THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR A – 05/ NOVEMBER/ 2023
Malachi
1:14B-2:2B, 8-10/ Psalms 131:1, 2, 3/ 1 Thessalonians 2:7B-9, 13/ Matthew
23:1-12
The greatest among
you must be your servant (Matthew 23:11)
You
can see many acts of humility just before the election. The leaders do;
sweeping roads, picking up waste in the beaches, visiting the slums,
distributing the money and promising great things. After the election, nobody
is seen sweeping roads, cleaning beaches, visiting the slums and distributing
the money. The people are confused by the humility of our leaders. Is it humility
or pretending? It is merely pretending to win the election. The only and the perfect
example of humility is Jesus and Jesus alone. Jesus had traced a new path to
service by humbling Himself to the end.
Humility of Jesus in the gospels;
q Jesus’ Humility at Birth
Martin Heidegger, German Philosopher,
said that human beings are thrown in the world at birth. Heidegger’s thrownness
tells that you do not have control over your birth and death. You, basically,
do not have a choice at your birth. You
may not choose the least place if you have a choice at your birth.
Who likes to be born in the manger? It is possible only for Jesus. The birth of Jesus is the symbol of humility. Jesus took the least place to be born in the world.
q Jesus’
Humility at Last Supper
The
last supper is the Passover feast of the Jews. It was the farewell meal of
Jesus with His disciples. There was no washing of the feet in the original
Passover.
Who likes to wash the feet of someone? It is possible only for Jesus though He was divine. The washing of the feet is another symbol of humility. Jesus kept all His divinity away at the washing of the feet. This one act of humility changed the entire scenario of the feast of the Passover.
q Jesus’ Humility at Death
Jesus, willingly, handed over
himself to the chief priests and Pharisees. He allowed to be judged, carried
the cross and crucified. Jesus, even at the point of death, chose the least
place in the society.
Jesus teaches . . .
ª To learn the virtue of humility from Jesus, the Master of the humility.
ª To practice the virtue of humility and pass on to the next generations.
Prayer: Jesus, my Master! You had set the perfect example of humility. Guide us to walk in the path of humility that you have prepared for us.
TWENTY-FIFTH
SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR A – 24/ SEPTEMBER/ 2023
[Isaiah
55:6-9/ Psalms 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18/ Philippians 1:20C-24, 27A/ Matthew 20:1-16A]
Thus, the last will be first and the
first will be last (Matthew 20:16A)
Dear Friends in Christ!
The salvation is
open for all. Each of us must work for our own salvation in our own way. In the
gospel, Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God in the terms of daily labour and
wages. Nobody can estimate who will be the first and who will be the last in
the Kingdom of God. Why did Jesus conclude saying the first will be the last
and the last will be the first? Is it in our hands to choose places in heaven? let
us reflect on.
The Kingdom of God in the terms of vineyard and wages;
q The calling of the workers: the owner of the vineyard called all the workers in different times. He felt pity on those who stood in the market without work. He called all who did not have work. He provided the work for all. The work is connected to the survival of the family. The family cannot survive without daily work. The survival is a problem where there is unemployment.
Jesus called the sinners to conversion (Luke 5:27-39). Jesus ate with the poor, the marginalized, the widows, the sick and the suffering in spite of the criticism from the Scribes and the Pharisees. It is the sign that Jesus welcomes all to the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus wants to include everyone in the Kingdom of God.
q The payment of the workers: the owner paid the equal wages to all the workers though they came in different timings. The owner was full of mercy at the payment. The problem of the workers who came first to the vineyard is jealousy towards who came last. The owner of the vineyard did not cheat anyone but tried to be merciful to those who did not have employment.
Jesus showed His mercy to all. Jesus proclaimed the Goodnews to Pharisees and Scribes and sinners and tax collectors equally. The Pharisees and Scribes did not like Jesus sitting with sinners and tax collectors, curing the sick and the suffering and proclaiming Goodnews to the poor.
What is the problem in this parable? Who has the problem in
this parable? The wage is the problem in this parable. The workers, who came
first and expected more wage, is the problem while the owner was happy to give equal
wage. It is not the ultimate what you think and what you see. The Pharisees and
the Scribes claimed to be the first in the Kingdom of God and there is no place
for the rest of the humanity. But they failed to be the first in listening to
the Goodnews of Jesus. They, Pharisees and Scribes, knows the scripture and are
good at interpreting the scripture yet they failed to follow Jesus. Thus, they
become the last in the Kingdom of God. It is the surprise and shock to all at
the judgment of Jesus as workers were shocked to see the judgement of the owner.
Jesus pays the wage according to Mercy. It is not pleasant for many people first
becoming the last and last becoming the first yet it became the reality at the
end. It is God who decides according to the life that the person lives here on
earth.
Jesus teaches . . .
ª To treat everyone with mercy as Jesus treated the humanity.
ª To think beyond what you think and see beyond what you see. Prayer: O Lord of Love! You treated the humanity with mercy and raised the poor to the grace of salvation. Guide us to walk in the path of salvation.
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR A – 17/ SEPTEMBER/
2023
[Sirach
27:30-28:7/ Psalms 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12/ Romans 14:7-9/ Matthew 18:21-35]
“Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I
forgive? As many as seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)
Dear
friends in Christ!
Jesus teaches forgiveness in the gospel. It is an important event in the salvation history; the forgiveness of Jesus, even at the point of death, stirred the hearts of all the sinners. The forgiveness of Jesus made the sinners to begin a new life in Christ. Jesus brought the virtue of forgiveness when the world was in confusion and chaos with the broken relationship. Jesus addresses the problem of brokenness in the society by the virtue of forgiveness. The forgiveness is the bridge between two persons to rebuild, reunite and revive their relationship. The forgiveness is the solution for all the problems. Jesus changes the direction of the world from revenge to reconciliation and from vengeance to forgiveness.
The unforgiveness has negative effects and forgiveness has benefits.
Unforgiveness and Effects
q Division: Unforgiveness causes division in the society. It breaks the bond of the family and the bond of the society. It is a distraction to the relationship. This division goes on from one generation to the next. This division never ends at all.
q Depression: Unforgiveness affects a person’s mind, emotions, feelings and the entire being of a person. It takes a person into mental depression and isolation. The attitude of unforgiveness causes many other psychological problems.
Forgiveness and its Benefits
q Forgiveness – A Path to Peace: The first benefit of forgiveness is peace. The forgiveness clears the heart. The forgiveness empties negative thoughts from the mind. The process of emptying negative thoughts purifies the heart gradually. Thus, peace generates within the heart and flows to the entire body.
q Forgiveness - A Healing Remedy: Forgiving someone is healing yourself and forgiving someone is healing others. The more you forgive the more you are healthy and the better person you become. The forgiveness cures most of the sickness in the human body.
Most
of the people avoid forgiveness because it causes pain. The question ‘How many
times to forgive your brother or sister?’ is not only the question of Peter but
the question of each one of us. To forgive a person one time itself is painful.
Then, how to forgive seventy times seven? Jesus narrated a story which tells us
that we find it hard to forgive our brothers and sisters though we ask the forgiveness
from God in every moment, every minute, every hour and every day. The moral of
the gospel passage is; as Jesus forgave us sinners, we too must forgive our
brothers and sisters. Forgiving someone is giving a new life to someone. Let us
learn from Jesus to forgive more and more.
Jesus teaches . . .
ª To forgive one another as Jesus forgave us though we are sinners.
ª To give a new life by forgiving and rebuild, reunite and revive the relationship.
Prayer: O Lord of Mercy and Compassion! You forgave our sins in the cross. Help us, with your graciousness, and teach us to forgive our brothers and sisters.
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/
YEAR A – 10/ SEPTEMBER/ 2023
Ezekiel 33:7-9/ Psalms
95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9/ Romans 13:8-10/ Matthew 18:15-20
For where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:15-20)
Dear Friends in Christ!
The first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned and broke the
relationship with God. This was the first sin and the cause for the fall of
human race. The people of Israel sinned against Yahweh and broke the
relationship with God. You and me, in our day-to-day life, break the
relationship with God several times. God had put an end to all kinds of broken
relationships with reconciliation. God sent his only Son Jesus to build broken-relationship
between God and the humanity. Jesus came to this world and reconciled us to
God.
Without complications, Jesus taught us a simple path of
reconciliation which is easy for all.
q Reconciliation
- One to One:
This is the first step that Jesus teaches to correct our brothers and sisters when they make mistake. Here, there is no need of the intervention of the third person. Because the problem is between two people. It is okay if one can admit the mistake and say sorry. If it is not so, it goes to the further.
q Reconciliation
- By Third Person:
This is the second step that Jesus teaches to correct our brothers and sisters when they make mistake. Here, there is a need for the intervention of the third person. Because the problem is not settled with saying sorry. The problem must be explained to the third person. The third person is the responsible to bring reconciliation between two persons.
q Reconciliation
- By the Church:
This is the third step that Jesus teaches to correct our
brothers and sisters in making the fraternal correction. Here, the church must
intervene to bring reconciliation between two persons. The church is responsible
to the wellbeing of its members. The church must intervene when the wellbeing
of the person is affected. Because the church is the people of God.
Jesus teaches the fraternal
correction from the gospel passage. It is chaos and confusion when things go
wrong between two persons. You cannot ignore when things go wrong between two
people. Mistakes must be corrected before its exploration. Therefore, it is
inevitable to correct our brothers and sisters. Building the relationship takes
a lot of time but it takes a single minute to break that relationship.
Therefore, a person has to reconcile instead of breaking the relationship. Building
up a relationship is building the community and building the church. Let’s us
build community and the church through the sacrament of reconciliation.
Jesus teaches . . .
q To build up the fraternal relationship rather than breaking
it.
q To build a relationship, build a community and build the
church.
Prayer: O Lord of Mercy! You paid a great price to reconcile us to God. Guide our steps build up relationship with you and with our fellow brothers and sisters.
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY/ ORDINARY
TIME/ YEAR A – 03/ SEPTEMBER/ 2023
Jeremiah 20:7-9/ Psalms 63:2,
3-4, 5-6, 8-9/ Romans 12:1-2/ Matthew 16:21-27
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life? (Matthew 16:26)
Dear Faithful in Christ!
A disciple is the one who sits at the feet of the Master and
learns from the Master all that the Master teaches. Master sends his disciple
for mission once he discovers that he is good, well-pleasing and perfect. Jesus
shows a new horizon of discipleship in the Gospel passage which is different
from the existed one in the world.
Let’s us see discipleship and Jesus’ discipleship.
§ Discipleship:
Plato was the disciple of Socrates. Plato, as disciple, carried on
the ideas and philosophy of his master Socrates. He told the philosophy of his
master to the whole world. Aristotle is the disciple of Plato. Aristotle was
the most influential student who carried on the ideas and philosophy of his
master Plato.
You don’t find any condition to become the disciple of Socrates, Plato
and Aristotle. All are welcome to join the discipleship and learn from them.
§ Jesus’ Discipleship:
The path of Jesus is cross. Jesus made very clear about his path
to His disciples; Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after
me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16: 24 –
26). The first condition is the
self-denial and the second condition is the cross.
The destination of Jesus is Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the place of
martyrdom where Jesus’ ought to make His eternal sacrifice for the sake of salvation
of the humanity. Jesus mentioned it three times. Jesus gave a new definition
for discipleship that is quite different from what the world have known so far.
“A disciple is not greater than
his teacher, nor a slave greater than his master. It is enough for the
disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master (Matthew 10:24-26).
A Master has to teach and a
disciple has to learn. A disciple must be always carrying the mission of the
Master. Here, Peter seems to do exactly the opposite. Peter tried to teach
Jesus rather than learning. Therefore, Jesus warns Peter to get behind which
means follow me and do not teach me. Peter did not understand the idea of the
Kingdom of God. Peter failed to understand the discipleship of Jesus even after
being with Jesus for three years.
The most important thing in the
discipleship that Peter forgot is the cost of the discipleship. The cost of the
discipleship of Jesus is losing life for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Are we
genuinely ready to accept the discipleship of Jesus?
Jesus teaches . . .
§ To make the daily cross as the part
of life and path of life.
§ To follow Jesus as He teaches remembering
the words ‘get behind me.’
Prayer: Jesus my Lord! You
are the Master and we are your disciples. Help us, O Lord, in your
graciousness, to follow and imitate you sincerely.
TWENTIETH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/
YEAR A – 20/ AUGUST/ 2023
[Isaiah 56:1, 6-7/ Psalms
67:2-3, 5, 6, 8/ Romans 11:13-15, 29-32/ Matthew 15:21-28]
O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you
wish (Matthew 15: 28)
Dear Faithful in Christ!
Jesus is well pleased with the faith of Canaanite woman. It was her strong and determined faith pleading with Jesus that saved her daughter. It is time to define what is faith. The Scripture presents many personalities where we can draw a definition for faith. The Canaanite woman is one of the personalities to ponder over and to renew our faith in God once again. The faith of the Canaanite woman is a new definition to faith accepting the comments of Jesus with her humility.
Jesus teaches . . .
§ To stand firm and determined when faith is being tested.
§ To be always ready to prove your faith in all
circumstances.
Prayer: O Lord of fulness
and life! You have tested the faith of Canaanite woman and granted her heart’s
desire. Help us to prove our faith at times of testing.
NINETEENTH
SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR A - 13/ AUGUST/ 2023,
[1 Kings 19:9A, 11-13A/ Psalms 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14/ Romans 9:1-5/ Matthew 14:22-33]
Take courage, it
is I; do not be afraid (Matthew 14:27)
Dear
Friends in Christ!
Life of human beings is to depend on someone
else. It is the fact that we are not independent here in the world but always
dependent on someone else for the survival. Parents catch our hands and teach us
to walk, then we learn to walk and stand on our own. It is not the same way in
the spiritual life.
Symbols
and its meaning:
§ Mountain:
mountain is a symbol of spiritual experience where people encounter God. Moses
experienced God on mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24) and Elijah at the cave (1 Kings 19:13A). It is believed that God
dwells in the mountains according to the sacred scripture. Mountain represents
hard work, determination and perseverance.
§ Sea/
Water: sea is the symbol of chaos and danger. Water is the symbol of life and
renewal.
§ Storm:
a storm is often associated with turmoil, chaos and challenge.
Elijah
was a prophet lived in the northern kingdom of Israel who worked many miracles during
the reign of King Ahab. He was known for his powerful speeches and defense of
faith. He came to Mount Horeb escaping from King Ahab. He took refuge in the
cave yet completely depended on the providence of God.
Thoughts
of Peter at the scenario of walking on the water:
§ Depend
on your own strength:
Jesus
sent His disciples two by two for the mission. They have done the mission well
and reported to Jesus (Matthew 10:17). After receiving power from Jesus, Peter
sank in the water. Why? What happened to the faith of Peter? Peter wanted to
depend on himself to walk on the sea. He thought that he could manage himself on
his own. So, he failed to walk on the water.
§ Depend on the strength of Jesus:
Peter
completely forgot that Jesus gave the power to him to walk on the water. Peter
realized his foolishness that he could do nothing without Jesus. He realized
his mistake and shouts for help. Thus, Jesus saved Peter from sinking of water.
Jesus
has the power over all the creation. Jesus, therefore, has the power over the
storm and sea. You can depend on yourself to do ordinary things in life, but you
have to depend on Jesus to do extraordinary things.
Jesus
teaches . . .
§ Not
to be afraid of storms of life, situations of sin and suffering.
§ To
depend on the providence of God to walk in the path of love and life.
Prayer:
Jesus, my Master! You saved Peter from sinking water. Save us, O Lord, from the
storms of life and do not allow us to sink in situations of sin and suffering.
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD/
ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR A – 6/ AUGUST/ 2023
[Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14/ Psalms
97:1-2, 5-6, 9/ 2 Peter 1:16-19/ Matthew 17:5C]
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led
them up a high mountain apart by themselves he was transfigured before them.
Dear faithful in Christ !
‘Transfiguration’ means a complete change of form or appearance
into a mystical state. The transfiguration is a scenario that surprised Peter, James
and John as it was never happened before. It is a special privilege to Peter,
James and John.
Some symbols and its
meaning;
§ Dazzling clothes – dazzling clothes reveal the purity, fullness and perfection. Jesus
is the symbol of fullness.
At
baptism, you appear like an angel dazzling white. But then, sin destroyed your
appearance. This is a good opportunity to change your appearance. Jesus invites
to be pure in heart and mind.
§ A voice of heaven – this represents the Divine
intervention. Disciples were with Jesus all the
time but failed to listen to Him.
The idea of Peter is to arrange three tents: one for Jesus, one
for Moses and one for Elijah. The focus of the disciples is not mission and passion but the
glory. Then, Holy Spirit intervenes and tells disciples to listen to Jesus in
His last days.
§ Moses and Elijah – Moses represents the law and Elijah
represents prophets.
Jesus came to fulfil the law and the
prophets. Jesus also reveals disciples that He is fully divine at the
transfiguration.
The
need for Transfiguration:
Knowing that the hour has come, Jesus took
selected disciples Peter, James and John to the high mountain. There,
Jesus discloses Himself to disciples for two reasons.
§ To strengthen the faith of the disciples: Faith must be accompanied by life
experiences like Peter was a witness to the transfiguration. Jesus showed many
signs and wonders to His disciples. At the Transfiguration, Jesus showed a
glimpse of His glory so that the disciples understand a bit of His purpose. The
Transfiguration strengthens their faith for some extent.
