Faith and humility go together! (Luke 7: 36-50)

 Faith is the ultimate virtue, 

The sinful woman in the Gospel and St. Paul in the first reading invites us to acquire a strong and unshakable faith through acts of humility. Faith and humility go together. Faith can never be expressed through pride. 

How a Sinful woman can possess this alabaster jar with fragrant ointment. A jar was often presented to a young woman by her parents as a gift to give her betrothed as a sign of commitment. It was also often used to anoint bodies for burial. It was designed to be broken open only once, with great intention. Probably lonely, she decided to use it as a precious gift, the pride of her family, which she applied with love and passion. 

How can we grand things? Greatness in faith comes through small acts of love and surrender, not through extraordinary achievements. Instead of performing grand things, we should focus on small acts of love, sacrifice and service. 

Paul was great in Corinth, but he says he is unfit to be called an Apostle, he feels guilt for what he did to the Church.   

Faith would bear fruit, only when we embrace humility. The Pride is like a thermite, it will make the essentials empty. 

Exalted vulnerability - Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, celebrated today, has deep historical and theological significance in the Christian tradition. It commemorates the discovery and veneration of the True Cross, upon which Jesus was crucified, as well as the broader theological meaning of the cross as the ultimate symbol of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

A. Historical Background

(1) Discovery of the True Cross: In the early 4th century, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, embarked on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Around 326 AD, she is believed to have discovered the True Cross at the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, Golgotha. According to tradition, three crosses were found, and the one believed to be the True Cross was identified when a dying woman was healed after touching it.

(2) The Dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre: After St. Helena’s discovery, Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of two basilicas on the site of the crucifixion and resurrection—one at Golgotha and the other at the site of Jesus’ tomb, now known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The dedication of these churches in 335 AD marked the first celebration of the Exaltation of the Cross.

(3) The Recovery of the Cross from the Persians: In 614 AD, the True Cross was captured by the Persian Empire during an invasion of Jerusalem. It remained in Persian hands until 628 AD when the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius recaptured it. Tradition holds that Heraclius personally carried the cross back to Jerusalem, where it was again exalted and venerated.

The whole history of salvation is located between the images of two trees; the tree of knowledge that is found in the book of Genesis. The cross is made up of a wooden tree. 

The reason why Jesus died on a cross or a tree is that, in the very beginning, man stole from the tree, God put back on the tree for you and me to undo everything that was done in the beginning.

His hands are pierced because our hands stole from the tree, 

his feet were pierced because the first messianic prophecy involves the feet

right his side is pierced because Eve came from the side, so he is making atonement for Eve one who led into temptation,     

crown of thorns on his head why?

the curse of creation is that "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return". the ground produces thorns and thistles, he is literally taking the curse on his head to reverse it and restore the blessing. 

C. Vulnerability on the cross

The paradox of the cross is that on it hangs our vulnerability.

(1) The cross is the symbol of vulnerability that provides healing: The first reading (Numbers 21:4-9) shows how the Israelites, bitten by serpents due to their lack of faith, are saved by looking at the bronze serpent lifted up by Moses. This foreshadows Christ’s own lifting up on the cross in John 3:13-17, where He is offered as a remedy for sin. Just as the Israelites found healing in something that seemed like a curse (a serpent), we find redemption through Christ’s crucifixion – a symbol of vulnerability and weakness. It is through this vulnerability that God’s love and mercy are exalted, as the very thing that looks like defeat becomes the instrument of salvation.

(2) The cross as the ultimate act of humility: In the alternative reading (Philippians 2:6-11), St. Paul tells us that Christ “emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave” and “became obedient to death, even death on a cross.” The cross reveals the vulnerability of God who chose to become one of us, suffer, and die for our sake. It is in this self-emptying love that Christ is exalted. His humility – descending into human frailty – becomes the path to glory, showing us that in our weakness, we too can share in His exaltation. True power is not in domination but in humble, sacrificial love.

(3) The cross as the path to new life: In the gospel reading, we hear the familiar words: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” The cross is the ultimate expression of this love – a vulnerable gift that brings eternal life to all who believe. The exaltation of the cross reminds us that vulnerability and suffering, when embraced with faith, lead to resurrection and new life. We are called to embrace our own crosses, trusting that God transforms our suffering and weakness into opportunities for grace and redemption.

The cross stands as a paradox of strength in vulnerability, victory in suffering, and life in death. It is a reminder that God’s greatest power is revealed in what the world sees as weakness. Through the exaltation of the cross, we are invited to follow this path of humble love, trusting that we too will be lifted up in Christ.

Tuesday of the Fifth week of Lent, April 8, 2025

As we approach Holy Week, this week’s readings begin to draw our attention to three expressions and key images connected to the Passion of Jesus. 

