Twenty Seventh Sunday of the Year: B: October 3, 2021

 MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE                                                              ' Is divorce permitted?'

First Reading: Genesis 2: 18-24

Second Reading: Hebrews 2: 9-11

Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 2-16

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. An account of how the Lord God created man and woman and  how He brought the woman to man is described. When man saw her, he readily acknowledges her as "The bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" - which implies an intimate and close relationship between man and woman.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. Paul speaks of the humiliations, sufferings and death of Jesus on the cross. Through Jesus' death salvation of humankind is perfected through sufferings. It instructs us that in order to be sanctified we too need to undergo sufferings in our lives.

'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?'                                                                     Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. While Jesus was teaching the people, some of them put the above question to Jesus. This question is repeated ever since. Is divorce permitted by the Church? Today's Gospel reading gives us some interesting and deep insights into this very difficult and very relevant question. Jewish law permitted divorce. However when asked, Jesus clearly and unequivocally states that it was allowed due to the hardness of their heart. God never intended that married couples should ever divorce. Hence the answer given by Jesus- "What God has joined together, let not man put asunder" - is very important.  His disciples later ask Him about the matter. So Jesus clarifies the matter and says, one who divorces his or her legally married partner and marries another commits the sin of adultery. Hence indissolubility of the marriage bond is affirmed by Jesus. As we are aware, breakdown of many marriages is due to selfishness and lack of acceptance of one another by partners. Unfortunately these breakdowns are on the rise everyday. Often it ends up in endless blame games, court battles and eventually divorce. 

"Marriage is act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family- a domestic Church." - St. Pope John Paul II

Twenty Sixth Sunday of the Year:B: September 26, 2021

 THE VIRTUE OF TOLERANCE                                                  'He who is not against us is for us'

First Reading: Numbers 11: 25-29

Second Reading: James 5:1-6

Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 38-43, 45 and 47-48

   *First reading is from the book of   Numbers. The Lord God's  Spirit descended on seventy elders of Israel and they were empowered to prophecy. However two men who were not in that group - Elad and Medad - too received the gift and they too were able to prophesy. Joshua who was ministering to Moses was upset and he wanted Moses to forbid these two men from prophesying. But Moses told Joshua that it is not right to be jealous of God's gifts. He took a more positive approach that 'if only all the Lord's people were prophets that the Lord God would put His Spirit upon them.' 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle warns us that our ill-gotten wealth gained by oppressing labourers and harvesters will be an evidence against us before the Lord. He further adds that everyone who lives in luxury and pleasure will be answerable if they do not share their wealth with the poor and the needy.

Respecting people of various religious traditions                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. The theme is tolerance as explained by Jesus. John, one of the twelve Apostles, told Jesus about a man who was casting our demons in the name of Jesus and that he had forbidden this man because he was not a follower of Jesus. After listening to John, Jesus expressed His disapproval about John's action. He corrected him and told him, "He who is not against us is with us." Hence Jesus took a more positive and tolerant view that instead of discouraging that person, he should be encouraged.                                                                                                      We have a very important lesson from this incident. We should appreciate and encourage all those who do good in the world around us, no matter whether they belong to our community/ ethnic group or belong to  different faiths. We should be open to the Spirit of God and recognize the work of God through them. In the second part of today's Gospel Jesus warns us that anyone who leads the little ones to sin will be severely punished. Crimes against children are on the rise. Jesus further adds that even if an essential organ of our body like the eye or the hand is a cause of sin, we should not hesitate to get rid of it rather than face eternal damnation.

"On our part there must be no pride or arrogance, no contempt or lack of reverence for people of different beliefs." II Vatican Council 

"The love of one's country is a natural thing. But why should  we stop at the border?" - Anon

Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year: B: September 19, 2021

                     TRUE GREATNESS

First Reading: Wisdom 2: 12 and 17-20

Second Reading: James 3: 16 to 4: 3

Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 30-37

   *First reading is from the book of Wisdom. An explanation about the evil designs of the godless who plot against the righteous and upright people is given. The just person is inconvenient to them because he/she stands against their evil plans. So they want to do away with him/her.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle points out the causes of divisions and fights whether it is within a family or within a community or between nations. Jealousy and selfishness lead us to do vile practices. But we should strive for wisdom from above which is pure and peaceable and brings good fruits. 

