HYPOCRITE!

August 25, 2010


Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 23:27-32

Hypocrisy: If there is one thing that Jesus cannot stand, it is hypocrisy. Jesus has the strongest words and direct approach in condemning hypocrisy. He doesn’t mind offending the sensibilities and pricking the conscience of people as he hits hard on the hypocritical practices, tendencies and attitudes of the society. The entire chapter 23 in the Gospel of Mathew presents to us Jesus’ deploring of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes.

Hypocrisy is duplicity and deception. Even God finds himself helpless in healing a hypocrite. In this sense, hypocrisy is a sin more dangerous than other mortal sins. The hypocrite lives in a world of deception, he deceives himself and others. He is characterized by a split personality, a fake persona, and a deceptive look. His heart wallows in decay and death. His mind and conscience is enveloped in thick darkness of selfishness and self-righteousness. He is a den of the devil that appears in the garb of an innocent child. Even as his heart is rotting and fuming with evil, he has the most attractive smile and the life-style of a saint. He appears to be the standard bearer of holiness. Jesus uses the image of a whitewashed tomb to depict the hypocrite. A well decorated tomb is a beauty to behold. The expensive stones and carvings, the serene surrounding of green grass carpets… indeed, a tomb well kept and decorated is pleasing to the eyes. Yet, the externals of the tomb are just cover-ups of the rotting flesh, the decaying bones and the frightening darkness that lies within. Such is the case with the hypocrite: He is a walking tomb—a glittering, shining, adorable personality outside, and a decaying, rotting, dark personality within. He lives in the tomb of his own creation.

Healing not possible: Perfection is his clarion call. He is perfect, and the whole world is imperfect for him. He is impatient with the imperfections of others even as he is happy with the deceptive self. He does not need reform. Grace of God has no place in him. God can work in us if only we admit our sinfulness and beg for His mercy. Hypocrisy is the highest form of sin, because, it is a sin upon sin. On the one hand, a hypocrite indulges in all forms of sin such as envy, hatred, lust, pride, deception, self-gratification, selfishness, corruption and so on, on the other hand he does not feel he is sinful, he covers up his evil, and puts on a garb of holiness before others and God. If you feel you are perfect, the light of Christ cannot penetrate your heart. The forgiving grace cannot come into your life. This is why Jesus cannot stand hypocrisy in any form.

So today, let me stand bare before God, allow him to search out my heart—my inner feelings, thoughts, fears, anxieties, corruption and self-righteous mentality. Let me open wide the door of my heart, mind and life and admit my sinfulness, weaknesses and imperfections. Let the grace of Christ melt away the duplicity and deception within me, let His light shine upon my being that I may be made whole and clean. Let my steps lead me to the sacrament of reconciliation today that I may be healed of my hypocrisy of words, attitudes and dealings.

IMPRESSIVE TO JESUS

August 24, 2010
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

John 1:45-51

Nathanael was an impressive person. Andrew found him impressive and brought him to Jesus. Jesus found him impressive, even much before he came to Him, and offered him the vision of great things. Jesus was impressed with this rare quality of Nathanael: his innocence, non-duplicity and truthfulness. In the course of events, Nathanael became a changed person. He was now fully impressed with Jesus. He committed his life for Him. From a casual visit to his friend Andrew, Nathanael was led through an unimpressive story about Jesus, to the presence and gaze of Jesus, to the gift of discipleship.

Andrew became the vocation promoter of Nathanael. He employed two tactics in bringing Nathanael to Jesus: Reason and experience. Nathanael took his religion seriously. He knew the scriptures, and cared for the study of scripture. So Andrew opens before him a theological discussion. Since the time Jesus called him, Andrew moved with Jesus, stayed with Him and learned from Him. He was convinced that Jesus is the Messiah whom Israel awaited. Andrew shared with Nathanael this conviction he had, and corroborated it with the strength of scriptural references. Yet, Nathanael is not convinced. Probably he knew the scriptures much better than Andrew. So he stumps Andrew with the question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Andrew stopped the argumentation. He now used the second tactic: Have a personal experience of Jesus—“Come, and see”. Nathanael accepted this call. He went and saw. But he was surprised to realize that even before he had “come” and “seen” Jesus, the Lord has had already “seen” him! Jesus has seen his past and present. He also reveals to him his future—that Jesus and Nathanael will have the same destiny! Nathanael complimented the vision of Jesus with His commitment to follow Jesus and make His vision true.

We are the apostles of Christ today. Like Andrew, we need to invite people—beginning with those of our friends, relatives and family members—to Jesus. Is it not our experience that we find it difficult to convince them to come to the Lord—to the church, to the daily/Sunday mass and to other sacraments? If you have tried all your catechism and failed to convince people to come to Jesus, try the second tactic of Andrew. Just tell them, “come and see”. We only need to invite them to the Lord. Once they are in His presence, they will be “impressed” by the Lord. He will change them and make them his inner circle of disciples.

