TODAY'S WORD
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
"But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation..." (Lk 21:34)
REFLECTION
The 1st reading mentioned about the river of life, rising from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and flowing crystal-clear down the middle of the city street.
And on either side of the river were the trees of life, which bear twelve crops of fruit a year, one in each month, and the leaves of which are the cure of the pagans.
We would certainly want to dive into that river, because it is the river of life. But we have actually already dived into that river.
By our baptism into Christ, we have be immersed in the waters of life, the waters that flow from the river of life that has its source in God.
The Gospel begins with the above verse:
‘Dissipation” is strong word which could have several parallel understandings...
With respect to morality:
Dissipation refers to an overindulgence in sensual pleasures.
With respect to behaviour:
Dissipation refers to a conduct that shows one is interested only in pleasure, money, etc.
With respect to economics:
Dissipation refers to an act of using all or a lot of money, time, etc., in a foolish way.
With respect to physics:
Dissipation refers to a physical process by which energy becomes not only unavailable but irrecoverable in any form.
Dissipation is a tendency...
to squander away enthusiasm because of allowing monotony to creep into life.
to lose vitality as a result of being indulged in continuous immoral behaviours
to leak-out the energy and vigour in oneself, in small amounts and thus become lifeless
to become disinterested and dispirited due to constant exposure to luxury and comforts
Dissipation is a terrible malady that has badly affected many people in the Bible...
The people during Noah's time were “dissipated” with eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, although God had sent out a warning of their destruction through Noah.
The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah were “dissipated” with extremely immoral and corrupt practices, even though the people were given a forewarning of their possible.
The people of Israel were “dissipated” with frustration and dissatisfaction while travelling in the desert and failed to understand the providential hand of God.
The disciples of Jesus were “dissipated” with sadness, shattering of hopes and brokenness after the death of Jesus and failed to believe and trust in His great promises.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
We have a call to examine our lives and check whether we too have fallen into a state of "dissipation"...
Maybe my prayer life is "dissipated"
due to various distractions, excuses of lack of time, complaints of being tired or just simply a lack of interest...
Maybe my personal intimacy with God is "dissipated"…
since I don't experience any joyful or experiential feelings or because some of my expectations of God are not met...
Maybe my relationships with people is "dissipated"
due to some friction or misunderstanding or an indifference that has sneaked in without any particular reason.
Maybe my family life/community life is "dissipated"…
because I feel disinterested or not so enthusiastic in going beyond some of my personal comforts or I feel lonely in not feeling accepted or loved.
Dissipation can be a tendency that can steal into our lives very stealthily and can drain away much of our energy, eagerness and passion.
Let us seek to renew our initial fervor and zeal.
>> Let us challenge ourselves to revive our zest and interest.
THANKSGIVING AS WE END OUR LITURGICAL YEAR
Today we are concluding this Liturgical Year…
… and stepping into the New Liturgical Year – with ‘Year B’ Readings on Sundays and ‘Cycle 2’ for the Weekdays
This Liturgical Year has taken us through various phases in our life of faith – especially, with the pandemic…
… But the Liturgical Readings were also constantly reminding us that, that “God is with us!”
Let us thank the Lord for this Liturgical Year – for all His Blessings, Graces, Protection…
… and as we start a New Year in our Life – Liturgically – let us surrender ourselves totally to the Providence of our Loving Lord, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother
… as we continually give heed to the words of our Lord, “And behold, I am coming soon!” (Rev 22:7)
In the book of Revelations, the Lord has this complaint:
“..I have this against you: you have lost the love you had at first.
*PRAYER*
May our blessed mother help us to realize how far we have fallen. Make us repent so to do the works we did at first" (Rev 2:4-5).
May God bless you all to begin the New liturgical year with passion and Spirit, knowing that the Lord deserves not "dissipated" people but "spirited" and "passionate" people!