Fifth Sunday of Easter :B: May 2, 2021

 UNION WITH THE RISEN LORD                                                (The vine and the branches)

First Reading: Acts 9: 26-31

Second Reading: 1 John 3: 18-24

Gospel Reading: John 15: 1-8

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Paul's conversion and subsequent happenings are narrated. Paul who was a fierce persecutor of the Christians was dramatically transformed by the powerful intervention of the risen Lord. Paul (Saul) persecuted Christians in and around Jerusalem. But after his Damascus experience and subsequent conversion Paul wanted to join the Christian community at Jerusalem. But he found it difficult to be accepted by the community. So Barnabas a disciple of good repute, introduced Paul to the Apostles. Paul started to preach boldly in Jerusalem but the Jews there tried to kill him. So he was sent to Tarsus. The early Church grew in strength in spite of much opposition.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John tells us that if we wish to live as God wants we must keep His commandments. That would mean that we should believe in the name of Jesus and love one another as he commanded us to do. Those who keep the commandments are united to Him and the presence of the Holy Spirit is with them. 

The abiding presence of the risen Lord in the believer                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus speaks about the intimate and deep bond between Him and those who believe in Him. This relationship is compared to that of the vine and its branches. Branches have to be united to the vine in order to produce fruits. If the branches are cut off from the vine it cannot be fruitful. Gospel also mentions about two types of branches. The first type are fruit- bearing which will be pruned to produce more fruits. The second type of branches do not produce fruits, consequently they will be cut off from the vine. We are united with Jesus through our baptism. Hence if we are fruit-bearing branches we have to be prepared to be pruned to produce more fruits. But if we are branches that do not produce fruits it is time to change our ways so that we too produce fruits, lest we be cut off from the Lord.                                                                           Let our life be always in union with the risen Lord and be like the branches that are united with the vine. 

"To start anew from Christ means being close to Him, being close to Jesus. Jesus stresses the importance of this with the disciple at the Last Supper, as He prepares to give us His own greatest gifts of love, His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches and says, 'Abide in my love, remain attached to me, as the branch is attached to the vine'. If we are joined to Him, then we are able to bear fruit." - Pope Francis.                                                          

Fourth Sunday of Easter:B: April 25, 2021

 JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

First Reading: Acts 4: 8-12

Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-2

Gospel Reading: John 10: 11-18

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter miraculously healing a crippled person is narrated in detail. Peter testifies to the people of Jerusalem that this miracle happened not by his power but by the power of Jesus of Nazareth whom the Jewish authorities had crucified. Although Jesus was rejected by the Jews, there is no salvation for anyone except through the power of Jesus.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John tells us that through the love of Jesus we are made children of God. In our future life we shall see Jesus as He is. He will do many great things in our lives. 

The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. It is important for us to understand the background of a Shepherd in Palestine at the time of Jesus. The Shepherd was a man completely and wholeheartedly dedicated to the care and well being of his sheep. The relationship between the Shepherd and the sheep was very intimate. He called each one by name and they knew his voice. The Shepherd went in front and the sheep followed him. Often he would carry the weak and the very young on his shoulders. To protect the flock from robbers and animals of  prey he had to undergo extreme hardships and risk even his own life. Jesus as a Good Shepherd cared for His followers. He cared about people especially the weak, the least and the lost. The evidence is explicit in the pages of the Gospels. We all should draw great inspiration and comfort to know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd for every one of us. This is the kind of leader and saviour we have. He is someone who really cares about us even to the extent of giving His life for our sake. The Good Shepherd does not look for His own comfort but that of His sheep. This theme has its echoes in the words of Jesus. "Son of Man  came not to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28). Let us always follow the Good Shepherd who is always ready to lead us and to love us. He tells us, " I know my own and my own know me." (John 10:14)

"The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."- Psalm 23:1

Third Sunday of Easter :B: April 18, 2021

                    PEACE BE TO YOU

First Reading: Acts 3: 13-15 and 17-19

Second Reading: 1 John 2: 1-5

Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 35-46

   *First reading is from Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter addresses  the people of Jerusalem. He openly tells them that they have done a terrible crime and a very grave sin by killing Jesus, the author of life. However since they have done it out of ignorance it is time to repent and receive the forgiveness of God.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John tells us that Jesus is the advocate with the Father. Hence, anyone loves Jesus and keeps His commandments, the love of God is perfected in him/her.

