18th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Jn 6:24-35]

01.08.2021

Faith in Jesus as the Bread that Comes Down from Heaven

Readings: (1) Ex 16:2-4.12-15 (2) Eph 4:17.20-24

1.  Theme in brief

Jesus satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst.

2.  Focus Statement:   

Since the real and spiritual bread (food) that comes down from heaven is Jesus himself, he can satisfy the spiritual hunger and thirst of those who approach him in faith.

3.  Explanation of the text

Looking for Jesus or seeking after him – a primary purpose of discipleship in John’s gospel – is often repeated by him, almost from the beginning to the end of the gospel (cf.1:38; 20:15). Some look for Jesus or seek after him with right motives and some with wrong motives like the crowd in today’s gospel. They were following him not for his teaching but for their own bellies’ sake; because they ate their fill of the loaves (6:26). In other words they sought after him not because he taught them, but because he fed their stomachs by multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish.

Neither the disciples nor the crowds that followed or gathered around Jesus understood automatically his true identity and the purpose of his mission. John insists that his miracles were only external “signs” that pointed to another inner meaning (usually a spiritual one). But people could not look beyond the external signs. Actually, last Sunday’s multiplication of loaves was a sign of Jesus’ desire to feed their spirit with God or God’s divine life. But they could not get it exactly. That is why they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for or seeking after him to get further supply of bread (6:24). When the people found him already on the other side of the sea, he simply ignored their enquiry about how he managed to reach there (6:25), because they had misunderstood his real intention. 

Instead, Jesus began to unpack the meaning of the ‘sign’ contained in the miraculous multiplication of bread. The sign was about who he is; his real identity. Jesus began to challenge the crowd to see beyond the physical and material sphere. Material bread was meant for feeding physical life; in contrast he wanted to present himself as someone who was capable of sustaining their spiritual life. He challenged them to look beyond external signs such as manna given by Moses in the desert (6:31) and abundance of loaves and fish provided by him previously when they were hungry. Now he was going to offer them another food as a surpassing gift from God – the gift of himself, his teaching and his body and blood. So far their focus was on perishable food, but now he challenged them to crave for imperishable food that “endured” for eternity (6:27). The word “enduring,” which is also translated as “abiding” or “remaining,” refers to a permanent, deep friendship or an intimate, dynamic relationship between Jesus and disciples. This type of personal communion results in the flow of divine life (which is in Jesus) into the disciples. Thus the bread that “endures” is Jesus (the Son) himself whom the Father gives to the world so that those who believe in the Son may have a foretaste of the Father’s life which is eternal (6:33).

Jesus stated that if they did not want to go hungry and thirsty, they had to come to him and believe in him (6:35). In John’s gospel, ‘coming to Jesus’ often implies believing in him. They had to believe that he himself was the gift from God that gave them divine life. Believing is neither a conceptual or intellectual knowledge of the tenets of faith nor a mental assent to religious truths or doctrine, but an active commitment and attachment to the Person, namely, Jesus.. Coming to him also implies their intention to submit or yield fully to him. When the Jews asked him what they must do to perform the “works of God” (6:28), Jesus’ answer focussed not on what they must do, rather on what God was doing right then through him. Instead of giving them a “to-do” list of works, he gave them a single “work” – to believe in him whom the Father had sent (6:29). “To believe” in the Son or to be personally committed to him is God’s work, because it is God who reveals his love and draws people to himself. It is his work. Faith is a person’s free response to God who reveals himself. Faith can be called a believer’s work also in the sense that it is a submission to God’s work in and through Jesus Christ. It motivates a person to seek after imperishable food as equally as (if not more than) perishable food. Thus faith becomes both God’s work and believers’ work.

Jesus claims that Moses (in fact not Moses but heavenly Father) gave their ancestors bread (manna) in the past, but the Father “gives” them right now (in the present tense) bread from heaven (6:32).  The true bread is not manna but he himself who comes from heaven (God) to give life to the world (6:33) – of course, the world of believers. He comes to share his divine life with those who believe in him and sustain that life in them, whereas the manna sustained only the physical life. Just like the Samaritan woman had begged Jesus earlier, “Sir, give me this water” (Jn 4:15), so that she could be spared from the trouble of going to the well and fetching water, the crowd too begged: "Sir, give us this bread always" (6:34) so that they could fill their stomachs without doing work.

4.  Application to life                      

In today’s gospel we notice how Jesus leads people to think beyond the natural and material order. The people were more concerned about their stomachs than their souls. Many of them sought after Jesus, neither to follow him nor to be taught by him. They were after bread of physical life and were not interested in bread of spiritual life which he wanted to give. They remained so focussed on their fill of ‘loaves and fish’ that they could not think anything beyond that. After seeing the miracle their thoughts should have turned to God who provided them with abundant food. The crowd saw the signpost (that is, his miracles), but failed to follow the indication pointed out by the signpost that leads to faith in Jesus. They thought he had come to fill their stomachs, whereas he had come to fill them with God and his values.

Even today there are people who follow Jesus to enjoy ‘loaves and fish,’ and not to live a life of self-giving or self-forgetful love taught by him. They profess religion for their secular advantage and material benefits, to get social identity/ respectability or out of social pressure. There are also people who are looking for and expecting miracles that can be seen by their eyes as a proof for their allegiance to God. As we heard in today’s gospel, Christ knows not only what we do, but why we do it; that is, with what motive. We too, quite often automatically mutter one “Our Father” and three “Hail Marys” when we are in trouble and meet with calamities or undergo suffering and pain. Though this is surely a sign of our faith in God, we must question whether we consider God as the solver of all our problems, like a Superman or Spiderman. Jesus tells us not to be confined to receiving only ‘bread and fish’ from him, but seek after him who is the bread of life. St Ignatius said: “Seek not the consolation of God, but seek the God of consolation.” Jesus uses the symbol of bread to signify our intimacy with him and through him with the Father.

The desire in human beings to have somebody to meet their physical needs has never lost its appeal even today. There is a cry in the air: “Who wants your spiritual stuff? Will it make any difference? What people want are loaves and fishes, that is, jobs, good food and better housing, lesser work, better wages and more leave.” Many prefer to follow those who can provide these things rather than the so-called ‘spiritual’ and ‘imperishable’ stuff promised by Jesus. They expect him to act like politicians who promise ‘freebies’ including electric grinders and milking cows if they are voted to power. It appeals the masses. Many prefer to vote for them rather than those who want to use the nation’s wealth for real development.

