Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (Jn 21:15-17). He didn’t reproach, “Why did you betray me?” Jeremiah promises, “I will purify them from all the sin they have committed against me” (Jer 33:8).
When
you want to give something to God, what should be your attitude?
·
What
I am:
St. Paul urges, “Offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Rom 12:1).
As a child, I walked to church with my elder sister.
In our garden, I’d grown a rose plant; one day, a perfect flower bloomed.
Curious, I plucked it to bring to Mass. Along the way, I pulled off a petal,
crushed it, and inhaled its scent.
My sister saw, slapped my hand sharply, and tossed the
flower into a dustbin. Tears flowed through Mass as I brooded over her rebuke.
Home at last, I ran to Mother to complain—but sister spoke first, then gently
taught me: “When offering to God, give wholly, holding nothing back for
yourself. Let it carry its full fragrance—not something you’ve already
savored.”
What
Does It Cost You? What does it cost you, what you have offered to God?
·
Whatever I Have
We
all know the story of Cain and Abel. The first murder in human
history happened because of a lack of surrender, and innocent blood was shed.
Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil, but Abel offered “fat portions
from some of the firstborn of his flock” (Gen 4:3–4). Cain gave something;
Abel gave his best. What we offer to God with our whole heart, He can make
great and use for salvation.
Remember
the wedding feast at Cana. Simple water became choice wine
because they filled the six stone jars “to the brim” (Jn 2:7), not
halfway. Their completeness made room for the miracle.
Remember
also the multiplication of the five loaves to feed the five
thousand (Jn 6:1–13). Five loaves were far too small to satisfy such a crowd,
yet once placed totally in Jesus’ hands, they multiplied. Blessings multiply
when we are ready to surrender everything we have to God—however little it
seems.
And
the poor widow who offered two small coins made a greater “noise”
in heaven than the rich who gave large sums. “This poor widow has put in
more than all the others… she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she
had to live on” (Mk 12:41–44). Her offering was outwardly small but
inwardly total. Her silent, complete surrender caught the attention of Jesus.
·
What
Do I Want to Be
I
should offer not only what I have, not only what I am, but also what I desire
to be.
I happened to meet a vocation promoter of a
congregation. He asked me, “Fr., do you know how I call young people to our
congregation?” He said, “I promise them they will be sent to the USA.” This
sounds funny, but it’s the sad reality of vocations today.
We
all know the two pillars of the Church: Peter and Paul. Peter came from a small
village. He knew only fishing. We have no information about his studies. He
knew how to catch fish, sell it, and earn bread for his family.
But
Paul was born a Jew, a Pharisee, an expert in the law, trained under great
masters like Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).
Do you know who was sent to argue in the Sanhedrin,
the highest assembly of Jewish scholars and priests? It was not Saint Paul, but Peter
(Acts 4:1-13). Paul was sent to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). He knew everything to
prove to Jewish scholars, skilled in great arguments. Yet he was sent to people
who never knew the God of Israel. Whatever he had studied seemed “wasted.”
God seems unreasonable, but surrender your future too—He will make you a blessing to the multitude of God’s people.
Saint
Joseph’s Surrender: Trust in God’s Plan
Saint
Joseph was a carpenter. He worked hard to feed his family. He loved Mary, the
beautiful young girl. He dreamed of a happy life with her, supported by his
carpentry earnings. Suddenly, an atomic bomb exploded in his life: Mary was
pregnant. He faced two choices—to denounce her to the synagogue or find another
woman. But he thought, “I’m sure Mary wouldn’t do this.” So he planned to run
away quietly, as public exposure was dangerous.
Joseph,
what did he do? He slept. An angel revealed everything in a dream (Mt 1:20-21).
He understood God’s plan. Serenity returned, along with the challenge to
fulfill God’s will. He accepted Mary as his wife—not as an ordinary wife, but
as the Mother of God’s Son. Joseph questioned nothing. He waited and
surrendered his future to God. Then Joseph was happy.
