Pope Francis, the penitent

The year after Pope Francis was elected as the Pope, during the Lent of 2014, he was to preside over a penitential service. Everyone was keen to hear him, receive his blessings and participate in the service.  But no one was prepared for what actually happened. 

Rather than head to the assigned confessional, he went ahead to another confessional where there was already a Priest seated, knelt down and made his confession! Right there, in front of all people and all the participants, at that very hour when he was expected to hear the confessions of others.  Before all of that, he made his confession! 

A true living witness of what and who a Pastor should be... leading by example rather than mere words. 

Grace before repentance

In our regular understanding and expression we most often think that repentance comes first and God's forgiveness follows.  It is as if God is responding to us.  

But I personally believe it is God who makes the first move. It is his Grace that moves us.  

In the Gospel of today we hear the incident of the prodigal son.  The son is repentant, after having lost all his possessions, and then thinks of his father.  His decision to get back to his father is not primarily because of his guilt; what precedes and supersedes that guilt is the trust that his father will take him back. Perhaps not as his son, in his earlier status, but at least as one of his hired servants... nonetheless, the son knew for certain that his father would accept him back!  

That benevolence of the father is the bedrock of our hope, our trust, our repentance. It is that same benevolence of the Father that draws us to approach the sacrament of reconciliation. Our repentance is in response to that benevolent grace; not the other way around. 

The grumpy prophet

 Among the old testament prophets, Jonah is the one with whom one can relate to most easily.  He is a common man, called upon by Yahweh for a particular purpose.  Initially reluctant and lazy but then relents.  However, the very fact that Yahweh calls him does not 'purify' him of his human inclinations.  He carries with him his basic human qualities right to the end. 

After the episode at sea and having spent three days in the belly of the fish, he decides to go to Nineveh and tell the people there God's message, not out of fear or conviction but more out of guilt.  Once his job is done he expects to see the fulfilment of God's prophecy.  Not seeing God send out his wrath, he feels dishonoured and his work disrespected.  He sulks.  His self-centredness (not selfishness) prevents him from seeing the larger picture unfold.  

In and through the ups and downs of Jonah it is easy to miss one of the central messages of the narration: God changes!  The only difference between God changing his mind and heart and Jonah's change is that the change is brought about for the good of the other.  God relents from sending down his wrath on the people of Nineveh because he sees them repent and take responsibility for their lives.  Jonah fails to see the struggle of Nineveh because his focus energy is all trained on his own work and struggle.  

The good Zaccheus

The episode of Jesus meeting Zaccheus is always an interesting read.  Somehow it has a certain simplicity and earthiness about it. Perhaps it has to do with Zaccheus climbing the tree - a joyful, children's play.  

However, contrary to popular belief that since Zaccheus was a tax collector and hence certainly a corrupt official, I think that he was basically a good and honest person, all along. First of all, to believe that all - everyone? - tax collectors were cheats, would be too much of an exaggeration.  Not fair! There certainly would have been some kind-hearted ones - at least a handful in a whole nation! Secondly, for one to immediately have a change of heart, that too so radically is not really possible.  That the confession and repentance was genuine, we know from Jesus' interaction with him.  Jesus would have called his lie, if Zaccheus wasn't speaking from his heart.  So Zaccheus would basically have been a good man, with perhaps some illegal dealings once in a way;  and that dishonesty would have been stirring his conscience over time.  The encounter with Jesus actually is the tipping point.  

And practically speaking, if he were that corrupt, repaying back all those whom he cheated, four times over that too after giving away half his property to the poor, would have made him an utter destitute! He would have had to borrow in order to repay them all!! 

Admission and denial

During the last lap of Jesus' journey on earth there are two people, both among his closest group, who deny him.  There is Judas who innocently asks, "Surely, not I Lord?" during the Last Supper to Jesus' statement of one betraying him.  Then there is Peter who denies Jesus thrice - after vehemently affirming his loyalty to Jesus.  At least Peter did not deny Jesus on his face. 

