Wednesday 15 February
Wednesday of week 6 in Ordinary Time First reading - Genesis 8:6-13,20-22 The Ark of Noah is a symbol of how much we need each other in this creation. We all belong to the one nature which God created. He not only created but also protects it. He protected it through the ark of Noah. The humanity cannot be isolated from the nature. We are in symphony with the entire creation. It’s very symbolic when Noah waits on the reactions of the nature. He sent a raven and waited. Then he sent a dove and waited. The patience of man before the nature is what bring peace to the nature. When our selfishness and egoism want to produce more and more without listening to the nature, the olive-branch bring dove disappears from the nature. Everything is seen as part of a frenetic production unit. So as a coexistence of created beings in harmony under the Lordship of God. It’s important to listen to the nature with patience and see the entire creation as interdepending organism. This harmony is what makes the creation produce the appeasing fragrance to the Lord. Let’s reflect: Do I see the nature around me as production units for me or as members of the created world along with me?
Tuesday 14 February
Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, Bishop First reading - Acts 13:46-49 “I have made you a light for the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.” For this reason, Paul and Barnabas, speaking boldly about proclaiming the word of God to whole world. Jesus Christ is the light for all the nations. Preaching the Gospel to whole world is important. Whoever we meet in our life, we have to witness this truth to this person. “I would like to show the light to your life because I believe in Jesus Christ who is the light for the nations which include you”. Each person we meet in our life is entitled to have this light and we are supposed to be the instrument to tell this person about it. Paul and Barnabas were convinced about this. That is why they spoke boldly about this. Sometimes, we are not so bold about this. Maybe we are not convinced about it. Let’s reflect: are we speaking boldly enough to others that Jesus Christ is the light in their life?
Monday 13 February
Monday of week 6 in Ordinary Time First reading - Genesis 4:1-15,25 “The Lord asked Cain, Why are you angry and downcast? If you are well disposed, ought you not to lift up your head? But if you are ill disposed, is not sin at the door like a crouching beast hungering for you, which you must master?’” The Lord did not look with favour on Cain’s offering because he brought “some” of the produce of the soil. The Lord looked with favour on Abel’s offering because he brought the first-born of his flock. The offering of the former were insignificant ones. But the offering of the latter were significant ones. Then without recognizing his fault, he became angry, and the Lord asked the above question. Why are you angry and downcast? This happens a lot in our life also. We are responsible for our failure but without accepting the responsibility we become angry and moody. This is what the Lord calls as predisposition for sin. When we don’t accept our fault and become angry at others, we are ill disposed. What happens then? The Lord explains, in that moment the “sin is at the door like a crouching beast hungering for you”. The ill disposition opens the door of your heart for the sins. The anger and bad mood take control of the entire person. That’s the Lord warns, “you must master that”. We must master the ill disposition by accepting our fault and by following the good example of others. Let’s reflect: Do I go into a bad mood when I am angry, or I master the situation by accepting my faults?
Sunday, 12 February
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time First reading - Ecclesiasticus 15:16-21 Today’s first reading shows us the importance of choice in our life. “ …to behave faithfully is within your power”, says the Word of God. We make our choices in our life. It’s not about the circumstances or realities we find ourselves. But it’s about our attitude and reactions towards these circumstances and realities. It’s about our actions regarding these circumstances and actions. It’s like the hand placed over fire and water. “He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer”. So, our preferences or our choice make the difference. Challenging or difficult situations and realities do not mean that we must sin. “He never commanded anyone to be godless, he has given no one permission to sin”. But it’s enough to be close to God and He will watch over us. “For vast is the wisdom of the Lord; he is almighty and all-seeing. His eyes are on those who fear him, he notes every action of man”. So when we are close to the wisdom of the Lord who is almighty and all-seeing, we make the right choice irrespective of the circumstances and realities. Let’s reflect: am I close to the Wisdom of God to make the right choice in my freedom?