“ Deut.4:10-24 The period of shliha [i.e., Weeks of Apostles or Slihe] makes use of the readings from the book of Deuteronomy, the “Second Law,” since this is the period in which the followers of the New Moses have to put into practice the new law of love. The present text deals with the revelation at Horeb and warns about the danger of idolatry. The Israelites had seen with their own eyes the events that took place at Horeb. The Lord came down and made a covenant with them. The people had sworn to hearken to the divine voice and to show reverential fear to the holy God. They have to teach the laws of covenant to their children. The first commandment was this: “I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt… You shall not have other gods besides me” (Ex. 20:2-3). Hence the covenant people should not imitate other nations who practise idolatry. Jesus the New Moses exhorts us in this period of shliha that we should never forget the saving experiences of his passion, death, resurrection and the sending of the Holy Spirit. The children of the period of shliha should keep their unique identity, and follow his margam of suffering. In embracing such a life-style they should not be afraid of anybody, who may oppose and oppress them. Their dedication to the living God should be total and unconditional. Hence the Christians have to reject ideologies which are different from that of Christ, the Shliha. Is.5:8-25 These are the woe oracles against the unjust people. The Lord makes clear that the land-grabbers who unjustly acquire property will be impoverished instead of enriched. Woe oracle is uttered against those who enjoy a luxurious and lustful life at the expense of the poor of the society. Also punishment will fall upon those who “tug at guilt with cords or perversity and at sin as if with cart ropes.” (v.18).The people who try to change the moral standards set by God will be doomed. These words of the Lord seem to reflect the spirit of the lamenting Jesus over the wicked Jerusalem. Here throbs the grieving heart of the God of history, since humans whom he wanted to make his beloved children, did not allow him to do so. 1 Cor. 15:58-16:24 Paul exhorts the community at Corinth to stand firm, steadfast and fully devoted to the work of the Lord. The children of the period of shliha are those who will be always ready to help the poor brethren in need, even at the risk of inconveniences. Then the shliha reveals his travel plans, and his desire to stay with the Corinthian community. Finally he exhorts them to hold fast to the faith and do everything with love. The letter ends with the greetings. Like the Master, Paul was always passing through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. The apostle led a life of a pilgrim and embraced the narrowmargamof Christ. He was not afraid of the opponents of the Lord’smargam. As Jesus he exhorted the followers of the Master to hold fast to faith. Lk.13:22-35 Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, where he, through passion and death, will be entering the heavenly Jerusalem. His way was narrow, and only those who could pass through the narrow door will be saved. The time is brief. When the Master locks the door to the Father’s house, the late-comers will not be admitted. There is a danger that those who claim to be the first to embrace the margam of the Lord, may become the last. Jesus, the Shliha, in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God, was not afraid of anybody, even the royal threats. Thus the Shliha replied those who warned him about the intention of Herod the King to kill him: “Go and tell that fox, ‘behold I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.” Nothing can stand in the margam of Jesus, which is the way of passion already decided by the heavenly Father. The period of shliha makes clear the task and destiny of every Christian. In the third part of the reading Jesus, the Shliha laments over the city and the people of Jerusalem, who had wasted the innumerable graces, and did not allow the Son of God to gather them under his wings. Hence the very city which God has chosen as his dwelling place will be abandoned. This lament is a warning for us, who have received the divine graces, and had not properly made use of them. ” ― Father Paul Kalluveettil, CMI .
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 06:33:04 +0000
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