“WE SHALL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM” (Romans 6:8)

Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

Opposites rule our life. Failure and success, pleasure and pain, agony and ecstasy toss us around. Life often seems a struggle to maintain the balance between the pattern of sunny days and dark nights, bright hopes and lonely frustrations, sinful pressures and holy longings. Now the big question: Are we forever condemned to this dichotomous destiny? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

The gospel message is clear that it is through these oscillations that the Holy Spirit is working in us. Suffering has always been a part and parcel of our earthly sojourn. The difference however is that with the Calvary event all of us are brought to the saving shadow of the Cross. It is indeed the pattern of death and resurrection that is being played out in our lives. The great hope of this saving pattern is clearly manifested in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. The three occasions Jesus predicted His imminent Passion and Death, He concluded that He will be raised up to glory. “Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things… and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Matthew 16:21)

St. Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit is in control of this saving pattern in our own lives leading it all to the same glorious end. “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11)  This is the basis of the Christian hope that should inspire and strengthen us at every moment of our struggle – a hope that will sustain us in patience for the Holy Spirit to complete His work in us. It is in this context that Pope Benedict XVI in his first Encyclical exhorted all those who believe in Jesus Christ to be patient with God.

“The One Who Endures To The End Will Be Saved” (Matthew 24:13)

  

Perhaps the one gospel account that highlights what patience with God requires is that of the Canaanite woman who seeks a healing for her daughter (Matthew 15:22-28). When Jesus was in the pagan territory of Tyre and Sidon, this non-Jewish woman came to Jesus pleading for mercy for her daughter who was sick. Jesus, we are told did, not even care to look at her or to respond to her. The disciples were amazed at the cold indifference of the Master in the face of human misery. They came recommending her case, requesting Jesus to have mercy on her. But Jesus responded by saying that He would have nothing to do with her for she was not a part of the select group of Israel that He was sent to minister to. This response again must have left the disciples bewildered for they had with their own eyes seen Jesus compassionate and ministering to even to the pagans. The woman refusing to be dissuaded persists in seeking mercy on her daughter. This time the reply of Jesus is most scandalizing as He speaks in what can be called rude language, saying, "It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs." (Matthew 15:26)  The word 'dogs' was a term of contempt that the Jews used on the non-Jews. The last thing the people would have expected to hear from the Lord was such objectionable language! Equally amazing was the fact was that the woman refused to give up on Jesus or take offence at His words. She persisted in her appeal - "Yet, Lord, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table." (v. 27)  It is at this moment that this bewildering sequence of events fall in place and begins to make a salvific sense. Jesus turns to her saying, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." (v. 28)

This is the one place where Jesus commends a person’s faith as great. What is the greatness of the faith of this woman? Even when she met with apparent indifference and painful rejections, she refused to give up on the Lord. She had a deep trust in Jesus and His compassion. She was not so concerned about her feelings as she was about what God could do for her.

As we meditate on the incident, we realize the Lord is building up her faith step by step in order to make her an icon of faith for all generations to come that they may not lose heart in the tiresome patterns of life but may be held firm in faith and prayer. When we are preoccupied with our own responses to the situations of life, we tend to take offence at the apparent rejection and indifference of God. That is when we shout at God and even deny His existence.

We may claim to believe in God but the fact is we do not expect Him to intervene in those difficult moments. There is a human arrogance that makes us inward looking and controlling. When we are stuck at the dead ends of our life, we slip into despair as we realize that on our own ability it is impossible to find a way ahead. This practical atheism renders religion irrelevant for people. We complain about the silence of God. This in fact reveals that we have grown into an over-dependence of our own thinking and we have come to imagine that God should toe our line of reasoning. We are incapable of waiting on God or seeking His Will to be worked in our lives. It is only in a trusting relationship with a loving God that we will be able to gauge God's ways. It was this trust that made the faith of the Canaanite woman great - a faith that supported her all the way through to receive her blessing and become a blessing.

“Perfected Through Sufferings” (Hebrews 2:10)

Jesus asked us to pray for the Heavenly Father's Will to be done in our lives. In the Letter to the Hebrews, there is a very significant teaching that all the trials that come our way are to be looked at as the disciplining will of our Heavenly Father. "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by Him; for whom the Lord loves, He disciplines; He scourges every son He acknowledges." (Hebrews 12:5-6)  The words used are disciplining, reproving and scourging and each of these express in an intense way the trials and troubles we go through in life. However negative these experiences sound, the word of God exhorts us to look at them in the context of the warm relationship between a father and son. The father loves the son to such an extent that he is ready to run the risk of being misunderstood in order to ensure the son’s growth to maturity and excellence. One can almost say that traditionally God is represented as a punishing God who is so exacting as to inflict pain for every failing. We often complain at the face of sufferings that God is being vengeful in order to keep the moral order intact.

