Lent Day 32: Our problems are our solutions

Finding solutions is not simple and yet should not be too difficult for the church. But instead of solutions, our communities end up being the problem themselves. Without trying for solutions and finally bringing out a solution, we continue to get stuck with the problems. The same thing happens with the disciples. In St. Matthew 14, the disciples present the first problem to Jesus. It is getting dark and so it would be ideal for them to send the crowd to the villages. Jesus asks the disciples to provide food and then they bring up the next problem of lack of food. 

In verse 18, to their reply that they have only 5 loaves and 2 fish, Jesus says “Bring them here to me.” Instead of adding a problem or running away from the problem, Jesus engages with the problem in the hope of finding a solution. Even though the five loaves and two fish are part of the problem which says that there is not enough food, the same thing then becomes the solution. Have we ever thought that our problems are actually the solution?!

We have problems in church with regard to family issues, relationship problems and financial hardships and difficulties to name a few. When we think about it, there seems to be no solution. This is when we should surrender to the voice of God which says, “Bring them (it) here to me.” What was till then the problem or part of the problem, becomes the solution. In the right hands the most difficult of problems are sorted out. Indians are hired for certain top posts because of their capability of finding solutions. This must also be an experience which they pick up from their childhood and place of stay. Such things make them provide solutions which others can’t simply fathom. 

The sharing of food cannot be thought of by someone from a privileged background because usually food is wasted rather than being saved there. The division of food and the sharing of food also is more easily acceptable to a person from a simple background. We need not be overly concerned that we cannot always provide solutions. Even today, we may not be able to provide solutions due to our mental blocks and inclination to do things in a certain way. Jesus’ call to “bring them here” should be a cue for us to take our so called problems to him so that we can realise that with his help, these very problems can become our solutions. Amen.

Lent Day 31: The hand of courage

Stretching out our hand is done for several reasons. We stretch out for help, we stretch out to greet, we stretch out as a response and we stretch out to help. There are negative forms of stretching out our hand as well. Jesus usually stretched out his hand to help. In his public ministry that was for healing. The healing in many ways was not just for the restoration of health but was also for the courage of wanting to be healed. 

In St. Mark 3: 5 it says, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” Our limitations, sickness and weaknesses are also the failure of our community and society to want us to recover and do well. So, when we meet someone who is sick, it is not an individual failure and shortcoming but a community failure and shortcoming. This was also the reluctance of the Pharisees in agreeing to Jesus healing on the Sabbath. The very fact that there were people to be healed, was a failure of the Pharisees and the entire community. Keeping this under wraps would also save them from much embarrassment. 

It was not just that Jesus was healing on the Sabbath, but that every healing was a questioning of the authority of the Pharisees. If Jesus can, why can’t you? Why are there so many people who are sick? Does your lack of ability to heal mean that you are not people of God? No one would have had a problem if Jesus would have healed in secret. But Jesus more than getting a name for himself wanted to show that he is the son of God. 

Those who needed healing also had to understand that they had to question the unjust society they were living in. Questioning is done by raising or stretching out our hand and making ourselves seen and heard. Receiving healing need not be a passive act but is also a stretching out, a putting out and an asking for. It is not a shameful thing but a seeking for one’s right to be healed. Jesus is asking us to stretch out our hand. To stretch it out with dignity and courage. Amen.

Lent Day 30: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

Exorcism or expelling of an evil spirit is found in many religions, primal and other. There are also primal religious forms which have religious performances in which a performer becomes someone else for a while and gives oracles and opinions. Both have been misunderstand in mainline society and religion. Exorcism is done in vulgar forms leading to a life long scar for the person accused of being possessed by a spirit. Religious performances are not evil but religious expressions connected with nature and performed by tribals, adivasis and dalits. 

Despite this, mainline society is obsessed with stories and incidents of possession and evil creatures and people. So much so that all mainline religions are forced to provide religious solutions for such so called possessions. Some denominations even have prayers for it while others get creative and address the needs of the situation. Force and even threats and violence is used to tame the evil spirit. The atmosphere itself is scary and strange. Few people actually seek professional help and guidance of psychologists. 

