Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

 

Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 1:40-45]

11.02.2024

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

Readings: (1) Lev 13:1-2.44-46 (2) 1 Cor 10:31-11:1

1.  Theme in brief

Liberation from our spiritual leprosy

2.  Focus Statement

Deeply moved with compassion and concern, Jesus touches our hearts when we cry to him to be healed – just as he did to the leper in his day even by breaking the Jewish Law.

3.  Explanation of the text

Leprosy in Jesus' day referred to any of the skin-diseases that were considered ritually or ceremonially unclean in Jewish society and religion. In his pre-scientific age it was the most feared disease and was considered to be highly contagious. As per Jewish Law, such people were treated as social and religious outcasts and were not permitted to take part in the religious life of the community ( see Lev 13:45-46). They were segregated from the community and made to live in tents outside villages and towns. They were required to cry out "unclean, unclean" to people who passed by so that they would stay far away from them. Touching them was a greater taboo because of the fear of contagion. If ever they got cured, a priest had to declare it and restore them to social and religious communion after their offering of a sacrifice to God in thanksgiving. Leprosy was considered to be a punishment for one’s sins. Therefore they were held personally responsible for their own illness and affliction, that is, suffering for their own wrongdoings. Today’s gospel text tells us how a personally, socially and religiously despised and rejected leprosy patient was rendered holistic liberation by Jesus.

The desperation and anxiety of the leper mentioned in today’s gospel is reflected in the way he approached Jesus. Though he was forbidden by law to go close to healthy persons, he was courageously proactive and daring in his approach to Jesus. He came to him with great humility, kneeling before and begging him to cleanse him from his dreaded skin-disease (1:40). Secondly, the text implies that he firmly believed and trusted in Jesus’ power to cleanse or heal him. That is why he said, “You can make me clean” (1:40); or in other words, you have the power to cleanse me. Thirdly, by saying, “Only if you choose or if you are willing to make me clean, you can” (1:40), he submitted himself into Jesus’ hands, He begged Jesus to heal him only if he willed/ wanted/ wished. Though he had no doubt about Jesus’ power to heal him, he was not sure in his case whether Jesus would be willing to heal him or use his power. We can note here how a deep profession of faith and a humble submission or resignation to God’s will are the two pillars on which the healing process rests.

Further, the text tells us how the misery and suffering of the leper as well as his trust in Jesus made him an object of Jesus’ compassion. The strong Greek word used for “being moved” (in 1:41) implies that he was deeply and emotionally moved with pity within the core of his being. With all the tenderness, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him by saying: “I do choose (I am willing or I want to); be clean” (1:41). Here we see how both the leper as well as Jesus dared to break social and religious taboos which will have drastic consequences in Jewish society: the former by going so close to Jesus and the latter by touching the ‘untouchable.’ What is implied here is that Jesus willingly (readily) granted a wonderful favour to the sick person who submitted himself to his will. We notice how his leprosy vanished immediately (instantly) at the power of his touch as well as the power of his word (1:42).

Jesus sternly warned the leper to keep the fact of his healing a top secret (1:44) because he was afraid that people might misunderstand him as a wonder-worker or a political Messiah. Then they would fail to understand his mission to suffer and die on the cross. But the leper’s disobedience to Jesus’ command to maintain secrecy is an indication that those who experienced healing touch could not but proclaim his mercy (1:45).

4.  Application to life

Today’s gospel invites us to identify ourselves both with the leper referred in it and Jesus the holistic Healer. The former application leads us to the discovery of areas of uncleanness in our life and to examine the sins, habits, addictions, attitudes and behaviour that cut us off from God and community. The latter application makes us realize how, as Jesus' disciples, we can continue his mission of reaching out to the rejected, the despised and those who are cut off from community with our healing touch.

For Jesus, physical healing (in this case healing of leprosy) was only an external sign of spiritual or inner healing. Therefore, cleansing the leper is a sign to tell us that he has the power to heal and liberate us from our inner or spiritual leprosy. This holistic healing ministry of Jesus is very much related to his purpose of coming into the world, that is, to establish God’s Rule (Kingdom). People could experience God’s rule of love by his concern for the holistic health of those who suffered from the evil of sin that separated them from God and neighbours, and sickness such as leprosy that segregated/ isolated them from their community. He wanted to give the message that God had sent him with power over evil so that he could liberate people from its fetters with his deep compassion.

Today, what are the conditions/ situations that can be termed as our spiritual leprosy?

(1) Our sins: They keep us estranged and isolated (as lepers in those days experienced) from the love of God and neighbours. They create scars in our relationships and bring us as much misery as physical ailments such as leprosy. Every serious sin is a soul-sickness; it is like leprosy that causes loneliness, isolation, lovelessness and scars on our character. Once separated from God we plunge into darkness and get cut off from the source of life and goodness. Our ungodly ways wound the Church so much and create blots on her holiness.

