AUGUST 2010

EDITORIAL

WE CHOOSE FREEDOM
A. Charles, AMM

August brings to every Indian heart, a patriotic pride of belonging to this great nation. For at the
stroke of the midnight hour on 15th Aug 1947, India awoke to life and freedom. The tricolor flag
flaps today testifying our independence to the whole world. Freedom has been valued by many as
the noblest of all virtues. A mind that is free from all constraints, a heart that is free to love and a
will that chooses to do good in freedom alone can make one a saint. An outstanding example of
such a saint is St Maximilian Kolbe, whose feast we celebrate on the 14th of this month. In the most
oppressive situation of a concentration camp in Auschwitz, he chose to give up his life in place of
another prisoner. Maximilian’s free sacrifice of himself is a challenge to our world marked by
indifference and hatred. Rightly did Pope John Paul II call him ‘The Patron Saint of our difficult
Century’.

On the 28th of this month we celebrate the feast of St Augustine who once said, “In doing what we
ought, we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.” Sacrifice must be done in freedom. Mary,
during the annunciation said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord”, not because she felt compelled to
do so but she freely chose to run the risk of losing her marriage and even being stoned to death. It is
this authentic sacrifice that honoured her with the assumption, which we celebrate on 15th Aug.

On the 22nd we celebrate ‘Justice Sunday’. Though India has surged a long way in terms of
development, 42% of our country men still earn less than Rs. 21 a day, a farmer commits suicide
every 30th minute, 12.6 million of our children are engaged in hazardous occupations and 90 million
of our women are illiterate. Justice in this context, demands us to offer ourselves freely to the cause
of these people. For it is in giving that we receive and it is in dying willfully in service of the
dehumanized that we are born to eternal life.

1
01 SUN
(XVIII SUN of the Year)

GUARD AGAINST GREED

Ramlet Thomas, SJ

Eccl 1:2; 2:21-22

Col 3:1-5, 9-11
Lk 12:13-21

Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.

One of the major themes in the Lukan gospel is the ‘right use of material possessions.’ In the
gospel today through a parable Jesus offers us the right attitude regarding wealth, based on the
values of the Kingdom.

Two things stand out in the parable of ‘the Rich Fool’: first, the rich man was aggressively self-
centered; he never saw beyond himself. He uses words like I, me, my, mine, etc., exhibiting an
attitude of extreme self-centeredness that does not get the approval of Jesus. The Romans had a
proverb which said that money was like sea water; the more one drinks, the thirstier one becomes.
The rich man in the story proves the same point – the more one acquires, there is the desire to
acquire more. The Buddha, too after his enlightenment, taught that desire is the root cause all
sorrow, and devised means to deal with endless desire. The parable, secondly, has something to say
to all, those who have possessions and those who do not have: everything is a gift from God - our
wealth, health, prosperity, talents, etc. We do our best to make God’s gifts bear fruit, and leave the
rest to God himself. This radical attitude to possessions is the gateway to the Kingdom of God. The
book of Ecclesiastes too echoes the same idea, but from another angle: there is nothing under the
sun that is eternal except the truth of God.

Whatever we acquire by our human effort, on its own, will not lead to contentment. Today’s
readings invite us to examine our own priorities and attitudes, and to take the necessary corrective
steps. Are we ready for such reflection and action?

2
02 MON

THE SECRET OF MULTIPLICATION

Ramlet Thomas, SJ

Jer 28: 1-17

Mt 14: 13-21

Bring them here to me.

Is not the mission of Jesus spiritual in nature? Should he, then, worry about the material needs of
people? Did he not say, after all, that the Son of Man himself has nowhere to lay his head?

Jesus comes to us with the assurance that God the Father cares for all his children. He is seen
welcoming men and women at the expense of his own privacy to show that God accomplishes his
marvelous plans in solidarity with human beings. Jesus is sympathetic to the needy; he shows
compassion and sensitivity to the hungry. He does not ignore even their most basic material needs
like food but he makes use of the resources from among the people and the assistance of his
disciples while performing miracles. The miracle of the multiplication of the bread gathered from
among them is a good illustration of this. It is through human hands that God continues to perform
miracles today. We find the culmination of it in the Last Supper where he celebrated his memorial
meal with his disciples, prefiguring his eschatological meal with the whole humanity.

God needs human hands to implement his design for the world and for humanity. God urges the
cooperation of men and women to continue his mission of miracles today. He does not demand of
us of anything superhuman that we do not possess. ‘Come to me as you are, however ill-equipped;
bring to me what you have, however little, and I will use it greatly’, Jesus seems to be telling us.
Little is much always in Jesus’ hands. We are invited to develop a temperament of collaboration
with Jesus in order to perform miracles of multiplication.

3
03 TUE

JESUS SAVES
Ramlet Thomas, SJ

Jer 30: 1-2, 12-15, 18-22

Mt 14: 22-26

Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.

Did Jesus really walk over the water? Our rational mind is naturally skeptical about such stories.
What are we, then, to understand of today’s gospel story?

The gospel narrative does not provide us with any scientific details of the incident in question. We
need not waste time either asking whether Jesus walked over the sea or towards the sea. The
message of the story is quite different: at a crucial moment when the disciples were in need of help
and support, Jesus was there by their side. He imparts courage and confidence in the midst of
turmoil and struggle. It was a time when they were feeling forlorn, and the Lord fills them with
hope. It is but natural that they had difficulty in recognizing him in such a situation. This
unexpected encounter with the Lord leads them to deep faith and conviction about their master’s
Lordship over the sea and the whole of creation.

In the ocean of everyday life we all face situations of storm and rough weather. Often we tend to
lose heart and find ourselves lost in the crippling hands of adverse forces. Life’s attractions and
disappointments, conflicts and rejection may adversely affect our enthusiasm and creative energy.
In such occasions the picture of Jesus walking over the water can enliven us; it may remind us that
we are not left alone, and that Jesus’ hands are ever there stretched out to hold us with unfailing
power. We are invited to stay tuned to him always, to walk with him over turbulent waters with
faith and courage. Are we willing to place our trust in him and hold his saving hands?

