Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Today we begin with the season of Advent.  On this day the church introduces the new liturgical year. The beginning of a new year calls us to anticipate what is coming, but with a different emphasis.  In our worship during this time we anticipate and await the coming of our Lord Jesus.  There are three aspects of Jesus’ coming during this Advent Season.  One looks to the past, as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus in History that took place 2000 years ago.  Secondly, we look to the present as we prepare ourselves to receive him in our daily lives.  We accept him in the Word and in the sacrament of the Eucharist.  Finally we look into the future and await his coming at the end of times in Majesty and glory to redeem the world.  Today’s readings emphasize the coming of the Lord to be among the people.  Prophet Jeremiah predicts the coming of the branch, a reference to the messiah who would save Israel. In the Gospel Jesus speaks of his own return with signs and wonders. But it is not the signs that are important but its consequence, namely the redemption that Jesus brings. The second reading tells us how we have to prepare ourselves to receive the Lord. However, as we begin the season of Advent we are called upon to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus at Christmas.

The season of Advent is understood to be a time of preparation for Christmas, the feast of the birth of Jesus.  This is a time of great anticipation.  We all wait for something unique and special. The name Advent comes from the Latin words, ad venire meaning to come to & adventus meaning an arrival of a person of importance, a king or a prince or a warrior leader, and in this context it refers to Christ’s coming into this world. During this time of Advent, the Church requires the faithful to prepare for the celebration of the feast of Christmas, the anniversary of the birth and coming of Jesus Christ. The focus of Advent is by no means limited to just Christ’s first coming. An equal, if not more important theme found in the Advent Liturgy is the Second Coming of Christ when He comes again to judge and reunite the world.

Today three readings from the Holy Bible prepare us to be spiritually uplifted according to these three goals of the Season of Advent. In the First Reading from the Book of Jeremiah, we heard that during the days of the Old Testament, the Lord God repeated the promises that He had made to Abraham and to His descendants. To Abraham and his offspring, God had promised to bless them that they would be as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And they shall conquer their enemies and through their God shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing.  Over and above this, God was now promising that a righteous Branch would spring up from the descendants of King David, the righteous one executing justice and righteousness in the land. “I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David who shall practice honesty and integrity in the land.”  The prophet tells the people that they will have a just king and his policies will bring security to the kingdom and bring them to the right relationship with God.  God was speaking of the spiritual Kingdom that was promised to Abraham, he who was to become the spiritual father of all those who live by faith.

Today’s Second Reading from the First Letter to the Thessalonians gives us sound advice as to how we should prepare ourselves. Paul looks forward to the final coming of Jesus. It will be a grand entrance into the world together with all his holy ones. Paul invites all to welcome Jesus into our lives in the here and now which should take place every day. By it we both acknowledge the First Coming of Jesus in Bethlehem and prepare for the Second Coming at an unknown future date. This reading reminds us that as the Lord comes to us in this world we should abound in love for one another. Our love should not be limited to our friends, but also should be for our enemies. This is because they too are the children of God formed in his image and likeness. Again the reading asks us to be fully prepared with our hearts so placed holy and blameless before our God and Father. To achieve this goal, we must walk with the sanctifying Holy Spirit who disciplines us to increase our holiness. We are called upon to do all what is humanly possible to continually remain in communion with God and become more like Christ. This is possible only if we are filled with our living faith and   Faith is our bond with Jesus and hence is perceived with the spirit of Advent.

The Gospel of today speaks in special terms of the end of the world and what we refer to as the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time. The entire chapter focuses on the events that will accompany the final ends of the world.  These signs will be cosmic in nature. “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”  This reminds us that our life in this world is a kind of journey or pilgrimage.  It is within this context of this final end that the Gospel proclaims the final coming of the son of man.  Some happenings which have already taken place and there is nothing we can do to change them now. However, they have their influence in shaping our present situation. The Gospel of today tells us that there will be time for mission before the end, but in this interim period will also involve intense persecution and the fall of Jerusalem. Only then does Jesus relate the cosmic signs that precede the Son of Man’s return, when he comes on the clouds in the splendor. Jesus says that awareness of these signs will allow one to know when these key moments of divine history are near. Thus, they are to watch and be prepared. They are to live soberly and pray for strength to endure, so as to be able to stand before the Son of Man. After the discourse, Luke notes that the people listened to Jesus’ daily teaching at the temple.

Jesus further explains to the listeners that day of the Lord will come on them suddenly like a trap; for this day will come upon all those who dwell on the face of the earth.  But he asks them to keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that they may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place and to stand before the Son of Man. He wants them to be people of knowledge and understanding about the things of the last days. He wants them to know his word and what the Spirit is doing. And he wants them to bring hope, confidence, and the love of Christ to others.  These words of Jesus are applicable to us even today.

The Gospel teaches that beyond the end of times stands the Lord who has come among us in the person of Jesus who will come as a judge. Since this will be the time of judgment, the Gospel calls for repentance and service.  Thus is a time of urgency and hence there is little time for complacency.  Those whose lives are under the Lordship of Jesus can live with expectantly, awaiting the Lord’s coming. Luke argues against the attitude of slowing down because there is plenty of time before the Lord comes.  He tells them that they have to be prepared at all times since we don’t know when the Lord will be with us again. Then the end times will hold no terror for those who know what God’s live is and they know how to live in his love.

Luke places before us the warning of Jesus to be ready and not to be bloated with pleasure of this world.  Living during the Roman times meant corruption, immorality, hedonism, gluttony and cruelty.  It was the time of degradation of civilization.  What Jesus tells us today is that we have to watch and wait for him.  There will be some anxiety surely, and there will be eagerness to wait for some one we love.  There will be the expectancy and hope as the saviour will surely come to us. And yet, the Gospel says the reaction of the Christian disciple should not be one of fear. “When these things namely the signs begin to take place, we have to stand erect, hold our heads high, because our liberation is near at hand.” It all depends on one’s priorities and attachments.

Jesus stated that all the signs mentioned during today’s Gospel Reading were to be fulfilled before the passing away of the generation that lived in His days.  All the tasks we humans embrace have an ending.  Jesus calls  us all to be on our guard so our hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, so the day of the Lord will not catch us unexpectedly, unprepared. No one knows when the end will come.  We should be prepared at all times.   Therefore during the coming days let us embrace a spiritual attitude so the Season of Advent may become something special for us. May Advent be a true moment of preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, at death, or at the last coming of the Lord, which ever may come first.  Our prayers are that each and every one of us as we personally strive to achieve this holy objective for the glory of God.

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ Rome

Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37

Today on the Last Sunday of the liturgical year we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. This feast expresses the all-embracing authority of Christ as King and Lord of the Universe. Officially called the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, it is celebrated on the final Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Sunday before Advent. Pope Pius XI instituted The Feast of Christ the King in 1925 in his encyclical Quas Primas. Pope Pius connected the denial of Christ as king to the rise of secularism. At the time of Quas Primas, secularism was on the rise, and many Christians, even Catholics, were doubting Christ’s authority, as well as the Church’s, and even doubting Christ’s existence. Pius XI, and the rest of the Christian world, witnessed the rise of dictatorships in Europe, and saw Catholics being taken in by these earthly leaders. Just as the Feast of Corpus Christi was instituted when devotion to the Eucharist was at a low point, the Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was waning, when the feast was most needed. In fact, it is still needed today, as these problems have not vanished, but instead have worsened.

