2011 Oct 1 Sat: Thérèse of Lisieux, v, r, dr M Bar 4: 5-12. 27-29

Ps 69: 33-35. 36-37

Lk 10: 17-24, Mt. 18, 1-4

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ 18He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

21 At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

23 Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’

Reflection:

The Church celebrates the feast of St Theresa of the Child Jesus. Pope Pius XI declared her the patroness of the missions… even though she did not venture into “mission territory” because of her special love for the missions, and her prayers and letters to support missionaries. Today’s readings brim with hope and prosperity, and offer a strategy for work – love and childlike trust in God. St Theresa passed away at the youthful age of 24, but the memory and legacy of her holiness lives on.

Are you cultivating a heart of love for God’s people, and an attitude of trust in God’s plans for your prosperity? What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

2011 Oct 2 SUN: TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 5: 1-7

Ps 80: 9. 12. 13-14. 15-16. 19-20

Phil 4: 6-9

Mt 21: 33-43 

33 ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 34When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. 37Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” 38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” 39So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ 41They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’

42 Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”? 43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.

Reflection:

God has entrusted you and me with the responsibility of tending his Kingdom. That is the level of trust he places in us. We have a choice of either abusing that trust – whereby we become like those wicked tenants who sowed and reaped discord, hatred, violence and sin; or respecting that trust by bringing out the fruits of the Kingdom – justice, forgiveness, charity, joy and peace. If we choose to abuse God’s trust in us, we choose to forfeit his Kingdom.

Are you proud of the trust God places in you? What are your choices that manifest the value you place in this trust?

2011 Oct 3 Mon: Ordinary Weekday Jon 1: 1 – 2: 1-2. 11

Jon 2: 3. 4. 5. 8

Lk 10: 25-37 

25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 26He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ 27He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ 28And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ 30Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ 37He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Reflection:

Jesus does not answer the lawyer’s question, “Who is my neighbour?” We paraphrase his response! “Don’t ask who your neighbour is! Instead be a neighbour to anyone who needs your help. If you have a heart of compassion to rise beyond your private world, to give priority to a helpless soul even if that soul is totally unknown to you, you are being a neighbour. As a neighbour to another you need to transcend all barriers – geographical, linguistic, ethnic, religious… – so as to celebrate true human fellowship. It is manifested in your compassion and your readiness to stake your all for the well being of the other.

2011 Oct 4 Tue: Francis of Assisi, rf M Jon 3: 1-10

Ps 130: 1b-2. 3-4ab. 7-8

Lk 10: 38-42 

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ 41But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

Reflection:

Do you feel the need for self-transformation in some area of your life? When was the last time you made a resolution to better yourself? What is it that motivates you when you desire reform?

The people of Nineveh heeded the words of Jonah and set about repenting and resolving to obey God. However, their fundamental motivation to repent was fear of God’s impending anger against them, and the immanent destruction of their city and their lives. They were externally driven.

St Francis of Assisi resolved to leave behind his rich inheritance, and to live a life of simplicity and poverty by following Jesus, not out of fear, but because he felt the Lord calling him, and his heart was filled with love for the Lord. He was internally driven.

What about you?

2011 Oct 5 Wed: Ordinary Weekday Jn 4: 1-11

Ps 86: 3-4. 5-6. 9-10

Lk 11: 1-4 

11He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ 2He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread.*

4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.

Reflection:

The expression “Lord teach us to pray!” is indicative of the desire for inner spiritual growth. The disciples yearned for this because they had seen John the Baptist give importance to ‘prayer’, and Jesus practise it. They needed no evidence to convince them of the spiritual maturity of Jesus and John. They saw in their lives a passion for God’s holy ways which manifested itself in a prophetic call to repentance, to honesty, to justice, to forgiveness, to love, to freedom, to peace, to health, to wholeness. There was something special about their prayer.

Have you ever wondered what prayer can do to you? The value of prayer can be realized only when you experience its effects. But you will never experience those effects unless you pray. Jesus has given us a

fine recipe for prayer. It is our responsibility to meditate on its implications, live according to its precepts and experience the wholeness it brings.