However, both repent.  Judas feels sorry and approaching the Jews, returns the 30 pieces of silver, in exchange for Jesus.  Peter repents and weeps bitterly. Both realise that what they did was not in conformity to what Jesus would have wanted them to do.  Both try to make amends.  The only difference is that Peter felt strong enough to live with his mistakes, in the hope that he would be accepted by his fellow companions - and most importantly, by Jesus.  Jesus knew that he would betray, but did not condemn him.  On the other hand, Judas did not have anyone to turn to.  He felt he had let down everyone and none would now accept him - not even the Lord.  He dies alone, or rather he dies a very pathetically lonely death.  He decided for himself that no one would give him a second chance.  And the ones whom he approached (the Jews) only mocked him.  Jesus, his main victim,  was beyond his reach now.

In that sense, his agony was greater than that of Peter.  His was an agony of loneliness.  The same loneliness that led to Jesus sweating blood in the garden of Gethsemane.  The same loneliness that made Jesus cry out 'God, my God, why have you abandoned me?'  If only were Judas to admit his guilt to someone, we'd have another excellent model of human weakness overcome! 

God saw their efforts

The reading from the book of Jonah wherein he preaches God's wrath to the people of Nineveh and they repent, ends with this particular phrase.

God saw their efforts and relented. He did not destroy the city as he had threatened. 

In our Christian teaching and preaching not much is said about efforts.  Most often, as in the competitive society, we focus on results.  Only a result which is a successful or profitable is considered good and worthy.  The efforts alone do not count for anything much.  But for one on a journey, the effort itself is valuable.  The experience and the learning from the journey is as important, if not more, than reaching the destination.

God certainly counts our genuine efforts, irrespective of the outcome.  Like in all matters of education and evangelisation, to do our best is what we are called to.  Whether someone does actually become a scholar or gets converted to the faith is the job of the Holy Spirit. 

On repentance

The story of Jonah and Nineveh is always gripping. What disturbed me today was the response or differing response of Jonah and the people of Nineveh.  Jonah is a Jew and his addressed by Yahweh himself. As a Jew he knows all too well the greatness of Yahweh and his commandments.  Knowing all of this he still makes his choice - not to comply.  So he tries to escape, is 'cornered' and then finally relents. 

On the other hand, are the people of Nineveh.  They were not Jews.  They did not know Yahweh, even if they did, it would not be as well as Jonah or the Jews. Yet when a Jew, a prophet not of their god, neither of their country, comes and calls for repentance, they immediately repent. No one, not even the king, questions Jonah's authority or identity.  They resolve to change. 

During the sermon as I reflected on this dichotomy, it occurred to me that there is more to this story than mere repentance at God's command.  Repentance is our responsibility.  God cannot make us repent!  He only brings our attention to it.  So in the case of the Ninevites, they were well aware of their wrongdoings.  They only needs a gentle word-in-the-ear.  It wouldn't have mattered if that reminder came from God or from the devil himself.  They would have repented.  Jonah on the other hand is acting stubborn.  He certainly has the right to.  He could still have been stubborn after the whale vomits him on the shore.  Perhaps he could have been stubborn all his life, denying Yahweh's command to go to Nineveh.  I don't think God would have held it against him.  However, it is interesting that when Jonah agrees to go to Nineveh, he brings about a change in the lifestyle of a whole country!  That's quite a reward for a small act of obedience.  

Judas' sin

It did not strike me before but today during the Mass in the morning, it struck me that Judas' did repent for his crime of handing over Jesus to the Jews.  Frankly speaking, being the political clout that the Jewish religious leaders wielded they could have just barged their way into Jesus' company and arrested him.  That they needed someone to 'sell' Jesus to them was merely a sham.

Anyway, coming to the point, I realized that Judas was indeed sad for what he did and wished to undo it.  He therefore goes back to the elders and even offers them the money he received for 'betraying' Jesus. I suppose if he had more money, he'd have willingly given that too just to get things back to as it were before his 'handing' Jesus over.  But then why is it that Judas always is portrayed in the negative.  For that matter, Peter also betrayed Jesus when he denounced him not once but thrice!  Going by that count, there are more heinous ways that we have 'betrayed' the Lord than Judas did!

