Quod abundabat | Everything she had

"For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on" - Mark 12: 44.

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As I reflected on the Words of Jesus, recorded by St. Mark, it's remarkably consistent how God, who has divinely created man & woman in His image, sovereignly manages the seasons, the movements of the sun and moon, so that life can be sustained on planet Earth. Above all, God is often described in the Gospel as the merciful God who pays careful attention to the lowly men & women who cried out to God. They are given honourable mentions in the Bible.

The Samaritan woman who met the Son of God while fetching water under the scorching mid-day sun, found her thirst for love finally satisfied by the Living Waters of Christ. She dropped her water and sprinted to her home town bringing the good news of the Messiah and brought salvation to her people, who were disdained by the Jews.

The lowly shepherds who witnessed an Angelic Host proclaiming the joyous birth of a Saviour, quickly ran to Bethlehem and were the hushed witnesses of the miracle Child, who is the Son of God, born in a lowly manger.

The sinful woman who somehow knew that Jesus would die for our sins and broke an expensive alabaster jar of pure nard, that costs about a year's wage, to anoint Jesus's head, and would be remembered wherever this Gospel account is read. 

The boy who surrendered his simple lunchbox of 5 loaves and 2 small fishes to the Lord of Creation. Thousands were fed, even till today millions are fed and encouraged when we partake Holy Communion and remember the deeds of this small boy, whose humble lunch was the miraculous feast for thousands who sat on a windy hill listening to Jesus speaking words from the Father.

Reflecting on Jesus' observation of the poor widow giving out of her poverty to the temple treasury, not because she was flaunting her ability to give, but demonstrating a deep trust in God who will ultimately provide for all that she needs to live. 

Regarding my own giving in terms of service and love to others, I realize that I often fall short of the mark. I have served out of my own convenience rather than to go the extra mile for another man or woman who is also made in God's image.  What have I given to the Lord in terms of my finances, time or even attention through each day?

Do I invite Jesus into every conversation or decision that I make? Or do I use Him as a spare tire when I run out options in my own mind? How can I learn from these humble characters (many of whom are unnamed) who gave themselves wholehearted to share the Gospel when they knew Jesus as Messiah and the Son of God?

I will close my sharing with this beautiful worship song entitled "Alabaster Jar" (inspired by the Gospel account in Matthew 26:6-13, also found in Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:2-8).

Alabaster Jar
This alabaster jar is all I have of worth I break it at Your feet, Lord It's less than You deserve You're far more beautiful More precious than the oil The sum of my desires and The fullness of my joy   Like You spilled Your blood i spill my heart As an offering to my King   Here I am, take me as an offering Here I am, giving Every heartbeat for Your glory take me Take me   This time that I have left Is all I have of worth I lay it at Your feet, Lord It's less than You deserve And though I've little strength And though my days are few You gave Your life for me So I will live my life for You   Like You spilled Your blood i spill my heart As an offering to my King Here I am, take me as an offering Here I am, giving Every heartbeat for Your glory Here I am, take me as an offering Here I am, giving Every heartbeat for Your glory take me	Worthy, worthy You are worthy Worthy is the Lord worthy, worthy You are worthy worthy is the Lord Worthy, worthy You are worthy Worthy is the Lord worthy, worthy You are worthy worthy is the Lord Worthy, worthy You are worthy Worthy is the Lord worthy, worthy You are worthy worthy is the Lord Here I am worthy, worthy Take me You are worthy As an offering worthy is the Lord   Here I am worthy, worthy Giving You are worthy Every heartbeat for Your glory Worthy is the Lord take me Take me take me Take me take me, Lord   You are worthy Lord Your spirit is here The spirit of God is here moving our minds Take me make me Yours I am Yours, You are mine I am Yours, You are mine you are mine, Lord Glory to the King glory to our Lord We worship You alone worship You alone   Worthy, worthy You are worthy Worthy is the Lord worthy, worthy You are worthy worthy is the Lord Worthy are You Lord worthy, worthy Yes, You are worthy worthy is the Lord Worthy, worthy You are worthy Worthy is the Lord
YouTube link: Alabaster Jar Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Walker Beach / Zach Neese Alabaster Jar lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music

Reflection on Mark 12:35-44 by Chris Tan

Deus Abraham | God of Abraham

"I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living." - Mark 12: 26-27

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I begin this reflection with a letter of SJ Cristobal Fones's song "Tu modo" (In English "Your way") Cristobal Fones is a Jesuit priest. "The way you treat others, I let myself be questioned by your tenderness. Your way of loving moves us to love.  Your treatment is like crystalline water that cleanses and accompanies walking. Jesus, teach me your way of making the other feel more human, that your steps are my steps, my way of proceeding."