(2) Compulsive habits or addictions: When a bad habit turns into an addition, it gradually destroys our personality like the bacteria that destroys nerves and flesh in a leper. From ancient days till today people continue to get addicted to alcohol, gambling, cockfight, sex, drugs and other substances. But nowadays, the danger of newer forms of addictions is so much that we may have to post a signboard on our doorpost or desk: “Beware of addiction to TV serials/ mobile phone/ video games/ computer/ internet/ overeating!’’ When we become victims of addictions, we become incapable of loving others and fulfilling our family and social obligations. Like the lepers in Jesus’ days, who were banished from the society, we too become estranged from the love of our near and dear ones. Others may begin to treat us like lepers because of the scars created in our relationships and conduct. Thus, like the lepers in Jesus’ days, addictions make us personally, socially and religiously despised and rejected.

(3) Negativity: Suppose we are constantly and mercilessly pouring negativity (such as fear, hatred, anger, destructive criticism, resentment, revenge, jealousy) into our subconscious mind, it becomes a dumping ground for this negative stuff. All these negative emotions stored in our subconscious mind jump back and create negative currents in the form of impulses, urges, obsessions, bitterness, depression, sulking, etc. They also can create a great deal of tension and over-anxiety in us. Is it not true that negative thinking (especially when it becomes compulsive) makes our mind restless and impure? Does it not steal joy and happiness from us? Therefore, we are badly in need of a spiritual cleansing of our mind more than before.

We need to identify our own spiritual leprosy. Once we admit our spiritual and psychological leprosy, we can also follow the steps followed by this leper to receive holistic healing from Jesus: (1) to approach Jesus with the same humility by falling on our knees, confessing our sins before him and begging him to cleanse us; (2) to place our full faith and trust in his healing power; (3) to submit or surrender ourselves totally to his holy will; (4) to humbly beg him with our petitions to cleanse and heal us. We must allow him to touch our hearts. Just as he was deeply and emotionally moved with compassion within the core of his being at the miserable condition of the leper in his time, today also, will he not be moved at our sinful condition/ addictive behaviour/ negative mind-set and touch us? Deeply moved with compassion and concern, Jesus touches our hearts when we cry to him to be healed from our spiritual ‘leprosy’ – just as he did to the leper in his day by breaking the Jewish Law.

Secondly, if ever any of us has fallen into the trap of any of the addictions mentioned above, the healing process can become really painful and hard. It is only by undertaking a long spiritual journey of humble admission of our helplessness, placing our total trust in the healing power of Jesus and entrusting our life to his care with a cry, “If you will, you can make me clean,” and begging for forgiveness from God and neighbours with a repentant heart,  we can be healed. By healing us Jesus restores us to a full communion with God and our community.

Thirdly, if we are affected by the poison of negativity, we need to continually plead with Jesus to purify our polluted minds and cleanse us from this poison. We should continually monitor our thoughts and forcibly substitute every negative thought with a positive thought. We need to plead with Jesus repeatedly: “Lord, if you will, cleanse my negative mind-set.”

As Jesus came to render holistic health, we should be concerned not only about physical healing, but also spiritual healing of our sins and its evil effects. He has the power to heal us from the possibility of drooping into depression, sadness, frustration and hopelessness when sometimes our physical ailments are not healed. He stands by us to help us accept our illness if it is God’s will. Just as the leper begged, we too can plead with him trusting fully in his healing power: “If it is your will, you take this illness or suffering from me; if not, let me take it; but just give me your grace.” Besides begging for mercy, we must submit or surrender ourselves fully at his feet and request him to do what he wants with us. Once touched and healed by him we too can proclaim our experience of restoration of holistic health (as the leper did in spite of being forbidden), which in turn will become a testimony of our faith.

This passage should motivate us to bring holistic health to those who are alienated, isolated or separated from God and human society due to sin, crime, addictions and any other wrongdoing. Giving human dignity to those whom society considers outcasts and restoring their dignity should be one of our concerns.  Today, the conditions of the poor, the physically and mentally challenged, the victims of HIV and AIDS, the Dalits (in India) who suffer from untouchability and social segregation, etc., are like that of the leprosy patient of today’s gospel. Many people do not want to get close to these people. They refuse to stretch out our hands and touch their lives, as Jesus did. They do not want to take any risk to bring them acceptance. Like Jesus who had to become like a ‘leper’ (outcast) by healing a leper and could not go into a town openly, we too may have to face rejection if we ‘touch’ (deal with) this kind of people. Today’s gospel-message should motivate us to enter into the pain of such marginalized people and stretch out our hands like Jesus, or reach out to them with our service. Let us regret for the times we held back our hands instead of extending them towards such people.  

