GREATER THAN JONAH

Jonah 3:1-10. Lk 11:29-32, 1 March 2023, First Week of Lent

Both the readings of the day are centered on the name ‘Jonah’ which in Hebrew means ‘dove.’ Many Rabbis consider Jonah rather as a part of Midrashic literature than of prophetic literature. For, according to them, the Book of Jonah is presents a metaphor of the people of Israel. The Book of Jonah revolves around three persons: the people of Nineveh, God, and Jonah. At the beginning of the book, the people of Nineveh are sinful, God is angry, and Jonah is reluctant. At the end of the book, all the three undergo conversion: Nineveh repents, God relents, and Jonah retorts.

Nineveh was the capital of Assyria. Assyrians had captured the people of Israel in the Northern Kingdom in 723-722 BCE. Later the people of Israel developed a strong antipathy towards this enemy nation, and they wanted it to be destroyed. Jonah in fact presents a racist and angry face of such people. But God’s ways are different. Instead of punishing the Assyrians God becomes merciful to them. The people of Israel learn three things from this scenario: (i) It is not anger that heals but mercy; in fact, they begin to be merciful to foreign and enemy nations; (ii) God’s ways are his ways and we can’t question them; and (iii) In the world the evil is not always repaid.

In the gospel reading to his contemporaries, who were seeking a sign, Jesus offers them the signs of Solomon and Jonah. Solomon was considered the wisest person of the Judaic history. Jonah was considered a powerful preacher. As Jesus is the wisdom of God, he becomes greater than Solomon. And as he went about not only preaching, but also healing, he becomes greater than Jonah.

But unlike the queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh, the contemporaries of Jesus refuse to believe in him. Jesus is greater than Jonah. The implication is that he demands greater conversion.

Thanks : Fr. Yesu K

The value and Meaning of Fasting (Mt 9:14-15)

The First reading and Gospel focus on the value of Fasting, which is one of the three penitential practices that are very dear to the biblical and Christian tradition – prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. I focus my reflections on the value and meaning of fasting through today's readings. 

1. Fasting helps to build self-control: Fasting becomes useless if it is more centered on oneself. God asks the people who do fasting not to worry what others see. 

2. Fasting is a great help to avoid sin and all that leads to it. In the Book of Genesis, we read the first commandment which is: “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die” (Gn 2, 16-17).  ‘You shall not eat’ is a law of fasting and abstinence”. Through fasting, we become humble before God. 

Fasting is an aid to open our eyes to the situation in which so many of our brothers and sisters live in poor situation. The fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.

3. Fasting is a good ascetic practice, an instrument to battle against every possible disordered attachment to ourselves. Freely chosen detachment from the pleasure of food and other material goods helps the disciple of Christ to control the appetites of nature, weakened by original sin, whose negative effects impact the entire human person.

4. Fasting should help you to consider Jesus as a real bridegroom of your life and keep relationship with God. Wedding guests will rejoice when their bridegroom is with them. I am thinking especially of a greater commitment to prayer, lectio divina, recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and active participation in the Eucharist, especially the Holy Sunday Mass. 

Father's faith heals the son (Mk 9:14-29)

Mk 9:14-29

The Jewish family is a Patriarchal family. In every Family, the role of the father is very important, more than that of the mother. The mothers care about the growth of the child within the family, whereas fathers care about his contact with the world, work and his social relationships. He connects the child with society. The father makes the decisions for the family for his wife and children. Today's Gospel of Mark beautifully narrates the sacrificial father's requests to Jesus for healing. 

Just imagine yourself: There is a son possessed by the spirit, epileptic in front of a large crowd. This is a kind of social shame and humiliation for the father, because who will marry an epileptic child? How he will go to work to earn? In this case, a father will suffer more than a mother. That is why Jesus asked a particular question “How long has this been happening to him?” not only out of care for the possessed boy, but he wanted to know how long the father has been suffering for his child. The father replied, “Since childhood." 

1. Father's care and responsibility for his child include the capacity to suffer for him. That's what Jesus did. This story is introduced in the Gospel of Mark when the Messianic secret is revealed. Hereafter Jesus will predict his death and resurrection three times. Jesus will start to suffer for humanity. Jesus looks at this figure as his own image of carrying the sins of humanity until his death on the cross. We need to pray like this; God, Father, help us to follow the example of your son's patience in suffering. 

2. The disciples have been presented in the Gospel of Mark, are the persons of failure until the resurrection. The Father brought his son first to the disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so. It is good for us to direct our prayers and problems to the right person, Jesus himself. Sometimes, we need to know if the people  have the spirit of God. We cannot go to the persons who say that they are problem solvers, healers, and are well prepared, and still are not so. Disciples were not yet prepared until they experience the passion and death of Jesus. The Father shouted to Jesus, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” constantly doing this we revise our human pride. 