4
04 WED
(St John Vianney)

FAITH THAT HEALS

Biju George, SJ

Jer 31:1-7
Mt 15: 21 -28

Woman, Great is your faith!

The Canaanite woman communicates to the readers today the meaning and power of faith. The
focus of the story is on the woman’s faith to which Jesus responds, and not on the healing which
takes place. We are invited to see the contrast between her ‘great faith’ here and Peter’s ‘little faith’
in a pervious episode where Peter is rebuked by the Lord, “you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
(Mt 14:31). Whom are we going to identify ourselves with?

The story of the Canaanite woman addresses our false assumptions about the meaning of faith itself.
As Christians, we tend to assume that we know what faith is, our main problem being that we do
not have enough of it. The woman has been challenged to show that her request is grounded on
authentic faith. Jesus constituted an obstacle for her to overcome (v.24, 26). In this Gentile region
Jesus maintains his commitment to fulfill that mission for which he was sent (v.24). Even though
Jesus has a program to complete, he cares to respond to true faith. By healing this Gentile woman’s
daughter, Jesus demonstrates that he also has an eye on the ultimate ingathering of all peoples.

True faith must lead to action. This story serves also to challenge the evils of racism, sexism etc.,
that are at work in people who look at those of different ethnicity and gender as ‘the other’. The
story invites readers to place themselves in the role of ‘the other’ and to struggle with their own
perceptions of ‘the other’. Let us today learn an ‘inclusive mission lesson’ from the Lord and a
‘faith lesson’ from the Canaanite woman.

5
05 THU

WHO IS JESUS?
Biju George, SJ

Jer 31:31-34
Mt 16:13-23

Who do you say that I am…?

The key elements of today’s gospel are Peter’s confession, Jesus’ response to that confession, and
the programme of establishing an alternative community.

Disciples are well aware of the range of popular opinions about Jesus. But their direct experience of
Jesus has led them to a much higher assessment of who he was. Peter’s confession of Jesus as the
Messiah forms the climax of the narrative. The text pictures Peter as playing a unique role in the
foundation of the new community (church). There are three images of the role of Peter, the rock, the
key and as the one who binds and looses. Although Peter is the foundation, Jesus is the builder of
the church. Why did Jesus command to ‘tell no one’? If the disciples had so little idea of his
mission as Christ, what would the crowds have made of it? How difficult it is to grasp Jesus’ idea of
mission and Messiahship! Once his purpose and mission have been revealed, Jesus speaks about the
painful side of the Messiahship: suffering and death. Peter fails to grasp the implications of the
prophetic mission of Jesus due to his wrong idea of the Messiah. Yet Peter remains at the centre of
the discourse. Jesus invites him to have a renewed and deeper understanding of discipleship (v.23).
‘Get behind me’ today echoes the words of 4:19 – ‘follow me’ in his first call. Jesus is going to the
cross, the disciple is to follow.

The Church is not a fellowship of like-minded individuals. It is a communion of people sent out to
continue Jesus’ work, to build an alternative community in today’s globalized world.

6
06 FRI
(Transfiguration of the Lord)

JESUS TRANSFIGURED
Aneesh Joseph, SJ

Dn. 7:9-10, 13-14, or 2Pt 1:16-19

Lk 9:28b-36

This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!

The transfiguration event of Jesus is a montage of different facets of his life and identity. His
passion, death and resurrection mark and in a way configure his identity and mission as the
transfiguration testifies. It was an affirmation of his identity and confirmation of his mission.

Transfiguration follows the pericope of Peter’s confession of faith. The Gospel pertinently states
that when the three disciples woke up from their slumber they witnessed the transfiguration of
Jesus. How do the disciples respond to the strange experience? Dazzled and dazed with this vision
of Jesus revealing his glory, the disciples are eager to capture, freeze, enshrine and revel in it. They
want to build dwellings for commemorating the place. But that is not what Jesus intends to do. That
is not what Jesus has come for. Jesus has to climb down the mountain and tread the path to the
cross. In the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna reveals his vishwarup to Arjuna who was disheartened
and reluctant to fulfill his dharma/mission of fighting the war of justice. The vision strengthens him
to engage in his duty without desiring for its rewards (nishkamakarma).

Do we not all need a spiritual awakening to experience the real Jesus? At the same time Jesus
demands that we do not stay totally absorbed and subsumed in that experience, but draw strength
from it to follow him to the cross. Is it not the challenge this feast of transfiguration poses before
us? We need to be true karmayogis who follow him in his footsteps to the cross while facing the
day-to-day struggles with courage and commitment. This is really a challenge for us as we are
living in a world of self-comfort and self-convenience.

7
07 SAT

THE POWER OF FAITH

Aneesh Joseph S.J.

Hab 1:12-2:4
Mt 17: 14-20

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed… you will move mountains… nothing will be
impossible…

Once a man had just returned from a space trip. An atheist rushed to him and asked eagerly: “Did
you see God in the outer space?” The man enthusiastically narrated his experience of the divine.
The Atheist said: “I knew he was there… But if you tell this to anyone I will kill you.” Then came a
believer. “Did you see God there?” The space-traveller wanted to expound his experience but he
remembered the threat. He said that he did not see anyone. The believer sighed: “I knew that he
won’t be there because he is not there.” An atheist believes and a believer does not.

