3rd September 2021, FRIDAY, 22nd Week, Ordinary Time.
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
Today's Word
Luke 5: 37-38
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
Today's Reflection
As we come to the first Friday of the month, the Church practises this traditional devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
It was one of the promises Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary that those who devoutly practise the devotion to His Sacred Heart on the first Friday will receive abundant blessings.
Generally what comes to our minds would be the petitions that we offer up to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and implore that He answers our needs especially when they are urgent.
Certainly that is one of the ways that Jesus blesses us, by answering our prayers and granting our needs, so that we will experience His love for us.
But on a deeper level, the devotion to the Sacred Heart leads us to contemplate the love and mercy of Jesus for us, that He has given us all that we need in life.
Over and above our needs and petitions, we must first give thanks and be grateful for His saving love.
The 1st reading reminds us that Jesus brought peace by His death on the Cross and doing so He has reconciled us to God and our sins are forgiven.
May we always give thanks with a grateful heart for such great love that Jesus has for us, and may we too forgive others just as we have been forgiven.
The imagery of the wedding guests feasting, when the Bridegroom is with them (Lk 5: 34-35)
It pointed to the “moments of great joy and happiness, that is experienced” when one recognises Jesus as the bridegroom – the True Love of one’s life and the Primary Purpose of one’s existence (Gal 2: 20)!
The imagery of the patched garments (Lk 5: 36)
It pointed to the “moments of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ”, and putting on the New and Festal Garment of Christ (Gal 3: 27)
The imagery of the wine and wineskin (Lk 5: 37-39)
It pointed to the “moments of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love”, and cherishing the experience of discovering the Lord as the true and only source and foundation of happiness in life (1 Cor 3: 11).
In short, our Blessed Lord was pointing to a renewed perspective in one’s relationship with God.
Doing away with “legal fanaticism” that cripples one’s life with mere external following of rituals and rubrics.. and instead to discover the real meaning and purpose of one’s actions of piety and religiosity!
Doing away with “religious rigidity” that steals away any spontaneity and openness in one’s life of faith.. and instead to unearth the freedom that often lies buried, and to relate without any inhibitions with one’s Loving Creator!
Doing away with “spiritual gloominess” that casts a dark and ugly veil on one’s practices of spirituality… and instead to unwrap the gifts of happiness, trust and genuine bliss that is constantly bestowed by God!
Our practise of faith and spirituality certainly is in a constant need of a “cleaning up”!
Our understanding and perspectives on religion is in ever need of “sprucing up”!
Else, it can very easily happen, that.… religion turns out to be a farce… practices of piety fail to touch and inspire lives… acts of charity turn out to be hypocritical gestures
May we dare to imitate our Blessed Lord in “washing the windows”, in order to clear the view for a cleaner, fresher and brighter practising of our faith!
We today seek the intercession of St Gregory the Great on his feast-day
He is known as the “Father of Christian Worship” because of his exceptional efforts in reviving the Church Liturgy (Divine Worship).
May his words inspire us:
“The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue.
Therefore, if you want to be rich… love true riches.
If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of Heaven!”
GOD BLESS YOU
Good morning. Have a nice safe day