Feast of Mary, Mother of God: New Year: January 1, 2023

                  MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD

First Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27

Second Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7

Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 16-21

   * First reading is from the book of Numbers. The Lord God instructs Moses to tell the priests to bless the people of Israel in His name. The chosen people are to be blessed by these words: "The Lord Bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you....I will bless them." With the Blessed Mother Mary, we too seek the blessings of the Lord God throughout the year 2023.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. Paul tells the Christians in Galatia and us that by giving us His own Son, through Mary, God enables the whole humankind to become His sons and daughters in whose hearts the spirit of God cries: "Abba, Father". 

Mary with the Child Jesus in the manger                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The meeting of shepherds with Child Jesus and Mother Mary in the manger is described. The eagerness of the simple, humble shepherds to pay homage to the divine Child and Mary's reflective and contemplative mood are graphically depicted. By our celebration of the New Year, coinciding with the Feast of Mother of God, we are celebrating the feast of all mothers. It is a fitting tribute to Mother Mary that she is the perfect model for all mothers. God showered Mary with numerous blessings. So we too invoke God's blessings on all mothers today. Blessed Mother was a simple, humble, peasant woman. Yet, Harward historian Harry Adams calls her, 'the most powerful religious symbol for centuries'. 

May the Blessed Mother Mary, Mother of God bless you all through the coming year 2023. 

"Mary is given to us as a mother to accompany us on our tiring pilgrimage through life." - Pope Paul VI

"As mariners are guided by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary". - St. Thomas Aquinas

CHRISTMAS: A: December 25, 2022

               BIRTH OF JESUS OUR SAVIOR

First Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-7

Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14

Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 1-14

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about the messianic hope of a Savior who will rescue the chosen people of the Lord God from their bondage and slavery. He assures the people that the child to be born will be a wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and Prince of peace. With the birth of Jesus, this prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfillment. He is the Lord and Savior of all humankind. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Titus. Paul reminds Titus and all of us that Christ has been revealed as God's living and loving grace and salvation of all. He encourages us to live sober and righteous lives because God in Christ has brought about salvation to all. 

Silent night, Holy night,..........a Savior is born                                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Luke gives us a beautiful and most touching description of the night when Jesus our Savior and Lord is born. It is the story of heavenly angels, about shepherds taking care of their sheep and most important, Blessed Mother Mary with Child Jesus in the manger. The Christmas story unlike many other stories, is based on a historical event which took place more than 2000 years ago in a little village called Bethlehem. It is the story of the birth of Jesus the Lord. God's unending love for humankind is expressed through the birth of Jesus. His love is inviting everyone to the manger like those Shepherds at the first Christmas night. Christmas brings us peace and joy. That is why that night the angels sang, "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of goodwill". Yes, to receive the peace of the Lord, we need to be persons of goodwill. When Jesus took birth in Bethlehem in a manger, the humble, simple Shepherds are invited to meet Him and receive the blessings of the divine Child. Child Jesus is inviting each one of us to the manger to receive His bountiful blessings.

                      MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fourth Sunday of Advent: A: December 18, 2022

 THE MYSTERY OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

First Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-14

Second Reading: Romans 1: 1-7

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1: 18-24

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah foretells the birth of a very special child. He would be called Emmanuel. Ahaz the King of Judah is in great distress. The Prophet encourages him to have faith in the Lord God. Isaiah's constant message to the King is to trust in the Lord God. Further, the Prophet invites Ahaz to ask for a sign from the Lord God. The King refuses to ask for a sign. However, the Prophet tells Ahaz that he would be given a sign by the Lord God:  A son will be born whose name will be Emmanuel- GOD WITH US. 

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Romans. The opening lines from Paul to the Christian community in Rome is mentioned. Paul refers to the human and divine 'roots' of Jesus. He describes Jesus as a descendant of David and Son of God who is the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the past. 

Emmanuel: God with us                                                                                 Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah is mentioned. Jesus is seen as the royal child of the house of David; born of a virgin. In Jesus, the dynasty of David continues. He is not only the son of David but also Son of God. Jesus is born of a virgin mother Mary. Mary's virginity points to the truth that Jesus is conceived without the intervention of a human father. A virgin mother has no precedent in any religious traditions. As we approach Christmas the prophecy of Isaiah and its fulfillment in Matthew's Gospel is brought for a specific purpose. It is to remind all of us that even in our most distressing situations of life, difficulties, disappointments and pains, God is with us. It is in those painful times that we realize the immense power and the greatness of the Almighty.

"Christmas is not a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." - C. Coolidge

"Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone." - C.M. Schulz

                 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

          May the Emmanuel born in Bethlehem Bless everyone.

Third Sunday of Advent: A: December 11, 2022

 IMMINENT COMING OF THE LORD

First Reading : Isaiah 35: 1-6 and 10

Second Reading: James 5: 7-10

Gospel Reading: Matthew 11: 1-11

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah foretells the return of the people of Israel from the Babylonian captivity as the Lord God rescues them. Isaiah urges us that we too should look beyond our sorrows and disappointments of the present with great hope in God's love and His saving actions in our lives. The Prophet encourages us to cheer up and not be afraid because the Lord God will save us.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle stresses the quality which all of us find it hard to obtain- patience. He urges us to be loving and patient with one another and be patient regarding the Lord's final coming. He  gives us the example of the prophets who underwent various sufferings but always went about patiently. 

Are you the one who is to come?                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The predicament of John the Baptist regarding Jesus is narrated. All of us have some unfulfilled hopes and unanswered prayers and John too faced a problem regarding the identity of Jesus. "Are you the one or shall we look for another?" is the question put by John. Hopes of John the Baptist regarding Jesus as the promised Messiah is not entirely fulfilled. John is imprisoned by Herod. In the prison, he is confused about Jesus. The question put by John is raised by many even today. Jesus' answer to the messengers of John is to observe what is happening around them. Jesus asks them to tell John concerning their experience of Him: Sight to the blind, lame walking, dead are raised to life and the good news being preached to the poor. Are there such experiences in our lives that would make us commit to Jesus? Today Jesus gives us the same message- to look around and see the presence of God and His benevolent power among us. Look around and see God's mighty manifestations of love and the great power of God in the universe. When our hopes are broken and our dreams are shattered, let us not get disappointed and disheartened but rather  place our total trust in the Lord. 

"A prison cell, is which one awaits, hopes- and is completely dependent on the fact that the door to freedom has to be opened from outside, is not a  bad picture of advent." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies and do unto others as you would have done unto you." - S. Maraboli