Fourth Sunday of the Year : C: February 3, 2019

"BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB, I KNEW YOU"

First Reading: Jeremiah 1: 4-5, 17-18
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 31 to 13: 1-12
Gospel Reading: Luke 4: 21-30

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. In this passage Jeremiah is assured by the Lord God that He will  protect him  and care for him in his difficulties and challenges. He was told that even before he was formed in his mother's womb, the Lord God knew him and appointed him a prophet. In the latter part of the chapter the Lord God assures Jeremiah that those who are against him will not succeed in their sinister plans and evil designs because 'I am with you', says the Lord 'to deliver you'. This assurance of the Lord God is not only for Prophet Jeremiah but for everyone who is unjustly persecuted.

   * Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul makes a distinction between different gifts from God. He says the gift of prophecy, speaking in tongues, knowledge, faith and hope are all important in the life of a Christian. But the greatest gift of God is LOVE. Paul speaks eloquently in describing the excellence and permanence of love. According to him love is the answer to all problems of life. Where there is love, problems disappear but where there is no love problems multiply.

"Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage describes the events that led to the rejection of Jesus at His home town Nazareth. Jesus was certainly grieved and disturbed by the rejection of His own townsfolk. He knew that it was only the beginning of a series of rejections and denials. Their attempt to kill him was only an indication of what was yet to come. Jesus knew very well the great risk that he was facing. He pointed out to them two instances in the Old Testament where prophets did not find favour with God's chosen people Israel: that of Prophet Elijah and that of Prophet Elisha. It was very hurtful and humiliating to be rejected by one's own townsfolk. Jesus was certainly saddened by what happened to Him at Nazareth. But this painful incident did not stop Him from continuing His prophetic mission. Jesus invites all of us His followers to continue His prophetic mission in spite of discouragements and rejections from people who are dear to us and familiar to us.
"Familiarity breeds contempt" - Proverb
"Like the prophets, people who plunge headlong into denunciations of the present in order to inspire commitment to the future, risk their neck" - Carlos Christo.

Third Sunday of the Year :C: January 27, 2018

"THE FULFILLMENT OF SCRIPTURE IN JESUS"

First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 2-6, 8-18
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-30
Gospel Reading: Luke 11: 1-4, 4: 14-21

   * First reading is from the book of Nehemiah. This passage explains to us about what happened after Jews returned from exile in Babylon. The nation had to be rebuilt. Ezra the priest took the task of  re-establishing the Jewish religion. He read the book of the law of Moses to the people. Then he made them renew the Covenant with the Lord God.

   * Second reading is from the First letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul explains to the community in Corinth how the human body is united and functions as a single unit. Though the human body is made of many parts,all of them work together for the benefit of the whole body. The Apostle affirms that so it is with the Church. Though it is composed of many members coming from different cultures, backgrounds and empowered with various and different gifts it forms a unity in Christ. He stresses how each one of us must cooperate with others for each one is a necessary member of the Body of Christ. 

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. It has two sections. In the first part the evangelist gives a description about how and why he undertook the task of writing an account of the life and the teachings of Jesus. In the second part we have a description about the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. Jesus started His public ministry in the synagogue at Nazareth. There He opened the book of the Prophet Isaiah and read the passage relating to His future ministry: that is to preach the good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, sight to the blind and liberty to the oppressed. 
Jesus then went on to announce that this prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled on that very day. Thus in the Gospel we have the announcement that God's promises are fulfilled in Jesus His Son. The long waiting for the Messiah has come to its fulfillment. That Jesus is in fact the one promised by God. This message of the Gospel first preached in Galilee has to find its fulfillment in and through us.
Hence the following need to be done.
1. God's power is necessary for accomplishing the mission of Jesus. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and preached the good news and liberated people from the bondage of sin.
2. At baptism we too received the Spirit of God. Again at confirmation we were anointed by the power of the Lord. The Spirit of God should empower us to continue this mission of Jesus.
Thus Jesus invites each and every one of us to grow in faith and become effective witnesses of His good news.

Second Sunday of the Year :C: January 20, 2019

           "THE WEDDING AT CANA" 

First Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
Gospel Reading: John 2: 1-12

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah promises  the Lord God's protection for the people of Israel. He assures them that they shall experience happiness and joy because God has taken delight in them. He says that like a bridegroom rejoices over the bride so shall the Lord God rejoice over Israel.

   * Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul explains to the Corinthian community that different gifts received by individual members have come from the same Spirit. They are to be used for the common good. Gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy and the gift of tongue- all these are inspired by the same Spirit of the Lord so that the whole community may benefit from them.