The appearance of the risen Lord to the disciples                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. After the crucifixion and death of Jesus, the dreams  and aspirations of His disciples lay shattered. Their world fell apart. Their immediate reaction was to cut themselves off from the hostile world and live behind closed doors. But Jesus the Good Shepherd did not leave them in their pain and misery. He appeared to them and gave them the assurance of His presence. 'Peace be with you!' was His words of comfort. After meeting the risen Lord their hopes revived. They realized that through the sufferings and His shameful death on the cross Jesus attained His glory. The risen Lord showed them His wounds. It took some time for the disciples to realize the implications and the meaning to sink in. Their broken bond with the Lord was mended. Once again they became courageous and  powerful witnesses of the Lord.                                                                                                    The peace of the risen Lord released the disciples from their shame, guilt, fears and worries. This gift of Jesus gradually transformed them to be courageous in witnessing to Him and even to die for Him. For us too the resurrection of Jesus is not something of the past but should become a  present reality. The risen Lord enters through our closed doors too. He brings peace into our disturbed lives. He calms our fears and restlessness. He brings us hope and light.                   Let our prayer be: Risen Lord, help us to believe that you are always with us. 

"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." - Buddha.

"Peace begins with a smile." -St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 

Second Sunday of Easter: B: April 11, 2021

 DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY                                              (The healing touch  of the Risen Lord)

First Reading: Acts 4: 32-35

Second Reading: 1 John 5: 1-6

Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-31

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid account of the life of the early Christian community is portrayed. The risen Lord had a decisive and strong influence on the lives of His followers. Their unity of heart and mind was truly praise-worthy. It was a community ideally faithful to the Gospel values where believers shared their faith and shared their possessions. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John exhorts the Christian community to live a life of love. He reminds us that every Christian is a child of God. Hence he/she should show his/her love for God by keeping God's commandments. 

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe                                                       Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The disciple at the center of today's gospel narrative is Thomas. Thomas was a deeply wounded and broken man. When Jesus his master and friend was put to death on that tragic Friday he was in deep pain and left the company of the other disciples. Hence he was unable to meet the risen Lord when He appeared to the other disciples. Later he came to know about it and he was deeply hurt. When the Lord appeared again to all of them, He showed His wounds to Thomas. They were the proof of His love for them. Then the Lord invited Thomas to touch those precious wounds. Thus it was by touching and being touched that he was healed of his unbelief, grief and pain. What Jesus told Thomas that day should ring in our ears whenever we are in doubts. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."                                                                          The world today is full of doubting Thomas(es). Many do not believe that Christ is risen and that we can experience the power of the risen Lord in our lives. They will not be convinced unless they can touch His wounds and see the radiance of His face. But this can happen only if the risen Lord is seen in His followers. For that we ourselves need to experience the presence of the Lord in our lives. 

"The key to wisdom is this- constant and frequent questioning for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning, we arrive at the truth." -Peter Abelard

"Jesus' willingness to accommodate Thomas' unbelief is a reminder that God can handle our doubts." - David D Flowers

"Doubting Thomas uttered the greatest confession of faith recorded anywhere in the Bible." - Dr. R. F. Wilson

Easter Sunday: B: April 4, 2021

      THE LORD IS RISEN! ALLELUIA

 First Reading: Acts 10: 34 and 37-43

Second Reading: Colossians  3: 1-4

Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-9

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and other Apostles give a powerful and convincing testimony regarding the life of Jesus: His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. The Apostles had the unique privilege of meeting the Risen Lord personally- sharing meals with Him and experiencing His life-giving presence. He assures them that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul explains to the Colossian community and all of us that through our baptism we share in the life of the Risen Lord. Hence we have to set our minds on heavenly things and not on earthly things. Those who believe in the Lord will also share in the glory of the Risen Lord. 

Finding the empty tomb points to the resurrection of Jesus.                                                    Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. A detailed description of the happenings on Easter Sunday morning is given. The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus was Mary Magdalene. She found that the tomb of Jesus was empty and she thought that the body of Jesus was taken away by someone. She hurriedly went and reported the matter to the disciples. Peter and John, two of the Apostles went to the tomb and found it to be empty. The truth of what the scriptures had foretold began to dawn upon them that Jesus would rise from the dead.                                                         The empty tomb by itself is not a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. But it is an indication that Jesus is not to be found among the dead. Later the disciples had several personal appearances of the risen Lord on various occasions and their faith was strengthened by those comforting and life-giving experiences. They finally realized that Jesus is truly risen from the dead. In our case too although we have the testimony of the Apostles and other disciples that Jesus is risen we need to be strengthened in our faith by personally experiencing the risen Lord. 

MAY THE RISEN LORD BLESS YOU AND STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

"The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison but a passage into God's presence. Easter says, you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." - C.W. Hall

"The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it DOES NOT CONTAIN." - S. Morris

Christ the Lord is risen today. Sons of men and angels say: Raise your joys and triumphs high! Sing ye heavens and earth reply." - C. Wesley