One thing is definite however - both punishment and discipline are equally painful. Nevertheless punishment is meted out with a deathly motive of repaying us for our evil past while disciplining has a noble and hopeful motive of preparing us for a grand future. Again punishment is taken grudgingly as it looks back to the mistake of the past. Discipline however looks forward to the crown waiting at the finishing line of the race. The Word of God emphatically teaches us "Endure your trials as discipline; God treats you as sons. For what son is there whom His father does not discipline." (Hebrews 12:7)  Let us not harbour the thought of a punishing God that can only depress our minds when we face trials. We must be grounded on the assurance that it is not a punishing God whom Jesus came to reveal to us; but a Father who has lavished love on us by giving His own Son to make sure that we should not perish - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

This revelation of hope in every shadow is strewn across the pages  of the New Testament. St. James tells us, "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-3)  He continues to say this is the wisdom of God and if anyone lacks this, he should ask for it and it will be given by God. Especially when storms toss us around we can question everything and lose sight of God and the meaning and goodness of life. It is here that we must wait on God to grant us His superior wisdom that we may persevere and receive the fruit of this trial.

“It Is Good For Me That I Was Afflicted” (Psalm 119:71)

The Word of God speaks about a disciplining process detailing that the trials of our life lead us to perseverance and such perseverance moulds us to perfection and completeness in our faith in God - a faith that see us triumphant in the trials that must come. St. Paul following this vein of thought, writes - "We even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5:4-5)

The New Testament unveils the mysterious purpose of God behind every trial in our life. Jesus spoke of the Father as the vine dresser who comes to the vineyard with a sharp knife meant for cropping the branches that thrive (Gospel of John Chapter 15). It  is not an act aimed at destroying but to foster growth and life. The Father knows that the branch should not be growing wild for it will only be burdensome for the branch. It has to be pruned in order to bear fruit. Jesus wants us to understand every painful experience of our life as a pruning at the Hands of a God whose one concern is that we should attain the goal of life in all its fullness. Pruning is not for death but for growth. Every cut will yield another bunch of juicy fruits. Pain is the precondition for fruit-bearing.

Through the struggles and troubles of our life, the Holy Spirit of God is working to turn everything to our good. In every pain the seeds of joy are sown. In every failure, the seeds of victory are waiting to sprout out. The tender green offshoots of hope are already unfurling in the moments of our despair. Every cross opens the way to Resurrection. After the Cross of Christ was raised up on Calvary, no cross on our shoulders should lead us to despair. It is a matter of time before the Glory of the Resurrection will shine forth.

It is interesting that for a farmer, as great as the celebration of the harvest, is the day of sowing. The seeds when sown are lost in the slush of earth but that loss does not grieve the farmer. He sees the assurance of the golden harvest. It is a matter of time when the golden sheaves will spring out and dance with the wind! A person who perceives the mystery of the Cross and the Crown, of the Death and Resurrection unveiled by Jesus Christ, will be able to praise God even when his body burns in pain and his minds writhes in distress. Hence St. Paul congratulates the Philippians - "For you have been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for him." (Philippians 1:29)  Understanding this mystery to its full extent, Pope Benedict writes: “The newness of life brought by Easter, must be spread everywhere so that the thorns of sin, which wound the human heart, leave room for new shoots of Grace, of God's Presence and of His Love that triumph over sin and death."

“Crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20)

Since the rays of the Glory of Resurrection illumine the Way of the Cross, two comforting experiences are offered to us. Firstly, there is the assurance that every moment of suffering is a sharing in the Cross of Christ. St. Peter expressed this, "Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange is happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ so that when His glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly… If you are insulted for the name of Christ blessed are you for Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." (1 Peter 4:12-14)

The Word of God assures us that after the Resurrection of Christ, glory is not limited to the end of the tunnel but enlightens every step of the journey. The Light of the Holy Spirit brings warmth, strength and guidance to the heart. Therefore, those in pain and distress are able to feel the Comforting and Healing Presence of the Crucified and Risen Lord. The consoling thought that “I am not alone to bear the crushing burden of the cross, rather I am sharing in the Cross of the Crucified Lord floods our hearts with great comfort.” Loneliness at being abandoned even by God in the torturing moments of pain is the most unbearable despair. With God on our side every burden becomes light and worth bearing. Hence the invitation of Jesus, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)