The 1993 Malayalam movie “Manichitrathazhu” is perhaps one of the rare movies and civil society efforts to find a solution which uses the help of a psychology doctor and a religious priest at the same time. A sort of mutual respect. But the movie was successful in bringing out the serious issue of spirit possession and the ways it is dealt with in traditional societies. In St. Luke 4: 31-36, Jesus encounters a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon. But Jesus’ response is exemplary. The noise and big performance is put up by the man while Jesus is calm and assured. 

It is also interesting that the man with the unclean spirit was in the synagogue. 

Lent is a time when we can challenge many superstitions and wrong thoughts. People are not only concerned with people with evil spirits, but also houses which are possessed. Religious leaders are called in to pray and expel the evil spirits from the house and even building and land. The leaders then suggest change in position, change in main door, change in gate, and digging and putting prayed upon threads, stones and special items for the expelling of the evil spirit and for a change in fortune. 

Jesus did not do any of this. He called upon the spirit, asked it to be quiet and asked it to come out. He then asked them to not identify him and not say that he was the son of God. Lent should be seen as a time to cleanse our mind of such superstitious thoughts. Instead, we should get help for the concerned person by listening, spending time with them, assuring them and then identifying deep seated traumas and experiences which bring about these seizures and so called possessions. Lent is a time to tame, not by violence and superstition, but by touch and prayer. Amen.

Lent Day 29: The selfie moment

Wherever Jesus went, big crowds always were near him. Getting close and managing a conversation with Jesus was a difficult task. Whenever celebrities and famous people come to a place, it is similar to this. There are people who want to get close, people who want to touch the person and people who want to say something. The bouncers or security keep them away and create a secure ring.

So many people wanted to see Jesus and so they followed him wherever he went. Not everyone managed to get close though. The able bodied, the well connected and the numerous disciples themselves kept getting close. When celebrities walk to the location where an event is planned, they sometimes stop unplanned. This could be when they see a child, youngsters and even an odd old lady. The security won’t be able to say no even though they feel there is a threat to the celebrity. This selfie moment with that lucky person will be something they savor for their entire lifetime.

In St. Luke 13: 10-13, we see such a selfie moment for a woman who was weak and bent over for eighteen years. The bent would have prevented her from seeing many of the people passing and would have also prevented them from noticing her. It was a fortunate thing that Jesus managed to notice her. Her bent would have prevented her from standing straight with him, with his hand over her shoulder. But Jesus then unlike many of us, who would be satisfied with a selfie with the weak woman and then sharing the selfie in our Instagram account, calls her and tells her that she is freed from her weakness.

Imagine the joy of the woman who would have looked people straight in the eye after a gap of eighteen years! Jesus then lays his hand upon her and she is made straight. The selfie moment is not one taken with her eyes down, with submission and in surrender. Rather the selfie moment comes with a confident, self-reliant and liberated woman, who becomes the darling of the crowd. So much that it irritates the ruler of the synagogue who makes a big speech about the sanctity of the Sabbath. The truth would have really been that he did not get a selfie moment with Jesus, whereas the woman at the margins, the unseen and unheard woman, becomes the centerpiece.

We will all have our selfie moment with Jesus. The more we are oppressed, the more he will see us. The more we are pushed to the margins, the more he will call us loud. The more we are bent with our troubles and problems, the more he will touch and heal us. Yes, our selfie moment will be a moment of happiness, healing, liberation and acceptance. Amen.

Picture credit- www.margmowczko.com

Lent Day 28: “Something”

Old houses and elderly women in Kerala have something in common. They are hospitable. Of course, if they know you. When one visits, the grandmother or old lady of the house will insist on making coffee or tea and giving some home made snack. Even if the other younger inmates of the house ask instead of forcing us to eat, the elderly ones will insist and even force. They will then say, “Have something to eat.” The something may not be much but it is a ritual which is never forgotten and always insisted upon. Visiting houses will always leave this after taste in one’s mouth. An after taste of love and hospitality. 

