Faith

Majoring in Minors – Friday after Ash Wednesday, Isaiah 58:1-9a/Matthew 9:14-15

One Sunday morning during Mass, the congregation was surprised to see two men enter, both covered from head to toe in black and carrying sub-machine guns. One of the men proclaimed, “Anyone willing to take a bullet for Christ, remain where you are.”

Immediately, the congregation fled. Just two people remained in the Church. The man who had spoken took off his hood, looked at the preacher and said, “Okay father, I got rid of all the hypocrites. Now you may continue with the Mass. Have a nice day!” And the two men turned and walked out.

We have just begun the season of Lent and God wants us to purify our intentions lest we go through the season receiving no graces, wondering why we ‘humble ourselves and fast and yet God does not seem to see or take notice’ (Isaiah 30:3) of our spiritual disciplines?

Catholics have just two days of fasting that are mandated by the Church. These two days, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, book end the whole season of Lent. Our fasts during Lent and during the year comes from our personal devotion to God. But a sign with no sincerity like ashes on our head, or a fast with no fidelity, is futile in the eyes of God. It is plain hypocrisy!

In Isaiah chapter 30, Yahweh calls the prophet to address the problem of false religious observance. While chapter 58 highlights two such empty religious observances; namely fasting (vv. 3-12 from the text of today) and Sabbath observance (vv. 13-14 from tomorrows text), the sins of Israel were manifold. God is emphatic, the observance of spiritual disciplines like fasting and keeping the Sabbath has become means of a quid pro quo proposition; a situation in which they can give something in order to receive something. This is nothing short of spiritual arm twisting. Ironically, they desire and even demand to gain God’s blessing while ignoring the hunger, poverty, homelessness, and nakedness of those in need.

The people of Israel have learnt the fine art of majoring in minors. They have learnt how to faithfully keep the lesser parts of the law while neglecting (in Jesus’ later words to the scribes and Pharisees) “the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith” (Matthew 23:23). This is what Lent seeks; not just grand empty gestures but sincerity from the heart.

Our fasting, even though it may be rigorous through lent, is worthless in the eyes of God if it is not matched by a heart that does right by God. In Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, He told how the self-righteous Pharisee made a special point to say, “I fast twice a week” (Luke 18:9-14) yet he did not go away righteous in God’s eyes.

God wants us to be truly devoted to him. This devotion grows naturally out of love for God. People who love God will worship him for the sake of honouring him rather than manipulating him. And if we love God, we will also love those whom God loves, our neighbours. Our love for God and neighbour must be manifested by taking concrete steps to care for those in need; the hungry, poor, homeless and naked.

Do this and you will have life everlasting.

Also take time to read this text which elaborates the Gospel text of today. Click on the title below

BE CALM AND FAST ON- Friday after Ash Wednesday- IS 58:1-9A/MT 9:14-15

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Faith

A personal choice, a pressing choice – Thursday, After Ash Wednesday – Deut 30:15-20/ Luke 9:22-25

I was once approached at Bandra railway station by a street urchin. He was tugging at my trouser begging for alms. It is no secret that there is an organized syndicate where in children are put out to beg for someone with little conscience, sitting round the corner and collecting money on the backs of these children. I chose rather to offer the child something to eat and he took up my offer with a smile on his face.

At the railway canteen I asked him what he wanted and he looked around for a while weighing the choices between the sweets and savouries. Having settled on a savoury he promptly informed the vendor that he would like the spicy sauce over the sweet one to accompany his snack.

I was tickled pink; he had some ‘tough’ choices to make but choose he did, and if I may say, he chose wisely. Our world is filled with choices, especially if we are privileged. We choose an Indian breakfast over a continental one, we choose casual clothing over formals. In fact, we are spoilt for choices. The types of coffees, for example, offered today at any coffee bar would leave our grandparents in shock. The spiritual life too demands us to make a choice. We are asked to choose; life or death, a blessing or a curse.

The text of today is taken from the book of Deuteronomy. The Israelites are in Moab, east of the Dead Sea. They have wandered forty years in the wilderness under Moses leadership, and are facing two significant changes. One is that Moses will soon die, without having entered the Promised Land. The second is that the people will soon cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. Once they cross into the promised land they are on their own. This is an important moment and they have to make a life altering choice. There is no middle ground in the choice given.

Not all choices can be approached flippantly. Choosing vanilla over chocolate at an ice cream parlour is not an agonizing choice. Then there are those that involve long term consequences; a marriage proposal for example has to be examined carefully. The choice that God set before his people was one that required not just application of mind but a dedicated heart. God is asking his people to make a choice for themselves not take a decision for others. God asks his people to make a choice that is personal but one that was pressing.

The choice is personal; Even though God was addressing the people of Israel, he was speaking to every member individually. The personal choice to follow the Lord is reflected in the Gospel of today; “If any of YOU want to become my followers.” Even though the call may be collective the response must be personal and one that is marked by a freedom. But once committed to discipleship, the demands are clear…deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.

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Faith

Lent: the ‘intense’ version or the ‘God will understand one’?

