Faith

Little words, big message – Wednesday, 22nd week in ordinary time – Lk 4:38-44

Often, a little word as small as ‘all’ may be lost to us in a narrative; ironically that is perhaps the most important word in a narrative or pericope. The Gospels were not written to give us a biography of Jesus but rather a post resurrection faith narrative. The primary purpose of the Gospel was not just to cover a couple of ‘where did Jesus go’ and ‘what did Jesus do’ but a communication of faith to a community of believers.  

We are studying the Gospel of Luke and clearly Luke’s audience is a Gentile one. Keep in mind that Luke is a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys and there was no greater champion for the Gentile mission than St Paul. And so plays out this little word “all”, for Luke wants to show that Jesus had come for all and “all those who were sick came to Him” and He laid His hands on “each of them.” The Gospel of Luke is inclusive, no one is left out.

However within this greater “all” of the Gospel of Luke, a certain preferential option on the part of Jesus is out on display. This is seen in particular for women, the marginalised and the poor. Jesus, having left the synagogue now arrives at Simon’s house. Curiously you will notice that in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has first visited Simon’s house, who having experienced this encounter and the subsequent one of the great catch will then be drawn into Jesus net of disciples. For Luke, it is the “being” with Jesus that draws one closer to discipleship.

The miracle performed by Jesus in Simon’s home over his mother in law may seem a bit trivial to a modern mind. Today, a paracetamol can easily cure even a high fever but paracetamols were a long way coming at the time of Jesus. Not only was every illness linked to a ‘sinful condition’ in a person if not to some sort of ‘demonic possession’ but a fever at the time of Jesus was a deadly affair, often leading to death.  It is to make the power and position of Jesus clear, that Luke will use the words “He stood over her” and “rebuked the fever”.  The healing is instantaneous so much so that Simon’s mother in law got up and began to serve “them”.

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Art/ Heritage

MARY, A MASTERPIECE: ‘The Expulsion of Joaquim from the Temple’ by Domenico Ghirlandaio (1486 -90)

Definitely there is something about Mary! A woman called blessed for generations, the mostly highly favoured one of God and the crown of His creation. For ages the faithful have gathered around her devotional care and sought comfort in her motherly mantle. She is hailed with titles and honoured with pilgrimages. Her maternal protection is invoked upon through rosaries, novenas and the scapular.

Mary, the purest lily, the brightest star, has also enamoured artist of all times who attempted to mirror the beauty of her soul in their brilliant works of art. And yet, could the human mind ever do justice to God’s Masterpiece? As we journey towards the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum invites you, through a series of eight paintings, to admire and absorb the goodness and grace of the Blessed Virgin – the perfect Masterpiece of Christ redemption.

It all began in the little Jewish town of Nazareth. The Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah) also known as the Festival of lights was at hand. It commemorated the rededication of the Temple altar by Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C. It was a day of great solemnity and delight for the people of Jerusalem. All the men in the city had gathered under the grandeur of the magnificent Temple built by Solomon to offer their choicest gifts to the Almighty.

Among them was Joaquim, a pious and just man, who was blessed with wealth and still a richer heart. As he joyfully made his way to the altar of sacrifice, people whispered and grumbled. However Joaquim was blissfully unaware of this. He heard not the scorns and felt not the disapproval. Absorbed by the song in his heart and the thanksgiving in his soul, he lifted up his prized lamb and offered it to the High Priest.

Aghast, the High Priest turned his face and despised Joaquim saying: ‘Thou art not worthy to enter into the Temple for you have not conceived a child for Israel.’ As wandering bleats surged the air, the crowd nodded in agreement. With a turbulent mind and a wounded heart, Joaquim covered his face in shame. As the attendant hurried him out of the Temple, Joaquim clutched his beloved lamb ever closer to his heart.

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Faith

Resident evil- Tuesday, 22nd Week in ordinary time – Lk 4:31-37

Jesus is back in Capernaum, an important trade city (polis) with a population of fifteen thousand which was located on the north western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is here that he had previously worked ‘some miracles’ and would have by now most certainly be known to its inhabitants. His near death experience by a half crazed mob in his hometown of Nazareth is now behind Him and He is undeterred in His mission to liberate all those who are oppressed by the powers of evil.

On a Holy day, the Sabbath, the ‘Holy One of God’ confronts an evil spirit in the synagogue. It is interesting to note that this man was sitting in the synagogue, perhaps every Sabbath, with a demon in him. It would be foolishness to believe that the evil one stays out of a holy place or a holy person. The child sex abuse in the Catholic Church is evidence enough of the ‘demons’ in many men who dedicated their life to holiness. The devil spares none!

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