Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

Jeremiah 18:18-20

Gospel Matthew 20:17-28

Sanctify them by the TRUTH, Your Word is the TRUTH ( John 17:17)

The TRUTH will set you free. (John 8:22)

Dear Brothers and sisters in christ jesus, it is a known fact that today we are fed with lies, take for any media outlets we will find a different world altogether. But this is wrapped in a beautiful and colourful sheet. Truth is presented as lies and Lies are truth. This is done for the vested interests of some individuals and institutions. The fact is that truth is hijacked and lies are fed with biassed agenda and vain hopes and manipulate us.

In the first reading,  when Jeremiah conveyed to the people of God’s message, they did not take it well. They considered it uncomfortable and painful, and he is seen as a trouble maker. They were not ready to accept the message.

The message was that they were disobedient,and unfaithful and rejected God's ways and walked in the wrong direction.

However, they were happy with the message because they made themselves comfortable with lies, false ways, false messages that’s why they were not ready to listen instead they thought of getting him out of their way. They were hijacked by lies and want to go their own way. So plotted against him, even to kill him.

He spoke the Truth from God, declared the message of God, defended them from the wrath of God. all that he wanted for good for them. But the consequence was different for speaking Truth. He fulfilled his calling, speaking truth and good of the people.

In the Gospel, he mentions again about the truth of his passion, suffering, death and resurrection.  He will be mocked,  dragged and rejected.  But the disciples had different understanding of Messiah, they thought of Political Messiah. That’s why the mother of James and John comes to ask for privileged seats at His right  and left side. Even other disciples too were fueled with anger and jealousy about this tactic. 

But he makes them aware about the Truth of following Him, that they have to carry the cross, endure the pain and suffering and be ready to lay down one's life for the Truth. They have to resemble Him in every way. Jesus said “ I am the Truth, the Way and the Life”

Dear friends, therefore when we look at society or the world in general it does not want to face the Truth, in fact it wants to silence the Truth and people who speak Truth. We witness it everyday.

Instead some individuals and institutions want to replace it with their propaganda and agenda, manipulating and dominating others. And also feeding with lies, showing complacency and compromisation in everything thus leading in the wrong direction. Sometimes we do not know this but it is done in a subtle way.

Though we may face hurdles, though people are against us plotting our destruction, we are invited to empower people with Truth, not with pleasing , sugar coated words which leads people away from reality.

It's a reminder that we need to be liberated from the clutches of manipulative and false notions and be  ambassadors of Truth. Truth hurts but it will set free.

So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate (Ephesians 6:14)

Truthful lips endure forever, the lying tongue, for only a moment.(Proverbs 12:19)

 FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD

 

 

 

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Mt 23:1-12

Hypocrisy ➡️ Honesty

 

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the readings of the day strictly warns us of  the false attitude we develop under the guise of religiosity (devotion) and goodness.

 

In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah addresses the people, and the leaders as princes of Sodom and people of Gomorrah, very strong words to call them like that. But God saw them in a similar situation, evil in their actions and rebelling, disobeying and sinning against God. At the same time they were behaving and doing all kinds of religious activities presuming that God would be pleased. However, the prophet clearly states God does not accept this dichotomy between their external disposition through offerings and internal evil nature. They are full of dishonesty and hypocrisy.

Similarly in the Gospel too, Jesus points out the hypocrisy of Pharisees in general but it can be applied to all of us, the elders, the leaders.

Jesus states that

●     They don’t practise what they preach

●     They do superficially in order to attract admiration and appreciation.

 

They act as the authority in relation to spiritual and religious matters, they are happy to lay burdens on others but not ready to help. They are happy to preach extensively from one end to another but not ready to internalise the practicality of it.

In general, we know with regard to certain authorities we expect them to be aware of their field and we are happy to listen.  the doctor about things medical, the lawyer about things legal, the priest about things spiritual, the parent about family matters.

Unfortunately there is even in our society and community  today a lot of dishonesty and hypocrisy in people’s attitude and there is a void of integrity and honesty in us, also in the authoritative figures in their fields. People are after fancy admiration than factual fostering of one's life.