Today the Lord makes us aware that the things of this world are not lasting; they are all perishable. All the worldly wealth, name, fame, honour and power are like perishable ‘bread and fish.’  We are always tempted to treat what is not permanent and perishable as if it were everything. Though human needs are multifaceted – material, intellectual, emotional, spiritual – the crowd in Jesus’ days and today is focussed only on the material aspect. As he did in his days, today also Jesus wants to raise us up from purely stomach-level to spirit-level. Like the crowd in his days, we too succumb to the same temptation when we use religion and sacred things for selfish interests and secular purposes such as politics and business. Look at the ways how some god-men use the religious sentiments or spiritual needs of people to exploit them for money or sex, and how devotees in famous pilgrimage centres of all religions are fleeced and taken for a ride.

Through today’s gospel, Jesus tells us not to work only for material or physical needs, and make them our only concern. Jesus says that we must seek first and foremost the Kingdom of God (or God’s values) above everything else (Mt 6:33). He speaks of another food – doing God’s will and completing his work in our lifetime (Jn 4:34). He reveals God’s loving plan or will that anyone who believes in the Son should not "perish" but have "eternal life" (Jn 3:16). Now he says that he has come down from heaven (God) as bread (or spiritual nourishment) so that anyone who comes to him in faith may not perish but have a share in God’s own life (or eternal life). Just as we fill our stomachs with physical food to satisfy our physical hunger, we have to fill ourselves with Jesus to satisfy our spiritual hunger. Jesus promises to sustain the divine life in us continually. But there is a condition: we must “come to him” and “believe in him,” that is, approach him in faith. He becomes our spiritual nourishment through a deeper faith and submission to him. He invites us to feed our spirit with his teaching. Since the real food (spiritual) that comes down from heaven is he himself, he alone can satisfy our spiritual hunger. But we must express our spiritual hunger for him and his values.

For what are we hungry? Though on the surface level our hunger for physical food is felt more intensely, especially when we are really hungry, deep down in our hearts we have a spiritual hunger also. Hence, there are two kinds of hunger: (1) physical hunger which can be satisfied with physical food; (2) spiritual hunger which cannot be satisfied with food or material things. What Jesus was saying was, as bread is essential to sustain physical life, he is essential for spiritual life. As believers, we can exist without Jesus, but cannot really live without him. Though bread is essential for survival, we do not live by bread alone (Mt 4:4). Deep down in our heart there is a hunger for genuine love, forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, justice, truth, compassion and consolation which God alone can satisfy. He can satisfy our hunger for the following values: (1) for genuine love because he is the source of selfless love and perfect image of God’s unconditional love for us (sinners); (2) for life because in him is the fullness of God’s life; (3) for truth because he is the revelation of God’s own truth; (4) for peace because he alone can lead us to well-being, wholeness and harmony, or because the world cannot give the peace which he gives (Jn 14:27). Ultimately, our hunger is a hunger for God himself. As St. Augustine expressed, our hearts are restless, until they rest in God.

Negatively, we are also hungry for power, name and fame, money, security and comforts. In modern times, we eat daily the junk food supplied by the mass media such as sex, violence, crime, corruption, and the mesmerizing TV ads. We become what we eat. If we eat Jesus or fill ourselves with him and his values we become like him. If we eat only the junk food regularly, our mind gets influenced by the conflicting values advocated by it. Which food influences us? Real food or junk food? Jesus is not saying that we should not bother at all about our physical or material needs. He himself spent a lot of his time in meeting their needs for physical healing. But the question is, whether our faith in Jesus gives us the strength to defeat the predominance of the hunger for material things and worldly concerns so that we do not neglect the need to satisfy our spiritual hunger. For this, again, we must come to him in faith and trust, and humbly beg him with right motive what the crowd asked with wrong motive, “Lord, give us this bread always” (6:34) and satisfy our hunger for you.

5.  Response to God's Word

What are we really hungry and thirsty for? Is it only for food and shelter, or also for compassion, genuine love and understanding, righteousness and justice? Are we like the crowd who did not think beyond material needs? With what attitude or motive are we seeking God? Do we demand miraculous signs and wonders from God before we really believe in him? Why do we attend church or pray?  Is it for our own selfish purposes, or out of social pressure, or for businesses purpose, or we want God to solve our problems? Do we seek the bread that the Father gives, or seek the Father who gives bread?

6.  A prayer

Lord, give us the bread of life and nourish divine life in us. We are hungry and thirsty for you, and your justice, truth, mercy, and love.  Come and satisfy our longing for you. Amen. 

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

 Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Jn 6:1-15]

25.07.2021

Multiplication of Loaves (Feeding the Five Thousand)

Readings: (1) 2 Kings 4:42-44 (2) Eph 4:1-6

1.  Theme in brief

Sharing our resources generously

2.  Focus Statement:   

When we approach Jesus with a deep faith he can change us from selfish persons into compassionate and generous sharers of our little resources with his divine power so that we can satisfy the physical and spiritual hunger of many.

3.  Explanation of the text

What we notice significantly in today’s gospel is Jesus’ compassion for the hungry and tired crowd of people who kept on gathering around him (6:2). They might have had good or bad motives: (1) to listen to his word because the expression “coming to Jesus” in John’s gospel implies precisely this (6:5); (2) to get healed of their illnesses because they had seen the “signs” (John’s common word for miracles) he was doing for the sick (6:2); and (3) to make him a political king (6:15) who could provide them with material things without much work. In today’s gospel we heard about one of the “signs” – multiplication of loaves of bread to feed about five thousand people.

John mentions that this miracle took place when the Jewish Passover feast was near (6:4). Probably he wants to tell us that feeding the hungry crowd with bread is a pointer to the Passover meal during which the Jews ate the sacrificial lambs with unleavened bread. It could also be a pointer to the New Passover Meal (that is, the Eucharist) in which a different ‘Sacrificial Lamb’ (Jesus’ own Body and Blood) is offered to believers for their spiritual nourishment. After all, this miracle of satisfying the physical hunger with material bread is only a “sign” that points to another reality – Jesus’ desire to satisfy the spiritual hunger of believers. Since Philip – one of his disciples – was from Bethsaida (Jn 1:44) and knew the local situation well, it was natural that Jesus enquired from him about the availability of bread in the locality (6:5). This enquiry points to the initiative that Jesus himself took to feed the hungry crowd. Philip, like a shrewd financial manager, calculated that even six months’ wages would not be sufficient to feed such a big crowd (6:7).