5.  Response to God's Word

What are the areas of uncleanness in our life such as habitual sins, compulsive habits, addictions, and negative attitudes that cut us off from God and community? Are there symptoms of addictions to TV shows/ mobile phone/ video games/ computer/ internet/ overeating such as total dependency on them and mental obsession causing restlessness when we are away from them? Do we consciously try to cleanse our negative mind-set? Do we follow the steps followed by the leper in today’s text to get a healing touch from Jesus? How can we reach out to the rejected, the despised and those who are cut off from community with our healing touch? Do we want to stretch out our hands towards social outcasts and underprivileged people, or hold them back?

6.  A prayer

Lord Jesus, I am an unclean person in mind and spirit. Kindly look at my miserable condition and show your boundless mercy towards me. I humbly fall on my knees and beg you to cleanse me. I place my full faith in you and trust in your healing power. I submit myself totally to your holy will. O Divine Healer, if you will, you can make me clean. Touch my heart; cleanse me and heal me wholly. Amen.

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

 

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 1:29-39]

04.02.2024

Jesus’ Healing and Liberating Mission

Readings: (1) Job 7:1-4.6-7 (2) 1 Cor 9:16-19.22-23

1.    Theme in brief

Proclaiming the Kingdom of God through holistic health care

2.    Focus Statement

Like Jesus we are called to proclaim the Kingdom of God by our service to the sick and the suffering, and by our efforts to drive out evil with the power of prayer and discernment.   

3.    Explanation of the text

Today’s gospel text narrates how people of Capernaum with all kinds of ailments are brought to Jesus (1:32). They gather around him with faith in his healing power. He restores the physical and mental health of these broken-hearted people by healing them of various ailments. Thus, by his healing ministry he imparts wholeness of body, mind and spirit. The summary statement of several healing miracles and exorcisms in today’s passage (1:34) is directly related to his mission on earth to establish God’s Kingdom which involves restoration of all-round health, peace and well-being.

The healing of Simon’s mother-in-law from fever in the beginning of today’s passage (1:30-31) – the first miracle of physical healing mentioned in Mark’s gospel – symbolizes Jesus’ mission to liberate people from their spiritual ‘fevers.’ For Jesus physical healing (in this case healing of a fever) was only an external sign of spiritual or inner healing. The text says when Jesus was told about her illness, he went in and “took her by the hand and lifted her up” (1:31). The message is that Jesus has come to lift up or raise up those who are lying low in various bondages such as illness, slavery of evil powers and death by his acts of compassion; thus establish God’s Kingdom. Unlike others instances, here he cures not by his word but by his touch. The healing power flowing from the touch of Jesus restores her not only to health but to her call to serve and care of others. Due to fever she is confined to bed (1:30); that is, she is not free to serve. She is unable to fulfil her role as a service-provider to family and community due to her illness. When the fever leaves her, she begins to “serve” them (1:31).

Due to Jesus’ act of “lifting up” or raising her up she returns to active service of others with vigour.  Service is the essence of Jesus’ ministry, because he came not to be served but to serve to the extent of sacrificing his life for the redemption of humanity (Mk10:45).  Here Simon’s mother-in-law is presented as an exemplary disciple who serves Jesus and his disciples. Jesus’ lifting her by his hands shows that his healing touch has the power to cure people from their illnesses. Her ability to serve proves the completeness of the cure or restoration of health to her..

The repeated reference to Jesus’ mission of casting out demons (1:32, 34) shows that he has come to battle against evil forces and liberate people from their slavery.  Though the demons know that he is the Messiah, he does not permit them to proclaim it (1:34). Otherwise people would follow him for the wrong reason, considering him a political Messiah. He wants people to discover for themselves that he is not only the Messiah but a suffering Messiah. In order to avoid this misunderstanding he imposes the rule of silence on demoniacs.

The need of withdrawing into prayer in a deserted place (1:35) might have arisen in Jesus at this point due to a number of factors: the need (1) to receive new strength and peace of mind; (2) to seek God’s guidance for further action; (3) to get a spiritual backing for his battle against the evil powers; and (4) to know if it was right time to move from Capernaum to other places.

Everybody was searching for Jesus (1:37), because most probably they hoped he would miraculously heal many more people. Instead of getting attached only to one place, Jesus decides to move on to other places. Since the purpose of his coming into them world is to proclaim the message of God’s Kingdom and he gives priority to that mission (1:38).

4.    Application to life

What was Jesus’ attitude towards sickness? It was an attitude of compassion that led him to heal the sick. As we have noted above, Jesus was concerned not only about physical but also spiritual healing. For him physical healing of Simon’s mother-in-law from a fever was only an external sign of his intention to heal us from our spiritual ‘fevers.’ So today we need to ask ourselves: “What are the ‘fevers’ (spiritual) that prevent us from involving ourselves actively in service of others, or what makes us incapable of becoming actively involved in loving and serving others?”

