Feast of Mary Mother of God : A : New Year

              "MARY , MOTHER OF GOD"

First Reading : Numbers 6: 22-27
Second Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7
Gospel Reading : Luke 2: 16-21

   * First reading is from the book of Numbers . In this passage the Lord God tells Moses to instruct the priests to Bless the people of Israel in His name. The chosen people are to be blessed by the words, " It is the Lord's blessing that will make this coming year good and fruitful". With Mary , Mother of God, we too seek the blessings of the Lord God.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. In this passage, Paul tells the Christians in Galatia and us that by giving us His own Son, through Mary, God enabled the whole human race to become His sons and daughters in whose hearts the Spirit of God cries, 'Abba, Father'.

Mary with Child Jesus in the Manger
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage describes the meeting of Shepherds with Child Jesus and Mother Mary in the manger. The eagerness of the simple shepherds to pay homage to the divine Child and Mary's reflective and contemplative mood are graphically depicted.
By celebrating the first day of the New Year , as the Feast of Mother Mary - Mother of God, we are celebrating the feast of all the mothers. It is fitting that Mother Mary is the model for all mothers. God showered Mary with numerous blessings, so we too invoke God's blessings on all mothers today.  Blessed Mother was a simple, illiterate peasant woman , yet Harvard historian Harry Adams calls her the "most powerful religious symbol for centuries. 
"May the Blessed Mother Bless you in the coming Year 2017"

"Mary is given to us as a mother to accompany us on our tiring pilgrimage through life"-  Pope Paul VI
" As mariners are guided by the shinning of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary" - St. Thomas Aquinas.

Thirty Fourth Sunday :C Feast of Christ the King

       "THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE"

First Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-3
Second Reading: Colossians 1: 12-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 23: 35-43

   * First reading is from the Second book of Samuel. This passage gives us a narration about King David. David was already anointed King of Judea. Later, northern tribes too accepted him as their King. Thus David became the King of the whole Israel. David's kingship was a pre-figuration of the universal Kingship of Christ. 

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. In this passage Apostle Paul gives thanks to God for having delivered the humankind from the dominion of darkness and brought us to the Kingdom of His Son. Christ is ;the image of the invisible God, the head of the Church and the Lord of all creation.

                 " JESUS THE KING"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In this passage, there is a  mention about the inscription over the Cross " King of the Jews". It proclaims the true identity of Jesus. Jesus is both Messiah and King. Even as he died on the cross, He was giving consolation and forgiveness to all those around. There were many people below the cross of Christ: soldiers, Pharisees, and other people mocking and challenging Him saying " If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself". He asked forgiveness for them from Heavenly Father."Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing"
When the thief on the right pleaded saying "Jesus, remember me, when you are in your Kingdom", Jesus immediately assured him, paradise. As He was dying on the cross, He called His mother  and beloved disciple and entrusted His mother to the disciple. Then told the mother, this is you son, pointing  to the disciple. Hence, His last gift to us was His mother to be our heavenly mother too.
Christ's Kingdom is a very special Kingdom.He has come not to conquer, but to love. He has come not to rule, but to serve. He has come not to have possessions but to give them away(even His own mother) . He is the King of our hearts and minds.
"Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, he asks you". Will you be that one to Him?" - St. Teresa of Calcutta.
"Rome is gone, Napoleon is gone, Hitler is gone, but the Kingdom of Jesus marches on " - D. Guzik.

Fifteenth Sunday of the Year :C

             "WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR"

First Reading : Deuteronomy 30: 10-14
Second Reading: Colossians 1: 15-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 25-37

   *First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. In this passage Moses exhorts the people of Israel to keep the commandments of the Lord God so that they turn to the Lord with all their heart and with all their soul. The commandments of Lord God is essay to obey because it is in the very heart and soul of every person.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St.Paul to Colossians. In this passage, Paul describes the incarnate Word. Jesus is the true image of God in human form. He is pre-eminent and supreme to everything created. He is also the head of the Church and brings reconciliation to the whole creation.