§ To prepare His disciples to the path of Cross: Cross has two sides; suffering and
glory. The focus of the disciples is only the glory but not the suffering. This
is the reason Peter wanted to build a tent for Moses, tent for Elijah and tent
for Jesus. Jesus is ready for His passion and His death, but disciples are not.
Today,
what has to be transfigured in life? There are so many bad habits that
destroyed your life; smoking, drinking, cheating, robbing, lying etc.
Jesus teaches . . .
§ Jesus changed His appearance at the transfiguration. Jesus can
change the appearance of all sinners into saints.
§
The Transfiguration is an experience of change.
The change begins by listening to Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, my Master! You revealed your divine nature to your
disciples at the transfiguration. Reveal the same as we meet you in the
Eucharistic celebration.
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY
TIME/ YEAR A – 30/ JULY/ 2023
[1 Kings 3:5, 7-12, Psalms 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130, Romans 8:28-30, Matthew 13:44-52]
The angels will go out and separate the
wicked from the righteous (Matthew
13:49)
Dear
Friends in Christ!
Every
person looks for fulfilling the basic needs. Then, the person proceeds to seek something
that is lasting. What is the ultimate search of human beings? What do you want after
fulfilling all your basic needs? What is the ultimate purpose of life? Is it
eating, drinking and dying? Or is there something beyond? Generally, we seek for
money and reputation. Ultimately, we need to seek God and His Kingdom.
Every person seeks for wisdom and Kingdom of Heaven.
§ Search for Wisdom:
King Saul was the first king of Israel. King David is the successor of King Saul. Both the Kings fought against Moab, Ammon, Edom, kings of Zobah, Philistines and Amalekites (1 Sam 14:47-48). After Saul and David, Solomon is the third King of Israel. King Solomon was a youth when he became king of Israel. What does a king require to rule the kingdom? What does Solomon require to rule the Kingdom of Israel? Gold or silver, strength or stamina, wealth or wisdom? The choice of Solomon is wisdom. The choice of Solomon is wise because wisdom gives everything.
§ Search for Kingdom:
The Farmer discovered the treasure and then found that the treasure was more precious than anything else. Only the Farmer knows the value of the treasure. The Farmer’s life purpose is to buy that land at the cost of all that he has. The Marchant found the finest pearl and then the pearl became more important than anything else. The Marchant’s life purpose is to buy the pearl of great price at the cost of all that he has.
Solomon
chose wisdom than anything else. Jesus is the wisdom. We must seek Jesus and
thus we find wisdom in Jesus. God found human beings as the greatest treasure
and the finest pearl. Therefore, nothing becomes more important for God than
the human beings. Jesus found human beings as the best of all creation. Yet, at
the judgment, Jesus is the fisherman who comes to catch the good fish. It’s a
judgment based on what you have done in the first and second. Jesus, taking a
good fish, is the powerful message to all the sinners at the second coming of
Christ and at the judgment. What is the pearl that you are finding in this
world? What is the treasure that you are seeking in this world? Do you feel
that you are there in the net that Jesus casts at the end?
Jesus
teaches . . .
§ To
seek the wisdom to discern what is good and what is bad.
§ To
discover the real purpose of life to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
§ To
seek the true God and His Kingdom and all that will be added.
Prayer: Jesus, my Master! You are the wisdom. You have spoken with wisdom in the public ministry. Grant us that wisdom to discern what is good and what is bad and to find you in everyone we meet.
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/
YEAR A – 23/ JULY/ 2023
[Wisdom 12:13, 16-19/ Psalms 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16/ Romans 8:26-27/ Matthew
13:24-43]
The Kingdom of
heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field (Matthew 13:24)
Dear Friends in Christ!
The Kingdom of God welcomes everyone. The task of Jesus is to
build the Kingdom of God. Jesus initiated the task very well in the
manifestation. Jesus is taking the idea of Kingdom of God to the mind of people
by the powerful symbols. The parable of weed and wheat is to explain the last
judgment and the salvation. Jesus is not threatening the sinners but reminding
them to change the nature of weed.
Every person has two natures; good nature and bad nature.
§ Nature of Weed; gossip, pride, greed, lust, anger, jealousy, envy, arrogance, dishonest, judgmental, manipulative, violence, caste, colour and partiality.
In short, the nature of weed is to think of the fall of others, plot against others, causing violence to others and killing others.
§ Nature of Wheat; care, concern, patience, peace, gentleness, goodness, joy, love and sharing.
In short, the nature of wheat is to think good of others, discover goodness in others and be good to everyone till the end.
§ Nature of Christ; Jesus, our Master, was born, grown up and lived in the midst of weeds. Though Jesus lived in the midst of weeds yet He proved that He was the wheat and become the wheat for the humanity.
The farmer knows the loss that causes to the wheat when he removes the weeds. Therefore, the farmer tries to safeguard the wheat as much as possible. The priority of the farmer is to safeguard the wheat than the destroy the weeds.
Jesus is answering a question; why is God not punishing the bad
people immediately? Why do bad people live longer? Why do bad people have more
than what they need while good people suffer?
So, the Gospel explains how God cares for the good people as the
farmer cares for the wheat. The humanity is interconnected with one another.
There is a greater damage to the wheat when weeds are removed so also there is
greater damage to the good people when bad people are punished. The benefit of
one person benefits the other and the affect of one person also affects the
other. All are born good but grown up in circumstances that made some good and
some bad.
Jesus teaches . . .
§ To grow gently like wheat without disturbing the other.
§ To burn the nature of weed and feed the nature of wheat.
§ To nurture the nature of wheat and enter into the
Kingdom of God
Prayer: Jesus, my Master! You came to save us from sin and suffering. You had revealed it by the signs and symbols. Grant us the grace to understand your plans for our salvation.
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME: YEAR A – 09/ JULY/ 2023
Zechariah 9:9-10/ Psalms 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14/ Romans 8:9,
11-13/ Matthew 11:25-30
Come to me, all
you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Dear friends
in Christ!
The prophet Zachariah depicts the coming of the Messiah, of
whom the ancient Jews explained this prophecy. He took the character of their
King, but his kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. The state of Israel is bondage.
The bondage is compared to pit or dungeon where there is no comfort, relief and
liberation. The Israel was like prisoners in the prison so sad and so
desperate. The arrival of Messiah is a comfort for the people of Israel but the
way Messiah comes is a contrast. The expectations of the Jews for Messiah did not
meet. Jesus did not come as warrior riding on horse as expected but came as ordinary
man riding on horse symbolising that Jesus came not for war but for peace.
Jesus comforted
the people who are discomforted by the society;
§
Comfort through the word
Jesus,
in His public ministry, comforted the people with the word of God. His words were
soothing, peaceful and comforting. Thus, the people flocked to Jesus to listen
to Him.
Today,
the word of God comforts the people who are disturbed, distressed and sorrowful.
It is the word of God which goes to the depths of the hearts of the people to
heal their wounds.
§
Comfort through the body &
blood
Jesus
shared his body and blood to the whole world for the forgiveness of sins. It was
symbolic at the last supper and it was real at the Calvary at the point of
death.
Today,
Jesus feeds each one us with His body and blood at every Eucharistic celebration.
The Eucharist is the comfort to all the faithful who receive the body and blood
of Jesus Christ.
§
Comfort through the
presence
Who is Jesus? Jesus is the
comforter of the afflicted, distressed, troubled, tormented and disturbed. The presence of Jesus is the comfort for all
the categories of the people especially to the sorrowful.
Jesus
is present in the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus is present in every person especially
in the poor, in the marginalised, in the sorrowful, the destitute, underprivileged
and neglected.
What does a
farmer need after working hard for whole day? What does a child need after missing
mother for a long time? It is the comfort that they look for and it is possible
only through Jesus.
Are you tire of your daily work? Are you tired of your studies? Are you tired of your business? Are you tired of your portfolio? Are you tired of your body and soul? Do you look for comfort? Jesus, the comforter of the afflicted, calls you today. Come my brothers and sisters to rest and to be comforted in the presence of the Lord. It is only Jesus who can give the comfort.
TWELFTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME: YEAR – A
[Jeremiah 20: 10-13, Psalm 69: 8-10, 14,17, 33-35., Romans 5:
12-15, Matthew 10: 26-33]
Fear not . . . Therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows
Dear
Friends in Christ!
Jesus tells not to fear. First of all,
we must know what is fear. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief
that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.
Imagine a day; with enemies around you, plots against you, revenge on you and
vengeance upon you. Fear is a common element in any age, any generation and any
time. Jesus reminds each one of us the value that God has given us.
A person walks on the road in the middle
of the night. Basically, the person has two fears;
§ Fear
of the other; who is the other? The other is your neighbour, your friend,
your colleague and your enemy. The experience that you had with people around
you makes you to have the fear of the other.
The
life of Jeramiah is full of trials and tribulations. He faced persecution,
revenge, dishonour and vengeance yet he is fearless by the grace of God. Jeremiah
had not fear of the other because he spoke on behalf of God.
§ Fear
of the Death; death comes in any form or any place or any time. It is the
fact and the law of the nature that all who are born must die one day. Do you
have fear of death? Why do you have fear of death? Death is the end of your
life. You do not want to end your life here. Therefore, you have fear.
“Where,
O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The
sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to
God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (Corinthians
15:55-57). St. Paul reminds us that Jesus, our Master, conquered sin and death.
Therefore, have no fear of anything. There is no other fear once you remove the
fear of death in your mind.
There is fear everywhere; young or old, small or big, rich or poor. Jesus teaches not to fear of anything in this world. For our Master conquered the whole world. The Sacred Scripture whispers protection to those who fear God. How do you look at your life? How do you begin your day; you can begin with good note, with positive note and with by counting the blessings of God. At times you do not realize the value that God gave. The sparrow never thinks for tomorrow and works on its own for survival. Thus, the sparrow does not have fear of anything. If sparrows can live without fear, why not we who are more value than of the sparrows? Remember Jesus when you are persecuted, when you are targeted, when you are dishonoured and when you are shown vengeance. Jesus destroyed sin and death in the cross. Let’s us look at life with more value than ever and be witness to Jesus.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT/ YEAR A – 11/ DECEMBER/
2022
Isaiah 35:1-6A, 10/
Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10/ James 5:7-10/ Matthew 11:2-11
Go and tell John
what you hear and see (Matthew 11: 4)
Dear
Friends in Christ !
The theme of this Sunday is joy. The word ‘joy’ means
rejoice. What is joy? It is a feeling of pleasure or happiness that
comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being. Joy is also
the emotion that makes life worth living in the moment because it
resonates with our core identity.
The prophesy of Prophet Isaiah;
§ Joy to the Desert and Parched Land:
Metaphorically, the desert is a place of testing and
transformation, of being divested of empire and ego. The
desert is a sign of punishment awaiting
rebels (Psalm 68:7). It is a symbol of the result of neglectful
leadership (Jeremiah 12:10-11) as well as a warning sign of divine judgment
(Isaiah 32:11-16). Deserts call for deep reflection on spiritual realities.
Desert represents barriers, obstacles and challenges. How does a desert exult? The biblical meaning of bloom is about our hearts and a reconciled relationship between God and human beings. The words of Isaiah about blossoming shows us that God desires to heal us, to forgive our sins when we repent, and to love us. And because of Jesus, that is possible. Thus, it is joy to the desert at the arrival of Jesus.
§ Joy to the blind, deaf, lame & mute:
What joy a blind man can have
in his life? What joy a deaf man can have in his life? What joy a lame man can
have in his life? What joy a mute man can have in his life? It gives joy to the
blind when he receives sight. It gives joy to the deaf when he is able to hear.
It gives joy to the lame when he is able to walk. It gives joy to the mute when
he is able to sing.
A farmer waits for the rain with a lot of patience. A farmer
does not complain against God. Let us not complain or be impatient as we wait
for the arrival of our Lord Jesus. Let us make our hearts firm so that the Lord
enters into our hearts.
We have a reason to rejoice in the Lord: our Lord
keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the
hungry and sets the captives free. Our Lord gives sight to the blind, raises up
that who are bowed down and protects the strangers (Psalm 146:6-10). Thus, you must rejoice in the Lord for the Lord is the cause
of our joy.
Today, every heart is at fear, every heart is at
confusion and every heart is at dilemma. It is time that every heart is at
search of joy in the midst of affliction. The Lord causes joy and grants you
joy. The fear is not permanent but the joy is permanent. The Psalmist shared his
experience; you have turned for
me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with
gladness (Psalm 30:11). For his
anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). The most beautiful thing in
life is to find joy in all things that exists in our surroundings. It is time
to find joy in others that gives joy within. God promises to His people: I will
turn your sorrow into joy (John 16:20).
Prayer: O Lord of the Joy! You are the cause of our joy. We, humbly, implore you to turn our sorrow into joy according to your promise.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths
(Matthew 3:3)
Dear friends in
Christ!
The theme of the day
is love. Love between Creator and creation or God and His people is the most
perfect image of love. In love, God created us, in Justice God he condemned us
and in mercy God redeemed us. Love is a familiar word to each one of us, yet it
is misunderstood by most of the faithful and land up in many social problems.
You have seen love between husband and wife, parents and children, sisters and
brothers etc… but what is love? St. Paul tells Corinthians what is not love and
what is love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
¨ Love is not boastful or arrogant or rude … you don’t behave boastful or arrogant or rude with whom you love.
¨ Love is not irritable or resentful … you don’t behave irritable or resentful with whom you love.
¨ Love is patient and kind … you behave patient and kind with whom you love.
¨ Love rejoices in the truth … you rejoice in the truth with whom you love.
¨ Love never ends … love has only beginning and remains the same in all the circumstances.
The way of Jesus is love. He expressed His love symbolically in the Eucharist before offering on Calvary. Love can connect the rich and poor, the wise and the ordinary, the old and the young, the men and the women and sinners and saints. Let us proclaim His love as we eat the body of Jesus and drink the blood of Jesus.
Prayer: God of Love! You are the perfect image of love and fulfilled it on the cross. Teach us to love you and love everyone in the world.
Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18/ Psalms 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23/ 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18/ Luke 18:9-14
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)
Dear Friends in Christ!
The book of
Sirach tells the nature of God; the Lord is a God of justice, hears the cry of
the oppressed and listens to the cry of the orphan and widow. God never refuses
His help to those who are in distress. Indeed, God is impartial (Matthew 5:45); so that
you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the
evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
Yet, God asks us to come to His presence as we are.
The behavior pattern of Pharisee and tax collector before God;
Sinner – Who Justified
Sin:
The
Pharisees are most commonly identified as a religious sect. They were primarily scholars and pious
people. They enjoyed a large popular following and in the New Testament they appear as spokesmen for
the majority of the population.
The
Pharisee came to the temple with arrogance, ego, justification, superiority and
overconfidence. He compared his character with the tax collector. He thought
that he was higher than the tax collector. He abused the tax collector that the
tax collector was greedy, dishonest and adulterous. He seemed to be the
person who did not need the grace of God. At the end, the Pharisee failed to
win the favour of God.
Sinner – Who Accepted
Sin:
The tax collectors were Jews who
collected taxes from fellow Jews for the Roman Empire. They made their living
by charging an extra amount. Some of them made more than a living. They were
considered traitors who became wealthy by collaborating with Roman authorities
at the expense of their own people.
The tax collector came to the temple with contrite
heart. He felt that he was not worthy to face God. He did not dare to raise his
eyes to heaven. He beat his breast and prayed to God to have mercy on him. Psalm 51:17 tells; the
sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O
God, you will not despise. The tax collector surrendered to the mercy of God
with humility.
Jesus shed His blood for the salvation of the
entire humanity. Yet, all must work for their salvation individually. You must
leave unwanted elements that block you to encounter God when you come before
the Lord. You must leave your ego, your status and your caste before the
presence of God; “When you seek me with all your heart, you
will find me with you” (Jeremiah
29:13-14). The
Pharisee justified his sins before God and the tax collector acknowledged his brokenness
before God. At the end, the tax collector won the favour of God. Jesus accepts
everyone who comes with humble heart and contrite spirit. Let us leave all our
egos, pride, arrogance, prestige before God. Let us stand before God as we are.
Prayer: O God of Justice! Thank you for showing your care for the oppressed, orphan and widow. Give us humble and contrite heart to encounter you deeply.
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY
TIME/ YEAR C – 25/ SEPTEMBER/ 2022
Today, Jesus teaches to be sensitive towards the poor and the needy
when you have riches. Jesus did not condemn the rich but confronted the rich. It is
never a crime or sin to have riches but failing to share riches with the needy
is grievous sin in the world. The rich man had plenty to eat, drink and make
merry but failed to show mercy towards Lazarus. The rich man lived the life
without social awareness. The rich man was thrown into the hell by his own
attitude. This is the punishment of God to those who neglect the poor seen in
front of you. You can do
marvelous things with your riches; you can give to the poor like the apostles,
you can feed the hungry like St. Gregory the great, you can embrace the sick
like St. Francis of Assisi, you can motivate the youth like St. John Bosco and
you can be the saint of the charity like St. Vincent De Paul. God gave the
riches in order that the rich might share with the poor. The Heaven is yours if
you do what Jesus commands to do; Blessed
are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God (Luke 6:20).
Prayer: O Lord, God of hosts! It is you who give riches and
poverty. Make us rich in heart that we may share all that we have... Amen.