God indeed condemns this behaviour and warns strictly but his desire is not to punish unless we deserve. Instead He calls upon us for a change of heart, change of behaviour, repentance.

Therefore the Lord says “Wash yourselves clean! Come now, let us set things right”.(Isaiah 1:16) He wishes to make our life wholesome again, and blessed abundantly.

And how are we to wash ourselves clean and make things right. Is it just by increasing our prayers, our offerings and making a repentant prayer or just confession alone.

In addition to that,

★    Cease to do evil and impure things

★    Depart from all the occasions of temptations, doing wrong.

★    And justice to be our aim

★    redress the wrong done to others, that is to rectify or repay ( like Zacchaues)

★    Hear the orphan and defend the widow, in other words take care of the needy, weak and vulnerable or neglected people around.

Therefore every authoritative behaviour clubbed with arrogance and dominance and presuming the superior needs to be avoided.  Rather through empowering and enabling others one can wash clean. One can free from the clutches of the fantasy world, false honesty, admiration and appreciation.

 

As a result there is hope of being accepted by God and being blessed accordingly.

God blesses us when we present ourselves honestly before with all our mistakes, imperfection but if we try to act, disguise, refuse and resist and crave for the title and authority. God does not accept, He is not pleased with us.  So let this lent be  a time to turn from hypocrisy to honesty.

 

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

whoever humbles himself will be exalted."( Matthew 223:12)

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Mt 23:1-12

Hypocrisy ➡️ Honesty

 

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the readings of the day strictly warns us of  the false attitude we develop under the guise of religiosity (devotion) and goodness.

 

In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah addresses the people, and the leaders as princes of Sodom and people of Gomorrah, very strong words to call them like that. But God saw them in a similar situation, evil in their actions and rebelling, disobeying and sinning against God. At the same time they were behaving and doing all kinds of religious activities presuming that God would be pleased. However, the prophet clearly states God does not accept this dichotomy between their external disposition through offerings and internal evil nature. They are full of dishonesty and hypocrisy.

Similarly in the Gospel too, Jesus points out the hypocrisy of Pharisees in general but it can be applied to all of us, the elders, the leaders.

Jesus states that

●     They don’t practise what they preach

●     They do superficially in order to attract admiration and appreciation.

 

They act as the authority in relation to spiritual and religious matters, they are happy to lay burdens on others but not ready to help. They are happy to preach extensively from one end to another but not ready to internalise the practicality of it.

In general, we know with regard to certain authorities we expect them to be aware of their field and we are happy to listen.  the doctor about things medical, the lawyer about things legal, the priest about things spiritual, the parent about family matters.

Unfortunately there is even in our society and community  today a lot of dishonesty and hypocrisy in people’s attitude and there is a void of integrity and honesty in us, also in the authoritative figures in their fields. People are after fancy admiration than factual fostering of one's life.

God indeed condemns this behaviour and warns strictly but his desire is not to punish unless we deserve. Instead He calls upon us for a change of heart, change of behaviour, repentance.

Therefore the Lord says “Wash yourselves clean! Come now, let us set things right”.(Isaiah 1:16) He wishes to make our life wholesome again, and blessed abundantly.

And how are we to wash ourselves clean and make things right. Is it just by increasing our prayers, our offerings and making a repentant prayer or just confession alone.

In addition to that,

★    Cease to do evil and impure things

★    Depart from all the occasions of temptations, doing wrong.

★    And justice to be our aim

★    redress the wrong done to others, that is to rectify or repay ( like Zacchaues)

★    Hear the orphan and defend the widow, in other words take care of the needy, weak and vulnerable or neglected people around.

Therefore every authoritative behaviour clubbed with arrogance and dominance and presuming the superior needs to be avoided.  Rather through empowering and enabling others one can wash clean. One can free from the clutches of the fantasy world, false honesty, admiration and appreciation.

