“You do not belong to the world because my choice withdrew you from the world” Jn 15: 18-21

A narrow view of this particular Gospel message has a danger of exclusion and division within the Church.  It is very easy for those who are called to ministerial priesthood and religious life to identify themselvs in this particular vocation, excluding every other else.  Likewise, it would be for the baptized Christians to be exclusive from the rest of humanity.  But, the love of God embraces the whole world without excluding any one.  Then, what does ‘world’ mean here?  In the gospel of John, the world ‘world’ is used in two different extremes.  In Jn 3: 16 “God so loved the world…”. is positive approach.  But here, “You do not belong to the world” is a negative approach of world.

The gospel today is not meant to exclude the ‘chosen’ preisthood and religious vocation, leaving out the married vocations as those who are ‘in the world.’  But the gospel is special to each one of us affirming his or her own vocation.  In all cases, the key message is that we belong to God and not the world (meaning that which is not God).  It is God’s choice that we belong to him and not our own choice.

So, the emphasis need to be on belonging to God and to be chosen by God, not on the attitude of excluding oneself from every other else, by being a ‘chosen one.’

“Make your home in me; as I make mine in you” Jn 15:1-8

 Jesus said, “Make your home in me, as I make mine in you”  What a great invitation to dwell in the Risen Lord!?  and also a revelation that God dwells in us.  By saying these words, Jesus says to me, ‘Feel at home with me.  Be as you are.  If you are in your personal space, you are what you are, in the same way, live in me.  The next sentence is even more great to me, ‘As I make mine in you.’   What a privelage to make a dwelling for the living God and to make God feel at home!  May the Lord give us the grace to live and understand what we really are!  We are already living in God and God living in me.  All that we need to do is to bring these words alive in every day life. Thank you Jesus for drawing us to yourself and uniting us with you and with one another.

Have I been with you all this time, and you still do not know me?

This passage is usually reflected on the basis of Christology, the relationship between the Father and the Son.  But for me, this time, it gave me a new insight.  Perhaps, that is what I need at this stage of my life.  To be contended with the Lord who is present always!  Just like Philip, I tend to look for things too great like ideals, what next in future, etc.  It is hard sometimes to live in the present with contentment, believing in the living presence of Jesus Christ, who is always with us.  In Jesus we find everything.  Jesus asked me the same question, Have I been with you all this time,… and you still do not know that I am ALL in ALL?  I say with our beloved Mother Scholastica, “Lord you alone are enough.”

“Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed” Lk 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus could not believe that Jesus was present among them, after witnessing his crucifxion.  Their joy was so immense that they could not believe.  For all their reaction, Jesus’ only response was to make them believe that it was Jesus himself.  He said, “Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed.” Jesus helps the disciples to recognize him, not in his glory, but in his woundedness.  He showed his wounded hands and wounded feet.

Our God is the God who was wounded for our sake, and that is the only way we could recongnize him.  God loved the world so much that he gave his only son.  If we search God only in power and majesty, glory and splendour, miracles and signs, I doubt, we could find him.  But we can be sure, we can find God in his wounded love for us.  Thanks to Jesus, by his wounds, we have been healed.   

Glendalough

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2012

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all. God bless Ireland
“Patrick is an example of young faith, finding God in his late teens and then committing himself for good. He gives us a spur to believe in our young people, and that what we do for the faith of youth is always worth it. From his experience of slavery in his youth, he became a mediator, and a peacemaker. He is at the centre of all the churches in Ireland. He was also a missionary who felt called to return to the Irish and spread the Good News of the Gospel.” (From the leaflet distributed at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral)

Young religious going beyond themselves

Young religious going beyond themselves.

Prodigal Son Lk 15

“And, when he came to senses…”  what did he (prodigal son) do?  Recalled the abudance of Father.  Lent is the season to come to ours senses… I mean to rememeber that God is generous and God’s house is overflowing with abundance.  But, it is always our choice to go back or to stay where we are.

 

May this season of grace bring all of us closer to God, more than ever more.

Prayer Mk 1: 21-28

Jesus, you gave order even to the unclean spirits and they obeyed you.  I have no doubt, that you have all authority, power and dominion over earth and heaven.  I am also sitting before you just like the possessed man in the synagogue, just as I am, with all my good and evil, strengths and weakness, success and failures.   When I grow uncomfortable before you, please say with authority and drive away from me all that resists you, that I may always welcome you and be quiet and restful in your holy presence.  This prayer, I ask for myself and all those who wish to make this prayer their own, in your name Lord Jesus. Amen.