Eleventh Sunday of the Year : B

"PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM"

First Reading: Eze. 17: 22-34
Second Reading: 2 Cor. 5:6-10
Gospel Reading: Mk. 4:26-34

   * First Reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. The prophet predicts the downfall of Jerusalem. He compares the King and the people of Judah to a small cutting of a tall tree which God will take and plant on Mount Zion. Thus the prophet gives hope of restoration that will be brought about by a member of the chosen race : that is the Messiah, who will set up a universal Kingdom.

   * Second Reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Corinthians . Paul asks the Corinthians to be courageous in the face of death. He says that his priority at all times is to please the Lord. Hence he has no fears of appearing before the Lord. They too by pleasing the Lord can expect the reward at the end of their lives.

"The Kingdom of God... is like a Grain of Mustard Seed"

Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God through two parables. In the first parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to what happens when seed is sown by a farmer . Once the seed is sown, he waits for harvest time. The cycle of growth follows but the farmer does not know how it happens. Apparently nothing seems to be happening yet the miracle of growth is taking place. Just as the harvest comes its own time, so the Kingdom will reach its completion in God's appointed time. It is God's Kingdom not of our own making.
In the second parable , Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is very small in size but grows into a large shrub which gives shelter to birds of the air. In this parable Jesus makes a contrast between the smallness of the seed and the luxurious growth of the plant. Small beginnings can make for mighty achievements. Littleness is no index of importance in God's Kingdom. The small mustard seed grows to become a shelter of the birds of the air.
So also the Kingdom of  God grows slowly to envelop the whole world. In the same way, no matter how small our efforts may be , as small as a mustard seed, to promote christian values, God will multiply them with his hidden power to bring about wonderful  results.
We may not necessarily see those results immediately, but Jesus' parables are a promise that they will happen in our own times.
As the saying goes:
            "Where will tomorrow's trees come from?

             From the shoots we plant today

             Where will tomorrows justice and peace get their start?

             From the seeds we sow with our hearts today."

Feast of Body and Blood of Christ:B

                                               "CORPUS CHRISTI"

First Reading : Ex.24:3-8
Second Reading: Heb. 9:11-15
Gospel Reading: Mk. 14:12-16, 22-26

   * First Reading is from the Book of Exodus. This is a narration of the solemn sealing of Covenant between God and the people of Israel made on the mount Sinai. Moses sealed the covenant with the blood of the animals. But people failed to observe this covenant and they went after other gods. This covenant on mount Sinai prefigured the new covenant which would be ratified by Jesus by his own blood on Mount Calvary.

   * Second reading is from the letter to the Hebrews. The author explains that through the redeeming work of Christ , God has entered into a new and eternal covenant with his people. Unlike the priests of the old covenant , Jesus the priest of the new and eternal covenant entered the sanctuary with his own blood for our redemption. Thus he is the mediator of the new covenant.

"This is my Blood of the Covenant which is poured out for many"

Today's Gospel passage is from St. Mark , which describes the preparation and the celebration of the Last Supper which Jesus ate with his disciples before his death. During the last supper , Jesus gave his body and blood as food for his disciples. This Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) reminds us of the celebration and the institution of the Eucharist at the last supper.
There are four important reasons for celebration this Feast on this Sunday.
1. Through this celebration we are reaffirming our faith in the Eucharistic Lord; that Jesus is truly and really present in the Eucharist in the form of bread and wine. Jesus said "He who eats my body and drinks my blood will have eternal life."
2. This feast is to make reparation for all the lack of reverence , blasphemy and unworthy participation of the Eucharist. St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians  severely condemned unworthy participation at the Eucharistic table.
3. This feast is to give thanks for all the graces we have received through the participation in Eucharist . By receiving this heavenly food , God has given us immense blessings.
4. This feast makes us conscious that we need to receive the body and blood of the Lord often to grow in Christ.
Jesus gave himself to us in the Eucharist . We in our turn have to gives ourselves to others.

Feast of Most Blessed Trinity :B

"MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS BAPTISING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

First Reading: Deu. 14:32-34,39-40
Second Reading: Rom. 8:14-37
Gospel Reading: Mt. 28:16-20

   * First Reading is from the Book of Deutronomy. In this reading Moses reminds the Israelites the magnanimous nature of God. He is Creator, Liberator and Wonder worker. Moses exhorts them to follow God's commandments in order to enjoy the fullness of life that God wants to give them.

   * Second Reading is from St. Paul's letter to Romans. Paul reminds the people of Rome of the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to call God "Abba Father" and testifies to the fact that we are children of God. And by baptism we have become children of God. By the  fact that the Holy Spirit dwells within us , we become children of the Father and co-heirs with Christ His Son.

   In today's Gospel reading from St. Mathew, Jesus speaks to his disciples that he is given all authority in heaven and earth and asked them to make disciples from all nations. He did not ask them to make disciples in his name alone but in the name of Father - Son - and Holy Spirit- the Trinity.
This mystery of Holy Trinity is not easily understood. In Trinity we have three different faces of God.
 First there is the face of God as Father - the beginning and the end of all; the creator , the ruler. He is not only the God we obey through commandments, but also the God we address as Our Father. Jesus would say "The Father and I are one".
Secondly , there is the face of God as Son, the Divine Word of God who took on our human nature. On the one hand, he shows us the God who heals us, cares for us and forgives us. On the other hand, he shows us the god who challenges us to higher things and sends us out to proclaim this word.
Thirdly, there is the face of God as Spirit. He is the comforter, who is always with us, the paraclate who teaches us and guides us. The Spirit is the very breath of God giving us new life, the love of God poured out into our hearts and the power of God enabling us to become his witnesses.
May the Holy Trinity, help us to become the kind of persons we are meant to be - true children of God our Father, the living image of Jesus his Son and a consecrated temple of the Holy Spirit.