His sin, I guess, is to believe that God would not forgive him!  Neither did he forgive himself!  These two facts coupled together saw him hang himself.  Certainly the society then - and now - would always have blacklisted Judas, had he lived on.  But he would have lived with that scar and through his life transformed it into a blessing for himself and others.  However, he was too miserly in his outlook of God... he never brought himself to believe that his crime would be forgiven - not by God and not even by himself!  

Seeking apology...

In his letter through Paul to the pagans of Antioch (Acts 15: 1- 2.22-29), Peter apologizes for disturbing their delicate and sprouting faith with heavy and many demands.  He then short lists the basic essentials.  What's very encouraging is Peter's ready and direct apology. No justifications, no long sermons, no excuses or blame game.  A simple, direct and sincere apology.

I suppose it came naturally to Peter given the fact that
he was not 'carrying' the Church. He was just being natural, being himself.  The more we got institutionalised, the more difficult it became to become flexible or for that matter humble.  Good lesson to learn from this rather simple but profound statement issued by Peter: humility, especially in times of wrong doing, is the best and first form of repentance and growth.  

One shot devotion

Many who come to such pilgrimage centres as Kondadaba, often doing lot of sacrifices or undergoing lots of inconveniences do so for a particular reason. Some walk to the Shrine, a distance of about 35 to 70 kms. Others make their way up the hill on their knees (even one of our Brothers did it last night - had I know it I'd have made him do it again!). Some travel long distances and endure the extreme cold that we're having these days. Their faith that Mother Mary does much for and on their behalf is really unshakeable.

However, for most of these simple believers this once a year 'sacrifice' or 'trip' to the Shrine, so to say, scrubs clean all their sins and mistakes. The rest of the year they are free to live any way contrary to this singular act of 'devotion' and 'repentance'.

Of course, it all boils down to simple, daily faith (bit-by-bit belief) vs a sustained integrity (communion of life/living and spirituality).

Take away the stone

The morning session today was on reconciliation and regeneration. This was perhaps the most challenging one for me to comprehend. I need to ask the preacher for clarification about the first stage of this whole process where he outlined the movement thus: reconciliation to repentance; repentance to reception and reception to regeneration.

However, what fascinated me most was the analogy which the preacher used, another Biblical character: Mary Magdelene. Her life has always been intriguing. The preacher pointed out that perhaps the three Gospel instances citing the woman caught in adultery (Jn. 8:1-11), the one who anoints Jesus with the costly perfume (Mt. 26: 6-13) and the one to whom the Risen Lord sends out as His first messenger (Jn. 20:11-18), refer to the same woman.

In his notes, the animator drew parallels between the two commands of Jesus: “Sin no more” and “Take away the stone.” When Jesus commanded, “Take away the stone” it echoes “Sin no more.” Probably we are not ready to take away the stone, for we find comfort in those stones, as we have grown familiar with them. We will have many justifications for not taking away the stones.

The Mission

Tonight I screened the movie The Mission for the Brothers in the Seminary. I watched the movie several years ago and I still find it very gripping. The fact that it is based on a true incident adds greater depth to the message it delivers and the way it is portrayed. The double standards of Christianity are very bluntly portrayed and so is the true missionary fervour of a handful. Values like courage, redemption, repentance, patience, simplicity, communion, sacrifice and zeal are beautifully portrayed.

Most of all, I hope the Brothers as they watch it, learn from it that when the word 'mission' is used, it does not begin and end with 'preaching the word of God'. There is more to it than mere 'proclamation' - to be read as sermonizing. I hope they see that being a missionary means living for His people and not just making a living in His name!

A true missionary is one who is filled with the Spirit of God and out of genuine love for God and His people, willing to put up with any difficulty and is ready to go to any extent to stand by His people.

Prepare and Prevent

Fr KT Jose has been reminding the Community ever since two days that it is better to prepare and prevent than repent and repair. I think that is a quite a good motto for advent. However, my advent begins only after December 19, the day the Brothers will be leaving for their Christmas holidays. By that time, I wish to complete all my corrections and also catch with Navajeevan. It's been long since I even stepped in there.