As an apostle of Christ, do I take the mission of inviting people to Jesus?
How far does the comment of Jesus “A true child of God, in whom there is no duplicity” apply to me?
When was the last time I realized the gaze of Jesus in my life?

DISCIPLINED DISCIPLES

August 22, 2010

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7.11-13; Luke 13:22-30


“Enter through the narrow door.” (Luke13:6)

'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines the ones whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he accepts’. (Heb 12:11)



The narrow door: In Bethlehem, one experience that the pilgrims cannot forget is entering the grotto of the nativity. The door way of the grotto leading to the spot where the birth of the Savior took place is so low and narrow that you cannot get in unless you bend and stoop down as you pass through the door. Once you are inside, you come face to face with the unimaginable grace of God in witnessing the spot where incarnation took place. The door of the grotto was designed in order to prevent unwanted elements entering the grotto. It reminds us of the call of Jesus, “enter through the narrow door”, “wide is the door that leads to destruction.” In and by His incarnation, Jesus made an opening in heaven, and now we are invited to enter life through the door Jesus opened for us.

Jesus, the door: The door of heaven is Jesus Himself. He said, “I am the gate of the sheep. My sheep come in and go out through me”. This is why we believe that apart from Christ there is no salvation. No amount of struggle, knowledge, spiritual practices and self-chastising would find us in heaven, unless we walk “the way” of Christ and enter through the door of Christ. Through the door of Christ has come upon us grace and mercy.

The cross of Cross of Christ is the way that connects heaven and earth. Everyone who walks this path will enter the sanctuary of heaven. Indeed, it needs a stooping down and walking on our knees.

Discipline is the way: The narrow gate Jesus refers to is a disciplined way of life. In the second reading, in the letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded lead a life of discipline. To walk through the gate of heaven requires a rigorous life of discipline. Discipline accomplishes two things for us: it refines us and makes us strong. The strength of a person is not in the muscle power, but in the will power. Indeed, what distinguishes us humans from the rest of creation is the will-power we possess.

The difference between a disciplined and undisciplined person is that the former is refined while the latter is wild. An undisciplined person lives by impulses, inclinations and passions. His life is shaped by emotions and feelings. A disciplined person lives by the strength of the spirit, his will power and the dictates of his conscience. Discipline brings in character and long life.

Shake up and shape up: Discipline involves a painful process of self-restraint and shaping up. Putting pressure on the body mind and soul, discipline brings about restrictions and demands sacrifices. Yet, in the light of the greater goals it can achieve, namely in refining and strengthening my life, discipline becomes not a cause of pain but of joy. Discipline shapes me up to enter through the narrow door. It strengthens my weak knees and drooping hands. I fall on my knees and fold my hands before the Lord constantly. “Be strong to stand the trials”, the scripture invites us today.

Imposed discipline: The society imposes discipline on us because that we may be refined and made perfect. The more a parent loves his/her child the more he/she will discipline the child. From the first moments of our birth, with the very first act of life after birth, the cry of the baby, we begin this process of discipline that will last until we enter the gates of heaven. Everyone is happy when they hear the first cry of the baby, for it indicates life. Whatever goal one may set for his/her life, it demands from him a long process of discipline. An athlete would need to control his diet, put pressure on his body and have a rigorous life-style. For us on the way to the gates of heaven, we need also a spiritual life of discipline.

Spiritual exercises: The Lord Jesus, through the Church offers us a program of constant exercises to shape up our spirit. The daily reading of the scriptures, the liturgy of the hours, the regular attendance to the Holy Eucharist and other sacraments, daily devotions, acts of charity and fidelity to the state of life are programs that discipline us. Another way of discipline is given to us in the form of the Ten Commandments. Therein we are demanded of restricting the natural tendencies of our body and mind, and controlling our self-indulgences into the attractions of our senses and the lure of the world.

Trials as discipline: Yet another form of spiritual discipline is that of trials. God allows us trials, difficulties, pains, agonies, temptations and distractions in life because He wants us to be strong. We are often being tested by fire. As gold is tested in fire, so are we purified and refined in trials of life. Trials are not to destroy us. It is comforting to think that trials are signs of God’s love and grace for us. The more we are being loved by God, the more He will purify us that we may become like Him. So, if right now you are in pain or trial, know that you are in grace, in the intimacy of the love of God. Fold your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees… the Lord is leading you through the narrow door!

Thought Capsule:
“The path to paradise is through the cross” –St Rose of Lima.