In the world of democracy the titles of “lord” and “king” for Christ may not be realistic because such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government. The kings are often identified with pride, undue use of authority, wars and sometimes even immoral lives. However true these statements might be these individuals miss the point: Christ’s kingship is one of humility and service. Jesus said: You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  To Pilate he says that his kingdom is one of Truth and for this he was born and for this he came into the world to testify for the truth. Today’s Mass establishes the titles for Christ’s royalty over men: First of all, Christ is God, the Creator of the universe and hence extends his supreme power over all things; “All things were created by Him”.  Secondly, Christ is our Redeemer; He purchased us by His precious Blood, and made us His property and possession. Thirdly, Christ is Head of the Church, “holding in all things the primacy”. Finally, God bestowed upon Christ the nations of the world as his special possession and dominion.  Today’s Mass also describes the qualities of Christ’s kingdom. This kingdom is primarily supreme, extending not only to all peoples but also to their princes and kings. Secondly, it is universal, extending to all nations and to all places. Thirdly, it is eternal, for “The Lord shall remain a King forever”.  Finally, it is spiritual, Christ’s “kingdom is not of this world”.

In today’s First Reading, Prophet Daniel announces the coming of the Son of man, who has been given “dominion and glory and kingdom”. He comes served by “peoples, nations and languages” and his “dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed”. The reading tells us that the new king is given power, authority, glory and kingship over all people, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.” The present Kingdom of God on earth, spiritual in nature, invisible to the naked eye, is one that shall remain forever.  This is in contrast to the vision that begins with the vivid description of the four beasts with such disturbing appearance. These four creatures represent the empires that ruled over God’s faithful people.  Now the human figure that comes will pass judgment over the beasts is filled with heavenly brilliance. He arrives from heaven giving them the hope and his kingdom will last forever.  This kingdom is eternal land lasting. This passage indeed refers to the God who is dwelling among His people as the rightful King. His Kingdom has arrived on earth as promised.

Another proof that the aforementioned passage is found in today’s Second Reading. It says, “Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will lament. So it is to be. Amen.” He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  He is God Almighty, who was, who is and who is to come. Surely, this is the reference to an all pervading God who existed and will exist all the time. And this cannot just be a reference to the future as some allege regarding the Second Coming and the future Kingdom of God. His kingship will remain forever. Jesus is above all a king of love. He deserves submission of all creation.  Secondly, Jesus manifests his kingship in a special way by forming a kingdom of priests for his God and father.  We must remember that the Book of Revelation was written for the Christian community when it was under persecution during the Roman rule. At a time when it was easy to lose hope, to forget the saving presence of God, John reminded people of the Risen Savior in their midst to give them new hope.

We need to look to Jesus to explain for us what being king is all about. We need to look to the one who never claimed the title of King, the one whose crown is made of thorns, the one whose throne is a cross, the one whose royal garment is a towel which he uses to wash the feet of his subjects. Jesus gives us a whole new way of understanding kingship and royalty. On the cross he’s tempted three times, by the rulers, the soldiers and one of the criminals, not unlike those three temptations in the desert earlier in his career. Jesus is tempted to use his power to save himself, rather than his people. But unlike most other kings throughout history, Jesus remains calm and composed in the face of these temptations. He remains calm because he knows who he is, and he knows who he loves. Jesus is a man in love with his people.  Jesus is a king who puts his people first because he loves them. Truly, madly, deeply, Christ the King loves his people.

The Gospel of today speaks of a strange confrontation between Pilate, the Roman Governor, and Jesus. An encounter between a man who feels, as the chief authority of a colonial regime, that he has unlimited power and Jesus, a travelling preacher who seems to have none. Pilate asks Jesus whether he is the king of the Jews.  Jesus who is bound as a prisoner and scourged for no wrong he had done, stands before the governor courageously and asks him whether it is an honest question or a question that arises out of all rumours he had heard. Jesus converses with him as if they are equal which does not please Pilate. Jesus shows that real power and real authority are not in positions or titles but in the inner strength of the person.  Yet he explains to Pilate that his kingdom is spiritual.  Although Jesus does not explicitly respond by saying “I am a king”, he does speak very clearly about his “Kingdom” and his “Kingship” and we heard Jesus say, “My kingdom is not from this world.” This kingdom Jesus explains is based on justice and truth which Pilate fails to understand. At the same time he makes it clear to Pilate that he is a king but the kingdom he rules is not what Pilate talks about.

Ultimately Pilate and Jesus agree that Jesus indeed is a king. However, they are not at all talking about the same thing. Jesus, his kingship, his kingdom are not part of the world. Jesus as king is quite different from the conventional image. His presence did not fit into the Messiah-King image portrayed by people. Jesus has no army, no power and no political influence. In front of Pilate at this moment he looks anything but a king. Again when he is brought before Pilate he says Behold the man. This becomes a sign of mockery and rejection and even a gangster is chosen in his stead. His kingship of truth and justice is totally rejected. Yet it is very important for us to understand that the cross was the sign of his victory and is the throne of the king. It was a victory for life, for truth and for love. Jesus conquered death because he accepted it and passed through it. He gained life because he was so ready to let go of life. Jesus is saving this world through a process of total self giving. Jesus rules not by power but by truth and his truth is full revelation of the Father. The kingdom of God over which Jesus presides consists of the presence of God manifested fully in the reality of Jesus. Whoever listens to the voice of Jesus and believes in him is a member of the Kingdom of God.

We express our faith by calling Jesus our King. As the Preface of today’s Mass says, “As King he claims dominion over all creation that he may present to you, his almighty Father, an eternal and universal Kingdom. Jesus our King points all people to their God”. Jesus is really our King when we consciously become his subjects, when we listen to him, love him, serve him, and follow him. We belong to his kingship when, like him, we have reached that level of freedom which can really let go of everything, even of life itself in the struggle to make our world a world of truth, justice and love. That is the struggle to help make real the prayer we constantly say, “Your Kingdom come!” Paradoxically, one of the best ways to know Jesus is to go about helping others to know him. In order to share the knowledge, understanding and love of Jesus with others, we have to discover that knowledge, understanding and love for ourselves.

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ, Rome

Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32

All the readings of today speak about the end of the world, the end of time, the final coming of Jesus to take all people and reunite the entire creation to him. As the church brings its liturgical year to an end, it traditionally presents the knowledge of the end times. This gives us the message that Jesus is the beginning and end of all things, all things exist in and through him. He is the Alpha and the Omega and he is the source of all things. Today’s gospel anticipates the dramatic events that will take place at the end times. It speaks of a time of suffering, the sun being darkened, the moon not giving its light, the stars falling from heaven, and the powers of Heaven being shaken. It will be a time when Heaven and earth will pass away forever. Today when we look round the world, we see so much of sufferings, hardships and pain.  There is much corruption, terrorism and poverty.  The world experiences the hardships of what is generally termed as the climate change. But here we have a message of hope as against the deep picture of doom presented by the readings. They offer a future hope in the second coming of Christ and also a present hope that in spite of the destruction and pain, Christ’s words will not pass away.  We now visualize the Kingdom of God that offers love, compassion, kindness and mercy, the sign of new hope of the future. Even in the midst of suffering and hardship, the word of God continues to be alive and active.  As we wait in hope for the fulfillment of the kingdom of God in Christ and look forward to a just, loving and peaceful world.

The first reading taken from the Prophet Daniel tells us of the protective power of God over all creation and over all people.  It tells us how God took care of his people all through the years of persecution and oppression by Persia, Greece and Syria. The last empire received a special attention since it is the one the people were struggling with when the book was written. The passage tells us that at that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of the people, shall arise. This shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time the people shall be delivered, namely, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth, namely the dead, shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Michael will be the great prince and guardian of the people. He serves God by shielding the people in time of distress.  God’s holy people will rise to everlasting life and the wise among them will shine like stars against the dark of the night.

The second reading tells us of Jesus the High Priest who offers the sacrifice once and for all in fulfillment of all the sacrifices. The task of every priest is to offer sacrifice, standing day after day at the service of God and offering again and again the same sacrifice.  The Old Testament sacrifices offered for the expiation sin were ineffectual. They reminded people of their sins and prepared them for purification, for the one perfect eternal sacrifice of Jesus.  In the New Testament, Jesus offered one sacrifice for sin and this one sacrifice affected the forgiveness of all the sins.  Henceforth there is no further need of any offering for sin.  We need only to accept the gift of forgiveness.  Christ has consecrated us to God his Father and has made us perfect in his sight.

