Thirty Second Sunday : A: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

"YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD"

First Reading: Ezekiel : 47:1-9,12
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3: 9-13,15-17
Gospel Reading: John 2: 13-22

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. The Prophet gives a very elaborate vision of the heavenly Jerusalem temple. The heavenly temple is a symbol of God's presence among His people. Today being the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, we are reminded through this reading of the importance of giving respect and reverence to God and holy places.

   * Second reading is from the first letter of St.Paul to the Corinthians. Paul reminds the Christians in Corinth that they are God's temple and the Spirit of God dwell in each of them. Hence they have be pure and holy. This is also a  reminder to each of us that being  the temple of God, we have to lead a life that is holy and blameless before God.

"Jesus Cleansing the Temple"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The context of this passage is that, Jesus driving out traders from Jerusalem temple . He is deeply pained by the desecration of the temple and it being used for business. He is challenged by his detractors and enemies. He insists that 1. His Father's house cannot be made into a place of trade. 2. He challenges them to destroy the Temple and it will be raised up in three days.
Significance of Jesus' action:
1. Jesus proclaimed that the place of God's presence was not a building but the temple of His body, and hence it is sacred.
2. The full meaning of Jesus's words became clear to disciples only after His resurrection.
3. Places dedicated to God, places of worship and prayer are profaned even today  through different types of trades. As followers of Jesus each one of us are responsible to stand up against all such profaning activities.
4. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are sacred and not to be abused but to be taken care of. 

Thirty first Sunday :A : All Souls' Day

"PRAYING FOR THE DEPARTED SOULS"

First Reading: Isaiah 25: 6-9
Second Reading Revelations 21: 1-7
Gospel Reading : John  6: 37-40

   *First Reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. The Prophet assures the people of Israel of a time when the Lord God will destroy death forever and will wipe away the tears from everyone. There will be gladness and rejoicing when the salvation of the Lord comes.

   * Second reading is from the book of Revelations. St. John in his vision sees the passing away of the first heaven and the first earth and the vision of a new heaven and a new earth. In his vision , he sees the new Jerusalem where there is neither sadness, nor pain nor death. Christ the Alpha and the Omega who has made all things will make everything new.

"Eternal Life Through Faith in Jesus"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. In the Gospel Jesus promises His disciples and us that those who believe in Him will have eternal life. He also promises that those who died in Christ will rise again at the last day.
Today's celebration of All Souls' day is  based on our faith in Jesus and faith in the resurrection of the dead. Today, we pray for all the dead, especially all those who are not in full communion with God, as their sins are here on earth and in need of remission. The physical harm they have done still being present in the world. Today we pray for them and our prayers make sense to the extent , we are able to forgive their failures and shortcomings and we ask God to do the same. All souls day is a day of mercy, of universal mercy, a day of forgiveness. We pray for our departed souls and offer Holy Mass for them. Because we believe that death is not the end, but a way that leads to eternal life promised by Jesus.
This celebration of All Souls day should remind us also of our own death which is inevitable. It must help us to be ever ready to meet the Lord when he calls us out of this world.
"May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace".
"It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins" -2 Mac.12:46

Twenty Nineth Sunday: A: Mission Sunday

     "MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS"

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Second Reading: Romans 10:9-18
Gospel Reading:  Matthew 28:16-20

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. The Prophet speaks in glowing terms of his vision of the restored and glorified city of Jerusalem. He assures the people in exile that all nations will come to Jerusalem and it will be light to all nations. There will be abundance of wealth in the city and the praise of the Lord will be proclaimed.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. Paul explains to the Christians in Rome that every one who believes and confesses that Jesus is the Lord will be saved. There is no distinction between the Jews and Gentiles with regard to salvation. Hence Paul says, justification is through faith/belief and salvation through confession of that faith. He praises preachers of the good news. Through their  preaching of Christ, others come to know Jesus and have faith in Him.