On being the first and the last                                                                  Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. We observe a sharp difference in perception between Jesus and His disciples. After the confession of Peter that Jesus is the Messiah- the anointed one of God- Jesus explains to them that the Messiah has to suffer and die and after three days will rise again. The disciples could not accept such an idea and they totally reject it. They were more concerned about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of Jesus. Knowing their thoughts Jesus explains to them about true greatness in His kingdom. He told them, "Whoever wants to be first among you has to be the last of all and be the servant of all". Hence for Jesus true greatness is in serving others. Maybe many of us are like the disciples and often we measure greatness according to the standards of the world. Very often we fail to accept and appreciate true greatness according to the standards of Jesus. Today Jesus is inviting us to be part of His kingdom by being at the service of others. Jesus has given us the great example of washing the feet of His disciples and sharing His own body and blood with us.                                                        Many saints - holy men and women - have followed this teaching of Jesus in their lives. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. Francis of Assisi are prime examples of serving the poorest of the poor. They have shown us how to be truly great in the kingdom of God through their selfless service. Now it is our turn to accept Jesus' invitation to achieve true greatness.

Twenty Fourth Sunday of the Year: B: September 12, 2021

 THE TRUE IDENTITY OF JESUS                                                    (Who do you say that I am?)

First Reading: Isaiah 50: 5-9

Second Reading: James 2: 14-18

Gospel Reading: Mark 8: 27-35

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. The sufferings and the rejections experienced by Isaiah from the chosen people are narrated. In spite of that, he assures us that although many people tried to disgrace him and harm him in various ways, the one who trusts in the Lord God will not be harmed in anyway. He tells us that the Lord God vindicates and protects such a person. There is an allusion to the rejection of the suffering servant (Jesus) of the Lord God. Further it points to Jesus who will undergo all manner of sufferings at the hands of the Jewish nation.

 Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle exhorts the Christian community that faith in itself is of no use if it is not accompanied by action. He gives the specific example of a person who is hungry and that of another who has no clothing. It is not enough to tell the first person, be filled or the other, be warmed and make no effort to give them food or clothing. Hence our faith should lead us to action. 

'You are the Christ-the Messiah'                                     (The confession of St. Peter)                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. Jesus gives us some important clarifications about Himself and His divine mission. On His way to the village Caesarea Philippi, Jesus puts two important questions to His disciples. First, 'Who do men say that I am?' The disciples gave various answers: some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah or one of the ancient Prophets etc.. Then Jesus puts a second question to them. 'Who do you say that I am?' Immediately St. Peter confessed, 'You are the Christ' - the Messiah - the anointed one of God.                                                                                         Subsequently Jesus tries to explain to them what it means to be the Messiah or the Christ. It would mean that He has to suffer much and die. The disciples could not comprehend or appreciate such an answer from their Master. Hence they vehemently protested saying: such a thing should never happen. Then Jesus patiently explains to them that to be His disciple would mean that one should take up one's cross and follow Him.  Whoever wants to be first has to be the servant of all. Jesus is putting the same question to each one of us. Each one has to make a personal decision regarding who Jesus is for him/her. To be a part of Jesus' life would mean that we have to die to our selfishness and pride every day of our lives.

Twenty Third Sunday of the Year: B: September 5, 2021

            JESUS THE DIVINE HEALER

First Reading : Isaiah 35: 4-7

Second Reading : James 2: 1-5

Gospel Reading: Mark 7: 31-37

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about the future changes that will take place by the power of the Lord God. He assures the people of Israel that the Lord God will save His people from their various problems. He tells them that the blind, the deaf, the lame and the dumb will be healed by the power of the Lord God. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus the Son of God.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle exhorts the members of the Christian community not to be partial to anyone because they are rich or poor. He reminds us that earthly riches or high positions in the society are no criterion for distinction in the community. Because all are equal before God. 

He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak                                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. A detailed description of the healing of a deaf and dumb man by the power of Jesus is narrated. During His public ministry Jesus healed many people. Hence the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus. A deaf and dumb man was brought to Jesus by some people. Jesus took him aside to a secluded place and put His finger into the man's ears. Then spat and touched his tongue. Jesus commanded, "Ephphetha" which means 'be opened'. Immediately the deaf and dumb man was healed and he was able to hear clearly and speak fluently.                                           Hearing and speech are gifts of God. Jesus felt compassion for this unfortunate man who lacked these gifts. By His words and actions Jesus restored those lost faculties and made him whole. Now it is our turn to realize that Jesus is able to restore all our lost powers, unused and unrecognized talents once we put our trust in the Lord. The touch of the divine healer continues to transform our lives once we totally put our faith in Him.

"At our baptism, we were all touched on the ear and the mouth. In this way, we are in the story and are invited to see ourselves in the man who was cured." -Biblical resources

"I alone cannot do anything. Jesus alone will not do anything. Jesus and I do everything." - St. Teresa of Avila.