is in the
present and we must live that present fully so that we will do the same with
our future.
The expectation of
something that is unknown can bring up two kinds of feelings in the hearts of
the ones expecting. For those who expect that the coming event will result in
some reward, the feelings will be of joy, hope, and expectation. For those who
expect that the coming event will bring judgement and maybe punishment, the
feelings will be of fear, trepidation, and apprehension.
These are the feelings
that Malachi speaks about in the first reading of today. He states that the day
that is coming will bring, for the arrogant and the evildoers, judgement and
punishment. It will be a day that will burn them. However, for the righteous,
he states that it will be a day of joy and hope. It will be a day of healing
and elation.
These are also the
feelings that Jesus addresses in the Gospel text of today which is part of
Luke’s Eschatological Discourse. The disciples might tend to get frightened,
even terrified, when they hear about the last things. They might tend to fear
when calamities befall them, but they are not to do so. They must remain
unfazed by the events that signal what might seem like the end time. What is required
from them is endurance and perseverance. What is required of them is
fearlessness and courage. The reason for this is that the end time will be for
them, a day of vindication and victory. It will be a day of triumph and
accomplishment. Even in the face of all odds and evidence to the contrary, they
are called to believe.
Through these
instructions, Jesus offers his disciples, not a way of predicting the end of
the world, but a strategy to use so that whenever that day comes, they will be
ready. Consequently, the disciples have to focus, not so much on what is to
come and when it will come but, on what they have to accomplish at the present
moment, in the here and now.
Paul’s exhortation to the
Thessalonians in the second reading of today says just this. Paul sets himself
up an example of what it means to do what one has to do in the.here and now.
Paul worked night and day, doing what he was called to do. He was not a burden
to anyone. He did not engage in idle speculation about the future and what it
might bring. He lived and worked in the present moment.
The challenge to live
fully the teachings of Jesus and to bear the consequences of such a life
continues to confront us today. It is easy to speculate about the future or to
project a “pie-in-the sky-when-you-die” to those who are undergoing adversity.
However, to face these challenges squarely is another matter.
Is there a plausible
response that the readings of today give to those for whom life seems, at most
time, a burden? Do the readings of today address the problems of how we must
handle difficulties when they come our way? Do the readings of today give us an
insight into how we are to prepare for the Lord’s coming? The answer to all
these questions is a resounding “yes”.
First, life is only as
burdensome as we want it to be. One important reason why life becomes
burdensome is because we often live in the future rather than in the present.
We keep thinking about what we could have rather than using what we have. We
fret about wanting more rather than using what we have joyfully. This is why
Jesus tells his disciples not to be led astray and look for salvation in this
or that fad or this or that thing. Salvation comes only from the Lord.
Difficulties in life are
only difficulties if they are seen as such. We can instead look on them as
opportunities to show that we can persevere. We can look on them and know that,
no matter what the difficulty might be, our response will be one of courage and
fearlessness. We can look on them and know that, even in the face of the most
severe persecution which may even result in death, not a hair of our head will
perish.
Thus, as we get ready to
welcome Christ our eternal King, the readings of today invite us to see that it
is Christ, present in the here and now, not Christ who is expected in the
future who continues to shape and inspire our lives.
Friday, 11 November 2022
Saturday, November 12, 2022 - Do you believe that God will answer your prayer? Do you give in too easily when your prayers are unanswered? What keeps you from persevering in prayer?
To read the texts click on the texts: 3 Jn 1:5-8; Lk 18:1-8
This is a parable found only in the
Gospel of Luke. While some focus on the judge and term it as the Parable of the
Unjust Judge, others focus on the widow and so call it the Parable of the
Persistent Widow. Luke introduces this parable as a parable on prayer. The
judge is described as a man “who neither feared God nor had any respect for
people” (18,2). It is difficult to imagine how such a man can be worthy of
being a judge. The widow is introduced as someone who is going repeatedly to
the judge for justice. The text does not state the nature of her complaint, nor
does it tell us why the judge refused to listen to her for a while (18,3-4).
The judge finally relents and decides to grant her justice, because the woman
is constantly bothering her and because he does not want to be worn out by her
constant petitions.
If one focuses on the judge, then the
point of the parable is that if the judge who was unjust could grant the woman
justice, then God who is just and judge over all will surely heed the cries of
those who call on him.
If on the other hand the focus is on the
widow, then the parable calls for persistence in asking and not giving up or
giving in.
The final verse of this section ends
with a question from the Lucan Jesus about whether he will find faith on earth
when he comes. Since Luke introduces the parable as one, which speaks about
persistence and constant asking, he may have felt the need to end with the
question of faith.
Prayer can and does “change” the mind of
God.
Thursday, 10 November 2022
Friday, November 11, 2022 - How would you fare if the Son of Man were to judge you at this moment?
