FOCUS ON THE PRIORITY and ignore the rest (Mt 17:22-27)

Do you know about the 'Tax Amnesty Act' in the Philippines? It is one of the Major acts and legislation recently signed by President Marcos. He has signed for a new two-year extension of the estate tax amnesty for the people, they tell more than one million Filipino families will get benefited from this amnesty act. 

At the same time, some criticize that President Marcos has a big number of unpaid estate taxes, it is to avail himself of unpaid estate taxes.

Tax governance was one of the important issues of the government. 

Today's Message from Jesus is "Let the little things never take the place of greater things in our life". 

Jesus was concerned about the greater things. For Him, the little things could be settled or ignored, instead of fighting upon. 

In today’s Gospel, the priority or focus for Jesus is to embrace the crucifixion, “to be handed over to men, and die”. He had clarity in his goal. That is why he did not spend time-fighting against the rules which were oppressing the poor people like the tax burden by the Roman Govt.

In today’s readings, Moses and Jesus are preparing the people for the kind of life, where we need to clarify the priority in our life; "to love and serve the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul". 

Do not Give time for useless debates, and try to solve the big issues (to our eyes) in a simple way. 

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world”. 

• Many times we fix the priority as our goals, but spend time worrying about small things. 
• Today the priority of young men/women is; “What reel in Instagram? How many likes are in this pic?” 
• Small things should not take the place of essential things. 

New consolation! for Isaac and Matthew

 Fri, 7 July 2023/ / / Gen 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67. Mt 9:9-13.

1. The events at Abraham’s home move fast. Sarah dies. Sarah’s tomb is the first property of Abraham in the Promised Land. Thus, God’s promise is getting fulfilled. Isaac becomes a young adult. Abraham bids his servant to find a spouse for Isaac from his own kin. The servant finds Rebekah, who is brought to Abraham’s house. Isaac takes her to the tent of Sarah and marries her. She becomes the consolation to Isaac who has been mourning his mother’s death. From a psychological perspective, after the event of the attempted sacrifice, the boy Isaac would have developed antipathy or anger towards Abraham and might have distanced himself from him. His detachment from his father might have made himself attached to Sarah. Therefore, he is not able to bear Sarah’s absence. In the heart of his heart, he might have felt very lonely. The greatest agony is to feel lonely in our own home. Isaac who is not consoled after Sarah’s death after he embraces Rebekah. Rebekah becomes his new consolation.

2. Jesus encounters Matthew sitting at the tax booth. The name Matthew is the shortened form of Matthathias (‘Gift of God’). He is also called Levi. The type of tax he collected is tax on foreign goods and journeys. He is collecting taxes from the farmers, the merchants, and the caravans that enter the city. Usually the tax collector pays the tax amount to the Roman Procurator in advance, and later collects it or more from others. This work was considered an unclean job. Matthew earns the hatred of his own people. The joy, the money, the contacts with Rome could not console Mattthew. There is a vacuum in him. When Jesus calls him, he immediately leaves everything and follows him – as if he waits for this day. He celebrates this by hosting a dinner to Jesus. Matthew receives new consolation from Jesus. 

3. Isaac, after the death of his mother, gets his new consolation from Rebekah. Matthew, in his life of boredom, hatred, and emptiness, receives new consolation from Jesus. At times in the life of human persons, always God becomes the source of consolation. What is the type of loneliness or emptiness that I suffer from? Jesus comes to give us consolation. What should we do to receive Jesus’ consolation? Like Isaac we need to go out to the fields to see him; or like Matthew, we need to be immersed in our own work. A person who receives God’s consolation is bound to share it with others.

 

God keeps His promise ever!

Thu, 6 July 2023

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time:  Gen 22:1-19. Mt 9:1-8.

There are many researches done on the sacrifice of Isaac in Mount Moriah on Gen 22 and the sacrifice of Jesus in Calvary.  Both are the beloved sons of their Father, Father himself voluntarily accompanies the child to Mount Moriah and Calvary.  