2011 Oct 6 Thu: Ordinary Weekday/ Bruno, p, h, rf/ Bl Marie-Rose Durocher, v, rf Mal 3: 13-20b

Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6

Lk 11: 5-13 

5 And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” 7And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

9 ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

Reflecton:

Looking around one does get the impression that evil doers not only prosper, but also escape when they put God to the test. It won’t be long before God manifests his power over them. True prosperity does not lie in material comforts; it lies in the peace that comes from having a pure conscience. Therefore it is important to know what exactly you want when you seek prosperity. You may ask God for what you want; he will give you what you need. He knows – even if we don’t know it – that what we need most is the Holy Spirit who helps us keep our conscience pure. And that is true prosperity!

2011 Oct 7 Fri: Our Lady of the Rosary M Jl 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2

Ps 9: 2-3. 6 and 16. 8-9

Lk 11: 15-26, Lk. 1, 26-38

15But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ 16Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. 17But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. 18If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. 19Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. 22But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. 23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

24 ‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but not finding any, it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” 25When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. 26Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.’

Reflection:

After the ascension of Jesus, the apostles went back to the Upper Room and devoted themselves to prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was there in the Cenacle, giving the shattered apostles, who were waiting for the Holy Spirit, hope and strength. That’s what makes the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The feast of the Holy Rosary reminds us that Mary prayed with the apostles. She accompanied them just as she accompanied Christ. She accompanied her Son from the Crib through the years he spent as a Child (the Joyful Mysteries). She was at Cana initiating his first miracle during his public ministry (the Luminous Mysteries). She was walked with him on the way to Calvary, right till the Cross (the Sorrowful Mysteries).

Today she is present in every Contour of our lives, helping us Contemplate the mysteries of the salvation Christ has won for us. So the rosary is not just a prayer TO our Lady as much as it is a prayer WITH our Blessed Mother. She intercedes for us.

Are you losing out on the divine assistance of our Blessed Mother just because you have never reflected on her role, or just because others are sceptical about your devotion to her? Let’s not forget that the Rosary, while Celebrating the Discipleship of our Lady, brings out the Centrality of Christ. And we need both.

2011 Oct 8 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM Jl 4: 12-21

Ps 97: 1-2. 5-6. 11-12

Lk 11: 27-28 

27 While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ 28But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’

Reflection:

What is your criterion for considering yourself blessed? Prosperity preachers hold that material wealth, good health, fame, status, power, and glory are all benchmarks of God’s blessings, and those who don’t have these are under the curse of God. The woman in today’s gospel attributes Mary’s condition of being blessed to her being associated as the mother of the great, sensational, and powerful miracle worker – Jesus. “Wow! It must be a great thing to be a mother of someone so famous,” the woman may have thought. Jesus corrects this woman’s worldly of blessedness, and states that one should consider oneself truly blessed if one finds oneself attuned to God’s word and lives by it on a daily basis. Material prosperity has no worth exclusive of a relationship with God.

2011 Oct 9 SUN: TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 25: 6-10a

Ps 23: 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6 (6cd)

Phil 4: 12-14. 19-20

Mt 22: 1-14 

22Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 14For many are called, but few are chosen.

Reflection:

In the rat-race of life, people aim to get to the topmost notch. The desire is to get maximum profit, highest levels of comfort, greatest amount of satisfaction, the best of facilities, instant gratification; everything must be superlative vis-à-vis success.

If this is what you are busy with in life, be warned that you might just miss out on the 100 per cent God is freely dishing out to you, just as those busy people in today’s gospel missed out on their 100 per cent by turning down the wedding invitation of the king. “Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.” We need make no effort to procure this super abundance of God, except making time to celebrate God’s goodness and generosity at his banquet of healing in the sacrament of reconciliation; in the Eucharist; in the practices of piety; in prayer.

Are you still too busy looking in the wrong places for what you actually want, when God is making it available for free?