To read the texts click on the texts: 2 John 1:4-9; Lk 17:26-37
This section starts with the examples of
the days of Noah and Lot (17:26-29). Just as in the days of Noah and Lot the
life of the people at that time proceeded normally and people were going about
their daily business until all of a sudden the flood and brimstone and fire
respectively destroyed the people, so it will be on the day when the Son of Man
is revealed. This means that decisive action is absolutely necessary. There
will be no turning back. Lot’s wife who turned into a pillar of salt when she
looked back (Genesis 19, 26) is given as an example of the dangers of looking
back. When the Son of Man does indeed come, then the choice of those who will
be taken and those who will be left will be made. In answer to the disciples’
question, “Where, Lord?” (17,37), Jesus answers with an enigmatic proverb,
“Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather” (17,37). The point of
this proverb here seems to be that just as it is sure that vultures will gather
where a corpse is found, as surely will the judgement of the Son of Man fall
upon on the wicked.
Decisive action does not mean desperate
action. It means steady and regular action. If one is at any given moment in
time doing what one is supposed to do, it may be regarded as decisive action. A
person engaged in such an activity is always ready.
Wednesday, 9 November 2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022 - Homily
Instead of focussing too much on the
afterlife, will you focus on life here and now?
Thursday, November 10, 2022 - Instead of focussing too much on the afterlife, will you focus on life here and now?
To read the texts click on the texts: Philemon 1:7-20; Lk 17:20-25
The first two verses of this section
(17,20-21) are exclusive to Luke though Matthew 24,23 and Mark 13,21 contain
part of Luke 17,21. In Luke the Pharisees pose the question about the future
coming of the kingdom. In his response, Jesus speaks not of the time when the
kingdom will come, but about the very nature of the kingdom. Since the pronoun
“you” is plural, Jesus’ saying that the kingdom is “among you” is unlikely to
mean that the kingdom is within a group of individuals. Rather it seems to mean
that the kingdom is in Jesus who is among them at that time.
The next verse (17,22) begins the
discourse of the coming of the Son of Man. There will be a long period when the
disciples long to see even a glimpse of their deliverance (one of the days of
the Son of Man). Though some will point here and others there, the disciples
must not be taken in. When the Son of Man does appear he will be visible to all
everywhere. However, before he comes, he will have to endure suffering. The Son
of Man who comes will be the Son of Man who has suffered and been rejected.
Obsession with the afterlife does not
help us to live fully the life we have here and now. Too many questions about
death and what will happen after death result in life passing us by. While as
Christians we do believe in the life to come, we are also instructed in many
places in the Gospels that the life to come will not be a totally different
kind of life, but a life which will continue in a fuller way the present one we
have. Our focus therefore ought to be on living this life fully at every moment
of every day.
Tuesday, 8 November 2022
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 - Dedication of the Lateran Basilica - We are each and as a whole part of CHURCH
To read the texts click on the texts: Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12; 1 Cor 3:9-11,16-17; Jn2:13-22
The Basilica of St John
Lateran is the cathedral of Rome, the cathedra, or Chair, at which the Bishop
of Rome, the Pope, presides. In order to express devotion and unity of all
Catholics to the successor of Peter, the Church commemorates the dedication of
the Lateran Basilica. Since the Pope presides in charity over the universal
Church, the Lateran Basilica is affectionately called the "mother and head
of all the churches of Rome and the world".
When the Cathedral in
Milan was finished, in the vast throng of people assembled for the dedication,
a little girl cried out in childish glee, as she pointed to it: I helped build
that. One of the guards challenged her: “What? Show me what you did.” The girl
replied, “I carried the lunch box for my father, while he worked there.” The cathedral,
the Church the Basilica is not primarily a building but the people of God. Each
of us and all of us help build up the Church.
It is interesting but
mainly revealing that the gospel reading chosen for this feast in which we
celebrate the Lateran Basilica would be Jesus cleansing the Temple. Much like
the Temple was a significant and symbolic building for the Jewish people the
Lateran Basilica serves in this capacity for us.
The first Christians
gathered to pray in private homes. To be a Christian was for the first three
hundred years after the Resurrection of Christ a crime of treason against the
Roman state. Therefore, believers would meet secretly to hear the Gospel and
break the bread. Today's feast commemorates the end of those many long years of
terrible persecutions and martyrdom and the dedication of the Christians' first
public place of worship.
While this was a welcome
change for the first Christian community, it also began to soon struggle with a
dilemma. The source of Jesus' power is found in weakness and poverty. While
being an underground church this was easy to accept. Now, being accepted by the
state, Christianity's power began to be aligned with fame and fortune,
buildings and property, prestige and status. The church began to take on the
political structure of the Roman state. Officials began to be identified by
secular titles such as “prince of the church" (Cardinal) and
"lord" (Bishop).While it is advantageous to have a place to worship
and also advantageous to have a structure to maintain a sense of order, both,
however, can also prevent us from encountering God by presenting an image of
God that is quite different from the one that Jesus presented and revealed.
Writing during the period
of Exile, the prophet Ezekiel dreamed of returning to his home in Israel and
especially to the Temple. The vision narrated in the first reading of today is
of water flowing from the Temple giving abundant life to the valley below, even
to the arid, lifeless region around the Dead Sea. However, at the time of
Jesus, this life giving water had dried up and the temple was no longer what it
ought to have been.
The cleansing of the
Temple is an incident that is narrated by all four evangelists. However, there
are significant differences in the manner in which John narrates it when
compared with the Synoptic Gospels. In John, the incident appears at the
beginning of the Gospel and immediately after the Cana miracle of turning water
into wine, and so sets the stage for the kind of revelation of God that Jesus
makes in this Gospel. The temple in Jerusalem was considered the dwelling place
of God on earth and a place where people expected to encounter God in prayer
and sacrifice. However, as is evident in the actions of Jesus, the Temple had
become instead a market place. When one considers that some trade and exchange
of Tyrian coins for Roman or Greek coins was absolutely necessary for worship
to proceed smoothly, one realizes that this action of Jesus is extremely
radical and goes to the root of the meaning of worship and encountering God.
All religious
institutional rootedness whether in the form of worship, unjust social systems
or repressive religious practices are challenged by this action of Jesus. Zeal for his Father’s house did indeed
consume him when it led to his passion and death at the hands of religious
authorities. While he was aware that this would be one of the main actions that
would lead to his death, Jesus went even further when he pointed to himself as
the new Temple, the new place of worship. In him a person encounters God as
never before.
Thus, Christians, being
identified with Christ in Baptism, are also temples of God, living temples of
the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds the early Christians of the community at Corinth
that they are themselves God’s Temple. God, in Christ, dwells in each one. Moreover,
the whole community of Christians forms a temple, in which each Christian is a
living stone, with Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
It is in the context of
these readings that we must ask ourselves what we are really celebrating today.
While it is true that the very orderly, stable and universal structure is
surely to be celebrated in this feast and we need the certainty and conviction
that comes from something that is consistent and bigger than ourselves, we also
need to accept the fact that this is not all that the Church is. We also
celebrate weakness in today’s feast. First, the weakness and numerous failures
of each of us individuals who make up the Church, and also the failures and
shortcomings of the Church as a whole. Both are in constant need of cleansing
by the head of the Church Jesus Christ who continues to make all things whole.
Monday, 7 November 2022
Tuesday, November 8, 2022 - Do you constantly expect thanks and praise for all the good that you do? Will you perform one act today without any expectation whatever?
To read the texts click on the texts :Titus 2:1-8,11-14; Lk 17:7-10
These verses are exclusive to Luke and
contain a parable. In the first part of the parable the disciples are cast in
the role of the master through Jesus’ question, “Will any of you who has a
servant…” (17,7). No one would expect a master to ask a servant to sit at table
and serve him, rather the servant would be expected even after he has come from
the field, to get the master’s supper ready and serve the master. Moreover, the
servant will not be thanked simply because he has done what was required of
him. At the end of the parable and in the relationship with God, the disciples
are cast in the roles of servants. They must realise that like the servant of
the parable they will also have to do all that is required of them and not
expect any thanks because they have only done what was expected of them.
Very few of us regard that we have been
given the thanks due to us already in the service that we have been allowed to
provide. We wait for further thanks and commendations. It is not only spiritual
but also prudent and practical to do what we are doing and expect no thanks at
all. If it does come we accept it in all humility, whereas if it does not come
we are not disappointed.
Sunday, 6 November 2022
Monday, November 7, 2022 - Homily
Monday, November 7, 2022 - Do your words and actions build up rather than pull down? Will you speak an enhancing word today?
To read the texts click on the texts: Titus 1:1-9; Lk 17:1-6
There are three units in this section.
The first concerns being a cause of scandal (17,1-2), the second is on
forgiveness (17,3-4) and the third is on faith (17,5-6). This section is
addressed to the disciples.
Since we are living in a sinful world,
occasions for sin will continue to be present, but humans cause these and the
one who is the cause for such an occasion must accept responsibility. In a
striking metaphor in 18,2 about a millstone being hung around the neck of the
one who causes scandal and he/she being cast into the sea, the Lucan Jesus
makes the point that the one who is responsible for causing the scandal will
not be able to escape the consequences of his/her action. Since this is a
warning addressed to the disciples, the term “little ones” in this context must
be interpreted as those who are just beginning to believe and so will need all
the help that they can get to enhance their faith. These must not be scandalised.
The next unit concerns forgiveness, but
also speaks of rebuking the one who commits sin. This has to with not turning a
blind eye to the faults of others but challenging them to rise higher. It is a
matter of “carefrontation” rather than confrontation, since it speaks also of
forgiveness that must be granted if the offender repents. In order to drive
home the point of forgiveness, the nest verse (17,6) is the command of Jesus to
forgive repeatedly even seven times in a day.
The final section begins with a plea to
Jesus to increase their faith. This is an indication that faith is not static
but dynamic and continues to grow. It also means that the Lord can give the
grace required for faith to grow. In his response Jesus challenges them to reflect
on whether they have faith at all. It is not a matter of little or great faith,
but faith per se. If the faith of the disciples was even as small as a grain of
mustard seed they could achieve the impossible.
Do your words and actions
build up rather than pull down? Will you speak an enhancing word today?
Is there someone whom you think has hurt
you and you have not forgiven? Will you have the courage to forgive that person
from your heart today?
On a scale of 1 to 10 where
would you mark you faith? Why?
When you pray for rain, do you take an
umbrella?