 

As a result there is hope of being accepted by God and being blessed accordingly.

God blesses us when we present ourselves honestly before with all our mistakes, imperfection but if we try to act, disguise, refuse and resist and crave for the title and authority. God does not accept, He is not pleased with us.  So let this lent be  a time to turn from hypocrisy to honesty.

 

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

whoever humbles himself will be exalted."( Matthew 223:12)

FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD

Monday of the Second Week in Lent

 

Monday of the Second Week in Lent

Daniel 9:4b-10

Luke 6:36-38

The Confession of a Man and the Compassion of God 

“I prayed to the LORD, my God, and confessed” (Daniel 9:4b )

Jesus said: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36) 

The season of Lent is a time of faith journey to repair the broken relationships with God, others and oneself, and we have the best tool in the form of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). The Sins, our burdens, cares and anxieties and everything of that sort tries to knock us down and inflict an internal injury to the soul so as to keep us away from Grace. However in Confession God offers us compassion and forgiveness, energised by that we can continue our journey. We will not remain stranded. (Psalm 55:22; & 1 Peter 5:7)

 

Today’s readings exactly take us into depths of our imperfection and into the depths of God’s perfection. Here we have the perfect model of Confession.

The context was that Prophet Daniel learned about the decree of the Lord pronounced through Prophet Jeremiah that Jerusalem will be in ruins for seventy years. It is in this context Daniel makes a genuine and fervent confession pleading for God’s mercy.

We too can inculcate this confession into our lives as it manifests perfectly how one has to make honest prayer and confession. 

❖    He acknowledges the perfection of God in his Nature 

❖    He acknowledges the faithfulness of the Lord in his promises and blessings

❖    He also confesses the imperfection of the people of israel

➔   He confesses it with true sorrow and repentance for the failing in observing the covenant and commandments.

➔   He confesses it with genuine humility and reverence

➔   He accepts with contrite heart that they have gone astray

“ We have sinned( doing all kinds of evil & impure acts), we have rebelled (strayed away from His life giving presence), we have not obeyed (neither the message, the eternal Word nor messengers), we are shamefaced (utterly shattered & broken)”

These words manifest the genuine heart of a person who truly feels the need of returning to God and portray that God is the sole healer/repairer.

 

It’s an invitation for all of us, we have failed, Sinned, rebelled and disobeyed and ashamed of our acts. However our confessions are regularly focused only on or utter something about lies, distractions and temperament and so on.  We all need mercy and forgiveness; the healing and repairs.

It’s a time for us to confess and convert, renew and change.

Time to be open with oneself

Time to acknowledge ourselves, where we have failed and need of change

We must go in deeper and confess our failed relationship with Him and others and ourselves. That’s why we need to confess our failing in relation to others too.

Jesus states "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.

The Gospel today suggests that we are not in a position to judge and condemn others, it is not that we have to be blind to the mistakes but follow the path of mercy and forgiveness. But we seldom help them to correct their ways, but we invest a lot of time in criticising and backbiting rather than reforming them. 

Take for a moment to see, our conversations and media outlets are full of judgement and condemning even sometimes with no evidence. we turn to blame others, and point fingers at others' faults. Somehow we make someone a victim or scapegoat.

In our chitchats and gatherings it is all about trying to judge, condemn others and their faults. We lack compassion for our brothers and sisters.

Therefore,

●     The first reminds us to confess to repair the relationship with God, the Father

●     The Gospel calls upon us to repair that relationship with our brothers and sisters.

 

Once we open ourselves to God, His mercy is guaranteed. But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!(Daniel 9:19)

❖    But Confession is not a clearance certificate for us to condemn others

❖    but a Channel of  Communication: of God’s mercy, compassion and forgiveness to others, the measure we communicate to the measure we receive in return.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. ((Psalm 55:22) 

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.(1 Peter 5:7) 

“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved.”  (Ephesians 2:4-5)

FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Gn 12:1-4a  

2 Tm 1:8b-10  

Mt 17:1-9              

the Calling - the Experience -  the Conversion

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, the readings of the day speak about the Calling (in other words God’s leading), the Experience and the Conversion ( in other words Transfiguration and Transformation ) of our lives. We are invited to experience the glimpse of the presence of God and thus complete transformation.