1. The image of God who is reprimanding and disciplining the people of Israel: We are fed up with the continuous images of God, the merciful Father, and compassionate Jesus saving an adulterous woman, but today reminds us the figure of a punishing God. God’s mercy/ judgment are inseparable. 

The people are disgusted with the daily Mannah; the first day it was attractive to the eyes and beautiful to the senses, but they are tired of the daily food, tasteless. They start complaining or murmuring against providence. Now the Lord who saved them from slavery sent serpents. They died. We have a God who is sending the serpents which are the symbols of temptations to teach us the lesson. This is also an important aspect of our education. Otherwise, we don’t learn, God wants the people to enjoy the promised land where honey and milk overflow. The ordination journey should not be a cakewalk, walking on flowers, days must pass through the desert experience, snakebites. 

2. The second key image is the Cross: God shows the compensation, the bronze serpent should be lifted those who see, will get a life. It prefigures the Cross of Jesus. This is the beauty of the love and mercy of God over justice. For the sins of the people, he puts on his own son, died and show to them and give them life. 

In the First Reading: “Those who looked at the serpent did not die.” In the Gospel: “Those who look upon the lifted-up Son will not die.” In the Gospel of John, “seeing” also means believing (cf. John 20:22). For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins. If you believe that I am you will live. Let every glance at the Cross become for us not just a reminder of suffering but a call to believe, to be healed, and to live in communion with the Father.

3. The third key image is the Pole: The next time you see an ambulance, look for the blue symbol of a snake wrapped around a pole. The staff of Moses, the cross of the priest, Jesus, the eternal priest. God does not want the snake to be an instrument of salvation; he wants Moses to raise it. He wants Moses to intercede with the people. The priesthood is the key we need to make responsible for us, which is not a joke,  

Trusting in God’s Guidance

Saint Teresa of Kolkata, Memorial

1 Corinthians 3:18-23. Luke 5:1-11

We all have our limited experiences – experiences of hitting the wall, reaching the dead end, and touching the bottom of the well. In such circumstances, we are called to look up to God and trust God’s guidance. Today’s readings offer us profound lessons on the importance of trusting God’s guidance over our understanding. They remind us that true wisdom and fulfilment come from following God’s direction, even when it challenges our human reasoning.

1. The Wisdom of God vs. The Wisdom of the World

In the first reading (1 Corinthians 3:18-23), St. Paul warns us not to be deceived by the wisdom of this world. He challenges the Corinthians – and us – to become “fools” in the eyes of the world so that we may be truly wise in God’s eyes. The world often values intelligence, status, and self-reliance, but Paul reminds us that these can be stumbling blocks if they lead us away from trusting in God.

Trusting in God’s guidance means recognizing that His wisdom surpasses our own. It requires humility, acknowledging that our human understanding is limited and that God’s ways are higher than ours. By surrendering our pride and relying on God’s wisdom, we open ourselves to His divine plan, which ultimately leads to true wisdom and life.

2. Obedience Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense

The gospel reading (Luke 5:1-11) illustrates the power of trusting in God’s guidance through the story of Peter and the miraculous catch of fish. After a night of fruitless fishing, Peter is tired and skeptical when Jesus tells him to lower the nets again. Yet, despite his doubts, Peter obeys Jesus’ command and is rewarded with an overwhelming catch.

This passage teaches us that trust in God often requires us to act in faith, even when His instructions seem illogical or contrary to our own experiences. Peter might have thought how come a carpenter order a fisherman! Peter’s obedience, despite his initial hesitation, demonstrates the blessing that comes from trusting in Jesus’ word. We are reminded that God sees beyond our circumstances and knows what is best for us. Our role is to trust and obey, even when it’s difficult or doesn’t make sense.

3. God’s Guidance Leads to Abundance and Mission

Finally, both readings show us that trusting in God’s guidance leads to abundance and a deeper sense of mission. In Luke 5:10, after witnessing the miracle, Peter is called by Jesus to become a “fisher of men.” Peter’s willingness to trust Jesus not only results in a miraculous catch of fish but also in a new calling that will change his life forever.

Similarly, when we trust in God’s guidance, we experience His blessings in ways we might not have imagined. But more than that, we are often called to participate in His work in the world. Trusting in God opens us to His purpose for our lives, leading us to serve Him and others in ways that bring true fulfilment and joy.

Reflection on Mother Teresa

As we consider the theme of trusting in God’s guidance, we can look to the example of St. Teresa of Kolkata, known affectionately as Mother Teresa, whose memory we recall today. Her life was a witness to radical trust in God’s will, even in the face of doubt, hardship, and inner darkness. Despite the challenges she faced, Mother Teresa continued to follow God’s guidance in serving the poorest of the poor, believing that each act of love and service was a response to God’s call. Her legacy teaches us that trusting in God’s guidance often leads us to a life of profound impact, even in the most humble and hidden ways.