Today’s Gospel speaking about the Son of Man “coming in clouds with great power and glory” echoes a passage in the Book of Daniel but here the Son of Man is even more victorious. Jesus speaks of the appearance of the Son of Man in glory and the final establishment of the Reign of God.  In Mark’s Gospel, the whole of Chapter 13 deals with issues of the end of the world.  This chapter is known as the apocalyptical discourse as it speaks in the apocalyptical language though it is not technically a discourse.   The Son of Man here is understood as Jesus, the man on earth that the disciples knew and loved, but now appearing in all the unparalleled glory of God’s own majesty.  His appearance is described in terms usually used in the Old Testament for the appearances of God himself. He sends out angels or messengers and gathers all God’s people together: acts of God in the language of the Old Testament. Here they are gathered to the Son of Man, who commands the angels as if they were his own.  Thus we have an affirmation of the central place Jesus, the Son of Man, and he will be the one to take care of all and gather all people to him.  He will send out the Angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. However the chapter narrates the devastating events that should not be taken as signs of the end of the world, such as the destruction of the Temple, persecutions and the desolating sacrilege, but a preparation for the coming of the Lord.

The first half of today’s Gospel leans heavily on traditional language and ideas from the OT. We need to emphasize that the description of events is not to be understood literally as a prophecy of what is actually going to happen. Rather we are to look at the inner meaning of these happenings. The cosmic disturbances about the sun, moon and stars are traditional ways of describing manifestations of God’s judgment of Israel. For Mark it is not the final end of time that will bring to resolution all the human problems and tensions that have been described in the Gospel. The signs of the final end will be so cosmic and unambiguous that the Christian community will know immediately that the time has arrived.  The son of man will gather all God’s people wherever they are into his kingdom. The focus is on the saving work of the Son of Man and he gives hope to people who are in a situation of suffering and pain.  While all these things are being forecast, there is no time frame given. We are not told of the time of the final coming of Jesus as King and Lord of all.

Mark does not directly answer the inquiry as to when precisely all this is going to take place. What he says is that when these things take place, the believers and the faithful will unmistakably know the signs that the time has come.  Even so, the early Christians did expect that Jesus would come in their lifetime. This is reflected in the words, “This generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” This was natural for to those who grew up in the Jewish tradition; the end of Jerusalem could only mean the end of the world.   Jesus then gives a short parable or lesson from the fig tree. Fig trees were a prominent and well-known feature on the Mount of Olives, the place where Jesus was speaking. This tree only sprouts its leaves in late spring. When the buds appear they know that summer is near. The obviousness of the time for the coming of the Son of Man will be just as recognizable and certain.  So Jesus, in effect, is telling them that although the end of the world is being described with such terrible signs, his disciples are to respond with faith, with hope, with anticipation. The end of the world means good times, summer, for them.  It will come and will bring them joy and happiness like every summer. On the other hand we are told that the Son of man will arrive suddenly and without any warning.  Either way it tells us that the signs are indeed clear and it is important that we are all ready for the same. All of us are called upon to be prepared.

No one, says Jesus, not even he himself knows when the end will come. It is not for us to worry about that. Worrying will not help. On other hand, we should not play with life and keep putting off the day of our conversion to God. The only way is to live today and every day in his love and service. It is the present which determines the future; so let’s just concentrate on the here and now. Then we already have entered the Lord’s Kingdom and when, early or late, he comes to call us to himself, it will just be a reunion of old friends. In fact, he is already here and has always been and always will be. It is not that he will come to us but that we will enter into a deeper relationship with him when we pass through death to a different kind of life.  The message for us today is that Jesus has made a sacrifice for us that we may be saved and enter into his kingdom.  It is God who has decided from the beginning of times to love us as we are created in his own image and likeness.  Indeed the love that Jesus showed us goes beyond all the expectations, taking us into the depth of the love of the Father.

Once there was loving couple travelling in a bus in a mountainous area. They decided to get down at some place. After the couple got down at some place the bus moved on. As the bus moved on, a huge rock fell on the bus from the mountain and crushed the bus to crumbs. Everybody on board was killed. The couple upon seeing that, said, ‘We wish we were on that bus’ Why do u think they said that? If they had remained on the bus instead of deciding to get down, the resulting time delay could have been avoided and the rock would have fallen after the bus had passed ..!!! Think positive in life always and look for opportunities when you can help Others……

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ, Rome

1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

In today’s readings we encounter two widows who though among the poorest of the poor, gave generously all they had to live on.  We don’t know what became of them; but they had great trust to be able to share despite an uncertain future. Sometimes, like the widow of Zerephtha, we may feel we have little personal strength or resources to share.  But the Prophet reassures her and tells her not to be afraid and nothing will go wrong with her. In the same way God will certainly reward our giving with unstinting bounty.  In the Gospel Jesus praised the poor widow who dropped two small coins in the treasury box of the Temple because she gave all she had. God loves a cheerful giver, the one who is willing to part with things without any hesitation. Compassion and care for others surely prompt our own giving.  Perhaps like the scribes our giving may sometimes be tinged with a need for recognition or affirmation.  Contributing to charitable works is important, but we can also be generous in sharing ourselves in a simple way. We reach out to those in need and giving the little we can share with others.

When we consider the three readings of today, all the three of them seem to talk about widows or on the theme of sacrifice. In the First Reading, there is the widow who shared the last of her food with Elijah. In the Gospel, there is the poor widow who gave all that she had to live on. In the Second Reading, although the word ‘widow’ is not used, we perceive that the Holy Catholic Church that Jesus was instituting on earth during His ministry, it was “widowed” or empty when He offered Himself as a sacrifice to remove sin from the world. Widow is one who has lost her husband but at the same time one who is orphaned and isolated. In all three cases, a great sacrifice was made. In the First Reading, the widow who fed Elijah, she sacrificed all what she had for herself and her son. In the Second Reading, Jesus sacrificed Himself, He who was the only Begotten Son of God and in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell bodily.  In the Gospel Reading, the widow sacrificed her last two small copper coins.  In all three cases, they all trusted in God the Father. The widow who fed Elijah trusted in the Lord God of Israel to provide her future needs so she and her son would not die of starvation. Jesus trusted in God the Father to raise Him from the dead. The poor widow who gave her last coins trusted in Yahweh to provide for her future needs.

The First Reading taken from the First Book of Kings narrates a touching story of a widow during the time of Israel’s famine and she places her trust in God and the prophet. She has her son who depends on her and trusts her. Reduced to absolute penury she is on her way to get firewood to cook a last meal for them both from a little meal and oil, that entire she has left. She sees nothing but death before them. Then Elijah, the prophet, himself hungry, comes and asks her for water and bread. When she tells him her situation, he still asks her to make a small scone for him. In a generous act of sharing, she does so and she is rewarded by their being enough for all three of them and the jar of meal and the jug of oil does not empty until the drought is over. The message from the first reading for us is very clear that whenever we give to the other generously we get back more than we give.  It tells us of the power of God who takes care of the weakest and those who place their trust in him.

Today’s Second Reading tells us that Jesus died once for all time and for all people when He made His perfect sacrifice to remove sin. His Divine Sacrifice as the Lamb of God on the Holy Cross put an end to the first age, the days of the Old Testament and the Covenant of the Law. His Divine Sacrifice as the Lamb of God opened the new and last age in which we now belong, the days of the New Testament and the New Covenant of grace. When Jesus returns at the end of this last age, it will not be to deal with sin by sacrificing Himself again, but to judge the living and the dead. It will be to collect the saints who have persevered in their living faith and who are awaiting for the arrival of the Lord Jesus. In his sacrifice Jesus sheds his blood for the salvation of the world.  When Jesus comes in his glory he will bring salvation to all those who wait for him that they may live fully in him.  The living is those who shine as lights in the world, those who shine in love towards God and their brothers and sisters.