"The Good Samaritan"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. We have the wonderful parable of the Good Samaritan for our reflection and action. A lawyer put a very pertinent question to Jesus that day: "Who is my neighbour?". In response, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. What is most disturbing in Jesus'parable is not so much the attack made on an innocent man. But the fact that two respectable persons - a Priest and a Levite - pass by this unfortunate victim without showing any compassion or concern . Because for them , the first question that came to their mind was, "What will happen to me if I stop and help him"? . Where as , the first question that came to the mind of the Samaritan was, "What will happen to this wounded man if I do not take care of him"?
In a similar situation, like the Priest and the Levite in the parable, we too may have many excuses not to help those in need. It is much easier and safer to go quietly on the other side of the road as they did. But the Samaritan brushed aside all such thoughts and opened his heart to the wounded man. He went out of his way to help this wounded man. Jesus dramatically answered the question by the Lawyer through this parable and challenged every one to be a neighbour to whom our good will must go out. He told the Lawyer, "Go and do like wise". The same Jesus is telling us today to be a neighbour to who ever is in need of our help.
"It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one's neighbour" - Eric Hoffer.
"Love begins at home, love your family and your neighbours. Share with the poor and the needy around you, your smile, your word, your time, your belongings"- Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Twelvth Sunday of the Year:C

"WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM"?

First Reading: Zechariah 12: 10-11.13:1
Second Reading: Galatians 3: 26-29
Gospel Reading: Luke  9:18-24

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Zechariah. This passage speaks about a time when a new Spirit will be poured out on the people ( as at Pentecost). The house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will mourn and grieve over the one they put to death -speaks  about the death of Jesus the Son of God. But he will be a fountain of purity to us from our sins and uncleanliness.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. In this passage, Paul tells us that for those who have been baptized , there must be no more distinctions. Because of Christ, all have equal access to the blessings promised to Abraham and his children. Through our faith in Jesus, we are all children of God.

"St. Peter's Confession of Faith"
Today's Gospel reading is from St;Luke. In this passage, Jesus put two questions to His disciples. First question was, 'who do people say that I am"? To this question, there were many answers . Some people considered Jesus to be John the Baptist, who was beheaded by Herod and now come back to life; some others thought Jesus was Elijah one of the great prophets of old who now has returned to earth. Some others thought Jesus was one of the prophets of old who has now come back to life. Hence, there were various opinions about Jesus but none of them considered Jesus to be the promised Messiah. Of course, people had their own reasons to think in this manner.
Then Jesus put a second question to His disciples, which was very fundamental to His disciples and to each of us. "But who do you say that I am?" Peter immediately confessed, "You are the Christ of God" : that is, Jesus is the promised Messiah, who has come to save the world and us. 
Today, Jesus puts this same question to us. Is our answer like that of the people around us, that He is merely one of the prophets, or a miracle worker, or one of the holy men. Jesus wants a personal answer from us. That , He is truly the one who has come to save my life - my personal Messiah. Jesus is waiting for an answer.
"There are so many religions and each one has its different 
ways of following God. I follow Christ.
Jesus is my God, Jesus is my Spouse, Jesus is my life . Jesus
is my only Love. Jesus is my All in All. Jesus is my Everything" - Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"Some persons live manly or womanly lives and they lack one thing - open confession of the Lord Jesus Christ " - Billy Sunday. 
A prayer: "Heavenly Father, You revealed to the Apostle St. Peter the blessed truth that your Son Jesus is the Christ. Strengthen us by the proclamation of this truth that we too may joyfully confess that there is salvation in no one else but in Jesus Christ".

Eleventh Sunday of the Year:C

"FORGIVENESS TO THE REPENTANT SINNER"

First Reading: 2 Samuel 12: 7-10,13
Second Reading: Galatians 2: 16, 19-21
Gospel Reading: Luke 7: 36-50

   * First reading is from the second book of Samuel. In this passage, Prophet Nathan confronts King David and tells him that he has sinned against the Lord God by taking Uriah's wife and later killing Uriah by his orders. Nathan expressed his anguish that the King has done such a crime in spite of the innumerable blessings God had showered on him. King David readily admitted his wrong doings and repented. Then the Prophet assured the King that the Lord God has forgiven him. Repentance is a prerequisite for being forgiven by God.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. In this passage, Paul tells the people that Christ has become the centre of his life.: the Christ who loved him and died for him. He expresses his deep belief that "it is  no longer I who live, that Christ lives in me" Paul is sure that all his strength come from being united with the Lord.

