✝️ REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY – December 16, 2021: Thursday
“Fearlessly holding on to the Lord and His ways, and thus living as joyful witnesses!”
(Based on Isa 54:1-10 and Lk 7:24-30 – Thursday of the 3rd Week in Advent)
A preacher was invited for a Missions Preaching, in a particular kingdom.
>> The King of this land was known to be an extremely notorious and corrupt ruler.
So, naturally it was a great challenge to preach the Word of God.
As the preacher stood up to break the Word of God, he heard a voice within him:
“O preacher, be wary of what you speak, the King of the Land is here.”
This filled him with fear!
But as his lips trembled to speak, he heard another voice:
“O preacher, do not be wary! The King of kings is with you!”
The assurance that God, the King of kings was with him, made him powerful and bold to preach the Word…
… without any fear or worry.
Do we stand firm in our Christian faith, knowing that the Lord is always with us…
… or do we wilt under pressure, and compromise for the ways of the world?
The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus exemplifying the character of John the Baptist.
Jesus says, “What did you go out in the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?” (Lk 7:25).
Jesus puts forth before the people a rhetorical question.
This is not a question to elicit a direct answer.
>> Instead is meant…
… to be reflective
… to be causing to generate greater thinking
… to be tuned to enter into a ruminative mode.
By this clever technique, Jesus draws the attention of the people to a deeper respect of the personality of John the Baptist.
One element that Jesus highlights in John the Baptist is his firmness in proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
>> Donning an ascetic attire, John the Baptist perfectly carried out the task entrusted to Him – of being the forerunner of Christ.
He would…
… Be bold to invite the people to repent of their sinful ways
… Be firm in pointing the corrupt practices of even the authorities
… Be unassuming in lowering himself and leading the people to the Lamb of God
… Be uncompromising in countering the evil King Herod, even to the point of losing his head!
What is our conviction in being a witness of Christ?
The challenges to live as a Christian is undoubtedly difficult in today’s secularized, materialistic and individualistic world.
>> Many times, we are tempted to dilute our Christian Faith…
… and just go along with the ways of the world – which seem to be much easier and comfortable.
But this is where the Lord presents to us to example of John the Baptist…
… and be “a reed that is not shaken by the wind.”
Sure…
… we will have our fears to stand against the principles of the world
… we will have our apprehensions in holding on to the virtues of the Gospel
But Jesus, the King of kings, whispers in the depths of our beings:
“O Christian, Be not wary! The King of kings is with you!”
Let us fearlessly hold on to the Lord and His ways and thus live as Joyful Witnesses.
God Bless! Live Jesus!
– Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
📧 Email ID: _reflectioncapsules@gmail.com
Bengaluru, India
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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE HIERARCHICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH
>> The mission of the Magisterium is linked to the definitive nature of the covenant established by God with his people in Christ.
>> It is this Magisterium’s task to preserve God’s people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error.
>> Thus, the pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. (CCC # 890)
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Nelson MCBS 