In this passage (Mark 12:18-17), I find the conviction of Jesus about his defense of the truth, of brotherhood and universal character of the faith. 

Two phrases are the most important for me in the answer of Jesus to the Sadducees question about the resurrection: "..have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

In a tenderly way with such love, Jesus says: God is the God of everyone.  The Love is the Love of everyone. Sometimes we do some judgments over our brothers and sisters. Even about what God should think about others according to our human criteria and concerns. But God does not think in the same way like our human limitations. God is a God of everyone and His Pure Love is an Universal Love.

Sometime we take in a position like the Sadducees and we ask questions to God because we don't understand "the way" to proceed to God. When we need to know how to proceed about anything, the answer always will be The Love. 

It is a call to respect the diversity in our church and to promote the inclusion, because all are called to live in the Kingdom of God. All are sinners in many ways. We all have been the black sheep in one moment of our lives. Is great to be a black sheep, a lost sheep, the coin of little value to human eyes, because God embraces, shelters and loves His sons and daughters in a very special way, regardless of their condition. For the sinner He even throws a celebration. We need to respect each others and love each others.

Again, "God is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob". The God of everyone.  Let's not pigeonhole God's criteria in mundane judgments. Let's not see reality at ground level of our prejudices, beyond the mundane is the transcendent. Let us not act or think like whitewashed sepulchral.

Finally, the last words of Jesus's answer: "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living". God always make the things new, God always renews, reinvents. We should always learn to reinvent ourselves, give new meaning to each experience of our lives, good or bad, happy or sad, easy or difficult. Look to the eternal, celebrate and honor life in the light of the Word of Our Love. 

Reflection on Mark 12:18-27  by Carolina Jimenez

Lapis | Cornerstone

"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" - Mark 12:10 (NIV)

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In these verses of the Scripture (Mark 12:1-17), the Word of God teaches us about honor, justice and righteousness through both a parable and a regular daily life event.

In the parable of the tenants, we learn about the caring and tender love of our good Father in the figure of a farmer who planted a vineyard (figure of us, his people, his beloved church). We also learn how diligently he worked in this field, how he took very good care of it during sowing time, and also ensured each and every detail to make the field ready for harvest. He also wanted his field to be very well protected and guarded. After long invested time and effort, as a symbol of unselfish sacrifice and love, he rented the farm to foreign farmers (figure of the Pharisees, priests, teachers of the law and elders). The only condition was to take good care of his beloved field and to collect 'some', not even 'all', of the delicious fruit at harvest time.

These wicked and ungrateful tenants had other plans instead, keeping the field that wasn't theirs. They beat, treated shamefully and even killed any messenger that was sent to them to collect the fruit. They didn't even respect the one and only very loved owner's son. They caught and killed him! What a way to pay someone's mercy, favor and grace bestowed upon them.

The life experience teaches us to distinguish the honor and praise God deserves versus the honor and respect we must give to our earthy authorities. Our Lord gently and respectfully asks to collect some of the sweet fruit of all that he has plant in our hearts all this time, to honor and praise him with our life as he has invested unselfishly in ours. Why not honoring him with the fruit of our hands and hard work as good stewards of what has been given to us? Let's not forget that the Lord is the owner of all gold and silver on this earth, all visible and invisible.

Let us reflect on the way how we, as tenants in this earth, are paying back to the vineyard owner. He has take good care of us. He wants us to mature, grow and bear much fruit so when harvest time arrives, He can search for that sweet and delicious fruit in us. May His heart be filled with happiness when he finds what He is looking for in us! 

Remember, our good Father, the vineyard owner, takes care of what is His. He watches over every aspect of what He owns. We, my brothers and sisters, belong to Him, God called us by name. He has put His name on us.  Honor to the One who deserves it.