The experience of the disciples shows that faith is not very easy as we see in the gospel today. They
have been with Jesus for quite a while, witnessed his works, listened to his teachings, shared his
dreams, and were trained by him. Yet, they decisively fail to understand him; they still remain part
of the “perverse generation” and not fully grown up to be Jesus’ new kingdom community. But that
is how humans are! Jesus knows this. That is why Jesus rebukes them but does not condemn them
or give up. Jesus challenges them to go beyond the tendency ‘to rely on themselves’ to ‘to trust in
the power of God manifested in Jesus’. He calls them to lead a life of faith in the divine at every
moment of their lives.

Trust, after all, is not a destination but a journey interlaced by doubts, struggles and distrust. But the
question is, whether we are ready to take up this journey seriously. Can we constantly engage in
self-appraisal, correct ourselves and go ahead? Then our faith will be qualitatively different, capable
of moving mountains.

8
08 SUN
(XIX SUN of the Year)

BE WATCHFUL
Dolichan KM, SJ

Wis 18:6-9
Heb 11:1-2, 8-19
Lk 12: 32-48

Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit..

In the gospel the call of Jesus is to get away from anxious worrying. The lifestyle suggested is not
one of idleness but instead one of alert watchfulness. It is important that we understand the contrast
between anxious worrying and alert watchfulness rightly.

Modern individualistic life is marked by stress and strain. Stress-induced physical and
psychological disorders are common and stress-beating strategies have become popular. Age-old
spiritual disciplines like yoga, meditation, chanting of mantras, prayers, retreats etc., are being
appropriated by the modern individualistic life as part of stress-elimination techniques. But an
authentic spiritual life directs the human attention to something more than this-worldly. The call in
today’s gospel is for a shift from worldly kingdom (understood in terms of pure materialistic gains)
to God’s Kingdom. The worldly kingdom is transitory and perishable, and will eventually wear out
or will be stolen by thieves or destroyed by insects. It is one’s loyalty to this worldly kingdom that
makes him or her anxiously worrying. In contrast, the Godly Kingdom is eternal and imperishable,
and demands an alert watchfulness from each one of us. The mystery of incarnation necessitates and
validates this attentiveness, and the experience of God’s presence among us becomes the source of
human action in the world. Awareness of such a source will help fight frustration amidst
insurmountable social evils all around.

As disciples of Jesus we are called to a life characterized by a watchful alertness to the presence of
God and a commitment to God’s reign in the world. It demands of us that we remain free from
anxious worrying born out of individualistic preoccupations. We are meant to be free from any sort
of attachments to be free for God in our lives.

9
09 MON

TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY TEMPLE TAX

Dolichan KM, SJ

Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c
Mt 17: 22 – 27

We do not give offense to them…

“Man is born free, but everywhere he is in shackles”, says Jean Jacques Rousseau. Human beings
live through many restrictions. Pressures from society, family and friends often influence our
behaviour curtailing our freedom. Today’s gospel presents Jesus in such a situation, and shows us
how he handles it beautifully

Jesus is asked a question indirectly, “is it right to pay the temple tax?” It is logical that the Son of
God should be free from the temple tax. Jesus poses the question to Peter who has already
confessed Jesus as the Son of God. Although Judge and Lord of all, Jesus submits himself to human
power fixing his eyes firmly on his larger mission. The pericope underscores the ambivalence of
Matthew’s Jewish Christian community about their obligations to the Jewish temple tax. Should the
newly formed community pay the temple tax as the Jews do? The solution seemed to be in favour
of paying the tax to avoid any public scandal, following the example of their master Jesus. The
Christian call is to the fundamental experience of being children of God and to experience the
freedom of the children of God. Christian freedom is to be defined in the context of a caring
relationship to the other, and it never intends to harm the well-being of others and the community.

What should be our Christian approach to societal demands and restrictions? Such demands and
restrictions need to be assessed against the wellbeing of the whole community. Obliging certain
pressures and curtailing our freedom for the good of the community is also a way of following
Christ who submitted himself to earthly powers for a greater goal, the salvation of the whole world.

10
10 TUE
(St Lawrence)

DEATH BRINGS LIFE

Shibu Joseph, SJ

2 Cor 9:6-10
Jn 12: 24-26

Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal
life.

It is by losing one’s life that one gains it- what an amazing paradox! But it is the truth. It is the heart
of Christian living, and the whole Christian spirituality is based on this fact of losing one’s life in
order to gain it. If this had not been true, Jesus would not have sacrificed his life on the Cross.

The core of Christian faith is closely related to the rhythm of nature. How beautifully Jesus narrates
it! In order to convey the message of Christian love Jesus brings in the story of a grain. It is the rule
of nature that death brings life. Behind each moment of life there is a story of death. It is always
amazing to think of those people who commit themselves to noble causes; those who work among
the poor, the dalits, the adivasis, the refugees, the sick, the outcasts, the abandoned ones, etc. These
are the people who really lose their lives. Their life is threatened but they are not afraid, their life is
in danger but they are still hopeful. They think not of their life but of the many lives that spring up
from the loss of their life. What would the world be like if there had not been people prepared to
forget their lives?

Today selfishness seems to gain priority over other motives, and it increasingly controls people’s
lives. Self glorification, self gratification and self interest have become the mantras. In this context
what are we to aim at? Remember that the people whom the world admires are the people who have
sacrificed their lives for others. Can we too join their fold to give life to others?

11
11 WED
(St Clare)

MENDING RELATIONSHIP
Shibu Joseph, SJ

Ez 9:1-7; 10:18-22
Mt 18: 15-20

If the member refuses… let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector.

It is easy to break a relationship when someone wrongs you, but it is quite difficult to mend the
relationship again. Once it is broken it is our duty and obligation to reestablish the relationship in
Christian charity. It is not the way we do it that matters, but the attitude with which we deal with it.

If we have differences with someone, there is only one way to settle it – talking it over face to face.
Conflicts are never settled by resorting to the law or through argumentation. A purely legal
approach may make it worse. The way Jesus proposes is that of Christian fellowship and Christian
love. If dialogue with the person does not bear any fruit then Jesus tells us to consider him/her as a
gentile or a tax collector. Now we have to ask the question who the gentiles and tax collectors were
for Jesus and how he treated them. We know that one of the main accusations against Jesus was that
he considered himself as a friend of tax collectors and sinners. What the passage tells us is not an
injunction to abandon a person; it is a challenge to win over that person through Christian love.
Jesus reminds us again not to consider any man as totally hopeless.

The way of Christ is quite different from the way of the world. We always judge based on the
merits or demerits of what a person does. But Jesus’ way is different; he is concerned more about
the very person than about the merits or demerits of his actions. What is our attitude towards those
who offend us? Do we take the necessary and first steps to mend broken relationships?

12
12 THU

TO FORGIVE IS CHRISTIAN
Antu Xavier, SJ

Ez 12:1-12
Mt 18:21-19:1

Not seven times… seventy-seven times.

How many times should we forgive a brother/sister who offends us? True, the Church is the
communion of virtuous people. But all of us are not saints since to err is human. Should we then fix
the limit at seven or seventy?

Jesus’ answer knows no ambiguity: there is no limit, as today’s gospel story affirms. God is ready
to forgive even when we fail. If we do not forgive the faults of others, God may not be able to
forgive us either. God’s forgiveness is a commitment to graciously pardon those who repent and
believe, so that they are reconciled with him. Forgiveness is a commitment to restore broken or
disrupted relationships. It is a letting go of the anger or hurt that has been caused; it is a
commitment to no longer hold an offense and its moral liability against a person. Forgiveness is one
person’s response to another person’s repentance. Let us not forget that forgiveness presumes the
willingness of both parties involved.

We lead a social life; conflicts and misunderstanding may become part of life, but that need not lead
to enmity. There is truth in this anonymous saying: “Every person should have a special cemetery
plot in which to bury the faults of friends and loved ones”

Though justice be thy plea, consider this,

That in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation, we do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teaches all to render
The deeds of mercy. (The Merchant of Venice)

13
13 FRI

FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM

Antu Xavier, SJ

Ez 16:1-15, 60, 63 or Ez 16:59-63

Mt 19:3-12

What God has joined together, let no one separate.

It is said that marriages are made in heaven and celebrated on earth. The popular belief is true to a
great extent, because it is a special bond shared between two souls who tie the wedding knot after
promising lifelong companionship. It is the physical, mental and spiritual union of two persons. It
brings stability, substance, and completeness to human relationships. It plays a key role in cultural
transmission linking one generation to the next, ensuring continuity and prosperity to human race.
The institution of marriage is the foundation for the family, which in turn is a basic building block
of human society.

Marriage is a covenantal relationship. The key to successful marriage is love, understanding, mutual
respect, and a spirit of self-sacrifice. Many couples are able to find the key ingredients in their
marital relationships, although one or another element may be missing in most cases with grievous
consequences. One of the visible reasons why some couples find marriage an intimidating affair is
that they leave the missing links and the emerging problems unattended. Lack of trust, loss of
respect, drying up of love, creeping suspicion – all these can contribute to an unfortunate marital
situation.

The phrase ‘what God has joined’ tells us that it is the work of God, and so is holy. The law of
divorce is a concession to Israelites’ hardness of heart, a deviation from the original intent of the
Creator. Marriage is a call to lead a divine life; it is a vocation. And we need courage and grace to
live it. As John Graham says, “Even if marriages are made in heaven, one has to be responsible for
the maintenance.”

14
14 SAT
(St Maximilian Kolbe)

FREEDOM TO BE FREE
Ranjit George, SJ

Ez 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32

Mt 19:13-15

And he laid his hands on them…

Jesus presents children as true inheritors of the Kingdom of God. Have you ever thought about the
why of it? Jamie was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother saw him that he’d set his
heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded,
she went to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.
“Guess what Mom,” he shouted, and then said “I’ve been chosen to clap and to cheer.”

Like Jamie, children bring life, at all odds of life. They transform and go beyond all setbacks in life
with un-assumed spontaneity and unparalleled excitement. It is often noted that the young ones are
thrilled to embrace the new as new. Jesus also highlights this nature of children who have fresher
eyes to grasp the new teachings of Jesus as well as to take his message in to their hearts. Having no
prejudices against Jesus they approach him with open arms. They are neither upset with the changes
that are happening in their lives nor afraid of the risks and sacrifices awaiting them. They are indeed
like Jamie who found a new opportunity when he failed to find a part in a school play. “Children-
the fruit of the seeds of all your finest hopes”, says Gloria Gaither

This approach to life would definitely surprise the knowledgeable adults who take calculative steps
to attain the best for themselves in life. Here children invite us to be freed from all our
preoccupations and worries which prevent us from embracing life with all its surprises.

15
15 SUN
(Assumption of BVM, Independence Day)

BE A BLESSING AND BE BLESSED

Ranjit George, SJ

Rv 11:9a, 12:1-6a, 10ab

1 Cor 15: 20- 26
Lk 1: 39-56

The Mighty One has done great things for me.

Mary is addressed by Elizabeth “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb.” What does it mean to be blessed?
A farmer, whose corn always took the first prize at the State Fair, had the habit of sharing his best
corn seed with all the farmers in the neighbourhood. When asked why, he said, “It is really a matter
of self interest. The wind picks up the pollen and carries it from field to field. So if my neighbours
grow inferior corn the cross-pollination brings down the quality of my own corn. That is why I am
concerned that they plant only the best.” (Tony de Mello) What is the message? All that you give to
others you give to yourself. In other words be a blessing to others to be blessed abundantly. Mary
became a blessing by sharing herself with and for others. Her readying to be the handmaid of the
Lord in shaping His Kingdom, took active form in sharing her time and energy with Elizabeth. Thus
she became a blessing to Elizabeth. In turn she was blessed abundantly by the Lord, who raised her
from lowliness and all the coming generations marveled at her and called her blessed.
On this special day let us examine for a while to check whether we are a blessing to our nation. Are
we ready to share ourselves for the wellbeing of others? As Christ said, it is in giving we receive
and it is in losing we gain. It is not what we get but what we give that would make our lives a
blessing, and in turn blessed.

16
 16 MON
(St Stephen of Hungary)

DIVINE LIFE
Henrick Immanuel, SJ

Ez 24:15-24
Mt 19:16-22

What do I still lack?

In today’s world many people are after money and power all the time. They believe that money can
buy them anything in life. They want to enjoy all the comforts of the world. They store plenty of
riches on this earth and thus forget to prepare themselves for their heavenly reward.

A young man comes to Jesus with a question: “what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” In
Luke the question is answered by the parable of the Good Samaritan. Here, Jesus tells him to keep
the Decalogue commandments. The man realizes that he has kept all these commandments and he is
aware that there is something still lacking in him to have eternal life. Thus he asks Jesus, “What do
I still lack?” Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give them to the poor and then come and follow
him. This love commandment of Jesus seems to be harder than following all the Decalogue
commandments. The rich young man goes away sad.

One may strictly follow the rules and regulations of his/ her religion. But that is not enough to
obtain eternal life. Eternal life is given to those who patiently persevere in doing good. “For he will
pay according to each one’s deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honour
and immortality, he will give eternal life” (Rom 2:6-7). Are we generous, kind and charitable in our
words and deeds? Jesus is the giver of divine life. It is only by believing in him and following in his
footsteps that we can have life in fullness. Are we faithful to his commandments in our daily lives?
What do we still lack?

17
17 TUE

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE FOR GOD

Rakesh Toppo, SJ

Ez 28:1-10
Mt 19:23-30

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of
heaven.

What attitude do we have towards wealth? Wealth is indeed needed to look after the basic
necessities of life, to overcome our difficulties and to fulfill our responsibilities towards one another
and yet we must also ask ourselves whether we are addicted to wealth and are enslaved by it. Does
it make us proud and arrogant in our relationship with one another or do we use it in the right way
to protect and preserve life in every form?

Wealth becomes a burden or a block in our effort to become true children of God if we start trusting
in it more than in anything/anybody. We must realize that wealth is a blessing from God and
therefore we are accountable to him. We are answerable to God for what we do with it. Wealth
must help us to become persons of good character and it should lead us to God. It should be used
for the glory of God and the good of all. It should make us happy, gentle, generous, humble and
loving in our relationship with one another.

A person once asked God, “What surprises you most about humankinds?” God answered him at
once, “Human beings lose their health to make money and lose their money to restore their health.”
In our lives, we are either very anxious about the future or worried about our failures and
frustrations of the past. We forget to live (in) the present. ‘We live as if we will never die, and when
we die, we die as though we have never lived.’ Let us then turn our lives in conformity with the
commandments of God. Are we ready to live in the present?

18
18 WED

JUSTICE REDEFINED
James Samad, SJ

Ezek 34: 1-11

Mt. 20: 1-16

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?

Today’s gospel reading redefines the concept of Justice. In our ordinary understanding, we define
justice as being fair and treating someone for what he/she is or does. Our laws, rules and regulations
aim at rewarding those who fulfill their duties and punishing those who do not confirm to its
defined way of living. Justice simply consists in giving to each one what he/she deserves. We
function with this understanding of justice. Whereas Jesus in today’s gospel surprises us with a
radically different notion of justice. When we read the parable, at first thought, it seems unfair that
the master gives the same reward to everyone without taking into consideration the time that they
have spent in labour. Justice for Jesus does not consist in doing what each one deserved but in
fulfilling what each one needed. The master was aware that the servants who were employed in the
evening also had families to attend to. They remained unemployed until evening not because they
were lazy but merely because there was no one to employ them.

For Jesus what a person does alone does not matter. He respects a person for being the image of
God. Justice therefore consists in treating a person for what he is, not for what he does. Can we too
then treat each other as images of God? Can our justice then operate on love instead of laws and
norms? This is the challenge of the gospel today.

Let’s pray and draw strength from our Master that our efforts and endeavors may always be
oriented towards the good of others, so that the weak and the deprived may feel that they are
precious in the eyes of God.

19
19 THU

COVENANT CLIMAXED
A. Aruldoss, SJ

Ez 36:23-28
Mt 22:1-14

The wedding is ready, but those invited were not ready.

Today’s first reading is the summary of the covenant that God made with the Jews. He promised
them that he will be their God and they will be his people. God remained faithful to His promise
and walked with them as a companion in their history. The chosen people, however failed in their
faithfulness to God and subjected themselves to miseries of oppression, captivity, diseases, famine,
etc., and still God did not let his covenant go.
God’s covenant with the chosen race was made universal in the person of Christ. In Christ, the
whole humanity has been invited into the Kingdom of God. However, do we heed to the call of God
or do we follow the path of the chosen race, rejecting the love of God? This is the question that the
gospel raises for us today. Are we Christians merely in our rituals and practices or do we live as
Christ to our community? The Gospel invites us to examine whether we live a life of justice,
honesty and trustworthiness. This is the festal garment that Christ has clothed us with. We are made
to live a holy and just life in God's continual presence in and through the sacrifice of Jesus on the
cross. God has embraced the whole humanity in fellowship in the person of Christ.
Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege and our only way for salvation. The refusal to be
part of the wedding feast shows our refusal to surrender to God. What hinders our path to God is
our selfish motives, misplaced trust and narrow vision. Let us allow God’s grace to take complete
possession of us and enable us to live a life worthy of a Christian disciple.

20
20 FRI
(St Bernard)

EXISTENCE OF FLESH AND BLOOD

Pravin Solanki, SJ

Ez 37:1-14
Mt 22: 34-40

Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost.

In the first reading, Prophet Ezekiel shows to us the power of the Spirit of God. He uses the Hebrew
word ‘ruah’ to denote the Spirit. This word can either mean ‘spirit’ or ‘wind’ and it can also mean
‘breath.’ In this vision, the prophet employs all these three meanings to bring hope in the minds of
the Israelites. The people of Israel are now in exile and Ezekiel through this passage gives them
what they need the most: hope. Ezekiel reports that the Lord's Spirit showed him a vision of an
entire valley filled with dry bones. This vision is an echo of the people's lament while in exile. The
question is, "Can these bones live?" The key to the unfolding story, of course, is that in order to
live, they need not only flesh, sinew, and skin, but also breath: "I will put breath in you, and you
shall live".

The prophet's repeated use of the word ‘ruah’ drives home his central message: God's spirit is the
key to life. The fullness of life is attainable only through the Spirit of God. Without it, existence is
just flesh and blood. Are we as Christians inspired by the Spirit of God? How do we discern
whether the Spirit of God is active in our lives?

The Gospel presents the clue: if our lives are motivated by love, then we can be sure that the Spirit
of God is active in us. Jesus gives love as the greatest of all commandments which is the fulfilment
of all law and prophets. We can live only if we are united with the Lord in love and motivated by
the Spirit of God to love our neighbours.

21
21 SAT

SERVANTS AND SERVICE

Erenius Toppo, SJ

Ez 43:1-7a
Mt 23: 1-12

Do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do…

Today’s Gospel speaks about the chair of Moses occupied by the Pharisees and the Scribes. This
chair of Moses is a metaphor that stands for the authority to teach, preside over ceremonies,
sacrifices, etc. as heirs to the leadership of Moses. The Pharisees, however, forgot the real purpose
of their authority. While Moses exercised his authority to shape the Israelites as a nation of God, the
Pharisees and the Scribes used their authority for their own selfish motives.

A suitable parallel of this phenomenon can be found among our politicians. These servants of the
people have become our greatest exploiters. Like the Pharisees and the Scribes, they preach what
they do not practice. It is often easy to point our fingers at all these people and what is difficult is to
subject ourselves to a scrutiny and check as to where we stand as disciples of Christ. Do we, like the
Pharisees, Scribes and our own politicians, seek recognition and honour? Jesus reminds us that we
are children of one Father and that we shall not create divisions of superiority or inferiority among
ourselves. The first reading exalts God as a king seated in the temple. He lives among us as our only
king and we are subjects of his Kingdom of Love.

A true servant is someone who is humble and selfless. He/she puts forward the interest of the
populace whom s/he serves and not his/her own selfish interests. To be God’s servant, one must be
the servant of all; one must be a friend to all people regardless of their state; and, one must be a
helper to the needy. Are we such leaders in today’s Church?

22
22 SUN
(XXI SUN of the Year, Justice Sunday)

'JUST' JUSTICE
Felix D’Silva, SJ

Is 66:18-21
Heb 12:5-7, 11-13
Lk 13:12-30

Lift your dropping hands and strengthen your weak knees…

We celebrate this day as Justice Sunday. What does justice mean in our dehumanized world of
today? Does it merely mean following the rules and regulations of the Church and the Country? Do
we become ‘just’ by merely following a set of laws? The answer is in the negative for justice in
today’s world is to accept the challenge of the Gospel: to walk through the narrow door; to forego
the comforts of our lives and reach out to the dehumanized.

To be ‘just’ in the light of today’s readings requires us to participate in the lives of the poor, the
marginalized and the suffering masses. Isaiah, in today’s first reading says that God comes to gather
people of every nation and language into his Kingdom. Thus a 'just' country is one in which all its
citizens, irrespective of their language, caste and region are treated as dignified human persons. The
second reading reminds us that we are sons and daughters of God and he corrects us when we
deviate from the path of justice. He does this out of his love for us. The gospel today explains the
justice of Jesus. A daughter of Abraham who was in bonds for eighteen long years is released from
her bondage. The justice of Jesus of letting the oppressed go free takes place in a context of
opposition.

The Kingdom of God comprises of justice, freedom and fellowship. As Christians, we have
received a mandate from Christ to give good news to the poor and the oppressed of the society. This
mandate can be achieved only if we transcend our divisions and differences. Let us allow the grace
of God to lead us to work for justice.

23
23 MON
(St. Rose of Lima)

WE ARE PROPHETS
Samir Dungdung, SJ

2 Th 1:1-5;11b-12
Mt 23: 13-22

Woe to you...

A prophet is one who applauds what is good and denounces what is evil. In today’s readings, we
find examples of such prophets. Jesus, in today’s gospel, denounces the Scribes and Pharisees for
exploiting people. He does so because their words and actions do not match. This courageous act of
Jesus was an outcome of his love for the people. He chooses to defy the authority of the ruling elite
when they become oppressors of the poor and the marginalised. If we, who are prophets today, do
not practice what we preach will Jesus applaud us or denounce us as he denounces the leaders in
today’s readings?

Today’s second reading presents Paul, Silvanus and Timothy as further models of true prophets.
They appreciate what is good in the Church of Thessalonians. They thank God for the brothers and
sisters of Thessalonica for their goodness and for growing in faith abundantly. They commend them
for their love for each other.

As Christians, each one of us is called to be a prophet in simple ways in our respective communities
and at our places of work. Do we realize that we are prophets? Do we appreciate what is good in
others and denounce what is evil? Often it becomes easy to point out the mistakes of others but
difficult to appreciate others for their good. To be a prophet of our times, we need to be motivated
by the love of God. Let these words of the Bible always resound in us “You shall go to all to whom
I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with
you to deliver you, says the Lord.” (Jer 1:6-8).

24
24 TUE
(St Bartholomew, Apostle)

PREJUDICE TO FAITH
I. Valanarasu, SJ

Rev 21:9b-14
Jn 1:45-51

Come and see…

Nathaniel: Can any good come from Nazareth?