1. Hagar and Ishmael left the house of Abraham. Now, Abraham has only Isaac. God orders Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering – which means at the end of the sacrifice only ashes will remain. Abraham travels with his servants, and Isaac to the mountain which God showed. Abraham might have said to himself that it was a trial or a test not for him, but for God. For, if Isaac is killed God’s promise would go in vain. He was very firm. The only person who was confused was Isaac. Isaac asks, ‘Where is the object for the offering?’ The object itself asks about the object. But Abraham responds, "God himself will provide a sheep for the burnt offering. His Faith was simple like a child, but strong. 

In our life, we worry too much about problems and crises. Remember this is not our plan or project. It is God's plan. He has chosen, called and promised us always. Why to worry? Let us trust God like Abraham trusted Him even at the moment of the big trial. 

God is fulfilling His promises. But Abraham is part of humanity, we are not able to fulfil our promises. We need to listen carefully to God. «Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you». But Abraham comes alone. It is a test for Abraham. But it is also a test for God, God gave his promise in previous chapters, I will make a descendant of Israel. God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him. Many descendants. God promised to bless Abraham and the families of the earth through him.

God wants to take care of humanity. He called you, he promised you, He will save you, no worries! Even though he asks you for the precious treasure of your life, he can send a sheep from the corner of that mountain and save you. We need to experience this love of the father who can keep his promise at any time. 

Abraham knows that Isaac is alive, but the servants do not know. They saw Abraham was alone coming from Moriah, Abraham had a simple but strong trust in God. His answer to Isaac, where is the sheep for the burnt offering?». «Son», Abraham answered, «God himself will provide the sheep for the burnt offering» The servants had a payment trust. Abraham’s position was delicate. What will he answer to Sarah, what will happen to his dream/that he trusts simply without any conditions? 

2. In the gospel reading, Jesus gave a healing to the paralytic man looking at the faith of the people who took the bed and entered the house. Jesus is strange here, he does not enquire about the personal intention of the sick man, "Do you want to be healed?" Our faith is not always individual, but also community oriented. Jesus heals and gives not only physical ailment but also spiritual ailment, the sins. The scribes who witness this are confused. They murmur against Jesus. The scribes too were paralysed in their hearts. At the end, the person laid on the cot is healed. He carries the cot and walks back home. The others are still laid on their cots – crippled in their minds and hearts! The person who is seen by Jesus is healed.

3. In the first reading Isaac was laid on the wood. In the second reading the paralytic was laid on the cot. Both are restored by God, and Son of God respectively. The Lord will see not only on the mountain, but also on the plains. What must we do then? Should we be lying on the cot? No. Even when we are laid on the wood or cot may our eyes be on God. For, since God sees us, he cares for us!

Christians will face the Tribulation

Acts 19:1-8 / Jn 16:29-33

Two months ago, I attended a burial service in which the young widow screamed at her husband's dead body, "How can I live without you?" Then I met her at the 40th-day anniversary mass, she was quite smiling and finding a way to live a new life. We need to go on. We cannot stop our life because of tribulations. 

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord. The readings of this week prepare us for the feast of the Pentecost that we celebrate on the forthcoming Sunday.

In the gospel reading, in the farewell discourse, Jesus tells, ‘In the world you have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.’

Jesus’ approach to suffering is very existential. He approaches suffering as part of existence. All the world religions respond to suffering in a way looking at it as a reality of our life. Suffering is a reality in our life and there is no escaping it. Since the Fall (Genesis 3), suffering has been part of the human condition. Three things are worth noting from Jesus’ words in today's gospel. 

1. There is a tribulation in the world: Jesus says, you will always have trouble and suffering. The term "suffering" comes from the Greek word tlipsis; The noun ‘tlipsis’ comes from the verb ‘tlibow’ which means ‘to squeeze,’ or ‘to compress,’ or ‘to choke’ or ‘to press hard.’ Tribulation puts pressure on us. You will see the Thlipsis word in the blood pressure machine. Jesus says the trouble in your life gives you pressure in your heart. You think always about one thing, when you do not receive this, then you suffer really. 

Buddhism says attachment is the root of all suffering. One is attached to people, material things, and specific outcomes and then you need to suffer.  For Jesus, the attachment does not belong to this world, "I am going to leave this world." 

2. Take heart: Jesus does not advise us to remove our suffering, which is not possible. Be courageous during the time of suffering. For I have conquered the world. He does not give fake hopeful sayings. You will win the sufferings. Only God can win death. We can participate in his resurrection later on his second arrival. 

