Just some weeks before we celebrated the Epiphany feast of God's revealing to people and it continues in today's Feast. This day is the last day in the classical Christmas liturgy.
We come across with some figures in the gospel today.
They are Mary and Joseph with Child Jesus,
the old Priest Simeon and the old widow Anna.
They all had some thing in common.
They were simple.
Mary and Joseph offered the offerings of the poor that were prescribed in the laws of Moses for the Purification. (Lev 12)
Jesus, even called special as the son of God, comes to the temple for his purification and keeps his simplicity.
His earthly parents - Mary and Joseph - too have no issues with this.
The priest appear in this gospel is not some high priest or any one who had a special status in the temple. We cannot trace some hints in the Gospel at all. But it was the old Priest Simeon.
And we see also the old widow Anna.
Both of them were belonging to the same category.
They were poor and simple - unpopular for the crowd - but were in good relation with God. They were expecting the Messiah. And their search for Him, lead them to the Messiah - Jesus.
It is a continuation of the Christmas narrations... the wise Maggie, the shepherds... now the old priest and widow...
all were in the same category.
All were simple in heart.
All were but ready to listen to the revelations.
All were able to see the mighty God in a small poor child with his simple parents. That makes them great.
Later on we see almost the same.
When Jesus is on with his proclamation and preaching,
we see most of the time such people around him.
Fisher, sick, poor, prostitutes and tax collectors, women children...
These people were able to grasp the message of Jesus better than the other "righteous" in Judea.
It is not the external matters and richness that made them simple and listeners to God. But their mind set up; their attitude.
They were having the right frequency.
Jesus is revealing to us as a simple and normal human.
But even in this normality his divine nature is revealed and it cannot be hidden at least for the simple hearted. It was visible in his teachings, in his healings and in his presence. That made them his followers.
Later he teaches in the Sermon on the mountains:
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
Yes, it is the clean heart that we are needed.
The feast is also related to the cleanliness...
Then the presentation was the ceremony of purification.
Jesus and Mary were actually not unclean to be cleaned.
Still they go for the tradition and ritual.
They state they are still simple normal human beings.
Their external cleanliness leads to their internal purity.
It points to their simplicity.
Pure in hearts means be selfless. Such life has only one goal and one spirit. That is the spirit of God.
Simeon identified this divine spirit that easily, as he was only in search of it. And it was his life's ambition.
We too are in search of God. But it is not that so easy and simple as we think. it means selfless life...it means pure in life and love, both external and internal purity are asked from us. Let us live for that. God bless us with a pure heart and a selfless love. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
Asking question is not a bad habit. It is the basic requirement of any growth. Without questions there is no philosophy or any other sciences.
And who asks questions normally? Surely, those who are in doubt and in search of answers or clarifications.
But there are other people who deliberately ask questions.
It may be not to clear their doubts or to extend their knowledge, but may be to trap some one with some bad intention or may be in hesitation of accepting the power of the others.
We are familiar with such questions in the Gospel in many passages.
Today's Gospel is also a best example for this.
I think the Passage is a mirror of the Israel that time:
Normally it is either Pharisees or other hierarchical persons questions the power of Jesus. But here it is the Evil Spirit who is in quest of knowing the power of Jesus.
Was the Evil Spirit trying to impose his authority over God's Spirit?
May be that provoked Jesus showing his power.
And this questioning proved the power of God over all other powers.
- By the way Power of Jesus: The gospel tells the people in Capharnaum are really taken by the teaching of Jesus. We read this at first and at the end of the Gospel passage the day.
"The people were astonished at his teaching" ....
"All were amazed..." "His Fame spread..."
These are the expressions of the People who were convinced of Jesus' teaching and Power.
Of course the unexpected growth of Jesus is another headache for the high class Jews. Jesus, the son of a carpenter, who was "somewhere" for some years, who neither a learned rabbi nor had a study under any famous rabbi- now he is accepted by the people very well. That means a real headache to the Jewish hierarchy and it was in no way acceptable to them. But the Evil spirit surprises me. Yes, where the human ego fails to accept the greatness of God, the Evil Spirit does it, even if it happens with some hesitation. The doubting Evil spirit becomes the instrument for the Glory of God.
A "Man with Evil spirit" was among them: says the Gospel.
This is a figure too.
This mentions not only the one who was healed -
there are, but more unhealed "spirits" among them.
More over it is a sign for us too.