"Jesus Forgives the Sinful Woman "
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage, narrates the story of Jesus meeting two types of people at the house of Simon the Pharisee. One a sinful woman who realized her sinful past and repented of it. The other , Simon the Pharisee , who considered himself holy , self righteous and needs no repentance.
Jesus was gentle and loving in His approach to the sinful woman. She expressed her sorrow by her tears and later kissed the feet of Jesus and anointed them with costly ointment. The Pharisee on the other hand, did not do the customary greetings and was critical of the woman and Jesus. In his heart he blamed Jesus for such an incident.
Knowing the thoughts of Simon, Jesus told him firmly about his own lack of respect and decorum for the guest in his house. Jesus then told him that love transcends all sins and wrong doings and her sins which are many are totally forgiven. Jesus wiped away all her sinful past with His consoling and reassuring words:"Your faith has saved you, go in peace, sin no more". By treating this woman with kindness and forgiveness, Jesus helped her to be reconciled with God and her hurting past. Jesus challenged Simon to see his own shortcomings.The same Jesus challenges us too to see our own sinfulness and shortcomings and return to the Lord and not to be judgmental of others.
"Repentance is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity" - John Milton.
"To err is human, to forgive is divine"- Alexander Pope
"God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination" - St. Augustine.

Tenth Sunday of the Year:C

"RAISING THE DEAD TO LIFE"

First Reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24
Second Reading: Galatians 1: 11-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 7: 11-17

   * First reading is from the first book of Kings. This passage describes a sad event, the death of a widow's son in whose house Prophet Elijah was staying during the sever famine there. The woman was in great distress. Seeing her sorrow, Prophet Elijah prayed to God and the child was brought back to life. After witnessing this great miracle, the woman acknowledged that Elijah was a man of God and a great prophet.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. In this passage, Paul tries to explain to the Christians in Galatia that the Gospel preached by him is not of human origin but is through the revelation of Jesus Christ as hence it is of divine origin. Paul defends his authority to preach the Gospel and the truth of his doctrine. although in his former days as a Pharisee he persecuted the Church of God and tried to destroy it.

"Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Naim"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage gives us an account of the happening at Naim when Jesus and His disciples went to that city. A widow's only son had died and his life less body was being carried to be buried when Jesus and His disciples arrived there. Seeing the widow's sorrow and pain, Jesus was moved with compassion . Jesus touched the bier and said, "Young man, I say to you, arise" and immediately, the dead man regained life. Jesus raised to life the young man and brought consolation and hope for a distressed widow. People in the city recognized Jesus as a great prophet and a man of God.
Compassion for the suffering and pain of those in distress is an essential quality of every follower of Christ. We should not be found wanting when people are faced with unexpected loses and sorrows.
"Christ came to be Father's compassion to the world. Be kind in your actions" Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others" - Albert Schweitzer.
"By compassion we make other's misery our own, and so, by relieving them we relieve ourselves also"- Thomas Browne. 

Feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday :C

"FEAST OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

First Reading: Genesis 14: 18-20
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel Reading : Luke 9: 11-17

   * First reading is from the book of Genesis. This passage gives us the details of Melchizedek, the King of Salem meeting Abraham. Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham and made profession of faith in one true God. In Christian tradition,the symbol of bread and wine is a pre-figuration of Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage, Paul tells the Christians in Corinth regarding the first Eucharistic celebration at the last Supper. Paul explains to them and us that when we celebrate the Eucharist, we are not merely making present Christ's Body and Blood , but we are in fact reenacting His death by which Jesus saved us.