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY
TIME/ YEAR C – 18/ SEPTEMBER/ 2022
No servant can serve two masters . . . You cannot serve God and wealth (Luke 16:13)
TWENTY-SECOND
SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR: C – 28/ AUGUST/ 2022
[Sirach
3:17-18, 21, 29-30/ Psalm 68: 4-5, 6-7, 10-11/ Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24 A/ Luke
14:1, 7-14]
But the one who humbles himself will be exalted
(Luke 14: 11)
Dear Friends in Christ !
Everyone makes
attempts to show that they are greater than others through talents, gifts and
abilities in the society. You must stop and listen to Jesus about the virtue of
humility. Humility is one of the virtues that Jesus taught to all his
disciples. Mother Teresa states; letting someone
ahead of you in line when you see they are in a hurry is an act of
humility. Cleaning the bathroom of your office, even though you own the
company, is an example of humility. Jesus’ life is the best example for
humility.
Jesus showed the virtue of humility in His life in many
occasions.
§ The Lowest Place: Jesus gives a long explanation to take the lowest place concluding
with the virtue of humility. Jesus practiced this virtue right the beginning of
life to till the end of His life.
² At the Birth (Luke 2:7, 12) – she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no
guest room available for them. This will be a sign to you: You will find a
baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
² At the Last Supper (John 13:5) – After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash
his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around
him.
§ Invite the Poor: Poverty can be seen in many ways; economically poor, socially
poor, spiritually poor, physically poor, psychologically poor, intellectually
poor etc. One who cannot afford for clothes, shelter and three meals a day is
called poor man/woman according to Jesus. Inviting the poor, the crippled, the
lame and the blind is part of the virtue of humility.
Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, has a major section on the inclusion of the
poor in the Church and society [EG 186-216]; he strongly reiterates his desire:
“I want a Church which is poor and for the poor” [EG 198]. Pope Francis also
established the world of the Poor, in his Apostolic Letter, Misericordia et
Misera, on 20 November 2016 at the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of
Mercy which is observed on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Today,
there are fights in the society for the power, fame and good name. You will not
see pride, arrogance, violence, destruction and brutality if there is humility
in the heart of every person. The virtue of humility gives a space for everyone
to explore what they are. There flows a new innovation, creativity and new
faces coming into the world. The selfishness can be eradicated by the virtue of
humility. Therefore, Jesus wants all His disciples to be humble so that the
entire humanity benefits from one another by the virtue of humility.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus! You are meek all through your life. Mould us with the virtue of
humility that we may walk in the path of humility and become the true
disciples.
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR C – 21/ AUGUST/ 2022
[Isaiah 66:18-21/ Psalm 117:1, 2/ Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13/ Luke 13:22-30]
For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last (Luke 13: 30)
Dear Friends in Christ !
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?” This question raises
many other questions in your mind and heart; who deserves salvation? Who is
worthy of salvation? Salvation is not an ancestral property, it is not a birth
right, and it is not a constitutional right neither. Salvation is open to all
who believe in Jesus, share His passion and death.
The salvation is not free of cost but one has to make great
effort constantly or struggle or fight vigorously to attain the salvation. Eating
the Body of Jesus and drinking the Blood of Jesus are not sufficient to attain
the salvation but one must share in the trials and tribulations of Jesus that
leads to attain salvation.
Jesus proposes the way that is very narrow to enter into the
kingdom of heaven.
§ Narrow Gate: The narrow gate simply means to shed blood, toil,
tears and sweat for the fulfillment of your dream. There is a greater joy when
one achieves the dream going through narrow gate.
There are people who get their work done
through the recommendations, manipulation, influence, power and money. The
world always appreciates and acknowledges the one who works hard day and night
than the one who finds shortcuts.
§ The First Last: the Israel is the
first chosen one of Yahweh. Jesus proclaimed the good news to the Israel and
sent His disciples to last sheep of Israel (Matthew 10: 6). But then the Israel did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Thus,
they became last to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.
The gospel tells us that people are coming from
the east and the west and from the north and the south and reclining at table
in the kingdom of God while the chosen one of Yahweh remaining unfaithful. It happens to the born Catholics too;
the faith of the born Catholics are taken for granted but the newly converts
mean what they profess and give life to their faith.
Today, the attitude of people is changing within
seconds. No one waits for a single minute. Most of the people are finding
shortcuts, ready made solutions, and easy ways and means to fulfill their needs. The
teachings of Jesus are very apt to the present scenario. Every struggle that
you go through shapes you better person, every attempt that you make forms you
as new person and every trial that you endure disciplines you. People who find
shortcuts cannot experience the real joy and the fullness of life. Jesus will
welcome people who endure trials and tribulations and enter through narrow
gate.
Prayer:
God of Salvation! You proposed good ways and means to attain salvation. Help us
to accept the narrow gate and endure trails as discipline.
TWENTIETH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR C – 14/ AUGUST/ 2022
[Jeremiah 38:4-6,
8-10/ Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18/
Hebrews 12:1-4/ Luke 12:49-53]
Dear Friends in Christ!
Jesus taught in today’s
gospel; I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish
it were already blazing! The whole earth would burn within seconds if Jesus
really sets the earth on fire. This one statement of Jesus makes the audience
shocked and surprised. This disturbs the mind of the audience perhaps listening
to such words. This seems to be contradiction to the teachings of Jesus but it
is not so.
The fire is one of the most important symbols of the Old Testament and New Testament. This symbol represents God in both Old Testament and New Testament.
Fire in the Scripture:
§ Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2-3); There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight - why the bush does not burn up.”
It was the encounter of Moses with God for the first time. This encounter changed him completely. Here, Moses responded to the call of God in spite of many obstacles saying ‘Here I am.’
§ Pillar of Fire (Exodus 13:21); The Lord went in front of them
in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of
fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by
night.
It was the encounter of the Israel with God that made them to walk in the desert even in the night. Yahweh becomes their way through out the journey.
§ Tongues of Fire (Acts 2:2-4); suddenly from heaven there came a sound like
the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were
sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested
on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
It was the encounter of the disciples on the day of Pentecost. The disciples renewed their zeal of Christ once again and began the mission of Jesus.
These three passages from
the scripture tell us that the fire is the sign and symbol of the Presence of
God. If fire is the presence of God, why the presence of God causes division
between father
and son, mother and daughter, and mother-in-law and daughter-in-law? Jesus stands for love not hatred,
forgiveness not revenge and gospel not evil. There is hatred between father and
son, there is revenge between mother and daughter and there is evil between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. One stands for
Jesus and the other stands against Jesus. Thus, clash is inevitable between the
love and the hatred.
FIFTH SUNDAY/ LENT/ YEAR C – 3/ APRIL/ 2022
[Isaiah 43:16-21/ Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6/ Philippians 3:8-14/ John 8:1-11]
Go and from now on do not sin anymore (John 8:11)
Dear Friends in Christ !
The Pharisees
and the Scribes were renowned people in the Jewish society. They were honored
by the people very much. Meanwhile, Jesus had drawn most of the people towards
Him. The Pharisees and the Scribes waited for opportunity to plot against
Jesus. So they brought the woman who was caught in adultery in order to find
fault with Jesus. Jesus saves the woman and teaches the virtue of mercy and
forgiveness. The people of Israel were forgiven several times when they
committed sin. The Pharisees and the Scribes referred only the Law of Moses but
failed to refer the mercy of God.
The Law of Moses and the law of Jesus;
§ Law of Moses; the people of Israel did not have an order of life in the land of Egypt. They lived life as they wished and wanted. Once they were liberated and crossed the Red sea, it was nice time to give them constructive formation for forty years. Yahweh wanted to discipline all the people of Israel during the journey in the desert. Till then, they had no law and no rule. The Ten Commandments are the basic law of the people of Israel given by Yahweh through Moses. These commandments set a proper way of life for the Israel. These commandments trace a path discipline. But later, the law was given the most priority than the life of the people. The people of Israel became victims, prisoners and sinners in the society.
The Law of Moses is order, discipline and punishment. The person was kept away from the society when committed sin/ crime. There was no chance to come back to the community. Thus, there was a vast gap between sinners and the rest of the people in Israel.
§ Law of Jesus; what is the feeling of an engineer who sees a house ruined and broken down? What is the feeling of a doctor who sees a patient suffering from the sickness? What is the feeling of a teacher who sees a student who failed in the examination? What is the feeling of a driver who sees a traveler missing the way? An engineer feels to rebuild the ruined house, a doctor feels to treat the sick person, a teacher helps a failed student to pass the examination and a driver helps a traveler to reach his destination. This was the situation when Jesus came to this world. Jesus did the same; rebuilding, curing, teaching, guiding and leading to the path of life. Jesus becomes an engineer, a doctor, a teacher and Master guiding the sinners to right path. Jesus becomes the way when the whole humanity lost the way.
The Law of Jesus is love, acceptance and forgiveness. The law of Jesus is to seek and save the sinners. Jesus loved everyone, accepted everyone and forgave everyone. Mercy of Jesus gave sinners a chance to change their sinful life. Thus, sinners are back to the way of Jesus.
Today, all are part of the sin some way or the other. Those who are caught are labeled as sinners and the rest are labeled as saints. The essence of the law is to protect life and save the human dignity. The humanity needs a set of rules, laws and decrees to the smooth running of the society. These rules, laws and decrees should not be burden and destroy life of the humanity. Forgiveness is not another opportunity to sin again but it is a chance to change life and to walk towards Jesus and hold Him closely. Jesus accepted everyone by the virtue of forgiveness. Let us love, accept and forgive everyone by the same virtue.
FOURTH SUNDAY/ LENT/ YEAR C – 27/
MARCH/ 2022
[Joshua 5: 9-12/ Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5,
6-7/ 2 Corinthians 5:17-21/ Luke 15:1-3, 11-32]
THIRD SUNDAY/ LENT/ YEAR C - 20/ MARCH/ 2022
[Exodus
3:1-8 A, 13-15/ Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11/ 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12/ Luke
13:1-9]
For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this
fig tree (Luke 13: 7)
Dear Friends
in Christ !
The teaching of Jesus on fig tree is about change of attitude or conversion of heart. The Fig Tree often symbolizes Israel which did not bear fruit as expected. Indeed, Jesus is deeply and madly in love with Israel expecting the stubborn people to change their ways. Words of Jesus did not touch the hearts of the people of Israel because of the hardness of their hearts. Jesus gives a last chance to Israel. It is also a last chance for us perhaps.
Two different experiences of life;
§ Experience of Burning Bush
Moses
wanted to know what is happening at the burning bush. His eagerness and
tendency made come closer to the bush. He
had a rich experience with God at the burning bush. This profound experience
made Moses to say "Here I am."
The season of lent provides many opportunities to encounter Jesus. Fasting, praying and alms giving draw everyone close to Jesus. Jesus visits everyday and every time in the Eucharist. Are you available? or Are you busy? Are you trying to come close to Jesus?
§ Experience of Barrennes
The fig tree was given everything; fertile soil was given, water was given and manure was given but still did not produce the fruit. It showed barrenness. One more chance was given. It is a last and final chance. If fig tree does not produce fruit, it will be cut off as per the order of owner.
Jesus
too provided many opportunities for sinners to change their life. He called
sinners for conversion, proclaimed the word of God, nurtured it and finally
gave Himself completely for the salvation of the humanity. The Gentiles are
quick enough to listen to Jesus, understand His teachings and follow Him but
Israel remained barren.
Jesus
began His public ministry with the words; repent and believe in the gospel. The
duration of the ministry is three years. He was almost about finish His task.
Yet, there was not much conversion from the people of Israel. God never wished
that the humanity must be destroyed but be saved. Jesus is ready to give one
more chance as given to the fig tree in the scripture (Luke 13:8 & 9).
Jesus wants to bring back all the sinners to God. Forty days of lent should not
be an experience of barrenness.
Today, everyone wants to enjoy all through life and come to Jesus at the end of life. It is true that life must be enjoyed to the full and at the same time life must be fruitful. Your barrenness is burden to someone; to your spouse, to your sisters, to your brothers, to your friends and to the society. someone is thinking of you; it is your family and it is Jesus. Do not wait till last day, last year and last opportunity. St. Peter Julian Eymard says; "God calls me today, tomorrow will be too late." Let's change our attitude and be fruitful today itself. Let us not experience the barrenness but have the experience of Burning Bush.
SECOND SUNDAY/
LENT/ YEAR C - 13/ MARCH/ 2022
Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This
is my chosen Son; listen to him
(Luke 9:35).”
§ Dazzling clothes –
dazzling clothes reveal the purity,
fullness and perfection. Jesus is the symbol of fullness.
At
baptism, you appear like an angel dazzling white. But then, sin destroyed your
appearance. This is a good opportunity to change your appearance. Jesus invites
to be pure in heart and mind.
§ A voice of heaven –
this represents the Divine intervention. Disciples were with Jesus all the time but failed to
listen to Him.
The idea of Peter is to arrange three tents; one for Jesus, one
for Moses and one for Elijah. The focus of the disciples is not mission and passion but the
glory. Then, Holy Spirit intervenes and tells disciples to listen to Jesus at
least in His last days.
§ Moses and Elijah –
Moses represents the law and Elijah represents prophets.
Jesus came to fulfill the law and the
prophets. Jesus also reveals disciples that He is fully divine at the
transfiguration.
The need for Transfiguration:
Knowing that the hour has come, Jesus took
selected disciples Peter, James and John to the high mountain. There,
Jesus discloses Himself to disciples for two reasons.
§ To strengthen the faith of the disciples:
Faith must be accompanied by life experiences like the experience of Abraham
who was tested to offer his only son as a sacrifice. Jesus showed many signs
and wonders to His disciples. At the Transfiguration, Jesus showed a glimpse of
His glory so that the disciples understand a bit of His purpose. The
Transfiguration strengthens their faith for some extent.
§ To prepare His disciples to the path of
Cross: Cross has two sides; suffering and glory. The focus of the disciples is
only the glory but not the suffering. This is the reason Peter wanted to build a
tent for Moses, tent for Elijah and tent for Jesus. Jesus is ready for His
passion and His death but disciples are not.
Today, what has to
be transfigured in life? The season of lent is an opportunity to change your
life through fasting, praying and alms-giving. There are so many bad habits
that destroyed your life; smoking, drinking, cheating, robbing, lying etc.
Jesus changed His appearance at the transfiguration. Jesus can change the
appearance of all sinners into saints. The
Transfiguration is an experience of change. The Transfiguration is to listen to
Jesus. Let us listen to Jesus and encounter the Transfiguration in this season
of Grace while praying, fasting and alms-giving.
FIRST SUNDAY/ LENT/ YEAR C – 06/ MARCH/
2022
[Deuteronomy 26:4-10/
Psalms 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15/ Romans 10:8-13/ Luke 4:1-13]
“It is written: You
shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve (Luke 4:8).”
Dear Faithful in Christ!
Temptation is the
desire to do something especially wrong or unwise. Temptation is a thing that
attracts or tempts someone. The world is so attractive. Generally, everyone
comes across these attractions. Attractions seem to be good at the first sight
but gradually ruin life. The Spirit drove Jesus in the desert. The desert is a
symbol of danger, hardship and even death. It is the home of fugitives,
bandits, wild animals and devils. Desert represents barriers,
obstacles and challenges.
Today, Scripture presents three temptations. Jesus addressed
those temptations with Divine power.
§ Temptation of food; “If you are the Son of God, command this stone
to become bread (Luke 4:3).” All the problems
of survival are connected to food and drink in this world. Desert is a place
where nothing grows, no water found, no food, no life as long as desert goes.
Here begins problem of survival. Survival is not a problem as long as you
share.
Jesus was weak physically and strong spiritually. Which is more
important to live; food or the grace of God? It is the grace of God that you
live here. Jesus tells Satan and the whole world; ‘one does not live by bread alone but
by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).’ Do not be
tempted to live for today but think to live forever. You live by the grace of
God.
§ Temptation of power; “I shall give to you all this power and
glory . . . if you worship me (Luke 4:6 & 7).” A person becomes weak when
something is offered to him freely especially power. Devil showed Jesus all the
kingdoms instant. But Jesus is fully aware that He is the King of the Universe
and doesn’t need any certificate for what He is.
Today, temptation of power makes you to cheat, to steel, to
loot, to give false promises, destroy the public property and destroy the
humanity. You must know that power is not permanent. It is the Lord who gives
power from heaven.
§ Temptation of care; “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself
down from here (Luke 4:9).” Jesus is already
comforted by His heavenly Father. So Jesus doesn’t need any care and comfort
from others.
From birth to death, you expect some care from the family,
relatives and friends. Many tell you; I love you, I care for you, I will give
life etc. But all these are false promises. All leave you when you when you are
in trouble. It is only God who can comfort you even the whole world leaves you.
Everyone wants to
be good but temptations come on the way and then ruin the life. The world is
full of temptations; temptation of money, power, lust, name and fame. If a
person is able to defend in his trails and temptations, he is considered to be
strong. Jesus defended the evil and established Himself strong. We know
our strength only when we face temptations. The faith that we profess
daily must be tested by the worldly attractions. At the end, Jesus wins and
Satan looses. The Grace of God is stronger than all the temptations that you
face in life. You can overcome all temptations if you are satisfied with what
you have. You can overcome all temptations when you hold the hand of Jesus.
ASH WEDNESDAY/ YEAR C – 2/ MARCH/ 2022
[Joel 2:12-18/ Psalms
51:3-4, 5-6 AB, 12-13, 14 & 17/ 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2/ Matthew 6:1-6,
16-18]
When you give alms, when you pray, when you
fast . . . Your heavenly Father will repay you.