Actually, this was not a financial enquiry that required a cost estimation report from him, but a test to his faith (6:6). The disciples had not yet reached the depth-level of faith in Jesus due to which they were unable to understand his divine power to satisfy the hunger of such a great multitude. Jesus was totally in control of the whole situation because he himself knew what to do and what not to do in such a situation (6:6). Philip presented a pessimistic picture of the situation: first of all they did not have money to buy food for so many; secondly, even if they had money equivalent to six months’ wages, it would not be sufficient to feed each one even a little (6:7). Another disciple, Andrew, was optimistic but not fully. He pointed out a boy in the crowd who had five barley loaves and two fish, but admitted that those were nothing in front of such a crowd (6:9).  Philip focused on the enormity of the problem and impossibility of any solution, whereas Andrew focused not on the problem but on the meagreness or smallness of the resources.

Though this is the only miracle (called “sign” in this gospel) found in all the four gospels, John’s gospel has the following special elements not found in the synoptic gospels: (1) After taking bread in his hands, John says that Jesus “gave thanks” to God (6:11), whereas the synoptic gospels use the word “blessed” God (cf. Mk 6:41; Mt 14:19). Though both the words ultimately have the same connotation, John’s choice of the word used for the ‘Eucharist’ in the early Church (which means “giving thanks” in Greek) indicates that Jesus’ feeding them with material bread for the sustenance of their physical life, signifies his feeding them with the Bread of Divine (Eternal) Life later on. (2) According to John, Jesus himself distributes the bread (6:11), whereas according to synoptic gospels it is the disciples who distribute it (cf. Mk 6:41). This is a clear reference to Jesus’ gesture of breaking and giving the Eucharistic Bread at the Last Supper. There is a hidden sense here that he is the distributor or giver of the Bread of life. (3) Only in John’s gospel, Jesus commands the disciples to gather up the “fragments” so that nothing is wasted (6:12). This word was used for the fragments of bread used for the Eucharist in the Early Church (now called “hosts”). Jesus’ command not to waste anything might indicate the missionary role of apostles to gather or save all people and not to allow anybody to be lost. Anyway, it is clear that John’s gospel gives a thorough Eucharistic colouring to this “sign” of multiplying bread.

This miracle leads to people’s acclamation of Jesus as the awaited prophet like Moses (6:14) who fed the Israelites with manna in the desert or Elisha who multiplied barley loaves to feed a hundred hungry men (2 Kings 4:42-44). They wanted to make him a political king by force (6:15) – a king who would provide them with plenty of bread (symbolizing all material things) and would fight for their independence from Roman rule. They totally failed to understand that his kingship was not of this world (Jn 18:36).

4.  Application to life                      

Today’s gospel text focuses mainly on three points:

(1) Our God is a generous and compassionate God who satisfies physical and spiritual hunger of people through his Son, Jesus. In this text, we see a compassionate Jesus, who is very sensitive to the physical hunger of people who were flocking to him. Today’s gospel-message invites us to become sensitive to hunger and poverty around us and share our bread and resources with the hungry and the needy. Of course, a broader application of this message also involves sensitivity to any material needs of the have-nots. It is estimated more than 850 million people go to bed every day without food and a child dies of hunger every 3 seconds around the world. What a world of contrasts we live in: When so many people including children go to bed everyday with hungry stomachs in some parts of the world, so much food is wasted in lavish parties and banquets in some other parts; when so many starve in one region, so much food is thrown away in another. Some of the luxurious banquets and parties make us wonder whether people live to eat or eat to live. Our world can be a better place if we decide to share something of what we have. The continuity of hunger in the world is a blot on its economic, scientific and technological progress in so many fields. Our parties and banquets can become God’s banquet of love only when we share our resources with the needy.

But we should remember people are hungry not only for bread. As we have already noted, this miracle is a ‘sign’ that indicates Jesus’ role in satisfying our spiritual hunger as well. Mother Teresa said: “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for….is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” We are called to feed people with these and other spiritual values as well. One does not live by bread alone (Mt 4:4). People need to be fed with bread as well as love, care, truth and peace. As explained above, this miracle has strong Eucharistic overtones. The Eucharist satisfies our spiritual hunger and motivates us to share our goods with the needy. In other words, besides nourishing us spiritually, the Eucharist sends us out in the world to break our bread with the hungry and the needy.

(2) Our mission is to introduce or bring others to Jesus so that he may do what he wants with them. Andrew is famous in John’s gospel for bringing people to Jesus. In the beginning, he brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus after his experience of staying with him (Jn 1:40-42) and later brought some Greeks to Jesus who wanted to see him (12:20-22). In today’s gospel, he brings a lad in the crowd who was generous enough to give the little food he had brought for himself. We notice a contrast between the attitudes of Andrew and Philip in today’s text. Philip thought that the whole situation was hopeless. According to him, nothing could be done because they had nothing with them. But Andrew said something was there (five barley loaves and two fish) with a lad in the crowd, though it is not sufficient for all. Needless to say what a wonder happened when he brought that lad to Jesus and placed his little resource before Jesus. Introducing people to Jesus and his values, especially the value of sharing what we have is a very important mission for parents, children, teachers, preachers, pastors and missionaries. Who among us is not one of these?  

(3) We need to put into God’s hands or into his service whatever little resources we have and he can do wonderful things out of his abundance. As per today’s gospel, Jesus did not lower baskets after baskets filled with bread from the sky like a magician. Nor did he create something out of nothing. He noticed the physical hunger of the people and made use of the little resource a boy had. He multiplied what one of them already had with him. Jesus’ compassion for the hungry was not a mere pity; it was turned into an action of feeding them through the little means available with them. The wonder is that the boy agreed to give what he had brought for himself. Nobody can say for sure whether Jesus would have worked this miracle if that boy would have hidden the little food he had brought, or eaten it up hurriedly, or sold it out to somebody! What we know is his good will and generosity became a turning point for this miracle.

When we generously share something we have, our resources and joys are multiplied. The unnamed boy in the crowd is a model for you and me to give what we have without any reservation into Jesus’ hands so that he may multiply it to satisfy the needs of many. We should give not only from our abundance but also from our poverty. In Jesus’ days bread made out of barley was the cheapest bread eaten by the poor. This anonymous boy proclaims not by words but by his action that the little we have when put into Jesus’ hands becomes much. It is only when we willingly part with a little thing, a little time, energy and resource which we have, we are able to alleviate the misery and suffering of many people. If all of us could share the little we have, there would be enough for all. As Mahatma Gandhi said, in our world there is enough for everybody’s need, but not for everybody’s greed!