A companion priest shared with me his experience of being comforted at a distressing moment in his life. He was a zealous missionary doing much good work and having unstinted support from all quarters. One fine day, everyone turned against him based on information that was unverified. Even his superiors came hard upon him. He was shattered. He could not pray any more or concentrate on his responsibilities. He lost his sleep. All the time the question piercing his heart was, "How could even my superiors who knew me so well do this to me?" He became a mental wreck. Unable to continue his pastoral work, he went to make a retreat. Even there he was unable to pray! At one moment of desperation, he took the Bible and opened it and the first verse that flashed before his eyes was this exhortation of the Lord, "Take my yoke upon you... And you will find rest for yourselves." (Matthew 11:29)  It dawned on him that he was indeed carrying a heavy yoke that was crushing him and he was not able to find any rest or relief. God is unquestionably true in His words but the promise was not fulfilled in his hour of need. He was crushed. He read the verse again and it struck him that rest is promised only to those who carry the yoke of Jesus: "Take my yoke upon you." It occurred to him that he was carrying a burden his superiors had placed on his shoulders. He was all the while questioning their motives and actions. That is why his heart was not open to the rest that Jesus offered. In repentance he accepted that yoke from the Hands of the Lord. The series of unfortunate happenings he understood was part of a pattern that was to lead him to a deeper experience of glory and salvation. Instantaneously his heart was flooded with heavenly comfort. He could forgive his superiors and felt free himself. He confided in me that this anointing of the Word of God moulded his entire attitude towards the sufferings of life.

 “In The Lord Your Labour Is Not In Vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

The second comforting revelation of the Paschal Mystery is that as every suffering is our share in the Cross of Christ, we also get to inherit a share in the salvific effect of the Cross.  The Cross of Jesus was destined for Him by the Father for the salvation of humankind. When we are chosen to have a share in that Cross, we become co-saviours with the Lord for those who are to benefit from Christ’s salvific victory. St. Paul expressed this clearly when he wrote to the Colossians, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His body which is the Church." (Colossians 1:24)  When St. Paul says that there is something lacking in the sufferings of Jesus, he does not imply that Christ’s atoning death on the Cross was defective; rather he meant that the salvific effects of the Cross have not reached everyone. In the moments of his sufferings, Paul felt the call to be mystically united with Christ in order that the Father's Will that all men and women should be saved through Christ could be completed. Now it was not merely through his preaching and services but through his sufferings that he was ministering to the Colossians. This is a grand revelation that our sufferings are never wasted but have an eternal value. We can contribute our sufferings to the salvation of our fellow men when we offer our brokenness to the Cross of Christ.

St. Luke in the Resurrection narrative gives a detailed account of the journey of the two disciples, Cleopas and his companion, who were retreating from Jerusalem to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). It was indeed a withdrawal in despair. They had come to Jerusalem to meet Jesus and had committed their lives to Him, with great expectations. "We had hoped that He would establish the kingdom", they said. They suddenly found themselves thrust in the dark valley of the shadow of the cross of Calvary. They had given up on their Master altogether. "Our chief priests and rulers both handed Him over to sentence of death and crucified Him...it is now the third day since this took place." The memories of the horrific death of the Master were fresh in their minds. They felt great angry and yet could only stand helpless before the unjust and cruel designs of men in power. They were venting their frustrations about their own inability to move even a little finger in defense of Him on whom they had placed all their hopes for the future. In short they had failed just as all around them had failed them!

This Gospel account typifying the Resurrection theme generates hope as it presents in their miserable situation the Risen Lord was Himself present to them listening to them patiently. "While they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them." Without condemning them He led them gently to a clear understanding of the mystery of the Cross and Resurrection. "Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" He later broke the bread and fed them with Himself in the Holy Eucharistic experience. Being rid of all the burden of their hearts, they rejoiced exceedingly and became powerful witnesses of the Glory of the Lord. This is the Promise of Easter to every one of the disciples of Jesus! His Glorious Presence will accompany us even in the most painful and distressing moments of life. Though we may imagine that we are helpless and are unable to comprehend the vicissitudes life, we can remain in the assurance that God has not lost sight of us. He walks with us! He is in control having defeated death and darkness.

Let Us Pray:

Lord Jesus, we glorify You for Your Death and Resurrection. You gave Your Life for love of us. There is nothing that You held back from us. Yet in the moments of pain and failure, we became desperate imagining that life had failed us and that You too had abandoned us. We rebelled that You should punish us. Today we look to You, Jesus, innocent You were, yet You took up the penalty meant for us that in all our trials we may be vindicated. We thank You for the crosses of our life that mould us into Your perfect image. You transform that very cross into a crown. By the cross, we know that You are closest to us and You will make our sufferings and our very life into a blessing. As we tread this difficult path, we pray may Your Spirit lead us to hear Your voice and see Your Face and our hearts will burn with joy.

Amen.

DIVINE HOLY WEEK TELE-RETREAT "WOUNDED TO HEAL" STARTING TODAY [16-20 APRIL 2014] - ASIA PACIFIC

We invite you to make the Holy Week of this year an experience of salvation by meditating on the Paschal Mysteries of Jesus.

 

For this purpose, we are telecasting a tele-retreat by name -

 

"WOUNDED TO HEAL" (in English)

and

     KALVARIYILE SPAN DANAM  (in Malayalam)

      

from Wednesday to Sunday (16- 20 April 2014)

 

  Eminent spiritual masters interpret the Word and lead you in worship. 