Dear Faithful in Christ !
The word Lent means ‘spring
season’. Spring is a time when flowers bloom and trees begin to
sprout and young animals such as chicks and lambs are born. Trees are full
green and the day is longer than night. Spring refers to the season as
well as to ideas of rebirth, renewal and resurrection. The Grace of the
Lord flows like a spring where faith sprouts in the faithful. Lent is not a
punishment of fasting but a time of Grace where the faithful can come close to
God by means of prayer, fasting and alms-giving.
The number 40 reminds the important events
in the Scripture. This number symbolizes the notion of new life.
§
In the book of Genesis 6:6, God decided to destroy
the earth when the earth was corrupt and full of violence. God brought deluge
for 40 days and nights. There began a new life after the deluge.
§
The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40
years. God decreed that the Israelites would wander in
the wilderness for 40 years for their stubbornness. There began a new
life after walking through the desert for forty years.
§ Moses spent forty days and nights on Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments. Here, the new era begins for the Israelites.
§
Prophet Jonah proclaimed the repentance to Nineveh; “The
word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his
robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes” (Jonah
3:6). The Ninevites gave up their evil ways, violence
and believed in God.
§
Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights to prepare for His
public ministry. Jesus was tempted by the devil. Jesus defended
each temptation and then Satan departed. Here begins the public life of
Jesus.
Jesus gave instructions about
alms-giving, praying and fasting. The publicity of name and fame must be kept
away. Then, you will experience Jesus in this season.
§
When you give alms; there
must not be any publicity to gain name and fame when you give alms. There is a space
for you to encounter Jesus when you avoid space for the publicity. You give
without any discrimination of caste or religion or race. Then, you will
experience Jesus.
§
When you pray; there should not
be any publicity when you pray. You pray because you want to come closer to
Jesus. Prayer
builds the relationship with God. Then, you will experience Jesus.
§
When you fast; there must not
be any signs of proclamation about your fasting. Fasting makes you hungry. Hunger makes you to know yourself and
to know the hearts of the hungry. Then, you will experience Jesus.
Do remember the words of St. Paul
"Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of
salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)." Prophet Joel’s invitation ‘even
now’ tells us that it is not too late to come back to the Lord with
your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning; (Joel 2:12). The ash that you apply must remind us to
leave our old ways and hold on to Jesus who welcomes us to new life. Let us
bloom in faith like the flowers and trees in the season of Lent.
EIGHTH SUNDAY/
ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR C - 27/ FEBRUARY/ 2022
[Sirach 27:4-7/ Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16/ 1 Corinthians 15:54-58/ Luke
6:39-45]
Remove
the wooden beam from your eye first (Luke 6:42)
Dear Friends in Christ !
Jesus used parables, phrases and
metaphors in preaching ministry. The focus of Jesus is not phrase or metaphor
but meaning behind. It’s all about communicating the truth of life. Jesus
teaches to learn to know oneself and then know God. Salvation begins when a person realizes that he is sinner and he needs
God’s help. Jesus places a few realities to narrate how the world moves about.
Metaphors and meaning:
§ Blind leading the blind; a blind person is always dependant. A blind person cannot manage to walk, travel, read, write and do any activity on his own. He or she has to depend on someone else for everything. Therefore, nobody selects a blind person as a guide because blind person cannot see nor do anything and therefore, he cannot guide others in any circumstances.
Jesus is not talking about blindness but using the metaphor to tell something else. Blindness symbolizes sin. Sinner cannot lead another sinner into correct path. Sinner has to choose a saint to lead his life to the way of holiness.
§ Master and His disciple; master is the one who knows everything. Master did enough experiments, enough exercises and learnt everything. He mastered over life. Thus, Master is quick enough to sense and solve anything that he sees and faces. But disciple is the one who just entered into the world. He is yet to do experiments and learn many things. Disciple is not quick enough to sense or solve anything. Therefore, there is a lot for disciple to learn from the master and from the world.
Jesus is not talking about master and disciple but using the phrase to tell something else. It’s not matter of master or disciple but variation between divine and human. The Divine is always the Master of the human.
§ Good tree and bad tree; there is no tree so called rotten tree. It is metaphor to depict the people and their ways. Good tree symbolizes the Divine and rotten tree symbolizes the sinner. The goodness flows from the Divine and the human continues to cause sin and damage his dignity.
A good person never points out the mistakes of the other. A good person never allows his thoughts to cross the boundaries to reach the evil. The sinner always conceives sin and occupied with sinful thoughts.
A blind
person needs someone to have and move his being. A disciple needs a Master to
learn and become a master. Similarly, sinner needs God who is spotless to lead
and to guide to the life of truth. There is splinter, log and beam in everyone
that mark sinful nature of the human. The human needs someone greater than him
to lead. Who can be or would be greater than the human? It is only the Divine
who can lead and guide the sinners. Jesus is the divine master and the ever
spotless. It’s through Jesus we have victory over sin and death as St. Paul
tells in the letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15: 57).
Jesus
invites us to remove the hypocrisy from the mind and heart and see the world. A
person who justifies cannot see God but who admits his sin and comes to God can
experience the fullness of life. The more you think good the more you produce
good and the more you think evil the more you generate evil. Let us think good,
do good and share good.
SIXTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR
C – 13/ FEBRUARY/ 2022
[Jeremiah 17:5-8/ Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6/ 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20/ Luke 6:17, 20-26]
Blessed are you when people hate you . . . on account of the Son of Man (Luke 6:22)
Dear Friends in Christ!
In the beginning of the human existence, God provided everything sufficient to the human beings. Everything was fine as long as the humanity was content with what they had. Later, there entered greed, selfishness and envy in the minds of the humanity. The society was divided and cursed of those of the poor but Jesus blessed them. Jesus addresses many social issues and its consequences with the gifts of beatitudes. Indeed, beatitudes are blessings of Jesus to the poor, the hungry and the sorrowful. The beatitudes give hope to live life meaningful.
God provides always plenty but the greed of human makes some rich and some poor. Therefore, there is a vast gap between the rich and the poor. There are many blessings that you can count on every day. At the same time, there are also curses for all who follow the way of the wicked.
Daily Blessings
§ To be born in this world; life is a gift of God and must experience everything to the full. There are many who don’t have privilege to see this beautiful world.
§ To have three meals a day; it is a struggle to have three meals a day. You are blessed to have a meal while many go hungry.
§ To have good education; education is a blessing. It is a gift that some get opportunity to study in good education institute while a few are not privileged.
§ To have a good job; to have a good job is to fulfill all your needs and wants. You must bless God for the job that you have while many are jobless.
§ To have a good family; the family
is a mini world which contributes basics of life. A few lose this privilege
remaining as orphans.
Daily Curses.
§ To kill someone; you may like or love someone more and someone less but you do not have right to kill anyone. God is the author of life and only God has right over life and death. Thus, killing someone is a curse.
§ To rob someone’s food; everyone is capable of working for the food and drink. But if someone is greedy that results someone else hungry.
§ To deprive education; depriving education in the name of caste is curse
§ To loot the opportunities; opportunities are bought with recommendation.
§ To destroy the family; the individuality came into family and destroyed it fully.
The Psalmist pens the blessings following the law of the Lord and curses for the way of the wicked (Psalm 1:1-2). Jeremiah tells not to trust in human beings and not to depend on the strength of flesh (Jeremiah 17:5). People hated prophet Jeremiah for his prophecy. He had to shed tears for speaking on behalf of God. On the account of the Son of Man, St. Paul was targeted by the Romans for preaching the good news and was beheaded witnessing to the name of Jesus. Beatitude is an attitude towards your life and life of the other. Jesus mentions the reward of heaven in the beatitudes. The reward of heaven is for those who do something extraordinary for the sake of Jesus Saint Paul. Let’s be a blessing to all.
FIFTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR C – 6/ FEBRUARY 2022
[Isaiah 6:1-2 A, 3-8/
Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8/ 1 Corinthians 15:1-11/ Luke 5:1-11]
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
(Luke 5:4)
Dear Friends in Christ !
Peter was
an expert fisherman. He worked whole night but caught nothing. He failed in
fishing though he was expert. He finally reached to the point of nothingness. Peter
encountered Jesus so deep when he caught a large catch of fish. The gospels
mentioned that Jesus was the son of the carpenter. Jesus was grown up in the
atmosphere of carpentry work since His father Joseph who was the carpenter.
Coming from such background and instructing the disciples was amazing in the
scripture. Here, disciples witnessed the power of Jesus.
Jesus teaches us to . . .
§ TO PUT INTO DEEP; the disciples are experts of fishing in the sea. Yet, they got nothing when worked whole night. Peter put his net into deep listening to Jesus’ instructions. Then, it was plenty of fish. Therefore, you must put yourselves into Jesus deep to experience the power of Jesus.
It’s not enough just attending Sunday Mass, it’s not enough just celebrating Christmas and it’s not enough celebrating Easter. You must celebrate your life everyday witnessing to the love of God. Jesus will heal dark areas of life if you put yourself deep into Jesus.
§ LEAVE AND FOLLOW; it is a great shift that took place when disciples left everything and followed Jesus. What they left; they left the boat, they left net, they left family, they left friends, near and dear ones and the most importantly they left old pattern of life and began a new pattern of life. Peter is fully aware of his sinful life and he sincerely acknowledged; when Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”(Luke 5:8). What sinful ways you leave to follow Jesus? Do not leave your profession, do not leave your family do not leave your friends, kith and kin. But leave the things that block your relationship with God and things that destroy your life.
Prophet
Isaiah admitted that he was doomed, man of unclean lips and living among the
people of unclean lips but God purified him. Prophet responded ‘Here, I am.’ It
is the sign of his availability. Prophet Isaiah is always and everywhere available
for the mission of God. You are sinners but still Jesus called us. Jesus purified
us at baptism and continues to purify in the Eucharist. Jesus asks you only one
thing; leave your sinful life.
Prayer: Jesus, my Master! You instructed your disciples to go into the deep sea and cast the net. Thus, you showed them your power. Show us your power as we move to the peripheries of the world. Help us and guide us to leave our old pattern of life and hold your hands and sincerely follow you . . . Amen.
THIRD SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME: YEAR
C – 23/ JANUARY/ 2022
[Nehemiah 8:2-4 A, 5-6, 8-10/ Psalm 19:8, 9, 10,
15/ 1 Corinthians 12:12-30/ Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21]
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me . . . to
proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord (Luke 4: 18 & 19)
Dear Friends in Christ !
Syllabus is necessary to
proceed with academic year. Agenda is necessary for any political party to come
in power. Project is necessary for any company to continue with the product.
Any work that begins must achieve something at the end. Jesus was born, grown
up and baptized. What is Jesus going to do further? The manifesto tells that
Jesus is very clear about His mission. Jesus proclaims His manifesto in the
public ministry.
The manifesto of Jesus is the manifesto of His Father. Jesus summarizes the mission of His Father in the manifesto. The highlights of the manifesto are;
§ Good News to the poor;
The poor cannot afford to have basic things like food, clothes and shelter. The rich have sufficient food, expensive clothes and costly palaces. But at the end, the poor and the rich have the same destination striving for the Kingdom of heaven. Both the rich and the poor are considered as the poor while striving for the Kingdom of heaven. There is no concession for the rich and there is no free entry for the poor as well. The rich and the poor have same entrance in the Kingdom of heaven. The goodness is that the rich and the poor are welcome to the Kingdom of God. The Lord sees both the rich and the poor as the poor.
According to the scripture, poor is the one who depends on the providence of God. The people of Israel depended on the providence of God through the journey in the desert. Yahweh provided water from the rock, manna in the desert and fed the people of Israel with plenty. The poor and the rich remain dependent on God.
§ Liberty to the captives
The poor are always the captives of the strong, the rich, the mighty, the powerful, the dominant, the influential and the authoritative. Moreover, the people are captivated by sin and sickness. All are looking forward for liberty from the forces of evil. Ministry of Jesus is healing, teaching and preaching. Jesus forgives sins and heals the brokenhearted. Jesus proclaimed liberty to the weak; the children, the women, the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the blind, the lame, the lepers the sick and the suffering.
§ Year of the Lord’s favor
In the Old Testament, the Jubilee Year occurs on every fiftieth year. It was a year of releasing people from the slavery and from debts. This year is also year of rest; no sowing and no harvesting but the Lord provides everything. Jesus proclaimed the Year of the Lord’s favor to the Jews and the Gentiles. Jesus favored the weak; the children, the women, the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the blind, the lame, the lepers the sick and the suffering.
Today, the
Lord invites us to remember His manifesto. The manifest of Jesus is the
manifesto of yours and mine. Who do you favor; the weak or the strong? You and
me must favor the weak and proclaim the Year of the Lord’s favor.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C – 19/ DECEMBER/
2021
[Micah 5:1-4 A/ Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19/
Hebrews 10:5-10/ Luke 1:39-45]
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb (Luke 1: 42)
Dear Friends in Christ !
Today scripture invites to reflect on the theme Peace.
Everything flows from the Creator . . .
so also the Peace. There exists Peace everywhere in the universe; Sun and moon, Stars of heaven, shower
and dew, mountains and hills, rivers and seas, birds of the air and plants of the
earth and so on.
The Creator gifted peace to all his creation. Then, how
Peace was broken into pieces? Peace is broken into pieces when human is jealous
and grows in evil days. You must observe a few wars for instance; a war between
England and French, India and Pakistan, Israel and Palestine and America and
Iran. Peace is possible but the ego stops to move forward. War destroys the
world and reconciliation builds the peace. The world must learn that war cannot bring
peace but reconciliation.
How to establish peace? You can establish peace through reconciliation.
§ Reconciliation with fellow beings: Man against man, nation against nation and destruction is at its peaks. Jealousy and selfishness had grown and broken into war. War caused division. You must reconcile with your brothers and sisters to build the relationship and you must reconcile with the nations which bring peace.
§ Reconciliation with the nature: in the name of development, you destroyed the beautiful nature. It caused many natural calamities and continues to cause in the future. Most of the natural calamities are caused by the ecological unbalance. You must reconcile with the nature too for the damage you caused.
Every person seeks peace; I need peace, my family needs
peace, my country needs peace and the whole world needs peace. Peace flows from
reconciliation. It is the need of the hour to reconcile with fellow beings and
with the nature. Peace must begin within and flow to everyone and everywhere.
Mary’s greeting is greeting of peace that even the child
in the womb leapt for joy. Your visit must create an atmosphere of peace. Have
you asked yourself; how many would rejoice and experience peace when you greet
someone? Have you tried to stop any conflict? Have you used your words to bring
reconciliation? Have you spoken about peace in the public places and common
forum? Have you thought that you are a channel of peace? Your greetings must
bring joy to someone who is in pain and distress. In other words, you must be a
channel of Peace. Let us ask the Creator to use each one of us as channels of
Peace.
Remember the words of Saint Francis of Assisi; Make me a channel of Your peace, where there is hatred, let me bring Your love, where there is injury, Your pardon Lord. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, grants peace to all who come to him.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C – 12/ DECEMBER/ 2021
Zephaniah 3:14-18 A / Psalm – Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6/
Philippians 4:4-7/ Luke 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should
we do?” (Luke 3:10)
Dear Friends in Christ !
The theme of this Sunday is joy. The word ‘joy’ means rejoice. What is joy? It is a feeling of pleasure or happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being. Joy is also the emotion that makes life worth living in the moment.
§ A student works hard and studies well. At the end of the academic year, he stands as first rank and wins the gold medal. It is a feeling of joy or moments of rejoice that comes from success.
§ Some students are fortunate to have knowledge, some students are fortunate to have good voice, some students are fortunate to have music skills etc… joy that comes from good fortune.
§ Well-being is to be sound in all areas of life: economically sound, spiritually sound, intellectually sound, socially sound etc…joy that comes from well-being.
Prophet Zephaniah tells the people of Israel to rejoice in the Lord for the Lord is in the midst of the people. St. Paul too tells Philippians to rejoice in the Lord.
§ Rejoice in the Lord: the people of Israel were in fear and discouragement. Prophet Zephaniah assures safety and protection from his enemies. The Lord is in the midst of people. The Lord removed the judgment against Israel. The Lord turned away enemies. The Lord saved the people of Israel. Indeed, the Lord is the reason for the joy. Today, you live in fear because of the new variant virus (Omicron). This new variant bothers you more than anything else. The Lord, who turned away enemies, turns away all kinds of evil and protects you from all dangers. Therefore, you must rejoice in the Lord.
§ Rejoice in others: In the gospel, the Jews came to John the Baptist and asked; what must we do? John the Baptist instructs all categories of people; 1. Sharing clothes and food give joy to others (Luke 3:11). 2. Collecting the prescribed tax makes you honest (Luke 3:13). 3. “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages (Luke 3:14).” He directs the people to leave the evil ways and seek God’s grace that gives joy to everyone. These are the ways that you can rejoice in others.
Today, the whole world is shaken by the global pandemic. Still, it is shaken by the third wave of corona virus (Omicron). Every heart is at fear, every heart is at confusion and every heart is at dilemma. It is time that every heart is at search of joy in the midst of affliction. The Lord causes joy and grants you joy. The fear is not permanent but the joy is permanent. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). The joy must not be limit to oneself but reach to everyone. The most beautiful thing in Christ’s spirituality is to find joy in the midst of fear and affliction.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT/ YEAR: C – 05/ DECEMBER/ 2021
Baruch
5:1-9/Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6/ Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11/ Luke 3:1-6
‘Prepare
the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’ (Luke – 3: 4)
Dear
Friends in Christ !