There are two types of people all over the world: (1) Philip-type people who are pessimistic. They see a number of obstacles and problems and do not want to get involved. (2) Andrew-type people who are a little optimistic. We can notice the weakness of faith in Philip when he thinks about the enormous human need and the meagreness of resources. Instead, he could have said, "Lord, we do believe that you have the divine powers to take away the hunger of the hungry.” Like him, we too think in terms of money; and when we do not have money we think nothing could be done. We do not think of the energies, time, talents, abilities and knowledge we already possess. If we could put into Jesus’ hands what we already have there would be may more miracles.

Quite often we think that money is the solution to all problems. We never think faith has the answer when nothing else is works. When we see so much misery and lack of necessities of life, we need to be like Andrew in pointing out the little we have and encourage others to share it. If we generously share the little things we have, God will multiply them. Our selfish desire to spend whatever we have for ourselves hinders us from sharing with others what we have, or doing an act of charity. Today Jesus wants to change not loaves and fishes but selfish men and women into sharers of their resources. Jesus dreamt about a society of love and fellowship among us (called ‘the Kingdom of God”) in which sharing with one another would be one of the main features. How can we fulfil his dream with the model found in today’s gospel?

5.  Response to God's Word

Like Jesus, can we be a little more sensitive to others’ physical hunger and material needs, and share our food and other resources with them out of compassion? Are we willing to share the little we have, or eat it up for ourselves or hide (hoard) it? Do we live the Eucharist outside the celebration of Holy Mass by practising Jesus’ teaching on sharing and caring? Do we submit ourselves to Jesus so that he could change our selfish and greedy hearts in such a way that we become sharers rather than hoarders? Let us be sorry for the times we refused to share our resources, time, knowledge and energies for common good, or failed to teach these values to children and companions.

6.  A prayer

O compassionate Jesus, grant that we may be very sensitive to the hunger and struggles of those who lack food and other basic necessities of life. Increase in us the virtue of sharing our resources, however little they are, with those who do not have.  We want to place our little resources into your hands and pray that you may multiply them according to your will. Teach us to give, share and care, instead of only receiving and hoarding. Teach us to share not only our material things, but also time, energies, knowledge, talents and values of love, sacrifice, truth, peace and justice. Amen.

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

                Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

18.07.2021

Readings: (1) Jer 23:1-6 (2) Eph 2:13-18

Gospel Reflections by Fr. Freddie Santhumayor SVD

A reading from the gospel according to Mk 6:30-34

Main Focus: Like Jesus, we too are called to a mission of compassion for the ‘sheep’ without a shepherd; but this mission should flow and find direction from our close communion with God after the example of Jesus himself.

In brief: Our compassion for the shepherdless sheep flows from our communion with God

SYNOPSIS        

According to today’s gospel text, the mission of Christ’s apostles involves two things (6:30): (1) bringing or reporting to him what they have done and taught in their mission-journey, and (2) taking to people what they have learned from him through prayer and worship. When the apostles were tired after a busy schedule of mission work, Jesus wanted them to go away from the hustle and bustle of busy life to a “deserted place” and “rest for a while” for prayer and reflection in order to quieten their restlessness (6:31).

Therefore, neither feelings of tiredness in our service nor retirement from active service should deter us from doing the twofold mission of doing deeds of mercy and teaching God’s values to people as Jesus did (6:30). St. Paul tells believers not to be weary in doing what is right (2 Thess 3:13). Now and then we hear people saying: “In our time, we did our part in the best way possible. Now it is their turn; let’s see how they do.” This attitude gives the impression that they are either tired of doing what is good or have totally retired from doing good, forgetting the fact that there is no retirement in Christian discipleship.

Jesus wanted that his disciples should feel the need of recharging their dropping spirit with spiritual energy in the midst of their busy life. Hence he advised them to go to the “desert” which symbolizes a meeting place with God in solitude and prayer.  Whenever we are tired after a busy schedule and pressure of job or duty, including the obligations of family, Jesus invites us to go to a “deserted place” to recharge our dropping spirit with spiritual energy in the midst of their busy life. 

When we do not make any time for prayer, reflection and closer communication with God and with our loved ones, because we think we are too busy (though many of us are often busy over our mobile phones and TV), all our attention and focus is on our “to-do” list:  “Today or tomorrow I’ve to do this, I’ve to do that…”  Do we ask why we have to do this or that and for whom? In the midst of our busy work if we forget to pause for a while to get some direction and guidance about these ‘why’ questions from God who is our Shepherd, we become like sheep without a Shepherd – restless, aimless and purposeless. Without a close communion with God, there will be a ‘link failure’ with the ‘Tower’ and no connectivity to real happiness and peace.  As William Barclay says, we meet with God in the secret place (that is, in prayer) in order to serve his people in the marketplace (that is, in our life-situations). With what attitude do we pray or attend church?

The crowd mentioned in today’s gospel must have been following Jesus not for any spiritual motive but for getting miraculous favours for themselves. This kind of attitude would have been sufficient reason for even pious people among us to get highly annoyed or impatient. Instead, Jesus was deeply and emotionally moved with compassion (6:34) at the gut-level (as the original Greek word means). Why? For him those people were not a nuisance but like sheep who had no shepherd to lead and guide them (6:34). Jesus could sense their ‘lost-ness,’ ‘scattered-ness’ and inner longing. He saw how they were wandering aimlessly without any selfless leaders to guide them to right path. So instead of taking the much deserved physical and spiritual rest, he began to teach them many more things (6:34). For him it was not a question about what is convenient and comfortable to oneself, but what God wanted him to do for the needy at that time. What is our predominant mood when our children, family or community members and friends interrupt our rest : angry and impatient, or compassion when the need is urgent? 

St. Mark tells us that the reason for Jesus’ great compassion on the crowd was their condition as "sheep without a shepherd" (6:34). The wicked kings of Israel in the OT were feeding themselves instead of the sheep, and allowing the sheep to become food for the wild animals (cf. Ezekiel 34:1-8). Contrary to this, when Jesus saw the broken-hearted, confused and disoriented people (not knowing what to do and where to go), he had a soft heart. Today, Jesus invites us to be shepherds (leaders and guides) of the shepherdless people – those who cannot get guidance and counsel, cannot defend themselves against exploiters  and cannot fight for their rights. There are so many disoriented youth whose character is looted by the ‘wild beasts’ (bad company, bad influence of the mass media, addictions, etc.). When we look at this situation, are we moved with compassion like Jesus?