 

Please note DVNOnline TV (Internet) timings in SINGAPORE (SGT): 

 

 

Wednesday (16 April)

03:00 pm to 06:30 pm (English Teleretreat)

12:00 am midnight to 03:30 am  - THUR (English Teleretreat)

08:00 am to 11:30 am  - THUR (English Teleretreat)

 

 

Thursday (17 April)

03:00 pm to 06:30 pm (English Teleretreat)

10:00 pm to 11:30 pm (Malayalam Maundy Thursday Service) 

12:00 am midnight to 03:30 am  - FRI (English Teleretreat)

03:30 am to 07:00 am (Malayalam Teleretreat) 

08:00 am to 11:30 am  - FRI (English Teleretreat)

 

 

Friday (18 April)

03:00 pm to 06:30 pm (English Teleretreat)

10:00 pm to 11:30 pm (Malayalam Good Friday Service) 

12:00 am midnight to 03:30 am  - SAT (English Teleretreat)

03:30 am to 07:00 am (Malayalam Teleretreat) 

08:00 am to 11:30 am  - SAT (English Teleretreat)

 

Saturday (19 April)

05:00 pm to 08:30 pm (English Teleretreat)

09:30 pm to 11:30 pm (Malayalam Teleretreat) 

12:00 am midnight to 03:30 am  - SUN (English Teleretreat)

03:30 am to 07:00 am (Malayalam Teleretreat) 

08:00 am to 11:30 am  -SUN (English Teleretreat)

 
The link for DVNOnline TV (www.dvnonline.org) is also on the right-hand side of this blog under Favourite Links.

We request your assistance to inform your friends and loved ones in Asia Pacific of Divine's Tele-Retreat this Holy Week.

   

“BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK” (Revelations 3:20)

Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

Lent is a Season of Grace, when God is waiting to repair every damage affecting our life and restore us to the glorious existence that He always intended for us. This is the Season of Salvation when the invitation of the Lord rings in our heart, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." (Mark 1:15) The image before our eyes is the Lord standing at the door of our hearts, waiting patiently and knocking at the door, reminding that He is there for us to bring light into our darkened hearts and homes.

“The Branch Cannot Bear Fruit By Itself Unless It Abides In The Vine” (John 15:4)

In our day to day living, we turn away from God and as a result end up with hurts and wounds that haunt our memories and attitudes to life and to our future. As a result, we live life disturbed and distressed. Our relationships get strained. Frustrations accumulate in our hearts. We become victims of the tides of our moods and life gets drained of all charm. We come to God asking for small favours like success in business, a good percentage of marks in our exam results, healing of aches and pains. We pray for such favours because we have misinterpreted our problem by superficial standards. However God who alone has delved the depths of our hearts knows where all our unhappiness stems from. Hence when we turn to God, the first thing He does is to take authority over sin in our heart. Sin that blocked our connection with God has alongside blocked the flow of graces into our lives.

The Gospel of Mark relates the account of the miraculous healing of a paralyzed man (Mark 2:1-12). Four men take great pains to bring the paralytic to the side of Jesus, ripping open even the roof of the house where the Lord was preaching to a crowd. Jesus saw the expectant faith of the four and the misery of this man confined to the mat and said to him, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5)  This declaration sent shock waves through those gathered. The men who brought the sick man had only asked for healing. The scandalized scribes were murmuring, "How can this human being claim the power of God to forgive sins!" It is at this moment that Jesus made the solemn declaration, "You shall know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth." (Mark 2:10)  With this, the Lord commands the sick man to rise up who is instantly  delivered of the paralysis of his spirit and of his body. This event reveals to us God's saving strategy. When we turn to God for little favours, He perceives that even if these favours are granted, we will remain in the paralysis of the spirit and the happiness we ache for will continue to elude us. Hence Jesus inaugurates His salvific ministry by inviting all to turn to God and find salvation in Him. "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Good News." (Mark 1:15)

“His Mercies Never Come To An End” (Lamentations 3:22)

Repentance means turning to God with a firm determination to surrender our lives to Him. This conversion comes to us when we realize how we lost the joy and meaning of life in the ways of sin. The Lord promises here that when we are totally surrendered to Him, the Kingdom of Heaven will be established in our lives. This is an offer of love - revealing to us what God always intended for our lives. He is waiting to take authority over everything gone wrong in us as He did with the paralyzed man. When He becomes the Lord and King of our lives, the Kingdom of God is ushered into our hearts. St. Paul tells us this state of God's sovereign rule in our hearts brings in the righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

Righteousness means being right with God and with everyone God has brought into our lives. When my relationship with my God is purified of the attitude to revolt, I experience that I am a dear child of God. That ecstatic experience of love sets my relationships with my family, friends and society right. All forms of hatred and jealousy and indifference are washed away from my heart and I become ready to live for those God has placed in my life. This cleansing of my relationships brings in great joy and peace of the Holy Spirit into me. This indeed is the experience of Paradise that God has intended for our lives from the very beginning.

