Breaking the Word

13^th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 27^th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 8, 18-22

Promised Rewards

As Jesus orders his disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, two different would-be disciples express their desire to go with him. The problem with both is that they have not sufficiently considered the cost of discipleship. Perhaps their enthusiasm is due to witnessing Jesus’ miracles, but neither realizes the itinerant nature of the mission or the urgency of the call. Anyone who desires ‘to be with him’ has to ‘follow him’. ‘Following Jesus’ means precisely ‘to be with him’ till the end. The phrase ‘following Jesus’ assures two rewards for the apostles personally: ‘to sit upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel along with the Son of man’ and ‘to receive in hundred-fold for all earthly losses along with the inheritance of eternal life’ (Mt 19:28-29). Sometimes the crowds too ‘followed him’ but temporarily and they were never with him. Therefore, ‘being’ a true disciple of Jesus and ‘following him’ amount to the same.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saturday – 25^th June 2022 — Gospel: Lk 2,41-51

Pondering with Struggles

The incident of the boy Jesus being left behind in the temple brings out for the second time Luke’s presentation of Mary “treasuring all these things in her heart” (2,19.51). This is another piece of awestricken puzzling mother who continues to wonder, “Who is this unique Son of Mine?” In the first reference made after her son’s birth, she did experience many things of her child as truly of God. From before pregnancy till the visit of the shepherds with an amazing story of angels, so much had happened and she was at the very center of it all. In fact, Mary was tired, weary and exhausted as a person to experience hardships in long trip, birth at stable, that no one could know the thoughts, emotions and experiences that filled her mind for nine months. At the same time, her wonder, amazement, and astounding reality was too much to talk about. She said nothing, only pondered in her heart what was happening.