“Daring to imitate our Blessed Lord in ‘washing the windows’ to clear the view for a fresher practising of our faith!”
(Based on Col 1:15-20 and Lk 5:33-39 – Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)
John Wanamaker was an American merchant and a religious and civic leader.
He is considered by some, to be the proponent of advertising and a “pioneer in marketing”.
Once, a neat and handsome young man, applied to John Wanamaker for a job.
This young fellow was told that there was no job for him.
But the young man persisted, “I am willing to take up any work!”
With a view to get rid of him, Mr Wanamaker said, “The only job I have is the job of washing windows”
“Yes, I am willing” said the enthusiastic young man!
He washed those windows as they never had been.
He also showed a great sense of responsibility.
Within a short period, he became the manager of the store.
When this man died, after a splendid service of nearly two decades, Mr Wanamaker said:
“I am willing to pay as high as one hundred thousand dollars for a manager, who can fill the place of the one I lost!”
The young man’s willingness and his committed act of “washing the windows” brought about a change of mentality and won accolades galore!
Today, perhaps, the Church is in a great need for people who are willing to “wash the windows” for the sake of the Kingdom…
… windows which are sometimes dirtied with the dust of ritualism, legalism and relativism
… windows which are sometimes tainted with the stains of corruption, scandals and misconduct
… windows which are sometimes splattered with the blemishes of indifference, injustice and inactions
The Gospel of the day presents Jesus who courageously dares to “wash the windows”…
… in order to clear away the dust of legal fanaticism, religious rigidity and spiritual gloominess!
The passage in consideration (Lk 5: 33-39) begins with an interrogative complaint by the Pharisees and Scribes…
… on why His disciples ‘ate and drank’ whereas the disciples of John the Baptist as well as the Pharisees fasted often and offered prayers (Lk 5: 33)
The immediate context of this passage is the Call of Levi, the tax collector and the grand party hosted by him, in honour of Jesus (Lk 5: 27-32)
Jesus, later on, in His ministry would say, “There is more rejoicing over one sinner who repents and returns to God, than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7)
Levi, the tax-collector was called by Jesus to follow Him – an occasion of a “lost sheep” returning back to the arms of the Shepherd!
It was a moment of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ!
It was a moment of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love!
In this context, when the religious leaders questioned Jesus on why were His disciples into “eating and drinking” unlike the disciples of John the Baptist and Pharisees, who were into rigorous fasting and prayer…
… Jesus gives a fitting reply using three imageries:
The imagery of the wedding guests feasting, when the Bridegroom is with them (Lk 5: 34-35)
It pointed to the “moments of great joy and happiness, that is experienced” when one recognises Jesus as the bridegroom – the True Love of one’s life and the Primary Purpose of one’s existence (Gal 2: 20)!
The imagery of the patched garments (Lk 5: 36)
It pointed to the “moments of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ”, and putting on the New and Festal Garment of Christ (Gal 3: 27)
The imagery of the wine and wineskin (Lk 5: 37-39)
It pointed to the “moments of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love,” and cherishing the experience of discovering the Lord as the true and only source and foundation of happiness in life (1 Cor 3: 11).
In short, our Blessed Lord was pointing to a renewed perspective in one’s relationship with God…
Doing away with “legal fanaticism” that cripples one’s life with mere external following of rituals and rubrics
… and instead to discover the real meaning and purpose of one’s actions of piety and religiosity!
Doing away with “religious rigidity” that steals away any spontaneity and openness in one’s life of faith…
.. and instead to unearth the freedom that often lies buried, and to relate without any inhibitions with one’s Loving Creator!
Doing away with “spiritual gloominess” that casts a dark and ugly veil on one’s practices of spirituality…
… and instead to unwrap the gifts of happiness, trust and genuine bliss that is constantly bestowed by God!
Our practise of faith and spirituality certainly is in a constant need of a “cleaning up!”
Else, it can very easily happen, that..
… religion turns out to be a farce
… practices of piety fail to touch and inspire lives
… acts of charity turn out to be hypocritical gestures
Let us dare to imitate our Blessed Lord in “washing the windows”
… to clear the view for a cleaner, fresher and brighter practising of our faith!
September 5th is Teacher’s Day in India.
Teachers mould and shape a child to make him/her a beautiful person with a noble character!
Teachers trigger transformation!
Today the Greatest of all Teachers – Jesus – exhorts each one of us to adopt and adapt…
… a transformed way of Living
And allow Him to reign over every situation of our life!
On this Feast Day of Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata, let us seek her intercession…
… pray for all the teachers, especially those who have taught us
… and be inspired by her love and life – to bring the Powerful Presence of God in every situation of our society.
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life
This is also true of business leaders who make rules encouraging fraud, teachers who provoke their children to anger…
… or manipulators of public opinion who turn it away from moral values. (CCC # 2286)
Reflection Capsules 