2011 Oct 10 Mon: Ordinary Weekday Rom 1: 1-7

Ps 98: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4

Lk 11: 29-32 

29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! 32The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

Reflection:We Christians should consider ourselves the most blessed of the human lot because we have received the inheritance of eternal life by the faith we profess in Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus condemned the faithlessness of the unbelieving Jews and pronounced them as an evil generation because they asked for

a sign. Would they believe given one more sign, when they refused to believe in him despite the many signs he had already performed?

So why are we the lucky ones? We are lucky because we are recipients of the fundamental sign, which was Jesus’ seal over all the signs he had ever performed – his Resurrection. What more do we need to stop doubting and start believing?

2011 Oct 11 Tue: Ordinary Weekday Rom 1: 16-25

Ps 19: 2-3. 4-5

Lk 11: 37-41 

37 While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. 38The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.

Reflection:

Often when we are filled with dirt on the inside, we try to embellish the outside by spending unwarranted time and energy on our looks, our dressing, our name, fame and glory. When we rid ourselves of greed and wickedness, and cultivate spiritual values of generosity and love, we truly become good on the inside, and genuinely begin to look good on the outside too. Do you count yourself a Pharisee, or do you count yourself in the ranks of Jesus?

2011 Oct 12 Wed: Ordinary Weekday Rom 2: 1-11

Ps 62: 2-3. 6-7. 9

Lk 11: 42-46 

42 ‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practised, without neglecting the others. 43Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honour in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the market-places. 44Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.’

45 One of the lawyers answered him, ‘Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.’ 46And he said, ‘Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them.

Reflection:

BEWARE

of the sin of convenience over obligation. It was convenient for the Pharisees to pay their tithes, and they did it, but they did not fulfill their obligation of imparting justice and love.

of the sin of desiring prominence and demanding respect. Respect is commanded by your integrity, not demanded by your authority. Prominence is only a by-product.

of the sin of deception over transparency. When you disguise your evil inclinations, you could be the pitfall for many who are misled by you.

of the sin of hypocrisy. Don’t demand standards from others which you cannot keep yourself.

Are you on the side of sin or of virtue?

2011 Oct 13 Thu: Ordinary Weekday Rom 3: 21-30

Ps 130: 1b-2. 3-4. 5-6ab

Lk 11: 47-54 

47Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. 48So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute”, 50so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, 51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. 52Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.’

53 When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile towards him and to cross-examine him about many things, 54lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

Reflection:

Making mistakes is normal. Not learning from mistakes is foolish. Not only did the Pharisees not learn from the mistakes of their ancestors, they were in the process of making an even graver one… which they eventually did. What sense did it make for them to build tombs for people killed by their ancestors, under the presumption that these slain men were prophets, when their ancestors did not consider them prophets? The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were repeating their ancestors’ sins – nay they were committing a greater one – when they positioned themselves to slaughter the very Son of God.

What do you do with mistakes – your own as well as those of others?

2011 Oct 14 Fri: Ordinary Weekday/ Callistus I, pp, mt Rom 4: 1-8

Ps 32: 1b-2. 5. 11

Lk 12: 1-7 

12Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered in thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. 2Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 3Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

4 ‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell , Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Reflection:

God’s authority over our lives goes farther than our authority over the extent to which we try to preserve our own bodies. We often mistakenly believe that taking care of the body means preserving life. But life is much more than our mortal bodies. The essence of life and its eternal value is in the immortal soul. So while the soul resides in the body during our earthly life, we need to attend to its salvation even if we have to pay the price of giving up our bodies. That is why Jesus said: “…do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more.” People who accepted martyrdom allowed their bodies to be subjected to the authority of their murderers, because they knew that their souls were secure in the authority of God.

Do you still fear?

2011 Oct 15 Sat: Teresa of Avila, v, r, dr M Rom 4: 13. 16-18

Ps 105: 6-7. 8-9. 42-43

Lk 12: 8-12 

8 ‘And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; 9but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.’

Reflection:

Have you had the experience of justifying yourself for something you did right, but which did not go down well with your parents, spouse, friend, or boss? For many, this is quite an ordeal considering the tricky questions put forth by the questioning party, and the sharp arguments one has to muster to counter them. Oh, it could be gruelling!