Of course we can find some influences of "evil spirit" in and among us too.
There are Spirits and theories not accepting God and his authority.
There are people who question any divine matters,
not for the faith sake, but for one's own ego.
Even then Gospel says ultimate victory is for God:
The Evil Spirit had to respect and obey God's Power as he knows the real greatness of God.
Gospel asserts it, Jesus' fame spread and he was considered great.
The doubts and dark sides of our lives must give way to the glory of God.
And this gives Jesus fame and acceptance.
The Evil spirit left the man with hesitation and after much struggle.
Yes, it is not so easy to get out of our bad habits and inclinations.
They cannot be left so simply.
It may hurt us. It may be painful for us.
It may pull us down to the earth and tear us.
We need divine assistance for the wonder.
Are we ready for the adventure?
Can we transform our doubts and sceptics against God to salvation?
Let us ask his blessings and power.
God the almighty help us! Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
Even though the Gospel in this Sunday deals with the calling of disciples,
the main theme in today's readings is "Repent and believe".
We believe that God is good and he will keep us when we repent and believe in Him. That is the very clear message of the Holy Scriptures in general.
However, can God repent?
I know you will find this is this question very interesting.
Truly, we hear this in today's first reading.
The prophet Jonah is not using the word Repentance in his proclamation. According to the reading “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” That was the (only) proclamation of Jonah (3, 4). Of course there is a warning to repent. And indeed, the people of Nineveh believed God.
But as I mentioned above,
it is "God" who "repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them;" (3, 10)
No question: the repentance of God can be understood, in another way.
God rethought and relented on his decision, as the mission of Jonah was success - because of the penance and belief of the people of Nineveh.
We may understand this goodness of God in the Gospel from another angle: From an unconventional way of interpretation...
"The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel." This is Jesus' proclamation in the Gospel, that again connected with the calling of disciples.
The context is the absence (after the arrest) of John the Baptist.
Jesus is not proclaiming a revolt or a protest against the politicians.
On the contrary, he proclaims the Kingdom of God is achieved only through repentance and faith in the "good news".
Yes, Jesus is truly a new teacher. And that is the outstanding nature of his life and teachings. He teaches the people to believe in God. He teaches God is good... He teaches to overcome the difficult situation with self-correction and faith in God. That is his Good news. For this new teaching, he needs helpers. Therefore, he calls disciples...Because he knew; a similar fate of John is waiting for him. His life may not be so long; still his mission and teaching must grow.
What is his teaching?
He is teaching, the world has a future only in peace and in union with God.
Each one must personally achieve this peace at first. This happens only with a clear and guilty-free conscience and a calm heart. Repentance has its unique role here. Only a person with clean conscience and calm heart can pray good, feel the goodness of God in any life situation.
Jesus had such a life. His relation to God was such clear and steady. That helped him to proclaim such a Good News, even in the difficult context of the arrest of John. He wanted to promote this.
By calling new disciples Jesus is not promising a secure life either for them or for us; further he wanted to proclaim "the Good and upright God";
he wanted that the mission must go on. The kingdom of God must come.
Neither protests nor provocations, but the peace of God must rule the world.
Faith in God must be rooted in our lives.
That is the Good News. That is the beginning of the Kingdom of God.
"The Lord is good and upright", we hear this in the 25th Psalm.
God is good because his Kingdom is growing.
We are saved through His patience.
He gives us again a chance to change.
As the people of Nineveh repented, we too must turn to God and recognize his saving goodness. He is ready to forgive our past.
"The merit of good works will not bring us to faith, but faith is the beginning of good works" so teaches St. Jerome.
Let us believe in Him!
Let us repent and inherit a clear heart to merit the Kingdom of God.
Living such a life will make us his true (new) disciples of this time.
God bless us! Amen.
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
Advertisements are very common in this modern time as they promote products and business. These are mainly aimed to catch the attention and interest of people.
Jesus gets some attention as John the Baptist relates him as the "Lamb of God". As some disciples of John shows their interest in Jesus, he is making some advertisement for the Kingdom of God.
It is "Come and see."
It may be one of the shortest advertisements in the history:
And may be one among the shortest sentences in the scripture.
However, its impact is such great.
It captures the hearts of millions... It changed the world.
"Rabbi, where are you living?" Jesus was asked about his life.
This means how you are living?
Jesus could feel the hidden meaning of the question of the disciples of John.