3. Prayer is the “intimate” dialogue with God. Saint John Paul II affirmed that “Prayer always brings with it a type of interior hiddenness with Christ in God. Only in this hiddenness do we see the work of the Holy Spirit.” Prayer will increase our faith in Jesus, and Faith will make miracles. 

CLEAR VISION OF LIFE WILL TAKE YOU TO SUCCESS!

Gen 8:6-13,20-22. Mk 8:22-26.

 

BE PATIENT FOR A CLEAR AND COMPLETE VISION OF LIFE!

 

Today’s readings bring before us two persons who see everything clearly. In the first reading, Noah sees the dry land; in the gospel reading, the blind man sees everything clearly. Though the verb ‘to see’ is used metaphorically in the Bible, referring to the internal eyes we mean, eyes of faith, in today’s reading it is used directly to refer to people's perfect sight to see God and earth.

The first reading narrates the immediate events that follow the Great Flood. Three events happen here: (i) after many years, Noah removed the covering of the ark, and it is written that the surface of the ground was drying up. What a miracle! Instead of seeing the sky, Noah sees the surface of the ground dried up. Noah insists on the necessity to look down; In fact, he sees with the eyes of God; (ii) Noah offers sacrifices to God. In pre-historic times every individual – Cain, Abel, Noah - was offering sacrifices to God; in the patriarchal era it was the fathers of the family or the clan who offered sacrifices (priesthood was developed later in this context) (iii) God is pleased with Noah’s offering and he promises that he would never harm humanity again. (remember God of Noah’s time is not a God of theology). 

 

In the gospel reading Jesus heals a blind man. Only in Mark do we listen to the healing of a blind man that happened in two stages. Both times, Jesus was on his ‘way’ to Jerusalem. These two instances serve as parables to explain the nature of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus is not able to give complete healing to the blind (they used to call ‘embarrassment texts’ of Mark.). Why Jesus did not cure him the first time? Blind man needs to do it for the second time. A blind man is brought to Jesus. Jesus takes him away from the village. So, when Jesus was healing him it was just he and Jesus. When he was able to see partially it was Jesus whom he saw. He says, ‘I am able to see men, but they look like trees, but they walk.’ These words reflect the nature of the disciples. Even though they were close to Jesus, they were not able to recognize him. Later when Jesus touched the man again he became totally alright. 

 

What are the lessons that we draw from today’s readings?

 

(i) Be patient during trials:  The floods in our life will also become dry one day. One cannot be sure that the flood will never appear in his life. Sometimes, God may send it purposedly into your life. So, it is possible in our life, the moments of the flood: the great destruction. As the neighboring people of Noah made fun of Noah building an ark in the desert, so some people around you, might frustrate you. Be patient, as Noah was patient for a number of years inside the ark. It takes a lot of courage to see the dry land.

 

(ii) Wait for Jesus to be touched for complete healing: It is not easy to get a good and perfect vision all the time. God allows us gradual healing of truth. Since evil is intrinsic in our hearts, we need to be carefully watchful. The Book of Proverbs beautifully says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Prov 4:23). We will be able to see Jesus, the people, and the creation (trees) in truth, only if we allow Jesus to touch us.

 

VALENTINES DAY, MATTHEW 5:38-48

 (Lev 19:1-2, 17-18 1 Cor 3:16-23 Mat 5:38-48)

Sino ang binigyan mo ng regalo noong nakaraang Valentines Day?

Lahat naman siguro kayo nagbigay ng bulaklak sa inyong "inday". Siguro nagbigay kayo ng cake sa inyong mga magulang. Maybe you gave a simple card to your beloved friends. Siguro nagbigay ka ng rosas, rosas na may bubuyog! Siguro nagbigay ka ng pagkain, pagkaing panis na! Siguro nagbigay ka ng ice cream, ice cream na tunaw at puwede ng gawing juice! Have you given anything to your enemy? It’s true… mahirap mahalin ang kaaway (it’s hard to love the enemy).

Jesus’ message on this 7th Sunday is about Love of God/neighbor/forgiveness/loving one’s enemy. But loving an enemy is not easy. How can you forgive an unfaithful partner? Someone who is gossiping about you but smiles in front of your face? or has caused a serious injury to a family member? mahirap mahalin ang kaaway. Mahirap magpakita ng pagmamahal sa taong nagbibigay sa iyo ng sama ng loob! (It's hard to show love to someone who gives you a hard time!) sabi ni Jesus through todays readings…

sino ang pinagmulan ng pag-ibig? Who is the origin of love? First reading says it is God. Magpakabanal kayo, sapagkat akong panginoon ay banal. Diyos ay pagibig. Yet love proposed in the OT was different. “Mata sa mata at ngipin sa ngipin” was the Old testament formula, cannot be used today. Ang sabi ng namayapang si Mahatma Gandhi: “Kung paiiralin natin ang batas na mata sa mata at ngipin sa ngipin, darating ang araw na ang ating mundo ay punong-puno ng mga bulag at bungi!” Totoo nga naman. (if we do like OT, the day will come when our world will be full of blind and deaf!" It's true. Hindi kapayapaan ang iiral kundi paghihiganti! There will be no peace but vengeance!) 