As the first pages of the Bible reveal, Paradise is characterized by the cordial relationship man has with God, neighbour and nature. Nature provided everything necessary for the sustenance of the human society. Relationship in the family was characterized by total acceptance and love of each other as Adam said to Eve - "You are the bone of my bone, the flesh of my flesh... You are my very own." However, the seed of doubt was sown in the heart of man about God's Plan for him and he thought that he can become greater than what he was and superior to what God wanted for him. Man rejected the Paradise God fashioned for him wanting to build one of his own. As a result man became empty, losing even his self-esteem. This is what Adam expressed when he said to God, "I was naked, so I hid." (Genesis 3:10) Nakedness referred not so much to the lack of covering on his body but to the sense of shame in having lost his stand with God. In fact it was God who came calling Adam by name. To call someone by name means an approach of love and consideration. The question God asked Adam is very significant, "Who told you that you were naked?" (Genesis 3:11) The shame and emptiness that Adam felt was not God's verdict but man's own making.

“If We Are Faithless, He Remains Faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13)

 

There is often a gross misunderstanding that God comes to punish and to curse when man commits a sin. No wonder, when something unfortunate happens, we are inclined to blame God! When we fail in some endeavour or our dear ones fall ill or even when there is a natural catastrophe, the first reaction of man is the fear and despair of being punished by God. Such a thought leads us away from love, hope and faith in God. Indeed it is not a punishing God whom Jesus came to reveal. Rather Jesus spoke to us about a God who loves us to the ultimate point of giving Himself to us to make sure that we do not perish in the curse of sin - "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3:16)  However it remains true that everyone who lives in sin is in a state of emptiness and shame. It is not what God brings to him but it is the eventuality of his option of sin rejecting God. The Word of God tells us that "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) The rejection of God necessarily brings in a culture of death that takes away all that is beautiful in the human heart and relationships. A ray of light cut off from the lamp becomes darkness. A stream isolated from the spring dries up. The dryness and emptiness that man feels is not a punishment that God gives to him but a ruin that he brings upon himself by cutting himself off from the source of his life and happiness.

In every such unfortunate moment, God comes calling man, waiting to take authority over all the destruction wrought by sin as He did at Eden with Adam. Adam did not turn to God in repentance; rather he began to blame the other. "The woman you gave me led me to this sin." There human bond ruptured. The earth began to rebel against man by putting out vicious thorns and thistles, demanding hard labour for fruit. This was the loss of Paradise. Even then, man was not abandoned by God but was instead promised a Saviour who would crush the authority of sin enslaving man. God also consoled man by availing for him stitched leather garments to cover his shame.

Jesus reveals to us that the Way of Salvation is in the direction of turning to God in the moments of our ruin in sin. In the remarkable parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus paints the fascinating picture of a father eagerly waiting for the son who rejected him (Luke Chapter 15). When the son goes away into his choice of alienation from the father, he slips into penury and wretchedness. This would seem a fitting penalty for the cold-hearted, wayward son. However the father’s heart was set on the restoration of the son. The moment the son returns towards the home, the father rushes to him to welcome and accept him, surpassing all norms of natural justice and propriety. He restores to the son everything that was lost. There was  great rejoicing in the family. Jesus ends the parable by asserting that this joy was what heaven was made of. "There will be great rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)



“If You Return, Then I Will Restore You” (Jeremiah 15:19)

While I was in a South Indian city for a programme, a couple came to meet me. They were beaming with smiles. They came to thank me for what the retreat did for them five years ago. The husband was a software engineer and the wife a school teacher. They were happily settled with their two children when he got an offer of a job in a Gulf country. The whole family was overjoyed at what they understood as a breakthrough in the husband's professional and the family's financial status. The wife suggested that he head first to the new country and make himself secure in the job ad find a suitable accommodation for the family. She proposed to stay back with the children till the end of that academic year after which the entire family would join him.

He proceeded to the Gulf and took up the job. In the desert, he felt very lonely. He would call home twice daily to speak to his wife and children at morning and night. A month later, he was invited to a party by one of his colleagues. There a lady was introduced to him. She was very considerate and friendly and began to keep in touch with him. Soon the relationship slipped into sinful dimensions. A couple of months later, a fierce-looking stranger came to his flat one evening and showed him pictures of his intimacy with this woman. To his great shock he realized he was caught in a trap and compromised. The goon black-mailed him that he could have these photographs publicized and it would cost him his job, his reputation and everything he had. He could even be imprisoned in this alien country. He begged this stranger to spare him and his family of the shame and all that would ensue. This man in a threatening tone warned him that for this, he would have to pay him an exorbitant ransom amount every month. To manage this, the man realized he had to work overtime.

He was so shattered by guilt that he could not speak to his wife and children. He was unable to support them or send any amount regularly. Meanwhile, the family was preparing to join him. They were very distressed that there was no communication from him. He somehow managed to return home but had become an alcoholic wreck. The wife was grieved and confused by the horrible change in her husband. She could hardly recognize the man who had returned from the Gulf.