In St. Luke 9: 13, Jesus tells his disciples, “You give them something to eat.” The something in this case is 5 loaves and two fish and this was to be for 5,000 men. The practical disciples want Jesus to send away the people who were listening to him. But on the other hand, he is talking about a something. Christian spirituality and belief is always about this something. Nothing fancy, nothing huge but somehow miraculously enough to get our things done. 

The houses with grandmothers are also like this. The others are on the verge of embarrassment but still the elderly people will insist on giving something. This something is not planned and not prepared in advance. It may be so small in quantity and yet enough for those consuming it. Snacks are kept and the elderly women will ask for new stocks of snacks, home made or bought, even though there is no information of any visits to be made and visitors to be hosted. 

Something is an important word. It feeds those who are hungry, is a symbol of compassion and love and brings people together. Something is also an insistence of doing good, taking risks and dreaming of success. Something can also mean different things depending on the usage. It is interesting that Christian hospitality can be achieved with something, with uncertainty and with no planning. Coming to think of it, we don’t need much resources to accomplish a task and do something good. We only need ‘something.’ Amen.

Lent Day 27: House wives are not free helps

Women’s Day is celebrated today in many parts of the world and it is a time to recognise the hard work of women in our society, community and family. One day does not suggest that we should not recognise women on other days. Flimsy arguments that Men’s day is not celebrated also cannot hold ground. As far as the church is concerned it is a day to look at how the church has failed women. How it has not recognised women, given them their due in church and how they are devalued, insulted and made fun of inside churches. Churches have to take responsibility for the way women have been treated in society and lent is a time to repent for the shortcomings committed. 

In St. Luke 17: 7-10, Jesus makes reference to servants and how they are expected to do their work without expecting rewards, as it is after all their job and responsibility. The passage can be misinterpreted to mean that the social order of owners and servants can be maintained and continued because Jesus gives his agreement. But it can also be interpreted in the right way to suggest that Jesus means that all of us are servants of the Lord and the work we do is our responsibility. Jesus calls us to be faithful and sincere in our work and not to expect rewards while doing them because then God’s reward will not be ours. So instead of thinking that Jesus supports the oppressor, one should see it as how Jesus acknowledges the oppressed. 

Women do so many chores in the house. Society sees it as an expectation that they have to fulfil. Those not working and those working are expected to do house work. This is work which is not paid for, thanked, and even acknowledged. It is free work and it is expected of women. Men rarely contribute and when they do, the others join hands to discredit them. This expectation is a great burden on women and those who don’t take up work are dependent on their husband for money for their own needs and for needs of the house. Men usually keep accounts of the money they give to their wife or mother but never keep accounts of the work done and the sacrifices made. 

Jesus talks of a recognition and not omission of those working. They are seen as God’s workers who will be honoured and rewarded. They are also seen as faithful and praise worthy. A seat of honour is given to them and recognition is also theirs. Jesus’ use of the parable or example is to talk about those who serve God without expecting anything in return and for them rewards are already assured. 

Women working at home should be recognised for the work they do. There is no need for them to bow their heads when they say they are taking care of things at home. Rather, the home is running and the family is in order only because of them. The marriage, the family, the children are all being run by this one woman at home. She has the right to the entire income of the house and she has to decide how the money needs to be spent. That she does not seek her rights and her money is because of her decency and her commitment to the relationship and family. 

Men have to try and run a house. It is a mix of several jobs put together. It starts early in the morning and goes on till midnight. The house comes to a stand still without the woman of the house and everyone takes her role for granted. Men will find it difficult to do this even for a week forget a month. But then they will be asking for their reward and for recognition. That is when Jesus comes in and says that this work is one which gets no recognition. He of course does not mean it to discredit anyone. 

