Third Sunday of Easter:C: May 1, 2022

 PETER'S DECLARATION OF LOVE

First Reading: Acts 5: 27-32 and 40-41

Second Reading: Apocalypse 5: 12-14

Gospel Reading : John 21: 1-19

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and other Apostles are cautioned by the Jewish authorities. They are ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus. But the Apostles continue to preach boldly and fearlessly and tell the people: "We must obey God rather than men." It is a message we too need to adhere to in difficult and challenging situations of life. The Apostles proclaim to the people that they are witnesses to the death of Jesus on the cross but God has  raised Him and glorified Him.

   *Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. St. John narrates a heavenly vision of the glorified Jesus under the image of the lamb that was slain as a sacrifice. A hymn in praise of the crucified and risen Christ is narrated. 

Do you love me more than these?                                                                             Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The appearance of the risen Lord to seven of the Apostles on the shore of the sea of Tiberius is described. During their encounter with the risen Lord, the Lord Jesus asks Peter the one and the same question three times: "Do you love me?" Before His crucifixion and death, Peter had denied Him three times. Now Peter is asked to profess his love for the Lord three times in public. After Peter expresses his deep love for the Lord,  the risen Lord tells Peter that he would be the foundation, the source of strength and the unity in the new community of the faithful. Peter's story is one of calling, falling and recalling. Peter certainly failed when Jesus needed him most. But Jesus' call does not exclude falls. The risen Lord calls Peter to move forward in faith. He asks him to declare his love. Peter is entrusted with the care of the community of the faithful with the words: "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep". In many ways we too are like St. Peter. We too have our many failures. We too need someone who understands our weakness and failures. We too need someone who encourages us to overcome our failures. The risen Lord is always there to help us to go forward in times of crisis and failures. We in turn should be willing to extend the same understanding and love towards others, especially those who fail us. 

Second Sunday of Easter :C: Divine Mercy Sunday: April 24, 2022

 CLEARING THE DOUBTS OF THOMAS

First Reading: Acts 5: 12-16

Second Reading: Apocalypse 1: 9-13 and 17-19

Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-31

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Various miracles worked by St. Peter and other Apostles through the power of the risen Lord are narrated. Many people experienced the presence of the risen Lord in a very powerful way through the ministry of the Apostles. As a result, a large number of people were added to the community of believers and the early Church grew in strength.

   *Second reading is from the book of the Apocalypse. The risen Lord encourages Apostle John in a vision and reveals Himself as the Alpha and the Omega- the beginning and the end of everything - and the one who lives for ever. John is instructed to write messages to the seven Churches  so that it will enlighten the Church until the end of times.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe                                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The risen Lord appears to the disciples when they were together in a room. He gently and lovingly guides the unbelieving Thomas to faith and convinces him that He is indeed risen from the dead. Thomas readily admits his lack of faith and makes an act of faith in the Lord Jesus. The risen Lord commends the future believers by uttering: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." All of us have doubts and fears especially about life after death. We could learn from the example of Thomas. What a refreshing honesty he has! He does not pretend that everything is just OK. Through his questioning and unbelieving attitude, Thomas  becomes a key link between the age of the Apostles who saw the risen Lord with their own eyes and all those future disciples who will never see Jesus physically and yet believe in Him. The risen Lord invites us to draw close to Him in faith and to look at the same wounds of His, which the Apostles Thomas saw with physical eyes. The risen Lord helps us to make contact with Him and with one another. By experiencing His loving touch, He sends us forth to touch others who do not yet believe in Him. People will come to faith in the risen Lord only when they can see Him and touch Him in His followers. Doubts can lead us to deeper faith and conviction. May the risen Lord bless you with His peace. 

"There lies more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds." - Lord Tennyson

"It is by doubting that we come to investigate and by investigating that we recognize the truth." - P. Abelard 

Easter Sunday :C: April 17, 2022

 THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS

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. A powerful testimony by St. Peter and other Apostles regarding the life of Jesus, His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead is narrated. The Apostles had the unique privilege of meeting the risen Lord, sharing meals with Him and experiencing His reassuring presence. They were instructed by Jesus that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul instructs the Christian community at Colossia and all of us that through our baptism we share in the life of the risen Christ. Hence we have to set our minds on heavenly things and not on earthly things. Then we will also share in the glory of the risen Lord. 

The empty tomb and the Easter proclamation                                                                                                Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. A detailed account of the happenings on Easter Sunday morning is narrated. The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus was Mary Magdalene who finds the empty tomb and she thinks  Jesus' body was taken away by someone. She hurriedly goes and reports the matter to the Apostles. Peter and John go  to the tomb and find it empty. The truth of what the scriptures foretold gradually dawns upon them that Jesus would rise from the dead. The empty tomb by itself is not a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. But rather, it is an indication that Jesus is not to be found among the dead. In our case too, although we have the testimony of the Apostles that Jesus is indeed risen and appeared to them, we too need to be strengthened in our faith through a personal and deep experience of the risen Lord. 

May the Lord who has risen from the dead Bless You!

"The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death of 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 triumph high/ Sing ye heavens/ and earth reply." - C. Wesley

Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday): April 10, 2022

 HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID

Gospel Reading (procession) : Luke 19: 28-40

First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7

Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11

Gospel Reading: Luke 22: 14 to 23: 56

   *Gospel according to St. Luke (for procession) gives an account of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem - like a King, Messiah and Prophet. As He enters the city, the people of Jerusalem enthusiastically welcome Him by singing hosanna and praising God. He comes on a colt symbolizing peace. As we are going to acclaim Jesus as our King and Lord let us make a firm promise to serve Him alone. Jesus' entry as the messianic King is a sign that the peace and salvation decreed by God is at hand.

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah.  Sufferings of Isaiah is graphically described while serving the Lord God by carrying out his mission given by the Lord God. He is convinced the Lord God will eventually save him and he will not be put to shame. The sufferings and rejection of Prophet Isaiah is a pre-figuration of the sufferings and rejection and eventual death of Jesus the Messiah

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul explains to the Christian community the fact that because Jesus took upon Himself our human conditions and he accepted death on a cross, the heavenly Father has made Him Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus teaches us that humiliations, sufferings and death are necessary to enter into glory.

The passion of the Lord Jesus                                                                       In today's Gospel we have the passion narrative by St. Luke. Luke gives a vivid account of the Passover meal with the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Even when death is imminent for the Master, disciples are disputing among themselves who is the greatest among them. Jesus makes it very clear to them that to be His disciples they are to be at the service of one another. Jesus warns Peter of his impending denial. Judas under the cover of darkness betrays Him with a kiss. Jesus is arrested by the soldiers. When taken to the authorities, Jesus is accused of calling Himself a King. Finally under severe pressure from Jewish authorities Pilate condemns Him to death on a cross. Even on His final journey to Calvary, Jesus shows mercy, compassion and kindness to the women of Jerusalem. On the cross He prays for His executioners and pardons the thief on His right side of the cross. After His death, Joseph of Arimathea who was a secret disciple of Jesus takes His body and buries Him in a tomb. With passion reading, we too are invited to be not merely spectators but to be participants in the passion story especially during the Holy week. 

Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) is not the last word of the Jesus story. Rather it is only a prelude to the Holy week that will reach its climax on Easter Sunday. Let the celebrations of the Palm Sunday bring us hope and encouragement in times of pain and sufferings in our lives.

"Palm Sunday tells us that .... it is the cross that is the true tree of life." - Pope Benedict XVI

"Ride on/ ride on in majesty. In lowly pomp ride on to die./ O Christ thy triumph now begin/ O'er captive death and conquered sin." - Henry H Millman