"The Miracle of Loaves"
Today's Gospel reading is from Luke. In this passage, we have the details of multiplication of five loaves and two fish by Jesus in the desert. He fed five thousand people by this miracle. Jesus worked this miracle in the desert so that people who followed Him may not die due to hunger on their return journey home. Later on, He shared His Body and Blood at the last Supper for us, so that, we may have eternal life by participating in the Eucharist.
There are four main reasons why we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi.
1. First of all, this feat is celebrated to reaffirm our faith,  that Jesus is truly and really present in the Eucharistic Bread and Wine. The bread and wine we receive in the Eucharist is transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
2. Secondly, this  feast is celebrated  as a reparation for all the blasphemy, irreverence and dishonour done to the Eucharistic Lord.
3. Thirdly, this feast is celebrated to give thanks for all the graces we  have received through the Blessed Sacrament.
4. Fourthly, this feast is to make us aware of the great gift of Eucharist and the need to receive Holy Communion frequently to give spiritual nourishment.
"May the Body and Blood of Christ give us eternal life"
"God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament  of the altar"- St. Maximillon Kolbe
"In each of our lives, Jesus comes as Bread of life- to be eaten, to be consumed by us. This is how He loves us"- Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it was to teach us that it is dangerous to try to get to heaven without the Bread of Heaven"- St. Jerome.

The Feast of the Holy Trinity: Sunday:C

HOLY TRINITY:ONE GOD,THREE PERSONS

First Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Gospel Reading: John 16: 12-15

   *First reading is from the book of Proverbs. This passage describes the Wisdom of God which came into existence before the whole of creation-the earth and all that it contains, and the heavens and everything in it. Hence, the idea of Wisdom was a pre-figuration of the revelation of the mystery of Holy Trinity. Wisdom here stands for the Son of God,(the eternal Word) who existed from the beginning. 

   * Second reading is from the letter of St.Paul to Romans. This passage explains to us the Trinitarian aspect of God. We experience peace with God through Jesus. This gives us the hope of sharing in His glory, a hope which sustains us even in times of sufferings and pain. Love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Therefore is is the Holy Spirit who helps us to recognize the Father's love for us.

The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage speaks of Jesus' promise of the  Holy Spirit to his disciples. The work of the Holy Spirit is manifold: that is to guide us into all truth and to give us guidance for future by declaring what is to come. Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.
The Feast of Holy Trinity reminds us that there is only one God but three persons,each living in harmony and perfect unity. This mystery is not something to argue about or even to study. It is more of something to pray about and live. The Christian lives in the world of the Father, the Son and the Spirit. We need to realize that God is my Father, I am His child. He loves me even though I am unworthy of His love. Christ the Son of God is my brother. He died and brought salvation for me. Through Him all other people have become my brothers and sisters. And the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between us all.
Let our prayer to the Holy Trinity be, that we too may experience the same love and unity which is in Trinity.
"Given that God the Father is both personal and supremely good, it is proper to think of Him as loving a person from eternity. This other person is the Son and the love between them is the Holy Spirit."- St.Thomas Aquinas (on Trinity)
"The only way to engage God is to meet one of the three in time. We meet the Father as creator, the Son as Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the dispenser of God's Grace"-T. Wilson.

Fifth Sunday of the Year: C

       "THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP"

First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8,11
Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. This passage gives some details of the call of Prophet Isaiah. He was called by God to be a prophet: but Isaiah acknowledged his unworthiness in the presence of God. God then purified him from his sins and appointed him to be His prophet. Isaiah immediately responded to God' call.

   * Second reading is from the fist letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage, Paul emphatically affirms  the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This affirmation of Paul is the earliest affirmations of the early Church on the resurrection of Jesus. Further, Paul acknowledges that he is the least of all the Apostles, unfit to be called an Apostle, because he had earlier persecuted the Church.

"The Call of the First Disciples"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage narrates the miraculous catch of fish by Peter and his companions and subsequent call of the first disciples by Jesus. When Peter realized that he is faced with an extraordinary miracle, an intervention of God through the person of Jesus, he acknowledged his own unworthiness and fell at the feet of Jesus. When Peter and his companions , James and John realized that the nearness of God, they fell on their knees just like men condemned to death, pleading for their lives. Jesus told them not to be afraid but to follow Him. Responding to Jesus' invitation, they brought their boats ashore, left everything they possessed and followed him. They lost their lives but won new ones.
Often, we too are afraid to be touched by God. It is too demanding and dangerous, because, we are afraid to be caught, afraid to be send by Him. Jesus who encountered Peter, James and John is inviting us too.
"It is not good to be too near a King, except when you are called and even such a call is a bad sign" - Ancient saying
"Christ did not appoint professors, but followers" -Soren Kierkegaard
"When Christ calls a man, he bid him come and die"- Dietrich Bonhoeffer.