He recognizes that, there is a liking to him.
Jesus perceives, seeing has a special role in the conviction and taking decisions. And he invites them to see, to observe his life.
Later we see how the seeing helps the Faith of Apostles.
Especially after the resurrection - Apostles believed in Jesus by seeing him.
Jesus underlines the human side:
Faith is not some thing with out reason and feeling.
It needs some visible - Physical - aspects.
(Jesus understands this very well and that is why he instituted the holy Eucharist, as a remembrance of his life. His words and symbols are thus lively in our lives even after centuries.)
Jesus' reply "Come and see" means follow me and have your own decision in following my life. Jesus is granting great space of freedom and asserts -Discipleship is not something out of compulsion.
Jesus never wanted to compel and collect followers.
He wanted completely dedicated and convinced true followers...
John the evangelist describes, they remained with Jesus on "that Day" (only). Their decision of following Jesus ultimately comes later, after a certain time.
But the stay with Jesus left some remaining desire in their hearts.
The disciples could make use of their time - to think and recall the call.
With the time, they could hear the voice of God in Jesus' call and follow him wholeheartedly.
In the first reading, we hear Samuel's experience with the call of God.
He is hearing God's call but mistakes it as of Eli the priest.
Eli guides Samuel after a third time - how to respond to the call.
Samuel needed time and advice to recognize the call.
Disciples too are responding to Jesus' call after much meditation and thoughts.
They were in danger to miss his call, as they returned to their "noisy and busy" life of fishing and other works. Even then, the experience with Jesus helped them to the real following.
We too are just like Samuel and the Disciples.
We hear, meditate, and pray the Life and words of God.
Some time we may not recognise his voice.
Some time we may need time to grasp it.
At the same time, we are in the midst of our busy and noisy life.
However, God is still in our hearts.
We need some time of silence and loneliness and meditation
to recognize his call.
Samuel heard God's call in the temple; disciples of John amidst their life.
We visit the church frequent; participate in the liturgy with a good spirit.
He invites us too to come and see...
to come near to him and be in touch with him- in the worship and prayers, and during our daily experiences.
As Samuel and disciples enjoyed the unique presence of God in their life, we too are called to enjoy this call, personally.
Let us make our hearts and lives calm and quite to listen to his voice.
Let the time with our Lord and his impulse guide us to true discipleship.
Let his voice help us to better our call in the family, and in the society...
As Samuel and disciples were transformed,
let the voice f God transform us as his sincere followers.
God bless us all. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
What is Baptism - What is the Baptism of the Lord?
Today we are confronted with these questions.
First, we will respond and define that baptism as a rite of admission into the church, an entrance into the Christian life. It cleanses us from original sin and guilt; we "die" with Christ and "rise" with him to new life. This is a new birth as a child of God. Baptism has so many meanings.
Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus.
What is celebrated here in particular?
Jesus is coming like a normal person to be baptized by John.
Jesus makes himself small before John and other people,
but God the Father makes him great.
The heavens are opened.
He proclaims Jesus as his son.
Yes, it is a wonderful baptism - it is wonderful not only because there are so many supernatural descriptions. But this show us what Jesus is, and how he leads his life after his baptism. Many theologians understand this baptism of Jesus as the appellate experience of Jesus -
Jesus is confirmed through the baptism. Then he has the divine assurance, "he is son of God".
He is anointed as - king, priest, prophet.
He is also the Messiah, the Anointed!
However, he lives as a servant.
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah (42, 1-4, 6-7) is the confirmation of this:
"Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations."
That is his strength and courage. Therefore, Jesus goes to the people who needed him. He lives there as a healer, comforter, as a teacher, he lives with them.
What else we can learn from this baptism, is:
Jesus is changed (transformed) or is manifested at his baptism:
He says "yes" to his vocation: Yes, in order to proclaim the kingdom of God.
Yes, in order to show God's justice and mercy.
He understands what he is anointed for:
What is his vocation and life.
My dear, this is not just the "call of Jesus."
It is also our true calling and destiny
To be transformed as children of God.
The baptism of Jesus tells us what we should actually do.
How shall we live.
How wonderfully blessed we are - we are children of God - even the supporters of the Messiah.
Baptism, means to "be another Christ" - to bear witness.
After the baptism, Jesus went to the people who were in distress to help them. Let us realize our call. Let us bring our fellow beings peace and joy from God. God bless us all, Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
