Fourth Sunday of Lent: C: March 30, 2025

 THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON

First Reading: Joshua 5: 9 to 12

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 17 to 21

Gospel Reading: Luke 15: 1 to 3 and 11 to 32

   *First reading is from the book of  Prophet Joshua. The liberation of Israelites from the slavery of Egypt by the mighty power of the Lord God and their journey to the promised land is narrated in detail. On entering the promised land, their first act of public worship, giving thanks to the Lord God is the celebration of the Passover Feast lasting seven days. Their possession of the land becomes a reality when they eat the produce of the land of Canaan. 

   *Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Corinth that the whole aim of Christ's mission is to bring about reconciliation between God and humankind. The Apostle reminds us that we are ambassadors for Christ and for God. 

'I will arise and go to my father.'                                                                                Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The parable of the prodigal son - one of the immortal parables of Jesus - is narrated. It has been rightly called the greatest short story ever told. Prodigal means wasteful. We are all wasteful where God's grace is concerned. We misuse His gifts to us. We squander life's opportunities. It is a story about a father and his two sons. The father loves both his sons very much. Yet, the younger son asks for his share of the property and he sells it and goes to a distant country. He lavishly spends his share of the property in loose living. When he has exhausted all that he possessed, he finds himself in a very miserable situation: Feeding the pigs for a living. Desperate as he is, he comes to his senses and realizes the great love of his father. Finally he returns to his father's house with a heavy heart. As he approaches the house, he sees his father coming towards him and from the expression on his face, he knew he was right to have come back. As far as the father is concerned, there was no need of recriminations. The only thing that matters to him is that his son has come back alive. The loving father forgives him and accepts him back unconditionally. He showers love and affection on his prodigal son. The father's love for his lost son vividly portrays the unconditional love and forgiveness of God for the lost and prodigal sons and daughters. In the later part of the parable, we meet the elder son who served the father faithfully. The elder son is not amused by the turn of events. He in fact revolts against his father for his forgiving love for the lost son. His attitude is harsh and judgmental. This parable vividly tells us about the story of our own lives. The parts played by the prodigal son and the elder son are two sides of the same coin: Our own selves. Let us remind ourselves during this season of Lent that the merciful Father is always waiting for us to return to Him no matter how often we have rejected His love  and gone away to some distant country. Our loving God is prodigal with His forgiveness, mercy and love. The prodigal son shows us the way to the Father's house. He tells us what to do: 'I will arise and go to my Father's house and I will say to him..' Millions of people have heard those words and are inspired by them. In this context H. More says: "Love never reasons, but profusely gives: it gives like a thoughtless prodigal its all, and then trembles lest it has done too little." John Ciardi says: "Every parent is at some time the father of the un-returned prodigal with nothing to do but his house open to hope." Helder Camara a theologian says: "I pray incessantly for the conversion of the prodigal son's brother." May the Lord Jesus, who teaches us about the immense love and forgiveness of the Heavenly Father through the parable of the prodigal son, bless you and help you to leave all prodigal ways and return to the love of the Father. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, March 30, 2025." Thanks.) 

Third Sunday of Lent: C: March 23, 2025

 THE CALL TO REPENTANCE: ONE MORE CHANCE

First Reading: Exodus 3: 1 to 8 and 13 to 15

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10: 1 to 6 and 10 to 12

Gospel Reading: Luke 13: 1-9

   *First Reading is from the book of Exodus. The call of Moses is described in detail. The Lord God calls Moses when he was taking care of sheep on Mount Horeb. The Lord God tells Moses that the cry of His chosen people who are suffering under the task masters of Egypt has reached Him. He instructs Moses to bring them out of their misery to a land flowing with milk and honey. In response, Moses tells the people of Israel that the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob has sent him to liberate them from the slavery of Egypt. Thus the Lord God sees the miserable state of His people in Egypt. He takes pity on them and decides to liberate them. It shows the Lord God's concern and care for those oppressed and persecuted. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul warns the Christian community at Corinth that those who are unfaithful to God and grumble against Him will perish: Like those Israelites who grumbled against God in the wilderness. He further says that all that happened in the past is written down so that we may take heed of God's message. Though all the people of Israel were led out of Egypt, yet because some of them revolted against God, most of them perished on their journey to the promised land. It is a lesson and a warning for all of us.

"Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."                                              Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In the Gospel we hear the warning of Jesus: 'Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish'. To repent means to be converted and conversion is the starting point of every spiritual journey and is a pre-requisite for being part of the kingdom of God. It implies that we recognize the presence of sin in our lives and in the world we live. Jesus emphasizes the need for repentance in the life of everyone of His followers. In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus recalls to mind two recent incidents of that time: 1. Pilate killing the Galileans. 2. Eighteen people who got killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them. Jesus warns His disciples and us that those people were killed not because they were worse sinners than others but that these are specific warnings for us to take heed of so that we may not face such disasters and calamities in our lives. In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus explains this warning through the parable of the unproductive  fig tree. This fig tree does not produce any fruits for a long period of time. The master decides to cut it down. But the gardener pleads with the master to allow him to water and manure it for another year. The master agrees to this request. The tree is given a final chance to produce or to perish. The message of the parable is very explicit. Unless we take heed of God's warnings and make use of our God-given opportunities to turn away from our sinful and unproductive life, we too may face unpleasant and irrevocable consequences. Lent is the appropriate and opportune time to take heed of God's warnings and to repent and to turn away from our evil ways and sinful life. In this context Martin Luther King Jr. says: "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people." A.P. Esquivel, a Nobel Peace Prize winner says: "The sin of omission is one of the worst things in the world." May the Lord Jesus, who warns us to repent and produce fruits of true repentance and turn to the ways of God, bless you and lead you in the path of life eternal. Amen.

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, March 23, 2025". Thanks.)

Second Sunday of Lent: C: March 16, 2025

 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF LORD JESUS

First Reading: Genesis 15: 5 to 12 and 17 to 18

Second Reading: Philippians 3: 17 to 4: 1

Gospel Reading: Luke 9: 28 to 36

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. The Solemn Covenant made between the Lord God and Abraham is narrated in detail. Abraham expresses his deep faith in the Lord God. The Lord God in return promises him descendants as many as the stars in heaven and promises that his progeny would have the land to live in. The Lord God in His Covenant with Abraham takes greater obligations and responsibilities. He assures Abraham that He would be always faithful to the promises that He made. With the Covenant, not only is Abram's name changed by the Lord God to Abraham, but his whole destiny is transformed as he now becomes the father of many nations. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul makes an earnest appeal to Christians in Philippi to hold fast to the faith they have received. He assures them that the Lord Jesus will transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body but they need to stand firm in the Lord. Paul clarifies and assures us that our homeland is in heaven. It is from there our Saviour will come "to transfigure those wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body." (Philippians 3: 21)

This is my Son, my chosen, listen to Him.                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The transfiguration of  Lord Jesus on Mount Tabor is described in great detail. Jesus takes Peter, James and John to Mount Tabor. On the mountain, He is transfigured in the presence of His beloved disciples. They witness His heavenly glory on the mountain. They see Jesus with Moses and Elijah: Two great prophets of the Old Testament. During the transfiguration experience, they are overshadowed by a cloud and a voice from heaven proclaims: "This is my Son, my chosen, listen to him." It is very significant to note that, at the transfiguration scene, the whole Trinity-The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit-are present: The Father, in the voice from heaven; the Son, in the human Jesus and the Holy Spirit, in the bright cloud. Just as at the time of baptism of Jesus at Jordan. The transfiguration experience greatly strengthens the disciples and opens their eyes to have a glimpse of God's abiding presence in His Son Jesus. The key to the transfiguration experience and to the revelations of God consists in prayer: In union with the heavenly Father. It is in those moments of intense prayer that we are most likely to witness and experience the glory of God as in the transfiguration of Jesus or in any other heavenly experiences. Lent is the chosen time to have a glimpse of the transfigured Jesus. That experience has to begin from within us with the grace of God. On Mount Tabor, Peter, James and John got a glimpse of the heavenly glory that was present in Jesus, and they were delighted by it. Through faith we too can witness the glory of the Risen Lord who lives among us. Transfiguration of Jesus is also a pointer to our own transformation at resurrection when we too will experience the heavenly glory with Him. In this context the great theologian St. Augustine says: "The clarity which Christ assumed in His transfiguration was the clarity of glory as of its essence, but not as to its mode of being. For the clarity of the glorified body is derived from that of the soul." May Lord Jesus who transfigured on Mount Tabor bless you abundantly and lead you to the heavenly experience that His beloved disciples Peter, James and John had. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, March 16, 2025." Thanks.)