Commonly we understand service in a narrow sense. Modern society needs our service in new areas and much wider fields. Human life is precious but fragile. It is full of promises but constantly endangered and under threats from womb to tomb. Such life-threatening forces include not only illnesses but also terrorism, accidents, environmental destruction, violence, wars, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, suicide (committed even by farmers and students in some regions), ruthless exploitation of the weak (especially of indigenous and downtrodden people, women and children), religious fundamentalism, communalism, threat of nuclear wars…. Given this scenario, today’s gospel motivates us to think what type of service is required to address at least one of these issues, if not directly, at least indirectly? In the midst of so many life-negating forces, any qualitative service rendered by us in such life-threatening or life-negating situations can become life-giving or life-promoting.

It is necessary to examine the causes of our indifference and non-involvement in addressing these issues and rendering some community services. Though we are called to build up our community with our loving service, some ‘fevers’ prevent or block us such as individualism, selfishness, indifference, laziness, lack of concern, don’t-care attitude and fear of criticism.  Just as Simon’s mother-in-law was confined to bed due to fever and was unable to fulfil her role of hospitality or service to her family and community, these blocks keep us confined to our own individualistic and selfish world. They keep us tied down to our own narrow world and cut us off from the community. We need to understand that our communion with God through worship and prayer and our responsibility or mission to build up communion within our community are two sides of the same coin.

There is a tendency in many people to make excuses in order to escape from involvement in community services. One of the most common excuses is to say that we have no time. The real issue is not lack of time but lack of a strong motivation and a deeper understanding of our Christian call to service. If there is a will there is a way. We need to make conscious efforts to ‘create’ time by sacrificing a little of our available time by cutting down some of our unimportant engagements.   We have to check how much time we spend in front of TV and how much of it we give to others. Actually, it is not lack of time but the evil power of sin that rules over us, namely selfishness and lack of concern for others. Sin is the spiritual sickness that prevents us from really loving and serving others wholeheartedly.

Quite often we expect that those who are in charge (including the clergy in the Church) should request us or authorize us if they need our help. Actually speaking, since service is the hallmark of Christian discipleship, we should consider it our duty and responsibility to render a service, or even offer our help. Today, Jesus comes to us again to lift us up from our inaction and lethargy. Let us beg Jesus to catch our hands and lift us up from this lethargy and awake us from our sleepiness as he did to Simon’s mother-in-law. Let Jesus heal us from selfishness, aloofness and unwillingness or incapacity to serve. Our hearts are sick when we do not spend ourselves in service of our brothers and sisters. Once we allow Jesus to heal us from the sickness of our hearts, we shall be able to heal others from the same sickness.

Jesus’ mission of healing the sick was one of the ways of establishing God’s Kingdom. By his ministry of healing people from physical as well as spiritual illnesses, he rendered a holistic health care to people who painfully suffer and grieve. We too are called to proclaim the Kingdom of God by continuing his mission of giving holistic health care and alleviation of suffering in people’s lives as far as possible – though all suffering cannot be removed. Let us consider the various ways of pursuing this mission of alleviating pain, suffering, sorrow and misery from the lives of people around us in our own little ways: visiting the sick, praying with them or for them, blessing them, listening to them, consoling or comforting them, instilling hope in them, accompanying and directing them to health care centres, sharing a little bit of our resources for their treatment ……There are so many sick people who want somebody to listen to their pain and anxiety. Sometimes, the sick persons need love and care more than the medicines. By caring for the suffering (especially outside the boundaries of our homes) in a committed manner, we too can become a part of Christ’s mission. Thus, we too can contribute our little share for the restoration of physical and mental health of the broken-hearted.

This mission of healing and combating evil forces (mentioned in today’s gospel) require the power of prayer and discernment as we know from Jesus’ example. Prayer and reflection make us realize that we cannot give glory to God when we do nothing to address the suffering of people caused due to illness and other evil forces. The power of prayer gives us the courage and strength to combat evil forces. Without the backing of prayer, we will be interested in establishing our own kingdom rather than God’s. At times when we suffer due to illness, or are in trouble and difficulty like Simon’s mother-in-law, we expect others (like Jesus) to comfort and help us, but when others are in distress and trouble, we do not bother to visit, comfort or help them. Let us not forget the fears and anxieties our near and dear ones went through and the trouble they encountered for our sake when we were seriously ill in the past. Our experience of being helped, comforted and served by others in such moments should lead us to do the same for others, just as Peter’s mother-in-law who immediately waited on Jesus and his disciples after experiencing Jesus’ healing touch.

5.    Response to God's Word

Are we indifferent towards sufferings and pain of people around us? If so, what could be the causes of our indifference, lethargy and non-involvement to alleviate pain and misery from people? Which is the life-threatening force that we would like to address in our own little way? If we are cut-off from the community, is it because of selfishness, laziness, lack of concern, don’t-care attitude, individualism and fear of criticism? What are the excuses we make to escape from involvement in some service to society and the Church? Do we willingly sacrifice our time to be with our children to guide them or to be involved in a community or Church service? Do we always wait for order from Church and community leaders to render our service, or do it as our duty and responsibility?