The mountain experience.

●      In the Old Testament, Moses was called up to the mountain of Sinai, where he experienced the Presence of God, the Commandments of God and the glory of God radiated in  his face. (Exodus 19)

●      Prophet Eilijah also was led up to the same Mountain Sinai (Horeb) where he encountered God in the still voice, light whisper. ( 1 Kings 19)

They were led up the mountain to witness God’s glory and God’s Purpose.

 

Similarly in the Gospel of the day, Jesus led the disciples up a mountain, Tabor. When He was transfigured they were astonished and feared witnessing the glory of God and presence of Moses and Elijah who represented Law and Prophets. In other words God’s message and God’s way of living. (God’s Covenant and Covenantal life). Transfiguration took place

●      to discuss the Divine Plan of Salvation

●      to turn focus from Earthly glory to Heavenly Glory

●      to strengthen the disciples for the future Challenges/future faith journey

 

That’s why even when Peter said Let us remain here, Jesus led them to the base of the mountain. He led them to join daily life, led them back to family and community. It was a wonderful, heavenly experience but there is no staying in that moment. Sometimes we think, when things are good we wish them to remain the same however life moves on. It does not remain at one experience but changes. Therefore we too have to keep moving forward with the strength of the lord. 

In the first reading,  we hear the Call of Abraham. God called him and promised him abundant blessings and through him to other people and nations also. But one requirement is that he has to leave his family, and go to the land shown by God. he has to go from familiar people to unknown people and known country to unknown country. He had a lot of possessions, many relatives but lacked one thing in his life. He does not have offspring of his own. He listened to the voice of God, first thing he trusted in God’s word, then sacrificed everything, cut off all his ties to the family and nation and set out courageously to the land shown by God.    

Thus he moved obediently from his place to a new land. He was accordingly blessed and always protected.

2nd Reading:

In the second reading St. Paul too invites us “ bear hardships for the Gospel '', that in our faith journey we may face many challenges and sufferings but we have to courageously move forward trusting in the Lord that he strengthens and supports us always.

And hoping in grace that we may be transformed and drawn to eternal glory, a share in the radiance of God’s glory. 

 

It is said "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."  By listening only we will be able to walk in his ways, therefore we have to listen to his words prayerfully and carefully; accepting and applying it into our life. This way we can have direction and strength to walk in his ways.

It's not easy to listen and walk, even for Abraham it was not easy but listening and trusting in God he moved forward with courage. God supports and supplies for us too in our journey.  

 

Dear Brothers and sisters in christ jesus, the time of lent is not just to participate in some prayers, praise and worship alone but to remember that We are destined to share eternal glory, and mountain experience. Therefore the reflection of the day is Call to Conversion, Call to Transformation and call to change of our way of living and a call to move,

★    From unbelief to belief

★    From fear to courage

★    From unbelief to belief

★    From Suffering to glory

★    From hatred to love

★    From sins to Savior

★    From death to life

 

Holy eucharistic celebration helps us and supports us in everything. So Let us listen to him and walk in his ways.

 

 

●      Through the Holy Baptism, we are transformed into children of God and share eternal glory through sanctifying grace. We move from sin to new life

●      Through the Holy Communion, we are transformed into his abiding presence, as we receive we become one with his body and blood and nourished spiritually.

●      Through the Confirmation we are transformed with the power of the Holy spirit and We are empowered in our faith journey. 

 

●      Through Confession, we are restored and transformed again to purity of body and soul and transformed into a stronger and faithful relationship with God.

●      Through the Anointing of the Sick, we are transformed into Hope, courage and uniting us to christ the healer.

 

●      Through  marriage, transformed into a union of faithful love and service between the couple and to the Church.

●      Through the Holy Orders we are transformed through the obedience to the authority of the church in our lives.

 FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD