 |
|
|
|
|
21st October
2007
Luke 18:1-8
Exodus 17:8-12 And
will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and
night? (Luke 18:7) Jesus
told many parables to his audience to make clear some spiritual truth
or other. In many parables we find a comparison, but there are some
parables in which we find a contrast. The parable in today’s reading
belongs to the second category. Persistence in prayer is important.
This quality the widow in today’s parable had in good measure. She
was pleading her case with a lazy and corrupt judge, who put her off
time and again, but finally gave in just because he could not take any
more pestering! But let us not assume that God is like that judge; or
that He is unconcerned and deaf to our prayers. In fact, God is far
more ready to hear than we to pray. But because He is an all-knowing
and wise God, He knows what is good for us. He will certainly answer
our prayers, and do what will be best for us. How
does God answer our prayers? Does He do exactly what we want? Not
necessarily. There could be different ways of God’s answer. The most
common answer we expect from him is “Yes” to our request, and we
are happy when this happens. But there is also the possibility of God
saying, “No.” A third possibility is God saying, “Not yet, have
patience!” We may experience disappointment when we get the second
or the third answer. But let us not doubt God’s goodness, his might,
and his love. Remember how Jesus asked his listeners, “Is there
anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake
instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a
scorpion?” The answer is obvious, “Of course not!” continues
Jesus, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13). The key to acceptable
prayer is to pray according to the will of God, and not try to bend
his will to ours. Even Jesus prayed, “not my will but yours be
done” (Luke 22:42). Prayer:
O God, teach us to pray aright. Let us implicitly trust in your
goodness and love. Let us willingly accept what you have planned for
us. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 22nd October
2007
2 Cor. 4:1-15
Job 16 But
we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that
this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us (2
Cor. 4:7). In
olden times, when there were no lockers in safety vaults of banks, the
best way for a person to ensure the safety of his wealth was to put it
in a clay pot/jar, and bury it underground. (They did not have paper
money which cannot last long.) In the parable of the talents we are
told that two servants, who had received five and two talents
respectively, invested them in business and doubled their capital. But
‘the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in
the ground and hid his master’s money’ (Matt.25:18). He did not
want to lose it (his excuse for laziness, his unwillingness to take
risks)! Though the master got his money back intact from this lazy
servant, he was not at all pleased, and meted out a stern punishment
to him. St.Paul’s
use of the term ‘clay jars’ is in a different context and with a
different meaning. ‘Here seems to be an allusion to the lamps which
Gideon’s soldiers carried in earthen pitchers (Jud.7:16). The
treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels. The
ministers of the gospel are weak and frail creatures, and subject to
like passions and infirmities as other men; they are mortal, and soon
broken in pieces. And God has so ordered it that the weaker the
vessels are the stronger his power may appear to be, that the treasure
itself should be valued the more. Note, there is an excellency of
power in the gospel of Christ, to enlighten the mind, to convince the
conscience, to convert the soul, and to rejoice the heart; but all
this power is from God the author, and not from men, who are but
instruments, so that God in all things must be glorified.’ (from
Matthew Henry’s Commentary) How
do we take care of the treasure that God has given us? Prayer:
O Lord, may we be your good and faithful ambassadors, carrying
to the world the message of reconciliation. May we expect great things
from you, and attempt great things for you. Amen. 23rd October
2007
2 Cor. 4:16-5:10
Job 1 So
we are always confident even though we know that while we are at home
in the body we are away from the Lord – for we walk by faith, not by
sight (2 Cor.5:6-7). Religion
has sometimes been described as ‘a pie in the sky when we die.’
The implication is that there is no such thing as ‘a pie in the
sky’. The materialistic view of the world cannot comprehend a
spiritualistic view. Can religion and science co-exist? Aren’t they
usually at loggerheads with one another? Science demands proof, while
religion relies on faith – a faith ‘that passes all
understanding’. But
there is a distinction between ‘faith’ and ‘blind faith’. A
blind faith accepts unquestioningly all that may be told, even when
our mind rebels against it. True faith is never irrational; it is
trans-rational. It is natural to have doubts in our minds regarding
things we do not understand; but to doubt is the first step to resolve
that doubt. An openness of approach, however, is a must. St.Paul
is always bubbling with confidence even though he suffered a lot for
the sake of the Gospel (Read 2 Cor.11:23b-28). In his opinion ‘this
slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of
glory beyond all measure’ (2 Cor.4:17). His optimism is based on
‘God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee’ (5:5). Therefore
a Christian having no hope in future life is a contradiction. The
Christian’s hope is not ‘a pious wishful thinking’, but a hope
founded on faith in the living and loving God, a God who gave ‘his
only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may
have eternal life’ (John 3:16). It is mystery, no doubt, but it is
proved true by countless believers through their life’s experience.
To scoff at it will be at one’s own peril. A Christian is not called
upon to believe in a set of dogmas, but in Jesus Christ, the incarnate
expression of the inscrutable, all knowing, all-wise, all-powerful
God. Prayer:
Lord, the light of your love is shining; In the midst of the
darkness, shining! Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us! Set us
free by the truth you now bring us! Shine on me, shine on me! Amen.
24th October
2007
2 Cor. 5: 11-6:2
Job 20 All
this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has
given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18). After
World War II every nation realised what tremendous destruction can be
caused to human life and nature with the use of modern weapons of
warfare, including atom bombs. This led to peaceforming processes. The
most outstanding result was the formation of the United Nations
Organisation. It has the highest membership of nations of the world.
The basic principle was to solve problems between the nations through
negotiation and peaceful means, and to encourage mutual cooperation in
various fields. Although at times the UNO found itself helpless to
avert conflicts because of noncooperation of some nations, there is no
denying the fact that UNO has generally been an instrument for peace.
Let us today uphold this world organisation in our prayers, and pray
that it will continue to play a greater role for peace, cooperation,
eradication of poverty, disease and ignorance, and for progress in all
spheres in the world community. Christians
must play an important role in this stupendous task. God has given us
‘the ministry of reconciliation.’ Jesus said in the Sermon on the
Mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God” (Matt.5:9). This may involve hardship and
sacrifice. We have the example of Jesus Christ before us. ‘Let the
same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in
the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be
exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born
in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross’
(Phil.2:5-8). Prayer: Lord, let me always be conscious that I am your ambassador for
peace in the world. Let me never cause contention, but may I strive to
do my utmost to work for peace and harmony among all people, who also
are your children. Amen. 25th October
2007
2 Cor.6:1-13
Job 21:17-end See,
now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! (2 Cor.
6:2). In
some homes I have seen a plaque with these words: ‘Do not put off
repentance till the eleventh hour. You may die at 10:30!’ Jokes
apart, the truth needs to be taken seriously! Says St. James, ‘Come
now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a
town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.” Yet
you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For
you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do
this or that” (James 4:13-15). Sound advice indeed! The
word ‘today’ occurs in the Bible over a hundred times. After
completing a reading from Isaiah in the Prayer:
O Lord our God, we thank you for the free gift of eternal life
available to us in Christ Jesus. Help us to have faith, and to
appropriate the salvation you have intended to give us all along.
Amen. 26th October
2007
2 Cor. 6:14-7:1
Job 23 For
we are the temple of the living God (2 Cor. 6:16). Some
people are egotists. They think no end of themselves. The ‘I’ in
them is so inflated that people would prefer to shun them – if they
possibly can! The other extreme is to have a very poor view of
ourselves – of our abilities, of our pretty looks, etc. True, we may
not be able to be a contestant in a Mr. India or Miss Unfortunately
for us this lovely image was spoiled by Adam and Eve by their lack of
trust in God, and by their breaking his specific commandment. Since
that time selfishness and other vices have entered human hearts.
One’s own gratification at all costs became the goal in life. This
led to all kinds sins and perversity resulting in destruction and
death. St.Paul lists what he calls ‘works of the flesh’ in these
terms: ‘fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery,
enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions,
envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these’ (Gal.5:19-21). But,
thank God, a change did become possible for those who accepted the
redemption of Christ. They became a new creation guided by the Holy
Spirit. People could see in their lives these fruits of the Spirit :
‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self control’ (Gal.5:22-23). The indwelling of the
Spirit made them fit to be called ‘the temple of the living God.’
