✝️ REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY – Oct 09, 2020: Friday
“Being credible and authentic in order to have true spiritual growth and nourishment!”
(Based on Gal 3:7-14 and Lk 11:15-26 – Friday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time)
Michelangelo has been one of the greatest artists the world has ever seen.
>> His notable works of “Pieta”, “David”, “Moses” and “The Last Judgment” have been unparalleled in their beauty and perfection.
Another of his fantastic work has been the Frescoes on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling (in the Vatican)
It is said that as this great artist painted the magnificent frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel – lying on his back for endless hours to finish every detail with great care…
… A friend asked him why he took such pains with figures that would be viewed from a considerable distance.
>> “After all,” the friend said, “Who will notice whether it is perfect or not?”
The artist who was known for his perfection at all works replied…
… “I will!”
The motivation for perfection in all things, for Michelangelo, was not from outside…
… it was a based on his conviction that he should be “credible and authentic” in all what he does.
Our spiritual life also follows a similar principle: When credibility and authenticity are lacking in a spiritual endeavour, there is very less spiritual growth and nourishment!
>> It is credibility and authenticity that helps to gain spiritual progress and advancements!
The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of how true integrity and authority can work tremendous wonders, conversions of heart and transformations of life…
… and how it can also cause some people to “oppose credibility and authenticity” by engaging in calumny and character-assassination!
The Gospel of the Day begins with the statement that…
… “the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul and by the prince of demons , He casts out the demons” (Mk 3:22)
One of the reasons why the Scribes were irked by the personality of Jesus was because of the tremendous authority that was displayed by Jesus!
Yes, the amazing factor in the ministry of Jesus was His tremendous authority!
>> The wondrous aspect in the ministry of Jesus was His awesome integrity!
Elsewhere, in the Gospel of St Mark, we read…
>> The people “were astonished at his teaching, for He taught as one who had authority…” (Mk 1:22)
>> “… they were all amazed so that they questioned among themselves…. ‘…with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him” (Mk 1: 27)
This authority and integrity came…
… through His deep union with His Heavenly Father.
… through His faithfulness to the commands of His heavenly Father
… through His undivided devotion to His Heavenly Father
How authentic, credible and integral are we in our life…
… as a Christian?
… in the family?
… as a consecrated person?
Authenticity does not mean arrogance…
>> Credibility does not mean over-confidence…
>>> Integrity does not mean super-importance…
Authenticity, credibility and integrity in the Lord means…
… filled with the power and strength of God’s Spirit
… imbued with a deep passion for the Lord and His Church
… living an honest lifestyle in accordance to God’s Will and teachings
The Gospel of the Day calls us to check and examine…
… is my prayer life and devotion truly authentic and credible?
… is my preaching and spreading of God’s Word filled with His Holy Spirit?
… is my reception of the Sacraments helping me to make an honest effort to be a true Christian?
Let our prayers become a true raising of hearts to God…
>> Let the receiving of the Sacraments become an honest transformation for life…
>>> Let the spreading of God’s Word become a credible witness to God’s Kingdom….
Jesus is our model and example to be true and honest in life!
>> Jesus is our ideal and standard to be faithful and committed to our mission!
Let the motivation in seeking for perfection in all things, be based not from outside…
… rather let it be based on the conviction that we should be “credible and authentic” in all what we do!
May our spiritual life follows the principle: Only when credibility and authenticity are pursued, we can have true spiritual growth and nourishment!
Today we also seek the intercession of Abraham, the Patriarch – on the Feast Day (Oct 09 – as mentioned in the Roman Martyrology)
(Even though customarily, we don’t call the Old Testament figures as Saints, nevertheless, the Church teaches that they are considered as Saints:
“The patriarchs, prophets and certain other Old Testament figures have been and always will be honoured as saints in all the Church’s liturgical traditions [CCC #61])
May Abraham – the Father of Faith – inspire us to live in total trust and surrender to the Will of God…
… and thus be faithful to walk in the ways of God – in credibility and authenticity!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India
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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – ” No matter where we are, we must aspire to a perfect life!”
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Nelson MCBS 