This women’s day, it is necessary for men, the society and church to understand the struggles of women. And the house is one of the spaces of immense struggles. Women need to be honoured, respected and rewarded for their work. This is only in a worldly manner. Spiritually, there is no doubt that women will be rewarded for their hard work and sacrifices. Happy women’s day. Amen.

Lent Day 26: Welcome back dear prodigals

We love to talk in terms of binaries and like the ‘us’ and ‘them’ usage in society, community and church. That is how we also come to usages like prodigal, the one who has gone astray and the like. Even though one of the meanings is reckless, I think it also means the one who has thought differently and done things which have ruffled quite a few feathers in the family and community. Another usage could also be the odd one out. Prodigals need not always be the one who has committed a mistake, but the one who has chosen to take a risk and stand against the usual doings of society. 

Latest interpretations do choose to use different usages than prodigal son. A younger son, the returning son, the different son. Repentance is a key element in the story in St. Luke 15. But this can also be seen differently. Even though the son appears to have repented the response of the Father is not suspicious and judgmental but welcoming. In verse 20 we read, “But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” 

Every house and community has a so called prodigal son or daughter. Someone who has decided to chase their dream, do things differently and show courage in treading into unknown territories. They have perhaps upset others, made people talk about them and even create stories about them and chosen to go against the established values of the family and community. We should be careful when we say that the younger son repented and came back. It does not mean that he feels that everything he did was wrong, his family was always right and so he is now at the mercy of his father and family. 

It can mean that everyone appreciates support for chasing their dream. Some things can go wrong in between as they can for anyone and anything. But then trying again is no harm and accomplishing dreams also means failing many times before being successful. The younger son had failed but that does not mean that he was completely wrong and had given up. He comes back to be in the comfort of and to get the support of his father and family. 

We need to do the same with our children. They should be given the freedom to dream, to differ and to go their way. Differing is not a crime and not the end of the road. Rather, it is a right that everyone has. It does not suggest a cutting of ties and a negation of family. The Supreme Court in India today, in one of its judgments said that everyone has a right to dissent and every criticism is not an offence. 

Many have left the church citing differences, disagreements and conflicts. But they would also like to come back to their church from where they would like care, compassion and love. We must run to welcome them like the Father welcomes the returning son. The same should be at home too. Many children have left their homes due to many reasons. Their return should be a celebration and they should be welcomed back with warmth and love. 

It is obvious that those who are here will argue that they have to be given precedence for having stayed back and showed loyalty. But that does not mean anything. If anyone stayed back, it was perhaps their inability to leave, to voice their dissent and to follow their dream. Faithfulness to a family, community or church is not through presence and obedience but through dissent and disobedience. It does not suggest mutiny but difference of opinion while maintaining the love and care for one another. This lent, let us try to welcome back those who left. Welcome them back to our heart, home, community and church. Amen.

Lent Day 25: Mid Lent- The cross of dignity, love and hope

Everyone goes to church to feel at peace and to set down the burdens one feels. The church community can become a great place if people greet, meet and speak with care and compassion. But that is easier said than done. Which could be the reason why people feel more comfortable to go to church when there is no service and crowd. It may be to escape the intrusive gaze of someone standing near. I have seen so many people sitting in church, at peace and looking happy. Some also stare at a picture, an icon and have a silent conversation with God. It also challenges priests to work on their ministry and dealings with those who come to church. 

A church always needs to provide hope to the priest and the people. Anyone who walks in with drooped shoulders should go out head up and confident. St. John 3: 14-15 says, “ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” Today is mid lent, the 25th day of lent, in some of the traditions. The challenge of lent is that there are some who faithfully observe lent but then fall into the trap of pride and the feeling that the observers of lent are better than the others. We also have those who haven’t observed lent and feel that it means they won’t be accepted by God. When for one group mid lent means that they have accomplished something, for the other group it means that they are out of the picture and are sinners who won’t qualify for the grace and mercy of God. 