Jesus tells us that we can rest free from this ordeal when we have to justify our faith in him, when fundamentalists challenge us. If we live our lives according to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, this Divine Advocate will take charge of justifying our cause in the faith.

Are you planning a defence of you faith… or will you rest secure in the assured help of the Spirit?

2011 Oct 16 SUN: TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 45: 1. 4-6

Ps 96: 1. 3. 4-5. 7-8. 9-10 (7b)

1 Thes 1: 1-5b

Mt 22: 15-21 

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. 20Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ 21They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

Reflection:

The Pharisees and Herodians thought they could outsmart Jesus with their deviousness. Would he deny the authority of Caesar so that they could have the Romans arrest him or would he deny the authority of Yahweh, the only King of the Jews?

Little did they realize that Jesus could read through their wickedness! His response is a classic way between a dilemma: Obedience to societal law – when it addresses the common good – and obedience to God need not be mutually exclusive.

Today’s challenge for us: professing our allegiance to God versus the alluring standards of the world. We have to make hard choices. We have to refrain from compromising on morals, values, principles…, and from doing anything unlawful in the eyes of God, even if it is legal in the eyes of society.

2011 Oct 17 Mon: Ignatius of Antioch, bp, mt M Rom 4: 20-25

Lk 1: 69-70. 71-72. 73-75

Lk 12: 13-21 

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ 14But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ 15And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ 16Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” 18Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” 20But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” 21So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’Reflection:

The foolish rich man stored an abundance of grain in his barns as his life insurance. But the future he envisaged for himself was never to be. God had different plans for him.

The rich man was a “fool” because he forfeited his past and his future. The rich man spent his youth in the pursuit of being rich. He never had the chance to enjoy his retired life because God “foreclosed” his earthly life; and he was not prepared life here-after.

The parable ends with the charge to be rich towards God. Are you investing in your heavenly future by being generous towards God in the needy TODAY? It’s now or never!

2011 Oct 18 Tue: Luke, ev F 2 Tm 4: 10-17b

Ps 145: 10-11. 12-13. 17-18

Lk 10: 1-9 

10After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. 3Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” 6And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

Reflection:

“Luke alone is with me.” These words of St Paul reveal his feeling of consolation that Luke’s presence supported him in his moments of loneliness and desolation.

Luke stood by Paul; Luke also stood by God. One may see the description of the scarcity of labourers in the face of the “great harvest” as an account of Luke’s own availability to the Lord’s call. Luke tells us that the Lord sent the disciples ahead of himself. This “sending out” is reflected in Luke’s own vocation as a biblical writer. The Lord sent Luke to write about God’s revelation and plan for salvation, so that Luke’s account would reach our ears before the Lord could come to our hearts. Had Luke not responded to his vocation, we would – to that measure – be ignorant of the compassionate face of God.

May we stand by God and be faithful to the Lord whenever and wherever he sends us out.

2011 Oct 19 Wed: Isaac Jogues and John de Brébeuf, ps, rs, mss, mts, & co., mts M Rom 6: 12-18

Ps 124: 1b-3. 4-6. 7-8

Lk 12: 39-48 

39 ‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

41 Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’ 42And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 44Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 45But if that slave says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 47That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

Reflection:Knowledge is power. If you do things contrary to what you know is expected of you, you are using your knowledge to manipulate things to your advantage. But your manipulations have a limited validity. You can fool people only as long as you live. We forget that a life time of manipulation will cost us an eternity of condemnation, for we cannot fool God who has vested us with the power of knowledge. God expects us to use our faculties to further his household, develop it, and preserve it. He does not expect us to exploit it.

How do you use your knowledge?

2011 Oct 20 Thu: Ordinary Weekday/ Paul of the Cross, p, rf Rom 6: 19-23

Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6

Lk 12: 49-53 

49 ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:father against son and son against father,mother against daughter and daughter against mother,mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

Reflection:

Jesus came to upset the complacency, mediocrity, hypocrisy, injustice, and the “serene” acceptance of a sinful mindset. There was peace… only an apparent peace; discord and dissent ran deep in the minds and hearts of the common folk. However, the voiceless had no power to stand up to the self-righteous, snobbish and suppressing practices of the leaders.