The gospel of today places before us the question, who really serves God? This question seems to emerge from the ostentatious public behavior of some Scribes and other learned persons and the contrast between the amount of money given to Temple treasury by the rich people and a poor widow. Scribes and Pharisees are presented today as very image-conscious. It was more important to be seen and thought of as good and holy than in being really so. “They like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market square, to take the front seats in the synagogue and the places of honour at banquets.” In fact, scribes, as interpreters of the Law, were deeply respected for their great learning. They wore long white robes as a sign of their devotion to the law and people looked at them with awe.  Jesus does not condemn all scribes but those who lived a life of hypocrisy.  He accuses the scribes of being rapacious exploiters “who swallow the property of widows” while making an outward show of piety. Power and position are all too frequently linked with material greed and corruption. What Jesus tells us today is that discipleship must be characterized by authenticity.  It is not shown through external behavior but rather with the interior disposition. 

The second part of the Gospel shows a very different picture. In a way, it is a completely different scenario and yet there are connections. The linking word between the two is “widow”.  There is a striking contrast between the poor widow described in the second part of today’s Gospel and the Scribes and Pharisees in the first part. The simple piety of this woman of no social standing is contrasted with the arrogance and social ambitions of some so-called religious leaders. She is also contrasted with the rich donors offering a large amount of money they can easily afford and the tiny amount given by her.  It is doubtful that what they offered would not really affect their standard of living.  The point that is made by Jesus is that the value of a gift is not necessarily assessed by its quantity.  What is important is the heart of the giver which is self sacrificing.  The widow gives out of her poverty and not out of her wealth.

An interesting point we ought to note is that the treasury was actually called a trumpet.  This is because it was constructed in the form of a trumpet as if to blow the horn. When the coins were dropped it made a loud noise and all came to know of the contribution a person had made to the Temple. Perhaps the small two coins dropped by the widow did not make any noise but it did not escape the attention of Jesus and he appreciates this great gesture. The poor widow may not even have heard the praises of Jesus and certainly she would receive the reward from God. This poor woman, in a daring act of trust in God’s providence, put into the treasury everything she had — and it was next to nothing. She had two small coins. She put in both. We must remember that in the Kingdom of Jesus everyone counts. At the same time to be counted we must go on changing our ways and surrender ourselves to him and trust in his providence.

God always rewards those who persevere in their living faith. No one goes by unnoticed. If a person is proud, he will be noticed; if he is humble, he will also be noticed. If a person is humble like the poor widow whose name no one knows, God will notice him and raise him and reward him according to his sacrifice. We are reminded of Mother Teresa coming to visit a school in Hong Kong. Over her habit she wore an old grey cardigan and on her feet an ageing pair of leather sandals. A couple of weeks later she was back in India receiving the Templeton Award from Queen Elizabeth of England. Photographs showed her shaking hands with the queen and wearing the same cardigan and the same sandals. The queen did not seem to mind or probably even notice. That was the humility of the great saint. The widow who fed Elijah, she knew the will of God. The poor widow who gave her last two coins, she knew the will of God. The Lord Jesus, when He sacrificed Himself on the Holy Cross for our sins, He knew the will of God. All three, they embraced a spiritual mind and did what was good, acceptable and perfect in the eyes of God.

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ, Rome

Revelation 7:2-4,9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a

Today when we celebrate the feast of all the saints God’s holy Church rejoices with those members of the church who have gone before us and are now in Eternal Bliss and in lasting peace. In Jesus we are all called to holiness and to have the reward of the heavenly kingdom. There are those who lived the full way of perfection and we choose to rejoice with them on this feast day. This Feast was instituted in the Eastern Church during the 4th century for the purpose or remembering all the martyrs of the early Church. Gradually, it developed to also include the non-martyrs. As such, it can be said that the purpose of this Feast in the Holy Catholic Church serves to commemorate all of our brothers and sisters in Christ, known and unknown, who have moved on to their heavenly reward for their fidelity in Jesus. The word saint is taken in a wider sense to beyond those recognized and canonized by the church. It refers to all those baptised Christians who have died and are now with God in glory. It also certainly includes all those persons who have sincerely pursued the search for the ultimate and have lived a holy life. Further there are those who are living in hope for their final redemption and awaiting for the moment of glory. St Paul writing to the Romans, tells them that they are “called to be saints.”  Again to the Corinthians he says that “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, are called to be saints…” In several other passages of the New Testament, we read of the invitation that we are called to be saints, and also, that we are saints.

The First Reading from the book of Revelation presents an apocalyptic vision of those who have died in Christ. They are numbered at 144,000, the number which is clearly symbolical indicating innumerable number of people who could not be counted. It simply represents the total of all those who have died faithful to Christ their Lord. They represent “every nation, tribe and language” for access to Christ is open to all. They are dressed in white robes symbolising purity, and with palms in their hands. They are the robes of goodness and integrity. The palms of victory are a reference to the joyful Jewish feast of Tabernacles for these are the ones invited to live in God’s tent or tabernacle.  Together with them are the angels, the 24 elders and the four living creatures, and they all prostrate in adoration before the glory of God. The song they sing has been magnificently set to music by Handel in his “Messiah”. Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honour, power and strength are seven attributes of perfect praise. They have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb”. It is the blood of Jesus Christ which brings salvation and makes them clean.

The Second Reading from the First Letter of John, reminds us of the great love of God who has chosen to call us His children. The word children of God refers to those who believe in Jesus and have received the life of God.  The life will come to full bloom when God’s children enter into eternity.  Then we shall be like God because we shall see him as he is.  During our sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. “What we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.”  Because we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ, those of the world do not and cannot possibly know us. For the worldly seek fame, pleasures, wealth; they do not know Jesus. Not knowing Jesus, they cannot understand our love for others, nor the fruit of the Holy Spirit that shines through us. To them, we are “strange” beings. Saints are not self-made people. They are people who have responded generously to the love of God showered on them.

The Gospel of today begins with the Sermon on the Mount. The general message is that those are really blessed when they know their dependence on God and on their sisters and brothers; when they commit themselves totally to the Way that Christ invites them to follow. The entire sermon is addressed not merely to the disciples but also to the crowds. It is very significant that the sermon is delivered from a mountain because other important aspects of Jesus’ ministry take place on a mountain: temptations, feeding the multitudes, the transfiguration and the final commission to the disciples. In the Old Testament, Moses the Old Israel had received the ten commandments on a mountain and now Jesus the new Israel proclaims his new teaching from the mountain. The Beatitudes consist of nine blessings addressed to those who are in various states of sufferings, hardships and conflict.  A Beatitude is basically a blessing given by God in connection with the recipient’s situation or ways of acting. Beatitudes are also found in the Old Testament especially in the Wisdom books and the Psalms. The difference is that the Beatitudes of Jesus is the reward that points to the future and is intimately linked with the fullness of the kingdom of heaven. The word that is used in the beatitudes is blessed. The word ‘blessed’ is sometimes translated ‘happy’. It might be more accurate to translate it as ‘fortunate’. In other words, people who have these qualities are really in an envious position. All of these beatitudes are indications that we belong to the ‘kingdom of heaven’.