It was in this situation that they came for a retreat. The husband was not ready to open up his hidden load of sin and its disastrous consequences. However, with the help of the Holy Spirit I was able to help him to bare out the unbearable burden in his heart. Later in a disposition of prayer, I led him to share with his wife the painful secret of his past. They felt the powerful Presence of the Holy Spirit healing them and comforting them. As they reached home, they spent their days in prayer and going for the Holy Mass every day. With the help of a friend, he could secure a job. They are now living together as a witnessing family - praising and thanking God for rebuilding their lives and for the new lease of joy and sharing in their marriage! We are reminded of the psalmist who describes blessedness as when  transgressions are forgiven and sins are atoned and expiated by the Mercy of the Lord. “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long... Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:3,5)

We are tired of life because of the burdens placed on us. This season of Lent, the Lord is inviting us to abandon ourselves into His Arms that surround us - to forgive us and restore us to fortunes that slipped away - leaving us in an impoverished existence. The world today is slipping rapidly into despair because it chooses to cling to and persist adamantly in the wrongs of the past, finding fault with everyone else for its misfortunes. We, however, are invited to move ahead in life towards our sovereign God who is waiting to manifest His glory.

Let Us Pray

God of Mercy and Compassion, we thank You for this season when You call us again to taste Your unchanging and liberating Love. Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, for You are the Love that alone can fill our hearts and bring meaning to our lives.

Today we are tired of life and lost in relationships only because our hearts wandered away from You. As we return to You, Lord, we want to place in Your Hands all that burdens us - all our failings and secrets that we were ashamed of. We place in Your Hands every area of life where You had no control. Lord, we pray, be the Lord and Master of our lives for when You lead us, our life will be worth living and will become a blessing to this world. Lord we thank You for Your Mercy that is never exhausted and Your Graces that are ever new.

Amen.

LIVING WATERS VIDEO:: "WHAT AM I LIVING FOR?" By Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

Every one of us is called to turn back to Jesus, our Crucified Lord in this holy sacred season of Lent. Jesus willingly died to grant us the great gift of eternal life! This is a grace-filled season for us to really search our hearts as to why God has lovingly chosen us to live in this world.

In this episode of LIVING WATERS, "WHAT AM I LIVING FOR?" - Rev Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.  enlightens every Catholic how to read the Word of God daily and to live it.

"You and I are citizens of Heaven - children of God!  The purpose of our life is to bear witness to Him.  Jesus said in Acts 1:8, "But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me...to the ends of the earth." So we have a message to give -- a MISSION to fuifill on this earth. Everyday when we get up, you and I shall know a new day is given to us for a purpose...To live for JESUS is to live for LOVE!"

LIVING WATERS is a 30-minute daily Divine TV programme of anointed sharing of God's Word by Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C, Director -- Divine Retreat Centre. It is the largest Catholic retreat centre in the world.

DIVINE TELEVISION  (UK/Europe & Middle East) Is known as GOODNESS Channel in India & Asia-Pacific and DVN Network in USA/Canada.

It can also be viewed worldwide ONLINE at www.dvnonline.org





“UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” (Matthew 16:18)

Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

The feast of the Chair of St. Peter in Rome is celebrated by the Church on February 22. From the earliest times this feast was held to commemorate the day when St. Peter held his first service in Rome with the faithful. The feast reminds us of the supreme authority conferred on the Apostle by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to teach and guide the Church. This authority continues to be honoured in the Church in the unbroken line of the papacy. On this day, the Christian community celebrates the unity of the Church, established by the Master Himself, and renews her assent to the supreme authority of the Pope who guides the Church together with his brother bishops.

A sincere young seeker approached me at a gathering. He asked me, “Father, you preached well that Jesus Christ was sent to the world to save mankind.” As I thanked him, I knew that he had something more to say and was merely preparing the ground. He began sharing his apprehensions about the Catholic Church which he assured me was where he was born and which he respects. “I believe however that Jesus did not come to start a religion or a system. He came to this earth to pay the price of our sins. He taught us how to live out our commitment to Him in order to experience salvation in our day-to-day life. All that we need to know is there for us in the Bible. After having completed His mission, He returned to His Father. To live out our faith is our personal choice as we opt to be guided by the Word of God. Why then do we unnecessarily saddle the faith with an administrative structure, code of conduct, compendium of official teachings and ritualistic practices which are all anyhow later accidental additions? Why are we muffling the saving message of Jesus? This superstructure is not a necessary part of our faith. It is up to the individual to accept it or not. Do you not think that what is important is our personal faith commitment to the Person of Jesus?”   

“We Appeal To You Not To Receive The Grace Of God In Vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1)

We are living in an age where self-styled gurus are flourishing by their marketing of a superficial spirituality that offers a cheap grace of salvation without discipline.  I was reminded of the words of the great theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who describes this well - “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession.... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

I was not surprised at the young man’s apprehensions. Since he evinced a keen faith in the Bible and seemed sincerely interested in the truth, I realized my task would not be difficult.