We
read in the Bible Jesus saying, “Which one of you, if your son asks for
bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”
(Mt 7:9-10). How did Jesus know a father gives only good things? Because of
Joseph. And Jesus called God “Abba”—the same intimate word he used for
Joseph (cf. Mk 14:36; Gal 4:6).
Renewing
the Heart: Mercy Over Retaliation
We all know critics who professionally critique cinema
or politics. One day, a critic was bitten by a mad dog. Days later, learning
he’d go mad and die soon, he urgently asked his friend for paper and pen.
“Why?” the friend asked. “I need to write down these names—then go bite them
all!”
Why
do we want to hurt others? It’s the poison inside our hearts. How can we remove
this poison from us? Jesus accepts we will be misunderstood, hated, etc.
Perhaps no one strikes your cheek today (seminary or convent no-touch rules).
But they may hurt your heart. Jesus says, “Love your enemies and do good to
them… You will be called children of the Most High” (Lk 6:35).
Jesus
uses banking language—credit, deposits. What credit do you have? Struck on the
cheek, strike back—income and expense balance; no heavenly surplus. Do good
instead, building credit in heaven’s account. “Be merciful, just as your
Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36).
Christianity’s
foundation is mercy. God isn’t just by worldly measure—giving what’s due. If
so, our sins would condemn us. God’s justice loves the undeserving.
How do you respond to brothers and sisters? Eye for an eye? When unloved, go
love them. When uncared for, go care. That’s our calling. Jesus said, “I
will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4:19). We catch neglecting “enemies”—not
to harm, but to draw them to God.
The
meeting of Jesus with the Samaritan woman took place in a town called
Sychar. It was about twelve noon, a hot sunny day (Jn 4:5–6). Jesus asked her
for water, and instead of simply giving Him a drink, she began an argument. But
Jesus did not argue on the same level; He used this chance to reveal God’s love
and forgiveness, making her a child of God—and through her, He reached her
whole village (Jn 4:28–30, 39–42).
Again,
we have the story of Zacchaeus. Jesus knew the Pharisees would find
fault with Him for going to his house, but He went willingly and “owned”
Zacchaeus and his whole household: “Today salvation has come to this house” (Lk
19:9–10). This is what Jesus meant by “fishers of men.”
The betrayal of Peter: On the night before His crucifixion, as Jesus was led
away, the Lord turned and looked at Peter; Peter’s eyes were full of tears
after denying his Master (Lk 22:61–62). There Jesus “gained” the first Pope. “I
have not lost a single one of those whom you gave me” (Jn 17:12). Jesus
knows that the Samaritan woman, Zacchaeus, and Peter—all were given to Him by
the Father, and He does not want to lose them, but win them by His
unconditional love.
Most
of the time, we behave as ambassadors of justice, not as ambassadors of mercy:
“If he or she shouts at me, why should I keep quiet? I can’t forgive. I will
never talk to him again.” These are the voices in our mind. But when we forgive
others, we receive grace upon grace.
What
happens when we forgive? What does the Bible say?
1.
Mark
11:24–25 – Your prayer will be answered.
“Therefore,
I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,
and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against
anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins”
(Mk 11:24–25)
2.
Matthew
5:23–24 – Your offering will be accepted.
“When
you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or
sister has something against you, leave your gift there… first be reconciled…
then come and offer your gift.” We say, “I did not do anything—why should I
say sorry?” Maybe you did nothing intentionally, but your brother or sister is
hurt. Go and be reconciled. This is what we call “life sacrifice,” which is
more important than altar sacrifice.
At
Mass the priest says, “Pray… that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to
God.” For our offerings to be acceptable, our heart must be free from hatred,
anger, jealousy, etc.
Why
so much unhappiness and boredom in our life? Perhaps because we have not
forgiven enough. If community members go together for Holy Mass and are not
speaking to each other, there is no use. What you do at the altar is not
sacrifice but sacrilege. Be careful.