The Gospel says that particularly blessed are: Those who are poor in spirit. They are the poor of Yahweh, those anawim who are open to receive the word of God. They are the ones who are detached to the things of the world and are attached to God and are ready to receive him.  Blessed are those who are gentle: These are the people who reach out to others in care and compassion and tenderness, who constantly are aware of the needs of others. There are those who mourn: those who are in grief or sorrow for whatever reason will be assured of comfort from the loving community in Christ they have entered. Those who hunger and thirst for what is right are those who care for Justice and are ready to stand with those who face injustices and human selfishness. Some may have paid high price and what they may have to pay could be high, very high, even life itself.  Again there are those who are merciful. They are the ones who extend compassion and forgiveness to all around them. Those persons who are pure in heart are those live in  simplicity and in total absence of duplicity, of prejudice or bias. Not surprisingly, Jesus says that they are able to see God. For such people God’s presence is all too obvious in every person and experience. The peace makers have a special place and in fact it is one of the most beautiful of the Beatitudes that Jesus speaks of. These are people who help to break down the many barriers which divide people – whether it is class, occupation, race, religion or anything that creates conflict between individuals or groups. That is why these people are called “children of God”. This the role of every follower of Jesus and he sends them out to the world to break the walls and make a new community based on justice and peace. They are the ones who build bridges and not walls. Jesus also speaks of the persecution on account of the right cause. They are the people who suffer pain and even martyrdom in defense of truth justice and love.  Finally, Jesus says blessed are those who are insulted, persecuted and falsely accused and they are to rejoice for greater  reward awaits them in heaven. While we are being rejected by those who are of the world, we should rejoice and be glad, for our reward is great in Heaven.

In these Beatitudes of Jesus, the rewards promised are generally a reversal of the current negative situation or action experienced by his hearers. The rewards and reversals promised are not going to happen just because someone has experienced the negative. They are in reality meant to encourage people and tell them that the current reality is not everything but one has to hope for the better things yet to come and that will be their reward.   In this way we might say that the Beatitudes are an example of that fulfilling. The Beatitudes go far beyond the Ten Commandments in what they expect of a follower of Christ and yet the sad thing is that one hears of relatively few Christians saying that they base their lives on the Beatitudes. There is no command to say must but a positive encouragement to live the life of Christ.

Today’s feast for us is an occasion for great thanksgiving. It is altogether reasonable to think that many of our family, relatives and friends who have gone before us are being celebrated today. We look forward to the day when we, too, can be with them experiencing the same total happiness when “they will never hunger or thirst again”.  This will be the moment when God will wipe away all tears from their eyes”. As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us keep in mind that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who bear their crosses, those who persevere in their living faith, those who fix their eyes on the Lord Jesus.

A little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, “Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don’t fall into the river.” The little girl said, “No, Dad. You hold my hand.” “What’s the difference?” Asked the puzzled father.  “there’s a big difference,” replied the little girl. “If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go.” Similarly God will never let our hand go free. He will hold it all the while.

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ Rome

Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52

In today’s readings we praise God and proclaim the greatness of the one who is willing to come and save us.  In the first reading prophet Jeremiah reminds us of God’s promise that he will save us and become a Father to us.  In the Gospel we have the miraculous cure of Bartimaeus the blind man, the sign that God in Jesus is indeed doing great things among his people. Prophet Jeremiah tells us that God wants to gather his people and bring them home, even the blind and the lame. He reveals that the remnant of loyal and faithful Israel will return one day to their homeland from all the places to which they had been scattered by warfare and exile.  We read in the Gospel the blind man is cured and Jesus asks him to go his way. But the man follows Jesus instead and prefers to be his disciple to listen to his words of teaching. In the second reading  Jesus the high priest offers the sacrifice to God but not alone; he does this as community, holding the whole group together. If we carefully look at our Christian community we too are assembled with Jesus without any distinction of caste or color. We want to be with him and serve him as his own people. Jesus as a person is able to transform everything and hold us together as the children of one Father.

In our First Reading we heard the prophecy of the return of the exiled Jews from Babylon back to their homeland.  In fact there was small number of people who had escaped the Assyrian captivity of sixth century BC.  Purified through their exile, they were the new Israel, faithful to God. Through suffering, the people humbled themselves and turned to God with sincere repentance. The reading is a hymn of praise and rejoicing because of what God is going to do for his people. In this joyful moment, the people sang aloud with gladness, displaying endless echoes of thanksgiving to God who had delivered the weak, the lame, those with children and those in labour. These were the ones who had received spiritual sight, they knowing and understanding the righteousness of the Lord that delivers salvation., In the words of Yahweh the prophet says, “I will gather them from the ends of the world with the blind and the lame in their midst”, and again he says, “I will lead them to brooks of water on a level road, so that none shall stumble”.  By God’s grace the people will experience many blessings.  The presence of mothers and mother to be is a sign of hope for a brighter and more secure future. Joy will replace their tears which they shed when they were taken into exile.

In our Second Reading, we heard that while every high priest is chosen from among mortals, their own people and he is chosen and appointed by God to be in charge of things that pertain to God on their behalf, they too must offer sacrifices for sins because they also are subject to human weakness. The function of a high priest is not one of self- appointment or an appointment by man. It is a calling from God, just as Aaron was called by God.  Equally, Jesus, although he is God-man did not seek glory by elevating Himself as a high priest. No, it was the Heavenly Father who appointed Him when He said to Jesus, “You are My Son, today I have begotten you and am pleased with you.” Elsewhere, He said, “You are a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” Yet the call of the master is indeed great and behaves as one who has come to serve and not to be served.  Jesus is called here as the high priest because of his relationship with hi Farther.  By his glorification and entrance into the eternal sanctuary he fulfills his vocation as the eternal High Priest.

The gospel passage of today is actually the last miracle story recorded in Mark. It comes at end of a long section where Jesus is forming his disciples. Jesus was already instructing them on the nature of the discipleship and his own identity. Throughout these narratives the disciples appear to be blind to who Jesus really was and what it means to accepts the demands he makes of them. Jesus indeed points out to the  necessary abilities of the Christian disciple: to hear and understand the Word of God and to share the message with others. There is the two-stage healing of a blind man. This story clearly indicates the gradual opening of the disciples’ eyes as to the true identity and mission of Jesus. And the whole section ends with the healing of the blind man which is not merely coincidence. At this juncture Jesus is now very near to Jerusalem. In fact, Jericho, which lies to the north-east, is on the way to Jerusalem. This has great significance for the miracle story to follow. This miracle speaks of the discipleship and the meaning of spiritual blindness that was present in the disciples and the followers of Jesus.

It is unusual to have a name given for a person Jesus heals. We know him as a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, is sitting beside the road. He hears all the noise, is told that Jesus is passing by, and begins to call out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  He must have heard stories about Jesus as a marvelous healer. For him this was a great opportunity, a moment of hope to get himself healed.  He cries out using the Christological title “Son of David” and we are not told how he knew of this title. But he certainly drew the attention of Jesus.  However, the people around tell him to be quiet. After all, he’s only a poor beggar. He cannot and should not disturb an important person like Jesus who is respected as the rabbi. But Bartimaeus could not be put off so easily. He tries to draw Jesus’ attention by calling out even more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”. Jesus now hears the shouting of the blind beggar and stops. He responds with the words “Call him over here.” The people would have told him, that the master is calling you and take courage.  He is sure to give you a special gift, perhaps some alms for him to live.  So they bring the man to the presence of Jesus.  

Now Jesus asks the blind man: “What can I do for you?”  this indeed was the moment of hope for the blind man.  He seems to be sure of receiving a great gift namely his sight.  So Bartimaeus gives Jesus a very simple answer: “Lord, that I may see.”  This was a very simple question and Jesus receives a humble and simple reply. It is the type of Christian prayer, a prayer of petition with the understanding, ask and you  shall receive with the belief that we receive whatever we ask in faith God will give it to us.   Jesus responds to him with affection and says that he is going to receive his sight and new sight is given to him.  Once the blind man receives his sight, we are told that he went following him all the way, or in other words, he became a disciple of Jesus.  Jesus does show a contrast here between his chosen disciples and the new disciple in the blind beggar.  While the former were spiritually blind but had physical sight, while the new disciple became a person with new spiritual vision along  with his physical vision and he chose to be with Jesus as his disciple. 