Bringing Jesus and his attitudes into today’s situation will definitely ruffle feathers. Will you and I, like Jesus, be willing to open a Pandora’s box, and strive for true peace… which comes with the establishment of a just and humane society?

2011 Oct 21 Fri: Ordinary Weekday Rom 7: 18-25a

Ps 119: 66. 68. 76. 77. 93. 94

Lk 12: 54-59 

54 He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

57 ‘And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. 59I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.’

Reflection:

In interpreting the times people are called to engage with decisions and policies that dictate lifestyles. It is an energy sapping exercise that calls for a holistic vision. The current global scenario much leaves to be desired. Changing this demands radical changes in local and global mindsets, policies and actions. Jesus’ question, “Why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” is a dig at our lack of courage and unwillingness to act against the sinful structures of society today.

As a young member of the Catholic Church, how do you interpret the present time? What measures – personal and collective – will you take to overcome unjust societal structures?

2011 Oct 22 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM Rom 8: 1-11

Ps 24: 1b-2. 3-4ab. 5-6

Lk 13: 1-9 

13At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’

6 Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” 8He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. 9If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’

Reflection:

We derive our meaning and purpose in life from the experience of bearing fruit. God wants us to find this purpose. If we vegetate, that is if we are unproductive, we gradually lose our “will to live.” God desires that we be fruit-bearing.

What are the fruits you have to offer for others to feed on? What are your self-imposed blocks bearing fruit… that will last?

2011 Oct 23 SUN: THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Ex 22: 20-26

Ps 18: 2-3. 3-4. 47. 51 (2)

1 Thes 1: 5c-10

Mt 22: 34-40 

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ 37He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” 38This is the greatest and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

Reflection:

Jesus synthesised the Ten Commandments into two – love of God and love of neighbour. He did not do away with any of the Ten; rather all are implied in the two he articulated.

People today are in search of a spirituality that gives meaning to their lives. The spirituality that Jesus proposes in this two-fold commandment is comprehensive and balanced. He places our relationship with God within the framework of our relationship with one another; and our relationship with one another ought to have a reference point in God. In the absence of one of these loves, love itself is absent.

How will you love God and neighbour today?

2011 Oct 24 Mon: Ordinary Weekday/ Anthony Mary Claret, bp, rf Rom 8: 12-17

Ps 68: 2 and 4. 6-7ab. 20-21

Lk 13: 10-17 

10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ 15But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.Reflecton:

Healing is God’s gracious gift and it takes place in the time ordained by God. No one can manipulate God to procure healing according to one’s plans or time frame. The Synagogue Leader, in asking people to come on any of the six working days for healing, was defying God’s timing.

Do you defy God’s timing by your impatience, your tendency to get discouraged or depressed, when you see that your desires or prayers are not granted as quickly as you want them granted? Relax. Have faith and patience, and wait for God to act in his time. He will surprise you!

2011 Oct 25 Tue: Ordinary Weekday Rom 8: 18-25

Ps 126: 1b-2ab. 2cd-3. 4-5. 6

Lk 13: 18-21

18 He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’

20 And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with* three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’

Reflection:

The sower who sows and the baker who mixes the dough are presented as active agents in the spread of God’s Kingdom. Unless someone does the sowing and someone does the mixing, there will be no Kingdom of God.

What role are you playing in the Kingdom-planting process? Perhaps God is asking you to sing, or write, or speak, or paint, or dance with the message of his Kingdom. The possibilities are innumerable. What do you plan to do?

2011 Oct 26 Wed: Ordinary Weekday Rom 8: 26-30

Ps 13: 4-5. 6

Lk 13: 22-30 

22 Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them, 24‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” 26Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” 27But he will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!” 28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30Indeed, some are last.Reflecton:

No one likes to be disowned. Nobody wants to be unaccepted. But Jesus warns that those who persist in their ways of iniquity will be disowned. Those who persist in their sinful ways realize their error when it is a little too late. They realize a little too late that the Kingdom of Heaven – though it has a narrow door – is priceless, and what they have considered precious has left them empty. Jesus looks for a repentant heart and a resolute will to follow him, no matter what your weaknesses.

