19 My Monologues with Andrew the Disciple (Jn 2)

1. My Monologues with Andrew the                                        Apostle (Jn 1)

Dear Disciple Andrew,

As they say, you are the eldest brother of Peter.
You are a fisherman by profession and a Jew by religion, Aren't you? 
Besides, being a hard working fisherman, you seemed to have had an earnest interest in initiating yourself into the inner insights of your ancestral faith. 
Or else, you would not have joined John the Baptist as a member of his group, right?

Dear Disciple Andrew,

You know, what interests and inspires me about you is your ever searching and ever evolving approach towards life! 
You could have easily and happily continued with your profession and your family life. 
It looks like you had an excellent rapport with your father and with Peter, your younger brother. 
You all regularly worked together braving the waves of the rough seas.

You seemed to have had absolutely no sibling rivalry at all, with Peter, your brother. 
Besides, being brothers, you seem to be  moving around like pals, right? 
Otherwise, both of you together would not have become followers of John the Baptist. 
How warm and loving, fraternal and friendly, a relationship you have between yourselves!

Oh,  dear me!

I do feel a high dose of envy alive in me!

Dear Disciple Andrew,

Remember the day when you met Jesus for the first time? 
Your were with John the Baptist by the  banks of River Jordan,  right? 
As Jesus was approaching, remember, John telling you,

"Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."?

Somehow, at the very first sight itself,

you were fascinated by Jesus, right?

It was almost an irresistible instant attraction.

You took the initiative,

You approached him,

You asked him,

"Rabbi, where are you staying?" Didn't  you?

Dear Disciple Andrew,

It shows you are a very outgoing, very determined, and a very daring person.

When Jesus invited you, to

"Come and see"

for yourself and get an on-the-spot experience, 
It was both, an invitation for you as well as a  challenge to you.

You did accept his invitation and

You did take up the challenge.

You did go, taking John along, 
yet another candidate.

As both of you spent that evening with Jesus and stayed over night,

You must have had very lively conversations and serious discussions on many a major issues like the coming of the much awaited Messiah, right?

Dear Disciple Andrew,  

After knowing Jesus very closely, and

After having had lively discussions with Him,

After having listened to him passionately,

After having experienced Him personally,

You were convinced that Jesus himself was the long awaited Messiah, right, dear Disciple?

You were very excited about the meeting you had with Jesus.

You were very enthused with the discussions you had with Him

You were enriched with the insights you got  from Him.

Or else,  you would not rushed back and told your brother, Peter,

"We have found the Messiah! "

How happy and hilarious, you must have been!

Dear Disciple Andrew,

It must have been a very memorable visit which totally changed your life for ever.

It all amounts to the fact that you are a

serious seeker who is open to new ideas.

Of all the disciples, dear Disciple Andrew,

You are the only one who made the first move and took the initiative.

In all other instances, invariably, it was always Jesus, who took the initiative and asked your companions to follow and to join him, right?

Dear Disciple Andrew,

It intrigues me much to know all about the conversations and discussions 
you both have had with Jesus as you spent the evening and stayed over night. 
I am sure you must have asked him about the coming of the long awaited  Messiah, right?

Didn't you all tell him what you expect of the Messiah?

As someone who would free your land from the Roman occupation and oppression?

Didn't you all talk about the possibility and feasibility of an armed rebellion against the Romans?

Didn't  you ask about the possibility of John the Baptist and Jesus working in tandem?

Didn't you break bread with him and sup with Him?

Some of the Unacknowledged Accounts of you all say so!

Dear Disciple Andrew,

You were brave to take initiative and inquire.

You had the brains to grasp what Jesus talked.

You are the first ever Disciple, as per the narration of John, to have personally experienced the Messiah.

After having experienced Jesus as the Messiah, the first thing you did, on the next  day morning, was to rush and to look for Peter, your brother and share the experiences you have had with Jesus.

You shared with him,

The Good News that:

"We have found the Messiah."

You are the first ever disciple to announce and share the Good News of finding and experiencing the Messiah,  Great indeed!

Dear Disciple Andrew,  

As I look back, review and reflect over my own past actions and reactions, I find myself so different from you. 
If I were to be in a similar situation of responding to the "come and see" invitation and  later on experiencing Jesus as the Messiah, 
probably, I would have gone around harping, "it is me who is the first one to find out Jesus as the Messiah."

"It is often me, me first and me last! "

Likewise, after having introduced Peter to Jesus, at every available opportunity,

I would be inclined to keep reminding Peter and others something like, "Don't  you ever forget, if not for me,  you would not have met Jesus on that day... blah... . blah..."  

That's part of me!"

You know, dear Disciple Andrew, at times,

I am plagued with this problem of blowing my own trumpet.

The sad and strange fact is:

I may not always be aware of it..

I may not always be that verbose.  

But it is often there, in my mind,  

in my imagination..

this tape keeps running on and on.

Outwardly, I may appear to be quiet and composed,  but inwardly, it's often very hyper. 
I dream and keep on dreaming and

even day dreaming about my exaggerated

self-importance, something like,

" I am the first one..  

I am a senior priest..

I am more qualified than..

I have recruited him..

I have taught her..  

I have baptised him.."  

it goes on and on...

How I wish!, Dear Disciple Andrew,  

I could be reminded of your self effacing and unassuming attitude!

I just want to  keep in check such unreal thinking and wild imaginations which almost seems to be a second nature to me.

I want to keep them on a tight leash!

Dear Disciple Andrew,

You are First Missionary, as per the narratives of John. 
When you went and announced to Peter, your brother that you had found the Messiah, 
you became the first ever Missionary to proclaim the Good News and Peter your brother became the first ever recruit, right?

Then, don't  you remember the miracle of the multiplication of loaves?

When the Lord asked you all to feed the hungry crowd,

It is again you

Who said with a touch of exasperation,

"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"  

You were speaking from a human perspective with the severity of the practical limitations in mind.

Besides, you forgot about a similar miracle on a previous occasion, which had taken place in a similar situation, right?  

You are always upfront with what is on your mind, right?

As the miracle of the loaves and fish was unfolding, you began to have a deeper  understanding and a higher awareness of

your  Master", right?  

Oh, dear, you just kept on growing and growing! 

Dear Disciple Andrew,

You are seen for the last time in Jerusalem, 
on the Temple Mount.

You are seen getting involved in and trying to facilitate a meeting between Jesus and some of those Greek Pilgrims who were looking for Jesus.

It seems you are so naturally disposed to reach out and connect people with Jesus.

You did it with John as you took Him along.

You did it with Peter as you introduced him to Jesus,  Didn't you?

Dear Disciple Andrew,

You know, what? I have been wondering as how you felt when you came to know that it was Peter, your younger brother, who was chosen by Jesus to be the Leader!  

I have heard as well as read that you would have been a better person to lead as you were more predictable than Peter.

Peter did flip-flops, at least a couple of times. While, you never did so.  

You always kept your words, right?

You neither did any flip-flops,  

nor  you did waver.

Remember Peter promising not to betray, 
but within a couple of hours he did betray not once but Thrice?

Remember, him insisting not wash his feet

but immediately he relented?

Sure, Peter was man without any malice, unlike Judas.  

But you never ever betrayed,  not even once!

Both of you were real good in your own ways.

But both were of totally different personalities. May be, in a fraction of a flash,

you may have felt hurt.

If so, it so human and natural, right? Remember, there were a couple of times

when arguments erupted among your group as who is great etc?

So it is all very human!

Whatever the case may be,

It must be said to your credit

You adjusted and accepted so well and so perfectly well, Didn't you?

Great of you!

Dear Disciple Andrew,

for many a men and for me personally:

You are a perfect Role Model!

For Personal maturity,

For Unassuming way of life,

For knowing your place and sticking to it!  

I have a lot to learn from you!  Dear Disciple!

Dear Disciple Andrew,

They say, you travelled to Russia and to the neighboring countries like Ukraine

To preached the Good News.

Some say, you went to Scotland as well as to Cyprus and Romania.

Wherever you went, you did  proclaim the Good News through your preaching and through your exemplary living.

As you grew gracefully old, you had flowing white hair and a long silvery beard.

So they write!

Finally,  as the tradition goes, as per your wish you were crucified on a Saltire,  on an  X shaped, Cross!

Dear Disciple Andrew,

Being very good in facilitating, do facilitate my meeting with Jesus, my Lord and my God!  

Do it not  just once but as often as possible!  Thank you!

I want to spend some time in silence, 
do speak to me
do imbibe me with your spirit
do inspire me with your vibes. 

Dear Jesus,  My Lord and My God,

Thank you for the Gift of Andrew to us,  

For his personality and

For his witnessing.  

Thank you,Lord! for your immense patience with my slow growth and progress.

Like  Andrew, I want to keep saying,

Every day I want to keep saying that:

I have found the Messiah.

Every day I want to keep seeing the Messiah

In everyone I meet! and keep saying:

I have found the Messiah of my life!

My Lord and My God,  

I want to spend some time in silence

In Your Presence.

My Lord and My God,

"Speak Lord,  your servant is listening!

Amen

JoAchen

Friday, November  28 , 2014

PS

These Reflections are neither pure scientific exegetical explanations nor highly theological speculations.

They are my devotional meditations mainly meant for my personal renewal and spiritual growth.

They are a part of my journaling....

I keep holding you in my prayers and

I request you to include me in yours.

Thank you!

For Previous Reflections:

www.my-monologoues.blogspot.in

Facebook link :

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If you do not want get these Reflections via email, please send a note and your email id will be deleted from the mailing list.

Thank you!  

God bless!

18. My Monologues with the Ten Lepers

      (Lk 17)

Dear Brethren with the disease of Leprosy,

Despite your much dreaded disease of leprosy,

Oh, boy, it is, indeed, very heartening to see you, the age old enemies, travelling together, shedding your ancestral hate and enmity, sharing with each other your pain, your sorrow,suffering your sadness and sickness together

Though a temporary togetherness, it's great!

In sickness, in suffering, and in sorrow,

We Humans seem to sink our differences,

our prejudices, and our animosity, Don't We?

In tragedies and in trails, we travel together.

Isn't it a very Positive Trait of us, Humans?

Just as, joy joins us together in celebration,

So does sorrow gathers us to grieve in group.

Oh, Lord Our God of Health and Healing,

We thank you for infusing in us, Humans, this inborn, inbuilt Spark of Solidarity in Suffering, Unity in Celebrations, and thus sharing both!

May these sparks keep inflaming us, Humans!

May our Humanity be kept ever engulfed by it!

Lord, may we be united in cheers and in tears!

Dear Brethren with the disease of leprosy,

I guess, the self righteous religious and moral custodians didn't care to condemn you for mixing and mingling with one another, right?

In their sight, you, already are condemned!

In their mind, you, already are justly punished

In their heart, you, already are blindly hated.

Dear Brethren with the disease of leprosy,   This detesting, this debilitating disease has brought you together irrespective of rivalry.

Oh, my  Jewish Brethren, it is very caring and considerate of you, to have accommodated, the lone and the long Defiled Samaritan!

Though very unjewish, you did it! Great Indeed!

Dear Brethren with the disease of leprosy,

Due to this detesting disease you carry

You were abandoned by your loved ones.

You were isolated by your own Community.

You were abhorred by your own Religion

You were haunted by the thoughts of self hate

You were left in the lurch and kept in scorch

Despite, the pain from the festering eruptions,

Despite, the nauseating stench of rotting flesh,

Despite, the irrational, inhuman social boycott

Despite, the mental agony, spiritual anguish

You did not give up your hope to get healed!

Your everyday life as outcasts must have been ebbing your energy and sapping it away, right?

Dear Brethren with the disease of leprosy,

Being compulsorily cut off from your own family and from your familiar surroundings,     an agonizing experience, it must have been!

Loneliness was your unwelcome companion!

Sadness must have been your frequent feeling.

Bitterness might have been your major attitude

As Jesus, the Source of Healing, passed by, your plea for pity and your cry for compassion

reached his ears and went right into his heart.

He stopped, He stood, He looked and He told you: "Go, show yourselves to the priests."  

As told, you went to show yourselves to Priests

And on you way, YOU WERE HEALED!  Bingo!

Dear Brethren who got healed, congratulations!

Immense must have been your Joy, right?

Your eyes must have been gleaming, right?

Your faces must have been glowing,right?

Your voice must have been choking, right?

Your hearts must have been throbbing, right?

Yes, you do deserve, deserve to be enthralled!

Yes, it is true only One returned, it is sad too

It is was the Lone and Lonely Samaritan!

He was One from those Despised Samaritans

He was One from those considered Ungrateful

He was One from those thought of Unfaithful

He was One from those treated as Half Jews

He was One from those held as Betrayers!

Dear Healed and Returned Samaritan Brother,

Of the whole lot,  the Only One who thought of

Thanking the "Master" was You and You alone

What made you return and thank the Master?

Were you bowled over by his overwhelming

Compassion in spite of you being a Samaritan?

Were you moved by his unbiased attitude?

Dear Healed and Returned Samaritan Brother,

You were surprised as the Master treated the Jews and the Samaritan alike, Weren't  you?

You were happy as He affirmed your action

and acknowledged your affectionate gratitude.

As you returned home besides being healed

You were also made well and whole, right?

Dear Healed and Returned Samaritan Brother,

Can't we be rightly sure that you had a new

found hope for living and joy in Thanksgiving?

Can't we be rightly sure that you continued to keep on sharing your joy to all those around?

Can't we be sure that you began to believe Him

who healed you as your Lord and your God?

Dear Healed and Returned Samaritan Brother,

If it were me, I wonder! whether I would

have shown similar eagerness to go and thank!

I might have told myself, "I would do it later.."

I might have been tempted at first to go home!

Oh, Brother dear, you do remind me of the greatness of having a grateful heart, thank you

Dear Healed Jewish Brethren,

How come it didn't occur to you to join your Samaritan companion to thank the Master?

Did you deliberately desist from joining him?

Did you really feel forced to follow the order,

"Go, show yourselves to the priests." rather than going back to give thanks to the Master?

In a sense, like any other Jew, you just wanted  to obey the orders and fulfill all the rules of

the ritualistic purification, right, my Brethren?

After visiting the priests, had you wished, you could have gone to thank the Master, right?

Had you done so, it would have been recorded.

May be, you didn't want to thank the Master.

May be you did not feel the need to thank Him

Be it due to an act of deliberate arrogance or Due to an act of causal negligence, whatever!

The fact is: you all just got physically healed.

Yet failed to become whole and totally well!

To get wholistically healed of body and soul

it required a sense of indebtedness to others!

Dear Healed Jewish Brethren,

Your race and nation were chosen and blessed.

Not by right but by gratis granted by the Lord.

As time and tide passed by, you began to take

things for granted, as the Lord's chosen ones you felt entitled to all blessings and protection

So you did not feel the need to thank the Lord.

Dear Healed  Jewish Brethren,  

I have been through it, I feel I deserve and am

entitled to Lord's blessings and protection

Being a priest I get honor and privileges and

as I get to used to them, I do demand them.

Often I do expect them and when they don't  happen as I want, I feel hurt and I withdraw myself into a misanthropic silence, That's me!

Oh, my Lord and my God,

As I look back I see I am often afflicted with the leprosy of anger, of hate, of lust for power, pleasure, and position and you know it all, Don't You? My Lord, my God, that's part of Me!

In your loving mercy, you have healed me..

You keep healing me whenever I call upon You. But I am yet to get well, like the Samaritan!

Oh, my Lord and my God,

Unlike the healed Samaritan, I don't always

feel neither the urge nor the need to keep returning to you, to be grateful to you and to offer you my Thanksgiving for the gifts of forgiveness and healing you keep giving me!

Often I feel, others do owe me, must oblige me!

My Ego is partly puffed up, partly proud!

Oh, my Lord and  my God,

Like the Samaritan, I want to keep getting healed, getting well, and getting whole anew.

Then I want to keep returning to you to offer Thanksgiving and Gratitude day in, day out!

My Lord and my God, as I am in the last phase of my life, I want to keep on counting your innumerable Blessings both small and Big!

Oh, my Lord and my God,

From the moment you knit me together in my mother's womb till now you have been showering on me blessings after blessings.

My parents who cooperated with you as my Co-Creators are your first blessings to me!

Your blessings kept on coming to me through my siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, other relations and acquaintances.

I offer you Lord, my sincere Thanksgiving!

As I moved on to school, my Lord, you kept on sending me your blessings through my teachers and friends. Then moving on to college and seminary, even there you kept providing me with your blessings in the form of staff and fellow students to guide me along!

I offer you Lord,  my sincere Thanksgiving!

And then you came to me with the Big Blessing

in the form of a share in your Priesthood!  Then you packed me off to distant lands and nations, to countries and to continents, to cities and villages, to churches and hospitals to colleges and universities to witness you!

I offer you Lord my sincere Thanksgiving!

Lord, you send me  your blessings by thousands and thousands in the form of loving, caring, supporting people, men and women, young and old, healthy and sick  who brought me your love, care, and concern!

Your blessings came to in various ways!

I offer you Lord my sincere Thanksgiving!

Lord, I thank you for standing by me through

my failures and encouraging me through my

success, thank you for your Patience with me!

Lord, I keep offering you my Thanksgiving as I struggle to witness your Unrequited Love, your Unending Patience,and your Uncondional Forgiveness, and it keeps on and on..unending!

Lord, I thank you for the wonder of my being,

a broken earthen vessel holding your Image and Likeness for the last seventy years or so!

Oh, my Lord and my God,

On every anew I keep offering You

my humble and sincere

Thanksgiving

Lord, I love to spend some time in silence, in your presence, in Thanksgiving!

"Speak Lord, your servant is listening!"

Amen

JoAchen

Friday, November 21, 2014

joekallani@gmail.com

PS

These Reflections are neither pure scientific exegetical interpretations nor highly theological explanations.

They are my devotional meditations mainly meant for my personal renewal and spiritual growth.They are a part of my journaling..

Dear Reader, as I keep holding you in my daily prayers, I request you to do the same for me.

For Previous Reflections:

www.my-monologoues.blogspot.in

Facebook link :

My Monologues

I plan on uploading a Reflection each             on 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th of every month.

If you do not wish to receive My Monologues via email, please, send a note and your email id will be deleted from the mailing list.

Thank you!