When we watch TV and read newspapers, we daily come to know how much the world is suffering today from a lack of selfless and honest leaders with integrity, both in political and religious spheres. How much the world longs for leaders who will put the needs and concerns of the poor above their greed for power and wealth, or above their political party’s benefit! How much it needs leaders who are moved with compassion for the plight of the underprivileged and the marginalized! When we are in a leadership role, what is our main concern: our own personal advancement, or Jesus’ mission as well as people’s, society’s or the country’s welfare?

A prayer

Shepherd us, O Lord, beyond our greed and selfish desires so that we may be moved with compassion at the condition of the sheep without a true leader and guide. O Lord of the harvest, send good and dedicated leaders in the world, the Church and our community, to become “shepherds after your own heart” as you tell us through prophet Jeremiah (3:15).  Amen.

To read the full text of my Gospel Reflections for the 16^th Sunday of Ordinary Time [Year B], please go to my Blog by clicking on the following link:

http://freddygospelreflections.blogspot.com

FULL TEXT

 Sixteenth Sunday of Year B [Mk 6:30-34]

18.07.2021

Jesus’ Shepherding and Compassionate Ministry

Readings: (1) Jer 23:1-6 (2) Eph 2:13-18

1.  Theme in brief

Our compassion for the shepherdless sheep flows from our communion with God

2.  Focus Statement:   

Like Jesus, we too are called to a mission of compassion for the ‘sheep’ without a shepherd; but this mission should flow and find direction from our close communion with God after the example of Jesus himself,

3.  Explanation of the text

According to today’s gospel text, an apostle (that is, one who is sent on a mission) is called to report to Jesus what he does and teaches during his mission work (6:30). This is what the twelve apostles, who were sent two-by-two on a mission (in last Sunday’s gospel), did. Today’s text makes it clear that Christian discipleship is a two-way process: (1) bringing to Jesus what disciples have experienced in their mission-journey, and (2) taking to people what they have learned from him through their close contact with him in prayer and worship.

As the apostles were tired after a busy schedule of preaching and ministering, Jesus wanted that they should rest for a while (6:31). He wanted that it should be not only a physical rest but also  spiritual – going away from the hustle and bustle of busy life to a “deserted place” and “resting for a while” in order to quieten their restlessness (6:31). In the Bible the word “desert” is used symbolically to refer to a quiet time of encounter with God or a meeting place with God in solitude and prayer. Jesus wanted that his disciples should feel the need of recharging their dropping spirit with spiritual energy in the midst of their busy life. 

While Jesus and his disciples were going by boat to enter into such a solitude, the crowd hurriedly followed them on foot and reached that place before Jesus and disciples could (6:33). Many of them must have been following Jesus not for learning anything new from him or for spiritual motive but for getting miraculous favours for themselves. That would have been sufficient reason for even good people among us to get highly annoyed or impatient. Instead of resenting the invasion of his privacy, when Jesus saw their condition, he was deeply and emotionally moved with compassion (6:34) within the core of his being or at the gut-level (as the original Greek word used for compassion indicates). Why? For him those people were not a nuisance but like sheep who had no shepherd to lead and guide them (6:34). So instead of taking the much deserved physical and spiritual rest, he began to teach them many more things (6:34). Here Mark indirectly indicates a shepherd’s role of feeding his sheep with his word (= teaching).

The phrase, "sheep without a shepherd," has its background in the OT. The prophets announced God’s judgement against the misdeeds of the false shepherds (that is, wicked kings) of Israel who were feeding themselves instead of the sheep, and never bothered to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strayed and save them from getting scattered. They left the sheep without any shepherd to protect them from becoming food for the wild animals (cf. Ezekiel 34:1-8). In another instance, when God reprimanded Moses for his failing as a worthy leader, Moses pleaded with the Lord that he should not leave his people “like sheep without a shepherd" (Numbers 27:17). Then the Lord told him to appoint Joshua as his successor so that his chosen people will not remain as people without a shepherd (Numbers 27:18). Probably, this phrase is an indirect rebuke on the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus' day, who had failed in their shepherding role.

In contrast, Mark projected Jesus as the true Shepherd who fed his followers with his teaching ( with God’s Word) and spiritual food (especially the Eucharist, which will be made more explicit in the following Sundays). Thus, in the sixth chapter, Mark emphasizes three shepherding roles of Jesus: teaching (6:34), feeding (6:35-44) and healing (6:56).

4.  Application to life                     

The first lesson we learn from the message of today’s gospel is that neither weariness nor retirement should make us stop our missionary service till the end of our life. Of course, there is tiresomeness in our work, but it is not an excuse to give up or to back-off. St. Paul says that we should never grow weary in doing what is right, for we shall reap at harvest time, if we do not give up (Gal 6:9). He repeats it again when he urges the believers in Thessalonica not to be weary in doing what is right (2 Thess 3:13). Now and then we hear this refrain from some of our elders who rendered wonderful services in family, society, community and the Church: “In our time, we did our part in the best way possible. Now it is up to others to continue. Let us see how they will fare.” This attitude gives the impression they are either tired of doing good or have retired from doing good. There is no retirement from the twofold mission reported by the apostles to Jesus on their return from mission work: doing deeds of mercy and teaching people God’s ways as Jesus did (cf. explanation above).

Like Jesus who took his disciples to a deserted place for personal sharing and closer relationship, we too must go to a ‘deserted place’ for a closer communion with him in the midst of our busy schedule. The busy-ness of our daily life and pressure of job/duty as well as family tempt us to forego both physical and spiritual rest we need. Our habit of overwork and its tension makes us stressed out. When we do not make any time for prayer, reflection and closer communication with God and with our loved ones, because we think we are too busy, what really happens?  All our attention and focus is on our “to-do” list:  “Today I’ve to do this, I’ve to do that…”  We do not ask why we have to do this or that and for whom. In the midst of our busy work if we forget to pause for a while to get some direction and guidance about these questions from God who is our Shepherd, we become a sheep without a Shepherd. Suppose we remain as sheep without a shepherd what will be our condition? We will be without guidance, without nourishment and without defence – restless, aimless and purposeless.