6.    A prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, we believe in your power to heal us physically and spiritually. Set us free from the bondages of selfishness and individualism so that awe may serve others joyfully and generously. Grant that nothing may hinder us from reaching out to the needy with a helping hand when it is possible for us to do it. Wake us up from other lethargy and inaction so that we may become partners in your mission to establish God’s Kingdom which involves restoration of all-round health, peace and well-being. Amen.

 

 

Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

 

Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 1:21-28]

28.01.2024

Jesus’ Messianic Authority in Word and Deed

Readings: (1) Deut 18:15-20 (2) 1 Cor 7:32-35

1.  Theme in brief

Jesus’ teaching authority as well as authority over evil spirits

2.   Focus Statement

Jesus comes to liberate us from slavery to evil forces, that not only alienate us but go against God’s Kingdom, and gives us the authority to defeat them.  

3.   Explanation of the text

In today’s gospel text, instead of telling us what exactly Jesus taught in the synagogue, Mark tells us how he taught and what the effect of his teaching was. He emphasizes that Jesus taught (1) with authority and (2) people in the synagogue at Capernaum were astounded and amazed at his teaching. [Both of these expressions are found twice each in 1:22 and 1:27]. The effect of his teaching was that it had the power to cast out unclean spirits (demons).

It is clear that Jesus’ authority is a central theme in today’s gospel and it refers to his teaching authority as well as authority over evil spirits. All people were astounded at his teaching because he taught with his own authority without relying on the authority of the Law of Moses and traditions. They also found a difference in his and scribes’ teaching (1:21). The scribes' teaching authority came from the Law, whereas Jesus taught with an independent authority. His authority came directly from God himself; that is, he was endowed with divine authority. The scribes supported their teaching by quoting the Scripture. Even the prophets spoke on behalf of God and often said: “Thus says the Lord.” But Jesus spoke independently.

Though Mark does not mention the content of Jesus’ teaching at this point, we can very well guess that it is centred on his main theme: “The Kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news” (1:16). His first teaching about the Kingdom of God and first deed of casting out demons were also intimately related. Endowed with divine authority, he not only taught but also acted against the evil forces. This text indicates that he came to confront the forces that go against God’s Kingdom and cast them out or defeat them. Thus, Jesus disclosed his messianic identity and mission both in word and deed.

When Jesus encountered the evil spirit, the latter confessed that Jesus was the Holy One of God (1:24).  Indirectly, he acknowledged that Jesus was holy and he was unholy, or Jesus was ‘clean’ (or pure) and he was an unclean spirit. When put in ordinary language what this unclean spirit blurted out could mean, "There is no common ground between your holy and my unholy or your clean and my unclean spheres. You remain in your field and I remain in mine. Let us not interfere in each other’s field of operation." (1:24). The suspicion of demons whether Jesus had come to destroy them (1:24) is in fact true. By his resurrection, Jesus won a victory over them and destroyed their hold over those who firmly believe in the power of his resurrection.

This text says that while casting out the unclean spirit from that man, Jesus “rebuked” him and ordered him to keep quiet and come out of the man. Later on, Mark uses the same word while narrating the miracle of stilling the storm in the sea (4:35-41). There also he says that Jesus “rebuked” the wind (4:39). This shows that he has power over both the natural world (“wind and sea obey him,” 4:41) and the supernatural world (demons and evil spirits obey him, 1:25-26). The text brings out Jesus’ complete authority over evil forces because of which they obey him. His mission entails the definitive victory over evil forces, symbolized by Satan and all his cronies. Surely, he came to silence (1:25) the evil powers and liberate humans from their slavery, which alienated them.

Jesus' teaching with divine authority was acclaimed by the people in the synagogue as new teaching (1:27), because it was attested by his deeds such as freeing people from demons leading them to a new quality of life. This “new teaching” (1:27) with authority put him into conflict with those who taught the same “old stuff” (laws and traditions) and ultimately led to his death on the cross.

4.  Application to life

Actually Jesus had neither political nor military power which invests a person with enormous authority. He was neither a scribe nor a priest who are invested with religious authority to teach, preach and perform religious ceremonies. In spite of that, today’s gospel says that he taught with authority and confronted evil spirits with the same authority. From the time of ancient rulers found in the annals of history to today’s ordinary parents who exercise authority over their children, we observe that some authorities are respected and some are not; some are obeyed out of fear and some out of reverence. Sometimes, those who are in authority are revered not so much for their wealth/ military/ political power, but for their moral authority. Due to this moral or inner authority commanded by them, people respect their word and follow them out of respect. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. are prominent among such leaders. From where does their power come? They earn it by practising what they preach and by using their power the way Jesus used it.  He did not use his authority for himself but to serve humanity. He used it to serve, not to be served (Mk 10:45). He used it to bring blessings to people such as restoration of health and healing of body and spirit.