3.
Matthew
6:15 – Your sins will be forgiven.
“If
you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Even
the sacrament of Confession becomes “less useful” if I have not forgiven my
brothers and sisters. Why have I not overcome bad habits—masturbation,
pornography, alcoholism, any addiction—though I attend daily Mass? It may be
because I have not forgiven enough. We go to confession and repeat the same
sins again and again. Are we not forgiven? The problem is often our lack of
forgiveness toward others.
4.
James
5:15 – Your sickness will be healed.
“If
someone is sick, let them call for the presbyters of the Church… the prayer of
faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have
committed sins, they will be forgiven” (Jas 5:15). When we forgive and are
forgiven, even our physical illnesses can be touched by God’s healing.
A
Life Story of Forgiveness
When I was young, I was arrogant. Fresh from my
doctorate in Rome, I returned to India and was appointed rector of the
seminary—with hundreds of students and five staff. An older priest in the
community seemed displeased with my appointment.
Once, I changed the community timetable. At table, he
remarked, “The rector is imprudent; it won’t change anything.” Though much my
senior, I snapped, “Mind your business. I am the rector here.” I felt proud,
thinking I’d asserted well.
That evening, unease grew: This isn’t how to wield
authority in the Church. Sleepless, I rose, went to the chapel, knelt before
the Eucharist, and vowed to apologize the next morning.
Suddenly, I saw movement across the chapel. The old
priest approached. Shocked, I felt his tears on my palm as he grasped my hand.
I began, “I’m sorry,” but he hushed me: “I am sorry.” He left for his room.
Next morning, I went to him again: “Sorry for the
scandal I caused in the seminary.” I begged him to be my confessor. He refused
at first, but I joked, “I’m the rector —be my confessor!” He agreed, guiding me
even after I got transferred to another community. He helped immensely,
correcting me many times.
The
Lesson of Forgiving Love
Go
and get reconciled (Mt 5:24). Jesus washing the feet of his disciples shows
this perfect love. From his sitting position—that of a king—Jesus rises like a
servant. He sets aside his cloak (sign of the Master) and ties on a towel (sign
of the disciple).
When
Jesus goes to wash St. Peter’s feet, Peter refuses to be served. Jesus says
firmly: “If I don’t wash your feet, you have no share with me” (Jn
13:8). Jesus washes away Peter’s future betrayal. There is no excuse for
forgiveness. This is the cost of discipleship.
Our
adoration at the altar is only ceremonial if forgiveness is not happening every
day. Don’t let this retreat opportunity go in vain. You are chosen here to be
reconciled—with God and with your brother.
Suffering:
God’s Way vs. Ours (Mt 16:21-26)
Jesus
distinguishes how God thinks from how we think. In the context of foretelling
his death, Peter says, “Let no such thing happen to you!” But Jesus calls him
“Satan” (Mt 16:23)—because Peter blocks God’s will.
How
do we face sufferings?
· Blaming others
A priest visits a house in Paris. An elderly woman
shouts and curses. The priest asks, “Who are you shouting at?” She replies, “My
daughter-in-law!” “Why?” “She called me a hippopotamus six months ago.” “Then
why shout now?” “Only yesterday I saw a hippopotamus at the zoo.”
· Blaming ourselves.
We
think God punishes us for our sins. But our God is not a punishing God—he is a
God of mercy.
· Ancestral curses
Romans
8:1 says, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
(Rom 8:1). We are incorporated into Christ—becoming one body, not under curse.
Jesus is the head, we are members by baptism. Christ takes upon himself all our
curses.
The
Meaning of the Cross
Something
we cannot always humanly understand about suffering—Jesus gives the answer: “Take
up your cross and follow me” (Mt 16:24). Follow where? To Mount Calvary.
But Calvary is not the end—it’s the means to glory.
St.