Today in some traditions, a cross is mounted on a stand which signifies the bronze snake mounted on a pole by Moses and the mounting of Jesus Christ our Lord as hope and liberation for all of us. We can either look at the cross with guilt and pain that we have let down Jesus or we can look at the cross with hope, with courage and a mind which says that we won’t give up no matter what. People are encouraged to kiss the cross as soon as they enter the church. As we pay homage and bow with humility it is also a strengthening of our mind and body. There needs to be a communication with the cross and a belief that the cross will not let us down, because it stands for our Lord Jesus. Even on the cross, Jesus will not let us down, because he is the resurrected Lord, the chief priest and prince of peace. 

Churches have symbols and icons which take us closer to God. At no point should we worship the particular picture or icon but worship the God that it points to. The cross in church points to our Lord who gave up his life on the cross for us. It is at the same time heart breaking and heartening that someone gave up his life for us. Would anyone give up their life and dreams for us? Even our parents, siblings, partner, children, friends, family? Perhaps they will do it but there will be a limit to it. But Christ’s love is limitless. 

Who would accept us as we are? Without our money, family name, fame? Who would love us to the point of bringing us to tears and a complete turn around? We should rely on the cross and also lead our family, friends and children to the cross. We won’t be able to love others unconditionally because we are always weighed down by culture, expectations and fear. The cross mounted in church today is beyond all this, because it showcases our Lord Jesus, who treats us with dignity, showers us with unconditional love and offers us limitless hope. Amen.

Lent Day 24: Justice on the Sabbath

Society and religion go by rules to make the life of people better. These rules are then used to guide life and bring solutions. But, these very rules can also create confusion and conflict. St. Matthew 12:2 says, “But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” The Pharisees were always on the look out for people flouting rules on the Sabbath and otherwise in general. Jesus and his disciples became one of their favourite targets in this regard. They made it very clear and they were not at all amused to see this breaking of rules. 

Jesus on the other hand always talked about rules being for people and not vice versa. His concern for the people preceded his concern for the rules. This was a big bone of contention with the Pharisees and the others. In today’s society and church we also get to see the same. Rules and constitution are mentioned as the last word. But interestingly, strict rules are only for the poor. When it comes to the rich and powerful, we see the bending of rules. 

So, on closer examination we understand that it is not that rules are never compromised or changed but that they are never changed for the poor and the ones who are not connected to the powerful. The courts also sometimes forget this and try to talk of justice. Again, we should try to answer the question, “Justice for whom and for what?” Every rule book and constitution is actually penned for those who do not have the wherewithal to protect themselves and so they need the help of the law or the rules. But the law system is also ruled by powerful lawyers and those with high fees and this leads to justice for those who can afford good lawyers. This is when someone has to step in. The leaders of the land must step in and say that rules and laws which do not protect the weak and the powerless are of no use. 

We also need a Jesus moment when we can step in and say enough is enough. Madhu, an adivasi from Attapadi in Kerala was caught on suspicion of theft and tied to a tree and beaten to death on February 22, 2018. The theft itself is suspect in many cases. But imagine someone does steal food. Any law which calls for punishment because of theft due to hunger is no law at all. The poor have to sometimes take as they are hungry to the core. 

Churches have to have this Jesus moment during lent. Are we hoarding food in our churches and homes? Are we reluctant to give to the hungry? Are we citing flimsy rules which were written for something totally different but are being used wrongly? The disciples were hungry and so they ate. Jesus says in verse 3, “Have you not read, what David did, when he was hungry and those who were with him?” The Sabbath is for humans and not the reverse. Age old rules and conventions have to be revisited and justice however late should be given to those who deserve it. The state and the courts cannot go by the understanding of justice for those who can afford it. Rather, justice and rights should be for the last and the least first, and everyone else later. Amen.

Lent Day 23: Wearing and being the robes of service

There are some vocations and jobs which are meant to reflect service and only service. The way of conduct, the language used and the behaviour are all supposed to reflect this. And yet, somewhere down the line, we have gone far away from this. Jesus’ reminder that he came not to be served but to serve should be an awakening call for all of us. If we can’t respond to our Lord’s call to service, our lent and fasting is of no use. There is not much time to respond, repent and change as the changes in the world point to an end of everything. 

Jesus is very clear when he says in St. Mark 12: 38-39, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at feasts.” The scribes suggested are those who prepared copies of the scripture, those well versed in scripture and in today’s world can also mean bishops, priests, pastors, theologians and even those involved with the administration of the church. These are those who demand respect and the best seats everywhere. The men and women of God should be respected for God’s work that they are doing. Nothing less and nothing more. Those not wearing cassocks and robes try to escape the condemnation of Jesus by saying that we are wearing ordinary clothes. But these very people live luxurious lives otherwise and are only misleading people with their lack of robes stories. 

A service minded bishopric, priesthood, pastorhood, lay leadership and administration has become a thing of the past. This should never be the case. Lent should be a time to be self critical and a time to change. Priests need not expect honour and the best seats. Lent should rather be a time to get ready for the cross. There will be oppression and persecution and we should gladly accept them. Instead of the best seats, we should be ready to be crucified with Christ. 

We should also be critical of politicians because politics has corrupted the church. Political leaders are supposed to take an oath to serve and to be of help to the people. But they only want to rule over people. This is a gross violation of the oath taken in respective assemblies and parliament. Politicians have no qualms in lying, misrepresenting and misquoting to get their things done. Every time they rule instead of serving, they are betraying their country and the people of the country. 

Lent is definitely a time to repent and to serve. We don’t need rulers. We need people who can serve and offer their life for the public. The warning of Jesus is relevant for our times. We need to do away with special chairs, special places and special salutations. All our respect and salutations are supposed to be for our Lord Jesus and no one else. Lent should be Christ centered and Christ based. Amen.

Lent Day 22: The survival of the weakest

St. Matthew 15: 21-31 narrates the story of the Canaanite woman who begs for mercy and the healing of her daughter who is severely possessed by a demon. The disciples are a shade irritated and request Jesus to send her away. In verse 25 she requests Jesus to help her. This then starts off an intense conversation between the Canaanite woman and Jesus. In verse 26 Jesus says, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” At first instance Jesus appears cruel and non-empathetic. 

But he is perhaps only trying to say what society would do and speak. Jesus also could not speak openly about certain things as that would lead to reactions from those who were looking to do away with him. Jesus is in all probability trying to showcase the problems which prevailed in the society of the time. Every community stood for itself and survival was the survival of each one, their own and their community. Anything which was out of this circle, was not a concern. 

Jesus succeeds in bringing out the malice existing in society. The disciples are rattled by the woman’s presence and want her out. Jesus then challenges the woman and asks her why he should help her? Why should he go out of the way to help someone outside his community? He initiated a dialogue and debate with the Canaanite woman. Perhaps he thought that the woman would back off by herself, thereby making his disciples happy, or this would not call for his intervention at the time because he didn’t have time for it. There were many others in queue. But the woman’s reply sets the tone for the discourse and for justice for her daughter.

In verse 27 she says, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” This is a strong statement from the woman. It can be seen in multiple ways. She is showing so much courage that it could also be seen as a rebellion against Jesus. It could also be that she is so desperate, that the desperation makes her speak boldly. The dialogue between Jesus and the Canaanite woman even though short is very strong. Jesus points to the disparity and inequality of the world. The woman agrees to that but still says that people like her should survive by whatever means.

We live in a world which goes by the “survival of the fittest” belief. Those with money, power and authority take it for granted that they have the right to live, consume and survive over and against other people. Grabbing and not sharing is what they usually do. They also think that sharing is a weakness and since they are strong, that is not natural for them. So, poverty and hunger are not concerns for the rich. The defiance of the woman is a bold stand that she takes to claim her rights and the rights of her daughter. It should not be seen as pride or opposing Jesus but taking the cue of Jesus to say exactly what he wanted to hear. 

We are also called to do this. Lent should not just be a time to keep quiet, a time to please others and a time to follow status quo. Rather, it should be a time to question, to demand and to be defiant. Amen. 

(Picture credit- Artwork: “The One with the Crumby Dog” by Ally Barrett.)

 

Lent Day 21: The Great Feast

Having a reading of the feeding of the four thousand is intriguing during lent. There is so much talk of depriving oneself of food, fasting and observing lent that we forget about feeding the people. The disciples were not interested in feeding the crowd or they thought that it would be difficult to embark on something like that. The miracle was not just feeding the four thousand and even more with seven loaves and a few fish, but being sure that it was indeed possible.

In our culture we take many things for granted. We do not want to do a certain thing because it is difficult and calls for a little effort. The disciples had to think of the seven loaves and the little fish, they also had to figure out how to divide this little food. So, the solution for them was to let the people go. Churches and communities are also like this. They will think that the people who come will fend for themselves and go back from church and eat from their home. All this because, arranging snacks or food is an effort and is hard work.

This is also why many government institutions don’t have basic facilities. There won’t be drinking water, proper toilets, canteens and the like because the idea is that the public will fend for themselves and there is no need to provide these essential and basic facilities. Jesus thinks differently. Even though he didn’t have to give food, he thinks about it. He looks at fulfilling the basic human needs of those who came to listen to him. Even though they came out of their own wish, Jesus feels it is essential to provide for them.

In St. Mark 8: 6 it is said that, he takes the loaves “and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.” There is a great feast that Jesus initiates and calls us to initiate too. The coming together of a crowd also calls for their wellbeing and offering them food. Churches have to take this up with or without lent. Lent is a good time to think about this and start food programmes. It should not be limited to our church and community but to all who come. The Sikh gurudwaras with their Langars (community kitchen) are a beautiful example of this in today’s world. Christians cannot do without feasting. But feasting as excessive happiness should not just be the meaning we get. It is rather a meal given in a crowd which makes them justly happy and therefore in a festive mood.

Food also has a holiness aspect to it. It should not be wasted and disrespected. It becomes another sharing and fellowship. Food is indeed the way to the heart. We have a responsibility to serve food as it is an effort to alleviate hunger. Many in the crowd and in our church and community may not have the luxury of food. It is our way of life which makes us think the contrary. Many who come to churches may have fasted and are not necessarily going back to an assured plate of food. Jesus thought practically and was concerned about the people who did not have an idea about whether they would eat or not.

The Great Fast and Great Lent should go along with the Great Feast. A fast and lent without the feasting and the fellowship is far from the teaching of Jesus. Many poor people observe lent and such lents are much more difficult than observed by others. It is the responsibility of the haves to then provide to the have nots, just like Jesus did. May this lent remind us of this feasting, a feast and feasting for the poor and needy. Amen.

Lent Day 20: Knowing God enough to not ask

How easy is it to ask something to a loved one? Even though many think it is easy, that is not the case. We will be reluctant on two counts. One, we won’t ask because we don’t want to trouble them. Two, we won’t ask because we know that they are not in a position to give. Contrary to what we think, the more we love a person, the less we would want to ask. We also care a lot about the person close to us that we always want the best for them and we also wouldn’t want them being troubled by anyone else as well.

St. Mark 11: 24 reveals a difficult verse for us. It says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” The problem with this verse is the problem of expectation. Since there is a promise in the prayer, when someone prays and still does not get an answer, it can be felt and argued that the priest or person praying does not have the gift to pray, ask and receive. Since Jesus’ words are very assuring the prayer is as good as being answered.   

There are two kinds of children. The ones who will keep asking even though they know that their parents either do not want to buy them something or have other pressing concerns and the ones who understand the situation their parents are in and are therefore very empathetic and understanding in their approach. Lent is a time for developing this understanding. Being a child of God does not just mean that all our prayers will be answered. A child should have the maturity to know what and when to ask. Some children gain this maturity at a young age and take up the responsibility of the house along with this.