"Water was turned into wine"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. In this passage the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee is narrated. It was a typical marriage celebration of Palestine. Everyone ate and drank and at a half way stage of the celebrations, wine ran short and the organizers were in great distress. The bridegroom's family was facing deep embarrassment. Mother Mary came to know about their predicament and interceded with Jesus to help them out in their need.
In spite of initial hesitation from Jesus, Mary was so sure of her Son that she told the people in charge to do just as  Jesus tells them to do. What resulted was a great miracle. Twelve stone jars full of water were turned into wine and everyone continued to celebrate without a worry. This was the first miracle performed by Jesus.
In this miracle we have a few lessons.
1. If we want miracles to take place in our lives, we have to invite Jesus into our lives.
2. When in trouble, we must take our burdens to the Lord. Blaming each other for the failures and lapses is not a solution.
3. When Jesus inspires us in difficult situations, we must put our faith in the Lord and follow His promptings.
4. We should allow the grace of God to intervene in our lives.
5. Any miracle in our lives should be an occasion for rejoicing and should lead us to a deeper trust in the Lord. 
Finally the miracle at Cana  affirms that in times of great distress and difficulties we should not lose heart but turn to Mother Mary to intercede for us and she will definitely help us.
Let us take our crisis times as challenges and opportunities because Jesus can truly turn "water into wine " in our lives too.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: January 13, 2019

                      "MY BELOVED SON"

First Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7
Second Reading: Acts 10: 34-38
Gospel Reading: Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah speaks of a servant of God who will be an instrument of justice and peace to the people of God. Jesus is the promised servant of God who opens the eyes of the blind and liberates all those who are in prison and in darkness.

   * Second reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. In this passage St. Peter testifies that Jesus was sent by God to preach the good news of peace to people in Galilee and Judea. After being baptized by John the Baptist Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to do works of healing and free those oppressed by evil powers. 

"Baptism with Holy Spirit and with fire"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage gives an account of John the Baptist's testimony regarding the mission of Jesus. The baptism of Jesus by John at the river Jordan is also mentioned. During the baptism Holy Spirit came down on Jesus. A voice from heaven was heard which announced " Thou art my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased".
Hence the voice from heaven affirmed that Jesus is the son sent by God the Father who always did what was pleasing to the heavenly Father.
The baptism of Jesus gives us the following messages :
1. Jesus identified Himself with the sinful humanity although He was sinless.
2. Jesus submitted Himself to the will of the heavenly Father.
3. God the Father approved the ministry of Jesus by empowering Him with the Holy Spirit.
Our baptism is very much related to the baptism of Jesus. For us baptism is a door and once we go through this door our lives are never the same. Most of us were baptized when we were infants and did not really understand its meaning and significance. By our baptism we became members of God's community. So being baptized would mean that we are choosing a life like that of Jesus. Like Jesus by our baptism we too became sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. We too were anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was baptized to fulfill the will of God. We too are invited to do the same by living our baptismal promises.
Let us take our baptismal promises seriously from now on. May the heavenly Father bless each one of us and announce that "this is my beloved son/daughter in whom I am well pleased".

The Feast of Epiphany : C: January 6, 2019

"MANIFESTATION OF THE LORD JESUS"

First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-5
Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah gives us a vision of  the restored city of Jerusalem. He assures us that in spite of darkness and gloom the Lord will come in splendor and glory and as a light that shines brightly on the people. There will be great rejoicing and abundance of wealth in the land.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. In this passage Paul explains to us the universality of salvation. God is inviting every one - both Jews and Gentiles ( includes all non Jews)-alike to share on an equal footing the salvation won by Christ. He further clarifies that all are members of the same body and co-partners in the promise of Christ Jesus.

"Wise men from the east visit Child Jesus"
Epiphany comes from the Greek word "epiphainein" which means to reveal or to manifest. This signifies the manifestation of Christ to all nations as represented by the three wise men (Magi) from the east. The three wise men came searching for Christ. They found Him, worshiped Him and offered precious gifts. From that day millions of people have followed them and came to Christ the Lord. 
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This passage graphically describes how the three wise men from the east came to Bethlehem after seeing a special star in the sky. Guided by the star they reached Jerusalem and went and met King Herod. They wanted some guidance from the king regarding the birth of Christ the Lord. Herod immediately called  his advisers and took their opinion. They referred to the prophecies of old and came to the conclusion that the new king is expected to be born in Bethlehem. The wise men left Herod's palace and went in search of Child Jesus and found Him in Bethlehem. They met Child Jesus with Mother Mary and paid their respect and offered gifts: gold,frankincense and myrrh. 
This Gospel story gives us three important messages.
1. It speaks of the journey of the three wise men from the east to Jerusalem a far away and unknown place in search of Christ child. The journey of theirs is a symbol of the search for truth by genuine seekers of God.
2. The meeting of wise men with Herod tells us that people in authority and power symbolized by Herod try to suppress and destroy truth and God's message and messengers.
3. The three wise men paid homage to Christ child and received blessings. It is a touching story of all moments of grace. There is joy of recognition of God and His presence and total surrender to God which is symbolized by their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.