IMAGE BUILDERS

August 21, 2010
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 23: 1-12


A priest once narrated his experience of how people in his community were competing to honor him. One organization in his parish addressed him as “reverend father”, another one would try to be closer to him and called him “very reverend father”, yet another one would out do them and call him “most reverend father”, and the smartest of all, this organization who patronized him went as far as calling him “almost reverend rather!”

We live in a world crazy with titles and honors. People are known more for their titles than their names and services they render. Jesus strikes at the root of this self-seeking, image conscious culture, when He said, “but for you, do not be called father…. Master… rabbi…., for you have only one Father (who is in heaven), Master and Teacher (the Christ)”. Indeed, all authority and power comes from Him. All glory and praise are due to Him alone. All that we are comes from His generosity and goodness. So if I am a priest, doctor, attorney, teacher or farmer, it is not what qualifies my person and life. What I am is being qualified by the generosity and love of God for me. What I am is a reflection of the perfection of God. It is not I who stands out, but Christ who should be all and in all. The perfection in me is a reflection of the perfection of God. So in my being, body, soul and in all my achievements and failures let me glorify God.

My Identity:
If ever there is one title I can rightfully claim for me, it would be that of a “servant”. Whatever I may be in my profession, I am first and foremost a servant. I am a servant of God and servant of my human family. As a servant, it is my privilege to work and make others happy. I am working not for me—for that becomes a self-service. I am working for my master and Lord. Even as God is my master, every other human being, in whatever condition of life he/she may be, is also my master. I am a servant in as much as I am willing to obey, take orders, and share my time and talents not counting the cost.

Humble and Obedient:
Humility is the mark of a servant of Christ. No wonder, the Church calls a candidate for sainthood in the first phase a “servant of God”. The more he/she proves to be a servant of God, the faster the canonization process is accomplished. Humility leads to obedience. Even when I know those in authority do not lead by example, I remain obedient, because, authority comes from God.

Thought Capsule:
“True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be” –Ralph W. Sockman

YOU ARE INVITED!

August 19, 2010
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 22: 1-14


You are invited! This is not an ordinary invitation, but one so profound, that it can change your life forever. The invitation is comes from the all mighty, all powerful, all encompassing God who is the author and owner of the whole universe, to whom is adoration, praise and worship is due from the entire creation. His invitation is a privilege extended to me. I am invited to His Kingdom, to be part of the grand celebration of life and love. I am invited not because I deserve it, but because I am loved and counted precious in His eyes. He wants me to be with Him. It is His joy that I join Him. My presence delights Him. That’s how much He loves me. Yes, the fact that I come to God indicates the inspiration He has given me first, than the sacrifices I take to make myself present to Him. “Unless the Holy Spirit inspires, nobody can come to God.”

I do! God never fails to inspire me. But how do I respond to His call? It may be that I am too focused on the daily chores of my life I do not find time to act on His invitation. I may be too busy with my work building up a business or working out a project so crucial that I do set aside his invitation in the “attend later” folder. It could be that I am spending all my energies and resources in building up relationships—mending , repairing, and strengthening relationships—that I have no time right now to attend to the inspirations, invitations and the commitment to God’s call. Or maybe, I’m too focused on the mundane, the material existence that I do not even hear His voice speaking to me in my heart and conscience. No, I’ve listened to His call and responded generously. I have said yes to Him on the very crucial phases of my life. Yet, my life today does not show the proof of my fiat. I do not care to honor the positive responses (I do’s) I gave to the Lord.

Am I dressed up? In most occasions, however, I do take His word and call seriously. I take time to read His Word, attend the daily sacrifice of the mass and commit myself to His mission. I am happy to present myself in His presence. Wait a moment: “where is my royal garment?” In baptism I was given a white garment symbolizing purity and holiness. I was reminded then to keep this purity unstained and wear it until I enter the eternal Kingdom. God is Holy, and nothing unholy can enter His abode. If I feel I am so poor that I have no royal garment with me, and I have no resources today to own one, I only need to approach the Heavenly Father and present my case before Him. He will lead me to His beloved Son who will clothe me with the garment of Grace which was washed clean in His Divine blood. Yes, it is not enough that I have the invitation and I respond to the call, I also need to clothe myself with the sacramental grace and the child-like innocence.

Thought Capsule: “I have never let my baptismal garment of grace stained in my conscious state of life”.
–Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara

Kingdom Workers

August 18, 2010
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 20: 1-16

Employment, salary, security of job, opportunity to work, just wage, bonus, increments, fairness in employment, employer-employee relationships etc are terms that we chew on each day. Indeed, these are to us more than mere terms –these are basic experiences of life which shape our daily living. In the parable of the workers called to work in the vineyard, Jesus is proposing the nature of the Kingdom of God which primarily rests on the generosity, kindness and justice of God. This parable alludes to the nature of God and His mission in which He has called us to participate.

Work: To work is the right of every person. One of the first commandments man has received after the fall was the command to work: “Earn your bread by the sweat of your brow” (Gen 3:17,19). God is the archetype of work. He is always at work in the universe. The kingdom of God is a project God has initiated which needs enormous labor for its fulfillment. Idleness, laziness and neglect of labor are crimes against the creator who has given us the call to work.

Opportunity to work: Even as we may not find the “ideal atmosphere and conditions” for work, we will never miss opportunities. Look around: God, who has created you, has prepared circumstances for me to work. I don’t have to lament and feel ruin my life for the lost opportunities in life. It could be that I have wasted the mornings (childhood), noon (early adulthood and middle age) and even find no sense of purpose in the afternoon (late adulthood) of my life. Even in the evenings of my life, if only I am willing I can hear the call of God to work in His kingdom: to be productive, useful, and fruitful. It is comforting to know that God has found me fit to work for Him. What a great feeling to realize that I can start over from where I am right now, no matter what little resources I may have, what my past life experiences might have been, and what little strength is left within me! With God’s call in our heart, we are bound to make it, and find our evenings and nights pleasant, rewarding and fulfilling.

Rewards assured: A laborer deserves his payment (Lk 10:7; 1 Tim 5:18). Our God is a just God. If ever there is something that clouds His justice, it is His generosity. Oh, yes! The generosity and kindness of God is so great that we find His justice incomprehensible. Nobody can outdo the generosity of God. And nobody can match His justice. His rewards are just and always fair. He does not give us what we deserve, but what we need. Often times I become, irritated, frustrated and impatient with the experiences of “unfair treatment” and “unjust rewards” from God. This is because I tend to compare myself with others. The promise is not that I will get more than what others have, but I will get what I need. God knows, He alone knows, my resources, strength and weaknesses. He knows my needs. Let me appreciate what I have received rather than feeling jealous of what others have. Comparing myself with others is the best formula for a dissipated, unhappy life.

Thought Capsule:

No one can go back and change a bad beginning,
but anyone can start now and create a successful ending.

PERFECTION AND POSSESSIONS

August 16, 2010
Monday Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 19:16-22

The young man who came to Jesus had all the qualities that would have made him a saint. He took his faith and religion seriously. He meticulously practiced the moral code. He observed the Ten Commandments since his early childhood. He was attracted to Jesus, and took His counsel on matters of perfection. He came to Jesus with his great desire to grow in spirituality. He was more than an average disciple. He was moved with the desire to be perfect. And Jesus loved him for his spiritual quest.

Yet he lacked one thing. He was “possessed” with material things. He had many possessions, indeed. And Jesus prescribed what he should do. Liberate himself from the possessions. Sell everything, give to the poor and come, follow Jesus. But this was not something the young man expected from Jesus, much less from his part prepared to do. He went away sad and depressed. He would never be happy again. For, he was under the control of possessions.

I am like the young man. I take my religion seriously. I delight in encountering the Lord. I admit my imperfections. I count the sacrifices I make in keeping the commandments of God. In spite of the fact that I devote much of my time for the Lord, I still find that there is something lacking in me. I do not feel being complete. This is why I ask the Lord, “what more shall I do?” My soul wants to do more, to be more perfect.

The Lord loves such a thirsting heart for perfection. And He has the remedy. But am I ready and prepared to accept His prescriptions? Do I not feel that the Lord is too demanding? Jesus strikes at the root of my vulnerability, insecurity and attachments. I came so close to perfection and I miss the grace.

I realize now that what I had was just “wishful thinking”. I wish if I could be perfect. But I lack the fire and motive to become perfect. Even as I find the struggle within, I enjoy my state of “possessions”. I am too attached to many of my possessions such as money, prestige, power, sensuality, unhealthy relationships and fatal attractions.

My desire for perfection and the initiative in taking the matter with the Lord itself turns out to be an exercise of “feel-good spirituality”. I feel good in recounting with the Lord that I am a good, practicing Catholic, making many sacrifices and sparing much of my time for the practice of my faith. I just want the Lord to approve what I do and tell me He is happy with me, that I am perfect already. I would be happy if He would tell me to multiply the prayers and other spiritual practices. An admiration and approval from the Lord is all what I seek. I least expect Him to tell me that there is something seriously lacking in me and that I should make radical changes in life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me a desire for perfection. Tell me Lord, what more shall I do today in the path of perfection. Give me the courage and strength to let go of my possessions.

Thought Capsule:
The more I grow in perfection, the more imperfections I will notice within me.
The more imperfect I am the more imperfections I will find in others.