We can ask for something and relentless asking will also lead to God accepting. But during lent, if we consider ourselves part of God’s plan for the kingdom of God, we will become part of God’s solution for the world. We will brainstorm along with God, provide food for the hungry on behalf of God and worry about the world along side God. Lent is a time to develop a spiritual maturity which will take us to higher heights of renunciation which will mean being closer to God than we ever were. Amen.

 

 

Lent Day 19: Lent as a time of multiplying

What would we like to be in life? Would we want to be a source of healing through our prayers and compassion? Or would we want to be a poison, which spoils everything? Everything is looked upon negatively and those who think in terms of poison would want to poison even the minds of people by sowing seeds of doubt and anger in young and old minds. Poison has its effectiveness. The only problem is that it negates and devalues human life.

Leaven is not like that. It transforms the rest of the flour, almost miraculously. Being leaven in society means that we would sacrifice for the good of society. We would want to provide, add, multiply and value human life. The leavened bread used for communion is a sign of the positive element of community and human life. Communion should lead to life and life in abundance. The very reason for Holy Communion in society should be to be a source of life, miracles, healing, love and compassion.

In St. Luke 13: 21, Jesus speaks of comparing the kingdom of God to something. He says, “It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” Communion is an act of healing and blessing. Lent is also an act of healing and blessing. Our fasting and lent should be a blessing to our family, community and more so to our society. There should be a multiplication of everything. A multiplication of love, a multiplication of food, a multiplication of compassion, a multiplication of giving and a multiplication of goodness.

The concept of communion and sharing is to break. During lent, we should first of all be the leaven which transforms. We should then break the bread that we are and share. Once in a house, the mother cooked two rotis each for her three children. But that day the middle child was still hungry. He could have grabbed the roti of the third child but he did not. The elder son then divides his remaining roti into two pieces and gives to his younger brother. In the house, the mother is the leaven and the son is the breaker of bread. Till the bread is broken and the food is shared, we will think of the division of the rotis as a just process. So, no one need give to the other because everyone has got two rotis. But hunger creates a problem which is then solved by the division of roti or bread by the elder child.

This lent, let us be the leaven and the breaker of bread. Everyone can take up one role and be a blessing in society. Lent is indeed a time to be broken and to break. May the breaking of bread in our houses and families provide for those who are hungry. Amen.

Lent Day 18: Being Christ ready

One can never be fully ready. Whenever we plan a trip or a vacation, something or the other will always come in between. But if we go without much planning and thought, we will usually be able to pull it off. Making time for friends and family is also better done when unplanned. We are all so busy that plans are difficult to make. Unplanned meetings, travel and conversations are also exciting and make us very happy. We can also try to link the words ‘unplanned’ and ‘ready’.

St. Luke 12: 37 says, “Blessed are the servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them.” Jesus asks us to be ready at all times. If we plan it, we can obviously be well prepared. We will be at our best behaviour and will even put on an act. So, the real us will only be visible when the master comes unprepared.

It is like having guests at home. When we know someone is coming, we will have everything ready. But when guests come unaware, we will be in complete disarray. This can be handled in two ways. One, when we know and are prepared, the visit will be okay for us. But what if we do not know? Can we think of another level of preparation and readiness? That is the one mentioned at the beginning. When we are prepared to do things at short notice with people we love and respect.

This lent can be one such journey. It should not matter to us, when our Lord will come, because we are prepared every minute to receive him. It is not the condition and neatness of our house but the condition of our life, heart and soul which should matter. Everything and anything we do should be something we can also do in the presence of the Lord. That way we have nothing to hide and nothing to be scared of.

People have become so busy that they don’t get time to visit each other anymore. We also don’t feel the need of hosting anyone. The feeling of community and the culture of welcoming has been lost upon us. There are times when we get into the hospitality mood but that is only when we are forced to host someone.

A life in Christ should make us ready for anything at any time. Ready to travel, ready to host, ready to laugh, ready to cry, ready to give, ready to receive, ready to leave and ready to take. Lent should make us that much more ready. Our master will come soon. Let us be Christ ready. Amen.