Are we such a Prayer:
Into my heart, into my heart, 27th October
2007
2 Cor. 7:2-end
Job 25 & 26 For
godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings
no regret, but worldly grief produces death (2 Cor. 7:10). In
the English language, the word ‘repentance’ has several synonyms
such as ‘remorse, regret, feeling sorry’, etc. It can be used to
express deep disappointment with the course of action one took, but
which did not bring the desired result. But mostly the reference is to
a wrong done to someone else. In the Bible a wrong done to one’s
fellow human being is considered a wrong against God himself. When
King David wrongfully had Uriah killed because he wanted to marry the
latter’s wife Bathsheba, God sent Nathan the prophet to reprimand
him. King David realised his serious mistake and confessed, ‘I know
my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you
alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight’ (Psalm
51:3-4). Jesus
began his earthly ministry with the proclamation, “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt.4:17). John the Baptist’s
message was similar, but he added further, “Bear fruit worthy of
repentance” (Matt.3:2,8). Repentance thus is not just a feeling of
regret, or an expression of apology; it also involves taking an action
to right the wrong, to make a restitution. One more dimension of
repentance is to start a new leaf, to make a new beginning, to say
‘no’ to sin, and ‘yes’ to righteousness. The original Greek
word used in the New Testament means ‘to turn away (from sin)’,
‘to change direction’. True repentance involves sorrow for sin, as
well as action for change leading to one’s transformation.
Expression of mere regret, and then carrying on as if nothing had
happened is, in St.Paul’s eyes, ‘worldly grief’. This, he says,
‘produces death.’ Is our repentance just a matter of words or does
it lead to corrective action? Prayer:
Most merciful God, we ask you in your mercy to forgive what we
have been, to amend what we are, to direct what we shall be; that we
may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
28th October
2007
Luke 18:9-14;
Genesis 11:1-9
Luke 11: 33-end
or 2 Kings 23: 1-14; ...for
all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble
themselves will be exalted (Luke 18:14). This
is one of those parables which show Jesus to be unequivocally on the
side of the downtrodden, the marginalised people. He mixed freely with
those whom the high society shunned. So much so that once the
Pharisees felt compelled to ask Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat
and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?” (Luke 5:30) Jesus made
it very clear to his detractors, “Those who are well have no need of
a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the
righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31). Jesus had no
qualms about mixing with ‘sinners’, prostitutes, lepers,
taxcollectors, etc. He had a soft corner for children and women since
they were not treated at par with men. (Is today’s situation any
different?) He did not regard anyone as untouchable. In his ‘ Because
of this stance Jesus often came into conflict with the high and mighty
in his society – the Pharisees, the Scribes, the Sadducees – and
their tactics. Jesus’ condemnation of them was harsh and severe
(Read Matt.23). The Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount
(Matt.5:3-12) and Beatitudes and Woes in the Sermon on the Plain (Luke
6:20-26) other examples of his values. Parable of the Rich Man and
Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is also very telling; as also his saying,
“it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for
someone who is rich to enter the Prayer:
Lord, forgive me if in my pride I look down on others. Let me
like you champion the cause of the poor, the oppressed, and the
marginalised people. Amen. 29th October
2007
2 Cor. 8:1-15
Job 28 For
you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was
rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you
might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9). What
I said in yesterday’s devotion might be misunderstood to mean that
wealth is bad per se. Such is not the case. It is letting
wealth to take the place of God when controlling your life. “You
cannot serve God and wealth” (Matt.6:24). Wealth is good if you are
its master, and not if it becomes your master. Today people are so
busy in making money, and making more and more money, that they lose a
sense of proportion; their priorities become lopsided; their
relationships become strained. This leads to loss of peace and joy.
And so a warning bell has to be sounded. Jesus told the likeable young
man seeking eternal life, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you
own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven; then come and follow me.” (Mark 10:21). The young man felt
that this was asking too much of him, and ‘went away grieving’. Jesus
did have several wealthy followers who used their money wisely and
donated generously. Among the followers of Jesus were several women
‘who provided for them (Jesus and his disciples) out of their
resources.’ (Luke 8:3) When collecting donations for Christians in
Judea St.Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians that ‘the one who
sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you
have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver’ (2 Cor.9:6-7). Earlier he had reminded them
of Christ’s own example – ‘For you know the generous act of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he
became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich’ (2 Cor.