First Sunday of Lent: C: March 9, 2025

 THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS IN THE DESERT

First Reading: Deuteronomy 26: 4 to 10

Second Reading: Romans 10: 8 to 13

Gospel Reading: Luke 4: 1 to 13

We are in the first week of Lent. Lent is a special time of grace for all of us. The Church invites us to practice 3 important aspects of our spiritual life during this time of lent: Prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These are means to help us to purify our lives and to help us to be in communion with God, with our fellow humans and with Nature. 

   *First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses instructs the people of Israel how the priest should offer to the Lord God the first produce of the land as a thanksgiving. These instructions are to be observed meticulously. They are given in the context that the Lord God had liberated them from the slavery of Egypt and led them to the promised land: A land flowing with milk and honey. The chosen people  are to be always thankful and grateful for the many marvelous and mighty deeds the Lord God had done in their lives.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. Paul instructs the Christian community at Rome that salvation is for all humankind. Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ and calls upon His name will be saved. Further, he affirms that in the sight of God, there is no distinction between Jews and Greeks: People from different races and nationalities. God's blessings are open to everyone, provided they call upon the name of Jesus the Lord. 

Jesus is tempted in the desert                                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. A detailed account of the temptations of Jesus at the beginning of His public ministry is narrated in detail. Jesus spends forty days in fasting and praying in the wilderness. After that, the devil appears and tempts Him. The temptations are of three kinds. The first one is to change stones into bread. A temptation that He could satisfy His hunger and the hunger of the people around Him without apparently doing any work. The devil tempts Jesus in a very subtle way and asks Jesus to be a mere miracle worker or a magician who removes the hunger of the masses. But Jesus firmly rejects this temptation. He sternly tells the devil: "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." The second temptation takes place on a high mountain. The devil shows the glory and power of the kingdoms of the whole world and promises that he would give Jesus all these worldly glory just by worshipping the devil. Jesus firmly rejects this temptation too by telling the devil: "You shall worship the Lord your God." Thus Jesus firmly affirms that worship is only for God. Worldly possessions, power, positions and all that belongs to the devil are not to be worshipped. In the third and final temptation, the devil asks Jesus to jump down from the pinnacle of the Jerusalem temple. Jesus is assured that the angels of God would protect Him from any bodily harm. This is a temptation to test the power of God's protection. Jesus makes it very clear to the devil that we have no reason to put God to the test in any matter whatsoever. God is not the cause of man-made disasters, calamities and wars. Lent is a time of grace and a God-given time to overcome the many temptations we face through fasting and prayer as Jesus did in the desert and became victorious over devil. In this context D.B. Allender says: "Fasting from nourishment, activity, involvement or pursuit - for any reason- sets the stage for God to appear." Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "When the flesh is satisfied, it is hard to pray with cheerfulness or to devote oneself to a life of service which calls for much self-renunciation." A Chinese proverb says: "You cannot stop birds flying over your head but you can prevent them from nesting in your hair." (so also with the temptations we face). May the Lord Jesus, who overcame all temptations by the devil, bless you and protect you from worldly temptations and sins of every kind and lead you in the path eternal. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, March 9, 2025."  Thanks.)

Eighth Sunday of the Year: C: March 2, 2025

 GOODNESS OF A PERSON IS SEEN IN HIS ACTIONS

First Reading: Ecclesisticus  27: 4 to 7

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 54 to 58

Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 39 to 45

   *First reading is from the book of Ecclesisticus. Three picturesque comparisons are given. 1. A person's faults appear when he/she speaks. 2. A person's quality is seen in his/her conversation. 3. A person's speech discloses the cultivation of his/her mind. These comparisons graphically explain to us that a person's speech reveals what kind of person he/she is. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul elaborates to the Christian community at Corinth and to us that the power of death is once and for all destroyed by Christ: By His victory over sin and death. If we persevere in doing the Lord's work, we need not fear death. When we die, we leave the body (the perishable body), and then we will share in the immortality ( the imperishable body) of Christ the Lord. 

A tree is known by its fruit                                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus instructs His disciples and us through a series of short parables/sayings. Jesus reminds us how often we look at the mistakes and wrongs of others often ignoring our own mistakes. Many people want to reform the world. Many of them try to reform others instead of reforming themselves. It is a known fact that nothing so blinds us to our own faults as a preoccupation with the faults of others. It has been said that the faults and mistakes which we find most repugnant in the other are precisely the ones that plague our own lives. Today Jesus invites us to have a thorough introspection of ourselves in this regard. 1. A blind man cannot lead a blind man. If such a thing happens, that is, a blind man leads another blind man, the consequences can be disastrous and tragic. So we must be able to see clearly before correcting others or leading others. 2. A disciple is not above his/her teacher. So also, a disciple should not think or act in a way that goes against the one who teaches. 3. Do not look for the speck in your brother's eye when you have a log in your eye. Hence, finding fault with another person when we are also at fault is hypocrisy. 4. No good tree produces bad fruit. And no bad tree produces good fruit. A tree is known by the fruit it produces. So is also the case with a person. 5. Finally Jesus says that a good man produces good out of his good heart. Similarly, an evil man produces evil out of his heart. Thus Jesus instructs us that any goodness has to come from a person's heart. These sayings of Jesus explain to us the reality that good and evil are the product of a person's heart. There is no point in blaming others for it. Thus today Jesus invites us to strive to become good persons with a goodness that is real and authentic. It means that we have to put on the mind of Christ: denouncing hypocrisy in the name of truth; crying out for justice in the face of oppression; challenging indifference in the midst of complacency. It means that we have to feel with the Lord's heart: reaching out to the downtrodden, forgiving the wayward; sharing with the poor. It means that we have to pray the way Jesus did: praising the Heavenly Father for His goodness and love; thanking Him for His numerous gifts; trusting in Him for His constant help and protection. As we become good people in the image of Christ, we become more transparent, genuine and joyful in our lives. In this context, an ancient proverb says: "Never criticize your neighbour until you have walked for a mile with him." Thoreau says: "The fault-finders will find faults even in paradise." May the Lord Jesus who sees the hearts of everyone bless you that you may be like a good tree producing good fruits and be a blessing for everyone. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, March 2, 2025." Thanks.)

Seventh Sunday of the Year: C: February 23, 2025

 LOVE YOUR ENEMIES                               Jesus' call to a radical discipleship

First Reading: 1 Samuel 26: 2 and 7 to 9 and 12 to 13 and 22 to 23

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 45 to 49

Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 27 to 38

   *First reading is from the first book of Prophet Samuel. King Saul becomes jealous and angry with David. He seeks to kill David but does not succeed. One night David sneaks into Saul's camp while everyone is asleep. David has a golden opportunity to kill Saul and take revenge. But he does not do it because he does not want to kill a person anointed by the Lord God. We see the forgiving attitude of David in spite of the fact that king Saul is seeking to kill him.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul compares Adam and Christ. To Adam we owe the life of earth. He was a man of dust. To Christ we owe the life of heaven. He is a man from heaven. 

Jesus' invitation to a radical discipleship                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. 'Treat others as you would like them to treat you.' These are the words of Jesus in the Gospel today. We know exactly how we like others to treat us. We like them to be forgiving, merciful, generous and loving towards us. Jesus throws some radical challenges to His disciples and all of us. He makes it absolutely clear that revenge and retaliation have no place in His kingdom. Jesus gives the following action plan for His disciples and followers: 1. Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. 2. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you. 3. Give to everyone who asks from you. 4. Do to others as you would wish them to do to you. 5. Do not judge and you will not be judged. 6. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 7. The measure you give will be the measure you get back. What a lot of sense the teaching of Christ makes, even on a purely human level! Revenge and retaliation only add darkness to darkness. Besides, when we hate our enemy we give him/her tremendous power over us. Further more, we use up an awful lot of energy in hating, energy that we should put into loving and caring. Hence every disciple of Jesus should have this attitude in all circumstances of life. If we follow these precepts of Jesus in our daily lives, the world would be a far better place to live in. By following these teachings of Jesus, we would become true sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father. Hence we see a reversal of values in the kingdom of God. Instead of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth as told in the Old Testament, Jesus tells us that when someone strikes you on the right cheek you should offer the other too. Jesus tells us, 'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.' In the case of Jesus, this is not only a question of words. He prayed for His executioners while dying. He healed the ear of the one who came to arrest Him, when Peter in a rage chopped the ear of that person. In this context Martin Luther King Jr. says: "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." Helder Camara once said: "To use violence without love is like trying to put out a fire with a blazing torch." May the Lord Jesus who forgives all those who persecute Him, insult Him and spread false narratives about Him, bless you and inspire you to forgive your enemies and do good to those who persecute you. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/ Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, February 23, 2025." Thanks.)                        

Sixth Sunday of the Year: C: February 16, 2025

 THE BLESSED IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

First Reading: Jeremiah 17: 5 to 8

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 12 and 16 to 20

Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 17 and 20 to 26

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah speaks about two types of people: The first type are those who trust in humans. The second type are those who trust in the Lord God. He explains to us that the life of the one who trusts in humans is as precarious and uncertain as that of a shrub growing in the desert. However the life of the one who trusts in the Lord God is sure as that of a tree growing by the waterside. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul emphatically affirms that Christ's resurrection is a symbol and a guarantee that all the faithful who died and who will die will be raised up by God as Jesus was raised from the dead. Hence, the resurrection of Jesus confirms our faith and reinforces our hope of a life after our earthly life. 

Blessings and woes (curses)                                                                                 Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In the Gospel Jesus invites us to understand the meaning and the depth of true happiness in the Kingdom of God. In it we discover the values Christ held up before His disciples. He offers His disciples a whole new set of goals and values. These are the exact opposite of those coveted by the world. In the first part of today's Gospel Jesus enumerates various blessings for those who trust in the Lord. Fourfold blessings are mentioned: 1. Blessings for those who are poor. 2. Blessings for those who are hungry. 3. Blessings for those who weep. 4. Blessings for those who are hated and despised because they are followers of the Lord. In the second part of the Gospel, we have fourfold woes (curses): 1. Woe to those who are rich. 2. Woe to those who are full. 3. Woe to those who laugh. 4. Woe to those who are well spoken of by others. In these words Jesus expresses a revolutionary agenda for finding happiness and blessings and vice versa . They represent a complete and total reversal of worldly values and ideas. People in the world look for prosperity, comfort, fun and popularity. Jesus totally rejects all such ideas of happiness but He also attaches woes to them. The beatitudes in other words declare that happiness and blessings do not come from what we have but from what we are - God's chosen people who are precious in His sight. Happiness and blessings do not derive from what we achieve but from what we receive- God's gift of Himself. Through the beatitudes, Jesus gives us the secret  of finding happiness regardless of our state of life. Hence, through these blessings and woes Jesus is amply making clear the reversal of values in the Kingdom of God as opposed to those who follow the values of the world. The beatitudes graphically explain to us that a follower of Christ has to trust in God in all situations of life rather than trusting in worldly riches and possessions and power. In this context Catherine Doherty says: "The Beatitudes are terrifying when you try to live them." Blessed Marija Petkovic says: "If I had money I would trust in money, but without it I trust only in God." May the Lord Jesus bless you with the blessings He has promised to those who follow His teachings and live accordingly. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, February 16, 2025." Thanks.)