Friday 2 December
Friday of the 1st week of Advent Gospel - Matthew 9:27-31 “As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house, the blind men came up with him and he said to them,” . This is a beautiful scene. Two blind man following Jesus. These two blind men following until Jesus reached the house. Very challenging - keep shouting to somebody without knowing and following blindly someone without knowing. But they continued. They did not see Him, but they continued. They did not hear any reply for their shouting, but they continued. The darkness in their eyes, nor the silence in their ears stopped them. They keep following and shouting. The unanswered prayers are invitation to keep going, keep following, keep shouting. They met him at the house where Jesus is. Let’s reflect: Advent is the time to keep following and calling Jesus even when we don’t see any answers.
Thursday 1 December
Thursday of the 1st week of Advent Gospel - Matthew 7:21,24-27 “It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Because the one who only calls “Lord, Lord,” keeps Lord away and goes to Him in case of necessity. One who only calls “Lord, Lord,” wants that the Lord blesses whatever he does. One who only calls “Lord, Lord,” listens only to himself. What God wants is a different thing. God wants that His Word be incarnated in our life. He wants that your life be constructed according to His Word. He wanted that His Word becomes the rock of my life upon which I construct. His Word becomes my life. Then we will recognize that the call “Lord, Lord,” is superficial if the Word of God is not becoming a reality in my life. Where my life becomes part of His Word. Then the call “Lord, Lord,” is substituted by “Yes, Yes, Lord”. Let’s reflect: Is the Word of God becoming a reality in my life or I just keep the Word of God away by just calling “Lord, Lord,”?
Wednesday 30 November
Saint Andrew, Apostle - Feast Gospel - Matthew 4:18-22 Fishermen becoming fishers of men is a big change. It is work of collaboration between God and men. ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’. Following Him is our part and making us is His part. Following Him comes from listening to the call. He calls us because He sees us. So, His seeing is prior to His call. He saw, He loved, and He called. “As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen”. He sees us when we are at our duties, our daily activities, at our obligations. Not when we are away from our duties and obligations. My commitment to my duties is the context of my vocation. With the Christian vocation we get a higher mission. That is the following Jesus. What changes then? My commitment to my duties becomes my commitment to my brothers and sisters. My commitment becomes my love for the neighbour to the point of giving up everything to follow Jesus. Then He makes us His apostles and disciples. To spread His love and mercy. Let’s reflect: Am I living my Christian vocation as a love for the neighbour in my duties and obligations?
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?