At the beginning of the story we saw a blind, an impoverished beggar sitting by the roadside and asking for help. He now reaches out to Jesus. At the end of the story, we have a man who can see, has vision, who knows very clearly where he is going and where he should be going. No longer is he a beggar but greatly enriched by that vision. No longer sitting passively waiting to get or receive but now actively walking with Jesus. No longer beside the road but now on the road, on the Way. Jesus is the Way: Jesus is Truth and Life. For the blind man it represents a situation where he casts off his old life in order to take up a new life of discipleship.  Part of the requirement for being a disciple of Jesus is to give up one’s possessions which Bartimaeus does very quickly. 

Today we heard the persistent cry of the blind man of Jericho who said to Jesus, “My Teacher, let me see again.”  This episode is a summary of the Christian’s life and pilgrimage.  While physical sight is desirable, spiritual sight is an absolute necessity for our salvation!  In order to have this spiritual sight we must pray to Jesus and say Lord, my Teacher, let me see again.  And when we receive spiritual sight, we come to know and understand that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” As Christians, we have our eyes opened to the meaning of life, we are to undergo a radical conversion experience which gives new direction to all we are and do.  Let us pray that today’s Word of God will touch the heart of those who have been spiritually blind so they will find the strength in Christ to walk away from what destroys the faith. Let us also pray this week for the grace of God to shine on those in need so their eyes may be opened and remain opened to faith and love of Jesus the master .

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ

The Church walks the same path and suffers the same destiny as Christ, since she acts not on the basis of any human logic or relying on her own strength, but instead she follows the way of the Cross, becoming, in filial obedience to the Father, a witness and a travelling companion for all humanity. I remind old Churches and those more recently founded that they have been placed by the Lord to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and called to spread Christ, the Light of the nations, to the far corners of the earth. Missio ad gentes must be a priority in pastoral programmes. To the Pontifical Mission Society go my gratitude and my encouragement for their indispensable service of promoting missionary animation and formation and material help for young Churches. Through the Pontifical Institutions communion among the Churches is admirably achieved with exchange of gifts, reciprocal concern and common missionary programming.

In the conclusion the Pope reaffirms the role of the missionary church, and says that the Missionary impulse has always been a sign of the vitality of our Churches. Nevertheless it is necessary to reaffirm that evangelisation is primarily the work of the Spirit and that before being action it is witness and irradiation of the light of Christ on the part of the local Church, which sends her own missionary men and women beyond her frontiers. Thus he reaffirms “evangelisation is the work of the Spirit” and therefore he calls on Catholics to “ to pray that the Holy Spirit will intensify the Church’s passion for the mission to spread the Kingdom of God and to support missionaries and Christian communities involved in mission, in front line, often in situations of hostility and persecution.”

The pope says that the missionary zeal has always been a sign of church vitality. He asks all Catholics to pray for an increase in missionary passion and to support missionaries who work on the front lines of evangelization, often under hostile conditions. At the same time he says, “I ask everyone to offer as a credible sign of communion among the Churches, financial assistance, especially in these times of crisis affecting all humanity, to help the young Churches be in the condition to illuminate the nations with the Gospel of charity.” Placing the Church before Mary, Pope Benedict says “May we be guided in our missionary activity by the Blessed Virgin Mary, star of New Evangelisation, who brought Christ into the world to be the light of the nations and to carry salvation “to the ends of the earth”. He then imparted his Apostolic Blessing.

As the Church celebrates 83rd Mission Sunday on October 18, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI invites all the faithful to reflect on the theme: “The nations will come to its light.” The Holy Father through his message wants to encourage in each one the deeper awareness of Christ’s missionary mandate to “make disciples of all peoples” in the footsteps of Saint Paul, the Apostle of the nations. World Mission Sunday, organized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. Annually, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on the next-to-last Sunday in October. This Sunday is an important day in the life of the Church because it teaches how to give: as an offering made to God, in the Eucharistic celebration and for all the missions of the world. Every year we have a special Sunday set aside to think about our Mission to the world. It is an annual reminder of who we are and what we have to do. The mission comes directly from Jesus to his disciples to go out to the whole world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.

Pope Benedict in his message reminds us that missionary endeavour is the first service which the Church owes humanity. This is who we are. This is what we do. Everything the Church does is part of, or leads up to bringing the gospel to creation. Pope Benedict also reminds us that the courage to evangelise is the measure of our love for God. To say that we are all missionaries is a truism which has no meaning until each person decides what their part is. The church reminds us that our prayers and donations on World Mission Sunday help to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. It is our chance to show our love and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who share our faith; to support them in our shared mission of showing the love of God for all. Thanks to Mission Sunday we can join with the whole Church in bringing spiritual and material help to those who need it most. The offerings that will be collected on World Mission Sunday are destined for a common fund of solidarity distributed, in the Pope’s name, by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith among the missions and missionaries of the entire world. The Holy Father through his message for the day encourages the faithful to respond to the message of Jesus to proclaim to the world his good news.

In his message for the Mission Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI says that the goal of the Church’s mission is to illuminate with the light of the Gospel all peoples journeying through history towards God, so that in Him they may reach their full potential and fulfilment. That impulse to evangelization, and not any desire for earthly power, drives all the work of the Church, he says. The Pope asks all Christians to redouble their commitment to participate in the missionary activity that is an essential component of the life of the Church. Through his message the Holy Father wants to encourage all the faithful to experience deeper awareness of Christ’s missionary mandate to make disciples of all peoples. “We must live the longing and the passion to illuminate all peoples with the light of Christ that shines on the face of the Church, so that all may be gathered into the one human family, under the loving Fatherhood of God,” says the Pontiff. He invites all believers to proclaim strongly that Christ is the salvation of the world. Further he says, “We ask nothing except to put ourselves at the service of all humanity, especially the suffering and the excluded, because we believe that the effort to proclaim the Gospel to the people of today is a service rendered to the Christian community and also to the whole of humanity.”

In the Message which bears the title “The nations will come to its light” (Rev 21, 24) the Holy Father underlines once again “the Church works not to extend power or affirm dominion, but to carry, to all, Jesus Christ, the salvation of the world.” In fact the dispersion, multiplicity, conflict, enmity which afflicts humanity “will be calmed and reconciled through the blood of the Cross and led back to unity. This new beginning has already started with the Resurrection and the exaltation of Christ, who draws all things to himself, renewing them and enabling them to share in the eternal joy of God”. Already today, in the contradictions and sufferings of this world, there shines the light of hope for a new life, and the Pontiff underlines that “The Church’s mission is to infect all peoples with hope” and “Christ calls, sanctifies and sends his disciples to announce the Kingdom of God, so that all nations may become the people of God. The universal mission should become a fundamental constant in the life of the Church. To announce the Gospel must be for us, as it was for the Apostle Paul, a primary and impelling duty”.

The Holy Father recalls that the universal Church feels responsible for announcing the Gospel to whole peoples and is aware of her duty to continue Christ’s service in the world, since the measure of her mission and her service is not material or even spiritual needs restricted to temporal existence, instead, it is transcendent salvation, fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. Through the mission given by Jesus Christ, the Church wishes to transform the world with the proclamation of the Gospel of love, calling all the members and institutions of the Church to take part in this mission. Hence the Pontiff says, “The goal of the Church’s mission is to illuminate with the light of the Gospel all peoples journeying through history towards God, so that in Him they may be fully realised and accomplished. We must live the longing and the passion to illuminate all peoples with the light of Christ that shines on the face of the Church, so that all may be gathered into the one human family, under Fatherhood of God. It is in this perspective that the disciples of Christ spread throughout the world work, struggle and groan under the burden of suffering, offering their very lives. Let us once again proclaim strongly what was so frequently affirmed by my venerated Predecessors: the Church works not to extend power or affirm dominion, but to carry, to all, Christ, the salvation of the world.” Christ’s mission on earth is made visible through his service and hence the Pope says that we ask nothing except to put ourselves at the service of all humanity, especially the suffering and the excluded, because we believe that “the effort to proclaim the Gospel to the people of today is a service rendered to the Christian community and also to the whole of humanity which has experienced marvellous achievements but which seems to have lost its sense of ultimate realities and of existence itself.” The Holy Father then offers the church a full invitation to serve others and says: “With this message I renew my invitation to all the members and institutions of the Church to participate in this mission and this service.”