This is quite different from the understanding of power and authority in our political circles! As followers of Christ, today’s gospel-message leads to introspection whether we use our authority in the manner Christ used it. Besides hotly debating about the politics of the politicians, nowadays people speak also about ‘village politics,’ ‘Church politics,’ ‘business politics,’ etc. If a person with any authority says one thing and does another; uses power only to enrich oneself, to exploit others, to amass unaccountable wealth through corrupt means, then he/she exercises only worldly power but loses moral or inner authority. This is true of not only autocratic rulers of the State but of authoritarian parents/ bosses/ teachers/ government officials/ tribal chieftains as well. Temptation to abuse or misuse one’s power and authority is really strong not only among political but also among religious leaders. Jesus wants us to use whatever authority we have in the family, workplace or administration to direct, guide and serve others, and not to take advantage of the helplessness of the weak, or to amass wealth only for ourselves or to take revenge against our opponents.

What does Jesus’ authority over demons (or as the gospel says ‘unclean spirits’) mean for us today? First of all, unclean spirits and demons can be taken to symbolize impulses inside us or forces outside that enslave us, control us or alienate us from God and neighbours or block our spiritual progress such as fear, guilt, anger and resentment. For instance, when fear controls us we miss great opportunities because we are afraid to take even smaller risks such as facing somebody’s displeasure for doing/saying the right thing. Instead, we play it safe. When resentment begins to drive us we become enslaved to our past hurts and inflict bitterness and emotional pain on ourselves. A humble admission of the enslavement of these ‘demons,’ submission to Jesus’ authority in faith and trust and begging him to cast out these ‘demons’ from us can restore our emotional health. Thus we too can experience the liberation brought about by Jesus from the slavery of dehumanizing forces.

Secondly, demons can be taken to represent all the powers that are against God and his  values, human welfare and goodness. Just as they did in Jesus’ time, today also they frustrate his mission of service to the needy, peace, justice and fellowship. There is a continual battle going on between God’s Kingdom (symbolizing goodness) and Satan’s (symbolizing all that is evil and ungodly) in our hearts as well as society. This combat between holy and unholy fields admitted by demons themselves in today’s text goes on and on. As the demons said, in fact there is a total incompatibility or absence of any common ground between Jesus and Satan, good and evil, truth and untruth, light and darkness (1:24). Therefore, for the followers of Jesus, any compromise or collusion with evil amounts to a negation of their vocation. Instead, they are called to wage a combat or battle with evil, just as Jesus who confronted the evil spirit powerfully. Since this battle is risky, we enter into a marriage of convenience.

We are called to live our life not by chance but by choice. Therefore, we need to choose a particular social evil around us and dream about doing something about it in our minds. By dream I mean creating a mental picture in our minds about our small contribution to tackle a particular evil practice/ habit/ custom/ attitude in ourselves or in our society. Then make a plan in the mind regarding the ways of fighting it out – by raising an objection, a disproval, a voice, by showing non-cooperation or by writing against it. For example, once when some school children asked Abdul Kalam (former President of India) about the impossible task of eradicating corruption in society and country, he said that it begins at home. He asked children whether they would protest when their parents do anything wrong or find them dishonest and tell them it is wrong. Naturally, fighting against social evils such as injustice, corruption, racism/casteism, superstitions like witchcraft, oppression, environmental destruction, etc., is risky and dangerous. Compromising with evil and evil-doers seems to be a safer position. What is worse is following a ‘culture of silence’ when we encounter evil because of fear of backlash or hostile reaction from evil-doers. Sometimes by keeping silence we may promote evil and become agents of Satan’s kingdom instead of apostles of God’s Kingdom. 

Finally, this passage reminds us of our mission to liberate people from all evil powers, which alienate and destroy their lives such as sin, addictions, psychological and emotional blocks and bondages, unjust social structures, fear of evil spirits, witchcraft, etc. As Jesus did, we have to silence these evil powers in order to save our people from self-destruction or destruction of goodness in our society. Otherwise, we will be dealing with the same “old stuff” (religious rules, rituals and traditions of the elders) which the scribes dealt with. 

5.  Response to God's Word

How do we use our authority at home, at workplace and in administration: as Jesus used or as the world teaches? What amends can we make if we have abused our powers or authority? What are the powers in our society that are hostile to God? Do we fight them or embrace them? Do we often compromise or collude with evil? Are we ready to face inconveniences, personal loss, mockery of companions, and attempts by our colleagues in offices to pressurize us to compromise with evil or follow their ways in order to safeguard our own position? On which side do we often find ourselves: of holiness or ungodliness, goodness or selfishness, God’s Kingdom or Satan’s?

6.  A prayer

Lord Jesus, we acclaim you as the Holy One of God.  You came to destroy evil and defeat all satanic forces. Trusting in the authority of your word and your authority over evil powers, we place before you all the evil forces within and outside us. Silence all these negative power-centres so that we can experience your gift of liberation from their bondage. Grant that we may experience the newness of your teaching by enhancing the quality of our service and by fighting against evil forces. Amen.