The theme of the day is love. Love between
Creator and creation or God and His people is the most perfect image of love.
In love, God created us, in justice God condemned us and in mercy God redeemed
us.
Love is a familiar word to each one of us, yet it is
misunderstood by most of the faithful and land up in many social problems. You
have seen love between husband and wife, parents and children, sisters and
brothers etc… but what is love? St. Paul tells Corinthians what is not love and
what is love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
- Love is not envious … you don’t behave envious with whom you love
- Love is not boastful or arrogant or rude … you don’t behave boastful or arrogant or rude with whom you love
- Love is not irritable or resentful … you don’t behave irritable or resentful with whom you love
Then, what is
love?
- Love is patient and kind … you behave patient and kind with whom you love
- Love rejoices in the truth … you rejoice in the truth with whom you love
- Love never ends … love has only beginning and remains the same in all the circumstances.
John the Baptist invites the Jews; Prepare the way of
the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every
mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of
God. What is way? It is love that connects everyone to walk in the path of
Jesus.
Valleys and mountains portrayed by Prophet Baruch and John the Baptist can be interpreted as the rich and the poor, wise and the simple, the old and the young, men and women and sinners and saints.
- Rich and the poor dine together; there is a vast gap of status between rich and poor. But love has the power to connect rich and poor.
- Wise and the simple listen to one another; there is a gap of experience between wise and the ordinary. But love has the power to connect the wise and the simple.
- The old and the young play together; there is a gap of age and the ideas differ from each other. But love has the power to connect the old and the young.
- Men and the women walk equally; the family and the society treat men as superior and women as inferior. But love has the power to connect men and women.
- The sinners and the saints pray together; there is a gap of behavior between the sinner and the saint. But love has the power to connect the sinner and the saint.
The way of Jesus is love. He expressed His love symbolically in the
Eucharist before offering on Calvary. Love can connect the rich and poor, the
wise and the ordinary, the old and the young, the men and the women and sinners
and saints.
Let us proclaim His love as we eat the body of Jesus and drink the blood of Jesus.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT/ YEAR : C – 28/ NOVEMBER/ 2021
Jeremiah 33:14-16/ Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9,
10, 14/ 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2/ Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand (Luke 21: 28)
Dear Friends in Christ!
We have just entered into the
season of advent. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus,
meaning “arrival” or “coming”. Advent marks the start of a season of
preparation that looks forward to the celebration of Christmas. This season
invokes feelings of hope. It is a time of reflection to welcome Jesus. The
first week of advent holds the theme hope. Hope is a feeling of expectation and
desire for a particular thing to happen or a feeling of trust.
Let us reflect on the hope
- A hungry person; hungry person hopes that someone gives at least a single meal per a day and his day ends happily.
- A sick person; a sick person hopes that someone heals the sickness and have a good health someday.
- A jobless person; a jobless person hopes that someone gives him a good job and am good salary.
- A teacher; a teacher hopes that all students would perform well in the exams, get good percentage of marks and get the best jobs.
- A farmer; a farmer hopes that there would be rain on due time, seeds grow faster and the harvest gets the reasonable price.
§ Hope – time of Jeremiah;
At the time of Jeremiah, the Kingdom of Judah was dismantled and the people of Israel were scattered across the region. The houses of Jerusalem were destroyed. The temple was sacked and burned. The people were deported to Babylonian Exile. Judah had lost its status as a kingdom. In the land of Babylon, the people of Israel had despair; no land, no priests, no prophet, no king, no temple and no sacrifice. Here comes the message of Jeremiah; in those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure (Jeremiah 33: 16). He brings the message of hope to the people of Israel.
§ Hope – time of Jesus;
At the time of Jesus, the Jews were captured and ruled by the Romans. The Jews were looking for messiah who would liberate them from the Romans. It was always thought about political liberation and not beyond geographical territory. Jesus surprised the Jews and the rest of the world arriving in an ordinary way for the salvation of the entire humanity. The Jews and the disciples of Jesus never paid the attention to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
The global pandemic, second wave of corona virus, left the whole world in despair. The economy of the world had fallen down completely. People looked for shelter, food, daily work, medical aid, financial aid and spiritual aid. People looked for peace more than anything else. Jesus is the hope to the hopeless, heart to the heartless and the life to the lifeless. Jesus is the hope of all the earth at all times.
SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING - 21/ NOVEMBER/ 2021
Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, “My
kingdom does not belong to this world (John 18: 33 & 36)
Dear Faithful in Christ !
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus
Christ, King of the Universe is celebrated in the honour of Jesus Christ as
Lord over all creation. It was instituted by Pope Pius XI in the encyclical
Quas primas of 1925. This day is referring to the idea of the Kingdom
of God where the Christ is described as King seated at the right hand of
God.
The world was ruled by many powerful kings; Napoleon, Julius Caesar, Alexander and many others. One thing that flows commonly is conquering the world. What they had done once they conquered the world? What did they aim and how Christ is different from these earthly kings?
King of the world; kings rule the world in a specific territory. Many kings came to this world and ruled. Something lacked in every king.
§ King who conquers by army; first thing that a king does is to
conquer the world with his army. He begins it with the small kingdoms and then
goes to larger kingdoms according to his ability.
§ King who governs by the ministers; the king is the one who
governs his people. King orders and the ministers implement. There is always
someone to serve, help and administer in his kingdom.
§ King who possesses the wealth; king imposes taxes on the people. He collects as much as possible to enjoy his life to the maximum with all the facilities.
King of the Universe; universe is beyond a territory. It means the whole creation of God is part of it from the beginning to the end. Jesus is the King of the Universe. He rules the earth with justice and fairness (Psalm 96:13).
§ Jesus who conquers by love; Jesus Christ, the King of the
Universe, loved His own till the end. Indeed, he loved even His
enemies. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one
another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love
one another” (John 13:34-35).
§
Jesus the servant of
all; Jesus declares that He came to this world to serve. Whoever wants to
be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be
your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be
served (Matthew 20: 26).
§ Jesus who sacrifices on the cross; Jesus Christ sacrificed
His life on the cross for the humanity. No king can sacrifice His life
like Jesus.
The First World War and the Second World War destroyed the humanity. The world wars damaged the beautiful creation of God. The humanity looked for peace which no ruler thought of it. The third world war, by the bio weapons, left the humanity restless. It is more dangerous than the first and second world wars. The solemnity of the Christ the King invites us to see Jesus as the universal King. Jesus conquered the whole universe with the love commandment. The world needs peace, comfort and healing. Jesus is the only one who can give everything.
THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME - 14/
NOVEMBER/ 2021
Jesus said to his disciples: Learn a lesson from the Fig
Tree. (Mark 13: 28)
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Jesus mentions the
destruction but then proceeds to learn from the Fig Tree; its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you
know that summer is near (Mark 13: 28). The Fig Tree is
a symbol of happiness, prosperity, longevity and good luck. The Fig Tree is a
common metaphor for the people of Israel. The first book of Kings tells; During Solomon’s
lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in
safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree (1 Kings 4:25). The Fig Tree
is an indicator of wealth and prosperity. Thus, the words of Jesus indicate the new beginning.
The nature shows
some signs of a new beginning; autumn is not always autumn. It is a season
where leaves start falling off the trees. It is also known as the fall
season. The trees look bare without leave in this season. The season of autumn never remains as autumn but proceed to the
next season. In the next season, you see everything sprouting and full of
green.
Poor is not always
poor, rich is not always rich, young is not always young, old is not always
old, right is not always right, teacher is not always a teacher, student is not
always a student, wrong is not always wrong so also fall is not a fall forever
but everything changes according to time and season. Thus, there is a new
beginning after every fall.
Prophecy of Prophet
Daniel is to give a greater hope to the people of Israel; life from the dust
and hope from the horrors and disgrace. Indeed, it is the hope of everyone who
believes in Jesus.
Today, the scripture invites us to see the new beginning in the destruction. Nature has the rhythm of fall and rise. The fall is not the permanent fall and rise is not the permanent rise. It is a cycle; the fall has to rise and the rise has to fall. No one lived from the beginning of the creation to till date in the universe. The old has to pass away and the new has to come up. Therefore, it is not too late to start a new life even in the midst of failure, rejection, suffering and death. The present life is the preparation for the next life to come. So let’s prepare well. Jesus is the Alfa, the beginning and Omega, the end.
THIRTY-FIRST
SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME - 31/ OCTOBER/ 2021
“You are not far from the kingdom of
God.” (Mark 12: 34)
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Moses tells the people of Israel Deuteronomy;
therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).
v
Love your God
God is not the first person you love in this
world. You love many in this world and God is one of them. You love family
members; Mother, father, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. You love
things; bike, car, beautiful home, beautiful place. some people love friends
and some people love their profession. God is not the one whom you love the
most. God is not the only one you love in the world. Then, how is it possible
to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength?
§
With all your heart means completely, deeply and
sincerely
§
With all your soul means on good days and on
bad days
§
With all your mind means God must be the center
of your thoughts. Every thought that comes from mind must connect to God and
His people.
§
With all your strength; till every single calorie
of your body gets over
You must love God more than anyone else; Mother,
father, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. A person can love others till
his/her death. There is nothing beyond death.
v
Love your neighbour
Jesus quotes the Old Testament and goes
further; the second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these (Mark 12: 31).” Why Jesus gives priority to the neighbour? You are not on
your own in this world. You can’t be on your own in this world. You are not
independent. You are dependent as long as you live in the world.
§
For food; you must depend on someone
§
For building home; you must depend on someone
§
For cloths; you must depend on someone
§
For learning; you must depend on someone
§
For entertainment; you must depend on someone
§
For medical; you must depend on someone
Indeed, it is the Christian spirituality to love your neighbour as you love yourself. There is no survival without the other. You cannot imagine human existence without the other. Thus, life becomes complete when you love God and neighbour. Check yourself with these two principles; are you far or close to the kingdom of God?
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME – 03/ OCTOBER/
2021
Therefore
what God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mark 10: 9)
Dear
Faithful in Christ !
The origin of the every relationship
is from heaven be it friends, be it relatives, be it brothers, be it sisters
and be it husband and wife. Thoughts of God when He saw man alone; He looked
for matching from all creation but nothing matched. Nothing looked equal to man
or nothing compared to man. Then, there was a need for woman. Thus, God created
woman. God has joined man and woman to be together. This involves; constant
love, care and union.
Human must not separate what God joined together (Mark 10: 9). Why was it written that human was the cause of the break up between husband and wife? Friends, relatives, society and the family members play important role to build or to destroy the relationships in maximum occasions. Infidelity and hardness of heart cause the separation.
§ Infidelity to spouse: the thought of separation begins when a spouse is not faithful. Man is not satisfied with one woman and woman is not satisfied with one man. Ultimately what gives happiness is not sex but acceptance and sacrifice. Husband and wife must remember the promise of the wedding everyday to live life so happily.
§ Hardness of heart: Jesus spoke about the hardness of heart in the gospel; But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment (Mark 10: 5). The human heart is so hard that it cannot forgive and forget things so easily. The thought of separation begins here at small and petty things. If those small and petty things are understood and addressed properly, the relationship continues forever.
Today, the relationship between husband and wife looks challenging. God proposed love, cherish and obey between husband and wife but spouse is comfortable to be individual single and free from everything. Many people choose to be individual, single and going towards the spiritual or religious line because of the challenges that meet in the married life. It is good to remember the wedding promise at least once a day especially when things go wrong “promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life." Social media is helpful in the growth of the humanity and at times it also caused a great damage too. Keep away what destroys your relationship and keep close what builds your relationship.
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME – 26/ SEPTEMBER/ 2021
For whoever is not against us is for us (Mark 9:40)
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Once a member of parliament was asked a question; why do you want to become a member of parliament? He answered that he wanted to serve the people. Once an IAS officer was asked; why do you want to become an IAS officer? He said that he wanted to serve the people. Once a priest was asked; why do you want to become a priest? He said that he wanted to serve the Lord and His people. Do you need to become something to serve the people? Do you need a system to serve the people? You don’t need any system to serve the people. Anyone, goodwill and good heart, can serve the people. Mother Teresa of Kolkata did it and proved it that she could do great thing from nothingness. This is the message of Moses in the book of Numbers and Jesus in the Gospel to the faithful.
The spirit of the Lord rested on Eldad and Medad who were not part of the gathering. The meaning of Eldad is; favored of God or love of God and the meaning of Medad is; friendship and love. They sought the Lord from where they are. This indicates that God is not restricted to particular people and particular place. Blessings of God are meant to all those who seek and come to Him. The entire human race belongs to God because He is Creator and we are His creation. Jesus selected the twelve members as His disciples and trained them for the public ministry. Jesus is also open to many others who wish to follow Him with sincere of heart. Disciples left everything and following Jesus in order to gain something at the end. But here is man, who has not left anything and who does not have even the membership as disciple, doing greater than disciples of Jesus. Here enters the jealousy in the mind of the disciples. Thus, disciples want to stop that man who is doing well in the name of Jesus. The problem of disciples is not membership but purely jealousy. Jesus addressed this jealousy with one statement; for whoever is not against us is for us (Mark 9:40). Jesus does not limit the discipleship only to the twelve disciples but opens to all who follow Him sincerely.
Today, what does destroy the human race? It’s the jealousy. Human beings look beautiful. But deep down there is something that destroys the beauty; jealousy. The jealousy destroys the relationship among the families, communities and nations. Let us not stop those who do good in the name of Jesus but encourage all who seek Jesus.
NINETEENTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME – 08/ AUGUST/ 2021
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever
eats this bread will live forever
Dear Faithful in Christ!
For
centuries, the Jews ate the ordinary bread made out of wheat. It was only in
the desert the people of Israel ate Manna rained from heaven in the history.
There was no further reference noted that someone was fed by the heavenly food.
Therefore, no wonder that the Jews murmured about Jesus; is not Jesus, the son
of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say ‘I have come
down from heaven?’ Thus, in the site of the Jews, it seemed to be a controversy
to say ‘I am the bread came down from heaven.’ This controversy brings many
questions that rise in minds of the Jews; is it possible for a human to eat the
flesh another human? Is there a food that fills hunger once and for all? Is it
possible for anyone to feed the whole world with his own flesh? Is it possible
for any human to live forever? Is there a food that increases the lifespan of
human? Is Jesus serious when He says that He is the bread came down from
heaven?
The Jews saw Jesus merely as human even after so many miracles. This blocks Jews to see the divine nature of Jesus. How the bread must be understood and how Jesus becomes the living bread?
§ Bread, fully matter: The bread that fills hunger is material. Material or matter cannot give life forever. The bread, material food, can feed a person but cannot extend the lifespan of a person. God fed Prophet Elijah by the bread for forty days and forty nights. This material food had not increased the lifespan of Prophet Elijah but just given strength to survive for some extent.
§ Bread, full of life: Jesus is the bread full of life by His words, deeds and by His resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus gives life to all who believe in Him. Jesus doesn’t talk about the bread that is material but it is about the Eucharist the par excellence of God’s love. Jesus is the living bread that stands in your midst. Here, Jesus visits His faithful every day as He promised.
The bread must be understood as the matter or material and the bread becomes the living bread when Jesus joins. Jesus promised; I will be with you till the end of time (Matthew 28:20). Jesus visits His faithful in the Eucharist everyday in the form of bread and wine as He promised. Jesus is not of this world but of heaven. Jesus shares His body and blood at the last supper in symbolic way and at the cross in reality. Jesus is from heaven and becomes food for the humanity. Therefore, Jesus becomes the living bread that came down from heaven. The Eucharist is the communion with Jesus that binds the faithful with God. This is the communion that gives life in abundance.
Today, all work for food but all don’t get their fill. If the filled can say it’s enough like the prophet Elijah, and then the rest too will have their fill. All the faithful can taste and see the goodness of the Lord if you can extend your helping hands to someone.
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME - 01/ AUGUST/ 2021
“I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me will never
hunger, and whoever believes in me never thirst.”
Dear Faithful in Christ !
The
longest journey that noted in the history of the humanity is the journey of
Israel in the desert for forty years. The people of Israel began their journey
having only one thing in mind; liberation from the clutches of slavery. They
never thought about crossing the Red Sea, traveling through the desert, need of
food and drink. They never thought that journey would be forty years in the
desert. Likewise,
they never thought of food and drink the basic
needs of the humanity. In short, it is an unprepared journey and had to face
unusual things. Why did Yahweh lead the people of Israel through the desert?
Desert is the place where there is nothing. Here, Yahweh teaches a lesson
throughout the journey; depend on Me. it was a lasting experience of Israel to
have Manna, food from heaven, in the desert.
The crowd followed Jesus not because of the
signs that Jesus showed them but because He provided enough bread for them. The
crowd chose the food that perishes and Jesus chose the food that endures for
eternal life. Jesus makes it clear to work for the food that endures for
eternity. Manna fulfilled the hunger of the Israel temporarily but it was not
the food that gives eternal life. It is the Body of Christ gives life eternal.
Jesus can be identified; 1) as the bread of life and 2) as the voice of the
hungry.
§
Jesus, the Bread of Life
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never
be thirsty (John 6:35). What Jesus talks about exactly? Is there are a medicine
to avoid hunger? Is it possible for anyone to avoid hunger? Does Jesus give any
alternative plan to avoid hunger? Many prefer to buy medicine if there is
medicine to avoid hunger. Here, Jesus talks about the bread of life that comes
through the bond or relationship.