Dwelling on the subject of mission ad gentes, Pope Benedict XVI underlines the necessity to renew our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel which is leaven of freedom and progress, brotherhood, unity and peace, a particularly urgent task considering widespread and profound changes in present day society: “Animated and inspired by the Apostle of the nations, we must realise that God has a numerous people in all the cities visited by the apostles of today. The whole Church must be committed to mission ad gentes, until the salvific sovereignty of Christ is fully accomplished”. The mission of the Church, therefore, is to call all peoples to the salvation accomplished by God through his incarnate Son, says the Holy Father. “I would confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church a duty and a mission which the widespread and profound changes in present day society render ever more urgent. At stake is the eternal salvation of all people, the goal and the accomplishment of human history and the universe.”

This day dedicated to the missions is also an opportunity to recall and remember local Churches and missionaries who bear witness to and spread the Kingdom of God in situations of persecution, with various forms of oppression ranging from social discrimination to prison, torture and death. No small number of them is put to death for the sake of his “Name”, the name of Jesus. In this way all are called to evangelise even through the martyrdom. Participation in the mission of Christ, in fact, affects also the lives of those who announce the Gospel, for whom is reserved the same destiny as their Master”. The Pope says: “Still tremendously relevant today are the words of my venerated Predecessor, Pope John Paul II: “The Jubilee remembrance has presented us with a surprising vista, showing us that our own time is particularly prolific in witnesses, who in different ways were able to live the Gospel in the midst of hostility and persecution, often to the point of the supreme test of shedding their blood.” Participation in the mission of Christ, in fact, affects also the life of those who announce the Gospel, for whom is reserved the same destiny as their Master. “Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too”.

Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45

For Christians Bible gives the direction to live and move forward in the ways of the Lord. Sometimes the teachings can be hard and difficult. In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us that whoever wishes to become great among his followers must be a servant or a slave. We know that in the world people search out for glory and honour just as the two brothers did. They wanted to be at the right side and left side of Jesus in his kingdom. When Jesus probes into the question they show their willingness without realizing that the ultimate place on the right and left of Jesus is to be hanging on the cross like him. Yet Jesus gives no promise to them of a special place and calls them all to be humble and simple like the child.  This ideal is important for us as we celebrate the mission Sunday today. World Mission Sunday highlights our responsibility to help and spread the message found in the scriptures. We  do not have to be experts in evangelization. We all of us are called to work with our brothers and sisters to build the kingdom of God here on earth.  Our mission work has to be one of service as Jesus calls us do.

All the three readings of today touch the theme of suffering. Prophet Isaiah in the first reading speaks of the sufferings endured by the servant.  In the second reading letter to the Hebrews tells us that we have Jesus the high priest who has gone through sufferings and will be the source of comfort and grace. In the Gospel Jesus speaks about his own sufferings and tells the disciples about his passion and suffering leading ultimately to his final glory. The first reading is taken from the closing verses of the servant song in Isaiah where the poem begins and ends with the testimony from God about the accomplishments of the servant.  His self reflects on his life telling us how generously and submissively he gave himself up. There is the admiration of the sacrifice made by the individual for others. This servant suffers and is crushed. He faces the hatred and rejection from people. Amazingly God is pleased with him because by his suffering and death the servant won the forgiveness and healing for the world. This is the victory of the servant and for this he is exalted by God and he enjoys a life beyond the ordinary.  He has the right relationship with God. 

The Second Reading from the letter to the Hebrews tells us that in Jesus we have a “great” high priest. When is Jesus our great high priest? When he is in a temple built with exotic marble and wearing vestments made of costly cloth and precious stones and people bowing down before him? No, he is our great high priest when he, the priest and victim, hangs stark naked on the altar of the cross while the crowds mock and jeer at him from below. There is the hope that Jesus the high priest, the son of God can accomplish great things for us.  He is human and he can sympathise with us in all our struggles.  As a human person he knows what it is to be tested. Now Jesus is glorified in his humanity and has entered into heaven. He is now our advocate with God the Father we have the confidence that God’s mercy and grace are always available.

The Gospel passage contains the response of James and John to Jesus ‘third prediction of his passion. This pronunciation follows the two previous predictions of Jesus about his passion, suffering, death and Resurrection.  In each case the response of the disciples manifests a basic misunderstanding of what Jesus has been talking about.  Jesus is talking about his suffering death and service while the disciples are constantly focused on power fame and glory. Jesus attempts to counter their misunderstanding with a corrective teaching regarding the meaning of discipleship.  Here we have the two brothers, who belong to the innermost circle of Jesus’ disciples, trying to exert their influence on Jesus and snatch the power they are looking for.  They come to Jesus with  their request the moment Jesus had finished telling them about his suffering and death. Their opening gambit seems a quite modest request: “Master, we want you to something for us.” Jesus is not so easily duped. He counters with another question: “What do you want me to do for you?”  It is much like the question he asked before healing the blind man and the leper. The two brothers had heard Jesus speaking of suffering, death and new life. They had recognised Jesus as the Messiah-King of Israel and heard him refer often to “his kingdom”. They ask him to give them the two top places in his royal kingdom. Mark tells us  that  their request showed that they had no understanding whatever of what Jesus had told them.

Jesus asks them: “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink? Can you be baptised with the baptism with which I will be baptised?”  They respond to him without any further understanding that it is possible for them to drink the chalice of Jesus. Their response may have been very genuine but it is clear they had no understanding of how this King would triumph by emptying himself to the lowest human level and only then enter his kingdom. This is what Isaiah speaks about in today’s First Reading. He speaks of God crushing the Suffering Servant (Jesus) with suffering as the way for him to have many heirs and live a long life. “By his sufferings shall my servant justify many.”

As we continue the Gospel Reading, we see how the other disciples are upset when the brothers asked Jesus for the honour of sitting at the right and left side of His heavenly Throne. Understandably, when the other ten heard of  their ambition they were very angry. It was not because they disagreed but because they felt cheated. Perhaps they too wanted such a position. These two had gone behind their backs and pulled a fast one. They too had totally missed the point. So now Jesus brings them all together and tells them his view of greatness and success in life. There is only one way to greatness and it is his way.  Teaching them to be spiritually minded, Jesus told the disciples, to become great, they be as servants; to be first, they must be a slave to all. Jesus Himself did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. His example of perfect love is our example. Thus Jesus makes his point clear through his corrective teaching about true greatness not being centered in authoritarian ruling but in service and servanthood. For them the model is Jesus whose true authority was rooted in service towards all.

Greatness consists not in what we have, or in what we can get from others but in what we can give of ourselves to others. In our own time, I suppose Mother Teresa was an outstanding example. Her greatness was in the giving of her whole self to the very lowest, treating them as brothers and sisters and living close to them and like them. And the people of India recognised that. Her greatness was not in her fame or even in her reputation for holiness but because of her spirit of service to those most neglected and to those in need. Mother Teresa was a great missionary bringing the Gospel message of service to the very poorest. She and her sisters went on missionary work to New York and Los Angeles, to London and even Rome. Like James and John and the other disciples, like Mother Teresa and many others, we are all called to be missionaries. To be good missionaries we have to hear Jesus’ words about where real greatness lies. It is a message that is not always easy to hear in a society like ours. We are all called to be not only disciples and followers but also apostles and missionaries and to be of service to our brothers and sisters.