What are those things to which you attach so much value, that you begin to avoid the narrow path that leads to what actually fulfils you? Turn to Jesus with your whole heart, today.

2011 Oct 27 Thu: Ordinary Weekday Rom 8: 31b-39

Ps 109: 21-22. 26-27. 30-31

Lk 13: 31-35 

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ 32He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’

Reflection:

Jesus uses the image of a mother hen that gathers its chicks under its wings to tell us that he desires to protect us from harm, danger, sin and death. Too often we delude ourselves and believe that we know what is good for us; in these moments, we dig our own graves. We resist good advice from people; we want to make our own experience even if it means burning our fingers.

While it is adventurous and exciting to make your own experience, it is prudent and wise to avoid self-destruction. The secret is to recognize the Lord who comes in people who provide good counsel, and to seek that counsel. ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’

2011 Oct 28 Fri: Simon and Jude, aps F Eph 2: 19-22

Ps 19: 2-3. 4-5

Lk 6: 12-16 

12 Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: 14Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, 16and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.Reflection:

ManU or Chelsea, Real Madrid or Barcelona, CSK or KKR… what’s your favourite team??? What is your stake in supporting these clubs or teams? You may get a kick from the entertainment aspect of the EPL or IPL; today, reflect on your game of life. You are not being asked to support any team or member of a team; rather you are asked to be a team member… of no ordinary team. This is “Team Jesus Christ.” Jesus calls you to be on his team just as he called his apostles. We celebrate the memory of two of them today – Simon and Jude. They laid down their lives in spreading God’s message of salvation, and won the eternal crown of heaven. The stakes are high. Are you ready to join “Team Jesus Christ”?

2011 Oct 29 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM Rom 11: 1-2a. 11-12. 25-29

Ps 94: 12-13a. 14-15. 17-18

Lk 14: 1. 7-11 

4On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. 8‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Reflection:

Blackberrys or I-Phones, BMWs or Mercs… what does it take for you to feel important? The craving for prominence and importance reflects one’s sense of insecurity and low self-esteem. Inner scarcity drives us to project outward prosperity. Deep down, do you go for the simple or for the sophisticated, for the lime-light or for the side-stage? Today, Jesus gives us a discourse on personality development. He says

importance or prominence does not come from the things we get to satisfy our insecurities or inner scarcities. Rather it is bestowed on us when people see in us inner richness and outward simplicity.

2011 Oct 30 SUN: THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Mal 1: 14b – 2: 2b. 8-10

Ps 131: 1. 2. 3

1 Thes 2: 7b-9. 13

Mt 23: 1-12 

23Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. 4They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 6They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, 7and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. 8But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. 9And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Reflection:

All of us look for role-models to guide, inspire and fuel us. The question is how do I select my role-models? Jesus asks us to pick people who “walk the talk.” But that is not all. In adoring our role-models we must not replace the God who created them. In short, don’t make them God. Role-models are, in fact, those who shape their lives on the archetype – God. Their role is to inspire us to grow in the image of God, in the way they themselves are striving to grow. If they demand that they be glorified, they do God great dishonour.

Who are your role-models? What kind of role-model are you?

2011 Oct 31 Mon: Ordinary Weekday Rom 11: 29-36

Ps 69: 30-31. 33-34. 36

Lk 14: 12-14 

12 He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

Reflection:

Jesus defies social customs in today’s gospel. He asks of us three things: 1) Do not forget to include the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, the deprived, and the underprivileged in your parties and celebrations; 2) Do not expect to be repaid for any of your good deeds to anybody; 3) Believe that you will receive an eternal reward at the resurrection.

So who’s going to be on your invitees list the next time you host a party? How are you going to cultivate a detachment from your earthly rewards?