    "Mission Command of Jesus"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mathew. Jesus after His resurrection met His disciples on a mountain and gave the mission command to them.
1. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations
2. I am with you always to the close of age.
Therefore as commanded by Jesus, the Gospel (good news) is to be proclaimed to everyone. The good news is that the love and foregiveness  of the Heavenly Father is available to everyone without exception. Jesus also assures His continued presence in the World till the end of times.
Based on this Mission Command , the Church celebrates the Mission Sunday every year for the following reasons.
1.To proclaim the Good News to areas where it is yet to be proclaimed
2. To support the efforts of the missionaries working in different parts of the world through prayer and financial support
3. Living as true disciples of Christ by standing for values of Christ: Love, truth and justice for everyone. 
"World Mission Day is a privileged moment when the faithful of various continents engage in prayer and concrete gestures of solidarity to support of the young Churches in mission lands" - Pope Francis
"World Mission Day is also an occasion to rekindle the desire and moral obligation to take joyful part in the mission ad gentes"- Pope Francis.

Twenty Fourth Sunday :A: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

"THE CROSS :A SIGN OF SALVATION"

First Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel Reading: John. 3:13-17

   *First reading is from the book of Numbers. This passage gives the story  of the chosen people who rebelled against Moses in the desert. God punished them by sending serpents and many died of snake bites. However, when people repented, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and it was kept on a pole. All those who looked at the bronze serpent were healed. The bronze serpent is a pre-figuration the crucified Lord: when we look at the cross with faith, our redemption is assured.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St.Paul to Philippians. Paul tells the Christian community at Philippi and us  that Jesus the Lord of Heaven and earth emptied Himself of His divinity to become one among us. Not only He became human, but He subjected Himself to be crucified . Heavenly Father honoured Him for His self emptying by making Him the Lord of everything in Heaven and on earth. Thus Jesus is victorious by His death on the Cross.
Eternal Life through Jesus'death on the Cross
Today's Gospel reading is from the gospel of John. Jesus speaks  about His own crucifixion and death on the cross in the background of Moses keeping the bronze serpent as a life giving sign (ref. Num. 21:4-9). He assures us that His own death on the cross and resurrection will bring eternal life to the fallen humankind. In the Old Testament story of bronze serpent, the bite of the serpents came to not, once they were confronted straight in the eye- through the symbol of bronze serpent. Jesus as He faced death on the cross, the power of death is taken away. Jesus being crucified and lifted high on the cross, took away the power of death over humankind. Hence this Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is celebrating a saving event in the Salvation history of humankind.
In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus speaks of God's infinite love that made the Son to become a part of  human history to give eternal life to humankind.
"God proved His love on the cross, when Christ hung and bled and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you '- Billy Graham
"To endure the cross is not tragedy: it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Eighteenth Sunday of the Year:A

"COMPASSIONATE GOD:JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND"

First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-3
Second Reading: Romans 8:35, 37-39
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14: 13-21

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. The Prophet gives an invitation to the people of Israel , who were exiles in Babylon to come to a banquet. The banquet stands for the life of love and friendship extended by God to the people. God wants to share the blessings with the people of Israel.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul encourages the people by telling them that no matter whatever misfortunes happens in their lives, when God, the infinite , the all loving, is on our side, we have absolutely no reason to worry about anything. 

"The Miracle of Loves"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand people with five loaves and two fish is narrated . Jesus was preaching all day in a deserted place . People had come from from nearby towns and villages to to listen to His life giving words. The disciples were anxious to send the crowds away because it was getting too late and not enough food was available.  But Jesus was generous. He told the disciples that the people need not go away. Give them something to eat. The disciples reluctantly brought five loaves and two fish. The crowds were made to sit down. Jesus blessed the loaves and fish and gave them to the disciples to distribute them. Everyone ate: which numbered more than 5000 people and later they collected twelve baskets full of broken pieces.
Like Moses in the Old Testament, Jesus the new Moses is in a deserted  place and fed the people. Through this miracle, first of all, Jesus teaches us to be generous with our talents, our gifts, and our possessions. When we are generous, God blesses our efforts and there is enough for every one. Secondly, it also teaches us that God is compassionate to us in all our need and we in turn should emulate this compassionate nature in our lives.
"For it is in giving that we receive" - St. Francis of Assisi.
"There is enough food in the world for man's need but not for man's greed"- Mahatma Gandhi.
"Happiness never decreases by being shared " - Gautham Buddha. 

Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles): Sunday 13 A

"YOU ARE PETER AND ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH"

First Reading: Acts. 12:1-11
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6-8,17-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 13-19

   * First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. It narrates Peter's imprisonment and miraculous freedom by an Angel of the Lord. The early Church faced sever opposition from the powerful Jewish authorities. But God in a special way intervened to save them. In our difficult times too God will certainly come to our aid through His graces.

   * Second reading is from Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy. In this passage, Paul tells Timothy that his life in this world is coming to an end. He looks back with gratitude and thankfulness to God for His support and strength to proclaim the Word of God to the Gentiles. He says that ' I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race". St. Paul's life should encourage us to lead a life worthy of our call.

"Peter the Rock"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The context is that Jesus asks His disciples: what do the people say about Him ? The disciples express different opinions. Some say John the Baptist who was beheaded by Herod has come back to life. Another opinion was that Elijah one of great prophets of Old Testament, who could bring down fire from heaven, has come back to life. A third opinion was that, Jeremiah, the who was known as suffering servant of God, has come back to life. Yet another opinion was that one of prophets of old has come back to life. The true identity of Jesus is not revealed in any of the above answers. Finally, Jesus puts a person question to His disciples. Who do you say that I am? Immediately, Simon Peter spoke up and confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Immediately, Jesus compliments him and said, this revelation is not of human origin but of divine origin, that the Heavenly Father reveled it. Further Jesus told Peter, that His Church will be built on the foundation of Peter the rock and powers of death will not prevail against it.
Hence, Jesus indicates Peter's role in the founding of the Church, that he is the element of solidity and cohesion in the Church. He is given the power to absolve or to condemn. St. Peter thus guarantees the faith and preserves the unity of the Church.
" Ubi Petrus, ibi ergo ecclesia: Where Peter is, there, accordingly is the Church" - St. Jerome 
"Jesus Christ and St. Paul possess the order of charity, not of the mind, for they wished  to humble not to teach" - Blaise Pascal

Fourth Sunday :A (The Presentation of the Lord)

    "THE LIGHT OF THE NATIONS"

First Reading : Mal. 3: 1-4
Second Reading: Heb. 2: 14-18
Gospel Reading : Lk. 2: 22-40

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Malachi. The Prophet speaks of a day when suddenly the saviour of the world will come to His temple. He is coming to live among His people and purify their hearts and make them dear to God. This prophecy of Malachi finds its fulfillment when Jesus was presented by His parents at  Jerusalem temple.

   * Second reading is from the letter to the Hebrews. The author speaks of Jesus' assuming human nature in order to make us free for God and for one another.

        "My Eyes have Seen Your Salvation"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The Gospel gives a detailed account of what happened in Jerusalem temple when Jesus was presented.
1. First part of the Gospel tells us that Jesus was presented in the Jerusalem temple according to the law of Moses. Parents of Jesus brought Him to Jerusalem temple in humble obedience to the Mosaic law; in order to submit to the ritual purification and to present and to redeem the first born by sacrificing two turtile doves
2. Second part of today's Gospel tells us about the prophetic scene; when the venerable old Simeon took the child into his arms, praised and thanked God and declared that this the light which shall give revelation to the gentiles. (This idea finds its echo in today's liturgy of blessing of candles)
Then prophetess Anna too came there and gave thanks to God and spoke of the child as one who will bring redemption of Jerusalem.
This feast of Presentation of the Lord  should help us to recoginize God when He appears in humility and simplicity as recognized by Simeon and Anna.

"Behind the idea of presenting a child is the conviction that every new life comes from God and is in some sense belongs to God" - Kieran J. O'Mahony