Thus to be a disciple of Jesus we must accept our call to serve others as he served.  At the Last Supper he gave the example and washed the feet of his disciples and told them that they too ought to do likewise. At certain times the disciples of Jesus had  the basic misunderstanding of his mission and message.  While Jesus was preaching on the Gospel of suffering, death and service, they were looking for power, fame and glory. In our society the word service has many meanings; but today as we celebrate the Mission Sunday it includes the efforts of men, women and children who  work to spread the Gospel and offer Christ’s healing and forgiveness to those who have never encountered him.  Hence service is an essential component of Christianity.  Believing in God and acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and master are important as are study, prayer and meditation; but the true mark of our faith is how we treat others in life.

Dear friends we are all called to follow Christ with an attitude of service towards others. As many in our society strive for success, fame and wealth, followers of Christ are called upon to look for opportunities to serve others. Our celebration of this Eucharist is an acknowledgement of our dependence on God and each other and our willingness to follow the example of Jesus Christ.  On August 14, 1941, Saint Maximilian Kolbe died of starvation in the place of a young father so that he may live. We view this act of self-sacrifice as extremely beautiful Christian love. What Jesus has done for each and every one of us far surpasses what St. Maximilian has done for the young man. Through Jesus, we are not gaining the normal life span of a human being on earth, but eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30

Every person has a desire to do something great and something important in his or her life. They have the goal set for themselves and want by all means to achieve it.  The young man in today’s Gospel wanted eternal life.  But he was much attached to his material possessions. He knew the commandments well and followed them faithfully and lived a good life. But he was not at all willing to sacrifice his possessions and make eternal life his primary goal. Jesus makes a figurative statement of the camel and eye of the needle an imagery to indicate how difficult it is to a person who is attached to riches to enter into heaven.  This imagery may have meant the small city gate where even the large animal like a camel will have to struggle. Yet he indicates that all attachments are destructive. This would have shocked the disciples as they knew from the Old Testament that riches are a blessing and poverty is the curse. What Jesus says is that it is important to put ones trust in God and not in material possessions and he must give up his dependence on these things. Jesus demands a lot from his followers. In fact he demands everything. If we wish to follow Jesus fully he must be the centre of our lives. He will be of greater importance to us than family, career, or other noble ideals. Jesus today calls each one of us to examine our lives and let go anything that is more important to us than he is. His invitation will follow us all the while and he will demand a response from us.

Today’s readings are a challenge to our human complacency. From the religious point of view wealth is something that draws us away from God and buries us in the earthly things.  Only the divine presence and his word can make us persons ready to receive the heavenly life. Today’s First Reading spoke of the wealth that is found in wisdom. Something to be esteemed more than “scepters and thrones…compared with her, all gold is a pinch of sand, and beside her silver ranks as mud”. She is more valuable than health, beauty and even the light because “in her company all good things came to me…riches not to be numbered”. For what can be valued more than what brings me love, security, freedom and happiness? Her unending radiance guides us towards the Lord Jesus who is the way, and the truth, and the life.  Wisdom guides us towards God, the Church and Sacraments that justify us and bless us with the gift of salvation. Without wisdom, we are spiritually blind. In spiritual blindness, we become as lost sheep who walk aimlessly, waiting for the wolves to devour them.

And the words of the Second Reading, too, find a perfect illustration in this Gospel scene. “The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts like any double-edged sword but more finally: it can slip through the place where the soul is divided from the spirit, or joints from the marrow.” The text is an argument for why we should be so diligent to enter God’s rest by hearing and believing God’s word.  To enter this great and joyful rest we must trust God. “We who have believed enter that rest.” So the utterly indispensable means of getting to heaven is believing God and trusting him. The words “living and active” perhaps correspond to any of these other pairs: spirit-soul, joints-marrow, thoughts-intentions.  One of the functions of the word of God when it comes into us is that it penetrates very deep — like a sword through tough, hard layers — and makes judgments about what’s there. The way to enter that rest is faith, or belief, or trust in God’s promises. The great danger in these chapters is not just bad thoughts. The great danger is unbelieving thoughts. This Gospel story, like many others, cuts through all our conventional ways of thinking and drives us to reflect on the things that really matter and where real wealth and blessings lie.  To be totally a disciple of Jesus is not to give up something valuable; on the contrary it is to find the secret of real happiness and wealth. The man in the Gospel story never did discover that happiness and he lost it by walking away. He was a man who was obviously attracted to Jesus and wanted to follow him but could not deprive himself of wealth.

In the passage we heard from the Gospel of Mark indicates the vision Jesus is unfolding to his disciples and shows his Way that will ultimately lead to the salvation. Significantly, we are told at the beginning that Jesus was “setting out on a journey”, literally, that he was setting out on the road or the way. This way is leading Jesus to Jerusalem, to his suffering, death, resurrection and it is the way  his followers are expected to follow. Jesus himself is the Way, the truth and life and to be with him is to be on the Way to life. At this juncture Jesus encounters the rich young man. Mathew calls him young and Luke says he is a ruler. This person has one aim in life to inherit the eternal life.  By the very encounter we come to know him as a morally good person. For him, religion and therefore holiness consisted in being a morally good person in the eyes of God. He openly tells Jesus that he kept all the commandments and has lived a good and in our terms a religious life. He had not harmed any one and had observed what the law expected him to do. But  all the emphasis was on himself and his own individual perfection and never went beyond that norm.

There is some amount of ambiguity in the request of the young man to Jesus.   He wanted to know the means to obtain eternal life but was unaware of the entry into the Kingdom of God, or the need to obtain the means to be saved.  When Jesus said, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” Our Lord was certainly referring to the Kingdom of God. When the disciples asked him, “Then who can be saved?” they were certainly referring to salvation as Jesus had taught them. In the Divine Plan of Salvation, it is important for us to know the difference between obtaining the gift of eternal life versus the gift of salvation. Surely, eternal life alone is not what the man was asking Jesus. Having improperly expressed himself as we frequently do, he asked the wrong question but got the right answer. For Jesus knows the hearts of all and He knew what the man was asking, how to inherit the Kingdom of God, such embracing salvation.

Mark tells us that Jesus looked at the man “with love”, a love that reaches out in concern for the deepest well being of the other. It is the kind of love that the Gospel asks us to extend to every single person as Jesus had expressed at the Last Supper in his Final Discourse, indicating a personal, life sharing and life giving love.  This is the love he showed from the cross as he tells his friends “love one another as I have loved you”. And it was this love for the man that leads to the challenge Jesus is going to make. This rich young man was good; Jesus wanted him to be even better. So he tells him what he has to do for his perfection: “There is one thing lacking. Sell all you have and give to the poor, and then you will have real treasure. After that, come and be with me.” It was an unconditional sacrifice he is called upon to make to be with Jesus.  In fact, it had never occurred to him that his wealth was anything but a sign of God’s blessing. He walked slowly and sadly away totally dejected person.

The teaching of Jesus about the hardship to enter heaven would have shocked his disciples. It was indeed totally contrary to their own beliefs for they had understood that material wealth and prosperity were signs of God’s blessings. The young man was the recipient of such blessings as men of old in the Old Testament.  But Jesus gives his new teaching: attachment to wealth and Kingdom of God cannot go together. He gives the example of camel and needle’s eye or the narrow side gate in the city wall. The camel indeed found it hard to enter through it. Yet he tells the disciples that the salvation is in the hands of God and indeed he will save those he has called and chosen. He will show his concern towards each one of them.

We have Peter who on behalf of the disciples shows the sacrifice each had made. Their sacrifice they had made was small and simple and yet Jesus promises them multiple reward, a new heaven and new earth, building a new community of love. Let us also ask our heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus for the permanent indwelling gift of wisdom so we may never deter from our blessed hope. May the grace of God richly shine on each and every one of us to come forward personally to make this spiritual request. We ask for the grace to sacrifice something personal and valuable to secure eternal life and kingdom of God.

“There was once a wise woman traveling in the mountains who found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and she opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked if she might give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime, but a few days later he came back to return the stone to the woman who had given it to him. ‘I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I’m giving it back in the hope that you can give me something much more precious. I want you to give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone without any hesitation.’