17th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

 

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

28.07.2024

Multiplication of Loaves (Feeding the Five Thousand)

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

1.    Theme in brief

Conversion of selfish persons into compassionate and generous sharers

2.    Focus Statement:   

Out of his boundless compassion, Jesus satisfies our physical and spiritual hunger so that we may overcome our selfishness and greed and become generous sharers of our little resources.

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, as Jesus would tell Pilate during his trial (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) [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 Orddinary Time (B)

 

 Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 6:7-13]

14.07.2024

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.

 

 

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

 

Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 6:1-6]

07.07.2024

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

Readings: (1) Ez 2:2-5 (2) 2 Cor 12:7-10

1.    Theme in brief

Rejection of a prophet

2.    Focus Statement:   

Just as the OT prophets and Jesus (the greatest NT Prophet) were rejected by their own people, so also those who do prophetic mission today are resisted and rejected by their own people because of prejudices and their role as denouncers of evil.

3.    Explanation of the text

Today’s gospel text tells us that Jesus went from Capernaum to his hometown, Nazareth. It was not a private visit to his family – since his disciples were also with him – but was for teaching in the synagogue (6:1-2). The people in Nazareth recognised that he taught with a lot of wisdom and did mighty deeds (or deeds of power, that is, miracles). Thus indirectly they recognized him as the greatest Teacher and a mighty Healer.  But a question arose in their minds: From where did he get all this wisdom and power (6:2)?  Did it come from God or the devil? Of course, they could not believe that his power came from God or he was God’s messenger. Here we notice a striking contrast between Jesus’ astounding success in Capernaum and his total rejection in his own hometown.    

Why did the people of Nazareth reject Jesus? The first reason was their over-familiarity with him and prejudice against him. His human origins and lowly occupation became an obstacle for people of his hometown to believe in him. They were too familiar with his family (mother and cousins), educational and occupational background. Neither his family nor his carpenter’s (actually craftsman’s) occupation had a higher status in his society (6:3); nor did he have any formal education. Disregarding the normal custom of referring to persons under their father’s name, they referred to him as "son of Mary" instead of son of Joseph (6:3). Probably they wanted to hint at his origin as an illegitimate child without a father – a matter of great insult to him and his family.

When we read other parts of Mark’s gospel, we find further reasons for their rejection of him. They might have thought he was 'crazy smart.' Mark says his family had gone to restrain him from his activities because people were saying he had "gone out of his mind" (Mk 3:21). The scribes said that he was casting out demons by the power of the ruler of demons called Belzebul (Mk 3:22). They might have been also jealous of him for his exceptional wisdom and power. They might have thought that God could not work in a special way through someone who had that kind of background.

Secondly, from Jesus’ own words we come to know that he was rejected by his own people for his prophetic role, just like the prophets of OT were often rejected. The real identity of Jesus – who he is – is an important issue in Mark’s gospel. Today’s text tells us that he was a prophet who was rejected in his own hometown for these reasons, by his own kin and house (6:4), but was accepted by outsiders. That is why he said that prophets are honoured better outside their hometown, and the circle of their own family or kith and kin (6:4). The OT prophets’ role of announcing God’s word and denouncing the evil ways of the people (including those in power) was disturbing to Israelites, especially its leaders. So also was Jesus’ prophetic role. That is why they might have taken “offence” at him (6:3, literally, were “stumbled” or “scandalized” by him). In other words, his unconventional behaviour must have scandalized them so much that he became a stumbling block in their sight.

Thirdly, the final reason of rejection was their unbelief or lack of faith in him (6:5-6). The fact that he could not do any ‘mighty deeds’ (miracles) there except curing a few sick people (6:5), does not mean that he had no power to do so. He could have done, but did not want to force his grace on those who were unwilling to believe in his divine power or trust him. He was amazed at their lack of faith (6:6) which was quite in contrast to his amazement at the deeper level of faith he found outside his town and family circle. Through him God was inviting the Nazarenes to experience his loving rule (that is, his Kingdom) of peace, liberation, brotherhood and justice. But their prejudice prevented them from accepting his invitation.

4.    Application to life                      

Today’s gospel is an example of prejudice of familiarity. We learn from it how narrow-mindedness, prejudice and over-familiarity can lead us to the rejection of God’s message coming to us from his prophets. The people of Nazareth, who knew Jesus well should have been the first to acclaim him, accept him and follow him. Normally a town or a village celebrates with great joy and pride when one of their members does exceptionally well and brings them such a great honour. But unfortunately, what happened in the case of Jesus was just the opposite. Instead of becoming “owner’s pride and neighbour’s envy,” Jesus became “owner’s envy and neighbour’s pride.” His own people despised him and refused to listen to him, but outsiders accepted and believed in him. His own people evaluated him by external factors: his occupation and family background, and not by what he says or what his stands for. They thought they knew everything about him; who he “really” was. But it was a superficial knowledge purely based on his humble background. They refused to believe that God was at work in him and was establishing his rule over those who responded to him. By rejecting him they rejected God’s Kingdom, that is, his offer of salvation.

We are familiar with this saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” I would rather say that over-familiarity breeds a higher degree of contempt. When we do God’s work, speak for him and act on his behalf, we are often rejected by our own family members, friends and relatives, and in our own native place. Those who know us and our background too well often fail to believe, respect and accept us. Just like Jesus, sometimes this over-familiarity can become a stumbling block to our mission. It turns even the most towering and awe-inspiring personalities into very harmless and ordinary creatures in the eyes of prejudiced minds. When people become fixated to this over-familiarity, they refuse to accept and believe in anything good coming from the best leaders and teachers among them. They might scornfully ask: "Who does he think he is?" The worst form of rejection comes when our own family members or close relatives rebuff an offer of help extended to them just to show their displeasure against us. It is something like erecting boundaries to our love-relationships and posting a notice outside: “Insiders are not acceptable.” The question is whether we are willing to transcend these boundaries and accept the truth from whomever it comes.

What happened to Jesus happens to us even today. It is not uncommon to notice some good and committed Religious and priests, church leaders, preachers and social reformers becoming unacceptable to their own people and unsuccessful among them; but getting acceptance from outsiders or strangers. Familiarity not only breeds contempt but also generates envy. It is not totally unusual to find our worst critics or opponents among our own family members, relatives and neighbours. We too are often critical towards those who are close to us. In a religious community, family, workplace, office, committees, staff and neighbourhood, over-familiarity often generates prejudices and jealousies towards those who perform better, are better committed and talented. Unfortunately, this human problem is commonly observed even among those who undergo long years of spiritual and religious formation/ training in the Church. When people become so hard-hearted that they do not take the best leaders and teachers in their midst seriously, they become fixated in their way of life. When this happens, there will not be anybody to challenge, admonish, correct and guide people close to us. Because of this will have a free hand to do what they want.

Let us take the second theme of today: a prophet’s rejection. Who were the prophets? Prophets in the OT were messengers of God who spoke on his behalf. They were his spokespersons who proclaimed his word to the contemporary situation. Broadly speaking they had two contrasting roles: (1) announcing God’s word, interpreting his will, predicting the future in terms of the present situation and instilling hope and consolation in people; and (2) denouncing personal and social evil, social injustice and ungodly ways of the world. For this second role of warning people of the danger of evil ways they were called the watchmen of Israel. The main reason for Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth (his hometown) and later on totally on the cross was precisely this prophetic role of denunciation of evil, injustice and hypocrisy. .

All of us are called to be prophets by our baptism and must speak for God even if people refuse to listen. When we were baptized the minister anoints our forehead with the oil of ‘chrism’ to denote our consecration as prophets, priests and kings after the model of Christ. We exercise our prophetic call at various levels: (1) at the personal level when we guide, correct and admonish people; (2) at the level of the Church when we encourage other members, instil hope in them, purify the Church and warn her erring members; (3) at the level of society we do it when we stand for God’s values, oppose social evils, encourage, comfort, warn and admonish its rulers and leaders. Beside the clergy and the Religious, parents, teachers and local leaders also are called to exercise this prophetic role towards their children, students and subjects. Just as the OT prophets and Jesus were rejected by their own people, so also today’s prophets are rejected because their message often disturbs people. Our prophetic role may meet with resistance and opposition by those who refuse to change their ways – often in our own families and neighbourhood. If Jesus’ teaching met with contempt from his own people, why should we expect something different? In spite of facing rejection by our own people, today’s gospel invites us to remain faithful to our mission. To be faithful to our prophetic mission, we must learn to live with and deal with rejection, criticism, opposition and frustration.

There is a tendency in us to give up our good work and prophetic role of counselling, guiding and giving fraternal corrections to others due to discouragement caused by the rejection of our message by those to whom it is addressed. Normally we close our eyes at the faults and wrongdoings of those who are close to us in families and religious communities for fear of reaction from their side and losing our good relationship with them. The best ‘virtue’ we practice is called ‘the culture of silence.’ This fear slackens our commitment to God’s cause. Whether people listen or not, we have to proclaim God’s truth. Sometimes when we consider our own weakness or frailty, we think we are unworthy to correct others.  Some parents think: Who am I to tell children not to do a thing when I myself am doing it. Thus they fail in their God-given mission to proclaim his values to them. In that case, children get license to do the wrong things that parents do not have the guts to forbid. This sort of dilemma should motivate parents and leaders to change themselves first.

Taken in another sense, God continues to call us back to his path through his prophets. Parents, good friends, teachers, spouses, catechists, good leaders, priests and the religious are like prophets who often remind us to walk on God’s ways. They correct us and even warn us. We do not want to listen to them and reject them along with their message. Why? There could be several reasons: (1) We are prejudiced against them because of their profession, family background or past record. (2) We are so proud that we cannot see our faults and close our eyes on our faults/sins, that is, do not want to accept them. (3) We do not want to change, and want to maintain the status quo. (4) We are so greedy and pleasure-loving that we find it difficult to give up those immoral practices/ bad habits which are condemned by prophets like parents, teachers, pastors and other leaders.

Finally, miracles do not happen in the absence of faith. We are living in a Nazareth-like world, in a culture that is disinterested in Jesus’ gospel. Our teaching and preaching may change nothing in those who do not believe. Nobody can be healed if they do not want to. It is up to people to close their doors against Jesus or keep them open so that he can enter. What about us?

5.    Response to God's Word

Are there symptoms of narrow-mindedness, prejudice and jealousy in us that lead us to reject the good in our own people? Does over-familiarity with people close to us lead to their contempt? Are we willing to transcend the limitations of over-familiarity and accept the truth from whomever it comes? Do we remain faithful to our prophetic call and mission against all odds such as opposition, criticism, discouragement? Due to frustration and rejection do we give up this mission? Do we listen to prophets among us? If not, why not?

6.    A prayer

Jesus, you are the most amazing Prophet for all times. Continue to guide, encourage, comfort, warn and instil hope in us. Grant that we may be faithful to our baptismal call to be prophets who announce your word of comfort and denounce evil. Give us the strength to face criticism and rejection of a prophet. Amen.