That's why Jesus is universalizing the love of OT, when he said, “ibigin Ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway, at idalangin Ninyo ang mga umuusig saiyo” Maari bang ibigin ang kaaway? Mahirap ngunit posible! Is it possible to love the enemy? Difficult but possible! It is possible because true love is not a feeling. A book I read said: “Loving is willing not feeling!” You love to love! You love someone not because you "feel" that you love him/he loves you. 

Why do we need to forgive? 1. Because we are Christians, Forgiving our enemy is a command of the Lord and a CONDITION of our own forgiveness. “If you don’t forgive your enemy, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you.”  The nature of our God is love. 

2. To be happy we need to forgive. Hatred is a destructive emotion. It poisons our moments of peace and contentment, it causes stress, and affects the nervous system, sleep patterns, heart and circulatory system. There is a group called “No love, no stress”. When you forgive there is no stres

3. The nature of our God is love: Jesus gave a perfect example, that is God the father, “sapagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa masasama at sa mabubuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa mga banal at sa mga makasalanan.” Subukan mong magmahal katulad ng pagmamahal sa iyo ng Diyos. Magmahal ka hindi lamang sa mga taong mahal mo ngunit maging sa mga kaaway mo.

Sometimes we need to educate our hearts. Many of us are brokenhearted because our love is only at the feeling level. Try to love as God loves you, be generous, do not be possessive, do not be rigid in love. Love not only the people you love but also your enemies.

St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, reminds us that, “The way to love has a name: it is sacrifice.” Love is above all, the gift of oneself. That’s what Jesus did: Jesus loved each one of us so much that he sacrificed His life for us. When we think of the great sacrifice that God Himself made for us, can we not make small sacrifices throughout our day for Him? Some people used to say: “Father, I’ve forgiven her already, but I don’t want to see her face!” I have forgiven but I cannot love like the old times,  Is there someone you cannot forgive? Or you’re not in talking terms with for months and years?

1. The first is to avoid revenge. Don’t think of retaliation. Be patient! Give time! We should never let ill feelings reside in our hearts. But we should open our hearts to understanding and forgiveness. Our hearts should never be closed to them – available for listening. Jesus is teaching us to avoid biases and prejudices. He urges to get rid of the “likes and dislikes” attitude.

2. The second is to pray for them. “idalangin Ninyo ang inyong mga umuusig sa inyo”. What Jesus wants here is to wish them good. Bless them. It is to see goodness in them. We should still think of their well-being. People believe in black spirits and superstitions, they wish them to curse them. We should still believe in their goodness. Best way to love is to remember them in the Eucharist. The second reading tells, “tayo na tayoy bumubuo ng isa lamang katawan at ang ating mga pamayanan ay mga templo ng Diyos. The division is like breaking God’s temple. Like the body of Christ is one, parts many. 

3. Performing small acts of kindness: I love you means nothing without action. Anyone can say these words, but the only one who cares about you, will show it. Jesus says: “Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow (vv. 41-42). Love is to do good things at all times and for everyone. Love is to give the best and to the maximum.

Choose to be brave: Ang kabaliktaran ng LOVE ay hindi HATE kundi… FEAR! Totoo ito, takot lang tayong magmahal kung kaya’t poot at pag-aalinlangan ang namamayani sa ating mga puso.  Brave ones will fight fear. There is a saying, “do not be afraid to love again. Everyone isyou’re your ex”. Someone will say, “I will never fall in love, I experienced great failures” Huwag tayong matakot na mahalin ang ating sarili.  Huwag tayong matakot na mahalin ang ating kapwa.  HUwag tayong matakot na mahalin ang Diyos. Tandaan natin na tayong ay kanyang “inamorata” (beloved). Minamahal Niya tayong lahat. (The opposite of LOVE is not HATE but… FEAR! It's true, we are only afraid to love that's why hatred and doubt prevail in our hearts. Let's not be afraid to love ourselves. Let's not be afraid to love our neighbor. Let's not be afraid to love God. Let's remember that we are his "inamorata". loves all.)

• Is there someone you cannot forgive?

• Or one you’re not on talking terms with for months and years?

Pope John Paul II forgave the assassin Mehmet Ali who was arrested for shooting the pontiff in St. Peter's Square. The pope publicly forgave his assailant. Many other saints nearby your homes are examples of forgiveness. 

All you need is love. Love is all we need.