Today, on Ash Wednesday, we begin the holy and grace filled season of Lent. There are two ways we can approach this season; we embrace it entirely, or not at all. There is no half measure in this season. Over the last few years, I have experimented with the intense approach towards Lent and the one that says “God will understand.” I distinctly remember the outcome of both. The intense version seems long and never ending but the graces began to flow somewhere mid-season in Lent and the feeling of Easter was spiritually elevating and exhillirating. Then there is the “God will understand” version which begins with all the exemptions that one can ask for based on age, work schedules, examinations etc. The token spiritual resolutions that we make  get washed away and Lent seems to end before it begins. the Lenten season does not feel dreary or tiresome, it seems like just any other time of the liturgical year.

A few years ago, a young man in the parish told me that he had decided to leave work half an hour early  each day in order to attend daily mass in the evening. What struck me was not the fact that he did not miss a single mass in Lent, what struck me is the deal he made with his employer. In lieu of the half hour that he left early, he worked every Sunday through lent to make up for the time lost. In effect he gave up five Sundays and worked through six weeks of Lent.

Lent must be a season when we set aside every pleasure and joy in order that we may fully devote ourselves to God. Lent cannot be a season of tokenism it has to be rigorous and harsh; it must be the desert with its never-ending dunes of sand, not an Arabian city with lights and entertainment. Understand why you desire to give up so much, it is because you want to give in to God’s call to draw close to him.

While many have traditionally given up eating meat and fish during the season of Lent there are still others who skip a meal every single day. Then there are many those who give up entertainment or alcohol. While I want to advocate these traditional and well tested disciplines of sacrifice, I would like to strongly also urge that this year we add some faith learning and charity.

This is a time when you could attend daily mass. The readings each day at mass are truly enriching. You could also log on to one of the many online teachings that are broadcast each day. If your day is challenging, do this while you travel to work. This year make an effort to take leave and attend a parish mission or a retreat. You may also take time to read and study the scriptures or spend time in prayer at the Blessed sacrament chapel in your parish. If the pious practice of saying the family rosary has faded from your home, revive it.

Besides spiritual growth take time to practice charity. In my former parish of St Jude, Malad East, every person in the parish would participate in the Lenten ‘Vada Pav’ collection. The price of this version of India’s  vegetarian hot dog, costs all of Rs 10. The parish was asked to sacrifice this ever-popular Mumbai snack and save that money as their Lenten sacrifice. This formed part of the Lenten contribution which was given to seminary. Many did more than just this; they would walk from the railway station rather than take a bus or an auto rickshaw using the time say the rosary.

The parish also participated in a Lenten program called Lenten lunches. Pooling in their money, families got together to cook vegetarian meals that were served to the needy outside the Church every Sunday in lent. We churned out hundreds of delicious meals that year while sacrificing our own Sunday lunches.

Find your own things to do and don’t go by what your best friend has set as a spiritual discipline. However, aim high and you know what you are truly capable of. My birthday always falls in the season of Lent and each year in lent I inevitably end up visiting relatives abroad, although for a brief five-day trip. Even if I do have a birthday celebration or make a trip abroad, I keep It modest. While much of life goes on during this season of Lent, those who do embrace the season entirely, feel the difference and sense deeply the presence of God. This lent, give God your all.

I have provided the links of eight articles that I have previously written on the season of Lent or on Ash Wednesday. Do click on the links to read them.

Lent: Jump into the deep end

Rejoice, Lent is approaching

Who told you Lent is all about being miserable?

TEN simple things you can do this Lent (that does not require you to stand on your head)

Why are ashes used on Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday-Loose hypocrisy, not the discipline!- Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18.

Sign with no sincerity – A reflection for Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday – ushering in the lenten season with spiritual disciplines

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Art/ Heritage

SACRED ART IN 100 WORDS -The Flagellation of Our Lord Jesus Christ-William Adolphe Bouguereau, 1880 – Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Rochelle

The painting depicts the compelling agony and brutal pain of Christ being flayed by a whip. His feet are limp. Notice how they give way and droop to the ground. In all vulnerability, Christ submits to His suffering.On either side stand two torturers with their hands and their whipping ropes in mid-swing, ready to strike. The third sits in the foreground, fastening birch branches to fashion yet another instrument of torture. The bystanders include indignant perpetrators, curious spectators, fearful children, and indifferent executioners. Amidst them hangs the radiant Lamb, bound and led to slaughter. AsChrist raises his eyes to His Father, He offers Himself as a ransom for the world, perhaps praying‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’

– Archdiocesan Heritage Museum

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Art/ Heritage

SACRED ART IN 100 WORDS- Christ before the High Priest – Gerrit van Honthorst About, 1617 – The National Gallery, London

The scene is solemn yet threatening. Christ stands before the High Priest, his hands bound, his white robe cut open across his shoulder. Two accusers stand behind the High Priest and stare intently at the prisoner. The High Priest sits on the Judgement Seat, wagging an accusing finger at Jesus, who stands silent yet strong. Notice the irony in the image. While the Book of the Law faces the High Priest, the quill pen leans towards Christ, indicating that He is the author and the fulfilment of the Law. The composition is arranged around an illuminated candle. Yet, Christ is the most radiant in the room, indicating that Jesus is the Light of the World.- Archdiocesan Heritage Museum

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