 A study of the Sacred Scriptures would reveal to us the fallacy and danger of such a brand of individualistic Christianity. The Gospels affirm in no unclear terms that Jesus established a hierarchical structure of authority to guide and teach the community of His followers. In this sacred hierarchy, St. Peter was given by the Lord Himself, the supreme role as the Head of the Church. The history of the Church also clarifies that this primacy of St. Peter was accepted in the Christian community from the earliest times.

“Built Upon The Foundation Of The Apostles And Prophets” (Ephesians 2:20)

Jesus, in the gospels, chooses twelve disciples from among His followers. The choice is done with much care. St. Luke tells us that the Lord prayed the whole night and in the morning He called his disciples and chose twelve of them to be Apostles, calling each one by name (Luke 6:12-13). They were chosen to be with Him and to receive authority to preach and cast out demonic powers (Mark 3:14-15). From then on, Jesus was always found with the twelve. The number twelve is particularly significant in the Scriptures. Simon Peter once asked Jesus what would be the privilege of these chosen ones who left everything to follow Him. Jesus replied, “You will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)  Sitting on the throne and judging are expressions that signify authority and power. The people of God in the Old Testament were gathered in twelve tribes. The new people of God whose identity was in Jesus will be those gathered by the preaching of the twelve Apostles and baptized and sanctified by them.

After a hectic time of ministry Jesus looking at the twelve said, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)  On another occasion, after preaching to the crowds in parables, Jesus explained the meaning of the parables to the twelve in private and commented, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 13:11)

Jesus endows the Apostles with three forms of authority namely, to teach, sanctify and lead. In the first appearance of the Risen Lord to the body of Apostles, He hands them the authority to forgive sins, saying, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you... Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20:21-23)  Moreover, He gave the twelve the commission to teach and baptize - “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)  He assured them of His unfailing Presence with them in their exercise of this authority: “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

“Feed My Sheep” (John 21:17)

Among the twelve disciples, Simon Peter receives the prime position of authority. He is chosen as the spokesperson of the twelve bearing witness to the Divine nature and salvific mission of Jesus. Even at the first meeting with him, Jesus indicates his special role in the Kingdom as the Lord confers on this big fisherman a new name - “You are Simon son of John; you will be called Cephas.” (John 1:42)  The evangelist explains that Cephas means Peter or rock. St. Matthew describes in detail the occasion when this unique and significant grace was given to Peter. Jesus had posed a question to all the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15) Simon Peter alone gives the bold answer - "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16)  At this declaration of the Messianic mission of Jesus, the Master confirms him: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the nether world shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-19)  Here Jesus in His own words speaks of a determination to raise a community of His followers in the Church and also of His clear vision that Peter must be at the helm of this institution. The trust that Christ places in a human person is overwhelming. But along with this trust and responsibility, we come to see that an overwhelming grace is provided.

When some of those who had been following Jesus walk away after the discourse on the Holy Eucharist, Jesus turned to the twelve for their response asking them, “Do you also want to leave?” Here it is Simon Peter who spoke up, affirming their faith in the Master's words - "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

Peter’s unique responsibility is again affirmed before the Passion. At the Last Supper, Jesus anticipates the major turmoil that was to come with His Passion and Death, the denial of Peter and desertion of all the other disciples. It is still to Simon Peter that the Lord turns and gives the charge to hold the disciples together, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat,  but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)

“Peter, Filled With The Holy Spirit, Answered Them” (Acts 4:8)

There was already an unspoken acknowledgement of the primacy of Peter among the twelve. The gospel describes how Peter and John having heard of the glorious Resurrection ran together to the tomb. Though the young John reached first, he waits for Simon Peter to arrive and to go in and verify the empty tomb. So Peter could become among the twelve the first witness to the Resurrection. The Gospel of John concludes with the Risen Lord giving Simon Peter the charge to lead the flock of God. "Feed my lambs... Tend my sheep... Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) 

There is clear proof that in the early Church, Simon Peter was looked to as the decision making authority. After the Ascension, Simon Peter heads the disciples in prayer. The Acts of the Apostles records how he takes the leadership to elect a new apostle in the place of Judas the betrayer.  

At Pentecost, those who waited and prayed in the Upper Room were anointed with the Holy Spirit. A big crowd of people gathered having seen and heard the extraordinary phenomena of the anointing. Peter declares to them with great conviction and authority that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah expected by the Jews, prepared for by the prophets and sent by the Father. He exhorts the people to believe in Jesus and to be baptized in Him was the only way of salvation. The account continues to describe that hearing him, they were cut to the heart with repentance and three thousand of them came forward to be baptized. Peter goes with John to clarify the faith of the early Christian community to the Sanhedrin, the highest council of the Jews (Acts 4). Undeterred by threat of persecution, he affirms his conviction to proclaim the life-giving message of the Saviour no matter what it must cost him, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

As the first Pope, Simon Peter was instrumental in making the Church truly Catholic. In prayer, he is inspired by God to evangelize the Gentiles, till then excluded by the Jewish and Christian understanding from the hope of salvation. Breaking new frontiers, Peter steps into the house of Cornelius the Gentile Centurion and declares, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ - He is Lord of all.” (Acts 9:34-36)  The account describes that “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.” (v.44)  Though he was initially criticized for staying with the Gentiles, he would guide them to accept and love everyone the Lord would bring into the fold. He would lead the community to persevere and grow in its loving and committed proclamation. 