Therefore, the more busy we are the more we should feel the need for reflection. When there is no close communion with God there will be a ‘link failure.’ When that happens, the burden and responsibilities of life will become heavier and heavier leading to further tension and stress. To re-establish this broken link, we need to go to a deserted place by ourselves to be with the Lord and reflect on the direction to which we are moving in the midst of a over-busy life. We need to share with Jesus not only our joys but also our experiences of facing rejection, indifference and opposition in our work. Reflection on our life’s direction not only recharges our spiritual energy, but also motivates us to constantly follow the path suggested by experts: see, judge, act and review. On every Sunday when we go to church we take along with us what we did during the week and get enlightenment and spiritual energy to continue our mission in the following week. Our prayer and worship are not escapism from the challenges of life and real involvement in its struggles. As William Barclay says we meet with God in the secret place (that is, in personal and community prayer) in order to serve his people in the marketplace (that is, in our life-situations).

The word ‘shepherd’ is used in the OT first of all for God, then for kings, priests and prophets; in the NT for Jesus and the Church leaders. God in the OT and Jesus in the gospel severely rebuke the false and wicked ‘shepherds’ (religious and political leaders). But when it comes to broken-hearted, confused and disoriented people (not knowing what to do and where to go), Jesus had a soft heart. Jesus noticed human brokenness from a close angle. He could sense their ‘lost-ness,’ ‘scattered-ness’ and inner longing. He saw how they were wandering aimlessly without any selfless leaders to guide them to right path. His compassion for their condition led him to put their needs above his convenience, weariness, or need for rest. For him it was not a question about what is convenient and comfortable to oneself, but what God wanted him to do for the needy people at that time. It was a question of faithfulness to God’s mission. What about us?

Today the world is suffering more than before from a lack of selfless and honest leaders with integrity, both in political and religious spheres. How much the world longs for leaders who will put the needs and concerns of the poor and the voiceless above their greed for power and wealth! How much it needs leaders who are moved with compassion for the plight of the underprivileged and the marginalized! How much it needs leaders who put the needs of these people above their or their political party’s benefit or profit. When we watch TV and read newspapers we daily learn about the world’s urgent need for genuine leaders who could serve their people without the taint of scams, kickbacks and graft cases attached to their names.

Like Jesus, we are called to show compassion to the ‘sheep’ who are without a shepherd to lead them. Like him our mission entails not only doing deeds of mercy but also teaching about God’s love and mercy as we heard at the end of today’s gospel (6:34). Today Jesus invites us to be shepherds of the shepherdless. The sheep without a shepherd cannot find the way, cannot get guidance and counsel, cannot find pastures, and cannot defend themselves against ‘thieves and bandits’ (Jn 10:8) or against ‘wild animals’ (Ezech 34:5). There are many poor and powerless people who cannot defend themselves against the exploitation and unjust treatment of the powerful; those who cannot fight for their rights when they are trampled because of lack of financial resources, lack of organization and ignorance of laws that protect their rights. So many ‘thieves and bandits’ loot the funds that are allotted for the welfare of these people. There are so many youth who are disoriented in life or have no aim in life. The ‘wild beasts’ (bad company, bad influence of the mass media) loot their character. So many poor and voiceless people have no genuine and selfless leaders among them. Their so-called leaders can be bought over and duped by the powerful ones. When we look at this situation, are we moved with compassion?

5.  Response to God's Word

How do I respond when my children, family and friends interrupt my rest? What do I feel towards them: angry and impatient, or compassion when the need is urgent?  When I see someone in genuine need, do I come out of my shell to reach out to them, though it is my free time? Does the miserable condition of so many ‘shepherdless’ people move me to do something for them? How can I show concern for them in my own little way? As parents, teachers, community and Church leaders, in what way have we failed in our shepherding role of leading, guiding, empathizing with the weak and showing compassion for the strayed ones? Are we faithful to our role of teaching God’s values to those under our care, feeding them with God’s Word and sacraments and healing their broken hearts? When we are in a leadership role, what is our main concern: personal advancement, or people’s/ society’s/ country’s?

6.  A prayer

Compassionate Lord, today we bring before you what we have experienced in our mission-journey. Filled with your Spirit we would like to take home what we have learned from you. Shepherd us Lord beyond our greed and selfish desires so that we may be moved with compassion at the condition of those sheep wandering aimlessly. Grant that we may become true shepherds for such people after your own heart. O Lord of the harvest, send good and dedicated leaders in the world, the Church and local community to take a special care of the strayed, scattered and strayed ‘sheep.’ Amen.

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

                                           Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

11.07.2021

Readings: (1) Amos 7:12-15 (2) Eph 1:3-14

Gospel Reflections by Fr. Freddie Santhumayor SVD

A reading from the gospel according to Mk 6:7-13

Main Focus: Jesus constantly sends us with a mission to call people for repentance, to fight against evil and to work for total healing of human persons and wants that we fulfil his mission with a spirit of detachment to material possessions and total trust in God’s providence.

In brief: We are called to carry forward Jesus’ mission with a spirit of detachment

SYNOPSIS        

Jesus willed that his mission on earth should be continued. Therefore, among his many disciples he chose the Twelve (6:7) “whom he also named apostles" (3:14; 6:30), which means those who are “sent out” with a special commission, to represent him and to accomplish his work. Today’s gospel tells us that each one of us is called not only to be a disciple but also to be an apostle. As disciples we are followers of Christ; but as apostles we are not only followers but also evangelizers. The given text makes us conscious of this fact – to be a Christian is to be a missionary.  By baptism itself we are called to represent Christ and his values in the world as his ambassadors or envoys.

Surprisingly, in the given text, instead of teaching what to preach, Jesus emphasizes more on what to take, what not to take, where to stay, what to do and how to respond when they face rejection (6:8-11). That shows, for him, their life’s testimony or personal example is more important than their words. His instructions about not taking even basic necessities like bread, bag, money and two tunics, but taking only a staff, sandals and one tunic (6:8-9), are not to be taken literally, but in their inner sense. What it means is that the apostles are called to acquire a spirit of detachment from material possessions and rely more on God’s power than worldly power that comes from such possessions. They are to put their trust in God’s providential care and in the hospitality of people to whom they are sent.

Of course, we should be concerned about our decent maintenance. But Jesus wants that we should not make too much fuss about where to stay, what to wear, what to eat and how much money we shall get. Though money is essential for normal functioning, his instruction not to take money is a warning for us not to be money-minded in our mission work. Even while doing the noblest tasks of God’s mission, excessive greed for money has the potentiality of becoming the biggest ‘mammon’ (devil of wealth) that causes divisions, fights, pride and scandals on money matters within the Church and her institutions. Who and what is our main focus: Mammon, or Christ and his mission? The instruction for not moving from one house to another (6:10) may be to prevent them from seeking their own physical comfort and not focussing on the primary purpose of their mission. Are we well settled in our own ‘comfort culture?’