8:9). How do we respond to Christ’s generous act on our behalf? Prayer:
O Lord God, let us remember that all that we have belongs to
you, and that it has been given to us on trust. Help us to be good
stewards, and use our resources in the cause of the Gospel, and for
the alleviation of suffering and poverty of all. Amen.
30th October
2007
2 Cor. 8:16-9:5
Job 30:1-19 ...for
we intend to do what is right not only in the Lord’s sight but also
in the sight of others (2 Cor. 8:21). ‘Transparency’
is the important word today in the fight against corruption. We hear
and read of so many scams that our faith in an honest system of
government is hardly existent! To restore faith in the system efforts
are being made to make all dealings transparent. While it is advisable
to have honest and upright people at the helm of affairs, it is
important that they do not become victims of a system that encourages
bribery. Where do we find honest and upright people? And what
guarantee is there that they will not succumb to the temptations of
the system where bribery is common? It does seem a vicious circle.
Honesty and integrity are virtues to be inculcated in our own being as
well as in the system in which we work. A beginning must be made
somewhere. Will the church take lead in this regard? It
is believed that the Prayer:
Thank you, O God, for putting me in a responsible position so
that I can utilise the various resources in the cause of your Kingdom,
and for the common good. Make me accountable to one and all. Amen. 31st October
2007
2 Cor. 9:6-end
Job 31:16-end Each
of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). In
Jesus’ day the people were mostly farmers. And so his parables
usually had an agricultural background. The parable of the sower, the
parable of weeds among the wheat, the parable of the mustard seed are
some examples (Matt.13). Everyone was familiar with agricultural
terms. Sowing and reaping are usually clubbed together. St.Paul points
out the common truth by saying, ‘the one who sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully’ (2 Cor.9:6). He is applying it in this context to
giving of donations for a worthy cause. There
are many duties we must do as Christians; and one of them is the
giving of offerings, donations to help others. It is not optional. The
system of tithing reminded the Jews that they must give 10% of their
income to God as a rule, and not any arbitrary amount according to
their whims or fancy. The same should apply to us. Actually 100% of
our income belongs to God. But He allows us to keep 90% for our needs.
Those who practise giving on a systematic basis find that they do not
lack any essential thing. On the other hand, those who have no such
system, and grudgingly give any haphazard amount, find that even 100%
of their income is not enough for their needs. St.Paul is sharing a
personal experience when he says, ‘God is able to provide you with
every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of
everything, you may share abundantly in every good work’ (2
Cor.9:8). Why are our pastors paid poorly? Why are our dioceses facing
financial crises? It is because we do not practise giving on a
systematic basis. May we do so now, and for our own good? Prayer: O God, you have showered upon us your blessings. Forgive us when we take them for granted, and fail to share them with others, especially with those in need. Help us to be sharers in your mission. Amen.
1st
November 2007
Matthew 5.1-12
Jeremiah 31.31-34 “…
God blesses those people who make peace, they will be called his
children!” (Contemporary English Version) (Matthew 5:9) Every
Christmas season we get deluged by cards wishing us season’s
greetings, best wishes for the season, peace, prosperity and so on.
All these wishes seemed just fine, till one day, a family friend
remarked, “How easy it is to ‘wish’ for peace. We would rather
spend a few rupees to ‘wish’ peace than work at peace.” It took
a lot of time for these words to sink home. Today,
we find there are so many peace wishers but very few peace makers.
Most of the time, being a peace maker often lands us into trouble.
(Maybe that’s why wishing for peace is a safer option.)
It is so easy to look away than to get personally involved. But
what is the result of ‘making peace’? Verse 9 says it clearly,
“God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his
children!” What
does it mean to be a peacemaker? In order to be a peacemaker, one has
to be active where there is no peace, be it in our homes, our places
of work, our neighbourhood or maybe, even in our own church! Many
times we may even have to give up our own sense of peace in order to
bring peace where it is needed. Today as we celebrate the Festival of
All Saints, let us remember and give thanks to the Lord for the
sacrifices of them who willingly gave up their lives to bring about
peace and in the process became the children of God. Prayer
: Make me a channel of your peace. Amen.
2nd
November 2007
John 11: 21 - 27
Isaiah 25 : 6-9 “Yes
Lord!” she replied. “I believe …” (John 11:27). Jesus
having arrived after Lazarus’ death meets Martha whose opening
statement to Jesus is more like a vicious accusation – making
Jesus’ absence the reason for Lazarus’ death.