§
Jesus, Voice of the Hungry
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was
thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed
me (Matthew 25:35). Indeed, it is not just the Israelites who cried out in
the desert for food but Jesus the voice of the hungry. The voice of the hungry
resounds in the streets, in the neighborhood and so on. You must feed
Jesus who feeds you with His body that gives life eternal.
A person has to work at least eight hours a day to get the daily food/bread. Many are not privileged to have daily food/ bread even after working whole day. Thus, what you eat every day is not what you deserve but the providence of God from heaven. Remember the hungry while you have your full in your hands and remember what you have is the providence of God that must be handled with care.
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME – 25/ JULY/ 2021
“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the
world.”
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Prophet Elisha
feeds a hundred people with twenty barley loaves and Jesus feeds five thousand
people with five barley loaves and two fish. Thus, the common theme that flows
from today’s scripture is feeding. Feeding the five thousand people is the
extraordinary work of Jesus that won many hearts of the faithful. This is where
people saw Jesus and experienced Him very intimately. Jesus became popular in
very short time. The reason is (John 6:2); a large crowd followed Jesus because
they saw the signs performing on the sick. Here, Jesus showed another level of
compassion to His people.
The experience of the people is;
They came sick and Jesus made them healthy,
They came hungry and Jesus fed them to the full.
Thus, the people credited Jesus as the prophet of the time who had done the extraordinary that denotes the work of Prophet Elisha. Prophet Elisha and Jesus did is similar with a few variations. You will find variations as you begin define what hunger is.
§ Hunger as physical notion
The physical notion of hunger is when your stomach is empty and your brain signals that it is hungry by stomach growling, feelings of irritability, tiredness and poor concentration. The people who followed Jesus carried nothing with them. Therefore, it is inevitable to feel hungry at the moment. It is not possible to buy something because it is desert. They completely have to depend on Jesus.
§ Hunger as spiritual notion
Spiritual starvation is to dislike for God’s Word,
dislike in prayer life and hopelessness in life. Spiritual starvation is encountered in failure
and rejection. Spiritual notion of hunger is as important as physical hunger. The
only path to attend to the spiritual notion of hunger is to go to Jesus.
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME – 18/ JULY/ 2021
Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like
sheep without a shepherd;
Dear Faithful in Christ!
Imagine; a
family without father, a class without teacher, a company without manager, a hospital
without a doctor, a country without leader and a universe without the author. What is the condition if a father, a teacher,
a manager, a doctor and a leader mislead, scatter and drive away the rest and deny
their responsibility? It is exactly what was depicted in the book prophet
Jeremiah (Jeremiah 23:1&2). Thus, the condition of the people of Israel is
like sheep without shepherd.
The people of God, the Israelites, were a flock
chosen, led to the land of milk and honey but the false shepherds misled them in
the course of time. The people of Israel got fed with the false shepherds who scattered
the flock. This situation made the life of the people burden, depressed and miserable.
The people look for someone who can gather, lead and comfort them. Here appears
Jesus as the good shepherd to lead the faithful to the comfort. The people incessantly
go after Jesus; People saw them leaving and many came to know
about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the
place before them (Mark 6:33). What makes people to follow Jesus
ceaselessly is; the words, parables and miracles of Jesus. Moreover, Jesus’ heart moved with compassion
that notes as good shepherd who gives the life to the lifeless.
If you have a false shepherd, you face; hike of petrol
and diesel prices, rise of fascism, management of media, mismanagement of money,
sale of banks, fall of government and increase of private. You have to face
death if you question or write or fight against the government. At times, you
will be labeled as antinational for raising your voice. Fr. Stan Swamy moved
with compassion and gave his life to the lifeless. His work is to liberate the
prisoners who were unjustly condemned. The people of God matter to him till the
end whether he was in prison or in the mission. His work still echoes in every TV
channel, every news paper, every magazine and every article. Fr. Stan Swamy comforted
his people as Jesus comforted the faithful who follow Him ceaselessly.
Today, the world is in need of verdant pastures, restful waters, rod and staff that give courage. The comfort is essential for human beings along with the basic needs. Everyone looks for comfort weather young or old, man or woman, rich or poor, sick or healthy and educated or uneducated. There lacks nothing if the Lord is the shepherd; He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads beside still waters. He restores soul. He leads in right paths for His name's sake. Your rod and your staff comfort me (Psalm 23). Jesus calls you to move with compassion and comfort the disturbed in the society.
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME – 11/ JULY/ 2021
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by
two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
Dear Faithful in Christ !
The ministry of Jesus is teaching, preaching
and healing. Jesus trained His disciples simultaneously as He ministered to the
faithful. Now, Jesus wants to send His disciples for the same ministry on
experiment basis. Here, Jesus gives instructions as He sends them into the
pastoral ministry (Mark 6: 8-11); He instructed them to take nothing
for the journey but a walking stick, no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to
them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever
place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off
your feet in testimony against them.” These are not just instructions but
values that would continue throughout the mission of Jesus.
The common theme that flows from the first reading and the gospel reading is sending for mission. God elects prophet Amos from the shepherd’s family and sends him to liberate the people of Israel. Prophet Amos had done what was entrusted to him. The disciples of Jesus too were sent for the ministry of teaching, preaching and healing. The disciples accomplished the mission entrusted to them (Mark 6:13). How important it is to send someone for the mission of God is the same important to accomplish the mission entrusted. The church keeps up accomplishing what was begun by Jesus.
§ The Archbishop Oscar Romero refused to support the right-wing military-civilian junta that replaced the deposed dictator Gen. Carlos Humberto. Further, his outspoken defense of the poor who were powerless victims of widespread violence brought repeated threats to his life. In the face of those threats, Romero declared his readiness to sacrifice his life for the redemption and resurrection of El Salvador.
§ Fr. Stan Swamy was a tribal rights activist for several decades. He was accused of terrorism in India. He was arrested and charged by the National Investigation Agency unlawfully. He fought till the end for the poor and the marginalized for their rights in spite of his ill health. Human Rights defender Fr Stan Swamy has died in custody, nine months after his arrest on false charges of terrorism.
Once it was Archbishop Oscar Romero and now Fr. Stan Swamy who really stood for people of God the poor, the marginalized and the women. Today, every baptized, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, is sent for the mission of Christ. God assures His blessings in the words of St. Paul; Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him (Ephesians 1:3&4). These spiritual blessings accompany you as you walk through the tears and sweat to accomplish the mission of Christ.
14 SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME – 04/ JULY/
2021
“A prophet is not without honour except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
Dear Faithful in Christ !
God experienced the rebellious stance from the people of Israel. The attitude in the pen of Ezekiel is seen vividly; Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you (Ezekiel 2:4). God tells Ezekiel the nature of such mutinous people before entrusting him the mission. Jesus too experienced the defiant posture from His own village, the Jewish community, where he was born and brought and where Jesus was surrounded by His kith and kin. The lesson that the people of Israel learnt was that the rebellious attitude leads to exile.
Jesus knows very well the deportment of the Jews still Jesus chose to minister to His people. The lack of faith is seen in the Jews very soon; is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him (Mark 6:3). The result is that Jesus couldn’t make any wonders there. Thus, the church was born when the world was at rebellion. Indeed, it is not new to all who follow Jesus to face rejection and rebellion as St. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; brothers and sisters: That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” What can you learn from today’s scripture?
§ Rebellious attitude leads to exile; it is Yahweh who led the Israelites to the Promised Land where milk and honey flew but infidelity of the Israel led then again to exile.
§ Power is made perfect in weakness; it is inevitable to enter into suffering when you follow Jesus radically. Do suffer gracefully.
§ Recognize Jesus in everyone; Jesus is present in every human. Indeed, Jesus is universal. See every human as they are beyond their caste or race or colour.
People purely identified Jesus by His parents Mary and Joseph, by His kith and kin (the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon), by His race and by His profession. It blocks you to think beyond who Jesus actually is. Today, it is unfortunate that every priest faces this problem; a priest is identified by his caste or race or colour, by his state, by his country and by his status. India still suffers and suppresses its citizens by the labels of caste. It is the caste which divided the citizens, it is the same caste which ignored any educated and it is the same caste which blocks the growth of the country. Sometimes, you find people saying that Jesus is a foreigner. It blocks you to think beyond the margins. Jesus is universal. Now, the choice is yours . . . Caste or Christ? Universal or local?
13 SUNDAY/ORDINARY TIME – 27/ JUNE/ 2021
Talitha cumi . . . Little girl, I say to you,
arise!
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Mark, the author of the Gospel, creates
an atmosphere of tension and excitement in the hearts of audience as he presents
his Gospel. Such incident is the rising the daughter of Jairus.
According to Mark 5:22, Jairus is a ruler of the synagogue.
The synagogue ruler was often a layman and was responsible for a variety of
things including taking care of the building and supervising worship. Yet, you see the gesture
of Jairus; seeing
him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him (Mark 5:22 & 23).
This gesture is utterly dependent. Jesus
accepted the request of Jairus but tested the faith of Jairus in the process
inaudibly. What goes on in the heart of Jairus is full of tension
whether Jesus can reach before time to the house of Jairus or even before the
death of his daughter. Jesus attended to the woman afflicted with hemorrhages. Jesus not just cures the woman
but enters into a long dialogue; who has
touched my clothes (Mark 5:30-33)? Just imagine the condition of Jairus when officials
said that his daughter is dead. Yet Jairus balanced all his emotions and maintained his
faith till the end.
It is the most important to test the ability of a doctor before beginning his practice because the life of a patient depends on the ability of a doctor. If doctor is not proved to be effective, the life of the patient is at risk. Jesus is the symbol of fullness of life; I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly (John 10:10). In the similar way, it is important to test the faith of Jairus before Jesus proceeds to give life in abundance to his daughter. This incident invites to reflect our faith in the times when God delays to answer our tears and supplications.
§ Delay shapes you into better; delay makes you to discover who the other is for you at the moment of struggle and pain. God did not make death nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living (Wisdom 1:13). Nobody knows why Jesus delayed to come but has shaped the faith of Jairus into better and granted the life of his daughter.
§ Believe that Jesus gives in abundance; already the daughter of Jairus was dead but Jesus raised her to life and life in abundance. Jairus was dependent completely on Jesus and till the end for what he asked Jesus.
The conditions are the same at the time of Jairus and now. How to act and prove your faith is all that you need to learn in the journey of faith. Above all, Jesus promises; “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live” (John 11:25). The words of Jesus, little girl, rise, must reecho in your hearts as you walk in the journey of faith. Faith must rise in your hearts that can wait patiently for God’s reply.
12
SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME – 20/ JUNE/ 2021
Jesus was in the
stern asleep on a cushion . . . He rebuked the wind and said to the sea,
“Quiet! Be still!”
Dear
Faithful in Christ !
The
ministry of Jesus is in full swing even does not have time to relax for a
while. It is that moment that the disciples take Jesus to a place of privacy to
express themselves. Mark, the author of the Gospel, presents a scenario
that connects the reality always in a metaphorical way; boat, storm, sea, wind
and sleep.
§ The
ocean is the beginning of life on earth and symbolizes formlessness and
chaos.
§ Wind
and storm: In the Old Testament, wind is often used as a picture of
temporality or futility. Storm is a symbol of trauma, weakness and depression.
Storm also causes change and transition.
§ Boat
symbolizes the church. It represents the spiritual journey too. A person cannot
reach destination by remaining at the shore.
§ Jesus
stands as the symbol of divine power and the author of entire creation.
Here,
you must begin your reflection; God is the author of life. He who created has
authority to control the power of chaos and evil. The book of Job, once again,
reminds that God has the control over the entire creation(Job 38:1, 8-11); The Lord addressed Job out of the storm
and said: Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the
womb; when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling
bands? When I set limits for it and fastened the bar of its door and
said: Thus far shall you come but no farther, and here shall your proud waves
be stilled! You must remember that Jesus is fully divine. If Jesus is
divine, is it possible that divine sleeps? Divine never sleeps. In the gospel
passage, the author brings out the reality in the life of the disciples and
connects to the lives of the faithful deepening the faith of the community to
live in the midst of persecution.
This passage is relevant in today’s world. The humanity is tested at every moment, every hour and every day as the global pandemic challenges. How do you act when chaos and confusions arise in your life? Quiet! Be still! Just have faith in Jesus. You know that Jesus is stronger than the sea, the wind and storm. This attitude deepens the faith of the person and makes you to grow strong.
11
SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME – 13/ JUNE/ 2021
Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed . . . the smallest . . . the birds of the sky can dwell in its
shade.
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Jesus uses metaphor of mustard seed in several occasions to depict the faith or the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of heaven. What is this mustard seed all about? It is the smallest seed as portrayed in the Gospel. You must see the potency of the mustard seed; it spreads so rapidly. In the same way, as the mustard seed, is the Kingdom of God. Jesus began His public ministry with few disciples in a small geographical place. So rapidly, the good news of Jesus Christ reached every corner of the Galilee. It’s all about how small it started and grown to its peak.
Christian faith was born and grown in the midst of persecutions. Thus, the mustard seed is the symbol of Christian faith. Indeed, it is the work of the Lord. God intervenes in everything that breath. God takes, sets, breaks off, plants, brings low, makes high, dries up and makes flourish. God controls each and every action. The tree will grow and produce fruit but even these actions are under the watchful attention of God; all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, bring low the high tree, lift high the lowly tree, wither up the green tree and make the withered tree bloom. As I, the Lord, have spoken, so will I do (Ezekiel 17:24). Metaphor of mustard seed can be concluded; a small beginning but a meaningful ending. The beginning of mustard seed is seen small but gave a meaning at the end; it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.
How this metaphor can be applied in the global pandemic? The church, in India, is the smallest. Yet, it is doing its best in reaching out to the people in various ways to save people; the churches, schools, colleges and institutions have become the shelters for the covid patients. Our hospitals serve the better treatment emphasizing the poor. Priests and the religious are distributing the essentials to the needy in the lockdown where people can’t go out for work. The church has become the shelter for many in the global pandemic. Still, every Christian is reaching out in his own way to help someone in need. Like the mustard seed, though you are small, be the shelter or shade to someone.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – 25/ APRIL/ 2021
I am the good Shepherd. A good Shepherd lays down His life for
the sheep (John 10:11 & 14)
Dear Faithful in Christ !
The Evangelist John
presents a powerful metaphor; sheep and shepherd. The meaning of shepherd is to
tend, rear, direct or guide someone in a particular direction. In the Old
Testament, God is depicted as shepherd and the faithful are as sheep (Psalm
23). Many biblical figures were shepherds beginning from Abraham, Jacob, the
twelve tribes, Moses, King David and prophet Amos.
Jesus is the true
shepherd who fed His sheep by preaching and teaching and cared for them by His
ministry of healing. At last, Jesus laid down His life for His sheep on the
cross.
§ Shepherd feeds the sheep
The prime purpose of a
shepherd is to feed the sheep. It is well depicted in the psalm 23:1-3; the
Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want; He makes me lie down in
green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. Indeed,
Jesus is the chief shepherd who went village to village and town to town to
feed His people especially to the least and the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus fed
His people physically by the bread and fish and spiritually by the word of God.
§ Shepherd cares for the sheep
A shepherd binds the
wounded, heals the sick, gather the scattered and strengthen the weak. Indeed,
Jesus is a true shepherd who healed the lepers, who gave sight to the blind,
who calmed the sea and saved the disciples and who raised even the
dead. In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis said ‘smell of the sheep’ and the
sheep are willing to hear their voice (EG, 24). The sheep trust in the
shepherd when shepherd shares the suffering of the sheep.
Prophet Ezekiel reminds
us about the false shepherds (Ezekiel - 34:8); As I live, says the
Lord God, because my sheep have become a prey and my sheep have become
food for all the wild animals, since there was no shepherd; and because my
shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed
themselves, and have not fed my sheep. Today, it is vividly seen in our
country; the politicians are safe and the poor on the streets, no permission
for marriages and political rallies are plenty, no buses for migrants and free
trains for large meetings, the doctors have no rest and the patients are
restless, the hungry shouts louder and the filled
followed lock-down rules, lack of oxygen and full of dead bodies. The
announced package has still not found its address. Do not question your
leaders/shepherds even if you die . . . lest you become anti-national. Let us
wake up and find true shepherds.
Only Jesus can be the true shepherd because He laid down His life for His people; I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER – 18/ APRIL/ 2021
Peace be with you … Touch me and See … You are
witnesses of these things (Luke - 24: 36, 39 & 48)
Dear faithful in Christ !
The disciples followed
Jesus with some great expectations. The expectations were shattered when Jesus
was arrested, condemned to death and died on the cross. Once Jesus died, the
disciples were scattered and afraid to say that they followed Jesus. After the
Resurrection, the expectations of the disciples have been totally changed.
Peter, the disciple of
Jesus, denied Jesus for three times and ran for his life. Peter experienced the
fullness of life with Jesus after the Resurrection. Thus, the timidity dies and
courage rises in Peter. Now, the same Peter stands in public and speaks boldly
of the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. A disciple who runs for his life and
now stands to give life to the Risen Lord. It is obviously the experience
of the Resurrection that made Peter to speak boldly.
§ Jesus is the Author of Life (Acts - 3: 15)
The language of Peter has
been completely changed. His courage is seen in every word that he utters. He
tells the Jews that Jesus is the Author of Life (Acts - 3: 15). Indeed,
Jesus is the Author of Resurrection from which begins the new life.