Today’s gospel once again reminds us that following Jesus does not mean just going to church and saying our daily prayers but also being faithful to his mission. In it, though Jesus does not directly mention his purpose of sending them, it is made clear at the end from what the apostles did (6:12-13): (1) to preach repentance (6:12), that is, to tell others by our words and deeds that all of us are constantly in need of reform and conversion; (2) to cast out demons (6:13), that is, to fight against the evil, sinful, unjust and ungodly ways of the world; and (3) to anoint and heal the sick (6:13b), that is, to alleviate pain, suffering, sorrow and misery from the lives of people around us.

Do we feel and think that wherever we are – in church, field, workplace, marketplace, school or home – we are Christ’s envoys or representatives? Firstly, every day and in ordinary circumstances of life Jesus sends us out, to insist on the constant need of a change, reform or transformation in our personal life and society; to oppose evil; and to be concerned about holistic healing. Repentance and conversion does not mean only from grave sins but also from negative attitudes such as resentment, gossiping, judging harshly, etc. Secondly, though all of us cannot do our mission of fighting against social evil in a bigger scale as Fr. Stan Swamy SJ did and paid for it with his life, all of us can pick up a social evil (including environmental destruction) or a  bad habit around us and make it a point to oppose it in our own little way. Eradication of social evils begins at home, when not only parents correct their children, but children also. Children can use the love of their parents as a tool to correct their parents whenever they do something morally wrong, because they are assured of the fact that their parents will not abandon them even if they get angry for a while when they correct them.

Thirdly, our healing ministry is not to be confined to physical healing of illnesses alone, but also healing of psychological and emotional disorders; giving comfort, consolation and hope to the sick and the suffering. There are so many sick people who want somebody to listen to their pain and anxiety; there are so many retired and aged members of our society who want somebody to talk to; and young people waiting for somebody who can show some interest in their struggles and aspirations. Those who are serious about their mission can pick up one area of pain and sorrow around us where they can render a healing touch. As parents, teachers, students, employers, employees, health workers, priests, religious, etc, what is our specific contribution to social change, combating evil in society and restoring holistic health like the one rendered by so many healthcare workers and neighbours to Covid-19 patients at the risk of their own lives?

A prayer

Send forth your messengers O Lord to proclaim your merciful love. Grant that we may be always conscious of and faithful to our baptismal call to be sent out as apostles to continue your mission with a spirit of detachment from worldly possessions and total trust in you.  Amen.

To read the full text of my Gospel Reflections for the 15^th Sunday of Ordinary Time [Year B], please go to my Blog by clicking on the following link:

http://freddygospelreflections.blogspot.com

                            FULL TEXT

    Fifteenth Sunday of Year B [Mk 6:7-13]

11.07.2021

The Mission of the Twelve

Readings: (1) Amos 7:12-15 (2) Eph 1:3-14

1.  Theme in brief

We are called to carry forward Jesus’ mission with a spirit of detachment

2.  Focus Statement

Jesus constantly sends us with a mission to call people for repentance, to fight against evil and to work for total healing of human persons and wants that we fulfil his mission with a spirit of detachment to material possessions and total trust in God’s providence.

3.  Explanation of the text

If we attentively read Mark’s gospel, we come know how Jesus carefully prepares his disciples from the beginning with the intention of sending them out eventually as missionaries about which we hear in today’s gospel text. First of all, he calls the first ones among them at the Sea of Galilee (1:16-20) to be his partners in establishing God’s Kingdom or God’s Rule over human hearts (1:15); then he calls them to “be with him”, that is, to remain in close companionship with him, and to send them out eventually to proclaim the message of the Kingdom (3:13-14) with the power that flows from their intimacy with him. Now comes the moment when he really begins to send them out with specific instructions about what to take, what not to take, where to stay, what to do and how to respond when they face rejection (6:8-11).

Thus, among his many disciples Jesus chooses the Twelve (6:7) who represent the twelve tribes of (Old) Israel, indicating their role as founders of New Israel, namely, the Church. They will be called "apostles" (6:30), which means those who are “sent out” with a special commission, to represent another person (that is, Jesus) and to accomplish his work. Jesus sends out the twelve two-by-two (6:7) because, according to Jewish law, two are needed for a testimony to be considered valid (Deut 17:6). This perhaps indicates also the community dimension of mission work that requires a team spirit and mutual collaboration as a striking witness to the world.

We are surprised to notice in today’s passage, instead of instructing the apostles what should they preach, Jesus emphasizes more on how to behave during their missionary journey. That shows, for him, their life’s testimony is more important than their words. He instructs them to acquire a spirit of detachment and rely more on God’s power than worldly power that comes from material possessions. He does not allow them to take even basic necessities like bread, bag, money and two tunics. The only things he allows them are a staff, sandals and one tunic (6:8-9). These instructions are not to be taken literally. Their inner sense is this: the apostles must put their trust in God to provide for their needs and also in the hospitality of people to whom they are sent. The requirement for not moving form one house to another (6:10) may be to prevent them from seeking their own physical comfort and not focussing on the primary purpose of their mission. They are not supposed to be distracted by trivial matters. Shaking off the dust from their feet refers to the custom (prevalent among the Jews) of purifying their feet of contamination as they entered Palestine from a Gentile territory (6:11). In simple terms it implies severing of fellowship with somebody. If people refuse to welcome them, Jesus tells them to go somewhere else without forcing their message or service on such people.

At the end, today’s gospel tells us clearly about the purpose (mission) for which the apostles are sent: (1) to proclaim the necessity of repentance or change of heart in order to experience God’s rule over human heart and society; (2) to wage a war against the kingdom of Satan; that is, to fight against evil forces (symbolized by Satan or demons) and to liberate people from their clutches; and (3) to bring holistic healing to those who are sick or are suffering in various ways (6:12-13). Jesus has already made it clear that repentance (that is, a change of heart) is a necessary requirement for experiencing the closeness of God’s loving rule (his Kingdom) in the very first words of his preaching ministry (Mk 1:15). Now the apostles are sent out to preach about this requirement so that God’s rule comes into their hearts. Though nowhere in the four gospels it is mentioned that Jesus himself anointed the sick with oil in his healing ministry, it is clear that the apostles used the ancient method of curing illnesses by applying oil on the sick, since people believed in its curative qualities. Hence, anointing with oil became a medium of restoring health of the sick in the early Church, which is continued till today.