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

 

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 1:14-20]

21.01.2024

The Inauguration of the Kingdom and the Call of First Disciples

Readings: (1) Jonah 3:1-5.10 (2) 1 Cor 7:29-31

1.    Theme in brief

Our response to Jesus’ call and mission

2.    Focus Statement

Like the first disciples of Jesus, we too are called to respond to Jesus’ summons to follow him by renouncing all worldly ties for the mission of building up a new society based on the values of God’s Kingdom.

3.    Explanation of the text

In the first part of today’s gospel, Jesus inaugurates his public ministry by announcing the summary or the main theme of his preaching and ministry, that is,  the Kingdom of God, or in simpler terms, God’s rule of unconditional love. He says that in his person God’s own rule of love has come on earth (1:14-15). The second part of the gospel text speaks about the call of his first four disciples (Simon, Andrew, James and John) to follow him with a mission to become fishers of people (1:16-20). Both of these parts are closely related. The purpose for which the disciples are called (in the second part) is to establish the Kingdom of God which Jesus inaugurates (in the first part) after the imprisonment of John the Baptist (1:14).

Mark tells us that Jesus has come to proclaim the good news of God or from God (1:14). What is God’s good news? The answer is found in the very first words spoken by Jesus in Mark’s gospel: “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come near” (1:15). In simple words: The good news of God’s rule or dominion of love and salvation has now come very near to us in the person of Jesus. [Jesus himself is the good news in person.] The time of waiting (the long period of OT) is fulfilled (completed) now. God’s appointed time or the time planned by God to begin a new age or rule is at hand or near for all who are willing to receive it.

How should one respond to the challenge of the breaking good-news of God’s Kingdom? In two ways: by (1) repenting or changing one’s ways and (2) believing in the good news (1:15). Both the statements are inter-related: The latter only explains what the former means. To ‘repent’ means more than feeling sorry for one’s personal sins, but a change of mind/ attitude/ life-style. To ‘believe’ does not mean to believe in a doctrine as we do while reciting “I believe” (that is, the Creed). It means to be attached to the person of Jesus or to have a deep faith or trust in him. When anyone tries to live the way of the gospel, such a person finds that sin/ evil/ selfishness are the greatest obstacles to its path. Removal of these obstacles necessarily involves repentance or a change of heart. Believing in the Good News involves a conversion to the gospel-way of life (or God’s way) from worldly/ evil/ selfish way. Hence, Jesus’ first proclamation implies the fulfilment of God’s appointed time for both: (1) for his Kingdom to come near to us through Jesus; (2) to change the direction of our life and to be converted to the values of God’s Kingdom (in other words to repent, 1:15).

In the second part of today’s gospel, we hear how Jesus entrusts the mission of establishing God’s loving rule on earth to his first disciples in metaphorical terms, namely “to become fishers of people” or “to fish for people” (1:17).  In simpler terms, it means gathering people in the ‘net’ of God’s Kingdom just as fishermen gather fish in their nets. In other words, it implies building up communities based on God’s own values of love, peace, justice and fellowship. The immediate response of the first disciples to Jesus’ summons, points to a model for discipleship: how a true disciple should respond to Jesus’ call to share his mission. This call to follow him (1:17) implies a call to join his mission and walk in his footsteps or ways till the end, even up to Calvary. Jesus does not ask them to follow his ideology or doctrine, but to follow him; to be personally attached to him.

What is the requirement to follow Jesus as a disciple? The requirement or the sign of one’s commitment to follow Jesus, according to today’s text, is the readiness to renounce or leave something; sometimes even the things that are dear to one, as exemplified by the renunciation of their material possessions (symbolized by nets and boats) and family ties (symbolized by renouncing their father, 1:18-20). The words “immediately" leaving something and following Jesus mentioned twice in this text (1:18 and 1:20), point to the urgency of the call.

4.    Application to life

From today’s gospel we can deduce that, with Jesus’ coming into the world the loving rule of God has come near but not yet here with us. We experience another rule in us that opposes God’s, namely the rule of sin/evil. So Jesus again and again invites us to come under the loving rule of God by abandoning all unloving and ungodly ways. Kingdom of God does not refer to a place or a territory but a new quality of life to be lived with God’s own values. God’s values must be the rule of our lives and not worldly or selfish values. When we submit ourselves to God’s loving rule in our lives and accept the gospel’s way of life, the Lord Jesus gives us the grace and power to live that way of life. A change in us or a reshaping/ reorientation of our lives is essential to experience the nearness of God’s Kingdom in our hearts and society. Hence, one’s proper response to God and his Kingdom coming so near to us is to ‘repent’ by opening our hearts to Jesus’ gospel-way of loving service.

The root-cause of all unloving ways is the way we think. Therefore, today Jesus invites us again to change the way we think. With God’s grace and strength we have to try hard to replace our negative or evil thoughts with positive or good thoughts. Repentance means to change our way of thinking, attitude and life’s choices, so that Christ can be the Lord and Master of our hearts rather than sin, selfishness, and greed.

