The Sunday of all souls - 15th Feb 2009

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Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Luke 12: 32-48

Dear and Respected Brethren,

As we have been observing 'All souls' day' since long, we all are much familiar with the importance and significance of the day. So let us try to meditate the reading of the day. The first verse of today's reading starts with our Lord's comforting words 'fear not'. In our daily lives fear could be caused to several reasons. But our Lord's intention is very clear in the following words. "It is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom". During the days of our Lord, there were a few who longed to inherit the kingdom of God and our Lord addressed them 'little flock'. The idea of the kingdom of God was not revealed to the wise and the prudent and was revealed to the babies. (Kindly refer St. Matthew 11: 25) In the second epistle to Thessalonians 1: 11, St. Paul reminds of the good pleasure of our Lord God. "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power."

Our Lord has invited all of us to inherit this blessing of being a member of His kingdom. Let examine what sort of attempts were made by each and everyone of us towards inheriting the kingdom. In the contemporary world, we all like to keep up a spirituality of floating objects. We all like to go to Church regularly and to participate all activities connected with the Church worship etc. Still could we claim that we are responding to the call of Lord Jesus so positively? Do we give the due recognition to the call to His kingdom?

In verse 33 we listen to our Lord's exhortation and advice to gather savings in His kingdom. He advises to sell what you have to give alms. It is needless to remind that the sale means leaving away the ownership right. He advises to sell what you have. The material wealth is only often considered as what is held by us. Our Lord said 'what we have'. This includes our time, talents, etc. Were we willing to give up our ownership right for the time or talents held by us so far? In St. Matthew 19: 21 we find the same sort of exhortation from Lord Jesus to achieve the kingdom of God. During the Apostolic period all the faithful sold their properties too and handed over the sale value to the Apostles. (Kindly refer Acts of the Apostles 2: 45)

In verse 34 we read, "For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also." How true it is? That is why our Lord is advising us to have more treasures in heaven.

Being Christians we all are expected to wait for our Lord's coming with great expectation. That is why our Lord is advising us to gird our loins and to keep our lights burning. (Verse 35) How many of us are really interested in waiting for our Lord God though we are often reminded by the Church leaders and the clergy? Let us not forget the truth that our Lord God might come at any time. Our Lord revealed the fact in verse 40. In verse 40 we find the doubt of St. Peter who asked our Lord, "Is this parable unto us or even to all?" We all might feel such doubts. But we never try to present to someone or to share with someone.

We should not forget the truth that almost all our former generations had a great expectation about the arrival of the Lord God. They all were sincere in their staunch and strong faith and prayer lives. While we are trying to honor our departed beloved ones, let us pray earnestly for them and seek their intercession.

May God bless us all

Jose Kurian Puliyeril.