4.  Application to life                     

Jesus willed that his mission on earth should be continued; hence, he chose the Twelve for this purpose and called them “apostles” (3:13). Today’s gospel tells us that each one of us is called not only to be a disciple but also to be an apostle. As disciples we are followers of Christ; but as apostles we are not only followers but also evangelizers. Today’s gospel makes us conscious of the fact that by baptism itself we are called to represent Christ and his values as his ambassadors or envoys. Today, he reminds us that following him does not mean just going to church and saying our daily prayers but also being faithful to his mission. We are sent by him with the following commission: (1) to preach repentance, that is, to tell others by our words and deeds that all of us are constantly in need of reform and conversion; (2) to cast our demons, that is, to fight against the evil, sinful, unjust and ungodly ways of the world; and (3) to heal the sick, that is, to alleviate pain, suffering, sorrow and misery from the lives of people around us. Mission work is not the work of just the selected few, but is our baptismal call. Hence, to be a Christian is to be a missionary. 

Today we should realize that the more we stay with Jesus through prayer and participation in the Sunday Liturgy, the more we should become conscious of our mission of being sent out. We should not forget that originally the disciples were called by Jesus to remain with him with the purpose of sending them out for mission work later on (Mk 3:13-14). Everyday and in ordinary circumstances of life Jesus sends us out to preach about the constant need of transformation in one’s personal life and society, to oppose evil and to be concerned about holistic healing. Of course, this list is not exhaustive. We can add more aspects of the mission mentioned in other parts of the gospel, especially service to the poor and the marginalized. Do we feel and think that wherever we are – in church, field, workplace, marketplace, school or home – we are Christ’s envoys or representatives? We are like Christ’s hands to raise those who are fallen; his feet to go in search of the lost sheep; his ears to listen to the woes of the suffering and the lonely; and his tongue to comfort and encourage those who are sad, disappointed, sick, lonely and depressed. There are so many sick people who want somebody to listen to their pain and anxiety; there are old people who want somebody to talk to; and young people waiting for somebody who can show some interest in their struggles and aspirations.

Our first mission is to continually preach that people (including ourselves) are urgently in need of reform and a change in attitude that leads to change in action, of turning away from sinful ways and turning towards God so that God’s rule may come into their minds and hearts. Normally people resist change since it is painful and disturbing. It is natural for people to think that they should be left alone without being disturbed in their present style of life and way of thinking. Repentance does not mean only from grave sins such as adultery and murder. There are so many negative attitudes (to which we are habituated) that result in resentment, bitterness, gossiping, judging harshly, demanding, shouting, arrogance, inconsiderate behaviour and authoritarianism. Secondly, our healing ministry is not confined to physical healing of illnesses alone, but also healing of psychological and emotional disorders. Continuing Jesus’ ministry of bringing holistic health of body, mind and soul is an integral aspect of mission.

The characteristic marks of a missionary are utter simplicity, complete trust in God, and a generosity of serving rather than demanding or expecting too much from others. Jesus wants that we should carry out our mission with maximum freedom and minimum burdens. Our first priority has to be God’s message (God’s Kingdom) and not money, material benefits, personal comforts or honour. As preachers of the gospel we need to have a spirit of detachment from material possessions or ‘comfort culture’ and trust in God’s care or providence rather than our own resources. Though we should be concerned about our normal and decent maintenance, according to Jesus’ instructions, we should not make too much fuss about where to stay, what to wear, what to eat and how much money we shall get. He wants his disciples to go counter to the mentality of the world: greed for possessions and money. Though money is essential for normal functioning, Christ’s instruction not to take money is a warning for us not to be money-minded in all our services. Money is one of the most common areas of conflict even in the noblest of spiritual activities. It has the potentiality of becoming the cause of divisions, fights, pride and envy. Who we are is more important than what we say. The values of God’s Kingdom are caught and not taught; people catch them more from our life’s witness (personal example) than from our teaching about those values.

Originally whatever meaning Christ’s manner of sending his Twelve apostles in pairs (two by two) might have had, today for us it is a pointer towards partnership and collaboration in our missionary activities. Many of the evangelizers or mission workers are lone-rangers and are happy to put up a one-man show. This type of ‘solo-singing’ or ‘solo dancing’ to one’s own tune is not the characteristic of a good missionary. We need to collaborate with others and work in partnership. The talk of so-called participatory leadership in institutions and organizations sounds wonderful in workshops and seminars. When it comes to the practical, most of us are happy to fall back to the old mould in which we were brought up and are so used to. As the world advances, there is a tendency to become more and more individualistic even in our mission approach. We do not like others interfering in our field of activities. When this kind of sterile individualism makes an entry into religious communities, it makes its members live the gospel not in a radical manner, as they supposed to, but in a diluted manner.

Our cry for personal transformation or social change and fight against evil practices of the world are bound to be opposed by others. Faithfulness to our mission involves readiness to be rejected by even our own friends, family and community members. This will be a participation in Jesus’ own rejection as a prophet about which we heard in last Sunday’s gospel. It is true even today as it was in the days of Jesus that there are many people who reject the message of the gospel. Who wants to be converted? It is disturbing. People normally think they are alright with their present way of life and thinking pattern and don’t like to be disturbed. Worst opposition and rejection comes when we combat evil in society. That does not mean we should give up our prophetic mission of denouncing evil. In plain language what Jesus means when he says about shaking off the dust from one’s feet is not to waste our time and resources on those who are totally opposed or non-receptive to our message, but move on. We should remember that we are not sent to always entertain people but to preach repentance which calls for painful decisions.

5.  Response to God's Word

Am I faithful to the mission entrusted to my care by the Lord? How can I fulfil Christ’s mission to the world today? What have I done and what am I doing to alleviate the suffering, pain, sorrow and misery of the world and make it a better place to live? As parents, students, employers, employees, doctors, nurses, social workers, priests, religious, etc, what is our specific contribution to personal or social transformation, renewal of families and the Church, combating evil in society and restoring holistic health to those who are physically, mentally and spiritually ill? Which evil I would like to fight or oppose in this week? Can I pick up one area of pain and sorrow where I can render a healing touch? Am I money-minded to the extent of doing every service only for money? Do I trust in money more than God?

6.  A prayer

Send forth your messengers O Lord to proclaim your merciful love. Grant that we may be always conscious and faithful to our baptismal call to be sent out as apostles to continue your mission. Give us the courage to proclaim the constant need of reform and renewal in human society and the Church and their purification from all that is evil. Purify our motive so that we do our mission work with a spirit of detachment from worldly possessions and total trust in you.  Amen.