3. The promise of the Holy Spirit: In the first reading, Paul and his collaborators are coming to the city of Efeso which is a mountain area. Paul asked them «Did you receive the Holy Spirit?». They said, «We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit». The situation of the Catholic people is most of the time like the one of the people of Efesus. Many times this is our answer as well. The Holy Spirit is the forgotten person of the Holy Trinity. It is high time that we thought of him, sought him, and owned him. Holy Spirit strengthens us, encourages us and supports us. 

As we prepare ourselves for the Feast of the Pentecost let us pray for the gift of courage amidst tribulations. May our minds be freed from fear.

WOUNDED HEALER

Tuesday, 9 May 2023 / Fifth Week of Easter / Acts 14:5-18. John 14:21-26.

Henri J. Nouwen, while talking about the spirituality of a diocesan priest, uses the expression ‘wounded healer.’ He reflects that every priest who is a healer at the confessional or in a counseling session is wounded himself; however, he heals others. And since he himself is injured he is able to feel with the wounded.

 

In the first reading, violence is perpetuated on Paul; he was dragged out of the town and stoned by the crowd cruelly. People leave him half-dead. Paul, the wounded apostle, later, Paul rises to join Barnabas and returns to Antioch where he will encourage the believers who are persecuted. Paul sets aside his own sufferings and offers consolation to the suffering. Paul becomes a wounded healer.

 

In the gospel reading, Jesus promises peace to his disciples. At every Holy Mass, we recall this event. Jesus, all along his life, experienced different peace-less circumstances; he was wounded at the cross, scourging at the pillar, and crucified by the soldiers. Since Jesus has experienced anxieties and tribulations he knows the value of peace. Jesus is a wounded healer as well.

 

We all are wounded healers in our homes, workplaces, churches, and society. Though our wounds are still hurting, we extend our hands to heal others.

Jesus, Prince of Peace

1st Reading (Acts 13:26-33):

Gospel (Jn 14:1-6):

God had always cared for the people of Israel: Paul went to the synagogue to comfort his brothers in faith. God sent his Son to fulfill the promises of the OT.

These promises were transformed into a victory of the Resurrected through the absurd happenings of the crucifixion. The success was achieved through a complete defeat.

The Defeated was removed from the face of the Earth, we get a place among the triumphant winners, a place not on the Earth but in Heaven. That place cannot be taken or tarnished by any evil. Jesus asks us to have faith in Divine Providence and His Love in any situation. Nothing should disturb our peace. He / Jesus also had complete faith that the Father would never abandon him. 

Thanks: Zeljka 

Labor's day

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos is going to lead the celebration of the 121st Labor Day and he will launch major job fair activities to provide many local and overseas job opportunities to Filipino workers.

On the same day, in the other part of Manila, more than 10,000 workers will protest asking for their proper rights, daily wage increases, decent work and problems of unemployment. 

1. Work is a vocation of Man: Man is called to work from the beginning. Work is one of the characteristics that distinguish man from the rest of creatures,

Genesis 2:15 – “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” After the human beings committed sin, God cursed them, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground” (Gen 3:19)

God created the world, light and so and so in the universe. Then He created man, and He gave man and woman a mission: to manage, to work with and bring forward creation. To the point that work is none other than the continuation of God’s work: When we work, we are collaborating/participate in the creator’s work. Work as a sharing in the creating activity of God. (தொநூ 1:27, 2:5, 2:15, எபே 2:10) God is creating out of nothing. We create out of something. 

2. Work involves the whole person: And work means any activity by man, whether manual or intellectual. Work involves the whole person; when we work, our body, mind/heart and spirit should be involved. Work cannot be reduced only to manual work. Thomas Aquinas spent his long work only in the library, while Francis of Assisi never dedicated time in the library. 

3. Work brings you near to God: Spirituality of work: work will help people to come closer to God. 

There is a right to rest. In the first place, this involves a regular weekly rest comprising at least Sunday, and also a longer period of rest, namely the holiday or vacation taken once a year or possibly in several shorter periods during the year. Do not be a workaholic, take proper rest: even God rested on sabbath day. Especially in the modern age, the spirituality of work should show the maturity called for by the tensions and restlessness of mind and heart.