Peter wanted to throw the cross away—that’s why Jesus called him Satan. Acts
2:36: “The Christ whom you crucified, God has made Lord and Messiah”
(Acts 2:36). The first Church was a suffering Church. Christian Jews were
forbidden from synagogues. Yet Acts 5:41 says they left the Sanhedrin “rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41).
1
Peter 4:12-13: “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial… but rejoice insofar
as you share Christ’s sufferings” (1 Pet 4:12-13). Philippians 3:10: Paul
desires “to know the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings” (Phil
3:10).
Paul’s
“retirement plan” was not a peaceful house with facilities, as we give
elderly priests today. His plan: “to know the power of his resurrection and
participation in his sufferings” (Phil 3:10). Paul boasts not of churches
built, but only of suffering for the Lord (2 Cor 11:23-30). Romans 5:3:
Suffering produces endurance, character, hope (Rom 5:3-4).
Sufferings
are given for two reasons.
· To purify us / to sanctify us.
Romans
5:4 says that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces
character, and character produces hope (cf. Rom 5:3–4).
If
sufferings are accepted in the right way, they help us grow into
maturity—spiritual maturity.
· For our salvation and the salvation
of others.
“Now
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake…” (Col 1:24). Christ suffered for
the Church, which is his Body. I accept the sufferings that are “lacking” in my
flesh, so as to be united with his suffering (Col 1:24).
A lady once came to meet me. She was not walking
properly. When I enquired, she said that she had undergone an operation on her
leg because of cancer. But then she added: “I have another suffering that is
greater than this.” “I have a son; he is 22 years old. His father died when he
was very young. At my husband’s coffin, I promised that I would raise our son
to a higher place in life. After his schooling, with many difficulties, I
prepared him to enter medical college. My son used to tell me: ‘Mom, I want to
become a doctor and I want to serve the poor.’
“I sold my house and my land to support my son’s
medical education. After he finished school, I came here to the Centre to pray,
and afterwards I received the good news that my son had obtained a place in
medical college. Now he is in his third year, and his life is in danger because
he has fallen into drug addiction. Nowadays he never calls me; even when he
does, he only shouts at me and abuses me to get money. I cannot bear the
thought that my son might be lost like this.”
We prayed together, and I said: “Sister, there is a
direct connection between the tumour in your leg and the conversion of your
son.” I quoted again the same verse of Saint Paul, Colossians 1:24.
She replied: “Father, if my son could be converted, I
am ready to suffer.” Six months later she called me to ask for an appointment.
She came to meet me and said: “Father, yesterday my son called me. I was
nervous when I saw his name on my phone. But it was different. He said: ‘I am
sorry, Mom. I have made your life a hell. Forgive me.’”
Then she told me what had happened. He had been
praying with the crucifix his mother had given him when he entered medical
college. While he was praying, he saw rays coming from the wounds of Jesus in
the crucifix. He heard a voice speaking to him: “My son, I need you.”
“Mom, I want to change. Jesus tells me in my heart
again and again: ‘My son, I need you.’ I and two of my friends, who were also
drug addicts with me, want to go to the Divine Retreat Centre.” A few years
later, all three of them were serving the poor in the northern part of India.
Saint
Monica and Saint Augustine: Suffering as Prayer
Saint
Augustine travelled from Carthage to Rome, to Milan, and back to Carthage. His
mother, Saint Monica, followed him everywhere, weeping for her wayward son. She
met the Bishop of Milan, Saint Ambrose, and asked: “Will I ever get back my
son?” Ambrose replied: “Continue to shed tears. It will bring him back” (cf.
Confessions, Book III).
What
a great conversion! Augustine became one of the greatest saints and
intellectuals in Church history. When sufferings come your way, they are not a
punishment. Not a curse, but a call.
We
can offer them on the altar together with the bread to become the Eucharist.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux converted many sinners through her sufferings and
prayer. The world outside cannot understand this mystery. But we can
understand—because we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified.
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