Tuesday 29 November
Tuesday of the 1st week of Advent Gospel - Luke 10:21-24 “Happy the eyes that see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’” Jesus said this not only about His time, but also about now. Lot of people wants to see the light, but they are not able to see the light. They see darkness and defects. Because the light is hidden to the learned and the clever. The light is revealed to mere children. To see the light of the Father, you must become a child. Not a learned, who knows everything. But a child who looks to the eyes of the Father and sees the light. Then we see light always. So, whenever we don’t see light around, or we see darkness around, try to look into the eyes of the Father as a child. Or look through the eyes of the only Son Jesus Christ to see the light of the Father. Let’s reflect: Are we looking into the eyes of the Father as sons and daughters for light?
Monday 28 November
Monday of the 1st week of Advent Gospel - Matthew 8:5-11 “Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured.” In these words of this centurion, we can find the simplicity of faith which opens totally to the plan of God and entrusts completely to that. No pretensions. Acknowledges his unworthiness before everyone and opens himself up for the plan of God. This simplicity of faith is what we reflect today. The simplicity of faith increases the profoundness of faith. Simplicity of faith takes aways unnecessary elements in faith. It’s not necessary to understand everything but it is important to understand that everything is possible for God. Simplicity goes into the centre of essentials. Simplicity brings the spontaneity of God’s love. Let’s reflect: is my faith simple which allows a total trust in God?
Sunday 27 November
1st Sunday of Advent Gospel - Matthew 24:37-44 The awaiting in the advent is pictured the householder who is watching over his over against burglars who can come anytime. His house is precious for him, he is not waiting for the burglar, but he is protecting his house. His love for his house is that keeps him awake. His love for his house is that keep him alert all the time. In other words, he loves his house all the time. Now let’s think about our awaiting in the advent. Our love for Jesus must keep us awake to respond to His love always. Our love for Jesus must keep us alert all the time not to ignore His love. Because any moment in which we are passive to His love are moments lost. This happened in the time of Noah. They keep doing what they like to do without responding to the word of God through Noah. When we chose what we see, we don’t see the flood. When we respond to the love of God, we chose God who sees the flood. The awaiting is choice to be alert to respond to the love of God and not keep doing my things. Let’s reflect: how am I preparing myself in this advent? By being alert about the love of God which comes all the moments of my life or by keep doing my things? Advent is the opportunity to be alert to respond to the love of God which comes continuously into our life.
Saturday 26 November
Saturday of week 34 in Ordinary Time or Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary Gospel - Luke 21:34-36 “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.” Staying awake is being out of yourself and not closing yourself inside your comforts. Along with staying awake, Jesus adds praying. That means, you come out of yourself to be in union with God. The two steps in the process are important. The coming out of oneself and then relating to God. One is more challenging than the other. That is why Jesus is saying, “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life,”. Our selfishness always pushes us to remain inside ourselves, inside our desires, our pleasures, our interests… From there we must come out. Then we must relate to God. Here also there is the challenge to relate to God and not to any easy substitutes. There are lots of substitutes available which will give you the place of God. Watch yourselves! Let’s reflect: Is my prayer time, a time to come out of my comforts and to relate to Jesus crucified and risen?