§ Jesus is expiation for sins (1 John - 2:2)
Expiation is the wiping
out of sin so as to restore the covenantal relationship between the sinner and
Yahweh. The Evangelist tells that Jesus is expiation for our sins and for
the sins of the whole world. Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross as
expiation.
§ You are witnesses of Christ (Luke 24: 48)
After the Resurrection,
the disciples experienced the Risen Lord in various events. Now fully convinced
of the Resurrection of Jesus, the disciples began to be witnesses of the Risen
Lord. Every word that you utter and every action that you do must be a witness
of the Risen Lord.
The death of Jesus shattered the faith of the disciples and scattered them here and there hiding for the fear of the Jews. It was the time when the disciples were in need of peace. Here comes Jesus, the Risen Lord and bringing peace to His disciples; Peace be with you (LUKE 24: 36). Today, the world is need of peace that comes from the Risen Lord. Let us ask the Risen Lord to grant us peace.
SECOND SUNDAY/ EASTER – 11/ APRIL/ 2021
'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands . . . 'My Lord and my
God!' (John 20:27, 28)
Dear faithful in Christ !
In the Jubilee year 2000,
St. John Paul II, at the canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, declared
Second Sunday of the Easter as the Divine Mercy Sunday. So far you have seen
Jesus among the disciples as fully Human and hereafter you see Jesus as fully
Divine deepening the faith of His disciples. One such kind of the experiences
is the experience of disciple Thomas.
In the Scripture, Thomas
was portrayed as man of little faith. Doubting Thomas was his nickname as he
refused to believe that Jesus is risen from the dead. The audience tends
to blame the faith of Thomas in all its circumstances. You must understand that
resurrection is a new era; never before and never after. Therefore it is
obvious that Thomas doubts instead of believe.
Wife believes in everyone
except her husband and husband believes in everyone except his wife. So also
Thomas who believed everyone and everything except Jesus. People arrive at
belief in two circumstances; 1) believe and see, here belief comes first. 2)
see and believe, here reason comes first,
§ Believe and See – Faith First
Most of the time, belief
begins from outdoors. If you see somebody listening to music, you too begin to
like the same. If you see someone watching cricket, you too begin to like the
same. If you see somebody studying medicine, you too begin to like the same. So
also the faith, if you see somebody following Jesus, you too begin to like to
follow without reason, without any knowledge and even without any common sense.
If somebody comes and asks you; why you believe in Jesus? You don’t have any
answer. You believe by seeing somebody not by reasons and experience. Belief
must arise from within.
§ See and Believe – Reason First
There are so many things
that you see and believe in your daily life. Here, the reason is the first and
comes the rest. A doctor sees the condition of the patient and begins treatment.
A judge sees the evidences of the crime and passes the judgment. A scientist
finalizes the theory after many clinical trials and tests. A philosopher
proposes a theory after seeing many perspectives. Thomas belongs to the
category of doctors, judges, scientists and philosophers. Thus, it is obvious
to see and believe. In short, Thomas depends on his own reasons to believe
instead of somebody’s explanation.
Reason and experience will give meaning to faith. ‘My Lord and my God’ is a deep experience of Thomas’ faith who really encounters Jesus for the first time after the resurrection. If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (John 10:37, 38). Therefore, my brothers and sisters find reasons to believe and experience to deepen your faith so that experience keeps you with Christ.
EASTER / THE
RESURRECTION – 04/ APRIL/ 2021
Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been
raised; (Mark – 16: 6)
Dear Faithful in Christ !
So far, in the human history, you have seen life and life after death. Our Lord
and Master, Jesus, begins a new era; that is Resurrection. “I am the
Resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will
live and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe
this?” (John 11:25-26). What is resurrection? Resurrection is rising from
death. Something must rise from within.
§ Love must rise not hatred
Love is the central principle of Jesus’ teaching. It is Christ’s
unconditional love that made to give His life fully in the Cross. Hatred
generates hatred but love generates love. The same love that Christ showed you
must rise in you.
§ Peace must rise not violence
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not
be afraid (John 14:27). Whole world is looking for peace. Peace must rise in
you not violence.
§ Forgiveness must rise not revenge
Christ forgave everyone; who denied, who betrayed, who
condemned, who spat, who mocked, who crowned with thrones, who nailed and who
pierced Him. Forgiveness must rise in you not revenge.
§ Liberty must rise not slavery
The people of Israel were slaves under Assyrians, Babylonians
and finally Romans. God listened to the cry of His people and liberated them.
The same liberty must rise in you not slavery.
§ Life must rise not death
Life is a gift of God. You are priceless in the sight of God in
all the circumstances. At time you live your life as if you are dead. Christ
lived His life very short but full of life. Life must rise in you not death.
§ Courage must rise not timidity
Peter, the disciple of Jesus, denied Jesus and ran for his life.
Now, he stands in public and speaks boldly of the resurrection of Jesus of
Nazareth. The same courage must rise in you not timidity.
§ Christ must rise not caste/race
Christ is beyond caste, colour and race. You who believe
in Christ must forget your caste, forget your colour and forget your race.
Christ must rise in you and me not caste, colour and race.
You have prepared yourselves for forty days of fasting praying
and alms-giving to experience the resurrection. Here is the day of Resurrection
and enjoy to the full.
WISH YOU A HAPPY EASTER
GOOD FRIDAY – 02/ APRIL/
2021
Father! Into your hands I commend my spirit (Psalm 31:6)
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Good Friday was observed as a day of sorrow,
penance, and fasting. Good Friday is a day
where Jesus offered the eternal sacrifice for the sins of entire
humanity. The public ministry of Jesus now
comes to accomplishment. What Jesus told at the Last Supper; this is my body,
eat it and this is my blood, drink it and now He does it on Calvary. Today, let
us reflect on the cross and death of Jesus.
1. Cross
§ Cross - A Punishment; Before Christ, Crucifixion is a method of punishment or
capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large
wooden beam and left to hang perhaps for several days, until death. It was used
as a punishment by the Romans.
§ Cross - A way of life; After Christ, cross becomes a way of
life. Jesus said to His disciples “if you wish to be my disciple, take up your
cross and follow me” (Matthew 16: 24). It is the Cross that brings us glory and
it is the Cross that gives us salvation. The Cross becomes the beginning and
end of every celebration.
2. Death
O death, you arrived at our weakness and you are threat to the
human family. O death, you meet everyone in the streets and you who make everyone
cry. My Lord and Master has come to meet you and it is your last day in the
world.
St. Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians 15:55-57; O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, Good Friday teaches to accept our own cross and follow Jesus. Good Friday invites us to have no fear of death for Jesus our Master destroyed death on the cross.
FEAST OF LOVE/MAUNDY
THURSDAY – 01/ APRIL/ 2021
This is my
commandment; Love one another as I have loved you
Dear Faithful in Christ !
The Last Supper is the Passover Meal or farewell meal that Jesus
had with his disciples. Here is the final discourse that Jesus gives His
disciples. Maundy means command or commandment. What Jesus commanded His
disciples on this day at the Passover Meal?
- Jesus
commands to love one another: Jesus
knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He
loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end (John -
13:1). Jesus commands His
disciples; I give you a new commandment, Love one another just as I have
loved you (John - 13:34). Jesus loved His disciples till the end. What is special
in Jesus’ love? It is unconditional.
- Jesus
commands to serve one another: Now that I, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet (John
13:14). We can build community only by serving one another. It is
another form of love that Jesus teaches his disciples.
- Jesus
commands to Break bread and Share: Here comes the institution of the
Eucharist and the institution of the Priesthood
§ The Eucharist: Jesus summarized His love in
the Eucharist in four words; Take, Bless, Break and Share. The Eucharist is
the priceless gift of Jesus to the Humanity. For it is through the Eucharist
where Jesus comes to visit His faithful. Cardinal
Henri de Lubac, S.J., “The Eucharist builds the church and the church makes the
Eucharist.” It is the Eucharist which gathers, strengthens and heals the
faithful.
§
The Priesthood: Jesus is the eternal Priest according to the
order of Melchizedek. Jesus shares His Priesthood with His disciples and
it flows to the chosen ones. St. John Chrysostom says “He who honours a priest
honours Christ”. It is the Priesthood which connects God and His faithful.
Today is the feast of love. It is only the unconditional love of Jesus that has power to change the world. One this feast of love, Jesus invites us to experience His love and radiate the same love to one another. So that the whole world will be filled with love and love alone.
PALM/ PASSION SUNDAY – 28/ MARCH/ 2021
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! . . .
Hosanna in the highest!
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday is the beginning
of Holy Week. It is a celebration commemorating the entry of Jesus into
Jerusalem. Jesus enters into His passion freely, willingly and cheerfully. It
is the grand welcome to Jesus the King of the Universe. There are three
important things to reflect; first: Jesus enters into Jerusalem, second: Jesus
uses a donkey, third: People cry Hosanna.
§ First - Entry into Jerusalem:
Entering into Jerusalem is entering into passion. Jerusalem is a place of
sacrifice and suffering for many prophets were martyred for their prophecy in
Jerusalem. Jesus goes to Jerusalem in the same line to offer His life as a
living sacrifice. Jesus tells His disciples about His passion for three
times and now He does it.
§ Second - Jesus uses a donkey: Jesus
tells His disciples that He is the King of the Jews and He came to establish
the Kingdom of God. A soldier or a warrior or a king comes by the horse.
Surprisingly, Jesus uses donkey. In the Scripture, donkey is portrayed as
symbol of service, suffering, peace and humility. Indeed, Jesus is the King who
serves, suffers and humbles for His people. Isaiah tells the nature of
Savior; I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who
plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting (Isaiah -
50:6).
§ Third - People cry Hosanna: people
shout Hosanna. Hosanna means ‘save us’. Indeed, the purpose of Jesus coming
into the world is to save the entire Humanity; For the Son of Man came to
seek out and to save the lost (Luke - 19:10). Jesus saves us from the
clutches of sin and suffering.
What makes Jesus so passionate to enter into Jerusalem? It is the love that the Father showed Jesus and the same love that Jesus shows you and me. The Passion Sunday invites us to share the suffering of Jesus. Jesus is seen in the needy. Jesus is seen in our neighbour. Let us shout aloud Hosanna to the Lord who saves us.
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT – 21/ MARCH/ 2021
When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Greeks are known for sculpture, architecture,
astronomy, mathematics, medicine and especially
philosophy. Greek culture influenced the Roman Empire and many other
civilizations. Such influential people came to see Jesus. Jesus, once again,
reminds His disciples strongly about His glory; Jesus answered them, “The
hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23). The
glory is always misunderstood by the disciples. The glory, perhaps, according
to the disciples, is the coronation of Jesus as the King of the Jews. The
glory, in reality, is passion and death of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus must
be hanged between heaven and earth and die on the cross. Grain of wheat
has a potency to generate new life so also Jesus has power to generate new
life. Jesus is a grain of wheat who generates new life to all who come to Him
in humble contrite.
The language of Jesus confused the audience;
whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve
it for eternal life (John 12:25). The way of Jesus is love but the same love is
seen as contradiction in the Gospel. Does love cause loss of life? Or does hate
cause gain of life? The love never causes loss of life and hate never causes
gain of life. Then, what does Jesus tell exactly? A life, which sacrifices for
someone or something greater, lives in the hearts of the people generation
after generation. Simply, it is one sacrifice that brings life to many.
God proclaimed a new covenant through prophet Jeremiah; But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD. I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33). The disciples were with Jesus for three years. Serving Jesus or any person for three years is not so difficult. It was very easy for disciples to serve Jesus at His feet. But it is not so easy to follow the way of Jesus till the end because the way of Jesus is cross. It is challenging to follow Jesus till the end. Jesus’ invitation to disciples is to follow rather just serve. You and me must follow Jesus till the end of life once decided to follow Jesus. Jesus’ death on the cross is an eternal sacrifice made for the humanity once and for all. Thus, Jesus has the power to draw everyone to Himself when he makes His eternal sacrifice on the cross.
THIRD
SUNDAY OF LENT – 7/ MARCH/ 2021
Jesus went up to Jerusalem . . . drove them all out of the temple . . . destroy
this Temple and in three days I will raise it up
Dear faithful in Christ !
Jesus foretells His disciples about His death
for three times. The reason that Jesus goes to Jerusalem is; Jesus must be
handed over, suffered persecution, died on the cross and on the third day, rise
again from death. Jesus came to Jerusalem Temple for several times. It was most
probably to worship and to fulfill the obligations. But now Jesus came not for
worship but for the cleansing of the Temple. Here, the behavior of Jesus is so
strange to the audience.
- Jesus went up to Jerusalem: Jerusalem is a place of
sacrifice and suffering. Many prophets were martyred for their prophecy.
Jesus goes to Jerusalem in the same line to offer His life as a sacrifice.
Jesus must be handed over to the Pharisees, the scribes, the elders and
the chief priests. Jesus knew very well that the hour has come for Him to
be handed over and to make an eternal offering for the entire humanity.
- Jesus
drove all out of the Temple: We must remember that there is only one
Temple located in Jerusalem. It was built by King Solomon and again
rebuilt by King Herod. Temple is the center of Jewish life and identity.
Every Jew believed that the Temple is the most sacred place on earth. A
place of worship turned to be a place of business. The business became the
primary and the worship became secondary.
- Destroy
the temple: Jews asked Jesus for a sign right from the beginning of His
public ministry. Jesus showed many signs and wonders to say that He is the
Messiah. Many believed in the works of Jesus. Still, some were not
satisfied. It is the final sign that Jesus is going to give them; destroy
this Temple and in three days, I will rise it up (John 2:19). It is not
the Jerusalem Temple that Jesus speaks about but His body which refers to
the death and resurrection.
St. Paul tells, in his letters, how precious the body is and
what is body all about;
- For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I
will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their
God, and they shall be my people (2 Corinthians 6:16).
- Christ is the head of the body, the church. He is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have
first place in everything (Colossians 1:18).
Firstly, the Body refers to the human body which is the dwelling place of God. Secondly, Body refers to the church which is the Body of Christ. Unfortunately, at times, the body turns to be the destruction of the humanity. The evil is so attractive. The body bends so easily towards addictions like smoking, drinking, sex and so on. The body must be cleansed from the unwanted elements so that the body turns to be holy as it was when God created it. Thus, God comes to dwell in our hearts. In this season of Grace, let us ask Jesus to cleanse our bodies from all types of sin.
SECOND
SUNDAY OF THE LENT – 28/ FEBRUARY/ 2021
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart
by themselves he was transfigured before them (Mark 9:2)
Dear faithful in Christ !
‘Transfiguration’ means a complete change of form or appearance
into a mystical state. The transfiguration
is a scenario that surprised Peter, James and John as it was never happened
before. It is a special privilege to Peter, James and John.
§ Clothes appearing dazzling white reveal the fullness or perfection. Jesus is the
symbol of fullness.
§ Speaking with Moses and Elijah Jesus as fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
§ A voice from the cloud speaking shows that
Jesus is something special of the divine family.
Transfiguration took place a few days before
the death of Jesus. “If anyone desires to follow me, let him deny himself and
take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Discipleship is a choice of
each one because Jesus did not force anyone. But the only condition is cross if
you wish to follow Jesus. Disciples forgot this condition. The disciples had
not understood what it meant to be disciple. Knowing that the hour has come,
Jesus took selected disciples Peter, James and John to the high mountain.
There, Jesus discloses Himself to the selected
disciples for two reasons. What is the need and urgency for Transfiguration for
the selected disciples?
§ To prepare His disciples to the path of Cross:
Cross has two sides; suffering and glory. The focus of the disciples is only
the glory but not the suffering. Jesus is ready for His passion and His death
but disciples are not. This is the reason Peter wanted to build a tent for
Moses, tent for Elijah and tent for Jesus.
§ To strengthen the faith of the disciples: Faith
must be accompanied by life experiences like the experience of Abraham who was
tested to offer his only son as a sacrifice. Jesus showed many signs and
wonders to His disciples. At the Transfiguration, Jesus showed a glimpse of His
glory so that the disciples understand a bit of His purpose. The
Transfiguration affirms their faith for some extent.
Jesus shows a glimpse of His glory to His disciples at the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration is an experience of change. The Transfiguration is to listen to Jesus. Let us listen to Jesus and encounter the Transfiguration in this season of Grace while praying, fasting and alms-giving.
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT -21/
FEBRUARY/2021
The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15)
Dear Faithful in Christ!
Today, Scripture presents three questions before us which enable
us to discover the saving power of God.
The Spirit drove Jesus in the desert…why? Desert is a place
where nothing grows, no water found, no food, no life as long as desert goes.
Thus, in the desert, we completely depend on the providence of God for
everything. The people of Israel complained for food and God said; depend on
me. They complained for water and God said; depend on me. The people of Israel
experienced an intimacy with God when God provided Manna from heaven and water
from a rock (Exodus 16:4, 13; 17:6). God shielded them, cared for them
and guarded them as the apple of His eye (Deuteronomy 32:10). The desert
is also a symbol of danger, hardship and even death. It is the home of
fugitives, bandits, wild animals and devils. It is horrible even to imagine
journey through the desert. Desert represents barriers,
obstacles and challenges. In the desert, Jesus experienced an intimacy
with His Father.
Jesus was tempted by Satan…why? Jesus was in the desert for
forty days. Jesus, as human, was hungry and thirsty. It was a good opportunity
for Satan to test Jesus. Satan tried all the ways possible to tempt Jesus, but
failed in all attempts. Jesus never considered the attractions of Satan even in
the midst of wild beasts (Mark 1:13). Jesus was weak
physically and strong spiritually. Jesus defended Satan and proved to be the
strongest. The world is so attractive. Attractions seem to be good at the first
sight. Thus, we fall into temptation. If a person is able to defend
in his trails and temptations, he is considered to be strong. Jesus
defended the evil and established Himself strong. St. Peter reminds us; “Christ suffered for sins once and for all the
righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that He might lead you to God (1 Peter 3:18).” We
know our strength only when we face temptations. The faith that we profess
daily must be tested by the worldly attractions. The Grace of God is stronger
than our weakness.
Repent and believe in the Gospel…why? The word ‘repent’ comes
from the Greek word ‘metanoia’ which means change of mind and heart. Mind can
think and heart can love. What has to be changed is the way we think and the
way we love. Thus, it is an invitation of Jesus to change the way we think and
to change the way we love.
Today, the Scripture, especially the season of Grace, invites us to have intimacy with God, to stand erect in our temptations and to have metanoia. Let us think like Jesus radically and let us love like Jesus unconditionally.
ASH WEDNESDAY – 17/FEBRUARY/ 2021
Behold, now is a favorable time; now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Dear Faithful in Christ !
The word
Lent means ‘spring season’. Spring is a time when flowers bloom
and trees begin to sprout and young animals such as chicks and lambs are
born. Trees are full green and the day is longer than night. Spring refers
to the season as well as to ideas of rebirth, renewal and
resurrection. The Grace of the Lord flows like a spring where faith
sprouts in the faithful. Lent
is not a punishment of fasting but a time of Grace where the faithful can come
close to God by means of prayer, fasting and alms-giving.
The number 40 reminds the important events
in the Scripture. It signifies a paradigm shift from old pattern of life to
newness of life.
- In
the book of Genesis 6:6, the Lord regretted for
creating human beings on the earth and his heart was deeply
troubled. God decided to destroy the earth when the earth was corrupt
and full of violence. God brought deluge for 40 days and nights.
- The
Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. Israelites would have
reached the Promised Land within nine months If they had walked one mile
every day. God decreed that the Israelites would wander in
the wilderness for 40 years for their stubbornness.
- Jesus
fasted for 40 days and nights to prepare for His public
ministry. Jesus was tempted by the devil. Jesus defended
each temptation and then Satan departed.
The ash
symbolizes repentance. Prophet Jonah proclaimed the repentance to Nineveh
“The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed
his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes” (Jonah
3:6). The Ninevites gave up their evil ways, violence
and believed in God.
§ As we apply ash on our forehead, let us leave our evil ways
§ As we fast, let us share food with the people who go hungry
§ As we pray, let us renew our relationship with our neighbor
& God
§ As we give alms, let us exchange the peace of the Lord with
all
Do remember the words of St. Paul "Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)." Prophet Joel’s invitation ‘even now’ tells us that it is not too late to come back to the Lord with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning; (Joel 2:12). Let us bloom in faith like the flowers and trees in the season of Lent.
SIXTH SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME – 14
FEBRUARY 2021
“If you
wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand,
touched him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Leprosy is
an infectious disease that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve
damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas around your
body. Leprosy has been existing since ancient times. What does Scripture say about leprosy? In the
Scripture, leprosy was viewed as a curse from God, often connected with sin.
- Numbers
12:10: Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses. “Now the cloud withdrew from
the tent, and there was Miriam, stricken with a scaly infection, white as
snow”.
- 2
Kings 5:20: Elisha cursed his servant Gehazi for her greedy: “The leprosy
of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.”
- 2
Samuel 3:29: David cursed Joab: “May Joab’s family never be without one
suffering from a discharge, or one with a skin disease.”
- 2
Chronicles 26:19-21: King Uzziah had leprosy . . . for
the Lord had afflicted him.
Book of Leviticus explains
how horrible the condition of a leper was; the person who has the leprous
disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head be disheveled; and
he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, “Unclean, unclean.” He
shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease; he is unclean. He shall
live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp (Leviticus 13:45-46). A leper goes through
a lot of pain. This pain is not more of physical but mental for not accepting
him/her in the society till death. Above all, the worst thing that occurs is
that He misses his family the most. Jesus liberated the agony of leper by
touching. Now, leper He can enter into his village, meet his family and join
all celebrations. Here, leper begins a new life. Jesus’ touch brought him a new
life.
Leprosy is still relevant today in the form of Untouchability in our society. Untouchability ruined the life of humanity. Still, it is ruining in the name of the caste, class, colour and race. Still, people are kept outskirts of villages, still, people are denied for water, still, people are denied for food, still, people are denied for education, still, people are denied in the temples and still, people are denied treatment in the hospitals in the name of the caste, class, colour and race. It separated and damaged the human family. Let us allow Jesus to touch the hidden areas, darkened minds and hearts of our life.
FIFTH SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME – 07/FEBRUARY/
2021
Simon and those who were with Him pursued Him and . . .
“Everyone is looking for you.” . . . For this purpose have I came.”
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Today, Scripture invites us to reflect the human suffering and
the aid of God. The words of Job “Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Are
not his days those of hirelings? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a
hireling who waits for his wages” give a picture of human suffering and
its restlessness. Perhaps, it is the feeling of many when faced with suffering.
Jesus addresses the human suffering and its restlessness by the ministry of
healing.
Everyone is looking for
Jesus…why? What is special in Jesus? What is the extraordinary personality in
Jesus? The Gospel presents that Jesus fully involved in communion with the
Father and communion with His fellow brothers and sisters. Jesus exercised
the ministry of healing so powerfully that He gave life for His ministry. His
ministry of healing drew the simple people towards Him. Many flocked to Jesus
for His healing touch. His time is scheduled perfectly unlike today’s
world where social media is given the most of time. He spent His time for the
Father who sent Him and for the faithful whom He is ministering.
What are the reasons that a patient gets well very soon than the
expected time? Is it medicine? Is it hospital? Is it treatment? Is it
doctor? Mostly, it is attitude of the doctor which heals a patient very soon
than the expected time. Yes, it is true that well-being of a patient
depends on the behavior or attitude pattern of the doctor. Jesus is the perfect
doctor beyond all degrees. His attitude towards the sick is compassionate. He
looked at mother in law of Simon Peter with loving affection. It is Jesus’
gentle touch and His loving look that healed mother in law of Simon Peter.
Jesus filled the hearts of all the sick with His love who were brought to Him.
The psalmist affirms his belief in God; He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalms 147: 3-4). Jesus comes to aid in our suffering and says for this purpose, I came to this world. Jesus shares His ministry of healing with his disciples who sincerely seek Him. Let our faith not be like a philosophy which states “on arrival we have not arrived and on finding we have not found”. Let us find Jesus in our suffering and restlessness.
FOURTH SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME - 31 JANUARY 2021
“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to
destroy us? I know who you are the Holy One of God!”
Dear Faithful in Christ !
Today, Scripture invites us to discover why Jesus came to this world. Jesus was
seen as an ordinary person before His public ministry. The Jewish community
considered Jesus as one of the members. Here, for the first time, in the public
forum, devil recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God. Perhaps, it was a shock
for the entire community present in the synagogue. Devil is at fear when Jesus is near. Indeed, it was the end for the devil that
ruined the life of many.
Devil asked Jesus this question; what have you
to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Jesus has, absolutely, an answer to this
question. Yet, Jesus did not reply but rebuked. Why Jesus really came to this
world? It is our time to discover who Jesus really is from our experience and
tell the whole world.
§ Gospel according to John 10:10 tell; I have
come in order that you might have life and life in all its fullness.
§ Gospel according to Luke 4:18-19; “The Spirit
of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good
tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
§ Gospel according to Luke 5:32; I came not
to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
§ Gospel according to Luke 19:10; "For the Son of Man came to
seek and to save the lost."
We can discover Jesus much more in the scripture and discover
Him in small and simple ways in our daily dealings. Do experience Jesus and
tell the whole world that Jesus is the Messiah and He came to redeem the
humanity from the clutches of sin and suffering.
Jesus is the Holy One of the Lord. Jesus’ teaching is of with authority. Authority comes from the Author of creation. This reminds of the creation where Jesus was part of the Trinity. Thus, He has authority over all His creatures. His authority is of destroying the evil and establishing the good. What else he rebukes? He rebukes every thought and action that destroys the human family. Let us ask Jesus to rebuke our anger, our greedy, our envy, our iniquities, our chaos and our confusion. Let us ask Jesus to rebuke everything that separates us from Jesus.
THIRD SUNDAY / ORDINARY TIME - 24 JANUARY 2021
The Kingdom
of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Good News . . . Jesus said to
them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
Dear Faithful in Christ !
How does a person choose his or her profession? Is it according
to convenience or conviction? Mostly, it is by convenience than conviction that
a person chooses his or her profession. If my profession is convenient, then I
don’t bother about conviction. If I get a job greater than what I expected,
then I don’t worry about my conviction.
Following Jesus involves a series of sacrifices; leaving home,
leaving family, leaving friends, leaving comforts and moreover committing your
life till the end. What makes ordinary fishermen to follow Jesus leaving
everything? Is it convenience or conviction? Do they really understand what
does it mean to follow Jesus? Indeed, the ordinary fishermen don’t know what it
means exactly to follow Jesus. Then, why they left everything and followed
Jesus? The ordinary fishermen conveniently chose to follow Jesus because the
understanding of the kingdom of God is not clear in their minds.
According to the fishermen, kingdom is a piece of land that is ruled by king along with his
ministers, army, servants and slaves. Thus, the fishermen desired to become
ministers in the kingdom of Jesus at his right hand and left hand. According to
Jesus, Kingdom of God is a spiritual realm where God reigns as king. When God
reigns as king, then the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are
cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is
proclaimed to the poor (Luke 7:22). Why do fishermen have to repent
before believing in the Gospel? ‘Metanoia’ was the root word for repentance
which was taken from Greek language. Metanoia literally means change of mind,
change of heart, change of conduct, consciousness and change of thinking
pattern. By changing mind, heart, conduct, consciousness and thinking pattern,
they enter into new way of life with Jesus. So far they were fishermen catching
fish, but now Jesus made them disciples fishing people.
Today, words of Jesus, follow me, must resound more powerfully in the hearts of the young people to respond to the call and to continue the work of the Kingdom of God.
SECOND SUNDAY/ ORDINARY TIME - 17
JANUARY 2021
Jesus
turned and said to them, “What are you looking for?” . . . He said to them,
“Come, and see.” (John 1: 38-39)
Dear Friends in Christ !
Nobody knows how God calls? When he calls? Whom
he calls? Where he calls? Indeed, it has been God’s way in Sacred Scripture
that He calls the ordinary people for an ex-ordinary mission. God called many ordinary people, judges, priests, prophets
and kings according to the time and according to the need to serve his people
Israel.
Samuel was an ordinary boy. God called him very
young age to serve his people Israel. Andrew and Simon were ordinary fishermen.
Jesus called Andrew and Simon to build the kingdom of God. Eli and john the Baptist has a similar character of guiding the
people to discover their call. Eli guided Samuel to discover the will of God in
his life. John the Baptist guided the people to discover Jesus acclaiming that
Jesus is the Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world. The lamb symbolizes gentleness,
innocence and purity. In the Old Testament, ‘lamb’ refers to sacrifice. On
the night of the Passover, the firstborn of the Israelites were saved because
God had instructed them to kill a lamb or goat and mark their doorposts with
its blood. The lamb was to have no blemish, and none of its bones were to be
broken. John the Baptist calls Jesus as the Lamb of God because he is the
perfect sacrifice offered to God.
Jesus asks Andrew and Simon; what are you looking for? It is worth reflecting while humanity grows greedy and selfish. Some look for money, some look for job, some look for recognition and some look for status. Today, Jesus asks you and me the same question; what are you looking for? Are you looking for love? Are you looking for peace? Are you looking for healing? Are you looking for consolation? Are you looking for salvation? Come to Jesus and see. Jesus is full of love, full of compassion, full of mercy, full of peace and full of life. You will surely experience love, peace, healing, consolation and salvation in Jesus in the Eucharist. ‘Come and see’ is an open invitation of Jesus to all to experience His love to the full.
FOURTH
WEEK OF THE ADVENT - 20 DECEMBER, 2020
“Here am I, the servant of
the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”
Dear Friends in Christ !
Today scripture invites to reflect on the theme Peace.
Everything flows from the Creator . . . so also the Peace. There exists
Peace everywhere in the universe; Sun and
moon, Stars of heaven, shower and dew, mountains and hills, rivers and seas,
birds of the air and plants of the earth and so on. Creator gifted peace to all his creation.
Words of Yahweh disturbed King David. After well establishment
of the Kingdom, King David desired to build a house for the Lord. He consulted
with prophet Nathan. Nathan answered “Go,
do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.” But the Lord said
no. Words of angel Gabriel disturbed Peace of Mary. Mary dreamt
about her future married life. But the Lord wants her to conceive as virgin. It
is a real challenge in the Jewish society. A virgin conceiving is not
acceptable in the society even in the twenty-first century where science is
available to its best.
With much disturbance in her heart, Mary asked; “How can this be, since I am a virgin? She
began to reflect that Our God is God who turns the impossible into the
possible. Manna in the desert, Water from the rock, Pillar of cloud in the
day and Pillar of fire in the night to lead the Israelites: Impossible for
human and possible for God …Impossible human and possible God. Understanding
the ways of the Lord and knowing the consequences, Mary peacefully said; Here I
am. ‘Here I am’ is not about my presence in the world. Here I am is about my
availability. I am present in the world, but still, I can make a choice not to
be available. Mary made a choice with all her heart to be available for the
salvation of the humanity.
Today, Peace is broken into pieces and roars like a lion in
world: Cry of hunger, walk of migrants, roar of unemployment and shouts of
death. Every person seeks peace; I need peace, my family, my country and the
whole world needs peace. Peace flows from reconciliation. It is the need of the
hour to reconcile with fellow beings and with the nature.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
THIRD WEEK OF THE ADVENT - 13 DECEMBER, 2020.
BUT HE CAME TO TESTIFY TO THE LIGHT
Dear Friends in Christ !
The Priests and the Levites asked John the Baptist: Who are you
? It is a question not about his name or surname or name of the profession. It
is a question about what his mission is. John the Baptist acknowledged: He
himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
How prophet Isaiah testified to the Light ?
Prophet Isaiah testifies to the Messiah: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because
the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted;
to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to comfort
all who mourn and proclaim the Year of the Lord's favour. The Messiah heals the damage that sin brings. Sin has
done great damage. Thus, it needs to be healed.
How John the Baptist testified to the Light ?
John the Baptist came to testify to the light. In the
Scripture, light has always been a symbol of holiness, goodness,
knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, and God's revelation. Who is this Light?
Jesus …the Light of the world. Jesus the Light of lights. John 8:12 - “I am the
light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will
have the light of life.” To testify to the light is to testify to Jesus.
How you and me testify to
the Light ?
Show your goodness, share your knowledge and give hope to all who live around you … it is testifying to the Light.
SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT - 6 DECEMBER, 2020
PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD AND MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT
Dear Friends in Christ !
Way is that which portrays lifestyle or in other words it is
simply being. John the Baptist is not the way, but an instrument to prepare the
people for the arrival of the Messiah.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and
hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a
plain. The portrayal of Isaiah is simply: rich and the poor dine together, wise
and the simple listen to one another, the old and the young play together, men
and the women walk and talk equally and the sinners and the saints pray
together.
Love between Creator and
creation or God and His people is the most perfect image of love. In love, he
creates us, in justice he condemns us and in mercy he redeems us.
“Can a mother forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! Behold, I have inscribed you on the palm of My hands.
The way of Jesus is love. He expressed His love symbolically in the Eucharist before offering on Calvary. As we eat His body and drink His blood, we proclaim His love.
FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT – 29, NOVEMBER 2020
BE AWAKE, ALERT AND HOPE IN THE LORD
Dear friends in Christ!
Yahweh instructed the
people of Israel to be awake and alert to move from the land of Egypt. They did
so in order to move from the land of Egypt. Indeed, they were awake and alert
for forty years throughout their journey to the promised land.
Today, Jesus instructs
his disciples in the Gospel and each one of us here to be awake and alert. What
happened to the disciples? Are they not awake and alert? What happened to us?
Are we not awake and alert? Yes, we are awake for sometimes. No, we are not
awake most of the times
Is God awake and alert?
In other words: is God present in our midst as we face the global pandemic? And
how God is present in our midst?
God is present as
scientists discovering vaccine all possible ways
God is present as doctors
treating the patients and saving their lives
God is
present as nurses and volunteers who serve the humanity restlessly
Jesus came to this world
when the world was asleep. Indeed, he came to this world to waken the world
from sin and suffering and rise this world to hope. The Eucharist, where we
share the body and blood of Christ, must waken to live our lives in hope.
Come, my brothers and
sisters… let us hope in our master Jesus and live our lives better. As we
prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us read the word of God,
let us reflect the word of God and rebuild our relationship with God.
2 comments:
Dear Fr. Vinay SSS,
It was nice to read your homilies. Well reflected and scriptural based. Keep writing.
All the best.
Fr. Dhanam SSS
Keep it up For your good work
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