Jesus : Here comes the true Israelite!

Today’s gospel portrays the encounter between Jesus and Nathaniel. In this encounter, Jesus and
Nathaniel take two different approaches to 'the other'. Nathaniel makes a prejudiced remark about
Jesus coming from Nazareth, but is quick to withdraw it after he has encountered Jesus. His
experience of Jesus touches and transforms him and enables him to testify that Jesus is the Messiah,
the King of Israel.

On the other hand, Jesus is in all praise of Nathaniel even when he had not met him. He
acknowledges him as a true Israelite, a honest human person of sound character. In him Jesus finds
an upright and godly man in whom there is no guile. Jesus knew Nathaniel and was able to see his
goodness free from all prejudice of his identity. He respects and loves Nathaniel for what he is and
not for where he comes from. These two different approaches invite us to challenge ourselves and
realize our own prejudices about others. How often do we label people even before taking any effort
to understand them or enter into their shoes?

Jesus does not ask his disciples to announce him to others. But he allows them to follow their inner
urge and to share their experiences and discoveries with others and brings them to him. Andrew
declares his Messianic discovery to his brother Simon (Jn 1:41-42) and Philip proclaims Jesus as
the promised eschatological prophet to his skeptical friend Nathaniel and Nathaniel accepts Jesus as
the expected. Have we experienced Jesus personally in our lives?

25
25 WED

LEGALISM, RITUALISM VS. LOVE

Suresh Botcha, SJ

2 Th 3: 6-10, 16-18
Mt 23:27-32

… inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness

The chapter twenty-three of Mathew’s gospel gives us a long and vehement denunciation of the
Scribes and Pharisees sharply critiquing their leadership and inauthentic life style. This sharp
critique comes as Jesus’ response to the lack of openness and unremitting opposition of the
religious leaders. Hypocrisy underlines insincerity and lack of integrity. Jesus openly denounces
these people as they were like white washed tombs, who gave importance to the external ritualism.
The false piety of the Scribes and Pharisees is critiqued for their being outwardly righteous,
inwardly hypocrites. The final woe castigates the leaders as those who violently rejected God’s
messengers. Do we also, like the Pharisees and Scribes, fancy that we would have believed in him if
we had lived in the time of Jesus and thus testify against ourselves?

Jesus is not against laws and rules. He did not come to abolish but to fulfil them with an
unconditional love. He did it by bringing about God’s intended meaning in what is written in the
law. Love is the essence of every religion and what counts most is the attitude the interiority, and
the spontaneity and sincerity. We need to be perfect as God the Father is perfect. It does not mean
that we should be flawless and perfect, but rather be wholehearted, single-minded and undivided in
our love for God and neighbour, just as God is undivided in loving us.

Thus, Today Jesus challenges us to follow the more important matters of the law. Let us not throw
away rules and regulations, but give meaning to them as they help us to work together for progress
and for the common good.

26
26 THU

READINESS TO RECEIVE CHRIST!

Inna Reddy, SJ

1 Cor 1:1-9
Mt 24: 42-51

The Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Once a saint was asked a question while he was playing football, “If the Lord tells you now that you
are going to die in few minutes, what you would do next?” “I will continue to play football,” was
the quick reply from that saint. He was ready to receive the Lord at any abrupt moment. That was
his preparedness. In our daily lives most of us like to postpone things. ‘If something can be done
tomorrow why to do it today?’ seems to be a general attitude and this leads us to procrastination.
We wait to do things at the right time forgetting that every time is the right and opportune moment.
We are so lethargic that we wait for tomorrow leaving and not living today.

Today the Lord calls us to be watchful and be ready for the return of Son of Man at an unexpected
hour. We need to cleanse ourselves and be ready to receive the Lord any moment. “…you are not
lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 1: 7). He
blessed all of us with good things and plentiful graces and he does not test us beyond our capacity
to cope. He wants us to live like him and love like him. When love is the guiding principle of life, it
makes us ever ready to receive Lord. “With time and patient endurance the mulberry leaf becomes a
silk gown” (Chinese proverb)

Let the love for Christ be manifested in our love for the poor and marginalized. This will facilitate
us to be ever ready, no matter when he comes, because we are already with him when we are with
the poor.

27
27 FRI
(St Monica)

TO BE AWAKE AND WATCHFUL

Theodore Kujur, SJ

1Cor 1:17-25
Mt 25:1-13

… and the door was shut.

The coming of the Son of Man will be sudden, unforeseeable, and unknown and so we need to be
awake and watchful. Jesus tells a number of parables regarding watchfulness and being alert for his
return: the servants for the return of their Master, and the ten bridesmaids for the arrival of the
Bridegroom. Today’s gospel has the parable of the ten bridesmaids. The bridegroom is Jesus
himself and the ten bridesmaids are the souls of each one of us.

When a bridegroom leaves his parents’ house to fetch the bride, he is often delayed by his brothers,
relatives and friends trying to hold him back. At the bride’s house, they eagerly await for the
bridegroom to give him a festive welcome. The bridesmaids add brilliance by receiving him with
burning lamps, gracefully dancing as they lead him into the house. What if the bridesmaids are not
ready upon the arrival of the bridegroom? What if their lamps do not have oils and their lamps are
not burning bright? It may be too late to go out to buy oil or come back late to knock on the shut
door of the bridegroom. These telling details exhort us to be vigilant at all times for the return of the
Son of Man.

Midnight perhaps emphasizes the unknown hour. The ten virgins symbolize the Christian
community. The spiritual meaning of ‘oil’ is prayer, devotion, faith, good works, fervor etc. Each
one of us has the responsibility of living according to ‘all that Jesus commanded’ in order to enter
the kingdom of God. Let not Jesus shut the door on our faces and we be left out in the cold dark
night all by ourselves.