Verse 22 reflects a veiled if not a feeble and indirect attempt
to get Jesus to bring back Lazarus from the dead. Perhaps the passage
makes more sense if we begin Jesus’ statement with ‘but’.
While verse 24 reflects knowledge – “ I know he will
rise …”. But sadly, Jesus is not exacting knowledge from Martha.
Had he needed knowledge from her or from us, maybe obeying Jesus would
have been much simpler and less demanding.
He needs and wants a credible response from Martha – verse 26
– “… Do you believe this?” Just
having knowledge does not automatically bring about or guarantee
belief. Knowledge must give way to belief, and belief to a transparent
lifestyle based on those principles. This is why Jesus asks Martha –
Do you believe? Whenever
we recite the Nicene Creed affirming our knowledge of the
resurrection of the dead, does it remain
with us as a piece or bit of information at the back of our
heads, or does it transform into the chrysalis of belief which
continues even after we have ceased? Today
as we remember the faithful departed, let us focus on the significance
of Easter and find out whether it is merely knowledge, or the sum of
all belief for us. Prayer
: Help me to turn the illusion of my knowledge into the reality of my
belief in you. Amen. 3rd
November 2007
Luke 22 : 47 – 65
Job 33 “Enough
of that!” Jesus said. Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed
it (CEV) (Luke 22:51). Two
days ago we dwelt on the theme “Blessed are the peacemakers” in
Matthew 5:9. Here Jesus sticks to his words and teaching even when his
life depends on it. Jesus’
followers were armed, ready for any eventuality. At this point, had
Jesus just given the word, his disciples would have obeyed him.
Even when one of
the disciples, in his
fiery and zealous enthusiasm to save and preserve his Master’s life,
cuts off the ear of the servant of the High priest with his sword,
Jesus does not try to justify it or uphold the act of violence. He
does not condemn it, he immediately tells his disciples to stop –
Enough! and heals the servant’s ear. In
short, Jesus proved to be a peacemaker. He did not merely ‘mouth’
the word in Matthew Chapter 5. He meant it then, and now here in this
passage, he lives to be a peacemaker. He not only stopped his
disciples from generating violence but was able to undo the
destructive effect of violence – Jesus healed the servant’s ear.
Jesus actively took part in the process of making peace, even though
he knew it would end with him paying the cost with his life. The
American Wild West was characterised by the ‘Peacemaker’, a
revolver invented by Samuel Colt which brought peace between two
parties by obvious means! Contrast it with the way Jesus begins,
maintains and establishes the peace process. Let us choose our
‘peacemaker’! Prayer
: Help me, O Lord to not just pray for peace but also undo the
destructive effect of violence. Amen.
4th
November 2007
Luke 19: 1-10
Jonah 3.10-4.11. “He
wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not,
because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree
to see him” (Luke 19:3,4). My
mind goes back to my Sunday school days when I used to sing with
actions – “Zacchaeus was a very little man
and a very little man was he He
climbed up to the sycamore tree ‘Cause
the Lord he wanted to see…” Today
as I mull over these words and write this devotion, I am haunted by
the fact that even Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. Why couldn’t
Zacchaeus have gone on along his way, counting and recounting his
money or planning how to extract more money from the taxpayers?
Was there any need of him wanting to catch a glimpse of Jesus? But
as I go through this
passage, the one thought which strikes me is not the fact of Jesus
going to visit Zacchaeus’ house or Zacchaeus giving away half of his
possessions to the poor, but the fact that Zacchaeus wanted to see
Jesus of his own free will! Moreover, so intense was his need or
curiosity to see the miracle worker that he did not even let the
crowds nor his height deter him. He just went and climbed up a tree
– (a sycamore in this case). Because
Zacchaeus had the initiative to meet Jesus, when he finally meets him,
he ends up with a transformed lifestyle. It all depended on his
initiative, his personal choice. When
we willingly want to meet or see Jesus, the results are surprising –
Jesus chooses to stay with us! (See verses 5, 7 and 9).
As Jesus stays with us (verse 5, 7), our priorities and
lifestyle begins to change (verse 8), and soon the reality of verse 9
becomes a part of our lives. Prayer
:
Lord, begin in me the initiative to want to see you. Amen.
|
|
 |