There were problems in the early Christian community. But the Apostles united with Simon Peter could guide them in the Light of the Spirit. When there was a widespread argument in the early Church about matters of doctrine, Simon Peter called all the leaders of the Church for the first Council known as the Jerusalem Council and brought them to an understanding of what the Holy Spirit would require of them and to reconciliation.

“The Gift of God You Have Through The Imposition Of My Hands” (2 Timothy 1:6)

Christ called His disciples to be united with Him and carry out His salvific mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Even while He walked this earth, He entrusted the disciples with this partnership in the salvation mission. For the unity of the Church which is the Body of Christ and to preserve the authenticity of the Teachings, the Lord Himself established a clear hierarchical structure of authority. It was clear to the early Church that this authority had to be respected. This God-given authority to guide and protect the people of God was to be taken very seriously. “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)  In Galatia, there were false teachers claiming divine revelations and confusing the people with teachings contrary to the instructions of the apostles. St. Paul writes to them in very clear terms   - “Even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8)

It is evident therefore that obedience to the authority of the Church has always been considered as integral part of the Faith itself. “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” (Acts 14:23)  What is to be believed in is to be taught in strict adherence to the lines of the Apostolic Teaching. Church history records that from these earliest times, the successors of the Apostles were chosen and the Apostolic Authority was handed over to them by the laying of hands. St. Paul writing to Timothy reminds him how he was chosen and given authority by the laying of hands. “The gift you have was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.” (1 Timothy 4:14)  He gives elaborate instructions to him about finding a worthy person for the offices of bishop and deacons (1 Timothy 3). Paul specifies that it is crucial that when Timothy chooses leaders of the Church by the laying of hands, he must do so with utmost care (1 Timothy 5:22). Similarly, he instructs Titus to preserve the tradition of the hierarchy - “Appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5)

 By this commitment to ensure the continuation of the mission of Jesus, the Apostolic Authority has been passed down to the Pope of Rome and the bishops in an unbroken succession. Faithfulness to Jesus means faithfulness to the Church. 

“My Grace Is Sufficient For You” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The words of Jesus to the disciples are very striking - “As the Father has sent me so I send you.” (John 20:21)  The mission of the Apostles is a continuation of the mission entrusted to Jesus by the Father. However weak and failing the human persons may be, the Heavenly Power they are vested with will continue to save the human race. I remember a moving scene in a film on the early Church. The first Christians in the Roman catacombs had St. Paul leading them in prayer. St. Peter was to reach Rome and they were preparing to receive him. With much awe and reverence, Paul was relating to them the great authority the Lord had trusted Peter with and the unwavering commitment that Peter had for the Lord and of how the Holy Spirit was empowering Peter to be a rock on which the Church had someone to lean on. A person Jesus trusted and the Church could trust. At this moment Peter arrived and all were praising God. This was the picture of the unity visualized by the Lord for the Church centered on Peter. Peter greeted them with much love and joy! When he noticed their great love and regard for him, he however choked and tears were flowing down his eyes. The people looked at him puzzled and Peter clearing his throat spoke up. "I know you are looking at me as the shepherd entrusted with the authority to guide the Church. But I must tell you that I was a coward, denying my master at the saddest moment of his life. When he was ridiculed by the soldiers inside the room, I was warming myself by the fireplace. I'm painfully aware of my unworthiness to shoulder this responsibility for the Church and yet I know my Lord trusted me in His deep compassion for His flock."

This attitude of Simon Peter reveals the heart of everyone entrusted with a mission to teach, sanctify and guide the Church. When we hear of scandals, often exaggerated by the media, we need to pray that our shepherds may be strengthened by the Grace of the Lord. We can rest assured that the spiritual authority remains with them by the faithful Love of God for us. This is the Wisdom of God to preserve the Christian community in unity and faithfulness to Him.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, You came to the world sent by the Father to save us, Your people. Your saving mission You have entrusted to the Holy Father, the bishops and the priests united with each other and with You. We pray that Your Wisdom to ensure the unity of Your faithful and the authenticity of the Teachings may be accepted by all who bear Your Name.

May your Holy Spirit who descended on the Apostles on the Pentecost day, the beginning of the Church, continue to strengthen the successors of the Apostles to be faithful to You and to lead your Church in the Power of the Spirit.

Amen.