28
28 SAT
(St Augustine)

TRADING TALENTS
John Tirkey, SJ

1Cor 1:26-31
Mt 25:14-30

Master you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more…

Jesus’ story of the talents teaches us to boldly prefer taking active risk in our lives over passive
complacency. The standard of God’s judgment of every person is relative to the talents given: the
greater the gifts, the greater the responsibility. We are not all equal in talents, but we are all called
to collaborate in the work of the Gospel according to our personal talent in given opportunity, with
full ability.

The parable has an eschatological orientation. Before he leaves on a long journey, the master gives
some talents to each one according to the ability of his servants. ‘The master’s taking care to give
amounts to the servants only according to their ability reveals that he does not impose a burden on
them but only what they are capable of taking care of’ (George Keerankeri). While waiting for the
return of the master one is invited to be actively and imaginatively involved in carrying out the task
given to him/her. Should we be proud then that God has chosen us for this eschatological task? Paul
reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians that we are chosen not because we are of noble birth, or
we are powerful or wise, but God chooses the weak in the world to make them strong. If we want to
boast then says St. Paul, ‘boast in the Lord.’

Each of us is in a business – business of trading the talents one has been entrusted with. We must
produce some results before the Lord comes to take account. If we trade them well and diligently,
we shall be appreciated and rewarded by the Lord. Jesus wants us to know that salvation will come
to those who are prepared to risk their lives for him.

29
29 SUN
(XII SUN of the Year)

SERVICE AND HUMILITY

A. Aruldoss, SJ

Sir 3:17-20, 28-29

Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a
Lk 14:1, 7-14

Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…

A rich person hosting parties is not a new thing. While preparing the guest-list, the host usually
gives preference to those from whom he/she can benefit or gain something. Much of our giving or
hospitality too is discriminatory and profit-oriented that finally evades our true humility and
hospitality.

Today’s gospel asks us to do the contrary. There are lessons for both the guest and the host. The
reading exhorts us to shun honour and recognition and invites us to be humble. It is in being humble
and generous that one attains honour and praise. Jesus proposes something revolutionary here – a
new invitation list in which the poor and powerless (the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind)
are included. He cautions against selfishly seeking places of honour, lest we be humiliated later. He
measures greatness in terms of service, not status or honour. God determines our greatness by how
many people we serve, not by how many people serve us. This is so contrary to the world's idea of
greatness.

True, thousands of books have been written on leadership, but only a few on the servant ladership
Everyone wants to be a leader and not a servant. We try to make ourselves the centre of everything.
We become highly ‘attention and honour’ seekers whereas the real honour never comes when it is
sought for. We have to remember that God will exalt the humble and humble the proud. Only
through the deeds of goodness and humility, we receive true honour. Therefore, humility is what we
have to strive for as the Lord’s disciples. It is indeed the mark of a disciple. No man stands as tall as
when he stoops to help someone.

30
30 MON

FINDING THE SPIRIT IN CHAOS

J.A. Dass, SJ

1Cor 2:1-5
Lk 4: 16-30

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

The key sentence of today’s gospel “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” may look like a soothing
passage but indeed it is a challenging one. Jesus firmly recognizes the presence of the Holy Spirit
only in the midst of temptations and rejection. If we closely look at the previous passage in the
same gospel, where Jesus is put into temptation and the succeeding passage where he is ruthlessly
rejected, we could clearly find the presence of the Spirit leading Jesus towards greater union with
the Father. Perhaps it may be easy to realize the presence of the Spirit in the midst of comforts and
consolations but the real struggle is in the context of temptations and rejections.

St. Paul's strong determination to follow the crucified Lord, despite barriers, is the hint to realize the
guiding presence of the Spirit. He proclaims it openly, “... I came to you in weakness and in fear
and in much trembling … but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power…” A lesson well
learnt from his Master. As Jesus is determined to know and obey the will of the Father, St. Paul is
also determined to follow the crucified Lord at any cost. In fact, there is no saint in the world who
was not being tempted and rejected in his or her life.

Therefore, let us admit that none of us are free from temptations and rejections. The important thing
is to examine ourselves to see how far we withstand trials, temptations and rejections. Like Jesus,
we may realize the liberating presence of the Holy Spirit to carry on the liberating mission then we
too can say with meaning ‘the Spirit of the Lord is upon me.’

31
31 TUE

THE SPIRITS
Theodore Kujur, SJ

1Cor. 2:10b-16
Lk 4: 31-37

We have the mind of Christ.

After he is rejected in Nazareth, Jesus goes to Capernaum and performs his first miracle in Luke, of
curing a demoniac. Notice the paradox: The unclean spirit recognizes him as the Son of God and the
people are astounded but his own people at Nazareth fail to do that. Not only do they fail in
recognizing him but they try to hurl him off the cliff. People in Capernaum respond with
astonishment because Jesus speaks with authority and the demonic is cured. By portraying Jesus as
an exorcist, Luke shows that the day of the Lord is at hand. The people of Capernaum are first
inspired by Jesus’ words especially the authority with which he spoke. This authority only gets
assured in the miracle of curing of the demonic.

Are we too under demonic spell? If anyone allows filthiness in one’s life and mind, he/she invites
the unclean spirit to take up residence. And once again, the all authority of Jesus and his words can
help us come out this demonic possession unharmed.

The letter to the Corinthians speaks of another spirit, the Spirit through which God revealed
himself. This Spirit helps us understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. It helps us search
everything even the depths of God. The choice is ours: do we wish to be possessed by the Spirit of
the Lord or by the demonic spirit? We can pray with St. Augustine: “breathe on me, Spirit of God,
that I may think what is holy. Drive me, Spirit of God, that I may do what is holy. Strengthen me,
Spirit of God, that I may preserve what is holy. Guide me, Spirit of God, that I may never lose what
is holy.”

32