Like the first four disciples of Jesus, we are called to respond to Jesus’ summons to build up a new society based on the Kingdom-values by following him. This mission is symbolically termed as “to be fishers of people.”  It is clear that we are not called to be fishers of fish. People are not fish. Normally people do not respond to community work and social service easily as fish is attracted to a bait. They quite often resist personal as well as social change. In spite of that we have to ‘cast the net.’ We are not holding God’s Kingdom in our clenched fists. We are only his servants and are called to be faithful to our task of cooperating with him to establish his Kingdom. It is he who will bring about his Kingdom in his own time. But those who resist will be held responsible for their non-cooperation.

All of us are called to be fishers for Christ. He needs men, women, and their co-operation to establish God’s rule of love in the hearts of people. He needs them to motivate people to change their ways or to turn away from evil ways and adhere wholeheartedly to God’s values. Our response to Christ’s call to this mission involves sacrifice or renunciation of material possessions and family ties – at least temporarily, if not permanently – imitating the example of first disciples who left their nets and boats and father Zebedee with the hired men (1:18, 20). The greatest sacrifice required of us for any task of community building or community service is time, which we often find hard to make. For any service to our neighbours, or to attend common meetings or SCC/BCC programs or to be involved in social action, we need to sacrifice our time and family ties for a while. It also means the sacrifice we are called to make to share a little bit of our material resources, talents and energies with the needy.

In our families and communities we have the obligation of not only doing but also encouraging others for this type of service as a response to the mission entrusted to us by Jesus. We need to examine ourselves and see whether, instead encouraging, we object to such involvement by our family members with the fear of losing time for household chores or daily work in our fields/ gardens/ orchards. For instance, men in our families need to examine and see whether they encourage women to participate in women’s organizations or staunchly object to it. In Christian family, parents become ‘fishers of children’ when they inculcate in them the values of the gospel, like teaching them how to share with others what they have, to ask pardon for misbehaving with the siblings, and to sacrifice a thing dear to them to help others.

Moved by the encouragement given to women’s participation in social welfare and decision-making both by the State and the Church, when some women become ‘fishers of society,’ what is the attitude of men in traditional families? How wonderful it would be when women are involved in time-bound social service or decision-making process, if men could willingly become ‘fishers of family’ by taking care of the house during the absence of their spouses to promote the noble cause of God’s Kingdom. Is there a vocation without a mission? Is there a mission (of the laity) without any sacrifice of and detachment from family ties at least for some time or on a temporary basis, though priests and the religious do it on a permanent basis? In my pastoral field I have observed some women forbidding their husbands to accept leadership roles in the Church with the fear of losing their husband’s full-time service at home and of the fear of listening to complaints about their husband’s mistakes/weaknesses.

Today’s gospel invites us to repent and change our ways if we have allowed the worldly and secular standards to take control of us in such a way that we have totally forgotten to be faithful to our Christian call and mission to collaborate with God to bring about his Kingdom in our world. Though Jesus has inaugurated God’s Kingdom and has shown us the way of establishing it, he needs our cooperation to bring it to its completion. Though we have to work hard for our daily bread and are tied down to our own world of daily workload/ duty/ business/ family maintenance/ social engagements, like Jesus’ disciples in today’s gospel we should feel the urgency of following him by contributing our little mite for community building even in a small (if not big) way. If we are totally engrossed in the present world which is anyway passing away (1Cor 7:31), we are behaving as if the Kingdom of God has not come or (even if it has come) we have nothing to do with it. “Let God take care of his Kingdom; I have my own little ‘kingdom’ to take care of,” will be our constant refrain.

5.    Response to God's Word

Do we believe that the gospel – the good news of Jesus – has power to free us from the bondage of sin and selfish attitudes? Which are the negative and evil thoughts we must replace with positive and good ones? Are we convinced that God wants to make use of us, our talents, time and energies, to establish his Kingdom on earth? Are we faithful to our task of cooperating with God to establish his Kingdom? Do we sacrifice a little bit of our time for any task of community building or community service? Do we share a little bit of our material resources, talents and energies with our neighbours or the poor? Do we encourage others especially women to contribute their share for the promotion of God’s Kingdom outside our homes? Instead of encouraging those who like to do some community service in response to the mission of Jesus, do we object or put obstacles to such involvement?

6.    A prayer

Lord Jesus, just as you called your first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John, you have called me by baptism to continue your mission. Fill me with the joy of the gospel that I may be faithful to your mission. Grant that I may cooperate with you in your mission to establish God’s Kingdom of love, justice and fellowship. Give me a generous spirit to sacrifice and renounce my time, comforts, resources, talents, energies, household chores and family ties for a while for the sake of your mission. May I hear your call to follow you and respond to it with generosity even in the midst of my daily workload. Amen.