Reflection on Mark 12:1-17 by Nydia Flores

De caelo | Of heavenly origin

"Of heavenly origin" (Mark 11:31).

We enjoy walking. It is relaxing. It is necessary because there are so many problems in our lives. Jesus also frequently walked and traveled with his followers. There was much to be said and answered. His example teaches us how to approach our questions and the people that we meet on our journey. 

Above all, the Son of God did not fear to face reality. He came from heaven and knew his dignity. And he felt free and lived in the truth. His attitude helped him to see things more broadly. He did not focus only on the things of human origin but also on those of heavenly origin. Besides, he acknowledged that everything which was good comes from God. Whoever performs miracles like John the Baptist collaborates with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ never escaped the challenges. But, he could face his problems and overcome them with God's authority. Those people who do not live very spiritually cannot do so.

We remember that Jesus walked early in the morning and prayed much (Mk 11:12). This means that he discussed all his matters with the Heavenly Father. Thus, he did not doubt in his heart that anything he said would occur. He also spent a large amount of time in silence. It helped him maintain a distance and be patient in the face of his dangerous foes.

You do not need to answer all of the questions which people keep asking. You don't need to get involved with everything. Even the chief leaders and elders can make mistakes. We cannot comply with all their demands and orders. It's all about being honest and following your conscience.

Finally, the Lord Jesus always walks towards the temple. That is the purpose of our spiritual journey. No one can force you to focus on your spiritual life. No one is able to make you pray sincerely. It should be your deepest desire to encounter God the Father. For Jesus and his disciples, the supreme authority has heavenly origin. So you should not fear the other authorities, but walk in truth towards the heavenly kingdom.

Reflection on Mark 11:27-33 by Fr Józef Trzebuniak SVD

(Listen to the Podcast here)

Pullus | Donkey

“Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him and bring him." - (Mark 11:2)

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Mark 11:1-14 is firstly about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and secondly, Jesus curses the fig tree. Taking the spiritual meaning, Jesus knowing what is awaiting Him in Jerusalem, keeps His mission given by the Father as the objective – the mission of bringing salvation through His passion, death, and resurrection. 

He enters as the King of Peace on a donkey, as opposed to the Roman understanding of triumphant entry which is soldiers entering on horseback after winning a war. Even after more than two thousand years, the actions of this Jesus have made Him the King of Billions of believers in their hearts, including you and me.

Jesus asks two of His disciples, who are unnamed, to get THE donkey for Him. The words of Jesus "The Lord is in need of it" are of importance for us. These words give us a purpose, that the Lord needs us. To talk about the donkey: firstly, it was never been ridden – it was born for a purpose. Secondly, the donkey was tied down.

The instructions were to untie it and bring it to Jesus. Jesus by His passion, death, and resurrection has set us free. But time and again we are tied down by many things in this world namely, our families, careers, aspirations, struggles, guilt, past, addictions, and many other things. Jesus sends unnamed people, His disciples, to untie us and bring us to Him. It is for us to accept this invitation to be free gracefully just like the donkey in the Bible. Like the donkey, we too have a purpose in Jesus.

After setting the donkey free, Jesus sat on it and rode it. People greeted Jesus by laying down their garments and with palms in their hands sang, "Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," and along with Jesus, the donkey too gained the honor of the people. It is because of this humility of the donkey, even after 2,000 years we are still talking about the donkey.

Am I willing to be the donkey for Jesus in this world, who gives me purpose and meaning? Am I willing to be untied? I will have honour among people only when Jesus is my King.

Reflecting on the Fig tree, it was a beautiful tree with green leaves all over. But the problem was that Jesus approached this tree seeing its beautiful leaves, thinking He would find fruits on it. Jesus found no fruits. It symbolizes Christian life without actions of faith; Christians without Christ. We are called to bear much fruit and we can do so only by abiding in Jesus (John 15:1-12). 

Let us ask for the grace to be a fruitful fig tree (Gal 5:22-23), and to be like the humble donkey on whom the humble King of Peace sat.

Reflection on Mark 11:1-14 by Fr Hanson D'Souza SVD

(Listen to the Podcast here)

Miserere | Mercy

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" – Mk. 10:47 (NRSV)

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, in this passage we come across Jesus healing the blind Bartimaeus. The blind man came to know that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by and started shouting in a loud voice asking Jesus to show mercy on him. This makes it clear for us that the blind man had already heard a lot about Jesus and he was confident that Jesus could heal him. Towards the end of the passage Jesus tells the blind man, "Go; your faith has made you well." It was the strong faith of this blind man which cured him of his blindness.

