The Feast of Ascension : C: May 29, 2022

 ASCENSION OF THE LORD JESUS TO HEAVEN

First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23

Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 46-53

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid description about Jesus' final instructions to His disciples and His glorious Ascension to heaven is given. Jesus promises His disciples that they will receive  the Holy Spirit- the power from above. He commands them to be witnesses to Him in Jerusalem and throughout the whole world.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul explains to the Ephesian community and us the theological meaning and the implications of the Ascension of Jesus. He says, "God has glorified Jesus by raising Him above all earthly powers and making Him head of the Church and the Lord of creation."

Jesus is taken up to heaven                                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. On the day of His Ascension, the risen Lord sums up for His disciples the meaning of His death and His resurrection. Jesus then commissions them to preach the good news to all nations. Before they begin their mission journeys, they are asked to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit who will be their teacher and guide. Jesus then blesses them and departs to heaven as they are watching. Apostles are filled with great joy when they realize what has happened to Jesus. Now they realize that not only Jesus is risen from the dead but that He is now in heavenly glory, seated at the right hand of God the Father. Although Jesus has ascended into heaven we must not look upon Him as being far away from us. He wants everyone of us to be witness to His presence in the world. With His ascension Jesus withdraws His physical presence from His disciples and from the world. But physical absence does not always mean absence of presence. People can be very close to one another even though they are separated by thousands of miles. So also, although Jesus has ascended into heaven, He is very much present among us. 

"When Christ returned to heaven, he withdrew his physical presence from our sight. He didn't stop being with disciples but by the ascension fulfilled his promise to be with us to the end of the world. As his body was raised to heaven, so his power and reign have spread to the utmost parts." - J. Calvin. 

"God our Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your son Jesus Christ. May we always follow Him into the new creation, for His ascension is our glory and our hope." - A prayer

Sixth Sunday of Easter:C: 22nd May, 2022

 JESUS PROMISES PEACE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

First Reading: Acts 15: 1-2 and 22-29

Second Reading: Apocalypse 21: 10-14 and 22-23

Gospel Reading: John 14: 23-29

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. The early Christian community faced many problems. The Apostles resolved them through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many Gentiles (non-Jews) became believers in the Lord as result of the preaching of Paul and Barnabas. But the question was, how much of the Mosaic law was applicable to the new converts? The first council of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit gave a decision which was far reaching. The early Church decided that it is not the external circumcision that matters but rather the internal disposition of the heart that really matters. 

   *Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. A description of the new Jerusalem - the heavenly Church- in all its glory  where God's kingdom will come in all its majesty and power is given. The imagery of the Holy city of Jerusalem as the bride of the Lamb points to the heavenly origin of the Church.

Jesus express His love and promises the Holy Spirit and peace                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This is a part of the farewell discourse of Jesus at the Last Supper. At the onset of the discourse, Jesus expresses His love for His beloved disciples. In turn they are  asked to love Him by keeping His commandments. Then Jesus promises them the coming of the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit who will be sent by the Father. Jesus tells them that the Holy Spirit will teach them all things and bring to remembrance all that He Himself taught them. Finally Jesus promises them His peace. He gives the assurance that they are not to be afraid of anything or to be worried about anything because He is going to the Father. Jesus' unshakable faith in the Father is the basis and the source of the promised peace. Jesus offers the same peace to everyone who follows Him. Let the peace of the risen Lord remain in our hearts and minds which the world cannot give us. 

"When you find peace within yourself you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others." - M.K. Gandhi

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta 

Fifth Sunday of Easter: C: May 15, 2022

 JESUS' COMMANDMENT OF LOVE

First Reading: Acts 14: 21-27

Second Reading: Apocalypse 21: 1-5

Gospel Reading: John 12: 31-35

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Various missionary journeys of Saints Paul and Barnabas are narrated. During their journeys, they retrace their steps, encouraging the small communities of Christians which they lovingly founded and nurtured. The new disciples were encouraged to persevere in faith in the Lord Jesus in order to face persecutions and sufferings in future.

   *Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. The vision of St. John about the new creation and final union of all faithful with the Lord Jesus is described. The new and glorious world order that awaits us offers us peace and happiness in the company of the victorious Lord. 

Love one another even as I have loved you                                                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus asks His disciples and all of us to love others as He loves us, that is to love unselfishly. To really love someone is to put the other person first. The parable of the good Samaritan graphically explains this message of Jesus. It is simple and at the same time frightening. How many of us could do it in reality? Often we are happy with a few kind words or gestures - a commitment or two - and we have a good conscience. True love like genuine friendship is more difficult and demanding. It calls for an effort and it can cause pain. It is not enough to say 'I love you' or to say 'I care for you' and do nothing about it. The deepest hurt comes when our love is not returned or ignored by the person we love. Then it is hard to go on loving such a person. Often we flatly refuse to love those whom we consider for some reason or other not worthy of our love. But as true followers of Jesus we are singled out and are identified by our love for one another. Jesus demands that kind of love from each one of us. 

"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. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

"I asked Jesus, 'How much do you love me?' and Jesus said, 'This much.' Then He stretched out His arms and died." - Anon 

Fourth Sunday of Easter: C: May 8, 2022

          JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

First Reading: Acts 13: 14 and 43-52

Second Reading: Apocalypse 7: 14-17

Gospel Reading: John 10: 27-30

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A description of the missionary journeys of Sts. Paul and Barnabas is given. Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel at the Synagogue of Antioch. Initially the people the town were receptive to the Word and responded with enthusiasm. Later some Jews conspired against them and the people became hostile. Due to the opposition they met with, Paul and Barnabas went to the gentile community (non-Jews) in the town and preached the Word of God in their midst. Many of the gentiles became believers in the Lord Jesus and His message. But some of the Jews incited the people against Paul and Barnabas and they were driven out of the city.

   *Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. A heavenly vision of St. John is narrated. A great multitude of people who underwent persecutions and sufferings for the Lord Jesus are rewarded and they are received in glory to the presence of the almighty God. They owe their victory to the care of Christ their Good Shepherd.

My sheep hear my voice                                                                    Today's gospel reading is from St. John. The qualities of Jesus the Good Shepherd are mentioned. Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice." To be sheep of Christ's flock would mean that we are always ready to listen to the Good Shepherd. There are mainly three ways in which Jesus the Good Shepherd speaks to us. 1. Through the Holy Bible. 2. Through our conscience. 3. Through the teachings of the Church. Jesus says." I know them." To know the sheep means to recognize each of them and to take care of them in challenging situations. Jesus knows each one of His sheep personally. In the book of Isaiah it is written, "I know you before you were born, I know you from your mother's womb." Hence Jesus the Good Shepherd protects the sheep and takes care of them. The sheep follow the Good Shepherd. The sheep do not follow a stranger but the one who takes care of them. So we are expected to follow Jesus the Good Shepherd in all circumstances of life. 

"We were looking for a 'Good Shepherd' and instead we got a German Shepherd." - Pope Benedict XVI (on his election as Pope)

"For he hears the lambs innocent call/ And he hears the ewes tender reply/ He is watchful while they are in peace / For they know when their Shepherd is nigh."  - W. Blake

"Too many leaders act as if the sheep (their people) are there for the benefit of the Shepherd, not that the Shepherd has responsibility for the sheep." - K. Blanchard