Two things which inspired me the most from this passage is that his perseverance in calling out to Jesus for mercy, even when others rebuked him. He never bothered what others would think and he just kept on shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" In our lives too, when we are in need of God's mercy let us never give up, but rather go on pleading with him until he grants our needs. 'Hope does not disappoint' (Romans 5:5). 

The second thing that inspired me the most, is once the blind man regained his sight he followed Jesus on the way. It is not that we receive God's mercy and just keep quiet, but in return God wants us to respond to him. God wants us to be instruments in his hands helping people to glorify God. 

We receive mercy from God and we also need to show mercy towards all. Let us glorify God through our works of mercy.

Reflection on Mark 10:46-52 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

(Listen to the Podcast here)

Ministrare | Serve

"For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." - (Mark 10:45)

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Reflecting on Jesus' Words in Mark 10, only days before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  He attempted to teach His closest followers on what it means to be servant leaders, even though these disciples had followed the Lord and witnessed numerous miracles in His three short years of ministry in Judea. His ministry included miraculous feeding of the multitudes, miraculous catch of fish, the raising of Lazarus from death, freeing of the demon-possessed young man, healing of the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, causing the lame to walk and much more. All these were pointing to Jesus as the Messiah whom the prophet Isaiah was writing about in Isaiah 61. Yet, the disciples' finite human minds were still focused on temporal things on earth such as who would sit with Jesus at the place of honour. This is almost akin to how the Pharisees too were always seen in prominent positions in Jewish society. The Lord reminded them that even He Himself, Who was God's Son came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

As I reflected on Jesus' teaching here, I'm reminded of the times I too had acted like the disciples, wanted the limelight in ministry, and placed myself in the throne of my heart instead of enthroning Jesus as the Lord of my heart.

I will close my sharing with this beautiful hymn by Maranatha Singers:  Make Me A Servant

Make me a servant

Humble and meek

Lord let me lift up

Those who are weak

And may the prayer

Of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today

Make me a servant

Humble and meek

Lord let me lift up

Those who are weak

And may the prayer

Of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today

Make me a servant

Humble and meek

Lord let me lift up

Those who are weak

And may the prayer

Of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today

Of my heart always be

Make me a servant

Make me a servant

Make me a servant today 

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/r6U8O_WnPZY 

Source: LyricFind 

Songwriters: Kelly Faye Willard Make Me a Servant lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

Reflection on Mark 10:32-45 by Chris Tan

Sequere me| Follow me

“One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” -  (Mark 10: 21)

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In today's reading of Mark 10:17-31, we can reflect upon the value of sacrifice and perseverance. Mark 10: 29-31 will also show us the equivalent of perseverance, does God recognize them, and what happens to the perseverance in our sufferings.

One of the most popular verses, and the lesson of giving up everything to God, is given in this reading. A man ran up to Jesus, and knelt before Him, to ask Him how to inherit eternal life and how to enter the Kingdom of God. While he knew the commandments, he still was bound to his earthly belongings, saddened to the idea of giving up all to the Lord.

This is something that brings the question to every believer: 'Are we willing to give up everything to the Lord?' Be it our possessions, our pride.  'Are we willing to suffer for Christ?'

In my own experiences, these questions are something that we often brush over, since we're all so bound in our earthly senses and experiences. In order to be rich in Christ, we need to accept Him truly and utterly. Giving up everything for Him, and to suffer for our belief in Him.

I once had to deal with a crossroads as such in my life. Once a lukewarm believer, I once went through a procession from 12am to 6am for an Easter Vigil in a town. Going through all of the Cathedrals and Churches of the area, but this also meant we were greeted by unpleasant people, as well.

The procession to me meant that I didn't have to be ashamed of my beliefs. That I have Christ, and that I have nothing to fear. While many people may criticize us, or wish us ill for our belief in God, I carried my cross happily, and still do, to this very day.

Reflection on Mark 10:17-31  by Cristobal Alvarez  

(Listen to the Podcast here)